CN114269171A

CN114269171A - Mouthpiece for an article for use in an aerosol provision system and article for use in an aerosol provision system

Info

Publication number: CN114269171A
Application number: CN202080058761.6A
Authority: CN
Inventors: 乌梅什·迪贝; 伊安托·戴维斯; 安德烈·格里先科
Original assignee: British American Tobacco Investments Ltd
Current assignee: British American Tobacco Investments Ltd
Priority date: 2019-08-19
Filing date: 2020-08-19
Publication date: 2022-04-01
Also published as: WO2021032972A1; JP2022545221A; BR112022003278A2; AU2020333227B2; EP4017295A1; KR20220034230A; US20220295872A1; AU2020333227A1; IL289987A; CA3150559A1; GB201911872D0

Abstract

A mouthpiece (2) for an article for use in an aerosol provision system and an article (1) for use in an aerosol provision system. A mouthpiece for an article of manufacture for use in a combustible aerosol provision system comprises a body of material (4) at the mouth end of the mouthpiece. The body has a longitudinal axis and a cross-sectional area of the body is measured perpendicular to the longitudinal axis, the body comprising a fibrous material. Per mm of the body²The total denier of the fibrous material of the cross-section of (a) is less than about 720 grams/9000 m. The pressure drop over the length of the body is from about 1.05 to about 1.70 millimeters of water per millimeter of length of the body.

Description

Mouthpiece for an article for use in an aerosol provision system and article for use in an aerosol provision system

Technical Field

The present invention relates to a mouthpiece for an article for use in an aerosol provision system, and to an article for use in an aerosol provision system.

Background

Known aerosol provision systems, such as cigarettes, typically comprise a mouthpiece comprising a section arranged to alter some property of the aerosol inhaled through the mouthpiece, for example by performing a filtering function to remove some component of the aerosol. The mouthpiece may be made of a single segment or multiple segments.

Disclosure of Invention

According to an embodiment of the invention, in a first aspect, there is provided a mouthpiece for an article of manufacture for use in an aerosol provision system, the mouthpiece comprising a body of material at a mouthpiece's mouth end, wherein the body has a longitudinal axis and the cross-sectional area of the body is measured perpendicular to the longitudinal axis and the body comprises fibrous material, wherein the body comprises per mm of the body²The total denier of the fibrous material of cross-section of (a) is less than about 720 g/9000m and the pressure drop over the length of the body is from about 1.05 to about 1.70 mm of water per mm of length of the body.

According to an embodiment of the invention, in a second aspect, there is provided an article for an aerosol provision system, the article comprising a mouthpiece according to the first aspect described above and a rod of aerosol-generating material.

According to an embodiment of the present invention, there is provided in a third aspect a mouthpiece for an article of manufacture for use in a combustible aerosol supply system, the mouthpiece comprising a body of material at a mouth end of the mouthpiece and comprising a tubular element upstream of the body of material and formed from a filament bundle extending over a longitudinal portion of the mouthpiece from a position less than about 12mm from the mouth end of the mouthpiece to a position greater than about 12mm from the mouth end of the mouthpiece.

Drawings

Embodiments of the invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

figure 1 is a side cross-sectional view of an article for use in an aerosol provision system comprising a mouthpiece comprising a body of material at a mouth end of the mouthpiece and an additional mouthpiece section upstream of the body of material;

figure 2 is a side cross-sectional view of an article for use in an aerosol provision system comprising a mouthpiece, in this example comprising first and second additional mouthpiece sections upstream of a body of material;

figure 3 is a side cross-sectional view of an article for use in an aerosol provision system, the article for use in an aerosol provision system comprising a mouthpiece, in this example, the mouthpiece comprises a sorbent containment section; and

figure 4 is a side cross-sectional view of an article of manufacture for use in an aerosol provision system, the article of manufacture for use in an aerosol provision system comprising a mouthpiece, in this example a tubular element.

Detailed Description

As used herein, the term "delivery system" is intended to encompass a system that delivers a substance to a user, and includes:

combustible aerosol provision systems such as cigarettes, cigarillos, cigars and tobacco (whether based on tobacco, tobacco derivatives, expanded tobacco, reconstituted tobacco, tobacco substitutes or other smokeable materials) for pipes or for cigarettes rolled or made by themselves;

a non-combustible aerosol provision system that can release compounds from an aerosolizing material without combusting the aerosolizable material, such as e-cigarettes, tobacco heating products, and hybrid systems that generate aerosols using a combination of aerosolizable materials;

an article of manufacture comprising an aerosolizable material and configured for use in a portion of one of the non-combustible aerosol supply systems; and

aerosol-free delivery systems, such as lozenges, chewing gums, patches, articles comprising inhalable powders, and smokeless tobacco products such as mouth and snuff, deliver materials to a user without forming an aerosol, wherein the materials may or may not contain nicotine.

According to the present disclosure, a "combustible" aerosol provision system is an aerosol provision system in which the constituent aerosolizable material of the aerosol provision system (or components thereof) is combusted or ignited in order to facilitate delivery to a user.

According to the present disclosure, a "non-combustible" aerosol provision system is one in which the constituent aerosolizable material of the aerosol provision system (or components thereof) does not burn or ignite in order to facilitate delivery to a user. In the embodiments described herein, the delivery system may be a combustible aerosol supply system or a non-combustible aerosol supply system, e.g., a powered non-combustible aerosol supply system.

The non-combustible aerosol provision system described herein may be an electronic cigarette, also known as a vaping device or an electronic nicotine delivery system (END), although it should be noted that the presence of nicotine in the aerosolizable material is not essential.

The non-combustible aerosol provision system described herein may be a tobacco heating system, also referred to as a heating but non-combustion system.

The non-combustible aerosol provision systems described herein may be hybrid systems that use a combination of aerosolizable materials to generate an aerosol, wherein one or more of the aerosolizable materials may be heated. Each aerosolizable material may be, for example, in solid, liquid or gel form, and may or may not contain nicotine. In one embodiment, the mixing system may include a liquid or gel aerosolizable material and a solid aerosolizable material. The solid aerosolizable material can include, for example, tobacco or non-tobacco products.

