Technical Field

The present invention relates to a consumable for use with an aerosol provision system, and aerosol provision system comprising the consumable.

Background

Certain tobacco industiy products produce an aerosol during use, which is inhaled by a user. For example, tobacco heating devices heat an aerosol generating substrate such as tobacco to form an aerosol by heating, but not burning, the substrate. Such tobacco industry products commonly include consumables containing aerosol generating material for use in a heating device.

Summary In a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a consumable for use with an aerosol provision device, the consumable comprising: a hollow tube comprising aerosol-generating material, the aerosol-generating material forming part of a wall of the hollow tube, wherein an inner surface of a first portion of the hollow tube comprises a first surface profile and an inner surface of a second portion of the hollow tube comprises a second surface profile, the second surface profile being rougher than the first surface profile, and wherein the second portion extends from a mouth-end of the hollow tube.

In some embodiments, the hollow tube may comprise a carrier material and the aerosol generating material is provided on the carrier material.

In some embodiments, the aerosol-generating material may form an innermost surface of the hollow tube. In some embodiments, the surface profile of said second portion may be formed by aerosol-generating material.

In some embodiments, the aerosol-generating material may be an aerosol-generating film. In some embodiments, the second surface profile of the second portion may have a greater surface roughness than the first surface profile of the first portion.

In some embodiments, the surface roughness of the second portion may be in the range of about 200 ml/min to about 800 ml/min.

In some embodiments, the surface roughness of the second portion may be in the range of about 600 ml/min to about 800 ml/min. In some embodiments, the second surface profile of the second portion of the hollow tube may comprise a series of linear, parallel ridges and furrows that extend in a circumferential direction around the inner surface of the second portion.

In some embodiments, the pitch between adjacent ridges may be in the range of about 0.2 mm to t mm.

In some embodiments, the height of the ridges and/or furrows may be in the range of about 0.1 mm to about 0.5 mm. In some embodiments, the second surface profile of the second portion may comprise a plurality of dimples.

In some embodiments, the distance between adjacent dimples may be in the range of 0.1 mm to about 1 mm.

In some embodiments, the depth of the dimples may be in the range of about 0.1 mm to about 1 mm.

In some embodiments, the second surface profile of the second portion may comprise a plurality of inwardly extending projections.

In some embodiments, the distance between adjacent projections may be in the range of about 0.1 mm to about 1 mm. In some embodiments, the height of the projections may be in the range of 0.1 mm to about 1 mm. In some embodiments, the second portion of the hollow tube may extend between about 10% and about 50% along the length of the hollow tube from the mouth end of the hollow tube. In some embodiments, the roughness of the second surface profile of the second portion may increase towards the mouth end.

In a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided a system comprising, the consumable of the first aspect, and an aerosol provision device comprising a receptacle, the receptacle having a heated portion in which the consumable may be received in use to heat the consumable and generate an aerosol, the device and the consumable being configured so that the second portion of the hollow tube of the consumable is entirely disposed within the heated portion when the consumable is received therein. Brief Description of the Drawings

Embodiments of the invention will now be described, by way of non-limiting examples only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

Fig. 1 shows a perspective schematic view of a consumable; Fig.2 shows a schematic cross-sectional end view of a consumable;

Fig. 3 shows a schematic cross-sectional side view of a consumable;

Fig. 4 shows a schematic cross-sectional side view of a consumable;

Fig. 5 shows a schematic cross-sectional side view of a consumable;

Fig. 6 shows a schematic cross-sectional side view of a consumable; Fig. 7 shows a perspective schematic view of a consumable; and

Fig. 8 shows a schematic view of a system including a consumable and an aerosol provision device.

Detail Description As used herein, the term “delivery system” is intended to encompass systems that deliver at least one substance to a user, and includes: non-combustible aerosol provision systems that release compounds from an aerosol-generating material without combusting the aerosol-generating material, such as electronic cigarettes, tobacco heating products, and hybrid systems to generate aerosol using a combination of aerosol-generating materials. According to the present disclosure, a “non-combustible” aerosol provision system is one where a constituent aerosol-generating material of the aerosol provision system (or component thereof) is not combusted or burned in order to facilitate delivery of at least one substance to a user.

In some embodiments, the delivery system is a non-combustible aerosol provision system, such as a powered non-combustible aerosol provision system.

In some embodiments, the non-combustible aerosol provision system is an aerosol- generating material heating system, also known as a heat-not-burn system.

In some embodiments, the non-combustible aerosol provision system is a hybrid system to generate aerosol using a combination of aerosol-generating materials, one or a plurality of which may be heated. Each of the aerosol-generating materials may be, for example, in the form of a solid, liquid, or gel and may or may not contain nicotine. IN some embodiments, the hybrid system comprises a liquid or gel aerosol-generating material and a solid aerosol-generating material. The solid aerosol-generating material may comprise, for example, tobacco or a non-tobacco product. The non-combustible aerosol provision systems described herein comprise a non- combustible aerosol provision device and a consumable for use with the non- combustible aerosol provision device.

This disclosure relates to consumables comprising aerosol-generating material and configured to be used with non-combustible aerosol provision devices. These consumables are sometimes referred to as articles throughout the disclosure.

