The present disclosure relates to an aerosol-generating device for use with an aerosolgenerating article. The present disclosure also relates to an aerosol-delivery system formed of an aerosol-generating device and an aerosol-generating article.

Aerosol-generating devices are known which are adapted to receive a disposable aerosolgenerating article and operable to generate an inhalable aerosol by heating an aerosol-forming substrate of the article. In response to a user inhalation applied to the device or the article, air is drawn through the device and/or the article and mixes with volatile compounds evolved from the aerosol-forming substrate in response to the heating of the substrate. The mixture of air and volatile compounds cools to form an aerosol, with this aerosol being inhaled by the user. The quality of the user experience is affected by the degree to which the air and volatile compounds are mixed together. Incomplete mixing of the air and the volatile compounds can adversely affect the user experience. On completion of a usage session, removal of a spent aerosol-generating article from the device can result in residue from the depleted aerosol-forming substrate contaminating the user’s fingers.

The present disclosure relates to provision of an improved aerosol-generating device.

According to an aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided an aerosol-generating device for use with an aerosol-generating article comprising an aerosol-forming substrate. The aerosol-generating device comprises a housing, a heating assembly and an ejector. The housing comprises a cavity and an aerosol outlet. The cavity is configured to receive the aerosolgenerating article. The heating assembly is configured to heat the aerosol-forming substrate of the aerosol-generating article received in the cavity to generate an aerosol. The aerosolgenerating device further comprises an air flow path extending within the device downstream from the cavity to the aerosol outlet for conveying an air flow entrained with aerosol. The ejector is coupled to the housing and configured to urge the aerosol-generating article received in the cavity out from the cavity. The ejector defines at least part of the air flow path and is configured to modify the entrained air flow along the air flow path.

The ejector may facilitate providing improved airflow management along the air flow path, and also assist in removal of a spent aerosol-generating article from the aerosol-generating device.

The ejector may comprise an enclosed channel, the enclosed channel forming at least part of the air flow path.

Preferably, the ejector may be configured to promote mixing of the entrained air flow along the air flow path. Enhancement of mixing may facilitate enhancing the user experience for the device as it increases the likelihood of the user inhaling an aerosol containing a homogenous mixture of air and volatile compounds evolved from the aerosol-forming substrate. The ejector may be configured to change at least one of speed and direction of the entrained air flow along the air flow path. The change in speed and direction may assist in promoting mixing of the entrained air flow.

The part of the air flow path defined by the ejector may comprise a geometry or surface features which promote mixing of the entrained air flow. The ejector may comprise one or more ribs protruding into the air flow path. The ribs may promote mixing of the entrained air flow.

Preferably, the ejector may comprise a venturi, the venturi positioned to form part of the air flow path. A venturi defines a constriction in the air flow path through which the entrained air flow is funnelled, with the change in cross sectional area of the flowpath in the venturi imparting a change in velocity of the entrained air flow as it flows therethrough. The change in velocity imparted by the venturi may assist in promoting mixing of the entrained air flow. The improved mixing may thereby result in a user inhaling an aerosol in which the components of the aerosol are thoroughly mixed. The improved mixing may thereby enhance the user experience.

Where the ejector comprises a venturi, an upstream homogenisation chamber may be positioned upstream of the venturi in the air flow path. Additionally or alternatively, a downstream homogenisation chamber may be positioned downstream of the venturi in the air flow path. The provision of one or both of the upstream and downstream homogenisation chambers provides a volume or space for components of the entrained air flow to mix. Further, the volume or space provided by the homogenisation chamber(s) may also promote improved cooling of the entrained air flow, thereby reducing the likelihood of the user receiving an aerosol having an excessively high temperature. Conveniently, one or both of the upstream and downstream homogenisation chambers form part of the ejector. By way of example, the ejector may be formed as a single homogenous component. Alternatively, the ejector may be formed of two or more component parts which are coupled to one another.

The aerosol-generating device may also comprise a mouthpiece, the mouthpiece comprising the aerosol outlet.

Preferably, the housing may be an elongate housing having a longitudinal axis. The cavity, ejector and aerosol outlet may be sequentially arranged along the longitudinal axis of the elongate housing between a distal end and a mouth end of the elongate housing. The mouth end may serve as a mouthpiece for a user. Alternatively, a mouthpiece may be attached to the elongate housing at the mouth end. Conveniently, the aerosol outlet is positioned at the mouth end. The mouth end defines a downstream end of the air flow path.

