RETAINER FOR AN AEROSOL-GENERATING ARTICLE

Abstract

A kit comprising: an aerosol generating article (2) comprising a combustible heat source (4) and an aerosol-forming substrate (10); and a retainer (300) for the aerosol generating article, the retainer comprising: a tubular body (302) having a partially-closed first end (304a) and an open second end (304b), wherein the body defines a longitudinal passage (305) extending between the first end and the second end and wherein the body comprises: a first portion (307) proximate the first end comprising a plurality of openings (306); and a second portion (309) between the first portion and the second end, wherein the body is configured to at least partially receive the aerosol-generating article in the passage such that the first portion of the body surrounds the combustible heat source of the aerosol-generating article, wherein the first end and the first portion of the body are configured such that at least about 80 percent of the exposed surface area of the combustible heat source of the aerosol-generating article remains exposed through the first end and the plurality of openings in the first portion of the body when the aerosol-generating article is received in the passage such that the first portion of the body surrounds the combustible heat source of the aerosol-generating article, and wherein the ratio of the inner diameter of the first portion of the body to the outer diameter of the exposed surface of the combustible heat source is at least about 1.1.

Claims

1. A kit comprising: an aerosol generating article comprising a combustible heat source and an aerosol-forming substrate; and a retainer for the aerosol generating article, the retainer comprising: a tubular body having a partially-closed first end and an open second end, wherein the body defines a longitudinal passage extending between the first end and the second end and wherein the body comprises: a first portion proximate the first end comprising a plurality of openings; and a second portion between the first portion and the second end, wherein the body is configured to at least partially receive the aerosol-generating article in the passage such that the first portion of the body surrounds the combustible heat source of the aerosol-generating article, wherein the first end and the first portion of the body are configured such that at least about 80 percent of the exposed surface area of the combustible heat source of the aerosol-generating article remains exposed through the first end and the plurality of openings in the first portion of the body when the aerosol-generating article is received in the passage such that the first portion of the body surrounds the combustible heat source of the aerosol-generating article, and wherein the ratio of the inner diameter of the first portion of the body to the outer diameter of the exposed surface of the combustible heat source is at least about 1.1.

2. The kit according to claim 1 wherein between about 80 percent and about 90 percent of the exposed surface area of the combustible heat source of the aerosol-generating article remains exposed through the first end and the plurality of openings in the first portion of the body when the aerosol-generating article is received in the passage such that the first portion of the body surrounds the combustible heat source of the aerosol-generating article.

3. The kit according to claim 1 wherein the ratio of the inner diameter of the first portion of the body to the outer diameter of the exposed surface of the combustible heat source is at least about 1.16.

4. The kit according to claim 3 wherein the ratio of the inner diameter of the first portion of the body to the outer diameter of the exposed surface of the combustible heat source is between about 1.16 and about 1.6.

5. The kit according to claim 1 wherein the ratio of the inner diameter of the first portion of the body to the outer diameter of the exposed surface of the combustible heat source is at least about 1.2.

6. The kit according to claim 1 wherein the body is configured to at least partially receive the aerosol-generating article in the passage such that the first portion of the body surrounds the combustible heat source and the aerosol-forming substrate of the aerosol-generating article.

7. The kit according to claim 1 wherein the second portion of the body is configured to be held by a user when the aerosol-generating article is received in the passage such that the first portion of the body surrounds the combustible heat source of the aerosol-generating article.

8. The kit according to claim 1 wherein the second portion of the body comprises an outer layer having a thermal conductivity of 0.5 Wm-1K-1 or less.

9. The kit according to claim 1 wherein the second portion of the body comprises an opening through which a user can contact the outer surface of the aerosol-generating article when received in the passage.

10. The kit according to claim 1 further comprising a thermal indicator provided on an outer surface of the body, wherein the thermal indicator comprises at least one reversible thermochromic material that undergoes a reversible visible colour change when the temperature of the thermal indicator rises to a switching temperature.

11. The kit according to claim 1 further comprising an air impermeable cap, wherein the cap is configured to fit over the first end and the first portion of the body of the retainer.

12. The kit according to claim 11 wherein the cap comprises an inner layer having a thermal conductivity of at least 120 Wm-1K-1.

13. The kit according to claim 11 wherein the cap comprises an outer layer having a thermal conductivity of 0.5 Wm-1K-1 or less.

14. The kit according to claim 11 wherein the cap comprises one or more phase-change materials.

15. The kit according to claim 11 wherein the cap and the first portion of the body of the retainer are configured to be detachably coupled to one another via a snap-fit connection.

Description

[0155] Embodiments of the invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0156] FIG. 1 is a schematic longitudinal cross-section of an aerosol-generating article for use with a retainer according to the invention.

[0157] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a retainer according to an embodiment of the present invention together with an aerosol-generating article received within the retainer.

[0158] FIG. 3 is perspective view of a tubular body of the retainer of FIG. 2.

[0159] FIG. 4 shows a longitudinal cross-section of the retainer of FIG. 2 together with an aerosol-generating article received within the retainer.

[0160] FIG. 5A is a longitudinal cross-section of a retainer according to another embodiment of the present invention showing an aerosol-generating article received within the retainer and a sleeve of the retainer in a first position.

[0161] FIG. 5B is a longitudinal cross-section of a retainer according to another embodiment of the present invention showing an aerosol-generating article received within the retainer and a sleeve of the retainer in a second position.

[0162] FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a retainer according to another embodiment of the present invention.

[0163] FIG. 7 shows the retainer of FIG. 6 together with an aerosol-generating article received within the retainer.

