Patent Description:
Devices which heat, rather than bum, an aerosol generating substance (liquid or non-liquid) to produce an aerosol for inhalation have become popular with consumers in recent years. Such devices can use one of a number of different approaches to provide heat to the aerosol generating substance.

One approach is to provide an aerosol generating device which employs a resistive heating system. In such a device, a resistive heating element is provided to heat the aerosol generating substance and thereby generate a vapour which typically cools and condenses to form an aerosol for inhalation by a user of the device.

Another approach is to provide an aerosol generating device which employs an induction heating system, e.g., as described in <CIT> or <CIT>. In such a device, an induction coil and a susceptor are provided. Electrical energy is supplied to the induction coil when a user activates the device which in turn generates an alternating electromagnetic field. The susceptor couples with the electromagnetic field and generates heat which is transferred, for example by conduction, to the aerosol generating substance thereby generating a vapour which typically cools and condenses to form an aerosol for inhalation by a user of the device.

Embodiments of the present disclosure seek to provide optimum heating of the aerosol generating substance which is necessary for effective aerosol generation.

According to a first aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided an aerosol generating article for use with an aerosol generating device including a magnetic field generator, the aerosol generating article comprising:.

The aerosol generating article is intended for use with an aerosol generating device for heating the first and second aerosol generating substances, without burning the aerosol generating substances, to volatise at least one component of the first and second aerosol generating substances and thereby generate a vapour which cools and condenses to form an aerosol for inhalation by a user of the aerosol generating device.

According to a second aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided an aerosol generating system comprising:.

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

The provision of first and second aerosol generating substances in corresponding first and second discrete compartments, along with an inductively heatable susceptor having first and second parts, enables the first and second aerosol generating substances to be individually heated. This in turn allows the heating of the first and second aerosol generating substances to be adapted for the particular substances so that an aerosol with improved characteristics can be generated for an enhanced user experience.

The first and second parts of the inductively heatable susceptor may be configured to be heated to first and second temperatures respectively. One of the first and second temperatures may be higher than the other of the first and second temperatures. The first and second aerosol generating substances may have different vaporisation temperatures and heating of the first and second parts of the inductively heatable susceptor to different first and second temperatures may, thus, provide for the generation of an aerosol with improved characteristics.

In some embodiments, the first and second aerosol generating substances may comprise respectively first and second aerosol generating liquids, and the first temperature may be higher than the boiling temperature of the first aerosol generating liquid and the second temperature may be higher than the boiling temperature of the second aerosol generating liquid.

In some embodiments, one of the first and second aerosol generating substances may comprise a nicotine source which releases nicotine vapour when heated, and the other one of the first and second aerosol generating substances may comprise a delivery enhancing compound. The delivery enhancing compound releases a second vapour when heated. The nicotine vapour reacts with the second vapour in the gas phase to form an aerosol comprising nicotine salt particles that is delivered to the downstream end of the aerosol generating device/system to be inhaled by the user.

The nicotine source may comprise one or more of nicotine, a nicotine salt, or a nicotine derivative. The nicotine source may comprise natural nicotine or synthetic nicotine. The nicotine source may comprise pure nicotine, a solution of nicotine, or a liquid tobacco extract. The delivery enhancing compound may comprise an acid such as pyruvic acid or lactic acid.

The aerosol generating device/system may comprise a reaction chamber located downstream of both the first and second compartments. The reaction chamber may be configured to receive the released nicotine vapour and second vapour and allow them to react to form the aerosol for inhalation. The reaction chamber may form part of the aerosol generating device and may typically be located between an aerosol generating space (e.g. a cavity) adapted to receive the aerosol generating article and a mouthpiece. Alternatively, the reaction chamber may form a part of the aerosol generating article.

