Technical Field

The present disclosure relates generally to an aerosol generating system, and more particularly to an aerosol generating system for heating an aerosol generating substrate to generate an aerosol for inhalation by a user. Embodiments of the present disclosure relate in particular to an aerosol generating system comprising an aerosol generating device and an aerosol generating article. The present disclosure is particularly applicable to a portable (hand-held) aerosol generating device. Such devices heat, rather than bum, an aerosol generating substrate, e.g., tobacco or other suitable materials, by conduction, convection, and/or radiation to generate an aerosol for inhalation by a user. The present disclosure is particularly concerned with an inductively heated aerosol generating device and/or system.

Technical Background

The popularity and use of reduced-risk or modified-risk devices (also known as aerosol generating devices or vapour generating devices or personal vaporizers) has grown rapidly in recent years as an alternative to the use of traditional tobacco products. Various devices and systems are available that heat or warm aerosol generating substances to generate an aerosol for inhalation by a user.

A commonly available reduced-risk or modified-risk device is the heated substrate aerosol generating device, or so-called heat-not-bum device. Devices of this type generate an aerosol or vapour by heating an aerosol generating substrate to a temperature typically in the range 150°C to 300°C. Heating the aerosol generating substrate to a temperature within this range, without burning or combusting the aerosol generating substrate, generates a vapour which typically cools and condenses to form an aerosol for inhalation by a user of the device.

Currently available aerosol generating devices can use one of a number of different approaches to heat to the aerosol generating substrate. One such approach is to provide an aerosol generating device which employs an induction heating system. In such a device, an induction coil is provided in the device and an inductively heatable susceptor is provided to heat the aerosol generating substrate. Electrical energy is supplied to the induction coil when a user activates the device which in turn generates an alternating electromagnetic field. The susceptor couples with the electromagnetic field and generates heat which is transferred, for example by one or more of conduction, radiation and convection, to the aerosol generating substrate and an aerosol is generated as the aerosol generating substrate is heated.

It can be convenient to provide both the aerosol generating substrate and the inductively heatable susceptor together, in the form of an aerosol generating article which can be inserted by a user into an aerosol generating device. The characteristics of the aerosol generated by the aerosol generating device are dependent upon a number of factors, including the construction of the aerosol generating article used with the aerosol generating device. There is, therefore, a desire to provide an aerosol generating article which enables the characteristics of the aerosol generated during use of the article to be optimised.

Summary of the Disclosure

According to a first aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided an aerosol generating system comprising: an aerosol generating device comprising a heating chamber, the heating chamber comprising an open first end, a closed second end, and a chamber wall defining an interior volume of the heating chamber; and an aerosol generating article comprising: an elongate aerosol generating substrate having a proximal end and a distal end upstream of the proximal end, the elongate aerosol generating substrate being positioned in the heating chamber with the distal end at the closed second end of the heating chamber and being spaced from an inner surface of the chamber wall to define an airflow path between the elongate aerosol generating substrate and the inner surface of the chamber wall from the open first end of the heating chamber to the closed second end of the heating chamber; and at least one elongate inductively heatable susceptor positioned in the elongate aerosol generating substrate and extending fully to the distal end of the elongate aerosol generating substrate.

The aerosol generating device is configured to heat the aerosol generating substrate, without burning the aerosol generating substrate, to volatise at least one component of the aerosol generating substrate and thereby generate a heated vapour which may cool and condense to form an aerosol for inhalation by a user of the aerosol generating device. The aerosol generating device is typically a hand-held, portable, device.

In general terms, a vapour is a substance in the gas phase at a temperature lower than its critical temperature, which means that the vapour can be condensed to a liquid by increasing its pressure without reducing the temperature, whereas an aerosol is a suspension of fine solid particles or liquid droplets, in air or another gas. It should, however, be noted that the terms ‘aerosol’ and ‘vapour’ may be used interchangeably in this specification, particularly with regard to the form of the inhalable medium that is generated for inhalation by a user.