In general, the non-combustible aerosol supply system can include a non-combustible aerosol supply device and an article of manufacture for use with the non-combustible aerosol supply system. However, it is envisaged that the article itself comprising the means for powering the aerosol-generating component may itself form a non-combustible aerosol provision system.

The non-combustible aerosol provision device may include a power source and a controller. The power source may be an electrical power source or an exothermic power source. The exothermic power source may include a carbon matrix that may be energized to distribute energy in the form of heat to the aerosolizable material or heat transfer material in the vicinity of the exothermic power source. A power source, such as an exothermic power source, may be disposed in the article to form a non-combustible aerosol delivery system.

In one embodiment, an article of manufacture for use with a non-combustible aerosol provision device may include an aerosolizable material, an aerosol-generating component, an aerosol-generating region, a mouthpiece, and/or a region for receiving an aerosolizable material.

In one embodiment, the aerosol-generating component may be a heater capable of interacting with the aerosolizable material to release one or more volatiles from the aerosolizable material to form an aerosol. In one embodiment, the aerosol-generating component may be capable of generating an aerosol from the aerosolizable material without heating. For example, the aerosol-generating component may be capable of generating an aerosol from the aerosolizable material without the application of heat thereto, e.g., via one or more of vibration, mechanical, pressure, or electrostatic means.

In one embodiment, the aerosolizable material can comprise an active material, an aerosol-forming material, and optionally one or more functional materials. The active material may comprise nicotine (optionally contained in tobacco or a tobacco derivative) or one or more other non-olfactory physiologically active materials. The non-olfactory physiologically active material is a material contained in an aerosolizable material so as to effect a physiological reaction other than olfactory.

The aerosol-forming material may comprise one or more of the following materials: glycerol, propylene glycol, diethylene glycol, triethylene glycol, tetraethylene glycol, 1, 3-butanediol, erythritol, meso-erythritol, ethyl vanillate, ethyl laurate, diethyl suberate, triethyl citrate, triacetin, diacetin mixtures, benzyl benzoate, benzyl phenylacetate, tributyrin, lauryl acetate, lauric acid, myristic acid and propylene carbonate.

The one or more functional materials may include one or more of a flavoring, a carrier, a pH adjuster, a stabilizer, and/or an antioxidant.

In one embodiment, an article for use with a non-combustible aerosol provision device may include an aerosolizable material or a region for receiving an aerosolizable material. In one embodiment, an article for use with a non-combustible aerosol delivery device may include a mouthpiece. The area for receiving the aerosolizable material may be a storage area for storing the aerosolizable material. For example, the storage area may be a reservoir. In one embodiment, the region for receiving the aerosolizable material may be separate from or combined with the aerosol-generating region.

An aerosolizable material, which may also be referred to herein as an aerosol-generating material, is a material that is capable of generating an aerosol, for example, when heated, radiated, or energized in any other way. The aerosolizable material can be, for example, in the form of a solid, liquid, or gel, which may or may not contain nicotine and/or flavoring. In some embodiments, the aerosolizable material can comprise an "amorphous solid," which can alternatively be referred to as an "integral solid" (i.e., non-fibrous). In some embodiments, the amorphous solid may be a dried gel. An amorphous solid is a solid material that can retain some fluid (e.g., liquid) inside. In some embodiments, the aerosolizable material can, for example, comprise from about 50, 60, or 70 wt% amorphous solids to about 90, 95, or 100 wt% amorphous solids.

The aerosolizable material can be present on a substrate. The substrate may be or comprise, for example, paper, card, paperboard, cardboard, reconstituted aerosolizable material, plastic material, ceramic material, composite material, glass, metal or metal alloy.

An aerosol modifier is a substance that is capable of altering an aerosol in use. The aerosol modifier can modify the aerosol to produce a physiological or sensory effect on the human body. Exemplary aerosol modifiers are flavors and sensates. Sensates produce sensory sensations that can be perceived by feel, such as a cooling or sour sensation.

For example, rod-shaped articles are often named according to product length: "conventional" (typically in the range of 68-75mm, e.g., from about 68mm to about 72mm), "short" or "mini" (68mm or less), "large" (typically in the range of 75-91mm, e.g., from about 79mm to about 88mm), "long" or "very large" (typically in the range of 91-105mm, e.g., from about 94mm to about 101mm), and "extra long" (typically in the range of from about 110mm to about 121 mm).

Such articles are also named according to product perimeter: "conventional" (about 23-25mm), "wide" (greater than 25mm), "fine" (about 22-23mm), "finer" (about 19-22mm), "very fine" (about 16-19mm) and "ultra fine" (less than about 16 mm).

Thus, a large-sized, very thin form of the article will, for example, have a length of about 83mm and a circumference of about 17 mm.

Each version may be produced with mouthpieces of different lengths. The mouthpiece length will be from about 10mm to 50mm, for example from 15mm to 35 mm. Tipping paper (tipping paper) attaches the mouthpiece to the aerosol-generating material, and the tipping paper will typically have a length greater than the mouthpiece, for example 3mm to 15mm or 3mm to 12mm, such that the tipping paper covers the mouthpiece and overlaps with the aerosol-generating material (e.g. substrate material in the form of a rod) to attach the mouthpiece to the rod.

The articles described herein and their aerosol-generating materials and mouthpieces may be made in, but are not limited to, any of the forms described above.

The terms "upstream" and "downstream" as used herein are relative terms defined with respect to the direction of mainstream aerosol drawn through the article or device in use.