[0164] FIG. 8A shows a cap for the retainer of FIG. 6.

[0165] FIG. 8B is a longitudinal cross-section of the cap of FIG. 8A.

[0166] FIG. 9 shows the cap of FIG. 8A attached to the retainer of FIG. 6 together with an aerosol-generating article received within the retainer.

[0167] FIG. 10 is a perspective view of a retainer according to another embodiment of the present invention.

[0168] FIG. 11A is a side view of a retainer similar to that of FIG. 10 together with an aerosol-generating article received within the retainer in which the retainer is located in a first position.

[0169] FIG. 11B is a side view of a retainer similar to that of FIG. 10 together with an aerosol-generating article received within the retainer in which the retainer is located in a second position.

[0170] FIG. 12 is a perspective view of a retainer according to another embodiment of the present invention together with an aerosol-generating article received within the retainer.

[0171] FIGS. 13A to 13C are perspective views of alternative patterns for the tubular body of a retainer according to the invention.

[0172] FIG. 13D is a perspective view of another pattern for the tubular body of a retainer.

[0173] FIG. 14 is a graph showing the impact of the diameter of the tubular body on the temperature of the aerosol-forming substrate for four example retainers according to the invention.

[0174] FIG. 15 is a graph showing the lack of impact of the thickness of the tubular body on the temperature of the aerosol-forming substrate for four different example retainers.

[0175] Referring now to FIG. 1, there is shown a schematic longitudinal cross-section of an aerosol-generating article for use with a retainer according to the present invention.

[0176] The aerosol-generating article 2 shown in FIG. 1 comprises a combustible carbonaceous heat source 4 having a front end face 6 and an opposed rear end face 8, an aerosol-forming substrate 10, a transfer element 12, an aerosol-cooling element 14, a spacer element 16 and a mouthpiece 18 in abutting coaxial alignment. As shown in FIG. 1, the aerosol-forming substrate 10, transfer element 12 and a rear portion of the combustible heat source 4 are wrapped in a co-laminated outer wrapper 20. The co-laminated outer wrapper 20 comprises an inner layer of paper and an outer layer of aluminium foil (not shown).

[0177] The combustible carbonaceous heat source 4 is a cylindrical blind carbonaceous combustible heat source and is located at the distal end of the aerosol-generating article 2. As shown in FIG. 1, a non-combustible substantially air impermeable barrier 22 in the form of a disc of aluminium foil is provided between the rear end face 8 of the combustible carbonaceous heat source 4 and the aerosol-forming substrate 10. The barrier 22 is applied to the rear end face 8 of the combustible carbonaceous heat source 4 by pressing the disc of aluminium foil onto the rear end face 8 of the combustible carbonaceous heat source 4 and abuts the rear end face 8 of the combustible carbonaceous heat source 4 and the aerosol-forming substrate 10.

[0178] The aerosol-forming substrate 10 is located immediately downstream of the barrier 22 applied to the rear end face 8 of the combustible carbonaceous heat source 4. The aerosol-forming substrate 10 comprises a cylindrical plug of homogenised tobacco-based material 24 including glycerine as an aerosol former wrapped in plug wrap 26.

[0179] The transfer element 12 is located immediately downstream of the aerosol-forming substrate 10 and comprises a cylindrical open-ended hollow cellulose acetate tube 28.

[0180] The aerosol-cooling element 14 is located immediately downstream of the transfer element 12 and comprises a gathered sheet of biodegradable polymeric material such as, for example, polylactic acid.

[0181] The spacer element 16 is located immediately downstream of the aerosol-cooling element 14 and comprises a cylindrical open-ended hollow paper or cardboard tube.

[0182] The mouthpiece 18 is located immediately downstream of the spacer element 16. As shown in FIG. 1, the mouthpiece 18 is located at the proximal end of the aerosol-generating article 2 and comprises a cylindrical plug of suitable filtration material 30 such as, for example, cellulose acetate tow of very low filtration efficiency, wrapped in filter plug wrap.

[0183] The aerosol-generating article 2 further comprises a band of tipping paper 38 that circumscribes the mouthpiece 18, aerosol-cooling element 14, the spacer element 16 and a downstream end portion of the outer wrapper 20 overlying the transfer element 12.

[0184] As shown in FIG. 1, the aerosol-generating article 2 further comprises a heat-conducting element 34 of aluminium foil around and in direct contact with a rear portion 4b of the blind combustible heat source 4 and a front portion 10a of the aerosol-forming substrate 10.

[0185] The aerosol-generating article 2 according to the invention shown in FIG. 1 comprises one or more first air inlets 36 around the periphery of the aerosol-forming substrate 10. As shown in FIG. 1, a circumferential arrangement of first air inlets 36 is provided in the plug wrap 26 of the aerosol-forming substrate 10 and the overlying outer wrapper 20 to admit cool air (shown by dotted arrows in FIG. 1) into the aerosol-forming substrate 10.

[0186] In use, a user ignites the combustible carbonaceous heat source 4. Once the combustible carbonaceous heat source 4 is ignited the user draws on the mouthpiece 18 of the aerosol-generating article 2. When a user draws on the mouthpiece 18, cool air (shown by dotted arrows in FIGS. 1) is drawn into the aerosol-forming substrate 10 of the aerosol-generating article 2 through the first air inlets 36.