The aerosol-generating device may further comprise a cover coupled to the housing to cover an access opening to the cavity. The cover may be moveable relative to the housing between a closed position and an open position. The coupling of the cover to the housing may be configured to bias the cover in the closed position. Having the cover biased in a closed position may reduce the likelihood of foreign objects entering the cavity of the aerosol-generating device when no aerosol-generating article is present inside the cavity. Further, where an aerosol- generating article is fully received in the cavity, having the cover biased in a closed position may also help to reduce the likelihood of the article inadvertently escaping from the cavity during use of the aerosol-generating device. The biasing may be achieved by use of a spring or other conventional means in coupling of the cover to the housing. Preferably, the access opening may be provided at the distal end of the housing and the coupling of the cover to the housing is a rotatable coupling in which the cover is rotatably moveable relative to the housing to move between the closed and open positions. Alternatively however, the access opening may instead be provided in a sidewall of the housing between the distal end and the mouth end.

Preferably, the ejector may be slidably moveable relative to the housing to urge the aerosolgenerating article when received in the cavity out from the cavity. Conveniently, the ejector is slidably moveable relative to the housing along a longitudinal axis of the housing; in this manner, slidable motion of the ejector relative to the housing may be a motion along the longitudinal axis of the housing.

The aerosol-generating device may further comprise a slidable interface accessible from outside of the housing and slidable over a surface of the housing. The slidable interface may be coupled to the ejector such that motion of the interface over the surface of the housing provides a corresponding sliding motion of the ejector relative to the housing to urge the aerosol-generating article when received in the cavity out from the cavity. Preferably, the slidable interface and the ejector are slidably moveable along a longitudinal axis of the housing.

Preferably, the slidable interface and the ejector may be integrally formed as a single body. However, the coupling of the slidable interface and ejector may instead be provided by the slidable interface and ejector being formed as discrete structural entities connected to one another. The connection of the slidable interface and the ejector may be indirect (i.e. with the presence of one or more intermediary parts between the slidable interface and ejector) or direct (i.e. without the presence of any such intermediary parts between the slidable interface and ejector).

The heating assembly may be arranged along and around a longitudinal axis of the cavity. Further, the heating assembly may define an interior-facing surface of the cavity.

The heating assembly may comprise a plurality of heating segments, each of the plurality of heating segments sequentially arranged along the longitudinal axis of the cavity. The aerosolgenerating device may further comprise control electronics configured to selectively activate one or more of the plurality of heating segments so as to heat one or more corresponding regions of the aerosol-generating article when received in the cavity. Where the device is used with an aerosol-generating article comprising an aerosol-forming substrate segmented in the same manner as the heating assembly, the aerosol-generating article and the aerosol-generating device may be dimensioned so that each heating segment of the heating assembly is positioned adjacent to a corresponding segment of the aerosol-forming substrate when the article is received in the cavity. In this manner, the heating process may be controlled to selectively deplete specific portions (i.e. the segments) of the aerosol-forming substrate of the aerosol-generating article.

Preferably, the plurality of heating segments may be axially-spaced apart from each other along the longitudinal axis of the cavity.

The heating assembly may be configured to be air-permeable so as to define a transverse air flow path across the heating assembly inwards into the cavity.

The heating assembly may be an inductive heating assembly. Each of the plurality of heating segments may comprise a circumferential arrangement around the cavity of one or more inductors.

Each of the plurality of heating segments may further comprise a circumferential arrangement around the cavity of one or more susceptor elements. The circumferential arrangement of one or more susceptor elements may be disposed inwards from the corresponding circumferential arrangement of one or more inductors.

Each of the circumferential arrangements of one or more susceptor elements may be radially spaced apart from the corresponding circumferential arrangement of one or more inductors to define an axial air flow path therebetween.

As an alternative to having one or more susceptor elements being features of the aerosolgenerating device, one or more susceptor elements may instead be integrated into the aerosolgenerating article. By way of example, one or more susceptor elements may be positioned within the aerosol-forming substrate of the aerosol-generating article.

The heating assembly may be a resistive heating assembly, each of the plurality of heating segments comprising a circumferential arrangement around the cavity of one or more resistive heating elements.

Preferably, the control electronics may be configured to sequentially activate different ones or groups of the plurality of heating segments over a predetermined period of time, progressing along a length of the cavity.

The control electronics may be configured to selectively activate the plurality of heating segments over a predetermined period of time, such that at any point over the predetermined period of time only a single one of the plurality of heating segments is activated. Conveniently, the predetermined period of time is a usage session.