Each of the first and second aerosol generating substances may comprise a solid matrix and the first and second parts of the inductively heatable susceptor may be secured in the solid matrix. The first and second parts of the inductively heatable susceptor are held securely in place in the solid matrix. In addition, such an arrangement may facilitate uniform heat transfer from the first and second parts of the inductively heatable susceptor respectively to the first and second aerosol generating substances and/or may facilitate manufacture of the aerosol generating article.

The solid matrix may comprise at least one of a porous ceramic and foam material. The foam material may be a mousse and may comprise tobacco. Thus, the mousse may comprise a tobacco mousse, a reconstituted tobacco (RTB) mousse or an e-liquid mousse.

The foam material may comprise a plurality of fine particles (e.g. tobacco particles). The tobacco particles may have a particle size between <NUM> and <NUM>. The foam material may further comprise an aerosol forming agent such as propylene glycol, glycerol or a combination thereof. The aerosol forming agent can further comprise water. The foam material may further comprise a solvent and/or an acid and/or an ester. The foam material may further comprise a foam forming agent. The foam forming agent may be non-protein containing polysaccharide. The foam forming agent may be selected from the group consisting of agar, gellan gum, lecithin, polyglycerol esters of fatty acids, glycerol esters of fatty acids, sorbitan esters of fatty acids, and/or mixtures thereof, without being limited thereto. The foam material may comprise a foam stabilizing agent. The foam stabilizing agent may comprise cellulose gum, hydroxyalkylated carbohydrates, derivatives thereof, e.g. salts thereof, preferably alkali metal salts thereof, e.g. sodium and/or potassium salts thereof, and mixtures thereof.

The first and second parts of the inductively heatable susceptor may be positioned in use with respect to the magnetic field generator so that the first part is heated to the first temperature more rapidly than the second part is heated to the second temperature. Controlling the rate of heating of the first and second parts of the inductively heatable susceptor may provide for the generation of an aerosol with improved characteristics. The rate of heating of the first and second parts of the inductively heatable susceptor may be controlled by varying any one or more of the shape and/or size of the first and second parts of the inductively heatable susceptor, the positions and/or orientations of the first and second parts of the inductively heatable susceptor with respect to the magnetic field generator, or the material from which the first and second parts of the inductively heatable susceptor are formed.

The first and second parts of the inductively heatable susceptor are configured to have different orientations from each other with respect to the magnetic field generator. The use of different orientations may be employed to control the rate of heating of the first and second parts of the inductively heatable susceptor. For example, the first and second parts may be oriented so that there is a stronger electromagnetic coupling between the first part and the magnetic field generator than between the second part and the magnetic field generator. Thus, the first part may be heated to a first temperature which is higher than the second temperature to which the second part is heated and/or the first part may be heated to the first temperature more rapidly than the second part is heated to the second temperature.

The first part of the inductively heatable susceptor may comprise an inductively heatable material and the second part of the inductively heatable susceptor may comprise a non-inductively heatable material. With this arrangement, the second part of the inductively heatable susceptor is configured to be heated conductively by heat generated in the first part. Such an arrangement may provide for conductive heating of the second part to a second temperature which is lower than the first temperature achieved by inductively heating the first part and/or may provide for a slower rate of heating of the second part relative to the first part.

The inductively heatable susceptor may comprise a plate susceptor which may be shaped so that the second part extends from the first compartment into the second compartment. This may facilitate manufacture of the susceptor, and thereby facilitate manufacture of the aerosol generating article.

The first and second compartments may be separated by a substantially fluid-impermeable partition wall. The first and second aerosol generating substances can be reliably contained within their respective first and second discrete compartments by the fluid-impermeable partition wall.

The partition wall may comprise a thermally insulating material. The thermally insulating material may be configured to minimise heat transfer between the first and second compartments. By minimising heat transfer between the first and second compartments, the heating of the first and second aerosol generating substances by the first and second parts of the inductively heatable susceptor can be carefully controlled to provide for the generation of an aerosol with the desired characteristics.

The inductively heatable susceptor may extend through the partition wall. Thus, the first part can be located in the first compartment and the second part can be located in the second compartment in a convenient manner which may facilitate manufacture of the aerosol generating article.

