AEROSOL-GENERATING ARTICLE WITH ABSORBENT CARRIER

Abstract

An aerosol-generating article (500) includes an aerosol-forming substrate (511) and an absorbent carrier (512) impregnated or impregnatable with an aerosol former. The aerosol-generating article may be received in an aerosol-generating device that includes a heating element for heating the aerosol-forming substrate. The system may be configured such that the absorbent carrier is disposed between the aerosol-forming substrate and the heating element. As the aerosol generating article is heated, the aerosol former impregnated in the absorbent carrier may improve aerosol formation.

Claims

1-14. (canceled)

15. An aerosol-generating system comprising: an aerosol-generating article comprising: an aerosol-forming substrate; an absorbent carrier forming a sheet comprising a heating-element contact surface, wherein the absorbent carrier at least partially surrounds the aerosol-forming substrate; and an aerosol former for impregnating into the absorbent carrier; an aerosol-generating device for receiving the aerosol-generating article; and a heating element for heating the aerosol-forming substrate of the aerosol-generating article, the heating element comprising an external heating element that at least partially circumscribes the aerosol-generating article when the aerosol-generating article is received in the aerosol-generating device, wherein the system is configured such that when the article is received by the aerosol-generating device, the absorbent carrier is disposed between the aerosol-forming substrate and the heating element and the heating-element contact surface contacts the external heating element.

16. An aerosol-generating system according to claim 15, wherein the aerosol-generating article further comprises the heating element.

17. An aerosol-generating system according to claim 15, wherein the aerosol-generating device comprises the heating element.

18. An aerosol-generating system according to claim 15, wherein both the aerosol-generating article and the aerosol-generating device comprise the heating element

19. An aerosol-generating system according to claim 15, wherein the heating element comprises a susceptor, and wherein the aerosol-generating device comprises an inductive coil configured to heat the susceptor when the article is received in the device.

20. An aerosol generating article for use in the aerosol-generating system of claim 15, wherein the aerosol former is impregnated into the absorbent carrier.

21. An aerosol generating article according to claim 15, wherein the aerosol-generating article comprises a frangible membrane that houses the aerosol-former, and wherein the frangible membrane is arranged to release the aerosol-former into the absorbent carrier when the frangible membrane is ruptured.

22. An aerosol generating article according to claim 15, wherein the aerosol-forming substrate comprises a solid, paste, gel, slurry, liquid, or a combination thereof.

23. An aerosol generating article according to claim 15, wherein the aerosol-forming substrate comprises a solid.

24. An aerosol generating article according to claim 15, wherein the aerosol-forming substrate forms a core and wherein the absorbent carrier comprises a cylindrical portion at least partially circumscribing at least a portion of the core.

25. An aerosol generating article according to claim 15, wherein the aerosol-forming substrate forms a layer coated onto the absorbent carrier, and wherein the absorbent carrier and the aerosol-forming substrate form a spiral of alternating layers of absorbent carrier and aerosol-forming substrate.

26. An aerosol generating article according to claim 15, wherein the absorbent carrier is lined with a thermally conductive or inductive material.

27. An aerosol generating article according to claim 15, wherein the absorbent carrier comprises paper.

28. An aerosol generating article according to claim 15, wherein the article comprises a cartridge housing and the aerosol-forming substrate and absorbent carrier are provided within the cartridge housing.

29. An aerosol generating article according to claim 15, wherein the article comprises a susceptor.

30. An aerosol-generating article comprising: an aerosol-forming substrate; an absorbent carrier; an aerosol former for impregnating into the absorbent carrier; and a heating element, wherein the absorbent carrier is disposed between the aerosol-forming substrate and the heating element.

Description

[0082] Reference will now be made to the drawings, which depict one or more aspects described in this disclosure. However, it will be understood that other aspects not depicted in the drawings fall within the scope and spirit of this disclosure. Like numbers used in the figures refer to like components. However, it will be understood that the use of a number to refer to a component in a given figure is not intended to limit the component in another figure labeled with the same number. In addition, the use of different numbers to refer to components in different figures is not intended to indicate that the different numbered components cannot be the same or similar to other numbered components. The figures are presented for purposes of illustration and not limitation. Schematic drawings presented in the figures are not necessarily to scale.

[0083] FIG. 1 is a schematic cross-sectional side view of an aerosol-generating article.

