Patent Description:
Some electronic devices are configured to heat a plant material to a temperature that is sufficient to release constituents of the plant material while keeping the temperature below a combustion point of the plant material so as to avoid any substantial pyrolysis of the plant material. Such devices may be referred to as aerosol-generating devices (e.g., heat-not-burn aerosol-generating devices), and the plant material heated may be tobacco. In some instances, the plant material may be introduced directly into a heating chamber of an aerosol-generating device. In other instances, the plant material may be pre-packaged in individual containers to facilitate insertion and removal from an aerosol-generating device.

<CIT> discloses a press-snorting type heating cigarette smoking set which comprises a braking type heating device and a press type smoke jetting device. The braking type heating device heats cigarettes in a heat radiation mode. The press type smoke jetting device drives a relevant mechanism to compress smoke by pressing a piston support by a user and jets out compressed smoke from a smoke outlet for enjoying of a user.

The present invention is defined herein in accordance with the appended claims.

An aerosol generating device includes a device body, plant material in the device body, a heating element in the device body, the heating element configured to heat the plant material, and a flavor carrier in the device body. The flavor carrier includes an outer housing extending in a longitudinal direction, an inner housing extending in the longitudinal direction, and a flavor chamber between the outer housing and the inner housing. The outer housing includes at least one outer housing perforation defined in a wall of the outer housing. The inner housing is coaxial with the outer housing. The inner housing includes at least one inner housing perforation defined in a wall of the inner housing. The flavor chamber is configured to contain a flavoring material. The flavor carrier includes a cover at a first end of the flavor carrier, and a gasket at a second end of the flavor carrier, the gasket being impermeable to aerosol.

Some detailed example embodiments are disclosed herein. However, specific structural and functional details disclosed herein are merely representative for purposes of describing example embodiments. Example embodiments may, however, be embodied in many alternate forms and should not be construed as limited to only the example embodiments set forth herein.

Accordingly, while example embodiments are capable of various modifications and alternative forms, example embodiments thereof are shown by way of example in the drawings and will herein be described in detail. It should be understood, however, that there is no intent to limit example embodiments to the particular forms disclosed, but to the contrary, example embodiments are to cover all modifications, equivalents, and alternatives thereof. Like numbers refer to like elements throughout the description of the figures.

It should be understood that when an element or layer is referred to as being "on," "connected to," "coupled to," "attached to," "adjacent to," or "covering" another element or layer, it may be directly on, connected to, coupled to, attached to, adjacent to or covering the other element or layer or intervening elements or layers may be present. In contrast, when an element is referred to as being "directly on," "directly connected to," or "directly coupled to" another element or layer, there are no intervening elements or layers present. Like numbers refer to like elements throughout the specification. As used herein, the term "and/or" includes any and all combinations or subcombinations of one or more of the associated listed items.

It should be understood that, although the terms first, second, third, etc. may be used herein to describe various elements, regions, layers and/or sections, these elements, regions, layers, and/or sections should not be limited by these terms. These terms are only used to distinguish one element, region, layer, or section from another region, layer, or section. Thus, a first element, component, region, layer, or section discussed below could be termed a second element, region, layer, or section without departing from the teachings of example embodiments.

Spatially relative terms (e.g., "beneath," "below," "lower," "above," "upper," and the like) may be used herein for ease of description to describe one element or feature's relationship to another element(s) or feature(s) as illustrated in the figures. It should be understood that the spatially relative terms are intended to encompass different orientations of the device in use or operation in addition to the orientation depicted in the figures. Thus, the term "below" may encompass both an orientation of above and below.

The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing various example embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting of example embodiments. It will be further understood that the terms "includes," "including," "comprises," and/or "comprising," when used in this specification, specify the presence of stated features, integers, steps, operations, elements, and/or components, but do not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, integers, steps, operations, elements, components, and/or groups thereof.

