EP4064874A1 - Aerosol generation - Google Patents
Aerosol generationInfo
- Publication number
- EP4064874A1 EP4064874A1 EP20838899.1A EP20838899A EP4064874A1 EP 4064874 A1 EP4064874 A1 EP 4064874A1 EP 20838899 A EP20838899 A EP 20838899A EP 4064874 A1 EP4064874 A1 EP 4064874A1
- Authority
- EP
- European Patent Office
- Prior art keywords
- aerosol
- generating material
- consumable
- amorphous solid
- cases
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Pending
Links
Classifications
-
- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A24—TOBACCO; CIGARS; CIGARETTES; SIMULATED SMOKING DEVICES; SMOKERS' REQUISITES
- A24B—MANUFACTURE OR PREPARATION OF TOBACCO FOR SMOKING OR CHEWING; TOBACCO; SNUFF
- A24B15/00—Chemical features or treatment of tobacco; Tobacco substitutes, e.g. in liquid form
- A24B15/10—Chemical features of tobacco products or tobacco substitutes
- A24B15/16—Chemical features of tobacco products or tobacco substitutes of tobacco substitutes
-
- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A24—TOBACCO; CIGARS; CIGARETTES; SIMULATED SMOKING DEVICES; SMOKERS' REQUISITES
- A24B—MANUFACTURE OR PREPARATION OF TOBACCO FOR SMOKING OR CHEWING; TOBACCO; SNUFF
- A24B15/00—Chemical features or treatment of tobacco; Tobacco substitutes, e.g. in liquid form
- A24B15/10—Chemical features of tobacco products or tobacco substitutes
- A24B15/16—Chemical features of tobacco products or tobacco substitutes of tobacco substitutes
- A24B15/167—Chemical features of tobacco products or tobacco substitutes of tobacco substitutes in liquid or vaporisable form, e.g. liquid compositions for electronic cigarettes
-
- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A24—TOBACCO; CIGARS; CIGARETTES; SIMULATED SMOKING DEVICES; SMOKERS' REQUISITES
- A24B—MANUFACTURE OR PREPARATION OF TOBACCO FOR SMOKING OR CHEWING; TOBACCO; SNUFF
- A24B15/00—Chemical features or treatment of tobacco; Tobacco substitutes, e.g. in liquid form
- A24B15/18—Treatment of tobacco products or tobacco substitutes
- A24B15/24—Treatment of tobacco products or tobacco substitutes by extraction; Tobacco extracts
- A24B15/241—Extraction of specific substances
- A24B15/243—Nicotine
-
- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A24—TOBACCO; CIGARS; CIGARETTES; SIMULATED SMOKING DEVICES; SMOKERS' REQUISITES
- A24B—MANUFACTURE OR PREPARATION OF TOBACCO FOR SMOKING OR CHEWING; TOBACCO; SNUFF
- A24B15/00—Chemical features or treatment of tobacco; Tobacco substitutes, e.g. in liquid form
- A24B15/18—Treatment of tobacco products or tobacco substitutes
- A24B15/28—Treatment of tobacco products or tobacco substitutes by chemical substances
- A24B15/281—Treatment of tobacco products or tobacco substitutes by chemical substances the action of the chemical substances being delayed
-
- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A24—TOBACCO; CIGARS; CIGARETTES; SIMULATED SMOKING DEVICES; SMOKERS' REQUISITES
- A24B—MANUFACTURE OR PREPARATION OF TOBACCO FOR SMOKING OR CHEWING; TOBACCO; SNUFF
- A24B15/00—Chemical features or treatment of tobacco; Tobacco substitutes, e.g. in liquid form
- A24B15/18—Treatment of tobacco products or tobacco substitutes
- A24B15/28—Treatment of tobacco products or tobacco substitutes by chemical substances
- A24B15/30—Treatment of tobacco products or tobacco substitutes by chemical substances by organic substances
-
- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A24—TOBACCO; CIGARS; CIGARETTES; SIMULATED SMOKING DEVICES; SMOKERS' REQUISITES
- A24B—MANUFACTURE OR PREPARATION OF TOBACCO FOR SMOKING OR CHEWING; TOBACCO; SNUFF
- A24B15/00—Chemical features or treatment of tobacco; Tobacco substitutes, e.g. in liquid form
- A24B15/18—Treatment of tobacco products or tobacco substitutes
- A24B15/28—Treatment of tobacco products or tobacco substitutes by chemical substances
- A24B15/30—Treatment of tobacco products or tobacco substitutes by chemical substances by organic substances
- A24B15/302—Treatment of tobacco products or tobacco substitutes by chemical substances by organic substances by natural substances obtained from animals or plants
-
- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A24—TOBACCO; CIGARS; CIGARETTES; SIMULATED SMOKING DEVICES; SMOKERS' REQUISITES
- A24B—MANUFACTURE OR PREPARATION OF TOBACCO FOR SMOKING OR CHEWING; TOBACCO; SNUFF
- A24B15/00—Chemical features or treatment of tobacco; Tobacco substitutes, e.g. in liquid form
- A24B15/18—Treatment of tobacco products or tobacco substitutes
- A24B15/28—Treatment of tobacco products or tobacco substitutes by chemical substances
- A24B15/30—Treatment of tobacco products or tobacco substitutes by chemical substances by organic substances
- A24B15/34—Treatment of tobacco products or tobacco substitutes by chemical substances by organic substances containing a carbocyclic ring other than a six-membered aromatic ring
-
- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A24—TOBACCO; CIGARS; CIGARETTES; SIMULATED SMOKING DEVICES; SMOKERS' REQUISITES
- A24B—MANUFACTURE OR PREPARATION OF TOBACCO FOR SMOKING OR CHEWING; TOBACCO; SNUFF
- A24B15/00—Chemical features or treatment of tobacco; Tobacco substitutes, e.g. in liquid form
- A24B15/18—Treatment of tobacco products or tobacco substitutes
- A24B15/28—Treatment of tobacco products or tobacco substitutes by chemical substances
- A24B15/42—Treatment of tobacco products or tobacco substitutes by chemical substances by organic and inorganic substances
-
- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A24—TOBACCO; CIGARS; CIGARETTES; SIMULATED SMOKING DEVICES; SMOKERS' REQUISITES
- A24F—SMOKERS' REQUISITES; MATCH BOXES; SIMULATED SMOKING DEVICES
- A24F40/00—Electrically operated smoking devices; Component parts thereof; Manufacture thereof; Maintenance or testing thereof; Charging means specially adapted therefor
- A24F40/30—Devices using two or more structurally separated inhalable precursors, e.g. using two liquid precursors in two cartridges
-
- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A24—TOBACCO; CIGARS; CIGARETTES; SIMULATED SMOKING DEVICES; SMOKERS' REQUISITES
- A24D—CIGARS; CIGARETTES; TOBACCO SMOKE FILTERS; MOUTHPIECES FOR CIGARS OR CIGARETTES; MANUFACTURE OF TOBACCO SMOKE FILTERS OR MOUTHPIECES
- A24D1/00—Cigars; Cigarettes
- A24D1/20—Cigarettes specially adapted for simulated smoking devices
-
- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A24—TOBACCO; CIGARS; CIGARETTES; SIMULATED SMOKING DEVICES; SMOKERS' REQUISITES
- A24F—SMOKERS' REQUISITES; MATCH BOXES; SIMULATED SMOKING DEVICES
- A24F40/00—Electrically operated smoking devices; Component parts thereof; Manufacture thereof; Maintenance or testing thereof; Charging means specially adapted therefor
- A24F40/20—Devices using solid inhalable precursors
-
- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A24—TOBACCO; CIGARS; CIGARETTES; SIMULATED SMOKING DEVICES; SMOKERS' REQUISITES
- A24F—SMOKERS' REQUISITES; MATCH BOXES; SIMULATED SMOKING DEVICES
- A24F40/00—Electrically operated smoking devices; Component parts thereof; Manufacture thereof; Maintenance or testing thereof; Charging means specially adapted therefor
- A24F40/50—Control or monitoring
- A24F40/57—Temperature control
Definitions
- the present invention relates to a consumable for use within a non-combustible aerosol provision system, a non-combustible aerosol provision system and methods for generating an aerosol.
