TWI834745B - Smoking substitute consumable, aerosol-forming article, smoking substitute system, and method of using smoking substitute system - Google Patents

Abstract

The present disclosure relates to an aerosol-forming article comprising an aerosol-forming substrate and a hollow bore terminal filter element at a downstream axial end of the article/consumable. The article comprises at least one radial air flow path into the article/consumable interposed between the aerosol-forming substrate and the terminal filter element.

Description

Smoking substitute consumables, smoke-forming articles, smoking substitute systems, and use of smoking Smoke replacement system methods

The present disclosure relates to consumables for use in alternative smoking systems, and in particular (but not exclusively) to heat-not-burn (HNB) consumables.

It is generally believed that smoking tobacco exposes smokers to potentially harmful substances. It is generally believed that a large number of potentially harmful substances are produced by the heat caused by the combustion and/or ignition of burning tobacco components in tobacco and the tobacco smoke itself.

Conventional combustible smoking articles (such as cigarettes) generally include a cylindrical tobacco rod and usually also include a cylindrical filter. The cylindrical tobacco rod includes shredded tobacco surrounded by a wrapper, and the filter is formed with the wrapped tobacco rod. axially aligned in adjacent relationship. Filters generally include filter material enclosed by a plug. The wrapped tobacco rod and filter are joined together by a wrapped tipping tape that encompasses the entire length of the filter and adjacent portions of the wrapped tobacco rod. Such conventional cigarettes are used by lighting the end opposite the filter and burning the tobacco rod. Smokers receive mainstream smoke into their mouths by puffing on the mouth end or filter end of a cigarette.

The ignition of organic materials, such as tobacco, is known to produce tar and other potentially harmful by-products. Various smoking alternative systems (or "alternative smoking systems") have been proposed to avoid smoking tobacco.

Such smoking replacement systems can form part of nicotine replacement therapy for people who wish to stop smoking and overcome their dependence on nicotine.

Smoking alternative systems include electronic systems that allow users to simulate the action of smoking by generating smoke (also called "vapor") that is drawn into the lungs through the mouth (inhalation) and then exhaled. Inhaled smoke typically contains nicotine and/or flavoring, which has none or fewer of the odors and health risks associated with traditional smoking.

Generally speaking, smoking alternative systems aim to provide an alternative to the smoking ritual while providing a similar experience to users and providing satisfaction to those who have experience with traditional smoking and combustible tobacco products. Some smoking alternative systems use a smoking alternative article that is designed to resemble a traditional cigarette and is cylindrical in form with a mouthpiece at one end.

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

There are many different categories of smoking replacement systems, each utilizing different smoking replacement methods.

One method used in alternative smoking systems is the so-called "heat not burn" ("HNB") method, in which tobacco (rather than "electricity") is Sub-liquid") is heated or warmed to release vapor. The tobacco may be tobacco leaves or reconstituted tobacco. The vapor may contain nicotine and/or flavorings. In the HNB method, the intention is that the tobacco is heated but not burned, ie the tobacco does not undergo ignition.

A typical HNB smoking replacement system may include equipment and consumables. Consumables may include tobacco materials. Equipment and consumables can be configured to be physically coupled together. In use, heat may be imparted to the tobacco material by heating means of the device, wherein the flow of air through the tobacco material causes moisture in the tobacco material to be released as vapor. The vapor may also be formed from a carrier in the tobacco material and additional volatile compounds released from the tobacco (the carrier may include, for example, propylene glycol and/or vegetable glycerin). The released vapor can become entrained in the air flow drawn through the tobacco.

As the vapor passes through the filament (entrained in the air flow) from the inlet to the mouthpiece (outlet), the vapor cools and condenses to form aerosol for inhalation by the user. Smoke will often contain volatile compounds.

In the HNB smoking alternative system, it is believed that heating rather than burning the tobacco material results in fewer or smaller amounts of the more harmful compounds typically produced during smoking. Thus, the HNB approach can reduce odor and/or health risks that may be caused by combustion, ignition, and pyrolytic degradation of tobacco.

Improvements in the design of HNB consumables are needed to enhance the user experience and improve the functionality of HNB smoking replacement systems.

This disclosure has been designed with the above considerations in mind.

In its broadest sense, the present disclosure relates to an aerosol-forming article (eg, a smoking alternative article, such as a HNB consumable) having an air flow path into the consumable upstream of a terminal filter member.

