Field of the Disclosure

The present disclosure relates to a packaging for consumables for use in a smoking substitute system and particularly, although not exclusively, to packaging for heat-not-burn (HNB) consumables.

Background

The smoking of tobacco is generally considered to expose a smoker to potentially harmful substances. It is generally thought that a significant amount of the potentially harmful substances are generated through the heat caused by the burning and/or combustion of the tobacco and the constituents of the burnt tobacco in the tobacco smoke itself.

Conventional combustible smoking articles, such as cigarettes, typically comprise a cylindrical rod of tobacco comprising shreds of tobacco which is surrounded by a wrapper, and usually also a cylindrical filter axially aligned in an abutting relationship with the wrapped tobacco rod. The filter typically comprises a filtration material which is circumscribed by a plug wrap. The wrapped tobacco rod and the filter are joined together by a wrapped band of tipping paperthat circumscribes the entire length of the filter and an adjacent portion of the wrapped tobacco rod. A conventional cigarette of this type is used by lighting the end opposite to the filter, and burning the tobacco rod. The smoker receives mainstream smoke into their mouth by drawing on the mouth end or filter end of the cigarette.

Combustion of organic material such as tobacco is known to produce tar and other potentially harmful byproducts. There have been proposed various smoking substitute systems (or“substitute smoking systems”) in order to avoid the smoking of tobacco.

Such smoking substitute systems can form part of nicotine replacement therapies aimed at people who wish to stop smoking and overcome a dependence on nicotine.

Smoking substitute systems include electronic systems that permit a user to simulate the act of smoking by producing an aerosol (also referred to as a“vapour”) that is drawn into the lungs through the mouth (inhaled) and then exhaled. The inhaled aerosol typically bears nicotine and/or flavourings without, or with fewer of, the odour and health risks associated with traditional smoking.

In general, smoking substitute systems are intended to provide a substitute for the rituals of smoking, whilst providing the user with a similar experience and satisfaction to those experienced with traditional smoking and with combustible tobacco products. Some smoking substitute systems use smoking substitute articles that are designed to resemble a traditional cigarette and are cylindrical in form with a mouthpiece at one end.

The popularity and use of smoking substitute systems has grown rapidly in the past few years. Although originally marketed as an aid to assist habitual smokers wishing to quit tobacco smoking, consumers are increasingly viewing smoking substitute systems as desirable lifestyle accessories.

There are a number of different categories of smoking substitute systems, each utilising a different smoking substitute approach.

One approach for a smoking substitute system is the so-called "heat not burn" (“HNB”) approach in which tobacco (rather than an“e-liquid”) is heated or warmed to release vapour. The tobacco may be leaf tobacco or reconstituted tobacco. The vapour may contain nicotine and/or flavourings. In the HNB approach the intention is that the tobacco is heated but not burned, i.e. the tobacco does not undergo combustion.

A typical HNB smoking substitute system may include a device and a consumable. The consumable may include the tobacco material. The device and consumable may be configured to be physically coupled together. In use, heat may be imparted to the tobacco material by a heating element of the device, wherein airflow through the tobacco material causes moisture in the tobacco material to be released as vapour. A vapour may also be formed from a carrier in the tobacco material (this carrier may for example include propylene glycol and/or vegetable glycerine) and additionally volatile compounds released from the tobacco. The released vapour may be entrained in the airflow drawn through the tobacco.

As the vapour passes through the consumable (entrained in the airflow) from an inlet to a mouthpiece (outlet), the vapour cools and condenses to form an aerosol for inhalation by the user. The aerosol will normally contain the volatile compounds.

In HNB smoking substitute systems, heating as opposed to burning the tobacco material is believed to cause fewer, or smaller quantities, of the more harmful compounds ordinarily produced during smoking. Consequently, the HNB approach may reduce the odour and/or health risks that can arise through the burning, combustion and pyrolytic degradation of tobacco.

In some cases, the aerosol passing from the mouthpiece (i.e. being inhaled by a user) may not be in a desirable state. Thus, it may be desirable to alter one or more characteristics of the aerosol before it is inhaled by the user.

HNB consumable are typically provided in a cardboard packaging/box which may optionally have a metallised paper liner. There is a need for an improved design of HNB consumables to enhance the user experience and improve the function of the HNB smoking substitute system.

Furthermore, there is a need for an improved packaging for smoking substitute articles (e.g. HNB consumables) which provides advantages for the user of the articles/consumables.