In some embodiments, the non-combustible aerosol provision system, such as a non- combustible aerosol provision device may comprise a power source and a controller. The power source may, for example, be an electric power source or an exothermic power source. In some embodiments, the exothermic power source comprises a carbon substrate which may be energised so as to distribute power in the form of heat to an aerosol-generating material or to a heat transfer material in proximity to the exothermic power source. In some embodiments, the non-combustible aerosol provision system may comprise an area for receiving the consumable, an aerosol generator, and aerosol generation area, a hosing, a mouthpiece, a filter and/or an aerosol-modifying agent. In some embodiments, the consumable for use with the non-combustible aerosol provision device may comprise aerosol-generating material, an aerosol-generating material storage area, an aerosol-generating material transfer component, an aerosol generator, an aerosol generation area, a housing, a wrapper, a filter, a mouthpiece, and/or an aerosol-modifying agent. A consumable may also comprise an aerosol generator, such as a heater, that emits heat to cause the aerosol-generating material to generate aerosol in use. The heater may, for example, comprise combustible material, a material heatable by electrical conduction, or a susceptor.

In some embodiments, the substance to be delivered may be an aerosol-generating material or a material that is not intended to be aerosolised. As appropriate, either material may comprise one or more active constituents, one or more flavours, one or more aerosol-former materials, and/ or one or more other functional materials.

In some embodiments, the substance to be delivered comprises an active substance.

The active substance as used herein may be a physiologically active material, which is a material intended to achieve or enhance a physiological response. The active substance may for example be selected from nutraceuticals, nootropics, psychoactives. The active substance may be naturally occurring or synthetically obtained. The active substance may comprise for example nicotine, caffeine, taurine, theine, vitamins such as B6 or B12 or C, melatonin, cannabinoids, or constituents, derivatives, or combinations thereof. The active substance may comprise one or more constituents, derivatives or extracts of tobacco, cannabis or another botanical. In one embodiment the active substance is a legally permissible recreational drug

In some embodiments, the active substance comprises nicotine. In some embodiments, the active substance comprises caffeine, melatonin or vitamin B12. As noted herein, the active substance may comprise one or more constituents, derivatives or extracts of cannabis, such as one or more cannabinoids or terpenes. The active substance may be CBD or a derivative thereof

As noted herein, the active substance may comprise or be derived from one or more botanicals or constituents, derivatives or extracts thereof. As used herein, the term "botanical" includes any material derived from plants including, but not limited to, extracts, leaves, bark, fibres, stems, roots, seeds, flowers, fruits, pollen, husk, shells or the like. Alternatively, the material may comprise an active compound naturally existing in a botanical, obtained synthetically. The material may be in the form of liquid, gas, solid, powder, dust, crushed particles, granules, pellets, shreds, strips, sheets, or the like. Example botanicals are tobacco, eucalyptus, star anise, hemp, cocoa, cannabis, fennel, lemongrass, peppermint, spearmint, rooibos, chamomile, flax, ginger, ginkgo biloba, hazel, hibiscus, laurel, licorice (liquorice), matcha, mate, orange skin, papaya, rose, sage, tea such as green tea or black tea, thyme, clove, cinnamon, coffee, aniseed (anise), basil, bay leaves, cardamom, coriander, cumin, nutmeg, oregano, paprika, rosemaiy, saffron, lavender, lemon peel, mint, juniper, elderflower, vanilla, wintergreen, beefsteak plant, curcuma, turmeric, sandalwood, cilantro, bergamot, orange blossom, myrtle, cassis, valerian, pimento, mace, damien, maijoram, olive, lemon balm, lemon basil, chive, carvi, verbena, tarragon, geranium, mulberiy, ginseng, theanine, theacrine, maca, ashwagandha, damiana, guarana, chlorophyll, baobab or any combination thereof. The mint may be chosen from the following mint varieties: Mentha Arventis, Mentha c.v., Mentha niliaca, Mentha piperita, Mentha piperita citrata c.v., Mentha piperita c.v, Mentha spicata crispa, Mentha cardifolia, Memtha longifolia, Mentha suaveolens variegata, Mentha pulegium, Mentha spicata c.v. and Mentha suaveolens

In some embodiments, the active substance comprises or is derived from one or more botanicals or constituents, derivatives or extracts thereof and the botanical is tobacco. In some embodiments, the active substance comprises or derived from one or more botanicals or constituents, derivatives or extracts thereof and the botanical is selected from eucalyptus, star anise, cocoa and hemp.

In some embodiments, the active substance comprises or derived from one or more botanicals or constituents, derivatives or extracts thereof and the botanical is selected from rooibos and fennel. In some embodiments, the substance to be delivered comprises a flavour.

As used herein, the terms "flavour" and "flavourant" refer to materials which, where local regulations permit, may be used to create a desired taste, aroma or other somatosensorial sensation in a product for adult consumers. They may include naturally occurring flavour materials, botanicals, extracts of botanicals, synthetically obtained materials, or combinations thereof (e.g., tobacco, cannabis, licorice (liquorice), hydrangea, eugenol, Japanese white bark magnolia leaf, chamomile, fenugreek, clove, maple, matcha, menthol, Japanese mint, aniseed (anise), cinnamon, turmeric, Indian spices, Asian spices, herb, wintergreen, cheriy, berry, red berry, cranberry, peach, apple, orange, mango, clementine, lemon, lime, tropical fruit, papaya, rhubarb, grape, durian, dragon fruit, cucumber, blueberry, mulberiy, citrus fruits, Drambuie, bourbon, scotch, whiskey, gin, tequila, rum, spearmint, peppermint, lavender, aloe vera, cardamom, celery, cascarilla, nutmeg, sandalwood, bergamot, geranium, khat, naswar, betel, shisha, pine, honey essence, rose oil, vanilla, lemon oil, orange oil, orange blossom, cherry blossom, cassia, caraway, cognac, jasmine, ylang- ylang, sage, fennel, wasabi, piment, ginger, coriander, coffee, hemp, a mint oil from any species of the genus Mentha, eucalyptus, star anise, cocoa, lemongrass, rooibos, flax, ginkgo biloba, hazel, hibiscus, laurel, mate, orange skin, rose, tea such as green tea or black tea, thyme, juniper, elderflower, basil, bay leaves, cumin, oregano, paprika, rosemary, saffron, lemon peel, mint, beefsteak plant, curcuma, cilantro, myrtle, cassis, valerian, pimento, mace, damien, maijoram, olive, lemon balm, lemon basil, chive, carvi, verbena, tarragon, limonene, thymol, camphene), flavour enhancers, bitterness receptor site blockers, sensorial receptor site activators or stimulators, sugars and/or sugar substitutes (e.g., sucralose, acesulfame potassium, aspartame, saccharine, cyclamates, lactose, sucrose, glucose, fructose, sorbitol, or mannitol), and other additives such as charcoal, chlorophyll, minerals, botanicals, or breath freshening agents. They may be imitation, synthetic or natural ingredients or blends thereof. They may be in any suitable form, for example, liquid such as an oil, solid such as a powder, or gas.