The filamentary tow material described herein may comprise cellulose acetate tow. The filament bundle may also be made using other materials used to form fibers, such as polyvinyl alcohol (PVOH), polylactic acid (PLA), Polycaprolactone (PCL), poly (1-4 butanediol succinate) (PBS), poly (butylene adipate-co-terephthalate) (PBAT), starch-based materials, cotton, aliphatic polyester materials, and polysaccharide polymers, or combinations thereof. The filament tow may be plasticized with a suitable tow plasticizer, such as triacetin, in which the material is cellulose acetate tow, or the tow may be unplasticized. The tow may be of any suitable gauge, for example fibers having a "Y" shape or other cross-section (e.g., "X" shape), a filament denier value of 1.5 to 12 denier per filament, for example 7 to 10 denier per filament, and a total denier value of 5000 to 50000, for example 10000 to 40000.

As used herein, the term "tobacco material" refers to any material that includes tobacco or derivatives or substitutes thereof. The term "tobacco material" may include one or more of tobacco, tobacco derivatives, expanded tobacco, reconstituted tobacco or tobacco substitutes. The tobacco material may include one or more of ground tobacco, tobacco fiber, cut tobacco, extruded tobacco, tobacco stems, tobacco lamina, reconstituted tobacco, and/or tobacco extracts.

As used herein, the terms "flavoring agent" and "seasoning" refer to a material that, where permitted by local regulations, can be used to produce a desired taste or aroma in a product for an adult consumer. One or more flavorings can be used as the aerosol modifier described herein.

The flavoring may include an extract (e.g., licorice, hydrangea, japanese white bark magnolia leaf, chamomile, fenugreek, clove, menthol, japanese mint, anise, cinnamon, vanilla, wintergreen, cherry, berry, peach, apple, jungle brand wine, bourbon whisky, scotch whisky, spearmint, mint, lavender, cardamom, celery, acerola, nutmeg, sandalwood, bergamot, geranium, honey essence, rose oil, vanilla, lemon oil, orange oil, cinnamon, caraway, brandy, jasmine, ylang, sage, fennel, allspice, ginger, anise, coriander, coffee, or mint oil from any kind of mint plant), a flavor enhancer, a bitter receptor site blocker, a sensory receptor site activator or stimulant, sugar and/or sugar substitute (e.g., sucralose, sugar acetate, and/or alcohol, and/or a combination thereof, Acesulfame potassium, aspartame, saccharin, cyclamate, lactose, sucrose, glucose, fructose, sorbitol, or mannitol), and other additives (e.g., charcoal, chlorophyll, minerals, botanicals, or breath fresheners). They may be imitation, synthetic or natural ingredients or mixtures thereof. They may be in any suitable form, for example, oils, liquids or powders.

In the drawings described herein, like reference numerals are used to illustrate like features, articles, or components.

Fig. 1 is a side sectional view of an article 1 for use in an aerosol provision system. In this case, the article 1 comprises a cigarette.

The article 1 comprises a mouthpiece 2 and comprises a cylindrical rod of aerosol-generating material 3 (in this case tobacco material) which is connected to the mouthpiece 2. The aerosol-generating material 3 provides an aerosol when combusted, for example wherein a rod made of the aerosol-generating material 3 is combustible. In other embodiments, the article may be used within a non-combustible aerosol provision device to form a non-combustible aerosol provision system, or the article 1 may comprise a heating source of the article itself, thereby forming an aerosol provision system without the need for a separate aerosol provision device.

The mouthpiece 2 comprises a body of material 4 positioned at the mouth end 2b of the mouthpiece. In this example, the mouthpiece 2 further comprises a first additional mouthpiece section 6 located upstream of the body of material 4, in this example adjacent to and in abutting relationship with the body of material 4. The material body 4 and the first additional mouthpiece section 6 each define a generally cylindrical outer shape and share the same longitudinal axis. The cross-sectional area of the body 4 is measured perpendicular to the longitudinal axis. The material forming the body 4 may be disposed substantially uniformly (e.g., in terms of its density) throughout the volume of the body 4.

In this example, the article 1 has a circumference of about 24.5mm (i.e., the article is conventional). In other examples, the article may be provided in any of the forms described herein, for example, the outer perimeter of the article is 15mm to 25 mm. In this example, mouthpiece 2 has a length of 22 mm. In alternative embodiments, the length of the mouthpiece may be any length from 15mm to 35 mm. In this example, the body of material 4 has a length of 7mm and the first additional mouthpiece section 6 has a length of 15 mm. In alternative embodiments, the length of the main body 4 may be any length from about 5mm to about 10mm (e.g., about 7mm or about 8mm), and the length of the first additional mouthpiece section 6 may be any length from about 7mm to about 20mm (e.g., a length of about 7mm, about 8mm, about 10mm, about 12mm, about 15mm or about 20 mm).

The outer circumference of the mouthpiece 2 is substantially the same as the outer circumference of the rod of aerosol-generating material 3 so that there is a smooth transition between these components. In this example, the outer circumference of the mouthpiece 2 is about 24.3 mm.

In use, a section of a mouthpiece may retain some components of the aerosol passing through the mouthpiece which may visibly colour the material of the section. Such coloration may be visible to the user, particularly at the mouth end of the mouthpiece.

The body of material 4 described herein exhibits less visible coloration than previous mouthpieces. This can be done using per mm²Is less than 720 g/9000m of a body, and per mm of such a tow²Has less fibrous material than previous mouthpieces. Furthermore, the pressure drop over the length of the body is preferably 1.05 to 1.70 mm of water per mm of length of the body, which allows the aerosol to pass through the body without significant clogging while having sufficient fibrous material to provide an acceptable stiffness to the body.

Per mm of the body²Preferably less than 720 g/9000m and at least 400 g/9000 m. This can be at a relatively low level per mm²Provides a good balance between the fibre materials of the cross-section allowing low colouration and providing acceptable filter stiffness.

In the mouthpieces described herein, the density of the fibrous material may be per mm³The body of (a) is about 0.09mg to about 0.13 mg. The weight of the fibrous material may be 4mg to 6mg per mm of length of the body.