- Smoking consumables such as cigarettes, cigars and the like bum tobacco during use to create tobacco smoke.
- Alternatives to these types of consumables release an inhalable aerosol or vapour by releasing compounds from a substrate material by heating without burning.
- These may be referred to as non-combustible smoking consumables or aerosol generating assemblies.
- One example of such a product is a heating device which release compounds by heating, but not burning, a solid aerosol-generating material.
- This solid aerosol-generating material may, in some cases, contain a botanical material.
- the heating volatilises at least one component of the material, typically forming an inhalable aerosol.
- These products may be referred to as heat-not-burn devices, tobacco heating devices or tobacco heating products.
- Various different arrangements for volatilising at least one component of the solid aerosol-generating material are known.
- hybrid devices contain a liquid source (which may or may not contain nicotine) which is vaporised by heating to produce an inhalable vapour or aerosol.
- the device additionally contains a solid aerosol -generating material (which may or may not contain a tobacco material) and components of this material are entrained in the inhalable vapour or aerosol to produce the inhaled medium.
- a consumable for use within a non-combustible aerosol provision system comprising a plurality of discrete portions of aerosol-generating material, wherein each of the discrete portions of aerosol-generating material comprises less than about 15 mg water.
- a further aspect of the invention provides a method of generating an aerosol from an aerosol-generating material, the method comprising heating a portion of aerosol-generating material to a temperature of at least 120°C to generate an aerosol comprising no more than about 15 mg water.
- a further aspect of the invention provides an aerosol-generating material for use in a consumable, the aerosol-generating material comprising an amorphous solid, wherein less than about 15mg of water is aerosolised, when the aerosol -generating material is heated to a temperature of at least 120°C.
- a non-combustible aerosol provision system comprising a consumable according to the first aspect of the invention and a non combustible aerosol provision device, the non-combustible aerosol provision device comprising an aerosol-generation device to generate aerosol from the consumable when the consumable is used with the non-combustible aerosol provision device.
- the invention also pertains to a use of the consumable as described herein in a non-combustible aerosol provision device, the non-combustible aerosol provision device comprising an aerosol-generation device to generate aerosol from the consumable when the consumable is used with the non-combustible aerosol provision device.
- Figure 1 shows a section view of an example of a consumable.
- Figure 2 shows a perspective view of the consumable of Figure 1.
- Figure 3 shows a sectional elevation of an example of a consumable.
- Figure 4 shows a perspective view of the consumable of Figure 3.
- Figure 5 shows a perspective view of an example of a non-combustible aerosol provision system.
- Figure 6 shows a section view of an example of a non-combustible aerosol provision system.
- Figure 7 shows a perspective view of an example of a non-combustible aerosol provision system.
- Figure 8 shows an example of a consumable comprising a plurality of discrete portions of aerosol -generating material, wherein the discrete portions of aerosol generating material are provided such that each discrete portion may be heated and aerosolised separately.
- the invention provides a consumable for use within a non combustible aerosol provision system, the consumable comprising a plurality of discrete portions of aerosol-generating material, wherein each of the discrete portions comprises less than about 15 mg water.
- consumables of the invention are configured so that less than about 15mg of water is aerosolised during each puff inhaled by the user.
- each of the discrete portions of aerosol -generating material in the consumable therefore comprises less than about 15mg of water, for example in some embodiments each of the discrete portions of aerosol-generating material comprises no more than, 14mg, 13mg, 12mg, l lmg, lOmg, 9mg, 8mg, 7mg, 6mg, 5mg, 4mg, 3mg, or 2mg of water. In particular embodiments, each of the discrete portions of aerosol-generating material comprises less than about 5mg of water, such as less than about 4mg, 3mg or 2mg of water.
- Exemplary ranges of water in each of the discrete portion of aerosol-generating material in the consumable include 0.5 - 15mg, 1 - 15mg, 2 - 15mg, 2 - lOmg, 2 - 5mg, 2 - 4 mg, 2 - 3 mg, 5 - 15mg, 5 - 12mg and 10 - 15mg.
- each of the discrete portions of aerosol generating material comprises a minimum quantity of water, for example at least about O.lmg, 0.25mg, 0.5mg, l.Omg, 1.5mg or 2mg of water.
- the water content of the aerosol-generating material is determined by standard procedures known in the art, for example, by Karl-Fischer-titration or Gas Chromatography with Thermal Conductivity Detector (GC-TCD).
- the low water content of the discrete portions of aerosol-generating material also enables more rapid heating and aerosolization of the aerosol-former material since heat absorption by water is reduced.
- each of the discrete portions of aerosol -generating material is selected so that aerosol is provided for a fixed number of puffs; for example, each of the discrete portions has a mass of aerosol-generating material sufficient to generate aerosol for inhalation of about four puffs, three puffs, two puffs or a single puff.
- the size of the each discrete portion of aerosol-generating material is less than about 60mg, for example, less than about 50mg, less than about 40mg, less than about 30mg, less than about 20mg, less than bout lOmg.
- Exemplary weight ranges for each of the discrete portions of aerosol-generating material include 10 - 60mg, 20 - 40mg, 15 - 30mg or 5 - 20mg.
- the discrete portions of aerosol generating material are provided such that each discrete portion may be heated and aerosolised separately. The inventors have found that a consumable having such a configuration allows a consistent aerosol to be delivered to the user with each puff.
- Figure 8 shows one example, of a consumable (401) wherein discrete portions of aerosol-generating material (403) are provided such that each discrete portion may be heated and aerosolised separately.
- a further aspect of the invention provides an aerosol-generating material for use in a consumable, the aerosol-generating material comprising an amorphous solid, wherein less than about 15mg of water is aerosolised, when the aerosol -generating material is heated to a temperature of at least 120°C.
- the aerosol generating material comprises less than about 15mg of water.
- the aerosol generating material comprises less than about 15mg of water, for example less than about 14mg, 13mg, 12mg, l lmg, lOmg, 9mg, 8mg, 7mg, 6mg, 5mg, 4mg, 3mg, or 2mg of water.
- Exemplary weight ranges of water in the aerosol -generating material include 0.5 - 15mg, 1 - 15mg, 2 - 15mg, 2 - lOmg, 2 - 5mg, 2 - 4 mg, 2 - 3 mg, 5 - 15mg, 5 - 12mg and 10 - 15mg.
- each of the discrete portions of aerosol-generating material comprises less than about 5mg of water, such as less than about 4mg, 3mg or 2mg of water.
- the aerosol-generating material comprises a minimum quantity of water, for example at least about O.lmg, 0.25mg, 0.5mg, l.Omg, 1.5mg or 2mg of water.
- the water content of the aerosol generating material is determined by standard procedures known in the art, for example, by Karl-Fischer-titration or Gas Chromatography with Thermal Conductivity Detector (GC-TCD).
- the aerosol-generating material for use in a consumable has a size selected so that aerosol is provided for a fixed number of puffs; for example, the aerosol-generating material has a mass sufficient to generate aerosol for inhalation of about four puffs, three puffs, two puffs or a single puff. Accordingly, in certain embodiments the aerosol-generating material is has a mass of less than about 60mg, for example, less than about 50mg, less than about 40mg, less than about 30mg, less than about 20mg, less than about lOmg. Exemplary ranges for the mass of the aerosol generating material include 10 - 60mg, 20 - 40mg, 15 - 30mg or 5 - 20mg. In some embodiments, the aerosol-generating material is provided in fixed weight portions, such that each may be heated and aerosolised separately. The inventors have found that a such a configuration allows a consistent aerosol to be delivered to the user with each puff.
- the aerosol-generating material of the invention comprises an amorphous solid.
- This may alternatively be referred to as a “monolithic solid” (i.e. non-fibrous), or as a “dried gel”.
- the amorphous solid is a solid material that may retain some fluid, such as liquid, within it.