When the words "about" and "substantially" are used in connection with a numerical value, it is intended that the associated numerical value include a tolerance of ±<NUM>% around the stated numerical value, unless otherwise explicitly defined.

<FIG> is a schematic view of an aerosol-generating device according to an example embodiment.

Referring to <FIG>, an aerosol-generating device <NUM> (e.g., heat-not-burn aerosol-generating device) may include a mouthpiece <NUM> and a device body <NUM>. A power source <NUM> and control circuitry <NUM> may be disposed within the device body <NUM> of the aerosol-generating device <NUM>. The aerosol-generating device <NUM> is configured to receive a capsule <NUM>, which may include plant material, such as tobacco as described in <CIT> titled "CAPSULES, HEAT-NOT-BURNG (HNB) AEROSOL-GENERATING DEVICES, AND METHODS OF GENERATING AN AEROSOL".

As discussed herein, an aerosol-forming substrate is a material or combination of materials that may be transformed into an aerosol. An aerosol relates to the matter generated or output by the devices disclosed, claimed, and equivalents thereof. The material may include a compound (e.g., nicotine, cannabinoid), wherein an aerosol including the compound is produced when the material is heated. The heating may be below the combustion temperature so as to produce an aerosol without involving a substantial pyrolysis of the aerosol-forming substrate or the substantial generation of combustion byproducts (if any). Thus, in an example embodiment, pyrolysis does not occur during the heating and resulting production of aerosol. In other instances, there may be some pyrolysis and combustion byproducts, but the extent may be considered relatively minor and/or merely incidental.

The aerosol-forming substrate may be a fibrous material. For instance, the fibrous material may be a botanical material. The fibrous material is configured to release a compound when heated. The compound may be a naturally occurring constituent of the fibrous material. For instance, the fibrous material may be plant material such as tobacco, and the compound released may be nicotine. The term "tobacco" includes any tobacco plant material including tobacco leaf, tobacco plug, reconstituted tobacco, compressed tobacco, shaped tobacco, or powder tobacco, and combinations thereof from one or more species of tobacco plants, such as Nicotiana rustica and Nicotiana tabacum.

In some example embodiments, the tobacco material may include material from any member of the genus Nicotiana. In addition, the tobacco material may include a blend of two or more different tobacco varieties. Examples of suitable types of tobacco materials that may be used include, but are not limited to, flue-cured tobacco, Burley tobacco, Dark tobacco, Maryland tobacco, Oriental tobacco, rare tobacco, specialty tobacco, blends thereof, and the like. The tobacco material may be provided in any suitable form, including, but not limited to, tobacco lamina, processed tobacco materials, such as volume expanded or puffed tobacco, processed tobacco stems, such as cut-rolled or cut-puffed stems, reconstituted tobacco materials, blends thereof, and the like. In some example embodiments, the tobacco material is in the form of a substantially dry tobacco mass. Furthermore, in some instances, the tobacco material may be mixed and/or combined with at least one of propylene glycol, glycerin, subcombinations thereof, or combinations thereof.

The compound may also be a naturally occurring constituent of a medicinal plant that has a medically-accepted therapeutic effect. For instance, the medicinal plant may be a cannabis plant, and the compound may be a cannabinoid. Cannabinoids interact with receptors in the body to produce a wide range of effects. As a result, cannabinoids have been used for a variety of medicinal purposes (e.g., treatment of pain, nausea, epilepsy, psychiatric disorders). The fibrous material may include the leaf and/or flower material from one or more species of cannabis plants such as Cannabis sativa, Cannabis indica, and Cannabis ruderalis. In some instances, the fibrous material is a mixture of <NUM>-<NUM>% (e.g., <NUM>%) Cannabis sativa and <NUM>-<NUM>% (e.g., <NUM>%) Cannabis indica.