In the present example, the body of material 4 is formed from a bundle of filaments. In this example, the tow for the material body 4 has an 8 denier per filament (d.p.f.) and a total denier of 30000 grams per 9000 m. In this example, the tow comprises plasticized cellulose acetate tow. The plasticizer used in the tow was about 11.8% by weight of the tow. In this example, the plasticizer is triacetin. In other examples, different materials may be used to form the material body 4 and/or the plasticizer. For example, the body 4 may be formed from a tow other than cellulose acetate, such as polylactic acid (PLA), other materials described herein for filament tows, or the like. The tow is preferably made of cellulose acetate. The plasticizer (e.g., triacetin) may be present in an amount of 6% to 14% (e.g., 8% to 13% or 9% to 12%). The tow (whether made of cellulose acetate or other material) preferably has a length of at least 6d.p.f., more preferably at least 7d.p.f., and still more preferably at least 7.5 grams/9000 m. These values of denier per filament provide a tow having relatively coarse, coarse fibers with a smaller surface area than a tow having a lower d.p.f. value, which results in a lower value of pressure drop over the mouthpiece 2 than a tow having a lower d.p.f. value. Preferably, in order to make the body of material 4 sufficiently uniform, the filament bundle has a denier per filament of less than 12d.p.f, preferably less than 11d.p.f, more preferably less than 10 d.p.f.

The total denier of the tow forming the body of material 4 is preferably less than 35000 grams/9000 m, more preferably less than 32000 grams/9000 m, and still more preferably less than 31000 grams/9000 m. These total denier values result in a reduced proportion of the tow occupying the cross-sectional area of mouthpiece 2, which results in a lower pressure drop across mouthpiece 2 compared to tows having higher total denier values. For a suitable stiffness of the material body 4, the total denier of the tow is preferably at least 8000 g/9000m, more preferably at least 10000 g/9000 m. Preferably, the denier per filament is from 6 grams/9000 m to 12 grams/9000 m and the total denier is from 25000 grams/9000 m to 32000 grams/9000 m. More preferably, the denier per filament is from 7.5 grams/9000 m to 9 grams/9000 m and the total denier is from 29000 grams/9000 m to 31000 grams/9000 m. Preferably, the filaments of the tow have a cross-sectional shape that is "Y" shaped, although in other embodiments other shapes, such as "X" shaped or generally circular cross-sections, may be used, with the filaments having the same d.p.f. and total denier values as set forth herein.

Advantageously, it has been found that selecting fiber tows having a denier per filament and a total denier within the above ranges results in a body having a denier per mm²The cross-section of (a) is less than 720 g/9000m and at least 400 g/9000m in total denier, thereby providing a good balance between pressure drop and stiffness to produce a filtration section with low visible coloration and consumer-acceptable feel.

Advantageously, it has been found that a plasticizer at a level of from about 9% to 13% (e.g., about 11.8%) by weight of the tow can be used in combination with a filament tow having a denier per filament within the above-described ranges. This is a higher level of plasticizer than conventionally used and provides increased hardness compared to lower levels of plasticizer. The plasticizer may be triacetin.

The body of material 4 is wrapped in a first forming paper (first plug wrap) 5. In the present example, the basis weight of the first forming paper 5 is 45 to 65 grams per square meter, preferably about 50 to 60 grams per square meter. Providing a first forming paper having a basis weight in these ranges further contributes to the stiffness of the mouth end filter section. Alternatively, the basis weight of the first forming paper 5 may be 15 grams per square meter to 65 grams per square meter (e.g., about 20 grams per square meter to about 40 grams per square meter).

The hardness of the main body or additional mouthpiece section may be measured according to the following specifications. The hardness of the sections mentioned herein is determined by the following measurement procedure. Any suitable device may be used to perform the measurements, such as the bowden-cathter hardness tester H10.

Hardness is defined as the height h of the body₀Height h from the body under a defined load₁I.e. the height of the body is h₀Percentage of (c). The hardness can be expressed as:

hardness ═ h₁/h₀)×100

For a single body or a body housed in a multi-segment rod, hardness measurements are taken at the longitudinal center point of the body.

The load bar is for applying a defined load to the body. The length of the load bar should be significantly higher than the length of the sample to be measured. Prior to the hardness measurement, the body to be measured is treated under conditions according to ISO 3402 for a minimum of 48 hours and is maintained under environmental conditions according to ISO 3402 during the measurement.

For hardness measurement, the body was placed into a hardness tester H10 and a preload of 2g was applied to the body, and after 1s, the initial height H of the body at 2g preload was recorded₀. The preload was then removed and a load bar carrying a 150g load was lowered onto the sample at a rate of 0.6mm/s, after 5s, the height h of the body at 150g load was measured₁。

According to the specification, the hardness is determined as the average hardness measured for at least 20 body or other mouthpiece segments.

In this example, the body of material 4 and the first additional mouthpiece section 6 are combined together using a second forming paper 9 which is wrapped around both sections. The tipping paper 8 is wrapped around the full length of the mouthpiece 2 and over a portion of the rod of aerosol-generating material 3 and has adhesive on its inner surface to join the mouthpiece 2 and rod 3. In the present example, the tipping paper 8 extends 5mm over the rod of aerosol-generating material 3, but the tipping paper may alternatively extend 3mm to 15mm, or 4mm to 6mm over the rod 3, in order to provide a secure attachment between the mouthpiece 2 and the rod 3.

Preferably, the basis weight of the second formed paper 9 is less than 50gsm, more preferably about 20gsm to 40 gsm. Preferably, the thickness of the second forming paper 9 is 30 μm to 60 μm, more preferably 35 μm to 45 μm. Preferably, the second forming paper 9 is a non-porous forming paper, for example having a permeability of less than 100Coresta units (for example less than 50Coresta units). However, in other embodiments, the second forming paper 9 may be a porous forming paper, for example having a permeability greater than 200Coresta units.

In the present example, a rod of aerosol-generating material 3 is wrapped in a wrapper 10. For example, the wrapper 10 may be a paper or paper foil wrapper. In this example, the wrapper 10 is substantially impermeable to air, although permeable wrappers may also be used. In an alternative embodiment, the permeability of the wrapper 10 is less than 100Coresta units (e.g., less than 60Coresta units). The permeability of the wrapper 10 may be according to ISO 2965: 2009 (which relates to determining air permeability of materials used as cigarette paper, filter plug paper, and filter-bond paper).