According to another aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided an aerosol-delivery system comprising an aerosol-generating device according to any of the possible configurations described above; and an aerosol-generating article comprising an aerosol-forming substrate, the aerosol-generating article configured to be received in the cavity of the aerosol-generating device.

Preferably, the heating assembly may comprise a plurality of heating segments. Each of the plurality of heating segments may be sequentially arranged along a longitudinal axis of the cavity. The aerosol-generating device may further comprise control electronics configured to selectively activate one or more of the plurality of heating segments. The aerosol-forming substrate may comprise a plurality of substrate segments, each of the substrate segments arranged such that when the aerosol-generating article is received in the cavity, each of the substrate segments is axially aligned with a corresponding one of the heating segments. Such a configuration of corresponding heating segments and substrate segments facilitates the heating process being controlled to selectively deplete specific portions (i.e. the segments) of the aerosol-forming substrate.

As used herein, the term “aerosol-generating device” is used to describe a device that interacts with an aerosol-forming substrate to generate an aerosol. Preferably, the aerosolgenerating device is a smoking device that interacts with an aerosol-forming substrate to generate an aerosol that is directly inhalable into a user’s lungs thorough the user's mouth.

As used herein, the term “aerosol-forming substrate” refers to a substrate consisting of or comprising an aerosol-forming material that is capable of releasing volatile compounds upon heating to generate an aerosol.

Preferably, the aerosol-forming substrate is a solid aerosol-forming substrate. However, the aerosol-forming substrate may comprise both solid and liquid components. Alternatively, the aerosol-forming substrate may be a liquid aerosol-forming substrate.

Preferably, the aerosol-forming substrate comprises nicotine. More preferably, the aerosol-forming substrate comprises tobacco. Alternatively or in addition, the aerosol-forming substrate may comprise a non-tobacco containing aerosol-forming material.

If the aerosol-forming substrate is a solid aerosol-forming substrate, the solid aerosolforming substrate may comprise, for example, one or more of: powder, granules, pellets, shreds, strands, strips or sheets containing one or more of: herb leaf, tobacco leaf, tobacco ribs, expanded tobacco and homogenised tobacco.

Optionally, the solid aerosol-forming substrate may contain tobacco or non-tobacco volatile flavour compounds, which are released upon heating of the solid aerosol-forming substrate. The solid aerosol-forming substrate may also contain one or more capsules that, for example, include additional tobacco volatile flavour compounds or non-tobacco volatile flavour compounds and such capsules may melt during heating of the solid aerosol-forming substrate.

Optionally, the solid aerosol-forming substrate may be provided on or embedded in a thermally stable carrier. The carrier may take the form of powder, granules, pellets, shreds, strands, strips or sheets. The solid aerosol-forming substrate may be deposited on the surface of the carrier in the form of, for example, a sheet, foam, gel or slurry. The solid aerosol-forming substrate may be deposited on the entire surface of the carrier, or alternatively, may be deposited in a pattern in order to provide a non-uniform flavour delivery during use. In a preferred embodiment, the aerosol-forming substrate comprises homogenised tobacco material. As used herein, the term “homogenised tobacco material” refers to a material formed by agglomerating particulate tobacco.

Preferably, the aerosol-forming substrate comprises a gathered sheet of homogenised tobacco material. As used herein, the term “sheet” refers to a laminar element having a width and length substantially greater than the thickness thereof. As used herein, the term “gathered” is used to describe a sheet that is convoluted, folded, or otherwise compressed or constricted substantially transversely to the longitudinal axis of the aerosol-generating article. Preferably, the aerosol-forming substrate comprises an aerosol former. As used herein, the term “aerosol former” is used to describe any suitable known compound or mixture of compounds that, in use, facilitates formation of an aerosol and that is substantially resistant to thermal degradation at the operating temperature of the aerosol-generating article.

Suitable aerosol-formers are known in the art and include, but are not limited to: polyhydric alcohols, such as propylene glycol, triethylene glycol, 1 ,3-butanediol and glycerine; esters of polyhydric alcohols, such as glycerol mono-, di- or triacetate; and aliphatic esters of mono-, di- or polycarboxylic acids, such as dimethyl dodecanedioate and dimethyl tetradecanedioate. Preferred aerosol formers are polyhydric alcohols or mixtures thereof, such as propylene glycol, triethylene glycol, 1 ,3-butanediol and, most preferred, glycerine.

The aerosol-forming substrate may comprise a single aerosol former. Alternatively, the aerosol-forming substrate may comprise a combination of two or more aerosol formers.