[0187] The front portion 10a of the aerosol-forming substrate 10 is heated by conduction through the rear end face 8 of the combustible carbonaceous heat source 4 and the barrier 22 and the heat-conducting element 34. The heating of the aerosol-forming substrate 10 by conduction releases glycerine and other volatile and semi-volatile compounds from the plug of homogenised tobacco-based material 24. The compounds released from the aerosol-forming substrate 10 form an aerosol that is entrained in the air drawn into the aerosol-forming substrate 10 of the aerosol-generating article 2 through the first air inlets 36 as it flows through the aerosol-forming substrate 10. The drawn air and entrained aerosol (shown by dashed arrows in FIG. 1) pass downstream through the interior of the cylindrical open-ended hollow cellulose acetate tube 28 of the transfer element 12, the aerosol-cooling element 14 and the spacer element 16, where they cool and condense. The cooled drawn air and entrained aerosol pass downstream through the mouthpiece 18 and are delivered to the user through the proximal end of the aerosol-generating article 2. The non-combustible substantially air impermeable barrier 22 on the rear end face 8 of the combustible carbonaceous heat source 4 isolates the combustible carbonaceous heat source 4 from air drawn through the aerosol-generating article 2 such that, in use, air drawn through the aerosol-generating article 2 does not come into direct contact with the combustible carbonaceous heat source 4.

[0188] After use of the aerosol-generating article 2, the user extinguishes the combustible heat source 4 of the aerosol-generating article 2.

[0189] FIG. 2 shows a perspective view of a retainer 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention and an aerosol-generating article 2 comprising a combustible heat source 4 which is received within the retainer 100. The retainer 100 comprises a tubular body 102 having a closed first end 104a. The body 102 comprises a first portion 107 proximate the first end 104a that comprises a plurality of openings 106 for permitting air to reach the combustible heat source 4. The body 102 is configured to receive the aerosol-generating article 2 such that the plurality of openings 106 surround the combustible heat source 4 of the aerosol-generating article 2.

[0190] The first portion 107 of the body 102 is configured such that at least about 80 percent of the exposed surface area of the combustible heat source 4 of the aerosol-generating article 2 remains exposed through the plurality of openings 106 in the first portion 107 of the body 102 in the first position. The body 102 has a substantially circular cross-section and is made from stainless steel. The diameter of the body 102 is greater than the diameter of the aerosol-generating article 2 such that the ratio of the inner diameter of the first portion 107 of the body 102 to the outer diameter of the exposed surface of the combustible heat source 4 is at least about 1.2.

[0191] The retainer 100 further comprises an open-ended air-impermeable sleeve 108 which is arranged around the tubular body 102. The body 102 and the sleeve 108 are longitudinally moveable relative to one another from: a first position in which the plurality of openings 106 in the body 102 are not covered by the sleeve 108 and in which removal of the aerosol-generating article 2 from the body 102 through the second end is prevented; and a second position in which the plurality of openings 106 in the body 102 are covered by the sleeve 108 and in which the aerosol-generating article 2 may be removed from the body 102 through the second end.

[0192] FIG. 3 shows the body 102 of the retainer 100 of FIG. 2 without the sleeve 108. In addition to a first end 104a and a first portion 107, the body 102 further comprises an open second end 104b and a second portion 109 arranged between the first portion 107 and the second end 104b. A retention member 110 is attached to the open second end 104b. The retention member 110 is annular in shape and is made from PEEK to resist the high temperatures encountered by the body 102. The retention member 110 is attached to the body 102 by over-moulding and comprises a plurality of resilient fingers 112 which extend longitudinally outwardly beyond the second end 104b of the body. The fingers 112 of the retention member 110 have protrusions 114 arranged at their tips which protrude radially outwards and are configured to engage a complementary protrusion (not shown) arranged on an inner surface of the sleeve 108 shown in FIG. 2.

[0193] FIG. 4 shows a longitudinal cross-section of the retainer 100 of FIG. 2 and an aerosol-generating article 2 received within the retainer 100. As can be seen from FIG. 4, the body 102 defines a longitudinal passage 105 extending between the first end 104a and the second end 104b of the body 102. The aerosol-generating article 2 is received within the passage 105 of the body 102 such that the plurality of openings 106 surround the combustible heat source 4 of the aerosol-generating article 2.

[0194] The sleeve 108 can slide longitudinally in the direction of arrow A in FIG. 4 towards the first position in which the plurality of openings 106 in the body 102 are not covered by the sleeve 108 and in which removal of the aerosol-generating article 2 received in the passage 105 from the body 102 through the second end 104b is prevented. The sleeve 108 can also slide longitudinally in a direction opposite to that of arrow A towards the second position in which the plurality of openings 106 in the body 102 are covered by the sleeve 108 and in which the aerosol-generating article 2 received in the passage 105 may be removed from the body 102 through the second end 104b. The body 102 and the sleeve 108 are therefore longitudinally slidable relative to one another between the first position and the second position. In the first position, the sleeve 108 overlies the second portion 109 of the body 102 and in the second position the sleeve 108 overlies the first portion 107 of the body 102.

[0195] In FIG. 4, the sleeve 108 is in the process of being slid longitudinally in the direction of arrow A towards the first position. The complementary protrusion 116 formed on the inner surface of the sleeve 108 is about to engage the protrusions 114 formed on the finger 112 of retention member 100. When the complementary protrusion 116 on the inner surface of the sleeve 108 is brought into engagement with the protrusions 114 formed on the fingers 112 of the retention member 110 by the longitudinal movement of the sleeve 108, the fingers 112 are depressed radially inwards to contact the aerosol-generating article 2. The fingers 112 of the retention member 110 grip and hold the aerosol-generating article 2 in the body 102 and prevent the aerosol-generating article 2 from being removed from the body 102 when the sleeve 108 is in the first position. The retention member 110 therefore acts as a chuck for gripping and holding the aerosol-generating article 2. Furthermore, when the sleeve 108 is in the second position, insertion of an aerosol-generating article into the body 102 is prevented due to the reduced radial dimensions of the second end 104b.