Examples of cannabinoids include tetrahydrocannabinolic acid (THCA), tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), cannabidiolic acid (CBDA), cannabidiol (CBD), cannabinol (CBN), cannabicyclol (CBL), cannabichromene (CBC), and cannabigerol (CBG). Tetrahydrocannabinolic acid (THCA) is a precursor of tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), while cannabidiolic acid (CBDA) is precursor of cannabidiol (CBD). Tetrahydrocannabinolic acid (THCA) and cannabidiolic acid (CBDA) may be converted to tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) and cannabidiol (CBD), respectively, via heating. In an example embodiment, heat from the first heater <NUM> and/or the second heater <NUM> may cause decarboxylation so as to convert the tetrahydrocannabinolic acid (THCA) in the capsule <NUM> to tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), and/or to convert the cannabidiolic acid (CBDA) in the capsule <NUM> to cannabidiol (CBD).

In instances where both tetrahydrocannabinolic acid (THCA) and tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) are present in the capsule <NUM>, the decarboxylation and resulting conversion will cause a decrease in tetrahydrocannabinolic acid (THCA) and an increase in tetrahydrocannabinol (THC). At least <NUM>% (e.g., at least <NUM>%) of the tetrahydrocannabinolic acid (THCA) may be converted to tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) during the heating of the capsule <NUM>. Similarly, in instances where both cannabidiolic acid (CBDA) and cannabidiol (CBD) are present in the capsule <NUM>, the decarboxylation and resulting conversion will cause a decrease in cannabidiolic acid (CBDA) and an increase in cannabidiol (CBD). At least <NUM>% (e.g., at least <NUM>%) of the cannabidiolic acid (CBDA) may be converted to cannabidiol (CBD) during the heating of the capsule <NUM>.

Alternatively, the compound may be a non-naturally occurring additive that is subsequently introduced into the fibrous material. In such an instance, the fibrous material may include at least one of cotton, polyethylene, polyester, rayon, combinations thereof, or the like (e.g., in a form of a gauze). In another instance, the fibrous material may be a cellulose material, and the compound introduced may be nicotine, cannabinoids, and/or flavorants by way of plant extracts (e.g., tobacco extract, cannabis extract).

In at least one example embodiment, the aerosol-generating device <NUM> may also include a first electrode 1055a, a second electrode 1055b, a third electrode 1055c, and a fourth electrode 1055d configured to electrically contact the capsule <NUM>. In at least one example embodiment, the first electrode 1055a and the third electrode 1055c may electrically contact the first heater 110a, while the second electrode 1055b and the fourth electrode 1055d may electrically contact the second heater 110b. However, in non-limiting embodiments involving a capsule with only one heater, it should be understood that the first electrode 1055a and the third electrode 1055c (or the second electrode 1055b and the fourth electrode 1055d) may be omitted.

When the capsule <NUM> is inserted into the aerosol-generating device <NUM>, the control circuitry <NUM> may instruct the power source <NUM> to supply an electric current to the first electrode 1055a, the second electrode 1055b, the third electrode 1055c, and/or the fourth electrode 1055d. The supply of current from the power source <NUM> may be in response to a manual operation (e.g., button-activation) or an automatic operation (e.g., puff-activation). As a result of the current, the capsule <NUM> may be heated to generate an aerosol. Additional details of the capsule <NUM> and the aerosol-generating device <NUM>, including the mouthpiece <NUM>, the device body <NUM>, the power source <NUM>, the control circuitry <NUM>, the first electrode 1055a, the second electrode 1055b, the third electrode 1055c, and the fourth electrode 1055d may be found in<CIT>, titled "VAPORIZING DEVICES AND METHODS FOR DELIVERING A COMPOUND USING THE SAME," Atty. No. 24000DM-<NUM>-US.