The aerosol generating substrate typically includes an aerosol former (or humectant) and when the aerosol generating substrate is heated by the elongate inductively heatable susceptor during operation of the aerosol generating device (i.e., in use of the aerosol generating system) to vaporise at least a proportion of the aerosol former, a proportion of the aerosol former that is not vaporised migrates towards an outer surface of the aerosol generating article. The proportion of the aerosol former that has migrated towards the outer surface of the aerosol generating article evaporates from the outer surface and is entrained in an airflow along the airflow path between the aerosol generating article and the inner surface of the chamber wall, specifically in air that flows along the airflow path from the open first end of the heating chamber towards the closed second end of the heating chamber, before being drawn into the distal end of the aerosol generating article. By providing at least one elongate inductively heatable susceptor that extends fully to the distal end of the aerosol generating substrate, the distal end of the aerosol generating substrate is heated, thereby ensuring that aerosol former entrained within the airflow entering the aerosol generating substrate at the distal end does not condense (because the airflow is not subjected to significant cooling) and can flow through the aerosol generating substrate from the distal end towards the proximal end. This enables the characteristics of the aerosol generated during use of the article to be improved when compared, for example, to an aerosol generating article in which the inductively heatable susceptor does not extend fully to the distal end of the aerosol generating substrate. In particular, the amount of TPM (Total Particulate Matter) in the generated aerosol may be increased.

According to a second aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided a method of operating an aerosol generating system comprising: an aerosol generating device comprising a heating chamber, the heating chamber comprising an open first end, a closed second end, and a chamber wall defining an interior volume of the heating chamber; and an aerosol generating article comprising: an elongate aerosol generating substrate including an aerosol former and having a proximal end and a distal end upstream of the proximal end, the elongate aerosol generating substrate being positioned in the heating chamber with the distal end at the closed second end of the heating chamber and being spaced from an inner surface of the chamber wall to define an airflow path between the elongate aerosol generating substrate and the inner surface of the chamber wall from the open first end of the heating chamber to the closed second end of the heating chamber; and at least one elongate inductively heatable susceptor positioned in the elongate aerosol generating substrate and extending fully to the distal end of the elongate aerosol generating substrate; wherein the method comprises the steps of heating, by the aerosol generating device, the inductively heatable susceptor to heat the aerosol generating substrate and thereby vaporise at least a proportion of the aerosol former, and entraining in an airflow along the airflow path a proportion of the aerosol former that has not been vaporised during said heating step and that has migrated towards, and evaporated from, an outer surface of the aerosol generating article. Optional features will now be set out. These are applicable singly or in any combination with any aspect of the present disclosure.

The at least one elongate inductively heatable susceptor may extend fully from the proximal end to the distal end of the elongate aerosol generating substrate. The aerosol generating substrate is heated effectively along its length, thereby ensuring that a sufficient quantity of aerosol is generated during use of the aerosol generating article.

The aerosol generating article may include a plurality of said elongate inductively heatable susceptors positioned in the elongate aerosol generating substrate, each elongate inductively heatable susceptor extending fully to the distal end of the elongate aerosol generating substrate.

The elongate aerosol generating substrate may have a longitudinal axis extending between the proximal end and the distal end. The at least one elongate inductively heatable susceptor may extend in a direction substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis. The at least one elongate inductively heatable susceptor can be conveniently aligned and positioned in the aerosol generating substrate.

The elongate aerosol generating substrate may be a substantially rod-shaped aerosol generating substrate and the at least one elongate inductively heatable susceptor may be located in a radially central position within the rod-shaped aerosol generating substrate and may extend along the longitudinal axis. By locating the at least one elongate inductively heatable susceptor in a radially central position within the rodshaped aerosol generating substrate, a uniform heat transfer to the aerosol generating substrate is achieved. This in turn results in uniform heating of the aerosol generating substrate, thereby avoiding hot spots and cold spots and ensuring that a sufficient quantity of aerosol is generated during use of the aerosol generating article.

The elongate aerosol generating substrate and the at least one elongate inductively heatable susceptor may be circumscribed by a fluid-permeable wrapper. The fluid- permeable wrapper may have an outer surface. The outer surface of the fluid-permeable wrapper may be spaced from the inner surface of the chamber wall to define said airflow path. The fluid-permeable wrapper may be a paper wrapper, for example comprising cigarette paper. The fluid-permeable wrapper permits aerosol former (or humectant) that is not vaporised during use of the aerosol generating article to pass therethrough, towards an outer surface of the aerosol generating article. As noted above, the aerosol former evaporates from the outer surface and is entrained in air that flows from the open first end of the heating chamber towards the closed second end of the heating chamber, along the airflow path between the aerosol generating article and the inner surface of chamber wall, before being drawn into the distal end of the aerosol generating article.

The aerosol generating device may further comprise an induction heating arrangement for generating an alternating electromagnetic field for penetrating the at least one elongate inductively heatable susceptor to thereby inductively heat the at least one elongate inductively heatable susceptor. The inductively heatable susceptor can be heated rapidly and efficiently by the induction heating arrangement.