The first additional mouthpiece section 6 may be made of any of the materials set forth above for the material body 4. The material forming the first additional mouthpiece section 6 may be arranged to be substantially uniform over the entire volume of the section 6, for example in terms of its density. The first additional mouthpiece section 6 may be made of the same material as the main body 4 or may be made of a different material. In this example, the first additional mouthpiece section 6 is also formed from a filament bundle. In this example, the filament bundle for the first additional mouthpiece section 6 has a denier per filament (d.p.f.) of 2g/9000m and a total denier of 35000 g/9000 m. The tow forming the first additional mouthpiece section contains about 8% plasticizer by weight of the tow. In the present case, the plasticizer is triacetin. In alternative embodiments, the plasticizer may include any of the options described for the material body 4.

The d.p.f. of the tow (whether it is made of cellulose acetate or other material) forming the first additional mouthpiece section 6 is preferably from 1.5 grams/9000 m to 7.5 grams/9000 m. These values of denier per filament provide a tow with relatively fine fibers and a higher pressure drop per mm of the first additional mouthpiece section 6 compared to the pressure drop per mm of the material body 4. In this example, the first additional mouthpiece section 6 has a higher filtration efficiency than the body of material 4.

The first additional mouthpiece section 6 is wrapped in a third forming paper 7. Preferably, the third forming paper is made of the same material as the second forming paper 9 described above. In an alternative embodiment, the third forming paper 7 basis weight and thickness may be selected from the ranges set forth with respect to the second forming paper 9.

The total denier of the tow forming the first additional mouthpiece section 6 is 24000 g/9000m to 45000 g/9000 m. To make the firmness of the first additional mouthpiece section 6 suitable, the tow preferably has a total denier of at least 25000 grams per 9000m, and more preferably at least 30000 grams per 9000 m. Preferably, the denier per filament is from 1.5 grams/9000 m to 3 grams/9000 m and the total denier is from 30000 grams/9000 m to 43000 grams/9000 m. Preferably, the filaments of the tow are "Y" shaped in cross-sectional shape, but in other embodiments, filaments of other shapes (such as "X" shaped) can be used, having the same d.p.f. and total denier values as set forth herein.

The characteristics of the material body 4 are summarized in table 1.0.

TABLE 1.0

The level of ventilation of the article 1 was about 60% of the aerosol inhaled through the article. In alternative embodiments, the ventilation level of the article may be from 0% to 90%, for example from 55% to 75%, of the aerosol inhaled by the article. Ventilation is provided directly into the mouthpiece 2 of the article 1. In this example, the article is provided with first and second parallel rows of perforations 12 which pass through the tipping material 8, the third forming paper 7 and the second forming paper 9, thereby providing ventilation into the first additional mouthpiece section 6. The perforations 12 are formed in this case as laser perforations, at a location of about 18mm and about 19mm, respectively, from the downstream mouth end 2b of the mouthpiece 2. In alternative embodiments, ventilation may be provided into the mouthpiece at other locations, for example into the body of material 4 or additional mouthpiece sections.

Fig. 2 is a side cross-sectional view of another article 1 'including a mouthpiece 2'. The article 1' and the mouthpiece 2' are identical to the article 1 and the mouthpiece 2 shown in fig. 1, except that the mouthpiece 2' comprises a first additional mouthpiece section 6 and a second additional mouthpiece section. In the present example, the second additional mouthpiece section comprises a tubular element 13 formed from a tow of filaments and located upstream of and immediately adjacent to the first additional mouthpiece section 6. In alternative embodiments, the second additional mouthpiece section may include any of the options described above for the first additional mouthpiece section 6. The first additional mouthpiece section 6 may also be made of paper (e.g. in a similar manner to filter paper known for cigarettes). In this embodiment, the length of the second additional mouthpiece section 6 is 8 mm. In this example, the mouthpiece is 27mm in length.

The "wall thickness" of the tubular element 13 corresponds to the thickness of the wall of the tube 13 in the radial direction. This can be measured, for example, using a caliper. The wall thickness is advantageously greater than 0.9mm and more preferably greater than 1.0mm or greater. Preferably, the wall thickness is substantially constant around the entire wall of the tubular element 13. However, in case the wall thickness is not substantially constant, the wall thickness is preferably larger than 0.9mm, more preferably larger than 1.0mm or larger at any point around the tubular element 13. The wall thickness is advantageously less than 3.0mm and more preferably less than 2.0mm or less. The wall thickness may be about 1.0mm, about 1.2mm, about 1.4mm, or about 1.5 mm. In some examples, the wall thickness is about 0.9mm to about 1.4mm or about 1.0mm to about 1.3 mm.

Preferably, the length of the tubular element 13 is less than about 20 mm. More preferably, the length of the tubular element 13 is less than about 15 mm. Still more preferably, the length of the tubular element 13 is less than about 10 mm. Additionally or alternatively, the length of the tubular element 13 is at least about 5 mm. Preferably, the length of the tubular element 13 is at least about 6 mm. In some preferred embodiments, the length of the tubular element 13 is from about 5mm to about 20mm, more preferably from about 6mm to about 10mm, even more preferably from about 6mm to about 8mm, most preferably about 6mm, 7mm or about 8 mm. In the present example, the length of the tubular element 13 is 7 mm.

Preferably, the tubular member 13 has a density of at least about 0.25 grams per cubic centimeter (g/cc), more preferably at least about 0.3 g/cc. Preferably, the tubular member 13 has a density of less than about 0.75 grams per cubic centimeter (g/cc), and more preferably less than 0.6 grams per cubic centimeter. In some embodiments, the tubular element 13 has a density of 0.25 to 0.75g/cc, more preferably 0.3 to 0.6g/cc, and more preferably 0.4 to 0.6g/cc or about 0.5 g/cc.