- the aerosol-generating material comprises from about 50wt%, 60wt% or 70wt% of amorphous solid, to about 90wt% or 95wt% of amorphous solid.
- the discrete portions of aerosol generating material consist of an amorphous solid.
- the amorphous solid material is formed from a dried gel.
- the inventors have found that using these component proportions means as the gel sets, flavourant compounds are stabilised within the gel matrix allowing a higher flavourant loading to be achieved than in non-gel compositions.
- the flavourant e.g. menthol
- the flavourant is stabilised at high concentrations and the products have a good shelf life.
- the amorphous solid may have a thickness of about 0.015mm to about 1.0mm.
- the thickness may be in the range of about 0.05mm, 0.1mm or 0.15mm to about 0.5mm or 0.3mm.
- the inventors have found that a material having a thickness of 0.2mm is particularly suitable.
- the amorphous solid may comprise more than one layer, and the thickness described herein refers to the aggregate thickness of those layers.
- the inventors have established that if the amorphous solid is too thick, then heating efficiency is compromised. This adversely affects the power consumption in use. Conversely, if the amorphous solid is too thin, it is difficult to manufacture and handle; a very thin material is harder to cast and may be fragile, compromising aerosol formation in use.
- the thickness stipulated herein is a mean thickness for the material.
- the amorphous solid thickness may vary by no more than 25%, 20%, 15%, 10%, 5% or 1%.
- the amorphous solid may comprise from about lwt%, 5wt%, 10wt%, 15wt%, 20wt% or 25wt% to about 60wt%, 50wt%, 45wt%, 40wt% or 35wt% of a gelling agent (all calculated on a dry weight basis).
- the amorphous solid may comprise l-50wt%, 5-45wt%, 10-40wt% or 20-35wt% of a gelling agent.
- the gelling agent comprises a hydrocolloid, for example, one or more compounds selected from the group comprising alginates, cellulose derivatives (such as methylcellulose, hydroxypropyl cellulose, and carboxymethyl cellulose (CMC)), gums, silica or silicones compounds, clays and combinations thereof.
- the gelling agent comprises one or more compounds selected from the group comprising alginates, pectins, starches (and derivatives), celluloses (and derivatives, such as methylcellulose, hydroxypropyl cellulose, and carboxymethyl cellulose (CMC)), gums, silica or silicones compounds, clays, polyvinyl alcohol and combinations thereof.
- the gelling agent comprises one or more of alginates, pectins, hydroxyethyl cellulose, hydroxypropyl cellulose, carboxymethylcellulose, pullulan, xanthan gum guar gum, carrageenan, agarose, acacia gum, fumed silica, PDMS, sodium silicate, kaolin and polyvinyl alcohol.
- the gelling agent comprises alginate and/or pectin, and may be combined with a setting agent (such as a calcium source) during formation of the amorphous solid.
- the amorphous solid may comprise a calcium-crosslinked alginate and/or a calcium-crosslinked pectin.
- the gelling agent comprises alginate, and the alginate is present in the amorphous solid in an amount of from 10-30wt% of the amorphous solid (calculated on a dry weight basis). In some embodiments, alginate is the only gelling agent present in the amorphous solid. In other embodiments, the gelling agent comprises alginate and at least one further gelling agent, such as pectin.
- the gelling agent comprises iota- and/or kappa-carrageenan in an amount from about 2wt% to about 20wt%, or about 3wt% to about 15wt%, or about 4wt% to about 10wt%, or about 2wt % to about 5wt%; in some cases, the gelling agent comprises kappa-carrageenan in an amount from about 2wt% to about 5wt%
- the gelling agent may comprise one or more compounds selected from cellulosic gelling agents, non-cellulosic gelling agents, guar gum, acacia gum and mixtures thereof.
- the cellulosic gelling agent is selected from the group consisting of: hydroxymethyl cellulose, hydroxy ethyl cellulose, hydroxypropyl cellulose, carboxymethylcellulose (CMC), hydroxypropyl methylcellulose (HPMC), methyl cellulose, ethyl cellulose, cellulose acetate (CA), cellulose acetate butyrate (CAB), cellulose acetate propionate (CAP) and combinations thereof.
- the gelling agent comprises (or is) one or more of hydroxyethyl cellulose, hydroxypropyl cellulose, hydroxypropyl methylcellulose (HPMC), carboxymethylcellulose, guar gum, or acacia gum.
- the gelling agent comprises (or is) one or more non- cellulosic gelling agents, including, but not limited to, agar, xanthan gum, gum Arabic, guar gum, locust bean gum, pectin, carrageenan, starch, alginate, and combinations thereof.
- the non-cellulose based gelling agent is alginate or agar.
- the aerosol-generating material is an amorphous solid
- the amorphous solid comprises:
- the amorphous solid comprises:
- the amorphous solid may comprise from about 0.1 wt%, 0.5wt%, lwt%, 3wt%, 5wt%, 7wt% or 10% to about 50wt%, 45wt%, 40wt%, 35wt%, 30wt% or 25wt% of an aerosol-former material (all calculated on a dry weight basis).
- the aerosol-former may act as a plasticiser.
- the amorphous solid may comprise 0.5-40wt%, 3-35wt% or 10-25wt% of an aerosol-former material.
- the aerosol-former material comprises one or more compound selected from erythritol, propylene glycol, glycerol, triacetin, sorbitol and xylitol.
- the aerosol-former material comprises, consists essentially of or consists of glycerol. The inventors have established that if the content of the plasticiser is too high, the amorphous solid may absorb water resulting in a material that does not create an appropriate consumption experience in use.
- the inventors have established that if the plasticiser content is too low, the amorphous solid may be brittle and easily broken.
- the plasticiser content specified herein provides an amorphous solid flexibility which allows the sheet to be wound onto a bobbin, which is useful in manufacture of aerosol generating consumables.
- the aerosol former comprises one or more polyhydric alcohols, such as propylene glycol, triethylene glycol, 1,3-butanediol and glycerin; esters of polyhydric alcohols, such as glycerol mono-, di- or triacetate; and/or aliphatic esters of mono-, di- or polycarboxylic acids, such as dimethyl dodecanedioate and dimethyl tetradecanedioate.
- polyhydric alcohols such as propylene glycol, triethylene glycol, 1,3-butanediol and glycerin
- esters of polyhydric alcohols such as glycerol mono-, di- or triacetate
- aliphatic esters of mono-, di- or polycarboxylic acids such as dimethyl dodecanedioate and dimethyl tetradecanedioate.
- the aerosol-generating material comprises a flavourant.
- the aerosol-generating material may comprise up to about 80wt%, 70wt%, 60wt%, 55wt%, 50wt% or 45wt% of a flavourant.
- the aerosol -generating material may comprise at least about 0.1wt%, lwt%, 10wt%, 20wt%, 30wt%, 35wt% or 40wt% of a flavourant (all calculated on a dry weight basis).
- the aerosol-generating material may comprise l-80wt%, 10-80wt%, 20-70wt%, 30-60wt%, 35-55wt% or 30-45wt% of a flavourant.
- the flavourant comprises, consists essentially of or consists of menthol.
- the amorphous solid comprises a flavourant.
- the amorphous solid may comprise up to about 80wt%, 70wt%, 60wt%, 55wt%, 50wt% or 45wt% of a flavourant.
- the amorphous solid may comprise at least about 0.1 wt%, lwt%, 10wt%, 20wt%, 30wt%, 35wt% or 40wt% of a flavourant (all calculated on a dry weight basis).
- the amorphous solid may comprise 1- 80wt%, 10-80wt%, 20-70wt%, 30-60wt%, 35-55wt% or 30-45wt% of a flavourant.
- the flavourant comprises, consists essentially of or consists of menthol.
- the amorphous solid may additionally comprise an emulsifying agent, which emulsified molten flavourant during manufacture.
- the amorphous solid may comprise from about 5wt% to about 15wt% of an emulsifying agent (calculated on a dry weight basis), suitably about 10wt%.
- the emulsifying agent may comprise acacia gum.