The second part of the inductively heatable susceptor may extend in a direction which is substantially perpendicular to the first part. This may allow for a stronger electromagnetic coupling between the first part of the inductively heatable susceptor and the magnetic field generator, for example whilst allowing the second part to easily extend through the partition wall from the first compartment into the second compartment.

The aerosol generating system according to the second aspect may further comprise an aerosol generating device in which the magnetic field generator is incorporated. The aerosol generating device may include a cavity having a longitudinal axis, and the helical induction coil may extend around the cavity such that the longitudinal axes of the helical induction coil and the cavity are substantially parallel. With such an arrangement, the first part of the inductively heatable susceptor may be substantially parallel to a longitudinal axis of the induction coil when the aerosol generating article is positioned in the cavity. This in turn may ensure a strong electromagnetic coupling between the first part of the inductively heatable susceptor and the induction coil, possibly enabling the first part to be heated to a first temperature which is higher than the second temperature to which the second part is heated and/or possibly enabling the first part to be heated to the first temperature more rapidly than the second part is heated to the second temperature.

The induction coil may comprise any suitable material, for example a Litz wire or a Litz cable.

The inductively heatable susceptor may comprise at least one of a metal material, a metal alloy material, a ceramic material, a carbon material, and a polymeric fibre material coated with a metal material. The inductively heatable susceptor may comprise one or more, but not limited, of aluminium, iron, nickel, stainless steel and alloys thereof, e.g. Nickel Chromium or Nickel Copper. With the application of an electromagnetic field in its vicinity, the inductively heatable susceptor may generate heat due to eddy currents and/or magnetic hysteresis losses resulting in a conversion of energy from electromagnetic to heat.

The first and/or second aerosol generating substance(s) may comprise an aerosol generating liquid.

The first and/or second aerosol generating substance(s) may comprise a non-liquid aerosol generating substance, for example any type of solid or semi-solid material. Example types of aerosol generating solids include powder, granules, pellets, shreds, strands, particles, gel, strips, loose leaves, cut leaves, cut filler, porous material, foam material or sheets. The non-liquid aerosol generating material may comprise plant derived material and in particular, may comprise tobacco. It may advantageously comprise reconstituted tobacco.

The first and/or second aerosol generating substance(s) may comprise an aerosol-former. Examples of aerosol-formers include polyhydric alcohols and mixtures thereof such as glycerine or propylene glycol. Typically, the first and/or second aerosol generating substance(s) may comprise an aerosol-former content of between approximately <NUM>% and approximately <NUM>% on a dry weight basis. In some embodiments, the first and/or second aerosol generating substance(s) may comprise an aerosol-former content of between approximately <NUM>% and approximately <NUM>% on a dry weight basis, and possibly approximately <NUM>% on a dry weight basis.

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

The magnetic field generator may be arranged to operate in use with a fluctuating electromagnetic field having a magnetic flux density of between approximately 20mT and approximately <NUM>. 0T at the point of highest concentration.

The magnetic field generator may include a power source and circuitry which may be configured to operate at a high frequency. The power source and circuitry may be configured to operate at a frequency of between approximately <NUM> and <NUM>, possibly between approximately <NUM> and <NUM>, and possibly at approximately <NUM>. The power source and circuitry could be configured to operate at a higher frequency, for example in the MHz range, depending on the type of inductively heatable susceptor that is used.

In embodiments in which the first and second aerosol generating substances comprise a non-liquid aerosol generating material, the aerosol generating article may comprise an air-permeable shell which includes the first and second discrete compartments. The air-permeable shell may comprise an air permeable material which is electrically insulating and non-magnetic. The material may have a high air permeability to allow air to flow through the material with a resistance to high temperatures. Examples of suitable air permeable materials include cellulose fibres, paper, cotton and silk. The air-permeable material may also act as a filter.