The induction heating arrangement may comprise an induction coil which may extend around the heating chamber. The induction coil may be a helical (or spirally wound) induction coil which may extend helically around the heating chamber. By providing an induction coil which extends helically around the heating chamber, reliable heating of the at least one elongate inductively heatable susceptor can be assured.

The induction coil may comprise a Litz wire or a Litz cable. It will, however, be understood that other materials could be used.

The induction coil may be arranged to operate in use with a fluctuating electromagnetic field having a magnetic flux density of between approximately 20mT and approximately 2.0T at the point of highest concentration.

The heating chamber may be substantially tubular and may be substantially cylindrical. Thus, the heating chamber may be configured to receive a substantially cylindrical aerosol generating substrate which may be advantageous as, often, aerosol generating substrates in the form of aerosol generating articles are packaged and sold in a cylindrical form.

The heating chamber may have a longitudinal axis defining a longitudinal direction. The at least one elongate inductively heatable susceptor may be substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis. A strong electromagnetic coupling between the at least one elongate inductively heatable susceptor and the generated alternating electromagnetic field is thus achieved and the energy efficiency of the aerosol generating device is thereby maximised.

The heating chamber may comprise a substantially non-electrically conductive and non-magnetically permeable material. For example, the heating chamber may comprise a heat-resistant plastics material, such as polyether ether ketone (PEEK). The heating chamber itself is not heated by the induction heating arrangement during operation of the aerosol generating device, ensuring that energy input into the inductively heatable susceptor is maximised. This in turn helps to ensure that the energy efficiency of the device is maximised. The device also remains cool to the touch, ensuring that user comfort is maximised.

The at least one elongate inductively heatable susceptor may comprise a metal. The metal is typically selected from the group consisting of stainless steel and carbon steel. The at least one elongate inductively heatable susceptor could, however, comprise any suitable material including one or more, but not limited, of aluminium, iron, nickel, stainless steel, carbon steel, and alloys thereof, e.g. Nickel Chromium or Nickel Copper. With the application of an electromagnetic field in its vicinity during use of the aerosol generating article in an aerosol generating device, the at least one elongate inductively heatable susceptor may generate heat due to eddy currents and magnetic hysteresis losses resulting in a conversion of energy from electromagnetic to heat.

The aerosol generating device may include a power source and controller, e.g., comprising control circuitry, which may be configured to operate at a high frequency. The power source and circuitry may be configured to operate at a frequency of between approximately 80 kHz and 1 MHz, possibly between approximately 150 kHz and 250 kHz, and possibly at approximately 200 kHz. The power source and circuitry could be configured to operate at a higher frequency, for example in the MHz range, depending on the type of inductively heatable susceptor that is used.

The aerosol generating substrate may comprise any type of solid or semi-solid material. Example types of aerosol generating solids include powder, granules, pellets, shreds, strands, particles, gel, strips, loose leaves, cut leaves, cut filler, porous material, foam material or sheets. The aerosol generating substrate may comprise plant derived material and in particular, may comprise a tobacco. It may advantageously comprise reconstituted tobacco, for example including tobacco and any one or more of cellulose fibres, tobacco stalk fibres and inorganic fillers such as CaCO3.

Consequently, the aerosol generating device with which the aerosol generating article is intended for use may be referred to as a “heated tobacco device”, a “heat-not-bum tobacco device”, a “device for vaporising tobacco products”, and the like, with this being interpreted as a device suitable for achieving these effects. The features disclosed herein are equally applicable to devices which are designed to vaporise any aerosol generating substrate.

The aerosol generating article may be formed substantially in the shape of a stick, and may broadly resemble a cigarette, having a tubular region with an aerosol generating substrate arranged in a suitable manner. The aerosol generating article may include a filter segment, for example comprising cellulose acetate fibres, at a proximal end of the aerosol generating article. The filter segment may constitute a mouthpiece filter and may be in coaxial alignment with the aerosol generating substrate. One or more vapour collection regions, cooling regions, and other structures may also be included in some designs. For example, the aerosol generating article may include at least one tubular segment upstream of the filter segment. The tubular segment may act as a vapour cooling region. The vapour cooling region may advantageously allow the heated vapour generated by heating the aerosol generating substrate to cool and condense to form an aerosol with suitable characteristics for inhalation by a user, for example through the filter segment.