- the amorphous solid is a hydrogel and comprises less than about 20 wt% of water calculated on a wet weight basis. In some cases, the hydrogel may comprise less than about 15wt%, 12 wt% or 10 wt% of water calculated on a wet weight basis. In some cases, the hydrogel may comprise at least about lwt%, 2wt% or at least about 5wt% of water (calculated on a wet weight basis).
- the aerosol-generating material additionally comprises an active substance.
- the aerosol-generating material additionally comprises a tobacco material and/or nicotine.
- the aerosol generating material may comprise 5-60wt% (calculated on a dry weight basis) of a tobacco material and/or nicotine.
- the aerosol -generating material may comprise from about lwt%, 5wt%, 10wt%, 15wt%, 20wt% or 25wt% to about 70wt%, 60wt%, 50wt%, 45wt%, 40wt%, 35wt%, or 30wt% (calculated on a dry weight basis) of an active substance.
- the aerosol-generating material may comprise from about lwt%, 5wt%, 10wt%, 15wt%, 20wt% or 25wt% to about 70wt%, 60wt%, 50wt%, 45wt%, 40wt%, 35wt%, or 30wt% (calculated on a dry weight basis) of a botanical material.
- the aerosol-generating material may comprise 10- 50wt%, 15-40wt% or 20-35wt% of a botanical material.
- the botanical material is tobacco.
- the aerosol -generating material may comprise from about lwt%, 2wt%, 3wt% or 4wt% to about 20wt%, 18wt%, 15wt% or 12wt% (calculated on a dry weight basis) of nicotine.
- the aerosol generating material may comprise l-20wt%, 2-18wt% or 3-12wt% of nicotine.
- the aerosol -generating material comprises an active substance such as tobacco extract.
- the aerosol-generating material may comprise 5-60wt% (calculated on a dry weight basis) of tobacco extract.
- the aerosol-generating material may comprise from about 5wt%, 10wt%, 15wt%, 20wt% or 25wt% to about 60wt%, 50wt%, 45wt%, 40wt%, 35wt%, or 30wt% (calculated on a dry weight basis) tobacco extract.
- the aerosol -generating material may comprise 10-50wt%, 15-40wt% or 20-35 wt% of tobacco extract.
- the tobacco extract may contain nicotine at a concentration such that the aerosol-generating material comprises lwt% 1.5wt%, 2wt% or 2.5wt% to about 6wt%, 5wt%, 4.5wt% or 4wt% (calculated on a dry weight basis) of nicotine. In some cases, there may be no nicotine in the aerosol-generating material other than that which results from the tobacco extract.
- the active substance comprises one or more cannabinoid compounds selected from the group consisting of: cannabidiol (CBD), tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), tetrahydrocannabinolic acid (THCA), cannabidiolic acid (CBDA), cannabinol (CBN), cannabigerol (CBG), cannabichromene (CBC), cannabicyclol (CBL), cannabivarin (CBV), tetrahydrocannabivarin (THCV), cannabidivarin (CBDV), cannabichromevarin (CBCV), cannabigerovarin (CBGV), cannabigerol monomethyl ether (CBGM) and cannabielsoin (CBE), cannabicitran (CBT).
- CBD cannabidiol
- THC tetrahydrocannabinol
- THCA tetrahydrocannabinolic acid
- CBDA
- the active substance may comprise one or more cannabinoid compounds selected from the group consisting of cannabidiol (CBD) and THC (tetrahydrocannabinol).
- CBD cannabidiol
- THC tetrahydrocannabinol
- the active substance may comprise cannabidiol (CBD).
- CBD cannabidiol
- the active substance may comprise nicotine and cannabidiol (CBD).
- the active substance may comprise nicotine, cannabidiol (CBD), and THC (tetrahydrocannabinol).
- the aerosol-generating material comprises no tobacco material but does comprise nicotine.
- the aerosol -generating material may comprise from about lwt%, 2wt%, 3wt% or 4wt% to about 20wt%, 18wt%, 15wt% or 12wt% (calculated on a dry weight basis) of nicotine.
- the aerosol-generating material may comprise l-20wt%, 2-18wt% or 3-12wt% of nicotine.
- the total content of active substance and/or flavourant may be at least about 0.1wt%, lwt%, 5wt%, 10wt%, 20wt%, 25wt% or 30wt%. In some cases, the total content of active substance and/or flavourant may be less than about 90wt%, 80wt%, 70wt%, 60wt%, 50wt% or 40wt% (all calculated on a dry weight basis).
- the total content of botanical material, nicotine and flavourant may be at least about 0.1wt%, lwt%, 5wt%, 10wt%, 20wt%, 25wt% or 30wt%. In some cases, the total content of active substance and/or flavourant may be less than about 90wt%, 80wt%, 70wt%, 60wt%, 50wt% or 40wt% (all calculated on a dry weight basis).
- the amorphous solid may be made from a gel, and this gel may additionally comprise a solvent, included at 0.1-50wt%.
- a solvent in which the flavourant is soluble may reduce the gel stability and the flavourant may crystallise out of the gel.
- the gel does not include a solvent in which the flavourant is soluble.
- the aerosol-generating material or amorphous solid may comprise an acid.
- the acid may be an organic acid.
- the acid may be at least one of a monoprotic acid, a diprotic acid and a triprotic acid.
- the acid may contain at least one carboxyl functional group.
- the acid may be at least one of an alpha-hydroxy acid, carboxylic acid, dicarboxylic acid, tricarboxylic acid and keto acid.
- the acid may be an alpha-keto acid.
- the acid may be at least one of succinic acid, lactic acid, benzoic acid, citric acid, tartaric acid, fumaric acid, levulinic acid, acetic acid, malic acid, formic acid, sorbic acid, benzoic acid, propanoic and pyruvic acid.
- the acid is lactic acid.
- the acid is benzoic acid.
- the acid may be an inorganic acid.
- the acid may be a mineral acid.
- the acid may be at least one of sulphuric acid, hydrochloric acid, boric acid and phosphoric acid.
- the acid is levulinic acid.
- an acid is particularly preferred in embodiments in which the aerosol-generating material or amorphous solid comprises nicotine.
- the presence of an acid may stabilise dissolved species in the slurry from which the aerosol-generating material or amorphous solid is formed.
- the presence of the acid may reduce or substantially prevent evaporation of nicotine during drying of the slurry, thereby reducing loss of nicotine during manufacturing.
- the aerosol-generating material or amorphous solid comprises a gelling agent comprising a cellulosic gelling agent and/or a non-cellulosic gelling agent, an active substance and an acid.
- the amorphous solid comprises from 1 - 60wt% of a filler, for example, 5 - 50wt%, 10 - 40 wt% or 15 - 30 wt% of a filler. In some such cases the amorphous solid comprises at least 1 wt% of a filler, for example, at least 5 wt%, at least 10wt%, at least 20wt% at least 30wt%, at least 40wt%, or at least 50wt% of a filler In some embodiments, the amorphous solid comprises less than 60wt% of a filler, such as from lwt% to 60wt%, or 5wt% to 50wt%, or 5wt% to 30wt%, or 10wt% to 20wt%.
- the amorphous solid comprises less than 20wt%, suitably less than 10wt% or less than 5wt% of a filler. In some cases, the amorphous solid comprises less than lwt% of a filler, and in some cases, comprises no filler.
- the filler may comprise one or more inorganic filler materials, such as calcium carbonate, perlite, vermiculite, diatomaceous earth, colloidal silica, magnesium oxide, magnesium sulphate, magnesium carbonate, and suitable inorganic sorbents, such as molecular sieves.
- the filler may comprise one or more organic filler materials such as wood pulp, cellulose and cellulose derivatives (such as methylcellulose, hydroxypropyl cellulose, and carboxymethyl cellulose (CMC)).
- the amorphous solid comprises no calcium carbonate such as chalk.
- the filler is fibrous.
- the filler may be a fibrous organic filler material such as wood pulp, hemp fibre, cellulose or cellulose derivatives (such as methylcellulose, hydroxypropyl cellulose, and carboxymethyl cellulose (CMC)).