In some embodiments, the flavour comprises menthol, spearmint and/or peppermint. In some embodiments, the flavour comprises flavour components of cucumber, blueberry, citrus fruits and/or redberry. In some embodiments, the flavour comprises eugenol. In some embodiments, the flavour comprises flavour components extracted from tobacco. In some embodiments, the flavour comprises flavour components extracted from cannabis.

In some embodiments, the flavour may comprise a sensate, which is intended to achieve a somatosensorial sensation which are usually chemically induced and perceived by the stimulation of the fifth cranial nerve (trigeminal nerve), in addition to or in place of aroma or taste nerves, and these may include agents providing heating, cooling, tingling, numbing effect. A suitable heat effect agent may be, but is not limited to, vanillyl ethyl ether and a suitable cooling agent may be, but not limited to eucolyptol, WS-3.

Aerosol-generating material is a material that is capable of generating aerosol, for example when heated, irradiated or energized in any other way. Aerosol-generating material may, for example, be in the form of a solid, liquid or semi-solid (such as a gel) which may or may not contain an active substance and/or flavourants.

The aerosol-generating material may comprise one or more active substances and/or flavours, one or more aerosol-former materials, and optionally one or more other functional material.

The aerosol-generating material may comprise a binder, such as a gelling agent, and an aerosol former. Optionally, a substance to be delivered and/or filler may also be present. Optionally, a solvent, such as water, is also present and one or more other components of the aerosol-generating material may or may not be soluble in the solvent. In some embodiments, the aerosol-generating material is substantially free from botanical material. In particular, in some embodiments, the aerosol-generating material is substantially tobacco free.

The aerosol-generating material may comprise or be in the form of an aerosol- generating film. The aerosol-generating film may comprise a binder, such as a gelling agent, and an aerosol former. Optionally, a substance to be delivered and/or filler may also be present. The aerosol-generating film may be substantially free from botanical material. In particular, in some embodiments, the aerosol-generating material is substantially tobacco free. The aerosol-generating film may have a thickness of about 0.015 mm to about 1 mm. For example, the thickness may be in the range of about 0.05 mm, 0.1 mm or 0.15 mm to about 0.5 mm or 0.3 mm. The aerosol-generating material may comprise more than one film, and the thickness described herein may refer to the aggregate thickness of those films.

The aerosol-generating film may be continuous. For example, the film may comprise or be a continuous sheet of material. The sheet may be in the form of a wrapper, it may be gathered to form a gathered sheet or it may be shredded to form a shredded sheet. The shredded sheet may comprise one or more strands or strips of aerosol-generating material.

The aerosol-generating film maybe discontinuous. For example, the aerosol-generating film may comprise one or more discrete portions or regions of aerosol-generating material, such as dots, stripes or lines, which may be supported on a support. In such embodiments, the support may be planar or non-planar.

The aerosol-generating film may be formed by combining a binder, such as a gelling agent, with a solvent, such as water, an aerosol-former and one or more other components, such as one or more substances to be delivered, to form a slurry and then heating the slurry to volatilise at least some of the solvent to form the aerosolgenerating film.

The sluriy may be heated to remove at least about 60 wt%, 70 wt%, 80 wt%, 85 wt% or 90 wt% of the solvent.

The aerosol-generating material may comprise or be an “amorphous solid”. In some embodiments, the aerosol-generating material comprises an aerosol-generating film that is an amorphous solid. The amorphous solid may be a “monolithic solid”. The amorphous solid may be substantially non-fibrous. In some embodiments, the amorphous solid may be a dried gel. The amorphous solid is a solid material that may retain some fluid, such as liquid, within it. In some embodiments, the amorphous solid may, for example, comprise from about 50wt%, 6owt% or 70wt% of amorphous solid, to about 90wt%, 95wt% or ioowt% of amorphous solid. The amorphous solid may be substantially free from botanical material. The amorphous solid may be substantially tobacco free.

The aerosol-former material may comprise one or more constituents capable of forming an aerosol. In some embodiments, the aerosol-former material may comprise on or more of glycerol, propylene glycol, diethylene glycol, triethylene glycol, tetraethylene glycol, 1,3-butylene glycol, erythritol, meso-Eiythritol, ethyl vanillate, ethyl laurate, a diethyl suberate, triethyl citrate, triacetin, a diacetin mixture, benzyl benzoate, benzyl phenyl acetate, tributyrin, lauiyl acetate, lauric acid, myristic acid, and propylene carbonate.

The one or more other functional materials may comprise on or more of pH regulators, colouring agents, preservatives, binders, fillers, stabilizers, and/or antioxidants. The aerosol generating material may be present on or in a support, the support forming a substrate. The support may, for example, be or comprise paper, card, paperboard, cardboard, reconstituted material, a plastics material, a ceramic material, a composite material, glass, a metal, or a metal alloy. In some embodiments, the support comprises a susceptor. In some embodiments, the susceptor is embedded within the material. In some alternative embodiments, the susceptor is on one or either side of the material.

