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 ( 304 a ) and an open second end ( 304 b ), 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.

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.