- CMC carboxymethyl cellulose
- the amorphous solid may increase the tensile strength of the material. This may be particularly advantageous in examples wherein the amorphous solid is provided as a sheet, such as when an amorphous solid sheet circumscribes a rod of aerosol -generating material.
- the aerosol generating material may be formed as a sheet before being cut into a plurality of discrete portions for incorporation into the consumable of the invention.
- the amorphous solid does not comprise tobacco fibres. In particular embodiments, the amorphous solid does not comprise fibrous material. In some embodiments, the aerosol-generating material does not comprise tobacco fibres. In particular embodiments, the aerosol-generating material does not comprise fibrous material.
- the consumable does not comprise tobacco fibres. In particular embodiments, the consumable does not comprise fibrous material.
- the amorphous solid may comprise: 10-35 wt% gelling agent, 25-50 wt% aerosol -former material, and 30-55 wt% active substance (calculated on a dry weight basis). In some cases, the amorphous solid may comprise: 20-30 wt% gelling agent, 30-40 wt% aerosol-former material, and 35-50 wt% active substance (calculated on a dry weight basis). For example, the amorphous solid may comprise about 22 wt% gelling agent, about 36 wt% aerosol-former material and about 42 wt% active substance (calculated on a dry weight basis).
- the amorphous solid may comprise: 10-35 wt% alginate, 25-50 wt% glycerol, and 30-55 wt% tobacco extract (calculated on a dry weight basis). In some cases, the amorphous solid may comprise: 20-30 wt% alginate, 30-40 wt% glycerol, and 35-50 wt% tobacco extract (calculated on a dry weight basis). For example, the amorphous solid may comprise about 22 wt% alginate, about 36 wt% glycerol and about 42 wt% tobacco extract (calculated on a dry weight basis).
- the amorphous solid in sheet form may have a tensile strength of from around 200 N/m to around 900 N/m. In some examples, such as where the amorphous solid does not comprise a filler, the amorphous solid may have a tensile strength of from 200 N/m to 400 N/m, or 200 N/m to 300 N/m, or about 250 N/m. Such tensile strengths may be particularly suitable for embodiments wherein the aerosol generating material is formed as a sheet and then shredded and incorporated into an aerosol generating consumable.
- the amorphous solid may have a tensile strength of from 600 N/m to 900 N/m, or from 700 N/m to 900 N/m, or around 800 N/m.
- tensile strengths may be particularly suitable for embodiments wherein the aerosol generating material is included in an aerosol generating consumable /assembly as a rolled sheet, suitably in the form of a tube.
- the amorphous solid may comprise a colourant.
- the addition of a colourant may alter the visual appearance of the amorphous solid.
- the presence of colourant in the amorphous solid may enhance the visual appearance of the amorphous solid and the aerosol-generating material.
- the amorphous solid may be colour-matched to other components of the aerosol-generating material or to other components of an article comprising the amorphous solid.
- colourants may be used depending on the desired colour of the amorphous solid.
- the colour of amorphous solid may be, for example, white, green, red, purple, blue, brown or black. Other colours are also envisaged.
- Natural or synthetic colourants such as natural or synthetic dyes, food-grade colourants and pharmaceutical -grade colourants may be used.
- the colourant is caramel, which may confer the amorphous solid with a brown appearance.
- the colour of the amorphous solid may be similar to the colour of other components (such as tobacco material) in an aerosol-generating material comprising the amorphous solid.
- the addition of a colourant to the amorphous solid renders it visually indistinguishable from other components in the aerosol-generating material.
- the colourant may be incorporated during the formation of the amorphous solid (e.g. when forming a slurry comprising the materials that form the amorphous solid) or it may be applied to the amorphous solid after its formation (e.g. by spraying it onto the amorphous solid).
- the amorphous solid may consist essentially of, or consist of a gelling agent, water, an aerosol-former material, a flavourant, and optionally an active substance.
- the water content of each discrete portion of amorphous solid is less than about 15mg; for example, less than about 14mg, 13mg, 12mg, 1 lmg, lOmg, 9mg, 8mg, 7mg, 6mg, or 5mg.
- the water content of the amorphous solid should be determined by standard procedures known in the art, for example, by Karl-Fischer- titration or Gas Chromatography with Thermal Conductivity Detector (GC-TCD).
- the amorphous solid may consist essentially of, or consist of a gelling agent, water, an aerosol-former material, a flavourant, and optionally a tobacco material and/or a nicotine source.
- the amorphous solid has a thickness of about 0.015mm to about 1.5mm, suitably about 0.05mm to about 1.5mm or 0.05mm to about 1.0mm.
- the thickness may be in the range of from about 0.1mm or 0.15mm to about 1.0mm, 0.5mm or 0.3mm.
- the inventors have found that a material having a thickness of 0.2mm is particularly suitable.
- the inventors have established that if the aerosol-generating material is too thick, then heating efficiency is compromised. This adversely affects the power consumption in use. Conversely, if the aerosol-generating material is too thin, it is difficult to manufacture and handle; a very thin material is harder to cast and may be fragile, compromising aerosol formation in use.
- the inventors have established that the aerosol-generating material material thicknesses stipulated herein optimise the material properties in view of these competing considerations.
- the thickness values stipulated herein are mean values for the thickness in question. In some cases, the thickness may vary by no more than 25%, 20%, 15%, 10%, 5% or 1%.
- the thickness values stipulated herein for the aerosol -generating material apply also to the amorphous solid.
- the aerosol-generating material is formed as a sheet.
- the aerosol-generating material sheet may be incorporated into the assembly or consumable in sheet form, for example the plurality of discrete potions may be a plurality of sheets.
- the aerosol-generating material sheets may be incorporated as a planar sheets, as a gathered or bunched sheets, as a crimped sheets, or as rolled sheets (i.e. in the form of a tube).
- the aerosol -generating material of these embodiments may be included in an aerosol generating consumable /assembly as sheets, such as sheets circumscribing a rod of aerosol-generating material (e.g. tobacco).
- the aerosol-generating material sheets may be formed on a wrapping paper which circumscribes an aerosol-generating material such as tobacco.
- the sheets may be shredded and then incorporated into the assembly, suitably mixed into an aerosol-generating material such as cut rag tobacco.
- the consumables of the invention will retain the ability to aerosolise no more than 15mg of water per inhalation action of the user, when the aerosol-generating material is heated to at least 120°C.
- the aerosol-generating material may have any suitable area density, such as from 30 g/m 2 to 120 g/m 2 .
- the sheet may have a mass per unit area of 80-120 g/m 2 , or from about 70 to 110 g/m 2 , or particularly from about 90 to 110 g/m 2 , or suitably about 100 g/m 2 (so that it has a similar density to cut rag tobacco and a mixture of these substances will not readily separate).
- Such area densities may be particularly suitable where the aerosol-generating material is included in an aerosol generating consumable/assembly in sheet form, or as a shredded sheet (described further hereinbelow).
- the sheet may have a mass per unit area of about 30 to 70 g/m 2 , 40 to 60 g/m 2 , or 25-60 g/m 2 and may be used to wrap an aerosol generating material such as tobacco.
- the consumable may comprise a support on which the aerosol -generating material is provided.
- the support functions as a support on which the aerosol generating material forms, easing manufacture.
- the support may provide tensile strength to the aerosol-generating material, easing handling.
- the plurality of discrete portions of aerosol-generating material are deposited on such a support.
- the plurality of discrete portions of amorphous material is deposited on such a support.
- the discrete portions of aerosol-generating material are deposited on such a support such that each discrete portion may be heated and aerosolised separately.
- the consumable comprises a plurality of discrete portions of aerosol-generating material comprising an amorphous solid, the discrete portions provided on a support and each of the discrete portions comprising less than 15mg of water.
- the discrete portions of aerosol-generating material are provided on the support such that each discrete portion may be heated and aerosolised separately.
- the inventors have found that a consumable having such a conformation allows a consistent aerosol to be delivered to the user with each puff.