The filament bundles forming the tubular element 13 preferably have a total denier of less than 80000, more preferably less than 75000. Preferably, the total denier is at least 20000, more preferably at least 25000. In a preferred embodiment, the filament bundle forming the tubular element 13 has a total denier of 25000 to 58000, more preferably 28000 to 40000. Preferably, the filaments of the tow are "Y" shaped in cross-section, but in other embodiments, filaments of other shapes (such as "X") may be used.

The filament bundle forming the tubular member 13 preferably has a denier per filament of greater than 3. Such a denier per filament has been found to allow the formation of less dense tubular members 4. Preferably, the filament denier is at least 4, more preferably at least 5. In a preferred embodiment, the filament bundle forming the tubular element 13 has a denier per filament of from 4 to 10, more preferably from 4 to 9. In one example, the filament tow forming the tubular element 13 has a 5Y 30000, 7.3Y36000, 8Y56000, or 8Y 40000 tow made of cellulose acetate and including about 18% plasticizer (e.g., triacetin).

The inner diameter of the tubular element 13 is preferably greater than 3.0 mm. More preferably, the inner diameter of the tubular element 13 is greater than 3.1mm, and still more preferably greater than 3.5mm or 3.6 mm. In one embodiment, the inner diameter of the tubular element 13 is about 5.0 mm. The tubular member 13 may have an inner diameter of about 3.5mm to about 5.2mm and a wall thickness of about 1.0mm to about 1.3 mm.

The tubular element 13 preferably comprises from 15 to 22% by weight of plasticizer. For cellulose acetate tow, the plasticizer is preferably triacetin, but other plasticizers, such as polyethylene glycol (PEG), may be used. More preferably, the tubular element 4 comprises from 16% to 20% by weight of plasticizer, for example about 17%, about 18% or about 19% of plasticizer.

In the present example, the tubular element 13 is formed from a filament tow, however, the tubular element may be formed in other ways, such as by a paper tube formed from a plurality of paper layers wound in parallel with butt seams to form the tubular element 13, or the tubular element may be formed from a spatially wound paper layer, a cardboard paper tube, a tube formed using a concrete paper process, a moulded or extruded plastic tube, or the like.

The hollow tubular member 13 may also be formed using rigid plug wrap and/or tipping paper (such as the second plug wrap 9 and/or tipping paper 8 described herein), which means that a separate tubular member is not required. The rigid plug wrap and/or tipping paper is manufactured to have a stiffness sufficient to withstand axial compression forces and bending moments that may occur during the manufacturing process and in use of the article 1, 1'. For example, the basis weight of the rigid plug wrap and/or tipping paper may be from 70gsm to 120gsm, more preferably from 80gsm to 110 gsm. Additionally or alternatively, the thickness of the rigid plug wrap and/or tipping paper may be from 80 μm to 200 μm, more preferably from 100 μm to 160 μm, or from 120 μm to 150 μm. It may be desirable for both the second forming paper 9 and the tipping paper 8 to have values within these ranges so that the hollow tubular element 13 has an acceptable level of overall stiffness.

The length of the rod made of aerosol-generating material 3 is preferably about 10 to 100 mm. In some embodiments, the length of the rod made of aerosol-generating material 3 preferably ranges from about 50mm to 100mm, more preferably from about 55mm to 95 mm.

Fig. 3 is a side cross-sectional view of another article 1 "including a mouthpiece 2". The article 1 "and mouthpiece 2" are the same as the article 1 'and mouthpiece 2' shown in fig. 2, except that the mouthpiece 2 "includes an adsorbent-containing section 14 instead of the hollow tubular element 13.

Sorbent containment section 14 includes particles (e.g., carbon particles) of sorbent material 15 distributed within the material of sorbent containment section 14. A suitable amount of activated carbon particles may be, for example, 40mg, but other amounts (such as 10mg to 80mg or 10mg to 50mg) may be used. The sorbent-containing section 14 is formed from a filament tow, in this example a plasticized cellulose acetate tow as described in relation to the first additional mouthpiece section 6. In this example, the filament bundle used to form the sorbent containment section had a denier per filament of 7.3 grams/9000 m and a total denier of 33000 grams/9000 m. In alternative examples, the tow may have a denier per filament of, for example, 3.9 grams/9000 m and a total denier of 30000 grams/9000 m, or any combination of denier per filament and total denier within the ranges set forth with respect to the first additional mouthpiece section 6. In alternative embodiments, the sorbent containment section 14 may be provided in other forms, such as a cavity at least partially filled with sorbent and disposed between two sections or plugs of tow.

The sorbent-containing section 14 is wrapped in a fourth forming paper 16.

In an alternative embodiment, the first additional mouthpiece section 6 may comprise an aerosol modifier disposed within the section. The aerosol-modifying agent may be provided in the form of a capsule, in other examples, the aerosol-modifying agent may be provided in other forms, such as an infused material segment or a material disposed on a thread, where the thread may be, for example, a thread carrying a flavoring agent or other aerosol-modifying agent also disposed within the segment.

Where the aerosol modifier is provided in the form of a capsule, the capsule may comprise a breakable capsule, for example a capsule having a solid frangible shell surrounding a liquid payload. The capsule may be completely embedded within the material of the section, i.e. completely surrounded by the material forming the section. In other examples, a plurality of breakable capsules (e.g., 2, 3, or more breakable capsules) may be disposed within the section. The length of the section may be increased to accommodate the required number of capsules. In examples where multiple capsules are used, the individual capsules may be identical to one another, or may differ from one another in size and/or capsule payload. In other examples, a plurality of first additional mouthpiece sections 6 may be provided, wherein each section contains one or more capsules.

The capsule may have a core-shell structure. In other words, the capsule may include a shell that encapsulates a liquid agent (e.g., a flavoring agent or other agent), which may be any of the flavoring agents or aerosol modifiers described herein. The shell of the capsule may be ruptured by the user to release the flavoring or other agent. In embodiments where capsules are provided, the first forming paper 5 may include a barrier coating such that the liquid payload of the capsules 11 is substantially unable to penetrate the material of the forming paper. Alternatively or additionally, the second forming paper 9 and/or the tipping paper 8 may comprise a barrier coating such that the liquid payload of the capsule is substantially unable to penetrate the material of the forming paper and/or the tipping paper.