According to a first aspect, an aerosol-forming article (such as a smoking alternative article, such as an HNB consumable) is provided. The aerosol-forming article includes: an aerosol-forming base material, and a hollow cavity terminal at the downstream axial end of the article/consumable. A filter member, wherein the article includes at least one radial air flow path into the article/consumable between the aerosol-forming substrate and the terminal filter member.

By providing at least one radial air flow path into the article/consumable upstream of the terminal filter member and downstream of the aerosol-forming substrate, air can be drawn into the article/consumable upon inhalation by the user, and this Air helps cool and mix the vapor before inhalation. The cross-sectional area of the at least one air flow path and/or the number of radial air flow paths may be customized to tailor the resistance to draw (RTD) of the article/consumable.

The optional features are now listed. These features are applicable individually or in any combination with any aspect.

The aerosol-forming article is preferably a heat not burn (HNB) consumable.

In some embodiments, there are a plurality of radial air flow paths that may be arranged circumferentially around the article/consumable.

In some embodiments, the article/consumable may further include a spacing member or a smoke cooling member located upstream of and axially adjacent to the terminal filtering portion.

The or each radial air flow path may be provided within the spacer/mist cooling member. For example, a radial air flow path may be provided directly upstream of the terminal filter member near the junction between the terminal filter member and the spacer/smoke cooling member.

There may also be an upstream filtering member provided upstream of the spacer/smoke cooling member and downstream of the aerosol forming substrate.

As used herein, the terms "upstream" and "downstream" are intended to refer to the direction of flow of vapor/smoke, i.e. the downstream end of the article/consumable is the oral end where the smoke leaves the article/consumable for inhalation by the user or Flow direction in case of outlet. The upstream end of the article/consumable is the opposite end of the downstream end. The axial direction of the article/consumable is aligned with the flow direction of the vapor/smoke, that is, extends between the upstream and downstream ends of the article/consumable. The radial air flow path extends substantially perpendicular to the axial direction/flow direction of the vapor/smoke.

The aerosol-forming substrate may be surrounded by a wrapper, such as a paper wrapper. The wrapping layer may cover the inner foil layer, or may include a paper/foil laminate structure (with the foil being innermost).

The spacer/smoke cooling member may be at least partially (eg completely) enclosed by the (paper) wrapping layer. The upstream filter member may be at least partially (eg completely) surrounded by a (paper) wrapping layer.

Radial air flow paths may be provided by one or more vents provided in the wrapping layer, for example by a plurality of vents circumferentially arranged around the article/consumable. For example, there may be a plurality of vents arranged circumferentially around the wrapping layer immediately upstream of the terminal filter member.

The or each filter member is formed from a smoke-permeable material. The final filter member and/or the upstream filter member may include cellulose acetate or polypropylene fiber bundles. The final filter member and/or the upstream filter member may include activated carbon. The final filter member and/or the upstream filter member may include paper. The final filter element and/or the upstream filter element can each be enclosed by a corresponding sleeve (eg a paper sleeve).

The porosity of the upstream filter member may be greater than the porosity of the terminal filter member.

The terminal filter member and/or the upstream filter member may each have a substantially cylindrical shape, with a diameter that substantially matches the diameter of the aerosol-forming substrate (with or without its associated wrapping layer). The or each filter member may have an axial length of less than 20 mm, such as between 8 and 15 mm, such as between 9 and 13 mm, such as between 10 and 12 mm.

The upstream filter member may be a solid filter member or may be a hollow bore filter member including axial bores.

The final filter element and the optional upstream filter element may each have a diameter of between 1 and 5 mm (e.g. between 2 and 4 mm or 2 and 3 mm). ) cavity diameter. (Hollow Cavity) The diameter of the axial bore of the upstream filter member may be larger than the diameter of the bore in the terminal filter member.

The terminal filter member (located at the downstream end of the article/consumable) may be joined to the upstream member forming the article/consumable by a surrounding binding layer (eg, a layer of binding paper). The tipping paper may have an axial length that is greater than the axial length of the terminal filtration member such that the tipping paper completely surrounds the terminal filtration member plus any adjacent upstream members (such as adjacent spacing members or smoke cooling members). Wrapping layer.

Radial air flow paths may be provided by one or more vents provided in the tipping layer, for example by a plurality of vents circumferentially arranged around the article/consumable. For example, there may be a plurality of vents arranged circumferentially around the tipping layer immediately upstream of the terminal filter member.