The present disclosure has been devised in the light of the above considerations.

Summary of the Disclosure

At its most general, the present disclosure relates to a package for aerosol-forming articles e.g. a smoking substitute articles such as an HNB consumables comprising a flavourant.

According to a first aspect, there is provided a packaging for a plurality of aerosol-forming articles, the packaging comprising: a base and an opposing lid spaced by one or more walls so as to define a cavity for the aerosol-forming articles; and an internal liner, the liner lining at least a portion of the one or more walls, wherein the packaging comprises a first flavourant source provided on the liner and a second flavourant source provided on pad disposed on an internal surface of the packaging.

The two flavourant sources will both impart flavour to the aerosol-forming articles e.g. during transportation and/or storage. This may be in the form of additional flavouring (i.e. where the aerosol-forming articles already include a flavourant) or may be initial flavouring (i.e. where the aerosol-forming articles received in the packaging are (at least initially) non-flavoured aerosol-forming articles). In the latter scenario, flavourant may not need to be added to the aerosol-forming articles during manufacture of the aerosol-forming articles, which may simplify the manufacture of the articles.

Optional features will now be set out. These are applicable singly or in any combination with any aspect.

In some embodiments the internal liner lines the base, lid and one or more walls. In this way, the internal liner may enclose the aerosol-forming articles when received therein. The internal liner may be sealed, or sealable, such that the aerosol-forming articles may be sealed within the liner. The internal liner may comprise a flap moveable between an open position (exposing an opening in the internal liner) and a closed position (sealing the opening of the internal liner). The internal liner may be attached e.g. adhered to one or more portions of the one or more walls, base and/or lid.

The internal surface of the liner may be sprayed, coated or impregnated with flavourant to provide the first flavourant source. In some embodiments the liner may comprise a foil layer. The liner may additionally or alternatively comprise a paper layer. The liner may comprise a foil/paper laminate. The flavourant of the first flavourant source may be applied to the paper layer and/or the foil layer.

In some embodiments the pad providing the second flavourant source may be disposed on an internal surface of the lid or the base. Alternatively or additionally, the pad may be provided on an internal surface of the liner lining the base or the lid. In these embodiments, the liner carries both the first flavourant source (e.g. as a coating) and the second flavourant source (e.g. on or in the pad). The pad may comprise a porous substrate which may be unfused/impregnated/sprayed or coated with flavourant.

In some embodiments the pad may be releasably mounted to the internal surface of the packaging e.g. to the internal surface of the base/lid. In other words, the pad may be removable by e.g. a user of the packaging. The pad may be mounted to the internal surface by way of an adhesive. Alternatively, the packaging may include means for mounting the pad. For example, the packaging may comprise a sleeve (e.g. on the base, lid, one or more walls, or internal liner) for receipt of the pad. The sleeve may comprise an opening so as to expose a portion of the pad to the internal cavity of the packaging. The pad may be mounted so as to be recessed into the internal surface on which it is mounted.

In some embodiments the internal pad may be arranged so as to contact the ends of the aerosol-forming articles when received in the cavity. The lid may be hingeable between an open position and a closed position, and the internal pad (i.e. when disposed on the lid) may contact ends of the aerosol-forming articles when the lid is in the closed position. The lid may be configured so as to seal the aerosol-forming articles within the packaging (i.e. so as to retain released flavouring within the packaging).

Where the pad is disposed on the internal liner, the pad may be in contact with the aerosol-forming articles regardless of whether the lid is in the open or closed position. The internal liner may be unattached to the lid, such that opening of the lid does not affect the internal liner. Alternatively, the internal liner may be attached to the lid, such that opening the lid causes e.g. a flap of the internal liner to open.

In some embodiments the pad may be substantially rectangular. The pad may alternatively be circular, triangular, elliptical, etc. The pad may have a thickness of between 0.5 mm and 3 mm or e.g. between 1 mm and 2mm.

In some embodiments the packaging may comprise a plurality of pads (e.g. two, three, four, etc. pads). Each pad may be in the form of a strip, and may be located on the internal surface of the packaging so as to correspond to a row of aerosol-forming articles contained in the cavity (i.e. such that the strips align with the ends of the articles). Alternatively, a pad may be provided for each aerosol-forming article received in the cavity and each pad may align with a respective end of an aerosol-forming article received in the cavity. The flavourant provided by the first and second flavourant sources may be provided in solid (e.g. crystals) or liquid form. They may be independently selected from menthol, liquorice, chocolate, fruit flavour (including e.g. citrus, cherry etc.), vanilla, spice (e.g. ginger, cinnamon) and tobacco flavour. The flavourant may be evenly dispersed on or in the internal liner and/or the pad, or may be provided in isolated locations and/or varying concentrations.