[0196] Engagement of the complementary protrusion 116 and protrusions 114 prevents further movement of the sleeve 108 in the direction of arrow A and prevents removal of the sleeve 108 from the body 102 when the sleeve 108 is in the first position. A further protrusion 118 arranged at a proximal end of the sleeve 108 on an inner surface of the sleeve 108 prevents removal of the sleeve from the body in the opposite direction to arrow A when the sleeve 108 is in the second position.

[0197] FIGS. 5A and 5B show longitudinal cross-sections of a retainer 200 according to another embodiment of the present invention in which an aerosol-generating article is received within the retainer and a sleeve of the retainer is shown in first and second positions respectively. The retainer 200 of FIGS. 5A and 5B is similar to that shown in FIGS. 2 to 4 with the exception that the retention member 210 is tubular rather than annular and extends further towards a proximal end of the aerosol-generating article 2.

[0198] FIG. 5A shows the sleeve 208 in a first position in which the plurality of openings 206 in the body 202 are not covered by the sleeve 208 and in which removal of the aerosol-generating article 2 received in the passage from the body 102 through the second end 204b is prevented. The complementary protrusion 216 on the inner surface of the sleeve 208 has engaged the protrusions 214 on the retention member 210 forcing the retention member into contact with the aerosol-generating article 2 to grip the aerosol-generating article 2 and prevent it being removed through the open end 204b. In the first position, air is free to reach the combustible heat source 4 of the aerosol-generating article 2, which underlies the openings 206 in the body 202, so that the combustible heat source 4 can be ignited and combustion can be sustained.

[0199] FIG. 5B shows the sleeve 208 in a second position in which the plurality of openings 206 in the body 202 are covered by the sleeve 208 and in which the aerosol-generating article 2 received in the passage 205 may be removed from the body 202 through the second end 204b. In the second position, the amount of air reaching the combustible heat source 4 of the aerosol-generating article 2 is significantly reduced because the sleeve 208 is covering the openings 206 in the body 202 and air cannot enter through the closed first end 204a of the body 202. The amount of air reaching the combustible heat source 4 is not sufficient to sustain combustion. The sleeve 208 can therefore be slid into the second position to extinguish the aerosol-generating article 2. Furthermore, in the second position, the complementary protrusion 216 on the inner surface of the sleeve 208 has been disengaged from the protrusions 214 on the retention member 210 such that the retention member is no longer forced into contact with the aerosol-generating article 2 and the aerosol-generating article 2 can be removed through the open end 204b once the combustible heat source 4 is extinguished.

[0200] In use, a retainer 100, 200 of FIGS. 2 to 4 and 5A and 5B can be provided either preloaded with an aerosol-generating article 2 with the sleeve 108, 208 in the first position or an aerosol-generating article can be inserted through the open end 104b, 204b of the body 102, 202 when the sleeve 108, 208 is in the second position and the sleeve 108, 208 then moved to the first position to hold the aerosol-generating article. Indicia may be printed or formed on the outer surface of the aerosol-generating article to indicate correct positioning of the aerosol-generating article 2 in the retainer 100, 200.

[0201] A user holds the combination of the retainer 100, 200 and the aerosol-generating article 2 by the sleeve 108, 208 between their fingers and ignites the tip of the combustible heat source 4 through the plurality of openings 106, 206 formed in the body 102, 202. Once the combustible heat source 4 has been ignited, a user can take puffs on the aerosol-generating article 2. A thermochromic ink or coating may be applied to the outer surface of the body 102, 202 to indicate to a user when the combustible heat source 4 is at a temperature at which puffs can be commenced.

[0202] Once a user has finished taking puffs, the combustible heat source 4 can be extinguished by moving the sleeve 108, 208 from the first position to the second position such that the plurality of openings 106, 206 in the body 102, 202 are covered by the sleeve 108, 208. Once the combustible heat source 4 has been extinguished, the aerosol-generating article 2 can be removed from the retainer 100, 200 and safely disposed of. A thermochromic ink or coating may be applied to the outer surface of the sleeve 108, 208 to indicate when the temperature of the combustible heat source has dropped to a temperature indicative of the combustible heat source having been extinguished. The retainer may be kept for use with another aerosol-generating article.

[0203] FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a retainer 300 for an aerosol-generating article according to another embodiment of the present invention. The retainer 300 comprises a tubular body 302 having a partially-closed first end 304a and an open second end 304b. A longitudinal passage 305 for receiving an aerosol-generating article extends between the first end 304a and the second end 304b. The passage 305 is configured to receive an aerosol-generating article through the second end 304b with the aerosol-generating article being inserted in a direction from the second end 304b towards the first end 304a. The body 302 comprises a first portion 307 proximate the first end 304a comprising a plurality of openings 306 and a second portion 309 between the first portion 307 and the second end 304b.

[0204] FIG. 7 shows the retainer of FIG. 6 together with an aerosol-generating article 2 received within the retainer 300. The aerosol-generating article 2 has been received in the passage 305 such that the first portion 307 of the body 302 surrounds both the combustible heat source 4 and the aerosol-forming substrate 10 of the aerosol-generating article 2. The plurality of openings 306 formed in the first portion 307 of the body 302 therefore allow air to reach both the combustible heat source 4 and air inlets (not shown) formed in aerosol-generating article 2 in the region of the aerosol-forming substrate 10.