[0084] FIG. 2 is a schematic cross-sectional side view of an aerosol-generating device with the aerosol-generating article of FIG. 1 inserted therein.

[0085] FIG. 3 is a schematic cross-sectional side view of an aerosol-generating article.

[0086] FIG. 4 is a schematic cross-sectional side view of an aerosol-generating device with the aerosol-generating article of FIG. 3 inserted therein.

[0087] FIG. 5 is a schematic cross-sectional side view of an aerosol-generating device with an external heating element and an internal heating element.

[0088] FIGS. 6A-6E are schematic perspective views of a substrate section of an aerosol-generating article.

[0089] FIG. 7A is a cross sectional side view of an aerosol-generating article configured as a cartridge.

[0090] FIG. 7B is a cross sectional top view of an aerosol-generating article configured as a cartridge.

[0091] FIG. 7C is a cross sectional top view of an aerosol-generating article configured as a cartridge.

[0092] FIG. 8 is a schematic sectional view of a shisha device.

[0093] FIG. 1 is a schematic cross-sectional side view of an exemplary aerosol-generating article 500 according to an embodiment. The aerosol-generating article 500 shown comprises multiple coaxial elements. However, many of the elements are optional or preferred, and the aerosol-generating article 500 may be made with or without them. The aerosol-generating article 500 includes at least a substrate element 510 that comprises the aerosol-forming substrate 511, absorbent carrier 512, and aerosol former impregnated or impregnatable in the absorbent carrier 512. The aerosol-generating article 500 may also include one or more support elements 521, 522 disposed adjacent the substrate element 510. The first support element 521 may be located at the extreme distal or upstream end 552 of the aerosol-generating article. The second support element 522 may be located at the opposite side and immediately downstream of the substrate element 510. The support elements 521, 522 may be used to help maintain the aerosol-forming substrate 511 in its intended location within the substrate element 510. The support elements 521, 522 may be permeable to air or may include an air path 526 through a tubular element 524 to allow airflow through the aerosol-generating article 500. The support elements 521, 522 may be made from any suitable material, such as cellulose acetate.

[0094] The aerosol-generating article 500 may optionally comprise a capsule 550 embedded into the substrate element 510. The capsule 550 may comprise aerosol former. The capsule 550 may be ruptured by a user prior to use of the aerosol-generating article 500 to release the aerosol former and to impregnate the absorbent carrier 512 with the aerosol former.

[0095] The aerosol-generating article 500 may comprise an aerosol-cooling element 530. The aerosol-cooling element 530 may be located downstream of the substrate element 510 and the optional support element 522. In use, volatile substances released from the substrate element 510 pass through the aerosol-cooling element 530 towards the mouth end 551 of the aerosol-generating article 500. The volatile substances may cool within the aerosol-cooling element 530 to form an aerosol that may be inhaled by the user.

[0096] The aerosol-cooling element 530 may be made from any suitable material, such as a crimped and gathered sheet material that provides a plurality of longitudinal channels extending along the length of the aerosol-cooling element 530. One example of a suitable material for the aerosol-cooling element 530 is a sheet of polylactic acid. The sheet of polylactic acid may be crimped.

[0097] The aerosol-generating article 500 may further include a mouthpiece 540 located immediately downstream of and abutting the aerosol-cooling element 530. The mouthpiece 540 may comprise a filter. An example of a suitable filter is conventional cellulose acetate tow filter.

[0098] The elements of the aerosol-generating article 500 may be circumscribed by an outer wrapper, wall, or sleeve 560 to maintain the elements in place.

[0099] The aerosol-generating article 500 has a proximal, downstream or mouth end 551 for insertion into the mouth of a user, and an upstream or distal end 552 located at the opposite end of the mouth end 551. The aerosol-generating article 500 and each of its elements may be substantially cylindrical, each having substantially the same diameter. For example, the aerosol generating article 500, the support elements 521, 522, the substrate element 510, the cooling element 530 and the mouthpiece 540 may be substantially cylindrical and may each have substantially the same diameter. The elements may be arranged sequentially to form a cylindrical rod. The elements may be circumscribed by an outer wrapper 560.

[0100] To assemble the aerosol-generating article 500, the elements are aligned and tightly wrapped within an outer wrapper. The outer wrapper may be a conventional cigarette paper. Once assembled, the total length of the aerosol-generating article 500 may be about 40 mm to about 60 mm, or from about 45 mm to about 53 mm, and the diameter may be from about 6.5 mm to about 8 mm, or about 7.2 mm.