As used herein, the term “usage session” refers to a period in which a series of puffs are applied by a user to extract aerosol from an aerosol-forming substrate.

The invention is defined in the claims. However, below there is provided a non-exhaustive list of non-limiting examples. Any one or more of the features of these examples may be combined with any one or more features of another example, embodiment, or aspect described herein.

Example Ex1 : An aerosol-generating device for use with an aerosol-generating article comprising an aerosol-forming substrate, the aerosol-generating device comprising a housing, a heating assembly and an ejector; the housing comprising a cavity and an aerosol outlet, the cavity configured to receive the aerosol-generating article; the heating assembly configured to heat the aerosol-forming substrate of the aerosolgenerating article received in the cavity to generate an aerosol; the aerosol-generating device further comprising an air flow path extending within the device downstream from the cavity to the aerosol outlet for conveying an air flow entrained with aerosol; the ejector coupled to the housing and configured to urge the aerosol-generating article received in the cavity out from the cavity; the ejector defining at least part of the air flow path and configured to modify the entrained air flow along the air flow path.

Example Ex2: An aerosol-generating device according to Ex1 , in which the ejector comprises an enclosed channel, the enclosed channel forming the at least part of the air flow path.

Example Ex3: An aerosol-generating device according to either one of Ex1 or Ex2, in which the ejector is configured to promote mixing of the entrained air flow along the air flow path.

Example Ex4: An aerosol-generating device according to Ex3, in which the part of the air flow path defined by the ejector comprises a geometry or surface features which promote mixing of the entrained air flow.

Example Ex5: An aerosol-generating device according to any one of Ex1 to Ex4, in which the ejector is configured to change at least one of speed and direction of the entrained air flow along the air flow path.

Example Ex6: An aerosol-generating device according to any one of Ex1 to Ex5, in which the ejector comprises a venturi, the venturi positioned to form part of the air flow path.

Example Ex7: An aerosol-generating device according to Ex6, in which an upstream homogenisation chamber is positioned upstream of the venturi in the air flow path.

Example Ex8: An aerosol-generating device according to either one of Ex6 or Ex7, in which a downstream homogenisation chamber is positioned downstream of the venturi in the air flow path.

Example Ex9: An aerosol-generating device according to either one of Ex7 or Ex8, in which one or both of the upstream and downstream homogenisation chambers form part of the ejector.

Example Ex10: An aerosol-generating device according to any one of Ex1 to Ex9, further comprising a mouthpiece, the mouthpiece comprising the aerosol outlet.

Example Ex11 : An aerosol-generating device according to any one of Ex1 to Ex10, in which the housing is an elongate housing having a longitudinal axis, in which the cavity, ejector and aerosol outlet are sequentially arranged along the longitudinal axis of the housing between a distal end and a mouth end of the housing.

Example Ex12: An aerosol-generating device according to Ex11 , in which the aerosol outlet is positioned at the mouth end.

Example Ex13: An aerosol-generating device according to either one of Ex11 or Ex12, further comprising a cover coupled to the housing to cover an access opening to the cavity, the cover moveable relative to the housing between a closed position and an open position, the coupling of the cover to the housing configured to bias the cover in the closed position.

Example Ex14: An aerosol-generating device according to Ex13, in which the access opening is provided at the distal end of the housing and the coupling of the cover to the housing is a rotatable coupling in which the cover is rotatably moveable relative to the housing to move between the closed and open positions.

Example Ex15: An aerosol-generating device according to Ex13, in which the access opening is provided in a sidewall of the housing between the distal end and the mouth end.

Example Ex16: An aerosol-generating device according to any one of Ex1 to Ex15, in which the ejector is slidably moveable relative to the housing to urge the aerosol-generating article when received in the cavity out from the cavity.

Example Ex17: An aerosol-generating device according to Ex16, in which the ejector is slidably moveable relative to the housing along a longitudinal axis of the housing.

Example Ex18: An aerosol-generating device according to either one of Ex16 or Ex17, further comprising a slidable interface accessible from outside of the housing and slidable over a surface of the housing, the slidable interface coupled to the ejector such that motion of the interface over the surface of the housing provides a corresponding sliding motion of the ejector relative to the housing to urge the aerosol-generating article when received in the cavity out from the cavity.

Example Ex19: An aerosol-generating device according to Ex18, in which the slidable interface and the ejector are slidably moveable along a longitudinal axis of the housing.