In at least one example embodiment, as shown in <FIG>, aerosol-generating device <NUM> may also include a flavor carrier <NUM>. The flavor carrier <NUM> may include an outer housing <NUM> extending in the longitudinal direction, an inner housing <NUM> extending in the longitudinal direction, and a flavor chamber <NUM> between the outer housing <NUM> and the inner housing <NUM>. The outer housing <NUM> and/or the inner housing <NUM> may be generally cylindrical. In other example embodiments, a cross-section of the outer housing <NUM> and/or the inner housing <NUM> may be generally oval, rectangular, square, triangular, polygonal and/or may have any other cross-sectional shape. In some example embodiments, a cross section of the outer housing <NUM> may have generally the same shape as a cross section of the inner housing <NUM>. In some example embodiments, a cross section of the outer housing <NUM> may have a different shape than a cross section of the inner housing <NUM>. The outer housing <NUM> includes at least one outer housing perforation <NUM> defined in a wall <NUM> of the outer housing <NUM>. In at least one example embodiment, the inner housing <NUM> may be coaxial with the outer housing <NUM>. In other example embodiments, the inner housing <NUM> is not coaxial with the outer housing <NUM>. In some example embodiments, the inner housing <NUM> is within the outer housing <NUM>. In some example embodiments, at least a portion of the inner housing <NUM> is within at least a portion of the outer housing <NUM>. In some example embodiments, an area of a cross-section of the inner housing <NUM> is smaller than an area of a cross-section of the outer housing <NUM>. In some example embodiments, a cross section of the inner housing <NUM> is generally circular and a cross section of the outer housing <NUM> is generally circular, and a diameter of the cross section of the inner housing <NUM> is smaller than a diameter of the cross section of the outer housing <NUM>. Other arrangements or variations may be used in other example embodiments. The inner housing <NUM> includes at least one inner housing perforation <NUM> defined in a wall <NUM> of the inner housing <NUM>. The flavor chamber <NUM> is configured to contain a flavoring material <NUM>.

In at least one example embodiment, an adapter <NUM> is at an end of the flavor carrier <NUM>. The adapter <NUM> is configured to secure the flavor carrier <NUM> within the device body <NUM> of the aerosol-generating device <NUM>. The adapter <NUM> may be a ring-shaped body that fits snugly about an outer surface of the outer housing <NUM> of the flavor carrier <NUM>. The adapter <NUM> is sized to friction fit between the outer housing <NUM> of the flavor carrier <NUM> and an inner surface <NUM> of the device body <NUM> of the aerosol-generating device <NUM>.

In at least one example embodiment, the adapter <NUM> is formed of one or more materials including a polymer, a metal, a sub-combination thereof, or a combination thereof. The adapter <NUM> is substantially impermeable to aerosol so that the aerosol is forced to flow through the flavor carrier <NUM>, where the aromas and/or flavors from flavoring material <NUM> are eluted to the aerosol.

In at least one example embodiment, the outer housing <NUM> of the flavor carrier <NUM> is a hollow cylinder having an outer diameter ranging from about <NUM> to about <NUM> (e.g., about <NUM> to about <NUM>, about <NUM> to about <NUM> or about <NUM> to about <NUM>, etc.). In other example embodiments, the outer housing <NUM> of the flavor carrier <NUM> is a hollow cylinder having an outer diameter that is less than about <NUM>, or greater than about <NUM>.

In at least one example embodiment, the inner housing <NUM> is a hollow cylinder having an outer diameter ranging from about <NUM> to about <NUM> (e.g., about <NUM> to about <NUM>, about <NUM> to about <NUM>, etc.). In other example embodiments, the inner housing <NUM> of the flavor carrier <NUM> is a hollow cylinder having an outer diameter that is less than about <NUM>, or greater than about <NUM>. The diameter of the inner housing <NUM> and the outer housing <NUM> may be chosen to provide a desired volume of the flavor chamber <NUM> defined between the inner housing <NUM> and the outer housing <NUM>.