The flavourant in the first flavourant source may be the same as the flavourant in the second flavourant source.

The pad and/or liner may be configured such that the flavourant is released gradually. Alternatively, the pad and/or liner may be configured such the flavourant is released rapidly. In this respect, the pad and/or liner may be configured such that the flavourant is released for a predetermined amount of time. For example, the predetermined time may generally correspond to a transportation time of the packaging. That is, the pad and/or liner may be configured such that the flavourant is entirely (or substantially entirely) released during transportation of the packaging (i.e. after receipt of the aerosol-forming articles in the packaging, but before the packaging is opened by a user).

In some embodiments the pad may comprise a casing. The casing may be such that it encloses (or at least partially) encloses the pad. The casing may be releasable or openable (e.g. the casing may comprise a frangible portion) so as to expose the pad. In this way, the flavourant of the pad may be selectively released. That is, a user of the packaging may determine when the flavourant is to be released.

In some embodiments the pad may cover more than 10%, or e.g. 15%, or e.g. 20% of the internal surface area of the packaging. When disposed on the base, the pad may substantially cover the entire internal surface of the base. When disposed on the lid, the pad may substantially cover the entire internal surface of the lid.

In some embodiments the packaging may be substantially cuboid or boxed shape (i.e. the walls of the packaging may define a substantially rectangular transverse profile). The packaging may be configured to contain twenty aerosol-forming articles aligned longitudinally in the cavity.

The packaging may be configured to contain heat-not-burn (HNB) consumables. A HNB consumable may comprise an aerosol-forming substrate at an upstream end and a terminal filter at a downstream end. Hence, the substrate or terminal filter may be adjacent to (or in contact with) the pad and may thus acquire the flavour of the pad. The other of the terminal filter and substrate may be adjacent to (or in contact with) the internal liner and may thus acquire the flavour of the internal liner.

The packaging may have a width of between 50 mm and 120mm, e.g. between 60 mm and 100 mm e.g. around 70 mm. The packaging may have a depth of between 7 mm and 20 mm, e.g. between 10 mm and 18 mm, e.g. around 14 mm. The packaging may have a height of between 40 mm and 60 mm e.g. between 45 mm and 55 mm, e.g. around 48 mm.

According a second aspect, there is provided an aerosol-forming article package comprising: a base and an opposing lid spaced by one or more walls so as to define a cavity containing a plurality of aerosolforming articles; and an internal liner lining at least a portion of the one or more walls wherein each article comprises an outer wrapper comprising a flavourant and wherein the internal liner comprises a flavourant.

Each aerosol-forming article may comprise an aerosol-forming substrate at an upstream end thereof. Each article may further comprise one or more of a terminal filter element at a downstream end, an upstream filter adjacent the substrate, a cooling element (e.g. between the terminal and upstream filter elements) and a spacer element (e.g. between the filter elements).

As used herein, the terms’’upstream” and“downstream” are intended to refer to the flow direction of the vapour/aerosol i.e. with the downstream end of each article being the mouth end or outlet where the aerosol exits the article for inhalation by the user. The upstream end of the article is the opposing end to the downstream end.

The outer wrapper of each article may comprise a wrapping layer (e.g. a paper wrapping layer) at least partly (e.g. fully) circumscribing the aerosol-forming substrate. The wrapping layer may further fully or partly circumscribe one or more of the filter element, aerosol-cooling element and spacer element. The wrapping layer may overlie an inner foil layer or may comprise a paper/foil laminate (with foil the innermost).

The wrapper layer of each article may extend for substantially the entire length of the article and in that respect may connect the elements (e.g. filters elements and substrate) of the article to one another.

In some embodiments, the outer wrapper of each article may further comprise a tipping layer (e.g. a tipping paper layer) at its axial downstream end which overlies a portion of the wrapping layer.

For example, in some embodiments, each article comprises a terminal filter element at the downstream axial end which may be joined to the upstream elements forming each article by the tipping (paper) layer. The tipping paper may have an axial length longer than the axial length of the terminal filter element such that the tipping paper completely circumscribes the terminal filter element plus the wrapping layer surrounding any adjacent upstream element.