- the support may be formed from materials selected from metal foil, paper, carbon paper, greaseproof paper, ceramic, carbon allotropes such as graphite and graphene, plastic, cardboard, wood or combinations thereof.
- the support may comprise or consist of a tobacco material, such as a sheet of reconstituted tobacco.
- the support may be formed from materials selected from metal foil, paper, cardboard, wood or combinations thereof.
- the support itself be a laminate structure comprising layers of materials selected from the preceding lists.
- the support may also function as a flavourant carrier.
- the support may be impregnated with a flavourant or with tobacco extract.
- the support may be non-magnetic.
- the support may be magnetic. This functionality may be used to fasten the support to the assembly in use, or may be used to generate particular amorphous solid shapes.
- the aerosol -generating material may comprise one or more magnets which can be used to fasten the material to an induction heater in use.
- the support may be substantially or wholly impermeable to gas and/or aerosol. This prevents aerosol or gas passage through the support layer, thereby controlling the flow and ensuring it is delivered to the user. This can also be used to prevent condensation or other deposition of the gas/aerosol in use on, for example, the surface of a heater provided in an aerosol generating assembly. Thus, consumption efficiency and hygiene can be improved in some cases.
- the surface of the support that abuts the aerosol-generating material may be porous.
- the support comprises paper.
- a porous support such as paper is particularly suitable for the present invention; the porous (e.g. paper) layer abuts the aerosol-generating material and forms a strong bond.
- the aerosol-generating material is formed by drying a gel and, without being limited by theory, it is thought that the slurry from which the gel is formed partially impregnates the porous support (e.g. paper) so that when the gel sets and forms cross-links, the support is partially bound into the gel. This provides a strong binding between the gel and the support (and between the dried gel and the support).
- surface roughness may contribute to the strength of bond between the aerosol-generating material and the support.
- the inventors have found that the paper roughness (for the surface abutting the support) may suitably be in the range of 50-1000 Bekk seconds, suitably 50-150 Bekk seconds, suitably 100 Bekk seconds (measured over an air pressure interval of 50.66-48.00 kPa).
- a Bekk smoothness tester is an instrument used to determine the smoothness of a paper surface, in which air at a specified pressure is leaked between a smooth glass surface and a paper sample, and the time (in seconds) for a fixed volume of air to seep between these surfaces is the "Bekk smoothness”.
- the surface of the support facing away from the aerosol-generating material may be arranged in contact with the heater, and a smoother surface may provide more efficient heat transfer.
- the support is disposed so as to have a rougher side abutting the aerosol-generating material and a smoother side facing away from the aerosol -generating material.
- the support may be a paper-backed foil; the paper layer abuts the aerosol-generating material and the properties discussed in the previous paragraphs are afforded by this abutment.
- the foil backing is substantially impermeable, providing control of the aerosol flow path.
- a metal foil backing may also serve to conduct heat to the aerosol-generating material.
- the foil layer of the paper-backed foil abuts the aerosol generating material.
- the foil is substantially impermeable, thereby preventing water provided in the aerosol-generating material to be absorbed into the paper which could weaken its structural integrity.
- the support is formed from or comprises metal foil, such as aluminium foil.
- a metallic support may allow for better conduction of thermal energy to the amorphous solid.
- a metal foil may function as a susceptor in an induction heating system.
- the support comprises a metal foil layer and a support layer, such as cardboard.
- the metal foil layer may have a thickness of less than 20pm, such as from about 1 pm to about 10pm, suitably about 5pm.
- the support may have a thickness of between about 0.010mm and about 2.0mm, suitably from about 0.015mm, 0.02mm, 0.05mm or 0.1mm to about 1.5mm, 1.0mm, or 0.5mm.
- the aerosol-generating material for use in the consumable of the first aspect forms a further aspect of the invention.
- the aerosol-generating material comprises an amorphous solid, wherein less than about 15mg of water is aerosolised during each puff, when the aerosol-generating material is heated to a temperature of at least 120 °C in an aerosol provision device.
- the specific features discussed above in relation to the aerosol-generating material when present in the consumable apply equally to the aerosol-generating material when taken in isolation, and form part of the present invention.
- a further aspect of the invention provides a method of making the consumable of the invention.
- This method comprises a method of making the aerosol-generating material and incorporating the aerosol-generating material into the consumable.
- the aerosol-generating material is an amorphous solid.
- the method may comprise (a) forming a slurry comprising components of the amorphous solid or precursors thereof, (b) forming a layer of the slurry, and (c) setting the slurry to form a gel, (d) drying the gel to form an amorphous solid, (e) dividing the amorphous solid into discrete portions, each portion comprising no more than 15mg of water, and (f) incorporating the discrete portions of amorphous solid into the consumable.
- the block (b) of forming a layer of the slurry may comprise spraying, casting or extruding the slurry, for example.
- the layer of slurry is formed by electrospraying the slurry.
- the layer of slurry is formed by casting the slurry.
- (b) and/or (c) and/or (d) may, at least partially, occur simultaneously (for example, during electrospraying). In some cases, (b) - (d) may occur sequentially.
- a setting agent such as a calcium source
- a setting agent may be added to the slurry before or during (b). This is appropriate in instances where gelation occurs relatively slowly (e.g. with alginate gelling agent), and thus the slurry may be, e.g. cast, after the setting agent is added.
- the (c) of setting the slurry as a gel may comprise the addition of a setting agent to the slurry layer.
- the setting agent may be sprayed onto the gel, for example, or may be preloaded onto the surface on which the slurry is layered.
- a setting agent comprising a calcium source such as calcium chloride or calcium citrate
- the calcium should be added after casting (because the gel is too viscous to cast).
- the setting agent comprises or consists of calcium acetate, calcium formate, calcium carbonate, calcium hydrogencarbonate, calcium chloride, calcium lactate, or a combination thereof.
- the setting agent comprises or consists of calcium formate and/or calcium lactate.
- the setting agent comprises or consists of calcium formate. The inventors have identified that, typically, employing calcium formate as a setting agent results in an amorphous solid having a greater tensile strength and greater resistance to elongation.
- the total amount of the setting agent such as a calcium source, may be 0.5- 5wt% (calculated on a dry weight basis). Suitably, the total amount may be from about lwt%, 2.5wt% or 4wt% to about 4.8wt% or 4.5wt%.
- the inventors have found that the addition of too little setting agent may result in a gel which does not stabilise the flavourant and results in the flavourant dropping out of the gel.
- the inventors have found that the addition of too much setting agent results in a gel that is very tacky and consequently has poor handleability.
- the total amount of setting agent may therefore be from 0.5-12wt% such as 5-10wt%, calculated on a dry weight basis.
- the total amount may be from about 5wt%, 6wt% or 7wt% to about 12wt% or 10wt%.
- the amorphous solid will not generally contain any tobacco.
- Alginate salts are derivatives of alginic acid and are typically high molecular weight polymers (10-600 kDa).
- Alginic acid is a copolymer of b-D-mannuronic (M) and a-L-guluronic acid (G) units (blocks) linked together with (l,4)-glycosidic bonds to form a polysaccharide.
- M b-D-mannuronic
- G a-L-guluronic acid
- the alginate crosslinks to form a gel On addition of calcium cations, the alginate crosslinks to form a gel.
- the inventors have determined that alginate salts with a high G monomer content more readily form a gel on addition of the calcium source.
- the gel-precursor pay comprise an alginate salt in which at least about 40%, 45%, 50%, 55%, 60% or 70% of the monomer units in the alginate copolymer are a-L- guluronic acid (G) units.
- the slurry may be warmed prior to and during casting. This can slow gelation, improving handleability and easing the casting process. Further, warming the slurry may melt the flavourant components (e.g. menthol) easing handleability.
- flavourant components e.g. menthol
- menthol may be distributed through the slurry in powder form.
- menthol or other flavourants
- an emulsifying agent such as acacia gum may be added to disperse molten menthol in the slurry.
- the slurry may be cast as a bandcast sheet.