In at least one example embodiment, the wall <NUM> of the outer housing <NUM> and the wall <NUM> of the inner housing <NUM>, or each have a thickness ranging from about <NUM> to about <NUM> (e.g., about <NUM> to about <NUM>). In some example embodiments, the wall <NUM> and/or the wall <NUM> have thicknesses that are smaller than about <NUM>, or greater than about <NUM>. In some example embodiments, the wall <NUM> of the outer housing <NUM> and the wall <NUM> of the inner housing <NUM>, or both are formed of one or more materials that include paper, a fabric, a metal, a polymer and/or any other suitable materials.

In at least one example embodiment, the flavoring material <NUM> includes a botanical material, a gel, a film, flavor bits, powders, discs of compressed powders, a flavor bead and/or any other flavoring materials. In some example embodiments, the botanical material may include tobacco plant material, cannabis plant material and/or other botanical material. In other example embodiments, the botanical material may include non-tobacco botanical material, such as teas, herbs, etc..

In some example embodiments, the flavoring material <NUM> may include a gel. The gel may include a polymer, one or more flavorants and/or botanical material suspended in the gel.

In other example embodiments, the flavoring material <NUM> may include a film. The film may be formed of at least one polymer and one or more flavorants. The film or films may be in flavor chamber <NUM>, rolled around the inner housing <NUM> and/or provided in a tube form, such that the tube is inserted in flavor chamber <NUM> around the inner housing <NUM>. In some examples, the film may be water soluble and/or may disintegrate when exposed to heat, such that the film disintegrates as aerosol passes through the flavor chamber <NUM>. In other examples, the film may be porous. Other types of films may be used.

In some example embodiments, the flavoring material <NUM> includes flavor beads include at least one polymer and at least one flavorant. The flavor beads may include an outer shell enclosing an inner core. The inner core and/or the outer shell may contain menthol or other volatile flavors. For example, the inner core can contain mint flavors such as peppermint, spearmint or any other flavors.

In at least one example embodiment, the flavor beads can each have a diameter ranging from about <NUM> to about <NUM> (e.g., about <NUM> to about <NUM>, about <NUM> to about <NUM>, etc.). In other example embodiments, the flavor beads can each have a diameter that is smaller than about <NUM> or greater than about <NUM>. The flavor beads can be manufactured and/or include the features of the flavor beads and/or flavor capsules disclosed in <CIT>, and <CIT>.

In at least one example embodiment, the flavoring material <NUM> is in the form of a paper impregnated and/or coated with one or more flavorants.

In some example embodiments, where the flavoring material <NUM> is a film or paper, the film or paper may be chopped before being placed in the flavor chamber <NUM>. In some example embodiments, the chopped film or paper may be mixed with at least one botanical material and/or with flavor beads.

In at least one example embodiment, the flavoring material <NUM> may be coated with a second material including at least one polymer and/or a flavorant. A flavorant of the coating may be the same flavorant incorporated in the flavoring material <NUM> underlying the coating or the flavorant of the coating may be a different flavorant that the flavorant in the underlying flavoring material <NUM>. In at least one example embodiment, the flavoring material <NUM> includes cellulose material with one or more flavorants.

In at least one example embodiment, a flavorant is a volatile flavorant. In at least one example embodiment, the flavorant may be any flavorant commonly used in foods, confections, or other oral products. Example flavorants include, but are not limited to, berry flavors such as pomegranate, acai, raspberry, blueberry, strawberry, boysenberry, cranberry, etc.. Other example flavorants include, without limitation, any natural or synthetic flavor or aroma, such as menthol, peppermint, spearmint, wintergreen, bourbon, scotch, whiskey, cognac, hydrangea, lavender, chocolate, licorice, citrus and other fruit flavors, such as apple, peach, pear, cherry, plum, orange, lime, grape, and grapefruit, gamma octalactone, vanillin, ethyl vanillin, breath freshener flavors, butter, rum, coconut, almond, pecan, walnut, hazelnut, French vanilla, macadamia, sugar cane, maple, cassis, caramel, banana, malt, espresso, kahlua, white chocolate, spice flavors such as cinnamon, clove, cilantro, basil, oregano, garlic, mustard, nutmeg, rosemary, thyme, tarragon, dill, sage, anise, and fennel, methyl salicylate, linalool, jasmine, coffee, olive oil, sesame oil, sunflower oil, bergamot oil, geranium oil, lemon oil, ginger oil, balsamic vinegar, rice wine vinegar, red wine vinegar, etc.. One or more flavorants may be included in flavoring materials <NUM>.