The aerosol generating substrate may comprise an aerosol-former. The aerosol former acts as a humectant. Thus, the terms “aerosol former” and “humectant” may be used interchangeably in this specification. Examples of aerosol-formers include polyhydric alcohols and mixtures thereof such as glycerine or propylene glycol. Typically, the aerosol generating substrate may comprise an aerosol-former content of between approximately 5% and approximately 50% on a dry weight basis. In some embodiments, the aerosol generating substrate may comprise an aerosol-former content of between approximately 10% and approximately 20% on a dry weight basis, and possibly approximately 15% on a dry weight basis.

Upon heating, the aerosol generating substrate may release volatile compounds. The volatile compounds may include nicotine or flavour compounds such as tobacco flavouring.

Brief Description of the Drawings

Figure 1 is a diagrammatic cross-sectional view of an aerosol generating system comprising an aerosol generating device and an aerosol generating article ready to be positioned in a heating chamber of the aerosol generating device;

Figure 2 is a diagrammatic cross-sectional view of the aerosol generating system of Figure 1, showing the aerosol generating article positioned in the heating chamber of the aerosol generating device;

Figure 3 is a detailed diagrammatic perspective view of the heating chamber of the aerosol generating device of Figures 1 and 2; and

Figure 4 is a diagrammatic cross-sectional view along the line X-X in Figure 2.

Detailed Description of Embodiments

Embodiments of the present disclosure will now be described by way of example only and with reference to the accompanying drawings. Referring initially to Figures 1 and 2, there is shown diagrammatically an example of an aerosol generating system 1. The aerosol generating system 1 comprises an aerosol generating device 10 and an aerosol generating article 100 for use with the device 10. The aerosol generating device 10 comprises a main body 12 housing various components of the aerosol generating device 10. The main body 12 can have any shape that is sized to fit the components described in the various embodiments set out herein and to be comfortably held by a user unaided, in a single hand.

A first end 14 of the aerosol generating device 10, shown towards the bottom of Figures 1 and 2, is described for convenience as a distal, bottom, base or lower end of the aerosol generating device 10. A second end 16 of the aerosol generating device 10, shown towards the top of Figures 1 and 2, is described as a proximal, top or upper end of the aerosol generating device 10. During use, the user typically orients the aerosol generating device 10 with the first end 14 downward and/or in a distal position with respect to the user’s mouth and the second end 16 upward and/or in a proximate position with respect to the user’s mouth.

The aerosol generating device 10 comprises a heating chamber 18 positioned in the main body 12. The heating chamber 18 defines an interior volume in the form of a cavity 20 having a substantially cylindrical cross-section for receiving an aerosol generating article 100. The heating chamber 18 has a longitudinal axis defining a longitudinal direction and is formed of a heat-resistant plastics material, such as poly ether ether ketone (PEEK). The aerosol generating device 10 further comprises a power source 22, for example one or more batteries which may be rechargeable, and a controller 24.

The heating chamber 18 is open towards the second end 16 of the aerosol generating device 10. In other words, the heating chamber 18 has an open first end 26 towards the second end 16 of the aerosol generating device 10. The heating chamber 18 is typically held spaced apart from the inner surface of the main body 12 to minimise heat transfer to the main body 12. The aerosol generating device 10 can optionally include a sliding cover 28 movable transversely between a closed position (see Figure 1) in which it covers the open first end 26 of the heating chamber 18 to prevent access to the heating chamber 18 and an open position (see Figure 2) in which it exposes the open first end 26 of the heating chamber 18 to provide access to the heating chamber 18. The sliding cover 28 can be biased to the closed position in some embodiments.

The heating chamber 18, and specifically the cavity 20, is arranged to receive a correspondingly shaped generally cylindrical or rod-shaped aerosol generating article 100. The aerosol generating article 100 comprises a pre-packaged elongate aerosol generating substrate 102. The aerosol generating article 100 is a disposable and replaceable article (also known as a “consumable”) which may, for example, contain tobacco as the aerosol generating substrate 102. The aerosol generating article 100 has a proximal end 104 (or mouth end) and a distal end 106. The aerosol generating article 100 further comprises a mouthpiece segment 108 positioned downstream of the aerosol generating substrate 102. The aerosol generating substrate 102 and the mouthpiece segment 108 are arranged in coaxial alignment inside a fluid-permeable wrapper 110 (e.g., a paper wrapper) to hold the components in position to form the rod-shaped aerosol generating article 100.