In some embodiments, each article comprises an upstream filter element (upstream of a downstream axial end of the article (e.g. upstream of the terminal filter element)). The upstream filter element of each article (which may be axially adjacent and downstream of the substrate) may be at least partly circumscribed by the wrapping layer. In some embodiments, at least a portion of the wrapping layer and/or tipping paper of each article may be flavoured.

In some embodiments, at least a portion of the tipping paper of each article may be flavoured on its outer surface. The tipping paper of each article may be flavoured on its outer surface at a portion closest to the downstream axial end of the article. The entire axial length of the tipping paper may be flavoured on its outer surface.

In this way, as the user inhales on an article, in use, with the axial upstream end in their mouth, flavourant from the outer surface of tipping paper enters their mouth.

In some embodiments, at least a portion of the wrapping layer of each article may be flavoured on its inner surface. The wrapping layer of each article may be flavoured on its inner surface at a portion overlying one or more of the substrate, upstream filter element, cooling element and spacer element. The entire axial length of the wrapping layer of each article may be flavoured on its inner surface.

In some embodiments the flavourant may coated, sprayed or painted onto the internal liner and/or the wrappers of the articles. In other embodiments the internal liner and/or the wrappers of the articles may be impregnated with the flavourant (e.g. the internal liner and/or wrapper of the articles may comprise a porous material for receipt of the flavourant).

The flavourant of the internal liner/and orthe wrappers of the articles may be provided in solid (e.g. crystals) or liquid form. It may include menthol, liquorice, chocolate, fruit flavour (including e.g. citrus, cherry etc.), vanilla, spice (e.g. ginger, cinnamon) and tobacco flavour.

In some embodiments each article may further comprise a flavourant additive (e.g. flavourant as described above) within one or more of the substrate, filter element (e.g. the upstream and/or terminal filter element), cooling element and spacer element. The flavourant may be provided in solid or liquid form. It may be provided in a frangible (e.g. meltable or crushable) capsule within one or more of the substrate, filter element (e.g. the upstream and/or terminal filter element) and cooling element. It may be provided as a flavoured thread e.g. a flavour soaked cotton thread within one or more of the substrate, filter element (e.g. the upstream and/or terminal filter element) and cooling element. It may be provided as a coating on, or impregnated within, the spacer element.

In some embodiments the flavourant of the internal liner is the same as the flavourant of the wrapping layers of the articles. In other embodiments the flavourant of the internal liner may be different to the flavourant of the wrapping layers of the articles. The flavourant of one wrapping layer may be different to the flavourant of another of the wrapping layers. In other words, the package may comprise a plurality of articles of different flavours. The package may otherwise be as described with respect to the packaging of the first aspect. For example, the package may further comprise a pad as described above. In this way, flavourant may be provided by the wrappers of the articles, the liner, and a pad. The internal liner of the package may be as otherwise described with respect to the packaging of the first aspect.

The aerosol-forming articles may be smoking substitute articles (e.g. such as heat-not-burn (HNB) consumables). Each aerosol-forming article is preferably a heat-not-burn (HNB) consumable.

The aerosol-forming substrate of each article/consumable is capable of being heated to release at least one volatile compound that can form an aerosol. The aerosol-forming substrate of each article/consumable may be located at the upstream end of the article/consumable.

In order to generate an aerosol, the aerosol-forming substrate of each article/consumable comprises at least one volatile compound that is intended to be vaporised/aerosolised and that may provide the user with a recreational and/or medicinal effect when inhaled. Suitable chemical and/or physiologically active volatile compounds include the group consisting of: nicotine, cocaine, caffeine, opiates and opoids, cathine and cathinone, kavalactones, mysticin, beta-carboline alkaloids, salvinorin A together with any combinations, functional equivalents to, and/or synthetic alternatives of the foregoing.