- the sheet may be loaded with a releasing agent, such as lecithin, which can aid separation of the bandcast and the amorphous solid.
- the slurry comprises: l-60wt% a gelling agent
- menthol 0.1-80wt% menthol the weights being calculated on a dry weight basis, and solvent.
- the term “delivery system” is intended to encompass systems that deliver a substance to a user, and includes: combustible aerosol provision systems, such as cigarettes, cigarillos, cigars, and tobacco for pipes or for roll-your-own or for make-your-own cigarettes (whether based on tobacco, tobacco derivatives, expanded tobacco, reconstituted tobacco, tobacco substitutes or other smokable material); non-combustible aerosol provision systems that release compounds from an aerosol generating material without combusting the aerosol-generating material, such as electronic cigarettes, tobacco heating products, and hybrid systems to generate aerosol using a combination of aerosol-generating materials; consumables comprising aerosol-generating material and configured to be used within one of these non-combustible aerosol provision systems; and aerosol-free delivery systems which deliver one or more substances to a user orally, nasally, transdermally or in another way without forming an aerosol, including but not limited to, lozenges, gums, patches, articles comprising inhalable powders, and oral products such
- a “combustible” aerosol provision system is one where a constituent aerosol-generating material of the aerosol provision system (or component thereof) is combusted or burned during use in order to facilitate delivery to a user.
- a “non-combustible” aerosol provision system is one where a constituent aerosol-generating material of the aerosol provision system (or component thereof) is not combusted or burned in order to facilitate delivery to a user.
- the delivery system is a combustible aerosol provision system, selected from the group consisting of a cigarette, a cigarillo and a cigar.
- the disclosure relates to a component for use in a combustible aerosol provision systems, such as a filter, a filter rod, a filter segment, a tobacco rod, a spill, an additive release component such as a capsule, a thread, or a bead, or a paper such as a plug wrap, a tipping paper or a cigarette paper.
- a component for use in a combustible aerosol provision systems such as a filter, a filter rod, a filter segment, a tobacco rod, a spill, an additive release component such as a capsule, a thread, or a bead, or a paper such as a plug wrap, a tipping paper or a cigarette paper.
- the delivery system is a non-combustible aerosol provision system, such as a powered non-combustible aerosol provision system.
- the non-combustible aerosol provision system is an electronic cigarette, also known as a vaping device or electronic nicotine delivery system (END), although it is noted that the presence of nicotine in the aerosol generating material is not a requirement.
- END electronic nicotine delivery system
- the non-combustible aerosol provision system is a tobacco heating system, also known as a heat-not-bum system.
- the non-combustible aerosol provision system is a hybrid system to generate aerosol using a combination of aerosol -generating materials, one or a plurality of which may be heated.
- Each of the aerosol-generating materials may be, for example, in the form of a solid, liquid or gel and may or may not contain nicotine.
- the hybrid system comprises a liquid or gel aerosol-generating material and a solid aerosol-generating material.
- the solid aerosol-generating material may comprise, for example, tobacco or a non-tobacco product.
- the non-combustible aerosol provision system may comprise a non combustible aerosol provision device and a consumable for use with the non- combustible aerosol provision device.
- consumables which themselves comprise a means for powering an aerosol generating component may themselves form the non-combustible aerosol provision system.
- the non-combustible aerosol provision device may comprise a power source and a controller.
- the power source may, for example, be an electric power source or an exothermic power source.
- the exothermic power source comprises a carbon substrate which may be energised so as to distribute power in the form of heat to an aerosol-generating material or heat transfer material in proximity to the exothermic power source.
- the power source such as an exothermic power source, is provided in the consumable so as to form the non-combustible aerosol provision.
- the consumable for use with the non-combustible aerosol provision device may comprise an aerosol-generating material, an aerosol generating component, an aerosol generating area, a mouthpiece, and/or an area for receiving aerosol-generating material.
- the non-combustible aerosol provision system is a heater capable of interacting with the aerosol-generating material so as to release one or more volatiles from the aerosol-generating material to form an aerosol.
- the aerosol generating component is capable of generating an aerosol from the aerosol-generating material without heating.
- the aerosol generating component may be capable of generating an aerosol from the aerosol generating material without applying heat thereto, for example via one or more of vibrational, mechanical, pressurisation or electrostatic means.
- the non-combustible aerosol provision system comprises a heater configured to heat but not burn the aerosol-generating material.
- the heater may be, in some cases, a thin film, electrically resistive heater. In other cases, the heater may comprise an induction heater or the like. In yet further cases, the heater may be a combustible heat source or a chemical heat source which undergoes an exothermic reaction to product heat in use.
- the heater may heat but not bum the aerosol-generating material(s) to between 120°C and 350°C in use. In some cases, the heater may heat but not bum the aerosol-generating material(s) to between 140°C and 250°C in use. In some cases in use, substantially all of the amorphous solid is less than about 4mm, 3mm, 2mm or 1mm from the heater. In some cases, the solid is disposed between about 0.017mm and 2.0mm from the heater, suitably between about 0.1mm and 1.0mm. These minimum distances may, in some cases, reflect the thickness of a support that supports the amorphous solid. In some cases, a surface of the amorphous solid may directly abut the heater.
- the heater may be embedded in the aerosol-generating material.
- the heater may be an electrically resistive heater (with exposed contacts for connection to an electrical circuit).
- the heater may be a susceptor embedded in the aerosol generating substrate, which is heated by induction.
- the non-combustible aerosol provision system may additionally comprise a cooling element and/or a filter.
- the cooling element if present, may act or function to cool gaseous or aerosol components. In some cases, it may act to cool gaseous components such that they condense to form an aerosol. It may also act to space the very hot parts of the apparatus from the user.
- the filter if present, may comprise any suitable filter known in the art such as a cellulose acetate plug.
- the non-combustible aerosol provision system may be a heat-not- bum device. That is, it may contain a solid tobacco-containing material (and no liquid aerosol-generating material). In some cases, the amorphous solid may comprise the tobacco material.
- a heat-not-bum device is disclosed in WO 2015/062983 A2, which is incorporated by reference in its entirety.
- the non-combustible aerosol provision system may be a hybrid device. That is, it may contain a solid aerosol-generating material and a liquid aerosol generating material.
- the amorphous solid may comprise nicotine. In some cases, the amorphous solid may comprise a tobacco material.
- the amorphous solid may comprise a tobacco material and a separate nicotine source.
- the separate aerosol-generating materials may be heated by separate heaters, the same heater or, in one case, a downstream aerosol-generating material may be heated by a hot aerosol which is generated from the upstream aerosol-generating material.
- a hybrid device is disclosed in WO 2016/135331 Al, which is incorporated by reference in its entirety.
- the consumable may alternatively be referred to herein as a cartridge.
- the consumable may be adapted for use in a THP, a hybrid device or another aerosol generating device.
- the consumable may additionally comprise a filter and/or cooling element, as described previously.
- the consumable may be circumscribed by a wrapping material such as paper.
- the consumable may additionally comprise ventilation apertures. These may be provided in the sidewall of the consumable. In some cases, the ventilation apertures may be provided in the filter and/or cooling element. These apertures may allow cool air to be drawn into the consumable during use, which can mix with the heated volatilised components thereby cooling the aerosol.
- the ventilation enhances the generation of visible heated volatilised components from the consumable when it is heated in use.
- the heated volatilised components are made visible by the process of cooling the heated volatilised components such that supersaturation of the heated volatilised components occurs.
- the heated volatilised components then undergo droplet formation, otherwise known as nucleation, and eventually the size of the aerosol particles of the heated volatilised components increases by further condensation of the heated volatilised components and by coagulation of newly formed droplets from the heated volatilised components.
- the ratio of the cool air to the sum of the heated volatilised components and the cool air known as the ventilation ratio, is at least 15%.
- a ventilation ratio of 15% enables the heated volatilised components to be made visible by the method described above.
- the visibility of the heated volatilised components enables the user to identify that the volatilised components have been generated and adds to the sensory experience of the smoking experience.