A susceptor is a material that is heatable by penetration with a carrying magnetic field, such as an alternating magnetic field. The susceptor may be an electrically conductive material, so that penetration thereof with a varying magnetic field causes induction heating of the heating material. The heating material may be magnetic material, so that penetration thereof with a vaiying magnetic field causes magnetic hysteresis heating of the heating material. The susceptor may be both electrically-conductive and magnetic, so that the susceptor is heatable by both heating mechanisms. The device that is configured to generate the varying magnetic field is referred to as a magnetic field generator, herein.

An aerosol-modifying agent is a substance, typically located downstream of the aerosol generation area, that is configured to modify the aerosol generated, for example by changing the taste, flavour, acidity or another characteristic of the aerosol. The aerosol- modifying agent may be provided in an aerosol-modifying agent release component, that is operable to selectively release the aerosol-modifying agent. The aerosol-modifying agent may, for example, be an additive or a sorbent. The aerosol-modifying agent may, for example, comprise one or more of a flavourant, a colourant, water, and a carbon adsorbent. The aerosol-modifying agent may, for example, be a solid, a liquid, or a gel. The aerosol -modifying agent may be in powder, thread, or granule form. The aerosol-modifying agent may be free from filtration material.

An aerosol generator is an apparatus configured to cause aerosol to be generated from the aerosol-generating material. In some embodiments, the aerosol generator is a heater configured to subject the aerosol-generating material to heat energy, so as to release one or more volatiles from the aerosol-generating material to form an aerosol.

Referring to Fig. 1 to Fig. 3, there is shown a schematic perspective view, a schematic cross-sectional end view, and a schematic cross-sectional side view of a consumable too. The consumable too is for use with an aerosol provision device 200 for heating aerosolisable material to volatilise at least one component of the aerosolisable material, such as the device 200 shown in Fig. 8 and described below. Referring to Fig. 1, the consumable too of the present embodiment extends along an axis A. The axis A is a central axis that extends along the length of the consumable too. In the present embodiment, the consumable too is elongate in the direction of the axis A, but in other embodiment, a width or diameter of the consumable too may be greater than or equal to a dimension of the consumable too in the direction of the axis A, so that the consumable too is not elongate.

Referring to Fig. 2, the consumable comprises hollow tube 101. The hollow tube 101 is formed by at least one wall 102. In the present embodiment, the hollow tube 101 is cylindrically shaped. Thus, in the present embodiment, the wall 102 is cylindrical. More specifically, the wall 102 has an annular cylindrical shape. The hollow tube 101 comprises an inner surface 103. The inner surface 103 may define a hollow 104 of the hollow tube 101. The hollow 104 may define a passageway 105 through the hollow tube 101. The hollow tube 101 may further comprise an outer surface 106. Although in the present embodiment the hollow tube 101 is described as generally circular/cylindrical, it will be appreciated that the hollow tube 101 could take alternative forms, such as, but not limited to, triangular, square, or rectangular. Referring briefly to Fig. 3, the hollow tube 101 comprises opposing axial ends 107, 108. That is, the hollow tube 101 may comprise a first end 107 located at a downstream end or mouth end of the hollow tube 101, and a second opposing end 108 that is located at an upstream end 108 of the hollow tube 101. The hollow tube 101 may be open at mouth end 107 and the upstream end 108.

Referring now to Fig. 2 and Fig. 3, the hollow tube 101 comprises further aerosolgenerating material 109. The aerosol-generating material 109 forms a part of the wall 102 of the hollow tube 101. In some embodiments, the aerosol-generating material 109 may form a part of the inner surface 103 of the hollow tube 101.

Referring to Fig. 3, a schematic cross-sectional side view of the hollow tube 101 is shown. The hollow tube 101 comprises a first portion ill and a second portion 112. In Fig. 3, the portions 111, 112 are indicated by a dashed line dividing the hollow tube 101 in two. The first and second portions ill, 112 of the hollow tube 101 may be arranged longitudinally relative to each other. The first portion ill may extend along a part of the hollow tube 101. The second portion 112 may extend along a portion 112 of the hollow tube 101. The second portion 112 of the hollow tube 101 may be located downstream of the first portion ill of the hollow tube 101. In some embodiments, the second portion 112 of the hollow tube 101 may form the mouth end 107. The first portion ill of the hollow tube 101 may form the upstream end 108. In some embodiments, the first and second portions 111, 112 of the hollow tube 101 may be longitudinally adjacent to each other.

The first portion ill of the hollow tube 101 comprises an inner surface 113. The inner surface 113 of the first portion ill may form a part of the inner surface 103 of the wall 103 of the hollow tube 101. The inner surface 113 of the first portion ill may extend completely about the passageway 105 of the hollow tube 101. However, it will be appreciated that in some embodiments, the inner surface 113 of the first portion may extend partially about the passageway 105 of the hollow tube 101.

The second portion 112 of the hollow tube 101 comprises an inner surface 114. The inner surface 114 of the second portion 112 may form a part of the inner surface 103 of the wall 102 of the hollow tube 101. The inner surface 114 of the second portion 112 my extend completely about the passageway 105 of the hollow tube 101. However, it will be appreciated that in some embodiments, the inner surface 114 of the second portion 114 may extend partially about the passageway 105 of the hollow tube 101.

The inner surface 113 of the first portion ill of the hollow tube 101 comprises a first surface profile. The inner surface 114 of the second portion 112 of the hollow tube 101 comprises a second surface profile. The second surface profile is rougher than the first surface profile. That is, the surface profile of the inner surface 114 of the second section 112 of the hollow tube 101 is more rough than the surface profile of the inner surface 113 of the first section 111 of the hollow tube 101.