The aerosol-forming substrate of each article/consumable may comprise plant material. The plant material may comprise least one plant material selected from the list including Amaranthus dubius, Arctostaphylos uva-ursi (Bearberry), Argemone mexicana, Arnica, Artemisia vulgaris, Yellow Tees, Galea zacatechichi, Canavalia maritima (Baybean), Cecropia mexicana (Guamura), Oestrum noctumum, Cynoglossum virginianum (wild comfrey), Cytisus scoparius, Damiana, Entada rheedii, Eschscholzia califomica (California Poppy), Fittonia albivenis, Hippobroma longi flora, Humulus japonica (Japanese Hops), Humulus lupulus (Hops), Lactuca virosa (Lettuce Opium), Laggera alata, Leonotis leonurus, Leonurus cardiaca (Motherwort), Leonurus sibiricus (Honeyweed), Lobelia cardinalis, Lobelia inflata (Indian-tobacco), Lobelia siphilitica, Nepeta cataria (Catnip), Nicotiana species (Tobacco), Nymphaea alba (White Lily), Nymphaea caerulea (Blue Lily), Opium poppy, Passiflora incamata (Passionflower), Pedicuiaris densiflora (Indian Warrior), Pedicuiaris groenlandica (Elephant's Head), Salvia divinorum, Salvia dorrii (Tobacco Sage), Salvia species (Sage), Scutellaria galericulata, Scutellaria lateriflora, Scutellaria nana, Scutellaria species (Skullcap), Sida acuta (Wireweed), Sida rhombi folia, Silene capensis, Syzygium aromaticum (Clove), Tagetes lucida (Mexican Tarragon), Tarchonanthus camphoratus, Tumera diffusa (Damiana), Verbascum (Mullein), Zamia latifolia (Maconha Brava) together with any combinations, functional equivalents to, and/or synthetic alternatives of the foregoing.

Preferably, the plant material is tobacco. Any type of tobacco may be used. This includes, but is not limited to, flue-cured tobacco, burley tobacco, Maryland Tobacco, dark-air cured tobacco, oriental tobacco, dark-fired tobacco, perique tobacco and rustica tobacco. This also includes blends of the above mentioned tobaccos.

Any suitable parts of the tobacco plant may be used. This includes leaves, stems, roots, bark, seeds and flowers.

The tobacco may comprise one or more of leaf tobacco, stem tobacco, tobacco powder, tobacco dust, tobacco derivatives, expanded tobacco, homogenised tobacco, shredded tobacco, extruded tobacco, cut rag tobacco and/or reconstituted tobacco (e.g. slurry recon or paper recon).

The aerosol-forming substrate of each article/consumable may comprise a gathered sheet of homogenised (e.g. paper/slurry recon) tobacco or gathered shreds/strips formed from such a sheet.

In some embodiments, the sheet used to form the aerosol-forming substrate of each article/consumable has a grammage greater than or equal to 100 g/m ² , e.g. greater than or equal to 1 10 g/m ² such as greater than or equal to 120 g/m ² .

The sheet may have a grammage of less than or equal to 300 g/m ² e.g. less than or equal to 250 g/m ² or less than or equal to 200 g/m ² .

The sheet may have a grammage of between 120 and 190 g/m ² .

The aerosol-forming substrate of each article/consumable may comprise at least 50 wt% plant material, e.g. at least 60 wt% plant material e.g. around 65 wt% plant material. The aerosol-forming substrate of each article/consumable may comprise 80 wt% or less plant material e.g. 75 or 70 wt% or less plant material.

The aerosol-forming substrate of each article/consumable may comprise one or more additives selected from humectants, flavourants, fillers, aqueous/non-aqueous solvents and binders.

Humectants are provided as vapour generators - the resulting vapour helps carry the volatile active compounds and increases visible vapour. Suitable humectants include polyhydric alcohols (e.g. propylene glycol (PG), triethylene glycol, 1 ,2-butane diol and vegetable glycerine (VG)) and their esters (e.g. glycerol mono-, di- or tri-acetate). They may be present in the aerosol-forming substrate in an amount between 1 and 50 wt%.

The humectant content of the aerosol-forming substrate may have a lower limit of at least 1 % by weight of the plant material, such as at least 2 wt %, such as at least 5 wt %, such as at least 10 wt %, such as at least 20 wt %, such as at least 30 wt %, or such as least 40 wt %. The humectant content of the aerosol-forming substrate of each article/consumable may have an upper limit of at most 50 % by weight of the plant material, such as at most 40 wt %, such as at most 30 wt %, or such as at most 20 wt %.

Preferably, the humectant content is 1 to 40 wt % of the aerosol-forming substrate of each

article/consumable, such as 1 to 20 wt %.