[0101] Referring now to FIG. 2, the aerosol-generating article 500 may be inserted into an aerosol-generating device 600. The aerosol-generating article 500 and the aerosol-generating device 600 together may form an aerosol-generating system 400.

[0102] The aerosol-generating device 600 shown in FIG. 2 is configured for receiving the aerosol-generating article 500 of FIG. 1. The aerosol-generating device 600 comprises a housing 601 and a receptacle 610 formed in the housing 601. The receptacle 610 is constructed for receiving the aerosol-generating article 500. The receptacle 610 may be sized and shaped so that when the aerosol-generating article 500 is inserted in the receptacle 610, at least a portion (for example the mouthpiece 540) of the aerosol-generating article 500 remains outside of the receptacle 610.

[0103] The aerosol-generating system 400 comprises a heating element. As shown in FIG. 2, the heating element may be an external heating element 622. An external heating element 622 may either be a part of the aerosol-generating article 500 or may be mounted along the inside walls of the receptacle 610 of the aerosol-generating device 600. In use, when the user inserts the aerosol-generating article 500 into the receptacle 610 of the aerosol-generating device 600, the heating element 622 at least partially circumscribes the aerosol-forming substrate 511 of the aerosol-generating article 500 as shown in FIG. 2.

[0104] Referring now to FIG. 3, an aerosol-generating article 500 configured for use with an internal heating element is shown. The aerosol-generating article 500 shown comprises multiple coaxial elements. However, many of the elements are optional or preferred, and the aerosol-generating article 500 may be made with or without them. The aerosol-generating article 500 includes at least a substrate element 510 that comprises the aerosol-forming substrate 511, absorbent carrier 512, and aerosol former impregnated or impregnatable in the absorbent carrier 512. In the embodiment shown, the absorbent carrier 512 forms a core disposed in the center of the substrate element 510 and is surrounded by the aerosol-forming substrate 511. The absorbent carrier 512 may form a slot constructed to receive an internal heating element.

[0105] The aerosol-generating article 500 may also include one or more support elements 521, 522 disposed adjacent the substrate element 510. The first support element 521 may be located at the extreme distal or upstream end 552 of the aerosol-generating article. The second support element 522 may be located at the opposite side and immediately downstream of the substrate element 510. The support elements 521, 522 may be used to help maintain the aerosol-forming substrate 511 in its intended location within the substrate element 510. The support elements 521, 522 may be permeable to air or may include an air path 526 through a tubular element 524 to allow airflow through the aerosol-generating article 500. The support elements 521, 522 may be made from any suitable material, such as cellulose acetate.

[0106] The aerosol-generating article 500 may comprise an aerosol-cooling element 530, a mouthpiece 540, and an outer wrapper, wall, or sleeve 560 similar to that shown in FIG. 1. The aerosol-generating article 500 may be assembled similar to the aerosol-generating article 500 of FIG. 1. The aerosol-generating article 500 may have a similar generally cylindrical shape as the aerosol-generating article 500 of FIG. 1.

[0107] FIG. 4 shows an exemplary aerosol-generating system 400 comprising an aerosol-generating device 600 and the aerosol-generating article 500 of FIG. 3. The aerosol-generating device 600 shown in FIG. 4 comprises a housing 601 and a receptacle 610 formed in the housing 601. The receptacle 610 is constructed for receiving the aerosol-generating article 500. The receptacle 610 may be sized and shaped so that when the aerosol-generating article 500 is inserted in the receptacle 610, at least a portion (for example the mouthpiece 540) of the aerosol-generating article 500 remains outside of the receptacle 610.

[0108] The aerosol-generating system 400 of FIG. 4 comprises an internal heating element 621. An internal heating element 621 may either be a part of the aerosol-generating article 500 or may be mounted within the receptacle 610 of the aerosol-generating device 600. In use, the user inserts the aerosol-generating article 500 into the receptacle 610 of the aerosol-generating device 600 such that the internal heating element 621 is inside the aerosol-forming substrate 511 of the aerosol-generating article 500 as shown in FIG. 4. In the embodiment shown in FIG. 4, the internal heating element 621 is a heater blade.

