Compressible rod for an aerosol-generating device

Abstract

A compressible rod for an aerosol-generating device includes a first layer and a wrapper circumscribing the first layer. The first layer includes a first material. The first material may include tobacco. The compressible rod has a circular cross-sectional shape and a hollow center. The compressible rod is configured to be compressed, such that the compressible rod has a non-circular cross-sectional shape after compression.

We claim: 
     
         1 . A compressible rod for an aerosol-generating device, the compressible rod comprising:
 a first layer including a first material including tobacco; and   a wrapper circumscribing the first layer, the compressible rod having a circular cross-sectional shape and a hollow center, the compressible rod configured to be compressed, such that the compressible rod has a non-circular cross-sectional shape after compression.   
     
     
         2 . The compressible rod of  claim 1 , wherein the first material includes a tobacco gel, a tobacco powder, reconstituted tobacco, tobacco fibers, or any combination thereof. 
     
     
         3 . The compressible rod of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 a second layer including a second material.   
     
     
         4 . The compressible rod of  claim 3 , wherein the second material includes a tobacco gel, a tobacco powder, reconstituted tobacco, tobacco fibers, or any combination thereof. 
     
     
         5 . The compressible rod of  claim 3 , wherein the second layer is between the wrapper and the first layer. 
     
     
         6 . The compressible rod of  claim 3 , wherein the first layer is between the wrapper and the second layer. 
     
     
         7 . The compressible rod of  claim 3 , further including:
 a third layer including a flavor material, the flavor material including a flavor gel, a flavor powder, encapsulated flavor beads, or any combination thereof.   
     
     
         8 . The compressible rod of  claim 7 , wherein the first layer, the second layer, and the third layer each have a different permeability. 
     
     
         9 . The compressible rod of  claim 7 , wherein the first layer, the second layer, and the third layer each have a different density. 
     
     
         10 . The compressible rod of  claim 7 , wherein the third layer is between the first layer and the second layer. 
     
     
         11 . The compressible rod of  claim 7 , wherein the second layer is between the first layer and the third layer. 
     
     
         12 . The compressible rod of  claim 3 , wherein the first material and the second material are the same. 
     
     
         13 . The compressible rod of  claim 3 , wherein the first material and the second material are different. 
     
     
         14 . The compressible rod of  claim 1 , further including:
 a layer of a conductive metal, the layer of conductive metal being on an exterior surface of the compressible rod, an interior surface of the compressible rod, or both the exterior and interior surfaces of the compressible rod.   
     
     
         15 . The compressible rod of  claim 14 , wherein the conductive metal includes aluminum. 
     
     
         16 . The compressible rod of  claim 1 , wherein the wrapper includes a paper, a polymer, or both a paper and a polymer. 
     
     
         17 . The compressible rod of  claim 1 , further including:
 a filter at an end of the compressible rod, the filter not including a hollow portion.   
     
     
         18 . A compressible rod for an aerosol-generating device, the compressible rod comprising:
 a first layer including an inner surface circumscribing a hollow portion, the first layer including a first material including tobacco; and   an outer wrapper circumscribing the first layer.   
     
     
         19 . The compressible rod of  claim 18 , wherein the inner surface includes a thermally conductive material. 
     
     
         20 . The compressible rod of  claim 18 , wherein the thermally conductive material is deformable. 
     
     
         21 . The compressible rod of  claim 18 , further comprising:
 a second layer including a second material, the second material including a tobacco gel, a tobacco powder, reconstituted tobacco, tobacco fibers, or any combination thereof.   
     
     
         22 . The compressible rod of  claim 21 , wherein the second layer is between the outer wrapper and the first layer. 
     
     
         23 . The compressible rod of  claim 21 , wherein the first layer is between the outer wrapper and the second layer. 
     
     
         24 . The compressible rod of  claim 21 , further including:
 a third layer including a flavor material, the flavor material including a flavor gel, a flavor powder, encapsulated flavor beads, or any combination thereof.   
     
     
         25 . The compressible rod of  claim 24 , wherein the first layer, the second layer, and the third layer each have a different permeability or a different density. 
     
     
         26 . The compressible rod of  claim 24 , wherein the third layer is between the first layer and the second layer. 
     
     
         27 . The compressible rod of  claim 24 , wherein the second layer is between the first layer and the third layer. 
     
     
         28 . The compressible rod of  claim 18 , further including:
 a layer of a conductive metal, the layer of conductive metal being on an exterior surface of the compressible rod, the inner surface, or both the exterior surface and the inner surface.   
     
     
         29 . The compressible rod of  claim 28 , wherein the conductive metal includes aluminum. 
     
     
         30 . An aerosol-generating device comprising:
 a compressible rod including,
 a first layer including a first material including tobacco, and 
 a wrapper circumscribing the first layer, the compressible rod having a circular cross-sectional shape and a hollow center, the compressible rod configured to be compressed, such that the compressible rod has a non-circular cross-sectional shape after compression; 
   an outer housing defining a cavity, the cavity configured to receive the compressible rod after compression; and   a heater in the outer housing.   
     
     
         31 . The aerosol-generating device of  claim 30 , wherein:
 the heater includes a blade heater, and   the heater is received within the hollow center.   
     
     
         32 . A method of generating an aerosol comprising:
 inserting a compressible rod into a cavity of an aerosol-generating device, while compressing the compressible rod about a heater;   electrically contacting a plurality of electrodes with the heater; and   supplying an electric current to the heater via the plurality of electrodes.