Example Ex20 An aerosol-generating device according to either one of Ex18 or Ex19, in which the slidable interface and the ejector are integrally formed as a single body.

Example Ex21 : An aerosol-generating device according to any one of Ex1 to Ex20, in which the heating assembly is arranged along and around a longitudinal axis of the cavity.

Example Ex22: An aerosol-generating device according to Ex21 , in which the heating assembly defines an interior-facing surface of the cavity.

Example Ex23: An aerosol-generating device according to either one of Ex21 or Ex22, in which the heating assembly is configured to be air-permeable so as to define a transverse air flow path across the heating assembly inwards into the cavity.

Example Ex24: An aerosol-generating device according to any one of Ex21 to Ex23, in which the heating assembly comprises a plurality of heating segments, each of the plurality of heating segments sequentially arranged along the longitudinal axis of the cavity, the aerosolgenerating device further comprising control electronics configured to selectively activate one or more of the plurality of heating segments so as to heat one or more corresponding regions of the aerosol-generating article when received in the cavity. Example Ex25: An aerosol-generating device according to Ex24, in which the plurality of heating segments are axially-spaced apart from each other along the longitudinal axis of the cavity.

Example Ex26: An aerosol-generating device according to either one of Ex24 or Ex25, in which the heating assembly is an inductive heating assembly, each of the plurality of heating segments comprising a circumferential arrangement around the cavity of one or more inductors.

Example Ex27: An aerosol-generating device according to Ex26, in which each of the plurality of heating segments further comprises a circumferential arrangement around the cavity of one or more susceptor elements, the circumferential arrangement of one or more susceptor elements disposed inwards from the corresponding circumferential arrangement of one or more inductors.

Example Ex28: An aerosol-generating device according to Ex27, in which each of the circumferential arrangements of one or more susceptor elements is radially spaced apart from the corresponding circumferential arrangement of one or more inductors to define an axial air flow path therebetween.

Example Ex29: An aerosol-generating device according to either one of Ex24 or Ex25, in which the heating assembly is a resistive heating assembly, each of the plurality of heating segments comprising a circumferential arrangement around the cavity of one or more resistive heating elements.

Example Ex30: An aerosol-generating device according to any one of Ex24 to Ex29, in which the control electronics is configured to sequentially activate different ones or groups of the plurality of heating segments over a predetermined period of time, progressing along a length of the cavity.

Example Ex31 : An aerosol-generating device according to any one of Ex24 to Ex30, in which the control electronics is configured to selectively activate the plurality of heating segments over a predetermined period of time, such that at any point over the predetermined period of time only a single one of the plurality of heating segments is activated.

Example Ex32: An aerosol-generating device according to either one of Ex30 or Ex31 , in which the predetermined period of time is a usage session.

Example Ex33: An aerosol-delivery system comprising: an aerosol-generating device according to any one of Ex1 to Ex32; and an aerosol-generating article comprising an aerosol-forming substrate, the aerosolgenerating article configured to be received in the cavity of the aerosol-generating device.

Example Ex34: An aerosol-delivery system according to Ex33, in which the heating assembly comprises a plurality of heating segments, each of the plurality of heating segments sequentially arranged along a longitudinal axis of the cavity, the aerosol-generating device further comprising control electronics configured to selectively activate one or more of the plurality of heating segments; the aerosol-forming substrate comprising a plurality of substrate segments, each of the substrate segments arranged such that when the aerosol-generating article is received in the cavity, each of the substrate segments is axially aligned with a corresponding one of the heating segments.

Examples will now be further described with reference to the figures, in which:

Figure 1 is a cross-sectional schematic view of an aerosol-generating device.

Figure 2 is an end view of a cover of the aerosol-generating device in the direction indicated by arrow ‘A’ in Figure 1 .

Figure 3 is a perspective view of an aerosol-generating article intended for use with the aerosol-generating device of Figure 1.

Figures 4A-C are cross-sectional schematic views of an aerosol-delivery system formed by the combination of the aerosol-generating device of Figure 1 and the aerosol-generating article of Figure 3. Figure 4A shows the aerosol-generating article prior to insertion into the aerosolgenerating device. Figure 4B shows the aerosol-generating article fully received within the aerosol-generating device. Figure 4C shows the aerosol-generating article after ejection from the aerosol-generating device.

Figures 5A-C are perspective schematic views of the aerosol-delivery system corresponding to each of Figures 4A-C.

Figures 6A and 6B are cross-sectional schematic views of the aerosol-delivery system in use in different phases of a usage session.