In one example, the capsule is spherical and about 3mm in diameter. In other examples, other shapes and sizes of capsules may be used. The total weight of the capsule may range from about 10mg to about 50 mg.

The capsule may be located at a longitudinally central position within the first additional mouthpiece section. That is, the capsule is positioned such that its center is equidistant from the ends of the first additional mouthpiece section. In other examples, the capsule may be located at a position other than the longitudinally central position section, i.e. closer to the downstream end relative to the upstream end of section 6 or closer to the upstream end relative to the downstream end of section 6. Preferably, the mouthpiece is configured such that the capsule and the vent 12 are longitudinally offset from each other in the mouthpiece.

In some cases, the barrier material (also referred to herein as an encapsulant material) is frangible. The capsule is crushed or otherwise ruptured or broken by the user to release the encapsulated aerosol modifier. Typically, the capsule is destroyed immediately prior to smoking, but the user can choose when to release the aerosol modifier. The term "breakable capsule" refers to a capsule that can be broken by pressure to release the core; more specifically, when the user wants to release the core of the capsule, the shell can be broken under the pressure exerted by the user's finger.

In some cases, the barrier material is heat resistant. That is, in some cases, the barrier material does not rupture, melt, or otherwise fail at the temperatures reached at the capsule site during operation of the aerosol provision device. Illustratively, the capsule located in the mouthpiece may be exposed to a temperature, for example, in the range of 30 ℃ to 100 ℃, and the barrier material may continue to hold the liquid core up to at least about 50 ℃ to 120 ℃.

In other cases, the capsule releases the core composition upon heating, for example by melting the barrier material or by the capsule swelling causing the barrier material to be broken.

The total weight of the capsule may range from 1mg to about 100mg, suitably from about 5mg to about 60mg, from about 8mg to about 50mg, from about 10mg to about 20mg or from about 12mg to about 18 mg.

The total weight of the core formulation may range from about 2mg to about 90mg, suitably from about 3mg to about 70mg, from about 5mg to about 25mg, from about 8mg to about 30mg or from about 10mg to about 25 mg.

The capsule according to the invention comprises a core and a shell as described above. The crush strength of the capsule may be from about 4.5N to about 40N, more preferably from about 5N to about 30N or about 28N (e.g., from about 9.8N to about 24.5N). The burst strength of the capsule can be measured when the capsule is removed from the material body 6, and a force gauge is used to measure the force at which the capsule ruptures when pressed between two flat metal plates. A sauter FK 50 dynamometer with a flat head attachment is a suitable measuring device that can be used to crush a capsule against a flat and hard surface, having a surface similar to the attachment.

The capsule may be generally spherical and have a diameter of at least about 0.4mm, 0.6mm, 0.8mm, 1.0mm, 2.0mm, 2.5mm, 2.8mm or 3.0 mm. The capsule may have a diameter of less than about 10.0mm, 8.0mm, 7.0mm, 6.0mm, 5.5mm, 5.0mm, 4.5mm, 4.0mm, 3.8mm, or 3.6 mm. Illustratively, the capsule diameter may range from about 0.4mm to about 10.0mm, from about 0.8mm to about 6.0mm, from about 2.5mm to about 5.5mm, or from about 2.8mm to about 3.7 mm. In some cases, the diameter of the capsule may be about 3.0mm or 3.5 mm. These dimensions are particularly suitable for incorporating the capsules into the articles described herein.

Fig. 4 is a side sectional view of another article 1 "' for use with an aerosol provision system. The article 1 "'comprises a mouthpiece 2"'. In the present example, the article 1 "' comprises a cigarette.

Article 1 "' and mouthpiece 2" ' are the same as article 1' and mouthpiece 2' described in figure 2, except that article 1 "' in figure 4 is used in a combustible aerosol supply system, a second additional mouthpiece section comprising a tubular element 13 is provided immediately upstream of and adjacent to the body 4, and a first additional filtering section 6 is provided immediately upstream of and adjacent to the tubular element 13.

A mouthpiece 2 "' in fig. 4 comprises a material body 4 and a tubular element 13, wherein the material body is at the mouth end of the mouthpiece 2" ', the tubular element being positioned upstream of the material body 4 and being formed from a filament bundle extending over a longitudinal portion of the mouthpiece 2 "' from a position less than about 12mm from the mouth end of the mouthpiece 2" ' to a position greater than about 12mm from the mouth end of the mouthpiece 2 "'.

A second additional mouthpiece section is provided immediately upstream of the main body 4 so that the position of the second additional mouthpiece section is below the position at which the smoking article is typically held by the consumer. Advantageously, it has been found that providing a second additional mouthpiece section in this position and as the tubular element 13 can provide a more conventional mouth end appearance whilst improving the consumer's experience when holding this section of smoking article.

The hardness of the tubular element 13 may be greater than 85% when measured according to the specifications described herein. Preferably, the hardness of the tubular element may be from 85% to 95%, or more preferably, from about 90% to 95%.

The tubular element 13 may extend from a position about 7mm, 8mm, 9mm or 10mm from the mouth end of the mouthpiece. Preferably, the tubular element extends from less than about 8.5mm from one end of the mouthpiece, or more preferably from less than about 8mm from one end of the mouthpiece. The tubular element 13 may extend from a position less than about 9mm from one end of the mouthpiece to a position greater than about 15mm from one end of the mouthpiece. Preferably, the tubular element 13 extends to a position greater than about 13mm from one end of the mouthpiece, or more preferably to a position greater than about 14mm from one end of the mouthpiece.

Perforations 12 are provided through the tipping material 8, the third forming paper 7 and the second forming paper 9 to provide ventilation into the first additional mouthpiece section 6.

In alternative embodiments, any of the

mouthpiece sections

4, 6, 13, 14 described herein may be provided in a mouthpiece with any other mouthpiece section as described herein. The first and second

additional mouthpiece sections

6, 6 may be provided in any longitudinal position downstream of the stem 3. The body of material 4 is preferably disposed at the furthest downstream position to form the mouth end section of the mouthpiece.