The mouthpiece segment 108 can comprise one or more of the following components (not shown in detail) arranged sequentially and in co-axial alignment in a downstream direction, in other words from the distal end 106 towards the proximal (mouth) end 104 of the aerosol generating article 100: a cooling segment, a center hole segment and a filter segment. The cooling segment typically comprises a hollow paper tube having a thickness which is greater than the thickness of the wrapper 110. The center hole segment may comprise a cured mixture containing cellulose acetate fibres and a plasticizer, and functions to increase the strength of the mouthpiece segment 108. The filter segment typically comprises cellulose acetate fibres and acts as a mouthpiece filter. As heated vapour flows from the aerosol generating substrate 102 towards the proximal (mouth) end 104 of the aerosol generating article 100, the vapour cools and condenses as it passes through the cooling segment and the center hole segment to form an aerosol with suitable characteristics for inhalation by a user through the filter segment.

The elongate aerosol generating substrate 102 has a proximal end 112 and a distal end 114 upstream of the proximal end 112. The aerosol generating article 100 further comprises an elongate inductively heatable susceptor 116 positioned in the aerosol generating substrate 102 at a radially central position within the cross-section of the aerosol generating substrate 102. In other examples (not shown), the aerosol generating article 100 can comprise a plurality of elongate inductively heatable susceptors 116 suitably positioned within the cross-section of the aerosol generating substrate 102. The (or each) elongate inductively heatable susceptor 116 has a proximal end 118 positioned substantially at the proximal end 112 of the aerosol generating substrate 102 and a distal end 120 positioned at the distal end 114 of the aerosol generating substrate 102. Thus, the elongate inductively heatable susceptor 116 extends fully to the distal end 114 of the aerosol generating substrate 102 and, in the illustrated example, extends fully between the proximal end 112 and the distal end 114 of the aerosol generating substrate 102. The aerosol generating substrate 102 has a longitudinal axis which extends between the proximal end 112 and the distal end 114, and the elongate inductively heatable susceptor 116 extends in a direction that is substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis. The longitudinal axis of the aerosol generating substrate 102 corresponds to a longitudinal axis of the aerosol generating article 100. The elongate inductively heatable susceptor 116 can have a circular cross-sectional shape as shown in Figure 4 or any other suitable cross-sectional shape, e.g., rectangular.

The heating chamber 18 has a side wall (or chamber wall) 30 extending between a base 32, located at a second end 34 of the heating chamber 18, and the open first end 26. The side wall 30 and the base 32 are connected to each other and can be integrally formed as a single piece. In the illustrated embodiment, the side wall 30 is tubular and, more specifically, cylindrical. In other embodiments, the side wall 30 can have other suitable shapes, such as a tube with an elliptical or polygonal cross section. In yet further embodiments, the side wall 30 can be tapered. The side wall 30 has an inner surface 36 and an outer surface 38. The base 32 of the heating chamber 18 is closed, e.g. sealed or air-tight. That is, the heating chamber 18 is cup-shaped. This ensures that air drawn from the open first end 26 is prevented by the base 32 from flowing out of the second end 34 and is instead guided through the aerosol generating substrate 102. It can also ensure that a user inserts the aerosol generating article 100 into the heating chamber 18 an intended distance and no further.

The aerosol generating device 10 comprises an induction heating arrangement 46 for generating an alternating electromagnetic field. The induction heating arrangement 46 comprises a substantially helical (i. e. , spirally wound) induction coil 48. The induction coil 48 has a circular cross-section and extends helically around the substantially cylindrical heating chamber 18. The induction coil 48 can be energised by the power source 22 and controller 24. The controller 24 includes, amongst other electronic components, an inverter which is arranged to convert a direct current from the power source 22 into an alternating high-frequency current for the induction coil 48.

In the illustrated example, the side wall 30 of the heating chamber 18 includes a coil support structure 50 formed in the outer surface 38. The coil support structure 50 comprises a coil support groove 52 which extends helically around the outer surface 38 and in which the induction coil 48 is positioned. In other examples (not shown), the coil support structure 50 could be omitted and the induction coil 48 could instead be supported by the main body 12 of the aerosol generating device 10 to surround the heating chamber 18.

In order to use the aerosol generating device 10, a user displaces the sliding cover 28 (if present) from the closed position shown in Figure 1 to the open position shown in Figure 2. The user then inserts an aerosol generating article 100 through the open first end 26 into the heating chamber 18, so that the elongate aerosol generating substrate 102 (along with the elongate inductively heatable susceptor 116) is received in the cavity 20 and so that the proximal end 104 of the aerosol generating article 100 is positioned at the open first end 26 of the heating chamber 18, with at least part of the mouthpiece segment 108 projecting from the open first end 26 to permit engagement by a user’s lips.