The vents in the patching layer can be aligned with or overlap the vents in the wrap layer.

The aerosol cooling member is adapted to cool aerosol generated by the aerosol-forming substrate (generated by heat exchange) prior to inhalation by the user.

The smoke cooling member may be formed from a plastic material selected from the group consisting of: polylactic acid (PLA), polyvinyl chloride (PVC), polyethylene (PF), polyethylene terephthalate (PET) ). The smoke cooling member may be formed from rolled/gathered sheets of material to form a structure with a high surface area and a plurality of longitudinal channels to maximize heat exchange and cooling of the smoke.

The spacing member defines a space or cavity or chamber between the aerosol-forming substrate and the downstream end of the article/consumable (eg, between the upstream filtration member and the terminal filtration member). Spacer members are used to allow cooling and mixing of the smoke. The spacing member may have a tubular wall (eg formed from cardboard).

The radial air flow path may be provided by one or more vents provided in the tubular wall of the spacing member, for example by a plurality of vents arranged circumferentially about the tubular wall. For example, there may be a plurality of vents arranged circumferentially around the tubular wall near the downstream end of the spacing member.

The vents in the tubular wall of the spacer member may be aligned with or overlap the vents in the wrapping and/or tipping layers.

The spacing member may have an outer diameter of between 5 and 10 mm, such as between 6 and 9 mm or between 6 and 8 mm, such as about 7 mm. It may have an axial length of between 10 and 15 mm, such as between 12 and 14 mm or 13 and 14 mm, such as about 14 mm.

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

To generate aerosol, the aerosol-forming substrate includes at least one volatile compound that is intended to be vaporized/aerosolized and that can provide recreational and/or medical benefits to the user when inhaled. Suitable chemically and/or physiologically active volatile compounds include the group consisting of: nicotine, cocaine, caffeine, opium and opiates, norpseudoephedrine and cathinones, kava lactones , myristic ether, Beta-carboline alkaloids, salvinorin A, and any combinations, functional equivalents, and/or synthetic substitutes of the foregoing items.

The aerosol-forming substrate may include plant material. The plant material may include at least one plant material selected from the list including: Amaranthus dubius, Arctostaphylos uva-ursi (bearberry), Argemone mexicana , Amica , Artemisia vulgaris , Yellow Tees, Galea zacatechichi , Canavalia maritima (convalylola) , Cecropia mexicana (Guamura), Cestrum noctumum , Cynoglossum virginianum (Cynoglossum virginianum), Cytisus scoparius , Damiana , Entada rheedii, Eschscholzia califomica (flower root), Fittonia albivenis , Hippobroma longiflora, Humulus japonica (Japanese hop), Humulus lupulus , Lactuca virosa , Laggera alata , Leonotis leonurus , Leonurus cardiaca , Leonurus sibiricus (Honeyweed), Lobelia cardinalis , Lobelia inflata , Lobelia siphilitica , Nepeta cataria (False Nepeta), Nicotiana species (Tobacco), Nymphaea alba (White Lily), Nymphaea caerulea (Blue Lily), Poppy, Passiflora incamata (Passion Flower), Pedicularis densiflora (Indian Warrior), Pedicularis groenlandica (Elephant Head), Salvia divinorum , Salvia dorrii (tobacco sage), Salvia species (sage), Scutellaria galericulata , Scutellaria lateriflora , Scutellaria nana , Scutellaria species (head grass), Sida acuta (wire grass), Sida rhombifolia , Silene capensis, Syzygium aromaticum (clove ), Tagetes lucida (Mexican tarragon), Tarchonanthus camphoratus, Tumera diffusa (Mexican beet), Verbascum (mullein), Zamia latifolia (Zinnia (Maconha Brava)), and any combinations, functional equivalents, and /or synthetic alternatives.

Preferably, the plant material is tobacco. Any type of tobacco can be used. This includes, but is not limited to, flue-cured, burley, Maryland, dark-cured, oriental, dark-cured, perique, and goldenrod. This also includes mixtures of the tobaccos mentioned above.

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

Tobacco may include one or more of the following: leaf tobacco, stem tobacco, tobacco powder, tobacco dust, tobacco derivatives, expanded tobacco, homogenized tobacco, chopped tobacco, extruded tobacco, cut tobacco, and/or reconstituted tobacco Tobacco (e.g. pulp reconstitution or paper reconstitution).

The aerosol-forming substrate may comprise aggregated sheets of homogeneous (eg paper/pulp composite) tobacco or aggregated fragments/strands formed from such sheets.