Referring initially to <FIG>, there is shown diagrammatically an example of an aerosol generating device <NUM> for use with a "pod-type" aerosol generating article, and in particular the first and second examples of the aerosol generating articles <NUM>, <NUM> illustrated in <FIG>. The aerosol generating device <NUM> has a proximal end <NUM> and a distal end <NUM> and comprises a device body <NUM> which includes a power source <NUM> and a controller <NUM> which may be configured to operate at high frequency. The power source <NUM> typically comprises one or more batteries which could, for example, be inductively rechargeable.

The aerosol generating device <NUM> is generally cylindrical and comprises a generally cylindrical aerosol generating space <NUM>, for example in the form of a cavity, at the proximal end <NUM> of the aerosol generating device <NUM>. The cylindrical aerosol generating space <NUM> is arranged to receive a correspondingly shaped generally cylindrical aerosol generating article <NUM>, <NUM> as described below in connection with <FIG>.

The aerosol generating device <NUM> comprises a magnetic field generator <NUM> for generating an electromagnetic field. The magnetic field generator <NUM> comprises a substantially helical induction coil <NUM>. The induction coil <NUM> has a circular cross-section, extends around the cylindrical aerosol generating space <NUM> and has a longitudinal axis. The induction coil <NUM> can be energised by the power source <NUM> and controller <NUM>. The controller <NUM> includes, amongst other electronic components, an inverter which is arranged to convert a direct current from the power source <NUM> into an alternating high-frequency current for the induction coil <NUM>.

The aerosol generating device <NUM> includes one or more air inlets <NUM> in the device body <NUM> which allow ambient air to flow into the aerosol generating space <NUM>. The aerosol generating device <NUM> also includes a mouthpiece <NUM> having an air outlet <NUM>. The mouthpiece <NUM> is removably mounted on the device body <NUM> at the proximal end <NUM> to allow access to the aerosol generating space <NUM> for the purposes of inserting or removing an aerosol generating article <NUM>, <NUM>.

Referring to <FIG>, there is shown a first example of an aerosol generating article <NUM> for use with the aerosol generating device <NUM>. The induction coil <NUM> of the aerosol generating device <NUM> is also shown in <FIG> to clearly indicate how the aerosol generating article <NUM> is positioned relative to the induction coil <NUM> when the aerosol generating article <NUM> is positioned in the aerosol generating space <NUM>.

As noted above, the aerosol generating article <NUM> is a "pod-type" article and has a substantially circular bottom wall <NUM>, a substantially circular top wall <NUM> and substantially cylindrical side wall <NUM>. The bottom wall <NUM> and the top wall <NUM> are typically air-permeable and can include a plurality of openings or perforations or can comprise a material with a porous structure which allows air to flow through the bottom wall <NUM> and the top wall <NUM> without the need for the openings or perforations.

The aerosol generating article <NUM> comprises first and second compartments <NUM>, <NUM>. The first and second compartments <NUM>, <NUM> are discrete compartments which are separated by a partition wall <NUM> that can be substantially fluid-impermeable.

The first and second compartments <NUM>, <NUM> contain respectively a first aerosol generating substance <NUM> and a second aerosol generating substance <NUM>, and in some embodiments one of the first and second aerosol generating substances <NUM>, <NUM> can comprise a nicotine source and the other of the first and second aerosol generating substances <NUM>, <NUM> can comprise a delivery enhancing compound, such as pyruvic acid or lactic acid. In the illustrated first example, one of the first and second aerosol generating substances <NUM>, <NUM> is a type of solid or semi-solid material and typically comprises plant derived material, and in particular tobacco. One or both of the first and second aerosol generating substances <NUM>, <NUM> may also comprise an aerosol-former.