In at least one example embodiment, the flavoring material <NUM> includes a polymer and the polymer is a water soluble or water insoluble polymer. The polymer may be natural or synthetic. The polymers may be a hydrocolloid. Other example polymers include, without limitation, starch, dextrin, gum arabic, guar gum, chitosan, cellulose, polyvinyl alcohol, polylactide, gelatin, soy protein, whey protein, etc..

<FIG> is a cross-sectional view of a flavor carrier and mouthpiece of an aerosol-generating device according to at least one example embodiment.

In at least one example embodiment, the flavor carrier <NUM> and a mouthpiece <NUM> may joined together, such that the adapter <NUM> surrounds a portion of the flavor carrier <NUM> and the mouthpiece <NUM> fits with an end of the adapter <NUM>.

In at least one example embodiment, the mouthpiece <NUM> is formed of materials that include plastic, metal, wood and/or other suitable materials. In at least one example embodiment, the mouthpiece <NUM> is formed from at least one plastic material, such as polyethylene or polypropylene. The mouthpiece <NUM> may be rounded, and may not include any sharp edges. In other examples, the cross-section of a mouthpiece <NUM> may be generally rectangular, oval, square, triangular, polygonal and/or may have any other cross-sectional shape. In some example embodiments, a mouthpiece <NUM> may include sharp edges. In some examples, a surface of the mouthpiece <NUM> may be generally smooth.

The adapter <NUM> is generally U-shaped and cylindrical, such that the flavor carrier <NUM> nests within the adapter <NUM>. A bottom wall <NUM> of the adapter <NUM> defines a channel <NUM> that directs aerosol into the flavor carrier <NUM> when the flavor carrier <NUM> and the adapter <NUM> are engaged with the device body <NUM> of the aerosol-generating device <NUM>. The adapter <NUM> also includes a flange portion <NUM> that engages with the device body <NUM> of the aerosol-generating device <NUM>. Thus, the flavor carrier <NUM> of <FIG> may be retrofitted with the aerosol-generating device <NUM> by removing an existing mouthpiece and inserting the adapter <NUM> within the housing of the aerosol-generating device <NUM>.

<FIG> is a perspective view of a flavor carrier of an aerosol-generating device according to at least one example embodiment.

In at least one example embodiment, as shown in <FIG>, the flavor carrier <NUM> is generally the same as in <FIG> and <FIG>, except that the perforations <NUM> in the wall <NUM> of the inner housing <NUM> are aligned with the perforations <NUM> in the wall <NUM> of the outer housing <NUM>. The perforations <NUM> and the perforations <NUM> may be arranged in columns. In other example embodiments, the perforations <NUM> in the wall <NUM> of the inner housing <NUM> are not aligned with the perforations <NUM> in the wall <NUM> of the outer housing <NUM>. In some example embodiments, the wall <NUM> and/or the wall <NUM> may each include <NUM> to about <NUM> columns (e.g., about <NUM> to about <NUM>, about <NUM> to about <NUM>, about <NUM> to about <NUM>, about <NUM> to about <NUM>, or about <NUM> to about <NUM>) of perforations <NUM>, <NUM>. In some example embodiments, the wall <NUM> and/or the wall <NUM> may each include more than <NUM> columns. In some example embodiments, each column of perforations <NUM>, <NUM> in the wall <NUM> and/or the wall <NUM> may include <NUM> to about <NUM> perforations <NUM>, <NUM> (e.g., about <NUM> to about <NUM>, about <NUM> to about <NUM>, about <NUM> to about <NUM>, about <NUM> to about <NUM>, or about <NUM> to about <NUM>). In some example embodiments, each column of perforations <NUM>, <NUM> in the wall <NUM> and/or the wall <NUM> may include more than <NUM> perforations. The perforations <NUM>, <NUM> may be a same or different size. The perforations <NUM>, <NUM> may be generally circular in shape in some example embodiments, or may be triangular, rectangular, oval, square, poloygonal or may have any other shape. The perforations <NUM> may be the same or different size and/or shape than perforations <NUM>. In some example embodiments, the perforations <NUM>, <NUM> may be larger at a first end of the flavor carrier <NUM> than at a second end of the flavor carrier <NUM>. In at least one example embodiment, the perforations <NUM>, <NUM> at a center of the flavor carrier <NUM> may be larger or smaller than the perforations <NUM>, <NUM> at ends of the flavor carrier. In at least one example embodiment, each the perforations <NUM>, <NUM> have substantially the same diameter (e.g., about <NUM> in diameter to about <NUM> in diameter).