The second surface profile is rougher than the first surface profile and is configured to cause a more turbulent flow of aerosol through the second portion 112 of the hollow tube 101 than the first portion 111 of the hollow tube 101 during use. The increased turbulence of aerosol flowing through the second portion 112 of the outer tube 101 may cause some of the generated aerosol to condense on the inner surface 114 of the second portion 112. Thus, the deposition of aerosol generating material on the second portion 114 allows the consumable 100 to recreate or mimic the experience of consuming a cigarette by increasing the strength of the flavour towards the end of use, where the deposited aerosol on the second portion 114 of the hollow tube 101 can be regenerated into aerosol for inhalation.

The surface profile of a surface of a portion of the hollow tube 101 may be determined by the geometry of the surface and/or the surface roughness of the surface. The surface profile of a surface may be made rougher by changing the geometry or surface roughness to cause more turbulence in the flow of aerosol through the portion to cause a greater degree of deposition of aerosol on the surface of the portion.

In the present embodiment, the second portion 112 is located at the mouth end 107 of the hollow tube 101. The second portion 112 extends from the mouth end 107 of the hollow tube 101. Thus, the first portion 111 is located closer to the upstream end 108 of the hollow tube 101 than the second portion 112.

In some embodiments, the second portion 112 of the hollow tube 101 may extend between about 10% and about 50% along the length of the hollow tube 101 from the mouth end 107 of the hollow tube 101. As shown in Fig. 2 and Fig. 3, the hollow tube 101 may optionally comprise a carrier material 116. The carrier material 116 may be formed from, for example, but not limited to, paper, a laminate material such as paper and aluminium, metal foil, or a sheet member containing cellulose. The aerosol-generating material 109 may be provided on the carrier material 116. Thus, it will be understood that the carrier material 116 may be in contact with an inner surface 115 of the at least one wall 102 of the hollow tube 101. Furthermore, the carrier material 116 may have an inner surface 117 on which the aerosol-generating material 109 is provided. The aerosol-generating material 109 may comprise an inner surface 118 that faces into the passageway 105 of the hollow tube 101. Therefore, the aerosol-generating material 109 may form an innermost surface 119 of the hollow tube 101. That is, the inner surface 119 of the aerosol-generating material 109 may form the innermost surface 119 of the hollow tube 101. The inner surface 119 of the aerosol-generating material 109 may define an edge or boundary of the passageway 105.

In some embodiments, the aerosol-generating material 109 may be an aerosolgenerating film. The aerosol-generating material 109 may be located in the second portion 112 of the hollow tube 101. That is, the second portion 112 may have an innermost surface 122 formed by aerosol-generating material 109.

Thus, as generated aerosol enters into the rougher second section 112 of the hollow tube 101, the aerosol experiences greater turbulence, which can cause the aerosol to condense onto the innermost surface 122 of the hollow tube 101. The aerosol that condenses on the inner most surface 112 of the hollow tube 101 can then be re- aerosolised by airflow along the passageway 105 and/or by further heating of the consumable too. Thus, a stronger smoke experience can be provided to a user towards the end of use of the consumable, similar to that experienced when smoking cigarettes. The stronger smoke experience may be in terms of more aerosol generated than at the beginning of use of the consumable and/ or in terms of taste.

In some embodiments, the aerosol-generating material 109 may also be located in the first portion ill of the hollow tube 101. That is, the first portion ill may have an innermost surface 121 formed by aerosol-generating material 109. In the embodiment shown in Fig. 3, the second surface profile of the inner surface 114 of the second portion 112 of the hollow tube 101 is rougher than the first surface profile of the inner surface 113 of the first portion ill of the hollow tube 101. The difference in roughness between the second surface profile of the inner surface 114 of the second portion 112 and the first surface profile of the inner surface 113 of the first portion ill is due to the surface roughness of the inner surfaces 1113, 114. That is, the inner surface 114 of the second portion 112 has a greater surface roughness than the inner surface 113 of the first portion ill. The surface roughness of the inner surface 114 of the second portion 112 may be the surface roughness of the aerosol-generating material 109 forming the innermost surface 119 of the second portion 112 of the hollow tube 101.

The surface roughness may be expressed as a Bendtsen roughness, for example, using the units ml/min Bendtsen roughness. Thus, any reference herein to the units ml/min are to be construed as ml/min Bendtsen roughness, as determined using a Bendtsen apparatus and test as set out hereinafter.

The surface roughness of the inner surface 113 of the first portion ill may be in the range of about 200 ml/min to 600 ml/min, which is determined using a Bendtsen apparatus. The Bendtsen test may be performed using a Bendtsen tester, such as the K513 by TMI Buchel according to ISO 8791-2, which determines the surface roughness by measuring the average air flow between a metal ting and a test sample. The Bendtsen roughness tester may have a measuring head ring with a circumference of 100 ± 0.5 mm, a width of 0.15 ± 0.002 mm, and with a contact pressure of the ring on the sample of 100 kPA with a measurement of air pressure of 1.47 kPa. The test may be carried out at standard lab conditions, i.e. 23 ± 1 °C and 50 ± 2 % RH. The roughness test may be conducted to measure ml/min at 1.47 kPa with a 5 second time delay.

In some embodiments, the surface roughness of the inner surface 113 of the first portion ill may be in the range of about 200 ml/min to about 400 ml/min The surface roughness of the inner surface 114 of the second portion 112 may be at least 600 ml/min. In some embodiments, the surface roughness of the inner surface 114 of the second portion 112 may be in the range of about 600 ml/min to about 800 ml/min, especially when the second surface profile is formed by an aerosol-generating film. In some embodiments, the surface roughness of the inner surface 114 of the second portion 112 maybe in the range of about 650 ml/min to about 750 ml/min, especially when the second surface profile is formed by an aerosol-generating film.