The aerosol generating article <NUM> includes an inductively heatable susceptor <NUM> which is configured to be inductively heated by the magnetic field generator <NUM>, and in particular by the induction coil <NUM>. The inductively heatable susceptor <NUM> comprises a first part <NUM> positioned in the first compartment <NUM> and a second part <NUM> positioned in the second compartment <NUM>. The inductively heatable susceptor <NUM> comprises a plate susceptor which is generally L-shaped, with the second part <NUM> extending in a direction which is substantially perpendicular to the first part <NUM>. In the first example of the aerosol generating article <NUM>, the second part <NUM> of the inductively heatable susceptor <NUM> extends through the partition wall <NUM> from the first compartment <NUM> into the second compartment <NUM>.

In a first implementation, the first and second parts <NUM>, <NUM> of the inductively heatable susceptor <NUM> both comprise an inductively heatable material. As will be understood by one of ordinary skill in the art, when the induction coil <NUM> is energised during use of the aerosol generating device <NUM>, an alternating and time-varying electromagnetic field is produced. This couples with the first and second parts <NUM>, <NUM> of the inductively heatable susceptor <NUM> and generates eddy currents and/or magnetic hysteresis losses in the inductively heatable susceptor <NUM> causing the first and second parts <NUM>, <NUM> to heat up. The heat is transferred from the first part <NUM> of the inductively heatable susceptor <NUM> to the first aerosol generating substance <NUM> in the first compartment <NUM>, for example by conduction, radiation and convection. In a similar manner, the heat is transferred from the second part <NUM> of the inductively heatable susceptor <NUM> to the second aerosol generating substance <NUM> in the second compartment <NUM>, for example by conduction, radiation and convection. Thus, the first and second aerosol generating substances <NUM>, <NUM> are heated independently by the corresponding first and second parts <NUM>, <NUM> of the inductively heatable susceptor <NUM>. The partition wall <NUM> can comprise a thermally insulating material that is configured to minimise heat transfer between the first and second compartments <NUM>, <NUM>, so that the heating of the first and second aerosol generating substances <NUM>, <NUM> can be carefully controlled.

The first and second aerosol generating substances <NUM>, <NUM> are heated by the corresponding first and second parts <NUM>, <NUM> of the inductively heatable susceptor <NUM> without being burned. The heating of the first and second aerosol generating substances <NUM>, <NUM> releases one or more volatile compounds and generates first and second vapours (e.g. a nicotine vapour and a second vapour) which tend to mix and which may react as they flow through the air outlet <NUM> and which cool and condense to form an aerosol which can be inhaled by a user of the aerosol generating device <NUM> through the mouthpiece <NUM>.

In the first implementation, the first and second parts <NUM>, <NUM> of the inductively heatable susceptor <NUM> are configured to have different orientations from each other with respect to the induction coil <NUM>, for example by virtue of the L-shaped geometry of the inductively heatable susceptor <NUM>, when the aerosol generating article <NUM> is positioned in the aerosol generating space <NUM>. In particular, the first part <NUM> of the inductively heatable susceptor <NUM> is configured so that it extends in a direction that is substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis of the induction coil <NUM>, thereby ensuring a strong electromagnetic coupling between the first part <NUM> and the induction coil <NUM>. Conversely, the second part <NUM> of the inductively heatable susceptor <NUM> is configured so that it extends in a direction that is substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the induction coil <NUM> to provide a weaker electromagnetic coupling between the second part <NUM> and the induction coil <NUM>. The stronger electromagnetic coupling between the first part <NUM> of the inductively heatable susceptor <NUM> and the induction coil <NUM> may enable the first part <NUM> to be inductively heated to a first temperature which is higher than a second temperature to which the second part <NUM> is inductively heated by virtue of the weaker electromagnetic coupling between the second part <NUM> and the induction coil <NUM>. Alternatively or in addition, the first part <NUM> may be heated to the first temperature more rapidly than the second part <NUM> is heated to the second temperature by virtue of the stronger electromagnetic coupling between the first part <NUM> and the induction coil <NUM>. By heating the first and second parts <NUM>, <NUM> to different first and second temperatures and/or at different rates, the heating within the first and second discrete compartments <NUM>, <NUM> can be adapted for the different first and second aerosol generating substances <NUM>, <NUM> so that an aerosol with improved characteristics can be generated.