In at least one example embodiment, as shown in <FIG>, the flavor carrier <NUM> is generally the same as in <FIG> and <FIG>, except that the adapter <NUM> is in the form of a cover <NUM> that is placed over an end of the flavor carrier <NUM>. The cover <NUM> also defines a channel <NUM> therein. Aerosol is directed into the inner housing <NUM>, then through the perforations <NUM> in the wall <NUM> of the inner housing <NUM> and into the flavor chamber <NUM>. The aerosol may then flow out of the flavor chamber <NUM> via the perforations <NUM> in the wall <NUM> of the outer housing <NUM>.

In at least one example embodiment, as shown in <FIG>, the flavor carrier <NUM> is generally the same as in <FIG> and <FIG>, except that the flavor carrier <NUM> further comprises a gasket <NUM> at a second end of the flavor carrier <NUM>. The gasket <NUM> is substantially impermeable to aerosol, so as to force aerosol to pass through the perforations <NUM> in the wall <NUM> of the outer housing <NUM> of the flavor carrier <NUM>. The gasket <NUM> is formed of one or more materials including a polymer, a metal or a combination thereof, and/or other suitable materials. In at least one example embodiment, the gasket <NUM> is formed of one or more materials that include a food-grade, GRAS (generally recognized as safe) material.

In at least one example embodiment, as shown in <FIG>, the mouthpiece <NUM> fits around an end portion of the flavor carrier <NUM>.

<FIG> is a perspective view of an outer housing of a flavor carrier according to at least one example embodiment.

In at least one example embodiment, perforations <NUM> of outer housing <NUM> are elongated and extend parallel to the longitudinal direction of the flavor carrier <NUM>. As shown, the perforations <NUM> may be generally rectangular in shape. In at least one example embodiment, the perforations <NUM> of inner housing <NUM>, not shown, may be the same or different than the perforations <NUM> shown in <FIG>, for example, in shape, size and/or pattern, etc. The perforations <NUM> may align with the perforations <NUM> and may be about a same size. In other example embodiments, the perforations <NUM> may have a different size and/or may not align with the perforations <NUM>.

In at least one example embodiment, the perforations <NUM> of the outer housing <NUM> are elongated and extend perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the flavor carrier <NUM>.

In an example embodiment, the perforations <NUM> of inner housing <NUM>, not shown, may be the same or different than the perforations <NUM> shown in <FIG>, for example, in shape, size and/or pattern, etc. The perforations <NUM> may align with the perforations <NUM> and may be about a same size. In other example embodiments, the perforations <NUM> may have a different size and/or may not align with the perforations <NUM>.

In at least one example embodiment, as shown in <FIG>, the perforations <NUM> of outer housing <NUM> are generally circular or oval in shape and are arranged in uniform rows and/or columns along outer housing <NUM>.