[0109] If the internal heating element 621 is mounted within the receptacle 610, inserting the aerosol-generating article 500 into the receptacle 610 may cause a certain amount of penetration force experienced by the aerosol-generating article 500 during insertion. The second support element 522 of the aerosol-generating article 500 resists the penetration force of the internal heating element 621 and thereby resists downstream movement of the aerosol-forming substrate 511 within the aerosol-generating article 500 during insertion of the internal heating element 621 of the aerosol-generating device 600 into the aerosol-forming substrate 511.

[0110] FIG. 5 shows an aerosol-generating device 600 that includes both an internal heating element 621 and an external heating element 622.

[0111] The aerosol-generating device 600 as shown in FIGS. 2, 4 and 5 comprises a power supply 651 and electronics 652, 653 that allow the heating element 621, 622 to be actuated. Such actuation may be manually operated or may occur automatically in response to a user drawing on an aerosol-generating article 500 inserted into the aerosol-generating article the receptacle 610 of the aerosol-generating device 600. One or more openings may be provided in the aerosol-generating device 600 to allow air to flow to the aerosol-generating article 500.

[0112] The electronics may include a controller 652 and a user interface 653. The controller 652 may be operably connected to the heating element 621, 622, the power supply 651, and the user interface 653. The user interface 653 may include, for example, a button, a display, or both. The controller 652 controls the power supplied to the heating element 621, 622 in order to regulate its temperature. The power supply 651 may be an electrical energy supply, for example a rechargeable lithium ion battery. The electronics may further include a temperature control.

[0113] Preferably, in the various embodiments, the absorbent carrier 512 impregnated or impregnatable with an aerosol former is disposed between the heating element 621, 622 and the aerosol-forming substrate 511. Initially, once the aerosol-generating article 500 is inserted into the receptacle 610 and the heating element 621, 622 is actuated, the temperature of the substrate element 510 begins to rise. Because the absorbent carrier is nearest to the heating element (for example, disposed between the heating element and the substrate), the aerosol former impregnated in the absorbent carrier 512 reaches its volatilization temperature first before the aerosol-forming substrate. At this temperature, volatile compounds are evolved from the aerosol former. The temperature of the aerosol-forming substrate continues to rise until it reaches a target temperature, such as a temperature of approximately 375 degrees Celsius. The aerosol-forming substrate also begins to release vapor upon reaching a temperature above the vaporization temperature of volatile compounds in the aerosol-forming substrate. As a user draws on the mouth end 70 of the aerosol-generating article 500, the volatile compounds evolved from the aerosol former impregnated in the absorbent carrier 512 are drawn downstream through the aerosol-generating article 500 and condense to form an aerosol that is drawn through the mouthpiece 50 of the aerosol-generating article 500 into the user's mouth. After a short while (for example after the first few puffs), the aerosol-forming substrate 511 also heats to a sufficient temperature to also release aerosols from the aerosol-forming substrate 511 itself.

[0114] As the aerosol passes downstream thorough the aerosol-cooling element 530, the temperature of the aerosol is reduced due to transfer of thermal energy from the aerosol to the aerosol-cooling element 530. When the aerosol enters the aerosol-cooling element 530, its temperature is approximately 60 degrees Celsius. Due to cooling within the aerosol-cooling element 530, the temperature of the aerosol as it exits the aerosol-cooling element is approximately 40 degrees Celsius.

[0115] FIGS. 6A-6E show various embodiments of the substrate element 510 that comprises the aerosol-forming substrate 511, absorbent carrier 512, and aerosol former impregnated or impregnatable in the absorbent carrier 512. The substrate elements 510 of FIGS. 6A-6E may be used with any suitable aerosol-generating device, including but not limited to those shown in FIGS. 2, 4, 5, and 8. In a first embodiment shown in FIG. 6A, the substrate element 510 includes a core of aerosol-forming substrate 511 surrounded by the absorbent carrier 512 impregnated with the aerosol former. The first embodiment is particularly suitable for use with an external heating element that at least partially circumscribes the substrate element 510.

[0116] In a second embodiment shown in FIG. 6B, the substrate element 510 includes aerosol-forming substrate 511 and at the center of the aerosol-forming substrate 511, the absorbent carrier 512 impregnated with the aerosol former. The second embodiment is particularly suitable for use with an internal heating element that penetrates the substrate element 510. The absorbent carrier 512 may form a slot constructed to receive an internal heating element. The substrate element 510 may also comprise a susceptor. An optional susceptor is shown as a susceptor blade 514 disposed adjacent the absorbent carrier 512 in FIG. 6B.