Figure 1 is a schematic view of an aerosol-generating device 1 . The device 1 has an elongate housing 2. For the example shown and described, the elongate housing 2 is generally cylindrical in cross-section and is formed of a polymer material. The housing 2 contains a power source 21 and control electronics 22. The power source 21 is in the form of a rechargeable battery, which serves as a source of electrical power for the aerosol-generating device 1 . The aerosol-generating device 1 has a distal end 11 and a mouth end 12. The housing 2 terminates in a mouthpiece 23 at the mouth end 12, the mouthpiece 23 having an opening 231. In use, the opening 231 of the mouthpiece 23 functions as an aerosol outlet. A cylindrical cavity 24 is defined inside the housing 2. The cavity 24 extends along a longitudinal axis LA of the device 1 from the distal end 1 1 for part of the length of the device. An access opening 241 into the cavity 24 is provided at the distal end 1 1 .

A heating assembly 3 is arranged circumferentially around the cavity 24. The heating assembly 3 extends along the length of the cavity 24 and is formed of five discrete heating segments 31 a-e. The heating segments 31 a-e are axially arranged along the longitudinal axis LA. Each of the heating segments 31 a-e has a corresponding inductor coil 311 a-e and a corresponding susceptor 312a-e. Each of the inductor coils 31 1 a-e and their respective susceptors 312a-e extend circumferentially around the cavity 24. Each of the inductor coils 311 a-e are disposed radially outward of their respective susceptor 312a-e by a radial gap r _3i . The heating segments 31 a-e are axially spaced part from each other by an axial gap a ₃ i. Although not shown in the figures, the radial and axial gaps r ₃ i, a _3i may provide for the channelling of an air flow therethrough and into the cavity 24

The power source 21 , control electronics 22 and heating assembly 3 are electrically coupled to each other by means of wiring 25. Figure 1 illustrates how the control electronics 22 is independently electrically coupled to each of the inductor coils 311 a-e of the heating segments 31 a-e of the heating assembly 3 by separate sections of the wiring 25.

The aerosol-generating device 1 also has an ejector 4. The ejector 4 is incorporated into the aerosol-generating device 1 so as to be slidably movable within the housing 2 along the longitudinal axis LA. The ejector 4 has an enclosed channel 41 (represented by a double-headed dashed arrow in Figure 1 ) extending axially along the longitudinal axis LA from the cavity 24 downstream towards the mouthpiece 23 at the mouth end 12. The enclosed channel 41 defines an upstream chamber 42, a venturi section 43 and a downstream chamber 44. The upstream chamber 42, venturi section 43 and downstream chamber 44 are sequentially arranged along the longitudinal axis LA. The venturi section 43 defines a throat 431 corresponding to the minimum cross-sectional area of the enclosed channel 41 . The cross-sectional area of the enclosed channel 41 increases upstream and downstream of the throat 431. The upstream end of the ejector 40 is provided with a circumferential lip 45. The circumferential lip 45 is immediately adjacent the upstream chamber 42 and defines a diameter slightly smaller than the diameter of the upstream chamber.

A slidable interface 5 is provided on the aerosol-generating device 1. The slidable interface 5 is accessible from outside of the housing 2. The slidable interface 5 has the form of a curved panel which follows the curvature of the cylindrical housing 2 and partly circumscribes the housing (see Figures 5A-C). The slidable interface 5 is slidable over the exterior surface of the housing 2 along the longitudinal axis LA. The slidable interface 5 and the ejector 4 are integrally formed as a single piece (see Figures 1 , 4A-C). Motion of the slidable interface 5 across the surface of the housing 2 along the longitudinal axis LA results in a corresponding motion of the ejector 4 along the longitudinal axis. In an alternative embodiment (not shown), the slidable interface 5 and ejector 4 may instead be formed as discrete structural entities coupled directly or indirectly to each other such that sliding motion of the slidable interface 5 still results in a corresponding sliding motion of the ejector 4 along the longitudinal axis LA.

A cover 6 is coupled to the housing 2 at the distal end 11 . The cover 6 is coupled to the housing 2 by a sprung-loaded hinge connection 61 (see Figures 1 , 2, 4A-C). The cover 6 is pivotally rotatable about the sprung-loaded hinge connection 61 between a closed position and an open position. For the open position, the cover 6 is shown in dashed outline in Figure 1. In the closed position, the cover 6 covers the opening 241 to the cavity 24. In the open position, the cover 6 is pivoted about the sprung-loaded hinge connection 61 to expose the opening 241 into the cavity 24. Having the cover 6 in the open position permits an aerosol-generating article 7 to be inserted into or removed from the cavity 24, as shown in Figures 4A-C and 5A-C. The sprung- loaded hinge connection 61 is arranged to bias the cover 6 into the closed position. An air hole 62 is formed in the central region of the cover 6 (see Figures 2, 5A, 5C).