[0205] The openings 306 in first portion 307 of the body 302 which surrounds the combustible heat source 4 are defined by four prongs 318 equally spaced around the circumference of the body 302. The prongs 318 are bent over at the first end 304a to partially close the first end 304a. The openings 306 in first portion 307 of the body 302 which surrounds the combustible heat source 4 are such that about 90 percent of the exposed surface area of the combustible heat source 4 of the aerosol-generating article 2 remains exposed through the first end 304a and the plurality of openings 306 in the first portion 307 of the body 302 when the aerosol-generating article 2 is received in the passage 305. The first portion 307 of the body 302 is made from stainless steel and the prongs 318 are angled inwards slightly into the passage 305 to minimise contact between the combustible heat source 4 and the body 302.

[0206] The body 302 has a substantially circular cross-section. The diameter of the body 302 is greater than the diameter of the aerosol-generating article 2 such that the ratio of the inner diameter of the first portion 307 of the body 302 to the outer diameter of the exposed surface of the combustible heat source 4 is at least about 1.2.

[0207] The second portion 309 of the body 302 is configured to be held by a user when the aerosol-generating article 2 is received in the passage 305. The second portion 309 is formed from PEEK or an elastomeric material, such as silicone or polyurethane.

[0208] FIG. 8A shows a cap 320 for the retainer 300 of FIG. 6. The cap 320 comprises a hollow cylindrical body 322 having closed first end 324a and an open second end 324b. The cylindrical body 322 defines a longitudinal recess 326 for receiving the first portion 307 of the body 302 of the retainer 300. The length and internal diameter of the recess 326 are sized to completely receive, and to fit closely around the external surface of, the first portion 307 of the body 302 of the retainer 300. A proximal end of the cap 320 is configured to overlap a distal part of the second portion 309 of the body 302 of the retainer 300. The cap 320 is maintained in position on the retainer 300 by means of a snap-fit connection (not shown).

[0209] FIG. 8B is a longitudinal cross-section of the cap of FIG. 8A. The cap 320 has an inner layer 328 arranged inside the recess 326 and at a distal end of the recess 326. The inner layer conforms to the internal shape of the recess 326 and is configured to fit over the first portion 307 of the body 302 of the retainer 300. The inner layer 328 is formed from aluminium, which has a high thermal conductivity, and is arranged to absorb heat from the combustible heat source 4 to facilitate extinguishment of the combustible heat source 4. The inner layer 328 has a closed end 328a which is substantially thicker than the remainder of the inner layer 328. The closed end 328a is arranged to act as a heat sink for heat absorbed from the combustible heat source 4. The cylindrical body 322 of the cap 320 forms a second layer which is made from PEEK, which has a low thermal conductivity to reduce heat transfer to the outer surface of the cap 320, such that the cap 320 can be comfortably held by a user.

[0210] FIG. 9 shows the cap 320 of FIG. 8A attached to the retainer 300 of FIG. 6 together with an aerosol-generating article 2 received within the retainer 300. The cap 320 has been placed over the first portion 307 of the body 302 of the retainer 300. The plurality of openings (not visible) formed in the first portion 307 of the body 302 are covered by the cap such that the amount of air reaching the combustible heat source of the aerosol-generating article 2 is greatly reduced. In this arrangement, combustion can no longer be sustained and the combustible heat source is extinguished.

[0211] In use, an aerosol-generating article is inserted through the open end 304b of the body 302 of the retainer 300. Indicia may be printed or formed on the outer surface of the aerosol-generating article 2 to indicate correct positioning of the aerosol-generating article 2 in the retainer 300. A user holds the combination of the retainer 300 and the aerosol-generating article 2 by the second portion 309 of the body 302 between their fingers and ignites the tip of the combustible heat source 4 through the plurality of openings 306 formed in the body 302. Once the combustible heat source 4 has been ignited, a user can take puffs on the aerosol-generating article 2. A thermochromic ink or coating may be applied to the outer surface of the body 302 to indicate to a user when the combustible heat source is at a temperature at which puffs can be commenced.

[0212] Once a user has finished taking puffs, the combustible heat source 4 can be extinguished by placing the cap 320 over the first portion 307 of the body 302 of the retainer 300 such that the plurality of openings 306 in the body 302 are covered by the cap 320. Once the combustible heat source 4 has been extinguished, the aerosol-generating article 2 can be removed from the retainer 300 and safely disposed of. A thermochromic ink or coating may be applied to the outer surface of the cap 320 to indicate when the temperature of the combustible heat source has dropped to a temperature indicative of the combustible heat source having been extinguished. The retainer 300 may be kept for use with another aerosol-generating article.

[0213] FIG. 10 shows a perspective view of a retainer 400 according to another embodiment of the present invention. The retainer 400 is very similar to the retainer 300 shown in FIG. 6. The retainer 400 comprises a tubular body 402 having a partially-closed first end 404a and an open second end 404b. A longitudinal passage 405 for receiving an aerosol-generating article extends between the first end 404a and the second end 404b. The passage 405 is configured to receive an aerosol-generating article through the second end 404b with the aerosol-generating article being inserted in a direction from the second end 404b towards the first end 404a. The body 402 comprises a first portion 407 proximate the first end 404a comprising a plurality of openings 406 and a second portion 409 between the first portion 407 and the second end 404b.

[0214] The passage 405 is configured such that the body 402 and an aerosol-generating article are moveable longitudinally relative to one another between a first position in which the first portion 407 of the body 402 surrounds the combustible heat source of the aerosol-generating article and a second position in which the second portion 409 of the body 402 surrounds the combustible heat source of the aerosol-generating article. The plurality of openings 406 in the first portion 407 are configured to permit airflow to the combustible heat source and the aerosol-forming substrate of the aerosol-generating article when the body 402 and the aerosol-generating article are in the first position. The second portion 409 is configured to inhibit combustion of the combustible heat source of the aerosol-generating article when the body 402 and the aerosol-generating article are in the second position.