Referring to Fig. 4 to Fig. 6, further embodiments of the consumable 120, 130, 140 are shown. These embodiments are similar to the consumable too described above in relation to Fig. 2 and Fig. 3, and so a detail description will be omitted herein.

Furthermore, similar features and components will retain their terminology and reference numerals.

In these embodiments, the second surface profile of the inner surface 114 of the second portion 112 of the hollow tube 101 is rougher than the first surface profile of the inner surface 113 of the first portion ill of the hollow tube 101. However, the difference in the roughness between the second surface profile of the inner surface 114 of the second portion 112 and the first surface profile of the inner surface 113 of the first portion ill is due to the differing geometry of the first and second portions 111, 112, rather than the surface roughness of the inner surfaces 1113, 114 as is the case with the embodiment shown in Fig. 3.

Referring now to Fig. 4, it can be seen that the geometry of the inner surface 113 of the first portion ill and the inner surface 114 of the second portion 112 of the hollow tube 101 differ. The first surface profile of the inner surface 113 of the first portion ill may be formed by a circular plane. That is, the inner surface 113 of the first portion ill may be free from protrusions or recesses that would otherwise make the surface uneven.

The second surface profile of the inner surface 114 of the second portion 112 of the hollow tube 101 may comprise a series of ridges 121 and furrows 122. The ridges 121 may extend into the passageway 105 of the hollow tube 101, i.e. towards the central axis A of the hollow tube 101. That is, the ridges 121 may extend inwardly in relation to the inner surface 113 of the first portion ill. The furrows 122 may extend away from the passageway 105 of the hollow tube 101, i.e. away from the central axis A of the hollow tube 101. That is, the furrows 122 may extend outwardly in relation to the inner surface 113 of the first portion 111. It will be appreciated that the consumable 100 may have a different number of ridges 121 and furrows 122 to that shown in Fig. 4. In some embodiments, the plurality of ridges 121 and furrows 122 may be formed in the aerosol generating material 109 in the second portion 112 of the hollow tube 101.

The ridges 121 and furrows 122 may extend in a circumferential direction around the inner surface 114 of the second portion 112. In the present embodiment, the series of ridges 121 and furrows 122 are linear and parallel. That is, the ridges 121 and furrows 122 extend in a plane orthogonal to the central axis A of the hollow tube 101. However, it will be appreciated that in other embodiments, the series of ridges 121 and furrows 122 maybe non-linear and/or non-parallel. That is, at least one ridge and/or furrow may be curved, for example, helical, or at least one pair of adjacent ridges 121 and/ or furrows 122 may extend at an angle to each other.

In the present embodiment, the pitch between the ridges 121 and furrows 122, i.e. the distance between the peak of adjacent ridges 121 and the bottom of adjacent furrows 122, may be constant along the length of the second portion 122 of the hollow tube 101.

However, it will be appreciated that in alternative embodiments, the pitch between ridges 121 and furrows 122 may vary. That is, the pitch between one pair of adjacent ridges 121 and/or furrows 122 may be different to the pitch between another pair of adjacent ridges 121 and/or furrows 122. In some embodiments, the pitch between adjacent ridges 121 and/ or furrows 122 is less closer to the mouth end 107 of the hollow tube 101. The reduction in pitch along the second portion 112 of the hollow tube 101 may decrease linearly towards the mouth end 107. The reduction in pitch along the second portion 112 of the hollow tube 101 may decrease non-linearly towards the mouth end 107. This may help create greater turbulence in the flow and encourage aerosol to condense of the inner surface 114 of the second portion 112 of the hollow tube 101.

In addition, the height of each of the ridges 121 and furrows 122 in the present embodiment are equal. However, it will be appreciated that in an alternative embodiment, at least one of the ridges 121 and/or furrows 122 may have a different height relative to the other ridges 121 and/or furrows 122. In some embodiments, the height of the ridges 121 and/or furrows 122 may increase towards the mouth end 107 of the second portion 112 of the hollow tube 101. The increase in height along the length second portion 122 of the hollow tube 101 may increase linearly towards the mouth end 107. The increase in height along the length second portion 122 of the hollow tube 101 may increase non-linearly towards the mouth end 107. This may help create greater turbulence in the flow and encourage aerosol to condense of the inner surface 114 of the second portion 112 of the hollow tube 101. This may also help create a larger pressure drop through the hollow tube 101.

The pitch between adjacent ridges 121 and/or furrows 122 may be at least 0.1 mm. That is, the pitch in the longitudinal direction between the peak of a ridge 121 and the trough of a furrow 122 may be at least 0.1 mm. Therefore, the pitch between adjacent ridges 121 may be at least 0.2 mm. The pitch between adjacent furrows 122 may be at least 0.2 mm. In some embodiments, the pitch between adjacent ridges 121 may be in the range of about 0.2 mm to about . 1 mm The height of the ridges 121 and/or furrows 122 may be in the range of about 0.1 mm to about 0.5 mm. It will be appreciated that in some embodiments, the height of the ridges 121 and/or furrows 122 may exceed 0.5 mm. In some embodiments, the height of the ridges 121 and/or furrows 122 may be at least 5% of the thickness of the aerosol-generating film. This thickness may be determined by the thickness of the aerosol generating film without ridges 121 and furrows 122, i.e. average height.