Suitable binders are known in the art and may act to bind together the components forming the aerosolforming substrate of each article/consumable. Binders may comprise starches and/or cellulosic binders such as methyl cellulose, ethyl cellulose, hydroxypropyl cellulose, hydroxyethyl cellulose and methyl cellulose, gums such as xanthan, guar, arabic and/or locust bean gum, organic acids and their salts such as alginic acid/ sodium alginate, agar and pectins.

Preferably the binder content is 5 to 10 wt% of the aerosol-forming substrate e.g. around 6 to 8 wt%.

Suitable fillers are known in the art and may act to strengthen the aerosol-forming substrate of each article/consumable. Fillers may comprise fibrous (non-tobacco) fillers such as cellulose fibres, lignocellulose fibres (e.g. wood fibres), jute fibres and combinations thereof.

Preferably, the filler content is 5 to 10 wt% of the aerosol-forming substrate of each article/consumable e.g. around 6 to 9 wt%.

The aerosol-forming substrate of each article/consumable may comprise an aqueous and/or non-aqueous solvent. In some embodiments, the aerosol forming substrate of each article/consumable has a water content of between 5 and 10 wt% e.g. between 6-9 wt% such as between 7-9 wt%.

The flavourant in the aerosol-forming substrate of each article/consumable may be provided in solid or liquid form. The flavourant may comprise one or more of the flavours discussed above with respect to the wrappers, internal liner and pad. The flavourant may be evenly dispersed throughout the aerosol-forming substrate of each article/consumable or may be provided in isolated locations and/or varying concentrations throughout the aerosol-forming substrate.

The aerosol-forming substrate of each article/consumable may be formed in a substantially cylindrical shape such that the article/consumable resembles a conventional cigarette. It may have a diameter of between 5 and 10 mm e.g. between 6 and 9 mm or 6 and 8mm e.g. around 7 mm. It may have an axial length of between 10 and 15 mm e.g. between 1 1 and 14 mm such as around 12 or 13mm.

The or at least one of the filter element(s) (e.g. the terminal filter element/upstream filter element) may be comprised of cellulose acetate or polypropylene tow. The at least one filter element (e.g. the terminal filter element/upstream filter element) may be comprised of activated charcoal. The at least one filter element (e.g. the terminal element/upstream filter element) may be comprised of paper. The at least one filter element (e.g. the terminal element/upstream filter element) may be comprised of plant material e.g. extruded plant material. The or each filter element may be circumscribed with a plug wrap e.g. a paper plug wrap.

The or each filter element may have a substantially cylindrical shape with a diameter substantially matching the diameter of the aerosol-forming substrate (with or without its associated wrapping layer). The axial length of the or each filter element may be less than 20mm, e.g. between 8 and 15mm, for example between 9 and 13 mm e.g. between 10 and 12mm.

The or at least one of the filter element(s) (e.g. the terminal filter element/upstream filter element) may be a solid filter element. The or at least one of the filter element(s) (e.g. the terminal filter element/upstream filter element) may be a hollow bore filter element. The or each hollow bore filter element may have a bore diameter of between 1 and 5 mm, e.g. between 2 and 4 mm or between 2 and 3 mm.

The aerosol-cooling element of each article/consumable may be formed of a plastics material selected from the group consisting of polylactic acid (PLA), polyvinyl chloride (PVC), polyethylene (PE) and polyethylene terephthalate (PET). The aerosol-cooling element of each article/consumable may be formed of a crimped/gathered sheet of material to form a structure having a high surface area with a plurality of longitudinal channels to maximise heat exchange and cooling of the aerosol.

The spacer element of each article/consumable may act to allow both cooling and mixing of the aerosol. The spacer element of each article/consumable may be a tubular spacer element e.g. it may comprise a cardboard tube. The spacer element of each article/consumable may be at least partly (e.g. entirely) circumscribed by the (paper) wrapping layer.

The spacer element of each article/consumable may have an external diameter of between 5 and 10mm e.g. between 6 and 9mm or 6 and 8mm e.g. around 7 mm. It may have an axial length of between 10 and 15mm e.g. between 12 and 14 mm or 13 and 14mm e.g. around 14mm.

In a third aspect there is disclosed a method of forming a flavoured aerosol-forming article. The method comprises providing a packaging according to the first aspect, and sealing an unflavoured aerosol-forming article within the packaging for a period of time such that the aerosol-forming article acquires the flavour of the first and/or second flavourant source.