In a second implementation, the first part <NUM> of the L-shaped inductively heatable susceptor <NUM> comprises an inductively heatable material and the second part <NUM> of the inductively heatable susceptor <NUM> comprises a non-inductively heatable material. Accordingly, when the induction coil <NUM> is energised during use of the aerosol generating device <NUM>, the electromagnetic field generated by the induction coil <NUM> couples with the first part <NUM> of the inductively heatable susceptor <NUM> and inductively heats the first part <NUM> to a first temperature in the manner described above. A proportion of the heat generated in the first part <NUM> is transferred to the first aerosol generating substance <NUM> in the first compartment <NUM>, for example by conduction, radiation and convection. A proportion of the heat generated in the first part <NUM> is also transferred by conduction to the second part <NUM>, so that the second part <NUM> is heated conductively to a second temperature by the heat generated in the first part <NUM>. Because the second part <NUM> is heated conductively, rather than inductively, the second part <NUM> is typically heated to a lower second temperature than the first temperature to which the first part <NUM> is inductively heated and/or the second part <NUM> is heated at a slower rate than the first part <NUM>.

Referring to <FIG>, there is shown a second example, not covered by the claims, of an aerosol generating article <NUM> for use with the aerosol generating device <NUM>. The induction coil <NUM> of the aerosol generating device <NUM> is also shown in <FIG> to clearly indicate how the aerosol generating article <NUM> is positioned relative to the induction coil <NUM> when the aerosol generating article <NUM> is positioned in the aerosol generating space <NUM>. The aerosol generating article <NUM> is similar to the aerosol generating article <NUM> described above with reference to <FIG>, and corresponding components are identified using the same reference numerals.

The aerosol generating article <NUM> comprises first and second compartments <NUM>, <NUM> separated by a partition wall <NUM> and an inductively heatable susceptor <NUM> having first and second parts <NUM>, <NUM>. The first compartment <NUM> contains a first aerosol generating substance <NUM> and the first part <NUM> of the inductively heatable susceptor <NUM>. The second compartment <NUM> contains a second aerosol generating substance <NUM> and the second part <NUM> of the inductively heatable susceptor <NUM>.

Each of the first and second aerosol generating substances <NUM>, <NUM> comprises a solid matrix <NUM>, <NUM> and the first and second parts <NUM>, <NUM> of the inductively heatable susceptor <NUM> are secured respectively in each solid matrix <NUM>, <NUM>. Each solid matrix <NUM>, <NUM> typically comprises at least one of a porous ceramic and a foam material, for example in the form of a reconstituted tobacco mousse or an e-liquid mousse, which ensures that the first and second parts <NUM>, <NUM> of the inductively heatable susceptor <NUM> are held securely in place in the respective first and second compartments <NUM>, <NUM>.

The first and second parts <NUM>, <NUM> of the inductively heatable susceptor can be separate inductively heatable parts which are separated from each other in the first and second compartments <NUM>, <NUM> and both of the first and second parts <NUM>, <NUM> can comprise an inductively heatable material. When the aerosol generating article <NUM> is positioned in the aerosol generating space <NUM> during use of the aerosol generating device <NUM> and the induction coil <NUM> is energised, an alternating and time-varying electromagnetic field is produced. This couples with the first and second parts <NUM>, <NUM> of the inductively heatable susceptor <NUM> and generates eddy currents and/or magnetic hysteresis losses in the inductively heatable susceptor <NUM> causing the first and second parts <NUM>, <NUM> to heat up independently. The heat is transferred from the first part <NUM> of the inductively heatable susceptor <NUM> to the first aerosol generating substance <NUM> in the first compartment <NUM>, for example by conduction, radiation and convection. In a similar manner, the heat is transferred from the second part <NUM> of the inductively heatable susceptor <NUM> to the second aerosol generating substance <NUM> in the second compartment <NUM>, for example by conduction, radiation and convection. Thus, the first and second aerosol generating substances <NUM>, <NUM> are heated independently by the corresponding first and second parts <NUM>, <NUM> of the inductively heatable susceptor <NUM>.