Referring now to Fig. 5, another embodiment of a consumable 130 is shown. In this embodiment, a second surface profile of the inner surface 114 of the second portion 112 having a different geometiy is shown. In the embodiment shown in Fig. 5, the first portion 111 of the hollow tube 01 is the same as described above in relation to Fig. 4.

The second surface profile of the inner surface 114 of the second portion 112 may comprise a plurality of dimples 134.

In some embodiments, the plurality of dimples 134 may be formed in the aerosol generating material 109 in the second portion 112 of the hollow tube 101.

The plurality of dimples 134 may comprise a plurality of recesses 135 in the inner surface 114 of the second portion 112 of the hollow tube 101. The plurality of recesses 135 may be hemi-spherical in shaped. However, it will be appreciated that in alternative embodiments, the recesses 135 that form the dimples 134 may have any other shape.

The plurality of dimples 134 may be located along the length of the second portion 112 of the hollow tube 101 and around the entire circumference of the inner surface 114 of the second portion 112 of the hollow tube 101. In the present embodiment, the distance between adjacent dimples 134 may be constant along the length of the second portion 112 of the hollow tube 101. However, it will be appreciated that in alternative embodiments, the distance between adjacent dimples 135 may be varied.

In some embodiments, the distance between adjacent dimples 134 may reduce closer to the mouth end 107 of the hollow tube 101. The reduction in distance between adjacent dimples 134 along the second portion 112 of the hollow tube 101 may decrease linearly towards the mouth end 107. The reduction in distance between adjacent dimples 134 along the second portion 112 of the hollow tube 101 may decrease non-linearly towards the mouth end 107. To compensate for the smaller separating distances, more dimples 134 of the same size may be present towards the mouth end 107 of the hollow tube 101 or the size of the dimples 135 may increase. This may help create greater turbulence in the flow and encourage aerosol to condense of the inner surface 114 of the second portion 112 of the hollow tube 101. In addition, the depth of each of the dimples 134 in the present embodiment are equal. However, it will be appreciated that in an alternative embodiment, at least one of the dimples 134 may have a different height relative to the other dimples 134. In some embodiments, the depth of the dimples 134 may increase towards the mouth end 107 of the second portion 112 of the hollow tube 101. The increase in depth along the length second portion 122 of the hollow tube 101 may increase linearly towards the mouth end 107. The increase in depth along the length second portion 122 of the hollow tube 101 may increase non-linearly towards the mouth end 107. This may help create greater turbulence in the flow and encourage aerosol to condense of the inner surface 114 of the second portion 112 of the hollow tube 101.

The distance between adjacent dimples 134 may be in the range of about 0.1 mm to about 1 mm. The depth of the dimples 134 may be in the range of about 0.1 mm to about 1 mm. Referring now to Fig. 6, a further embodiment of a consumable 140 is shown. In this embodiment, a second surface profile of the inner surface of the second portion 112 having a different geometiy is shown. In the embodiment shown in Fig. 6, the first portion 111 of the hollow tube 101 is the same as described above in relation to Fig. 4. The second surface profile of the inner surface 114 of the second portion 112 may comprise a plurality of inwardly extending projections 147. In some embodiment, the plurality of inwardly extending projections 147 may be formed from the aerosol generating material 109 in the second portion 112 of the hollow tube 101. The plurality of projections 147 may be cylindrical and/ or cuboidal and/ or hemispherical in shape, or may take any other form in order to cause turbulence within the flow of aerosol through the second portion 112 of the hollow tube 101.

The plurality of projections 147 may be located along the length of the second portion 112 of the hollow tube 101 and around the entire circumference of the inner surface 114 of the second portion 112 of the hollow tube 101. In the present embodiment, the distance between adjacent projections 147 may be constant along the length of the second portion 112 of the hollow tube 101. However, it will be appreciated that in alternative embodiments, the distance between adjacent projections 147 may be varied.

In some embodiments, the distance between adjacent projections 147 may reduce closer to the mouth end 107 of the hollow tube 101. The reduction in distance between adjacent projections 147 along the second portion 112 of the hollow tube 101 may decrease linearly towards the mouth end 107. The reduction in distance between adjacent projections 147 along the second portion 112 of the hollow tube 101 may decrease non-linearly towards the mouth end 107. To compensate for the smaller separating distances, more projections 147 of the same size may be present towards the mouth end 107 of the hollow tube 101 or the size of the projections 147, i.e. thickness, may increase. This may help create greater turbulence in the flow and encourage aerosol to condense of the inner surface 114 of the second portion 112 of the hollow tube 101.

In addition, the height of each of the projections 147 in the present embodiment are equal. However, it will be appreciated that in an alternative embodiment, at least one of the projections 147 may have a different height relative to the other projections 147. In some embodiments, the height of the projections 147 may increase towards the mouth end 107 of the second portion 112 of the hollow tube 101. The increase in height along the length second portion 122 of the hollow tube 101 may increase linearly towards the mouth end 107. The increase in height along the length second portion 122 of the hollow tube 101 may increase non-linearly towards the mouth end 107. This may help create greater turbulence in the flow and encourage aerosol to condense of the inner surface 114 of the second portion 112 of the hollow tube 101.

In the present embodiment, the plurality of projections 147 extend radially. However, it will be appreciated that in an alternative embodiment at least one of the plurality of projections 147 may extend other than radially.

The distance between adjacent projections 147 may be in the range of about 0.1 mm to about 1 mm. The height of the projections 147 may be in the range of about 0.1 mm to about 1 mm.

Referring briefly to Fig. 7, a schematic perspective view of a consumable 150 is shown.

As in the illustrated embodiments, it will be appreciated that the consumable 150 may optionally additionally comprise a filter section 151 and/or a rod of aerosol generating material 152. The consumable 150 may comprise the hollow tube 101 described above in relation to any of the aforementioned consumables too, 120, 130, 140.