The packaging may be as described above with respect to the first and second aspects. The skilled person will appreciate that except where mutually exclusive, a feature or parameter described in relation to any one of the above aspects may be applied to any other aspect. Furthermore, except where mutually exclusive, any feature or parameter described herein may be applied to any aspect and/or combined with any other feature or parameter described herein.

Summary of the Figures

So that the invention may be understood, and so that further aspects and features thereof may be appreciated, embodiments illustrating the principles of the invention will now be discussed in further detail with reference to the accompanying figures, in which:

Figure 1 shows a first embodiment of an HNB consumable package;

Figure 2 shows a second embodiment of an HNB consumable package;

Figure 3 shows a third embodiment of an HNB consumable package;

Figure 4 shows a first embodiment of a HNB consumable; and

Figure 5 shows a second embodiment of a HNB consumable.

Detailed Description of the Figures

As shown in Figure 1 , the package 1 comprises a packaging 2 containing a plurality of aerosol-forming articles in the form of HNB consumables 3.

The packaging 2 comprises a base 4 and an opposing lid 5, spaced by four (side) walls 6 that define a cavity 7 containing the consumables 3. The walls 6, lid 5 and base 4 define a generally cuboid or box form, such that the cavity 7 has a rectangular profile. The lid 5 is hingeable between a closed position, in which it encloses the consumables 3 within the cavity 7, and an open position (as is shown in the figure).

The packaging 2 further comprises an internal liner 8 that lines the four walls 6 and the base 4. As is apparent from the figure, a portion of the liner 8 extends beyond the walls 6 of the packaging 2 when the lid 5 is in the open position. The internal liner 8 comprises a foil that has a flavourant applied as a coating (on an internal surface of the internal liner 8). In the present embodiment the flavourant comprises a menthol flavouring.

The packaging 2 further comprises two pads 9 that are mounted (by way of an adhesive) to an internal surface of the lid 5 of the packaging 2. Each pad 9 is rectangular and is impregnated with a flavourant, which is also in the form of a menthol flavouring. The pads 9 are arranged such that when the lid 5 is in the closed position, they are in contact with ends of the consumables 3. The consumables 3 are elongate and aligned side-by-side in the cavity 7 such that their longitudinal axes are generally parallel. Although the consumables will be described in further detail below, each consumable comprises an outer wrapper 10 that comprises a flavourant. In this case, the flavourant is sprayed onto the outer wrapper and is in the form of a menthol flavouring.

Figure 2 shows a second embodiment of the package T that is similar to the first embodiment, except that the internal liner 8 lines the base 4, lid 5 and walls 6 so as to completely enclose the consumables 3. Although not shown, the liner 8 comprises a flap that can be opened so as to provide access to the consumables 3. In this embodiment, the packaging 2 comprises a single pad 9 that is releasably mounted to an internal surface of the liner 8 that lines the lid 5 (i.e. such that the pad 9 is also enclosed by the liner 8). Unlike the previous embodiment, the pad 9 is spaced from the consumables 9, thus the consumables acquire the flavouring from the pad by way of release of the flavourant into the air in the vicinity of the ends of the consumables 3.

Figure 3 shows a third embodiment of the package 1” that is similar to the previously described embodiments, except that the liner 8 lines the lid 5 and walls 6 (but not the base 4). Further, this embodiment comprises two pads 9 (only one is apparent from the figure) extending transversely across the base 4 of the packaging 2 such that each pad 9 is aligned with a respective row of consumables 3. In the present embodiment, the pads 9 are in contact with the ends of the consumables 3. Thus, the consumables 3 may acquire the flavour of the pads 9 by transfer of the flavourant from the pads 9 to the ends (e.g. comprising the filter or substrate) of the consumables 3. In the present case, the flavourant is vanilla, which is different to the menthol flavourant of the internal liner 8.

Figure 4 shows an exemplary HNB consumable 3 that may be contained in the packaging described above. The consumable 3 comprises an aerosol-forming substrate 1 1 at the upstream end of the consumable 3.

The aerosol-forming substrate 1 1 comprises reconstituted tobacco which includes nicotine as a volatile compound.

The aerosol-forming substrate 1 1 comprises 65 wt% tobacco which is provided in the form of gathered shreds produced from a sheet of slurry/paper recon tobacco. The tobacco is dosed with 20wt% of a humectant such as propylene glycol (PG) or vegetable glycerine (VG) and has a moisture content of between 7-9 wt%. The aerosol-forming substrate further comprises cellulose pulp filler and guar gum binder.