In some embodiments, the sheet used to form the aerosol-forming substrate has a grammage per square meter greater than or equal to 100 g/m ² , such as greater than or equal to 110 g/m ² , such as greater than or equal to 120 g/m ² .

The sheet may have a grammage weight per square meter of less than or equal to 300 g/m ² , for example 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 per square meter between 120 and 190 g/ ^m2 .

The aerosol-forming substrate may comprise at least 50 weight percent plant material, such as at least 60 weight percent plant material, such as about 65 weight percent plant material. The aerosol-forming substrate may include 80 weight percent or less plant material, such as 75 or 70 weight percent or less plant material.

The smoke-forming substrate may include one or more additives selected from the group consisting of humectants, flavorings, fillers, aqueous/non-aqueous solvents, and binders.

Moisturizers are provided as vapor generators - the vapor generated helps carry volatile active compounds and increases visible vapor. Suitable humectants include polyols (such as propylene glycol (PG), triethylene glycol, 1,2-butanediol, and vegetable glycerin (VG)) and their esters (such as glyceryl monoacetate, glyceryl diacetate, or glyceryl diacetate). triacetin). They may be present in the aerosol-forming substrate in an amount between 1 and 50 weight percent.

The humectant content of the aerosol-forming substrate may have a lower limit of at least 1 weight percent of the plant material, for example at least 2 weight percent, For example at least 5 weight percent, such as at least 10 weight percent, such as at least 20 weight percent, such as at least 30 weight percent, or for example at least 40 weight percent.

The humectant content of the aerosol-forming substrate may have an upper limit of at most 50% by weight of the plant material, such as at most 40% by weight, such as at most 30% by weight, or for example at most 20% by weight.

Preferably, the humectant content is from 1 to 40 weight percent of the aerosol-forming substrate, for example from 1 to 20 weight percent.

Suitable adhesives are known in the art and can be used to bind together the components of the aerosol-forming substrate. Binders may include starch and/or cellulose binders (such as methylcellulose, ethylcellulose, hydroxypropylcellulose, hydroxyethylcellulose, and methylcellulose), gums (such as xanthan gum, Guar gum, acacia gum, and/or carob gum), organic acids, and their salts (such as alginic acid/sodium alginate, agar, and pectin).

Preferably, the binder content is 5 to 10 weight percent of the aerosol-forming substrate, for example about 6 to 8 weight percent.

Suitable fillers are known in the art and can be used to strengthen the aerosol-forming substrate. Fillers may include fibrous (non-tobacco) fillers such as cellulosic fibers, lignocellulosic fibers (eg, wood fibers), jute fibers, and combinations of the foregoing.

Preferably, the filler content is 5 to 10 weight percent of the aerosol-forming substrate, for example about 6 to 9 weight percent.

The smoke-forming substrate may include aqueous and/or non-aqueous solvents. In some embodiments, the smoke-forming substrate has a water content between 5 and 10 weight percent (e.g., between 6-9 weight percent, e.g., between 7-9 weight percent).

Seasonings can be provided in solid or liquid form. This may include menthol, licorice, chocolate, fruit flavors (including, for example, citrus, cherry, etc.), vanilla, spices (eg, ginger, cinnamon), and tobacco flavors. The flavorings may be uniformly dispersed throughout the aerosol-forming substrate, or may be provided in isolated locations and/or in varying concentrations throughout the aerosol-forming substrate.

The aerosol-forming substrate can 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 (for example between 6 and 9 mm or between 6 and 8 mm, for example about 7 mm). It may have an axial length of between 10 and 15 mm, such as between 11 and 14 mm, such as about 12 or 13 mm.

In a second aspect, an alternative smoking system is provided, the alternative smoking system comprising an aerosol-forming article as described in the first aspect, and an apparatus including a heating member.

The device may be a HNB device, ie a device adapted to heat but not ignite the smoke-forming substrate.

The device may include a body for housing the heating member. The heating member may include an elongated (eg, rod-shaped, tube-shaped, or blade-shaped) heating member. The heating member may project into or surround the cavity within the body for receiving the articles/consumables described above.

The device (eg the body) may further comprise a power source (eg a (rechargeable) battery) for powering the heating member. It may further include a control unit to control the power supply to the heating member.

In a third aspect, a method of using the smoking alternative system of the second aspect is provided, the method comprising the steps of: inserting the article/consumable into the device; and using the heating member to heat the Products/consumables.