The characteristics of an exemplary article comprising other sections in addition to the body 4 are listed in table 2.0. The circumference of the mouthpiece is 24.30 mm. All exemplary articles, including other sections as specified in table 2.0, also include a body 4, which may be between 7mm and 8mm in length. The first additional mouthpiece section in any of the exemplary articles listed in table 2.0 may alternatively be formed from a 7.3Y36000 denier tow. The CA pipe sections listed in table 2.0 may comprise tubular elements 13 as described herein.

To address the various problems and advance the art, the entire disclosure of the present disclosure shows by way of example, embodiments in which the claimed invention can be practiced and provides for superior delivery of smoking article modifying additives. The advantages and features of the present disclosure are merely representative of the embodiments and are not exhaustive and/or exclusive. They are presented only to aid in understanding and teaching the claimed features. It is to be understood that advantages, embodiments, examples, functions, features, structures, and/or other aspects of the present disclosure are not to be considered limitations on the present disclosure as defined by the claims or limitations on equivalents to the claims, and that other embodiments may be utilized and modifications may be made without departing from the scope and/or spirit of the present disclosure. Various embodiments may suitably comprise, consist of, or consist essentially of various combinations of the disclosed elements, components, features, portions, steps, means, etc. Moreover, this disclosure includes other inventions not presently claimed, but which may be claimed in the future.

Claims

1. A mouthpiece for an article of manufacture for use in an aerosol provision system, the mouthpiece comprising a body of material at a mouth end of the mouthpiece, wherein the body has a longitudinal axis and the cross-sectional area of the body is perpendicular to the bodyMeasured along a longitudinal axis, the body comprising a fibrous material, wherein each mm of the body²Has a total denier of less than about 720 g/9000m, and a pressure drop over the length of the body of from about 1.05 to about 1.70 mm of water per mm of length of the body.

2. A mouthpiece according to claim 1, wherein the fibrous material has a weight per mm³The body of (a) is about 0.09mg to about 0.13 mg.

3. A mouthpiece according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the fibrous material has a weight of about 4mg to about 6mg per millimeter of length of the body.

4. A mouthpiece according to any of claims 1 to 3, wherein the body is per mm²The cross-section of (a) has a total denier of less than about 700 grams/9000 m, or less than about 675 grams/9000 m, or less than about 650 grams/9000 m.

5. A mouthpiece according to any of claims 1 to 4, wherein the fibrous material comprises a denier per filament of about 6 to about 12, or a denier per filament of about 7 to about 10, or a denier per filament of about 7.5 to about 9.

6. A mouthpiece according to any of claims 1 to 5, wherein the fibrous filter material has a total denier of from about 25000 to about 35000 g/9000m, or about 28000 to about 32000 g/9000m, or about 29000 to about 31000 g/9000 m.

7. A mouthpiece according to any of claims 1 to 6, wherein the material body comprises a plasticizer, and wherein the plasticizer is present in an amount of from about 5% to about 14% by weight of the material body, or from about 8% to about 13% by weight of the material body, or from about 10% to about 12% by weight of the material body.

8. A mouthpiece according to any of claims 1 to 7, wherein the body of material is circumscribed by a plug wrap, and wherein the plug wrap comprises a basis weight of about 20 to about 65 grams per square meter, or a basis weight of about 45 to about 65 grams per square meter, or a basis weight of about 50 to about 60 grams per square meter.

9. A mouthpiece according to any of claims 1 to 8, wherein the circumference of the mouthpiece is 16mm to 23mm or 23mm to 25 mm.

10. A mouthpiece according to any of claims 1 to 9, wherein the mouthpiece comprises at least one additional section located upstream of the body of material.

11. A mouthpiece according to claim 10, wherein the at least one additional segment comprises a segment made from cellulose acetate tow.

12. A mouthpiece according to claim 10 or 11, wherein the at least one additional section comprises a hollow tubular section.

13. A mouthpiece according to any of claims 10 to 12, wherein the at least one additional section comprises particulate adsorbent material.

14. A mouthpiece according to any of claims 1 to 13, wherein the mouthpiece has a hardness of 90% to 99% at a position 3mm from the mouth end of the mouthpiece.

15. A mouthpiece according to any of claims 1-14, wherein the mouthpiece is circumscribed by a filter wrapper comprising a basis weight in a range of 20 to 35 grams per square meter.

16. A mouthpiece for an article of manufacture for use in a combustible aerosol provision system, the mouthpiece comprising: a body of material at the mouth end of the mouthpiece; and

a tubular element upstream of the body of material and formed from a filament bundle extending over a longitudinal portion of the mouthpiece from a position less than about 12mm from a mouth end of the mouthpiece to a position greater than about 12mm from the mouth end of the mouthpiece.

17. A mouthpiece according to claim 16, wherein the mouthpiece has a hardness of at least about 85% at a position 12mm from the mouth end of the mouthpiece.

18. A mouthpiece according to claim 16 or 17, wherein the tubular element extends over a longitudinal portion of the mouthpiece from a position less than about 10mm from the mouth end of the mouthpiece to a position greater than about 13mm from the mouth end of the mouthpiece.

19. A mouthpiece according to claim 16, 17 or 18, wherein the tubular element extends over a longitudinal portion of the mouthpiece from a position less than about 9mm from the mouth end of the mouthpiece to a position greater than about 13mm from the mouth end of the mouthpiece.

20. A mouthpiece according to any of claims 1 to 15 and any of claims 16 to 19.

21. A mouthpiece according to any of claims 1 to 20, for an article of manufacture for use in a combustible aerosol provision system.

22. A mouthpiece according to claim 21, wherein the combustible aerosol provision system comprises a cigarette or cigarillo.

23. An article of manufacture for use in an aerosol provision system, the article of manufacture comprising a mouthpiece according to any of claims 1 to 22 and a rod of aerosol-generating material.