[0117] In a third embodiment shown in FIG. 6C, the substrate element 510 includes a spiral of a plurality of alternating layers of absorbent carrier 512 and aerosol-forming substrate 511 impregnated with the aerosol former. The substrate element 510 of FIG. 6C could be used, for example, with the aerosol-generating device 600 of FIG. 5.

[0118] In a fourth embodiment shown in FIG. 6D, the substrate element 510 includes a spiral of alternating layers of absorbent carrier 512 and aerosol-forming substrate 511 impregnated with the aerosol former, and a susceptor material layer 516. The susceptor material layer 516 may be layered with or laminated onto the layer of absorbent carrier 512. The substrate element 510 of FIG. 6D could be used, for example, with the aerosol-generating device 600 of FIG. 5.

[0119] In a fifth embodiment shown in FIG. 6E, the substrate element 510 includes a core of aerosol-forming substrate 511 surrounded by the absorbent carrier 512 impregnatable with the aerosol former. The aerosol former is included in a capsule 550 embedded into the substrate element 510. The capsule 550 may be ruptured by a user prior to use of the aerosol-generating article 500 to release the aerosol former and to impregnate the absorbent carrier 512 with the aerosol former.

[0120] The substrate element 510 may also include combinations of the five embodiments shown in the figures. For example, the substrate element 510 may include a combination of features of FIGS. 6A and 6B or FIGS. 6A and 6C, FIGS. 6A and 6D, FIGS. 6A and 6E, or FIGS. 6B and 6C, FIGS. 6B and 6D, FIGS. 6B and 6E, or FIGS. 6C and 6E, or FIGS. 6D and 6E, or indeed any combination of any two, three or four of FIGS. 6A to 6E.

[0121] Referring to FIGS. 7A and 7B, the aerosol-generating article 500 may be configured as a cartridge. For example, the substrate elements shown in FIGS. 6A-6E may be provided with a body of a cartridge. A cartridge 200 has a body 210 defining a cavity 218 in which an aerosol-forming substrate 511 and absorbent carrier 512 impregnated with an aerosol former may be disposed. The body 210 includes a top 215, bottom 213, and a sidewall 212. The body 210 may be formed from one or more parts. For example, the top 215 or bottom 213 may be removably attached from the sidewall 212 to allow the aerosol-forming substrate 511 and absorbent carrier 512 to be disposed in the cavity 218. The absorbent carrier 512 may be disposed along the side wall 212 or the side wall 212and the bottom 213 of the cavity 218. The absorbent carrier 512 may also be disposed along the top 215, or along any combination of the bottom 213, the top 215, or the side wall 212, or may cover any of these surfaces in part. In the example shown, the absorbent carrier 512 has pleated sides that surround the perimeter of the aerosol-forming substrate 511.

[0122] FIG. 7C shows a cross sectional view of a cartridge 200 where the aerosol-forming substrate 511 and absorbent carrier 512 form a spiral cylinder shape that includes a plurality of alternating layers of absorbent carrier 512 and aerosol-forming substrate 511. The rolled-up cylindrical shape is disposed inside the body 210 of the cartridge 200.

[0123] The cartridge 200 has a heatable surface area inside the cavity 218, which is a surface capable of transferring heat applied to the exterior of the body, for example, by a heating element of an aerosol-generating device, to the absorbent carrier 512 and the aerosol-forming substrate 511 in the cavity 218.

[0124] The top 215 and bottom 213 of the body may have a plurality of apertures to allow air flow through the cartridge 200, when the cartridge is in use. The cartridge 200 may also or alternatively include apertures along the sidewall 212. The absorbent carrier 512 may be disposed along the bottom 213, the top 215, the side wall 212, or a combination thereof, covering some or all of the apertures. The apertures may further be blocked by a peelable seal or cover when the cartridge is stored prior to use.

[0125] In some embodiments, an aerosol-generating article 500 configured as a cartridge is configured for use in a shisha device. FIG. 8 is a schematic sectional view of an example of an aerosol-generating system that includes a shisha device 100. The shisha device 100 includes a vessel 17 defining an interior volume configured to contain liquid 19 and defining a headspace outlet 15 above a fill level for the liquid 19. The liquid 19 preferably comprises water, which may optionally be infused with one or more colorants, one or more flavorants, or one or more colorants and one or more flavorants. For example, the water may be infused with one or both of botanical infusions or herbal infusions.