In some embodiments, the method includes the steps of inserting the article/consumable into the cavity within the body, and penetrating the article/consumable with a heating member while inserting the article/consumable. For example, the heating member may penetrate the aerosol-forming substrate in the article/consumable.

The skilled person will understand that, except where mutually exclusive, features or parameters described with respect 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 in any aspect and/or combined with any other feature or parameter described herein.

1: Consumables

2:Smoke forming substrate

3: Wrapping layer

4: Filter components

5: Filter components

6: Cardboard tube spacers

7: Connecting layer

8: Crushing ball

9: Annular gap

10:HNB equipment

11:Cavity

12:Subject

20:Heating rod

1': consumables

1": Consumables

13a: Ventilation hole

13b: Ventilation hole

4': Upstream filtering component

Embodiments illustrating the principles of the invention, enabling an understanding of the invention, and enabling understanding of further aspects and features of the invention will now be discussed in more detail, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 shows an HNB A first embodiment of a consumable; Figure 2 shows a second embodiment of an HNB consumable; Figure 3 shows a third embodiment of an HNB consumable; and Figure 4 shows a first embodiment within the equipment forming the HNB system.

As shown in FIG. 1 , the HNB consumable 1 includes an aerosol-forming substrate 2 at the upstream end of the consumable 1 .

The aerosol-forming substrate includes reconstituted tobacco that includes nicotine as a volatile compound.

The aerosol forming substrate 2 comprised 65 weight percent tobacco provided in the form of aggregated chips resulting from the reconstitution of tobacco from a sheet of pulp/paper. The tobacco has 20 weight percent added humectant (such as propylene glycol (PG) or vegetable glycerin (VG)) and has a moisture content between 7 and 9 weight percent. The aerosol-forming substrate also includes cellulose pulp filler and guar gum binder.

The aerosol-forming substrate 2 is formed in a substantially cylindrical shape so that the consumable resembles a conventional cigarette. It has a diameter of approximately 7 mm and an axial length of approximately 12 mm.

The aerosol-generating substrate 2 is surrounded by a paper wrapping layer 3 .

The consumable 1 includes an upstream filter member 4 and a downstream (terminal) filter member 5 . The two filter elements 4, 5 are separated by a cardboard tube spacer 6. The two filter elements 4, 5 are formed from cellulose acetate fiber bundles and are wrapped with corresponding paper plug layers (not shown).

Both filter members have a substantially cylindrical shape. The diameter of the upstream filter 4 matches the diameter of the aerosol forming substrate 2 . The diameter of the terminal filter component 5 is slightly larger and matches the diameter of the aerosol-forming base material 2 and the wrapping layer 3 Combined diameter. The axial length of the upstream filter element is slightly shorter than that of the terminal filter element, and is 10 mm in axial length compared to 12 mm of the terminal filter element.

The cardboard tube spacers are longer than each of the two filter members and have an axial length of approximately 14 mm.

Both filter members 4, 5 are hollow bore filter members having hollow, longitudinally extending axial bores. The diameter of the axial bore in the upstream filter 4 is slightly larger than the diameter of the axial bore in the final filter member 5 and has a diameter of 3 mm compared to 2 mm of the final filter member.

The cardboard tube spacer 6 and the upstream filter element 4 are surrounded by the wrapping layer 3 .

The final filter element 5 is joined to the upstream element forming the consumable by means of a surrounding paper binding layer 7 . The tipping layer 7 surrounds the terminal filter element 5 and has an axial length of approximately 20 mm so that it covers a portion of the cardboard tube spacer 6 .

A plurality of radial air flow paths are provided by vent holes 13a, 13b arranged circumferentially around the cardboard spacer member 6 near the junction between the spacer member 6 and the terminal filter member 5. Ventilation holes 13a, 13b are provided through and in all of the tubular walls of the tipping layer 7, the wrapping layer 3, and the spacing member 6 Center alignment.

Figure 2 shows a second embodiment of a consumable 1' which is identical to the first embodiment except that the upstream filter member 4' is a solid filter member and includes a crushing ball 8 containing flavourings.

Figure 3 shows a third embodiment of the consumable 1", which is the same as the first embodiment, except for the following conditions: the wrapping layer 3 does not completely surround the cardboard tube spacer 6, so that between the connecting layer 7 and the wrapping layer 3 There is an annular gap 9 between the cardboard tube spacers 6 downstream of the ends.

