Aerosol- generating article comprising airflow guiding element extending into tubular substrate

Abstract

An aerosol-generating article for producing an inhalable aerosol upon heating is provided, the aerosol-generating article including: an aerosol-generating substrate in a form of a hollow tubular segment defining a substrate cavity extending from an upstream end of the aerosol-generating substrate to a downstream end of the aerosol-generating substrate; an upstream section located upstream of the aerosol-generating substrate and including an upstream element adjacent to the upstream end of the aerosol-generating substrate; and an airflow guiding element coupled to the upstream element and extending longitudinally into the substrate cavity, an airflow channel being defined between an external surface of the airflow guiding element and an internal surface of the aerosol-generating substrate. An aerosol-generating system including the aerosol-generating article and an aerosol-generating device is also provided.

1 .- 15 . (canceled) 
     
     
         16 . An aerosol-generating article for producing an inhalable aerosol upon heating, the aerosol-generating article comprising:
 an aerosol-generating substrate, wherein the aerosol-generating substrate is in a form of a hollow tubular segment defining a substrate cavity extending from an upstream end of the aerosol-generating substrate to a downstream end of the aerosol-generating substrate;   an upstream section located upstream of the aerosol-generating substrate, wherein the upstream section comprises an upstream element adjacent to the upstream end of the aerosol-generating substrate; and   an airflow guiding element coupled to the upstream element and extending longitudinally into the substrate cavity, wherein an airflow channel is defined between an external surface of the airflow guiding element and an internal surface of the aerosol-generating substrate.   
     
     
         17 . The aerosol-generating article according to  claim 16 , wherein a width or a diameter of the airflow guiding element is smaller than a diameter of the substrate cavity. 
     
     
         18 . The aerosol-generating article according to  claim 16 , wherein a width or a diameter of the airflow guiding element varies along a length of the airflow guiding element. 
     
     
         19 . The aerosol-generating article according to  claim 16 , wherein an outer surface of the airflow guiding element is textured or uneven. 
     
     
         20 . The aerosol-generating article according to  claim 16 , wherein the airflow guiding element extends along at least 50 percent of a length of the substrate cavity. 
     
     
         21 . The aerosol-generating article according to  claim 16 , wherein the airflow guiding element comprises a hollow tube. 
     
     
         22 . The aerosol-generating article according to  claim 16 ,
 wherein the airflow guiding element comprises an elongate body comprising a central core portion and an extension portion located along the core portion, and   wherein the extension portion extends outwardly from the core portion.   
     
     
         23 . The aerosol-generating article according to  claim 22 , wherein the airflow guiding element further comprises at least two extension portions located along the core portion. 
     
     
         24 . The aerosol-generating article according to  claim 16 ,
 further comprising a base support element located upstream of the aerosol-generating substrate,   wherein the airflow guiding element extends from the base support element.   
     
     
         25 . The aerosol-generating article according to  claim 24 , wherein the base support element is porous or comprises at least one aperture such that fluid communication is established between an exterior of the aerosol-generating article and an interior of the aerosol-generating substrate via the base support element. 
     
     
         26 . The aerosol-generating article according to  claim 16 , wherein the airflow guiding element comprises an airflow inlet at a first position and an airflow outlet at a second position downstream of the first position, such that an airflow pathway is defined within and along the airflow guiding element. 
     
     
         27 . The aerosol-generating article according to  claim 16 , wherein a wall thickness of the aerosol-generating substrate is between 5 percent and 40 percent of an external diameter of the aerosol-generating substrate. 
     
     
         28 . The aerosol-generating article according to  claim 16 , wherein a maximum width or diameter of the portion of the airflow guiding element extending into the substrate cavity is at least about 25 percent of a diameter of the substrate cavity. 
     
     
         29 . The aerosol-generating article according to  claim 16 , wherein the airflow guiding element does not contact an internal surface of the aerosol-generating substrate. 
     
     
         30 . An aerosol-generating system comprising an aerosol-generating article according to  claim 16  and an aerosol-generating device comprising a heating chamber configured to receive the aerosol-generating article and a heating element provided at or about a periphery of the heating chamber.