Upon activation of the aerosol generating device 10 by a user, the induction coil 48 is energised by the power source 22 and controller 24 which supply an alternating electrical current to the induction coil 48, and an alternating and time-varying electromagnetic field is thereby produced by the induction coil 48. This couples with (i.e., penetrates) the elongate inductively heatable susceptor 116 and generates eddy currents and/or magnetic hysteresis losses in the susceptor 116 causing it to heat up. The heat is then transferred from the elongate inductively heatable susceptor 116 to the aerosol generating substrate 102, for example by conduction, radiation and convection. This results in heating of the aerosol generating substrate 102 without combustion or burning, and a vapour is thereby generated. The generated vapour cools and condenses to form an aerosol which can be inhaled by a user of the aerosol generating device 10 through the mouthpiece segment 108, and more particularly through the filter segment.

The vaporisation of the aerosol generating substrate 102 is facilitated by the addition of air from the surrounding environment, through the open first end 26 of the heating chamber 18 along an airflow path 40 defined between an outer surface 111 of the wrapper 110 of the aerosol generating article 100 and the inner surface 36 of the side wall 30. More particularly, when a user sucks on the filter segment, air is drawn into the heating chamber 18 through the open first end 26 as illustrated by the arrows A in Figure 2. The air entering the heating chamber 18 flows from the open first end 26 towards the closed second end 34, between the outer surface 111 of the wrapper 110 and the inner surface 36 of the side wall 30. When the air reaches the closed second end 34 of the heating chamber 18, it turns through approximately 180° and enters the distal end 106 of the aerosol generating article 100, and more particularly the distal end 114 of the aerosol generating substrate 102. The air is then drawn through the aerosol generating substrate 102 as illustrated by the arrows B in Figure 2, and hence from the distal end 106 towards the proximal (mouth) end 104 of the aerosol generating article along with the generated vapour that is entrained in the airflow. In order to facilitate the generation of a vapour or aerosol, the aerosol generating substrate 102 typically includes an aerosol former (or humectant) such as glycerine or propylene glycol. When the aerosol generating substrate 102 is heated by the inductively heatable susceptor 116 during operation of the aerosol generating device 10 in the manner described above, a proportion of the aerosol former is converted into a vapour or aerosol (e.g., due to vaporisation) that is entrained in the airflow through the aerosol generating article 10 and inhaled by a user through the mouthpiece segment 108. However, a proportion of the aerosol former that is not converted into a vapour or aerosol (e.g., that is not vaporised) migrates towards an outer surface of the aerosol generating article 100 and passes through the fluid-permeable wrapper 110. The aerosol former evaporates from the outer surface of the aerosol generating article 100 (specifically from the outer surface 111 of the wrapper 110) and is entrained in the air that flows from the open first end 26 of the heating chamber 18 towards the closed second end 34 of the heating chamber 18, along the airflow path 40 between the outer surface 111 of the wrapper 110 and the inner surface 36 of the chamber wall 18, before being drawn into the distal end 106 of the aerosol generating article 100 (and more specifically into the distal end 114 of the aerosol generating substrate 102). As noted above, because the elongate inductively heatable susceptor 116 extends fully to the distal end 114 of the aerosol generating substrate 102, the distal end 114 of the aerosol generating substrate 102 is heated. As a consequence, aerosol former entrained within the airflow entering the distal end 114 of the aerosol generating substrate 102 does not condense (because the airflow is not subjected to significant cooling) and flows through the aerosol generating substrate 102 from the distal end 114 towards the proximal end 112, thus improving the characteristics of the generated aerosol and leading to increased TPM (Total Particulate Matter) in the generated aerosol.

Although exemplary embodiments have been described in the preceding paragraphs, it should be understood that various modifications may be made to those embodiments without departing from the scope of the appended claims. Thus, the breadth and scope of the claims should not be limited to the above-described exemplary embodiments. Any combination of the above-described features in all possible variations thereof is encompassed by the present disclosure unless otherwise indicated herein or otherwise clearly contradicted by context. Unless the context clearly requires otherwise, throughout the description and the claims, the words “comprise”, “comprising”, and the like, are to be construed in an inclusive as opposed to an exclusive or exhaustive sense; that is to say, in the sense of “including, but not limited to”.