The aerosol-forming substrate 1 1 is formed in a substantially cylindrical shape such that the consumable 3 resembles a conventional cigarette. It has diameter of around 7mm and an axial length of around 12 mm. The aerosol-forming substrate 1 1 is circumscribed by a paper wrapping layer 12. The paper wrapping layer 12 comprises a (cherry) flavourant applied as a coating to the wrapping layer 12.

The consumable 3 comprises an upstream filter element 13 and a downstream (terminal) filter element 14. The two filter elements 13, 14 are spaced by a cardboard tube spacer 15. Both filter elements 13, 14 are formed of cellulose acetate tow and wrapped with a respective paper plug layer (not shown).

Both filter elements have a substantially cylindrical shape. The diameter of the upstream filter element 13 matches the diameter of the aerosol-forming substrate 1 1 . The diameter of the terminal filter element 14 is slightly larger and matches the combined diameter of the aerosol-forming substrate 1 1 and the wrapping layer 12. The upstream filter element 13 is slightly shorter in axial length than the terminal filter element 14 at an axial length of 10mm compared to 12mm for the terminal filter element 14.

The cardboard tube spacer 15 is longer than each of the two filter elements 13, 14 having an axial length of around 14mm.

Each filter element 13, 14 is a hollow bore filter element with a hollow, longitudinally extending bore. The diameter of the bore in the upstream filter 13 is slightly larger than the diameter of the bore in the terminal filter 14 having a diameter of 3mm compared to 2 mm for the terminal filter element 14.

The cardboard tube spacer 15 and the upstream filter element 13 are circumscribed by the wrapping layer 12.

The terminal filter element 14 is joined to the upstream elements forming the consumable by a circumscribing paper tipping layer 16. The tipping layer 16 encircles the terminal filter element 14 and has an axial length of around 20mm such that it overlays a portion of the cardboard tube spacer 15. Like the wrapping layer 12, the tipping layer 16 comprises a cherry flavourant. However, the tipping layer 16 is impregnated (rather than coated) with the flavourant.

Figure 5 shows a second embodiment of a consumable 3’ which is the same as that shown in Figure 4 except that the terminal filter element 14 is a solid filter element and comprises a crushable capsule 17 (crush-ball) having a shell wall containing a liquid menthol or cherry or vanilla flavourant. The capsule 17 is spherical and has a diameter of 3.5mm. It is positioned within the axial centre of the terminal filter 14 element 5.

The features disclosed in the foregoing description, or in the following claims, or in the accompanying drawings, expressed in their specific forms or in terms of a means for performing the disclosed function, or a method or process for obtaining the disclosed results, as appropriate, may, separately, or in any combination of such features, be utilised for realising the invention in diverse forms thereof. While the invention has been described in conjunction with the exemplary embodiments described above, many equivalent modifications and variations will be apparent to those skilled in the art when given this disclosure. Accordingly, the exemplary embodiments of the invention set forth above are considered to be illustrative and not limiting. Various changes to the described embodiments may be made without departing from the scope of the invention.

For the avoidance of any doubt, any theoretical explanations provided herein are provided for the purposes of improving the understanding of a reader. The inventors do not wish to be bound by any of these theoretical explanations.

Any section headings used herein are for organizational purposes only and are not to be construed as limiting the subject matter described.

Throughout this specification, including the claims which follow, unless the context requires otherwise, the words“have”,“comprise”, and“include”, and variations such as“having”,“comprises”,“comprising”, and “including” will be understood to imply the inclusion of a stated integer or step or group of integers or steps but not the exclusion of any other integer or step or group of integers or steps.

It must be noted that, as used in the specification and the appended claims, the singular forms“a,”“an,” and“the” include plural referents unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. Ranges may be expressed herein as from“about” one particular value, and/or to“about” another particular value. When such a range is expressed, another embodiment includes from the one particular value and/or to the other particular value. Similarly, when values are expressed as approximations, by the use of the antecedent“about,” it will be understood that the particular value forms another embodiment. The term“about” in relation to a numerical value is optional and means, for example, +/- 10%.

The words "preferred" and "preferably" are used herein refer to embodiments of the invention that may provide certain benefits under some circumstances. It is to be appreciated, however, that other embodiments may also be preferred under the same or different circumstances. The recitation of one or more preferred embodiments therefore does not mean or imply that other embodiments are not useful, and is not intended to exclude other embodiments from the scope of the disclosure, or from the scope of the claims.