The aerosol-generating device 1 is intended for use with an aerosol-generating article 7. Figure 3 illustrates a perspective view of an exemplary aerosol-generating article 7. The aerosolgenerating article 7 has an elongate rod form. The aerosol-generating article 7 includes an aerosol-forming substrate 71 . The aerosol-forming substrate 71 consists of five segments 71 a-e. Each of the segments 71 a-e of the aerosol-forming substrate 71 contains tobacco and glycerine. The segments 71 a-e are sequentially arranged along the length of the aerosol-generating article 7. Each of the segments 71 a-e has an axial length corresponding generally to the axial length of each of the heating segments 31 a-e of the heating assembly 3 of the aerosol-generating device 1. The segments 71 a-e of the aerosol-forming substrate are enclosed in a wrapper 72 formed of cigarette paper.

The aerosol-generating article 1 and the aerosol-generating article 7 collectively form an aerosol-delivery system 100 (see Figures 4A-C, 5A-C).

Prior to commencing a usage session, a user would first move the cover 6 into the open position by applying sufficient force to the edge of the cover to overcome the biasing action of the sprung-loaded hinge connection 61 , thereby exposing the access opening 241 of the cavity 24. The user would then insert the aerosol-generating article 7 into the cavity 24 until one end of the cavity abuts the circumferential lip 45 of the ejector 4. The cavity 24 has a length sufficient to receive the entirety of the aerosol-generating article 7. Figures 4A and 5A show the aerosolgenerating article 7 just before insertion into the cavity 24 of the aerosol-generating device 1. Figure 4B shows the aerosol-generating article 7 after having been inserted into the cavity 24 of the aerosol-generating device 1 . When the aerosol-generating article 7 is received inside the cavity 24, each segment 71 a-e of the aerosol-forming substrate 71 is positioned adjacent a corresponding one of the heating segments 31 a-e of the heating assembly 3. Once the aerosolgenerating article 7 is fully received inside the cavity 24 of the aerosol-generating device 1 , the cover 6 would automatically pivot about the sprung-loaded hinge connection 61 into the closed position as a consequence of the biasing action of the sprung-loaded hinge connection - as shown in Figures 1 , 4B, 5B. The cover 6 would help to ensure that the aerosol-generating article 7 is retained inside the cavity 24 of the aerosol-generating device 1 .

The user would then commence a usage session by pressing an activation button or similar means (not shown) positioned on the housing 2 of the device 1. With commencement of the usage session, the control electronics 22 would proceed to control a supply of electricity from the power source 21 to the heating assembly 3 according to instructions stored in a memory module of the control electronics 22. More specifically, the control electronics 22 independently controls a supply of electricity from the power source 21 to specific ones of the inductor coils 31 1 a-e according to the instructions stored in the memory module. The supply of electricity to specific ones of the inductor coils 311 a-e results in generation of a magnetic field by the respective inductor coil(s). The generated magnetic field induces eddy currents into and heating of corresponding ones of the susceptors 312a-e, with heat being radiated from the susceptors to heat the adjacent corresponding segments 71 a-e of the aerosol-forming substrate 71. The heating of the different segments 71 a-e of the aerosol-forming substrate 71 results in volatile compounds being evolved from the respective segment as a vapour.

Figures 6A and 6B show how different ones of the heating segments 31 a-e are activated in different portions of the usage session. Figure 6A illustrates the heating regime in a first portion of the usage session. In this first portion of the usage session, the control electronics 22 confine the supply of electrical power to inductor coil 311 a, thereby resulting in heating being confined to susceptor 312a and to segment 71 a of the aerosol-forming substrate 71 . Figure 6B illustrates the heating regime in a second portion of the usage session, the second portion immediately following the first portion. In this second portion of the usage session, the control electronics 22 confine the supply of electrical power to inductor coil 311 b, thereby resulting in heating being confined to susceptor 312b and to segment 71 b of the aerosol-forming substrate 71 . In subsequent portions of the usage session, the control electronics 22 progressively confine the supply of electrical power to inductor coil 311 c, then inductor coil 311 d and finally inductor coil 311 e, resulting in heating of the corresponding susceptors 312c, 312d, 312e and thereby of corresponding segments 71c, 71 d, 71 e. So, at the commencement of the usage session, the segment 71 a of the aerosol-forming substrate 71 closest to the distal end 1 1 of the device 1 is heated and gradually depleted. With progression through different portions of the usage session, the heating action of the heating assembly 3 progresses downstream to heat and deplete segment 71 b, followed by segment 71c, followed by segment 71 d, followed finally by segment 71 e - as represented by arrow B in Figure 6B.