The first and second aerosol generating substances <NUM>, <NUM> are heated by the corresponding first and second parts <NUM>, <NUM> of the inductively heatable susceptor <NUM> without being burned. The heating of the first and second aerosol generating substances <NUM>, <NUM> releases one or more volatile compounds and generates first and second vapours which tend to mix as they flow through the air outlet <NUM> and which cool and condense to form an aerosol which can be inhaled by a user of the aerosol generating device <NUM> through the mouthpiece <NUM>.

As will be apparent from <FIG>, the first and second parts <NUM>, <NUM> of the inductively heatable susceptor <NUM> are plate susceptors and are both arranged so that they extend in a direction substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis of the induction coil <NUM>, which is the optimum orientation for coupling with the electromagnetic field generated by the induction coil <NUM>. In addition, the first part <NUM> is positioned closer to an inner circumference of the induction coil <NUM> than the second part <NUM> and due to the fact that the magnetic flux density increases from a minimum along a central longitudinal axis of the induction coil <NUM> to a maximum close to the inner circumference of the induction coil <NUM>, the first part <NUM> of the inductively heatable susceptor <NUM> is inductively heated to a first temperature which is higher than a second temperature to which the second part <NUM> is inductively heated. Alternatively or in addition, the first part <NUM> may be heated to the first temperature more rapidly than the second part <NUM> is heated to the second temperature by virtue of its closer proximity to the inner circumference of the induction coil <NUM>. As explained above, by heating the first and second parts <NUM>, <NUM> to different first and second temperatures and/or at different rates, the heating within the first and second compartments <NUM>, <NUM> can be adapted for the different first and second aerosol generating substances <NUM>, <NUM> so that an aerosol with improved characteristics can be generated.

Although exemplary embodiments have been described in the preceding paragraphs, it should be understood that various modifications may be made to those embodiments without departing from the scope of the appended claims. Thus, the breadth and scope of the claims should not be limited to the above-described exemplary embodiments. For example, the L-shaped inductively heatable susceptor <NUM> described in connection with the first example of <FIG> could be employed in the second example of <FIG>, such that the first and second parts <NUM>, <NUM> are secured in a solid matrix <NUM>, <NUM> provided in each of the first and second compartments <NUM>, <NUM>. In this case, both the first and second parts <NUM>, <NUM> of the inductively heatable susceptor <NUM> could comprise an inductively heatable material or the first part <NUM> could comprise an inductively heatable material whilst the second part <NUM> could comprise a non-inductively heatable material which is heated conductively by the first part <NUM>. Conversely, an inductively heatable susceptor <NUM> comprising separate first and second parts <NUM>, <NUM> as described in connection with the second example of <FIG> could be employed in the first example of <FIG>.

Claim 1:
An aerosol generating article (<NUM>, <NUM>) for use with an aerosol generating device (<NUM>) including a magnetic field generator (<NUM>), the aerosol generating article (<NUM>, <NUM>) comprising:
first and second discrete compartments (<NUM>, <NUM>) configured to contain respectively a first aerosol generating substance (<NUM>) and a second aerosol generating substance (<NUM>); and
an inductively heatable susceptor (<NUM>) configured to be inductively heated by the magnetic field generator (<NUM>), the inductively heatable susceptor (<NUM>) having a first part (<NUM>) positioned in the first compartment (<NUM>) and a second part (<NUM>) positioned in the second compartment (<NUM>);
characterized in that the first and second parts (<NUM>, <NUM>) of the inductively heatable susceptor (<NUM>) are configured to have different orientations from each other with respect to the magnetic field generator (<NUM>).