[0215] The retainer 400 of FIG. 10 differs from the retainer 300 of FIG. 6 in that the second portion 409 comprises multiple layers. The second portion 409 comprises an inner layer (not shown) formed of aluminium which has a high thermal conductivity, and is arranged to absorb heat from the combustible heat source to facilitate extinguishment of the combustible heat source when the body and the aerosol-generating article are in the second position. The inner layer acts as a heat sink to absorb heat from the combustible heat source. The second portion 409 further comprises an outer layer 411 made from silicone or PEEK, which has a low thermal conductivity to reduce heat transfer to the outer surface of the second portion 409, such that the second portion 409 can be comfortably held by a user. A part of the outer layer 411 extends a distance beyond the inner layer (not shown) in a proximal direction. Since the outer layer 411 is formed from silicone, which is an elastomeric material, the extending part is able to grip an aerosol-generating article received in the passage 405.

[0216] FIGS. 11A and 11B show side views of a retainer similar to that of FIG. 10 in which an aerosol-generating article 2 has been received within the passage 405 of the retainer 400 and the second portion 409 of the body 402 of the retainer 400 is shown in first and second positions respectively. The retainer 400 of FIGS. 11A and 11B differs from that of FIG. 10 only in that it employs a different arrangement of openings 406 in the first portion 407 of the body 402.

[0217] FIG. 11A shows the second portion 409 of the body 402 of the retainer 400 in a first position in which the plurality of openings 406 in the first portion 407 of the body 402 surrounds the combustible heat source 4 of the aerosol-generating article 2. In the first position, air is free to reach the combustible heat source 4 of the aerosol-generating article 2, which underlies the openings 406 in the first portion of the body 402, so that the combustible heat source 4 can be ignited and combustion can be sustained.

[0218] FIG. 11B shows the second portion 409 of the body 402 of the retainer 400 in a second position in which the second portion 409 surrounds the combustible heat source (not visible) of the aerosol-generating article 2. In the second position, the amount of air reaching the combustible heat source of the aerosol-generating article 2 is significantly reduced because the second portion 409 of the body 402 is air impermeable. The amount of air reaching the combustible heat source is not sufficient to sustain combustion. The body 402 and the aerosol-generating article 2 can therefore be slid relative to one another into the second position to extinguish the aerosol-generating article 2. The aerosol-generating article 2 can be removed through the open end 404b of the body 402 of the retainer 400 once the combustible heat source is extinguished.

[0219] In use, an aerosol-generating article 2 is inserted through the open end 404b of the body 402 of the retainer 400 and the body and aerosol-generating article are slid relative to one another to the first position in which the plurality of openings 406 in the first portion 407 of the body 402 surrounds the combustible heat source 4 of the aerosol-generating article 2. Indicia may be printed or formed on the outer surface of the aerosol-generating article 2 to indicate correct positioning of the aerosol-generating article 2 in the retainer 400. A user holds the combination of the retainer 400 and the aerosol-generating article 2 by the second portion 409 of the body 402 between their fingers and ignites the tip of the combustible heat source 4 through the plurality of openings 406 formed in the body 402. Once the combustible heat source 4 has been ignited, a user can take puffs on the aerosol-generating article 2. A thermochromic ink or coating may be applied to the outer surface of the body 402 to indicate to a user when the combustible heat source is at a temperature at which puffs can be commenced.

[0220] Once a user has finished taking puffs, the combustible heat source 4 can be extinguished by sliding the body and aerosol-generating article relative to one another to the second position in which the second portion 409 surrounds the combustible heat source 4 of the aerosol-generating article 2. Once the combustible heat source 4 has been extinguished, the aerosol-generating article 2 can be removed from the retainer 400 and safely disposed of. A thermochromic ink or coating may be applied to the outer surface of the second portion 409 of the body 402 to indicate when the temperature of the combustible heat source has dropped to a temperature indicative of the combustible heat source having been extinguished. The retainer 400 may be kept for use with another aerosol-generating article.

[0221] FIG. 12 shows a perspective view of a retainer 500 according to another embodiment of the present invention and an aerosol-generating article 2 received within the retainer 500. The retainer 500 of FIG. 12 is identical to the retainer 300 of FIG. 6 with the exception that the second portion 509 of the body 502 comprises an opening 513 through which a user can contact the outer surface of the aerosol-generating article 2 when received in the passage. The retainer 500 of FIG. 12 is used in the same way as the retainer 300 of FIG. 6 except that the combination of the retainer 500 and aerosol-generating article 2 are gripped by the opening 513. Extinguishment of the combustible heat source 4 of the aerosol-generating article 2 is by means of a cap, for example, the cap 320 shown in FIG. 8A.

[0222] FIGS. 13A to 13C show perspective views of four alternative patterns 600a to 600c for forming the partially-closed first end 604a and the openings 606 in the first portion of the tubular body 602 of a retainer according to the invention. The amount of the exposed surface of the combustible heat source which remains exposed through the openings 606 formed in the first portion of the tubular body 602 and partially-closed first end of the patterns 600a to 600c is at least 80 percent. The patterns 600a to 600c of FIGS. 13A to 13C can be used with any embodiment of retainer described herein.

[0223] FIG. 13D shows a perspective view of another pattern 600d for forming the partially-closed first end 604a and the openings 606 in the first portion of the tubular body 602 of a retainer. The amount of the exposed surface of the combustible heat source which remains exposed through the openings 606 formed in the first portion of the tubular body 602 and partially-closed first end of the pattern 600d is about 50 percent.

