Abstract: An aerosol-generating device is provided, including: a cavity configured to receive an aerosol-generating article including an aerosol-forming substrate, the aerosol-forming substrate being a solid aerosol-forming substrate; and a flexible membrane arranged at an upstream end of the cavity, the flexible membrane including an opening in fluid communication with the cavity, the flexible membrane being provided at an upstream end of the aerosol-generating device, the opening being configured to serve as an air inlet for the aerosol-generating device, at least two openings being formed in the flexible membrane, the at least two openings including slits that intersect, and the at least two intersecting slits forming a central portion. A kit, an aerosol-generating system, and a method of cleaning the aerosol-generating device are also provided.

Abstract: An aerosol-generating device is provided, including: a heater casing housing a heating chamber, the heating chamber configured to receive an aerosol-generating article including an aerosol-forming substrate; an air-flow tube configured to provide air to the heating chamber; and a controller configured to control operation of the aerosol-generating device, in which the heater casing, the air-flow tube, and the control element are mounted to one another and form a self-supporting component of the aerosol-generating device. A self-supporting component for an aerosol-generating device, and an aerosol-generating system including the aerosol-generating device and an aerosol-generating article, is also provided.

Abstract: A heater assembly for an aerosol-generating device is provided, including: a heating chamber configured to heat an aerosol-forming substrate; a heater casing arranged around the heating chamber, the heater casing being arranged radially distanced from the heating chamber; a first connecting wall and a second connecting wall; and an air-tight hollow space defined between the heating chamber, the heater casing, and the first and the second connecting walls, the air-tight hollow space being filled with a gaseous composition at ambient pressure, and a heating element being arranged at least partly around the heating chamber. An aerosol-generating device including the heater assembly, and an aerosol-generating system including the aerosol-generating device and the aerosol-forming substrate, are also provided.