During the usage session, the user would draw on the mouthpiece 23. The drawing action of the user results in air being drawn in through the air hole 62 of the cover 6 into the cavity 24 and entering into an end of the aerosol-generating article 7. On flowing downstream through the aerosol-generating article 7, the air mixes with vaporised volatile compounds evolved by the heating of the segment(s) of the aerosol-forming substrate 71 . The combination of the vaporised volatile compounds and the air form an entrained air flow which flows downstream through the aerosol-generating article 7 and then through the enclosed channel 41 of the ejector 4 towards the opening 231 of the mouthpiece 23. Figures 6A-B show the flow path taken by the entrained air flow through the article 7 and device 1 . The upstream chamber 42 defines an enclosed space to allow cooling and condensing of the volatile compounds to form aerosol droplets, as well mixing of the aerosol droplets and air of the entrained air flow. As the entrained air flows downstream into the venturi section 43, the entrained air flow accelerates as the cross-sectional area of the enclosed channel 41 progressively reduces towards the throat 431. The narrowing of the enclosed channel 41 in the venturi section 43 and the acceleration due to the throat 431 helps to promote mixing of the aerosol droplets and the air of the entrained air flow. The downstream chamber 44 defines an enclosed space to allow further cooling of the entrained air flow and mixing of the aerosol droplets and air of the entrained air flow. The entrained air flow of aerosol droplets then flows downstream from the enclosed channel 41 of the ejector 4 to exit the aerosolgenerating device 1 via the opening 231 of the mouthpiece 23 to be inhaled by the user.

With progression through the usage session, the control electronics 22 would heat different ones of the segments 71 a-e of the aerosol-generating article 7 in different portions of the usage session to gradually deplete the aerosol-forming substrate 71 - as described above. The transition between different portions of the usage session and the activation of different ones of the heating segments 31 a-e may be a function of one or more of time, cumulative puff count and rate of applied puffs over the usage session, with the memory module containing instructions to enable the control electronics 22 to control the heating assembly 3 accordingly.

On completion of the usage session, the control electronics 22 terminates the supply of electricity to the inductor coils 31 1 a-e of the heating segments 31 a-e of the heating assembly 3. To remove the spent aerosol-generating article 7 from the cavity 24 of the aerosol-generating device 1 , the user would engage one or more of their fingers with the slidable interface 5 and slide the interface 5 over the housing 2 towards the distal end 1 1 - as indicated by arrow C in Figures 4C and 5C. This sliding action of the slidable interface 5 results in a corresponding sliding motion of the ejector 4 within the housing 2 towards the distal end 11. As stated above, the aerosolgenerating article 7 abuts the circumferential lip 45 of the ejector 4. So, motion of the ejector 4 relative to the housing 2 towards the distal end 1 1 results in the ejector pushing the aerosolgenerating article 7 against the cover 6. The force applied by the user to the slidable interface 5 and the ejector 4 is sufficient to overcome the biasing action of the sprung-loaded hinge connection 61 , thereby allowing the ejector 4 to push the aerosol-generating article 7 against the cover 6 and open the cover. Figures 4C and 5C show the position of the ejector 4 and the slidable interface 5 when the spent aerosol-generating article 7 has been pushed out from the cavity 24.

For the purpose of the present description and of the appended claims, except where otherwise indicated, all numbers expressing amounts, quantities, percentages, and so forth, are to be understood as being modified in all instances by the term "about". Also, all ranges include the maximum and minimum points disclosed and include any intermediate ranges therein, which may or may not be specifically enumerated herein. In this context, therefore, a number “A” is understood as “A” ± 10% of “A”. Within this context, a number “A” may be considered to include numerical values that are within general standard error for the measurement of the property that the number “A” modifies. The number “A”, in some instances as used in the appended claims, may deviate by the percentages enumerated above provided that the amount by which “A” deviates does not materially affect the basic and novel characteristic(s) of the claimed invention.

Also, all ranges include the maximum and minimum points disclosed and include any intermediate ranges therein, which may or may not be specifically enumerated herein.