Figure 4 shows a first embodiment inserted into a HNB device 10, which HNB device includes a rod-shaped heating member 20. The heating member 20 projects into a cavity 11 within the body 12 of the device.

The consumable 1 is inserted into the cavity 11 of the body 12 of the device 10 so that the heating rod 20 penetrates the aerosol-forming substrate 2 . Heating of the reconstituted tobacco in the aerosol-forming substrate 2 is achieved by energizing the heating means, for example with a rechargeable battery (not shown). As the tobacco heats, moisture and volatile compounds (such as nicotine) within the tobacco and humectant are released as vapor and become entrained in the air flow generated by the inhalation by the user at the final filter member 5 .

As the vapor cools within the upstream filter member 4 and cardboard tube spacer 6, it condenses to form a smoke containing volatile compounds for inhalation by the user.

Inhalation by the user also draws air in along the radial flow path through the vents 13a, 13b. This air helps cool and mix the vapor within the chamber bounded by the spacing member 6 .

The features disclosed in the foregoing description, or in the following claims, or in the drawings may be used individually or in any combination of such features to implement the invention in its various forms, as the case may be. expressed in their specific form or used to perform the disclosed function expressed in terms of means, or methods or processes used to obtain the disclosed results.

While the invention has been described in connection with the above-described exemplary embodiments, many equivalent variations and modifications will be apparent to those skilled in the art given this disclosure. Accordingly, the exemplary embodiments of the invention set forth above are to be regarded as illustrative and not restrictive. 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 in this article are provided for the purpose of improving the reader's understanding. 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 below), unless the context requires otherwise, the words "have," "includes," and "includes," and variations thereof will be understood to imply the inclusion of stated integers or steps. , or a group of integers or steps, but does not exclude any other integer or step, or group of integers or steps.

It must be noted that, as used in this specification and the accompanying 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 a value is expressed as an approximation by using the antecedent "about," it will be understood that the particular value forms another real value. Example. The word "about" with respect to a numerical value is optional and means, for example, +/-10%.

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

1: Consumables

2:Smoke forming substrate

3: Wrapping layer

4: Filter components

5: Filter components

6: Cardboard tube spacers

7: Connecting layer

13a: Ventilation hole

13b: Ventilation hole

Claims (12)

An aerosol-forming article, including an aerosol-forming base material; a hollow cavity terminal filter member at a downstream axial end of the article; and a spacer member for cooling and mixing smoke, the spacer member being located at the terminal filter member Upstream and axially adjacent the terminal filter member and defining a cavity between the aerosol-forming substrate and the downstream end of the article, the spacing member has a tubular wall; wherein the article includes at least one entry into the article a radial air flow path, the at least one radial air flow path being between the aerosol-forming substrate and the terminal filter member, wherein the radial air flow path or radial air flow paths are provided in the interval One or more ventilation holes in the tubular wall of the member are provided. The article of claim 1, wherein the article is a heat-not-burn (HNB) consumable. The article of claim 1, including a plurality of radial air flow paths circumferentially arranged around the article. The article of claim 1, wherein the or each radial air flow path is provided within the spacing member proximate a juncture between the terminal filter member and the spacing member. The article of claim 1, wherein the aerosol-forming substrate and the spacing member are at least partially surrounded by a wrapping layer, and wherein the radial air flow path or the radial air flow paths are provided on the Provided by one or more ventilation holes in the wrapping. The article of claim 5, wherein the terminal filtration member is joined to the spacer member by a wrap-around layer that partially covers the wrap layer, and wherein the radial air flow path or The radial air flow paths are provided by one or more ventilation holes provided in the tipping layer. The article of claim 6, wherein the vent or vents in the tipping layer are aligned or overlapped with the vent or vents in the wrapping layer. The article of claim 6 or 7, wherein the vent or vents in the tubular wall of the spacing member are consistent with the vent or vents in the wrapping layer and/or the connecting layer. Align or overlap. An alternative smoking system comprising an aerosol-forming article as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 8, and an apparatus comprising a heating member. The system of claim 9, wherein the device includes a body for receiving the heating member, and the heating member includes an elongated heating member. A method of using a smoking alternative system as claimed in claim 9 or 10, the method comprising the steps of: inserting the article into the device; and using the heating member to heat the article. The method of claim 11, comprising the following steps: inserting the article into a cavity in a body of the device, and using the heating member to penetrate the article when inserting the article.