[0126] The device 100 also includes an aerosol-generating element 130. The aerosol-generating element 130 includes a receptacle 140 configured to receive an aerosol-generating article provided as a cartridge 200, containing an aerosol-forming substrate and an absorbent carrier forming a sheet and impregnated with an aerosol former. The aerosol-generating element 130 also includes a heating element 160 that forms at least one surface of the receptacle 140. In the depicted embodiment, the heating element 160 defines the top and side surfaces of the receptacle 140. The aerosol-generating element 130 also includes a fresh air inlet channel 170 that draws fresh air into the device 100. In some embodiments, portion of the fresh air inlet channel 170 is formed by the heating element 160 to heat the air before the air enters the receptacle 140. The pre-heated air then enters the cartridge 200, which is also heated by heating element 160, to carry aerosol generated by the aerosol former and the aerosol-forming substrate. The air exits an outlet of the aerosol-generating element 130 and enters a conduit 190.

[0127] The conduit 190 carries the air and aerosol into the vessel 17 below the level of the liquid 19. The air and aerosol may bubble through the liquid 19 and exit the headspace outlet 15 of the vessel 17. A hose 20 may be attached to the headspace outlet 15 to carry the aerosol to the mouth of a user. A mouthpiece 25 may be attached to, or form a part of, the hose 20.

[0128] An exemplary air flow path of the device, in use, is depicted by thick arrows in FIG. 8.

[0129] The mouthpiece 25 may include an activation element 27. The activation element 27 may be a switch, button or the like, or may be a puff sensor or the like. The activation element 27 may be placed at any other suitable location of the device 100. The activation element 27 may be in wireless communication with the control electronics 30 to place the device 100 in condition for use or to cause control electronics to activate the heating element 160; for example, by causing power supply 35 to energize the heating element 140.

[0130] The control electronics 30 and power supply 35 may be located in any suitable position of the aerosol generating element 130 other than the bottom portion of the element 130 as depicted in FIG. 8.

[0131] The specific embodiments described above are intended to illustrate the invention. However, other embodiments may be made without departing from the scope of the invention as defined in the claims, and it is to be understood that the specific embodiments described above are not intended to be limiting.

[0132] As used herein, the singular forms “a,” “an,” and “the” encompass embodiments having plural referents, unless the content clearly dictates otherwise.

[0133] As used herein, “or” is generally employed in its sense including “and/or” unless the content clearly dictates otherwise. The term “and/or” means one or all the listed elements or a combination of any two or more of the listed elements.

[0134] As used herein, “have,” “having,” “include,” “including,” “comprise,” “comprising” or the like are used in their open-ended sense, and generally mean “including, but not limited to”. It will be understood that “consisting essentially of,” “consisting of,” and the like are subsumed in “comprising,” and the like.

[0135] The words “preferred” and “preferably” refer to embodiments of the invention that may afford certain benefits, under certain circumstances. However, other embodiments may also be preferred, under the same or other circumstances. Furthermore, the recitation of one or more preferred embodiments does not imply that other embodiments are not useful and is not intended to exclude other embodiments from the scope of the disclosure, including the claims.

[0136] The term “substantially” as used here has the same meaning as “significantly,” and can be understood to modify the term that follows by at least about 90%, at least about 95%, or at least about 98%. The term “not substantially” as used here has the same meaning as “not significantly,” and can be understood to have the inverse meaning of “substantially,” i.e., modifying the term that follows by not more than 10%, not more than 5%, or not more than 2%.

[0137] Any direction referred to herein, such as “top,” “bottom,” “left,” “right,” “upper,” “lower,” and other directions or orientations are described herein for clarity and brevity are not intended to be limiting of an actual device or system. Devices and systems described herein may be used in a number of directions and orientations.

[0138] Thus, aerosol-generating articles for aerosol-generating devices are described. Various modifications and variations of the invention will be apparent to those skilled in the art without departing from the scope and spirit of the invention. Although the invention has been described in connection with specific preferred embodiments, it should be understood that the invention as claimed should not be unduly limited to such specific embodiments. Indeed, various modifications of the described modes for carrying out the invention which are apparent to those skilled in the mechanical arts, chemical arts, and aerosol generating article manufacturing or related fields are intended to be within the scope of the following claims.