[0224] The first ends 604a of FIGS. 13A, 13C and 13D are partially closed by a plurality of prongs 618. The prongs 618 allow air to flow through the first end 604a to the combustible heat source but prevent insertion or removal of the aerosol-generating article from the passage through the first end 604a. Allowing air to flow through the first end 604a to the combustible heat source facilitates lighting and sustained combustion of the combustible heat source. The prongs of at least FIGS. 13A and 13D are configured to contact the combustible heat source and act as a stop preventing further insertion of the aerosol-generating article. To minimise heat loss from the combustible heat source, the prongs 618 of FIGS. 13A and 13D are angled into the passage which receives the aerosol-generating article such that only the tips of the prongs 618 contact the combustible heat source.

[0225] FIG. 13B shows a different arrangement in which the first end 604a is partially closed by cruciform shaped element arranged across the passage 605 at the first end 604a which performs the same function as the prongs of FIGS. 13A, 13C and 13D.

EXAMPLES

[0226] The retainer should not significantly adversely impact the lighting time or the aerosol deliveries of the aerosol-generating article when used with an aerosol-generating article. To determine the impact of the retainer, example retainers according to the invention were prepared from stainless steel tube having the properties shown in Table 1 below. As indicated in Table 1, the example retainers were prepared with two different tube patterns formed in the first portion of the tubular body, that is tube pattern 600c of FIG. 13C and tube pattern 600d of FIG. 13D.

TABLE-US-00001 TABLE 1 Internal diameter Thickness Example No. (millimetre) (micrometre) Tube pattern 1 9.51 205 600d 2 9.50 250 600d 3 9.20 200 600d 4 10.4 300 600d 5 11.4 300 600d 6 9.51 205 600c 7 9.50 250 600c 8 9.20 200 600c 9 10.4 300 600c 10 11.4 300 600c
The example retainers of Table 1 were used with a reference aerosol-generating article. The impact of using the example retainers with the reference aerosol-generating article was compared to the performance of the reference aerosol-generating article being used without a retainer.
The properties of the reference aerosol-generating article are shown in Table 2 below.

TABLE-US-00002 TABLE 2 Reference aerosol-generating article Total stick length 70 millimetres Outer diameter 7.80 millimetres Tobacco plug length 9 millimetres Combustible heat source length 9 millimetres

Impact of Tube Pattern on Lighting Time

[0227] To assess the impact of the tube pattern of the example retainers on the lighting time of an aerosol-generating article, the percentage of the exposed surface area of the combustible heat source of the aerosol-generating article that remains exposed through the first end and the plurality of openings in the first portion of the body when the aerosol-generating article is received in the passage was calculated. In the reference aerosol-generating article, a length of 5.5 millimetres of the combustible heat source is exposed and is available for burning. As mentioned above, the percentage is calculated by considering the total external surface of the tubular body over the portion of the combustible heat source burning zone. The percentage is the percentage of the tubular body surface that has been removed by forming the openings and partially closed first end versus the total surface of the tubular body covering the exposed surface area of the heat source.

[0228] To determine the lighting time of the combustible heat source, a reference aerosol-generating passage was received within the passage of the tubular body of each of the example retainers and a yellow flame was applied to the tubular body over the combustible heat source. The lighting time was determined by measuring the amount of time which elapsed between the time at which the yellow flame was applied and the time at which it was visually observed that ignition was starting to propagate through the heat source. The lighting time was measured using a stopwatch. The results are shown in Table 3 below.

[0229] As can be seen from Table 3, the average percentage of the combustible heat source (CHS) that remains exposed through the openings formed in the first portion of the tubular body and the partially-closed first end for Examples 1 to 5 is approximately 50 percent and for Examples 6 to 10 is approximately 80 percent. As shown in Table 1, Examples 1 to 5 all have tube pattern 600d and Examples 6 to 10 all have tube pattern 600c. Although Examples 1 to 5 all have the same tube pattern, it can be seen from Table 3 that there are small differences between the percentages for Examples 1 to 5. These are due to manufacturing tolerances in forming the openings and partially-closed first end and are acceptable. The same applies to Examples 6 to 10.

TABLE-US-00003 TABLE 3 Percent of CHS that Average remains exposed lighting time Example through openings [seconds] Reference n/a 1.9 1 50 percent 16.9 2 51 percent 13.9 3 50 percent 17.3 4 52 percent 21.9 5 53 percent 12.7 6 81 percent 4.2 7 81 percent 3.4 8 80 percent 5.1 9 83 percent 4.4 10 84 percent 4.0

[0230] Table 3 shows that Examples 6 to 10, in which about 80 percent of the exposed surface area of the combustible heat source remains exposed through the openings, exhibit a lighting time of about 5 seconds or less. This is considered an acceptable lighting time because it will not unduly delay a user's use of the aerosol-generating article compared to the lighting time of the reference aerosol-generating article alone, that is without a retainer. Table 3 also shows that Examples 1 to 5, in which about 50 percent of the exposed surface area of the combustible heat source remains exposed through the openings, exhibit significantly longer and unacceptable lighting times. Therefore, providing a retainer in which the percentage of the exposed surface of the combustible heat source which remains exposed through the openings formed in the first portion of the tubular body and partially-closed first end, will not significantly adversely impact the lighting time of the combustible heat source.