In at least one example embodiment, as shown in <FIG>, the flavor carrier <NUM> is generally the same as in <FIG>, except that the perforations are generally circular in shape and are arranged in offset rows along the flavor carrier <NUM>.

The perforations <NUM>, not shown may be the same or different than the perforations <NUM>. The perforations <NUM> may align with the perforations <NUM> and may be about a same size. In other example embodiments, the perforations <NUM> may have a different size and/or may not align with the perforations <NUM>.

<FIG> is a cross-sectional view along line XI-XI of the flavor cartridge of <FIG> according at least one example embodiment.

As shown in <FIG>, in some example embodiments, the perforations <NUM> in the wall <NUM> of the inner housing <NUM> align with the perforations <NUM> in the wall <NUM> of the outer housing <NUM>.

<FIG> is a cross-sectional view of a flavor cartridge according to at least one example embodiment.

As shown in <FIG>, in some example embodiments, the perforations <NUM> in the wall <NUM> of the inner housing <NUM> do not align with the perforations <NUM> in the wall <NUM> of the outer housing <NUM>, such that a tortuous flow path is formed through the flavor chamber <NUM>.

<FIG> is a perspective view of a flavor cartridge according to at least one example embodiment.

In at least one example embodiment, as shown in <FIG>, one or more features of a flavor carrier <NUM> are generally the same as one or more features that have been described herein, except that instead of including the outer housing <NUM> and the inner housing <NUM> with a flavor chamber <NUM> therebetween, the flavor carrier <NUM> is formed of a tube <NUM> of paper impregnated with at least one flavorant. The tube <NUM> has a thickness that is about the same as the gap between the outer housing <NUM> and the inner housing <NUM> as described herein. The tube <NUM> includes a plurality of perforations <NUM> therein. The perforations <NUM> may be in any desired shape and/or configuration.

<FIG> is a schematic view showing airflow through an aerosol-generating device including a flavor carrier according to at least one example embodiment.

In one example embodiment shown in <FIG>, aerosol (shown by the arrows) generated by the aerosol-generating device <NUM> enters the inner housing <NUM> and flows laterally through inner housing perforations <NUM>, through flavor material <NUM> in flavor chamber <NUM>, and through outer housing perforations <NUM> into a space between outer housing <NUM> and a device body of the aerosol-generating device <NUM>, and exits through a mouth end of the aerosol-generating device. As the aerosol passes through the flavor material <NUM>, aromas, flavors and/or components from flavor material <NUM> may be eluted to the aerosol. In some example embodiments, some of the aerosol or portions of the aerosol may be filtered out as the aerosol flows through the flavor carrier <NUM>.

In some example embodiments, not shown, the flavor carrier may include one or more feature from one or more embodiments described herein.

Claim 1:
An aerosol generating device (<NUM>) comprising:
a device body (<NUM>);
plant material in the device body (<NUM>);
a heating element in the device body (<NUM>), the heating element configured to heat the plant material; characterised in that the aerosol generating device also comprises
a flavor carrier (<NUM>) in the device body (<NUM>), the flavor carrier (<NUM>) including,
an outer housing (<NUM>) extending in a longitudinal direction, the outer housing including (<NUM>),
an outer housing wall (<NUM>) defining at least one outer housing perforation (<NUM>), and
an inner housing (<NUM>) extending in the longitudinal direction, the inner housing (<NUM>) coaxial with the outer housing (<NUM>), the outer housing (<NUM>) and the inner housing (<NUM>) defining a flavor chamber (<NUM>), the flavor chamber (<NUM>) configured to contain a flavoring material (<NUM>), the inner housing (<NUM>) including,
an inner housing wall (<NUM>) defining at least one inner housing perforation (<NUM>),
a cover (<NUM>) at a first end of the flavor carrier, and
a gasket (<NUM>) at a second end of the flavor carrier, the gasket being impermeable to aerosol.