The filter section 151 may comprise a filtration core 153 that is wrapped in a wrapping material 154. The filtration core 153 may be formed from, for example, but not limited to, cellulose acetate, paper, or tobacco material, synthetic sheets, or cellulosic sheets in either woven or non-woven form. The wrapping material may be, for example, but not limited to paper. In some embodiments, the wrapping material may be omitted where the filter section is a hollow tube formed or paper or cellulose. The rod of aerosol-generating material 152 may comprise an aerosol-generating material core 156 that is wrapped in a wrapping material 157. The aerosol-generating material core 156 may comprise, for example, but not limited to, tobacco material such as reconstituted tobacco, or an aerosol-generating film, such as an amorphous solid gel, or a liquid impregnated sheet. The wrapping material 157 may be, for example, but not limited to paper.

Fig. 8 illustrates a system comprising the consumable too, 120, 130, 140 and a noncombustible aerosol provision device 200. The non-combustible aerosol provision device 200 comprises an area 201 for receiving the consumable too and an aerosol generator 202. The aerosol generator 202 is configured to heat the aerosol-generating material A of the consumable too when it is received in the area 201 to generate an aerosol for inhalation by a user.

The non-combustible aerosol provision device 200 further comprises a power source 203, a controller 204, and a puff sensor 205. In use, a user inserts a consumable too distal end B first into the area for receiving the consumable 201 and activates the aerosol generator 202 to generate an aerosol for inhalation. The user may then draw on the mouth end C of the consumable too or, alternatively, on a mouthpiece (not shown) of the non-combustible aerosol provision device 200 to inhale the aerosol.

In the illustrated example, the consumable too and the non-combustible aerosol provision device 200 are configured so that the mouth end C protrudes from the area 201 for receiving the consumable too when fully inserted into the non-combustible aerosol provision device 200. Therefore, the mouth end C is available for placing between the lips of the user while the user holds the device.

The puff sensor 205 is configured to detect when a user is drawing on the mouth end C of the consumable too within the non-combustible aerosol provision device 200 and to send a signal to the controller 204 to activate the aerosol generator 202. Therefore, aerosol is generated concurrently with the user inhaling on the consumable.

Alternatively, the non-combustible aerosol provision device 200 may be provided with a user interface - such as a button (not shown) - that the user may press to cause the activation of the aerosol generator 202. The aerosol generator 202 comprises any suitable means for heating the aerosol generating material A of a consumable too received in said area 201 of the non- combustible aerosol provision device 200. Power for the aerosol generator 202 is provided by the power source 203, which in the illustrated example is an electrical power source 203, such as a battery 203.

In one example, the aerosol generator 202 comprises a magnetic field generator configured to generate a varying magnetic field that penetrates the area 201 for receiving the consumable too. The vaiying magnetic field heats a susceptor that is placed within the area 201 for receiving the consumable too. This example is used where the consumable too comprises a susceptor in thermal contact with the aerosolgenerating material A. Therefore, when such a consumable too is placed within the non-combustibale aerosol provision device 200 and the aerosol generator 202 is activated, a carrying magnetic field penetrates the susceptor of the consumable too and causes heating of aerosol-generating material A in thermal contact with the susceptor, generating an aerosol for inhalation by a user.

In another example, the aerosol generator 202 comprises a susceptor in thermal contact with the area 201 for receiving the consumable too; and a magnetic field generator for generating a varying magnetic field that penetrates the susceptor. The varying magnetic field heats the susceptor by magnetic hysteresis. The susceptor in turn heats the area 201 for receiving the consumable Therefore, when a consumable too is placed within the non-combustible aerosol provision device 200 and the aerosol generator 202 is activated, a varying magnetic field penetrates the susceptor and causes heating of the area 201 in which the consumable too is received. The heat is transferred to the aerosol-generating material A of the consumable too, generating an aerosol for inhalation by the user.

In such embodiments, the susceptor may be a wall of the area 201 for receiving the consumable too and the consumable too may be configured for direct contact with the wall for efficient heat transfer. Alternatively, the susceptor may comprise one or more protrusions (not shown) that upstand within the area 201 for receiving the consumable.

Therefore, the susceptor may be directly locatable within the consumable too.

In each of the above example susceptor configurations, it will be appreciated that the susceptor is configured for location in close proximity to the aerosol generating material A, but prevented from coming into direct contact with the aerosol generating material A.

In another example, the aerosol generator 202 comprises a material heatable by electrical conduction, the material being provided in thermal contact with the area 201 for receiving the consumable too. Therefore, when a consumable is placed within the non-combustible aerosol provision device 200 and the aerosol generator 202 is activated, a current is passed through the material to heat the area 201 in which the consumable too is received. The heat is transferred to the aerosol-generating material A of the consumable too, generating an aerosol for inhalation by the user. In such embodiments, the material may be a wall of the area 201 for receiving the consumable ioo and the consumable too may be configured for direct contact with the wall for efficient heat transfer.

The various embodiments described herein are presented only to assist in understanding and teaching the claimed features. These embodiments are provided as a representative sample of embodiments only, and are not exhaustive and/or exclusive. It is to be understood that advantages, embodiments, examples, functions, features, structures, and/or other aspects described herein are not to be considered limitations on the scope of the inventions as defined by the claims or limitations on equivalents to the claims, and that other embodiments may be utilised and modifications may be made without departing from the scope of the claims invention. Various embodiments of the invention may suitably comprise, consist of, or consist essentially of, appropriate combination of the disclosed elements, components, features, parts, steps, means, etc, other than those specifically described herein. In addition, this disclosure may include other inventions not present claimed, but which may be in the future.