Impact of Tube Diameter on Aerosol Deliveries and Temperature

[0231] Example retainers 7, 8, 9 and 10 were used to assess the impact of the internal diameter of the tubular body on aerosol deliveries compared to aerosol deliveries from the reference aerosol-generating article alone, that is without a retainer. Each of these example retainers has the same tube pattern, that is tube pattern 600c of FIG. 13C. The percentage of the exposed surface of the combustible heat source which remains exposed through the openings formed in the first portion of the tubular body and partially-closed first end is about 80 percent and is constant across all four examples. The internal diameter and thickness of the tubular body varies in each of the example retainers as shown in Table 1 above and in Table 4 below. However, as discussed further below, it was found that the thickness of the tubular body had no impact on aerosol deliveries for the range of thicknesses examined. Therefore, the results of this test show the impact on aerosol deliveries from varying internal diameter only.

[0232] The impact of varying the diameter of the tubular body on aerosol deliveries was measured. In particular, the impact on the amount of glycerine, nicotine and total particulate matter (TPM) was measured. Total particulate matter is a measure of the total amount of aerosol produced during a puff and includes the amounts of glycerine and nicotine produced. The results were compared against the reference aerosol-generating article and are shown in Table 4 below.

TABLE-US-00004 TABLE 4 Internal Thickness Glycerine Nicotine TPM Diameter (micro- (milli- (milli- (milli- Example (millimetres) metres) grams) grams) grams) Reference n/a n/a 4.1 1.06 18.42 7 9.5 250 4.8 1.03 21.9 8 9.2 200 4.2 0.94 19.3 9 10.4 300 3.5 0.78 22.6 10 11.4 300 4.6 0.98 23.6

[0233] As can be seen from Table 4, none of example retainers 7 to 10 significantly adversely affect aerosol deliveries when used with an aerosol-generating article. Indeed, compared to the reference aerosol-generating article, the use of a retainer with an aerosol-generating article was actually found to improve aerosol deliveries at least with respect to total particulate matter. The results in Table 4 show that total particulate matter deliveries increase with increasing diameter.

[0234] The effect of varying the internal diameter of the tubular body of example retainers 7 to 10 on the temperature within the aerosol-forming substrate was also assessed. As discussed further below, it was found that the thickness of the tubular body had no impact on the temperature within the aerosol-forming substrate for the range of thicknesses examined. Therefore, the results of this test show the impact on temperature from varying internal diameter only.

[0235] To measure the temperature within the aerosol-forming substrate a thermocouple was inserted into the aerosol-forming substrate at a distance of 7 millimetres from the interface of the aerosol-forming substrate and combustible heat source. The results are shown in FIG. 14.

[0236] As can be seen from FIG. 14, the temperature in the tobacco plug (that is, the aerosol-forming substrate) is increasing with the diameter of the tubular body in the range 9.2 millimetres to 11.4 millimetres, which the inventors believe produces the increase in aerosol deliveries.

[0237] It has been surprisingly found that the heat generated by the combustible heat source is better preserved due to the presence of the retainer. A proportion of the heat, that would otherwise be lost to the ambient air, is transferred to the tubular body and transferred back to the aerosol-generating article through radiation from the tubular body and/or air convection. As a consequence, the temperature in the aerosol-generating article is higher than it would otherwise be without a retainer present. Due to the same effect, the temperature at the proximal part of the combustible heat source could also be higher. In which case, the heat transferred to the aerosol-forming substrate by conduction would be increased.

Impact of Tube Thickness on Aerosol Deliveries and Temperature

[0238] To assess the impact of the thickness of the tubular body of the retainer on aerosol deliveries and temperature, four further example retainers (example retainers 11 to 14) were prepared having stainless steel tubular bodies of the same diameter but different thicknesses ranging from 40 micrometres to 300 micrometres as shown in Table 5 below.

[0239] The impact of varying the thickness of the tubular body on aerosol deliveries was measured. In particular, the impact on the amount of glycerine, nicotine and total particulate matter (TPM) was measured. The results were compared against the reference aerosol-generating article and are shown in Table 5 below.

[0240] As can be seen from Table 5, example retainers 11 to 14 result in general increased aerosol deliveries when used with an aerosol-generating article compared to the reference aerosol-generating article alone. The increase is due to the presence of the tubular body of the example retainers, which have an internal diameter of 11 millimetres. There is no clear impact of the thickness of the tubular body on aerosol deliveries in the range of thickness examined.

TABLE-US-00005 TABLE 5 Internal Thickness Glycerine Nicotine TPM Diameter (micro- (milli- (milli- (milli- Example (millimetres) metres) grams) grams) grams) Reference n/a n/a 4.1 1.06 18.4 11 11.0 40 5.2 1.04 22.9 12 11.0 80 5.4 1.10 23.1 13 11.0 100 5.9 1.15 24.7 14 11.4 300 5.2 1.14 24.0

[0241] The effect of varying the thickness of the tubular body of example retainers 11 to 14 on the temperature within the aerosol-forming substrate was also assessed. To measure the temperature within the aerosol-forming substrate a thermocouple was inserted into the aerosol-forming substrate at a distance of 7 millimetres from the interface of the aerosol-forming substrate and combustible heat source. The results are shown in FIG. 15.

[0242] As can be seen from FIG. 15, the temperature in the tobacco plug (that is, the aerosol-forming substrate) is higher for all of example retainers 11 to 14 compared to the reference aerosol-generating article. Again, the increase is due to the presence of the tubular body of the example retainers, which have an internal diameter of 11 millimetres. There is no clear impact of the thickness of the tubular body on temperature in the range of thicknesses examined.

[0243] It will be appreciated that, to enhance the mechanical stability of the tubular body of the retainer, the tube thickness would be preferably between 100 micrometres and 250 micrometres.