- the ventilation ratio is between 50% and 85% to provide additional cooling to the heated volatilised components. In some cases, the ventilation ratio may be at least 60% or 65%.
- FIG. 1 and 2 there are shown a partially cut-away section view and a perspective view of an example of an aerosol -generating consumable 101.
- the consumable 101 is adapted for use with a device having a power source and a heater.
- the consumable 101 of this embodiment is particularly suitable for use with the device 51 shown in Figures 5 to 7, described below.
- the consumable 101 may be removably inserted into the device shown in Figure 5 at an insertion point 20 of the device 51.
- the consumable 101 of one example is in the form of a substantially cylindrical rod that includes a body of aerosol-generating material 103 and a filter assembly 105 in the form of a rod.
- the aerosol -generating material comprises the amorphous solid material described herein. In some embodiments, it may be included in sheet form. In some embodiments it may be included in the form of a shredded sheet. In some embodiments, the aerosol-generating material described herein may be incorporated in sheet form and in shredded form.
- the filter assembly 105 includes three segments, a cooling segment 107, a filter segment 109 and a mouth end segment 111.
- the consumable 101 has a first end 113, also known as a mouth end or a proximal end and a second end 115, also known as a distal end.
- the body of aerosol-generating material 103 is located towards the distal end 115 of the consumable 101.
- the cooling segment 107 is located adjacent the body of aerosol -generating material 103 between the body of aerosol generating material 103 and the filter segment 109, such that the cooling segment 107 is in an abutting relationship with the aerosol-generating material 103 and the filter segment 103.
- the filter segment 109 is located in between the cooling segment 107 and the mouth end segment 111.
- the mouth end segment 111 is located towards the proximal end 113 of the consumable 101, adjacent the filter segment 109.
- the filter segment 109 is in an abutting relationship with the mouth end segment 111.
- the total length of the filter assembly 105 is between 37mm and 45mm, more preferably, the total length of the filter assembly 105 is 41mm.
- the rod of aerosol-generating material 103 is between 34mm and 50mm in length, suitably between 38mm and 46mm in length, suitably 42mm in length.
- the total length of the consumable 101 is between 71mm and 95mm, suitably between 79mm and 87mm, suitably 83mm.
- An axial end of the body of aerosol-generating material 103 is visible at the distal end 115 of the consumable 101.
- the distal end 115 of the consumable 101 may comprise an end member (not shown) covering the axial end of the body of aerosol-generating material 103.
- the body of aerosol-generating material 103 is joined to the filter assembly 105 by annular tipping paper (not shown), which is located substantially around the circumference of the filter assembly 105 to surround the filter assembly 105 and extends partially along the length of the body of aerosol-generating material 103.
- the tipping paper is made of 58GSM standard tipping base paper.
- the tipping paper has a length of between 42mm and 50mm, suitably of 46mm.
- the cooling segment 107 is an annular tube and is located around and defines an air gap within the cooling segment. The air gap provides a chamber for heated volatilised components generated from the body of aerosol generating material 103 to flow.
- the cooling segment 107 is hollow to provide a chamber for aerosol accumulation yet rigid enough to withstand axial compressive forces and bending moments that might arise during manufacture and whilst the consumable 101 is in use during insertion into the device 51.
- the thickness of the wall of the cooling segment 107 is approximately 0.29mm.
- the cooling segment 107 provides a physical displacement between the aerosol generating material 103 and the filter segment 109.
- the physical displacement provided by the cooling segment 107 will provide a thermal gradient across the length of the cooling segment 107.
- the cooling segment 107 is configured to provide a temperature differential of at least 40 degrees Celsius between a heated volatilised component entering a first end of the cooling segment 107 and a heated volatilised component exiting a second end of the cooling segment 107.
- the cooling segment 107 is configured to provide a temperature differential of at least 60 degrees Celsius between a heated volatilised component entering a first end of the cooling segment 107 and a heated volatilised component exiting a second end of the cooling segment 107.
- This temperature differential across the length of the cooling element 107 protects the temperature sensitive filter segment 109 from the high temperatures of the aerosol -generating material 103 when it is heated by the device 51. If the physical displacement was not provided between the filter segment 109 and the body of aerosol-generating material 103 and the heating elements of the device 51, then the temperature sensitive filter segment may 109 become damaged in use, so it would not perform its required functions as effectively.
- the length of the cooling segment 107 is at least 15mm. In one example, the length of the cooling segment 107 is between 20mm and 30mm, more particularly 23mm to 27mm, more particularly 25mm to 27mm, suitably 25mm.
- the cooling segment 107 is made of paper, which means that it is comprised of a material that does not generate compounds of concern, for example, toxic compounds when in use adj acent to the heater of the device 51.
- the cooling segment 107 is manufactured from a spirally wound paper tube which provides a hollow internal chamber yet maintains mechanical rigidity. Spirally wound paper tubes are able to meet the tight dimensional accuracy requirements of high-speed manufacturing processes with respect to tube length, outer diameter, roundness and straightness.
- the cooling segment 107 is a recess created from stiff plug wrap or tipping paper.
- the stiff plug wrap or tipping paper is manufactured to have a rigidity that is sufficient to withstand the axial compressive forces and bending moments that might arise during manufacture and whilst the consumable 101 is in use during insertion into the device 51.
- the filter segment 109 may be formed of any filter material sufficient to remove one or more volatilised compounds from heated volatilised components from the aerosol-generating material.
- the filter segment 109 is made of a mono acetate material, such as cellulose acetate.
- the filter segment 109 provides cooling and irritation-reduction from the heated volatilised components without depleting the quantity of the heated volatilised components to an unsatisfactory level for a user.
- a capsule (not illustrated) may be provided in filter segment 109. It may be disposed substantially centrally in the filter segment 109, both across the filter segment 109 diameter and along the filter segment 109 length. In other cases, it may be offset in one or more dimension.
- the capsule may in some cases, where present, contain a volatile component such as a flavourant or aerosol generating agent.
- the density of the cellulose acetate tow material of the filter segment 109 controls the pressure drop across the filter segment 109, which in turn controls the draw resistance of the consumable 101. Therefore the selection of the material of the filter segment 109 is important in controlling the resistance to draw of the consumable 101. In addition, the filter segment performs a filtration function in the consumable 101.
- the filter segment 109 is made of a 8Y15 grade of filter tow material, which provides a filtration effect on the heated volatilised material, whilst also reducing the size of condensed aerosol droplets which result from the heated volatilised material.
- the presence of the filter segment 109 provides an insulating effect by providing further cooling to the heated volatilised components that exit the cooling segment 107. This further cooling effect reduces the contact temperature of the user’s lips on the surface of the filter segment 109.
- the filter segment 109 is between 6mm to 10mm in length, suitably 8mm.
- the mouth end segment 111 is an annular tube and is located around and defines an air gap within the mouth end segment 111.
- the air gap provides a chamber for heated volatilised components that flow from the filter segment 109.
- the mouth end segment 111 is hollow to provide a chamber for aerosol accumulation yet rigid enough to withstand axial compressive forces and bending moments that might arise during manufacture and whilst the consumable is in use during insertion into the device 51.
- the thickness of the wall of the mouth end segment 111 is approximately 0.29mm.
- the length of the mouth end segment 111 is between 6mm to 10mm, suitably 8mm.
- the mouth end segment 111 may be manufactured from a spirally wound paper tube which provides a hollow internal chamber yet maintains critical mechanical rigidity. Spirally wound paper tubes are able to meet the tight dimensional accuracy requirements of high-speed manufacturing processes with respect to tube length, outer diameter, roundness and straightness.
- the mouth end segment 111 provides the function of preventing any liquid condensate that accumulates at the exit of the filter segment 109 from coming into direct contact with a user. It should be appreciated that, in one example, the mouth end segment 111 and the cooling segment 107 may be formed of a single tube and the filter segment 109 is located within that tube separating the mouth end segment 111 and the cooling segment 107.
- FIG. 3 and 4 there are shown a partially cut-away section and perspective views of an example of a consumable 301.
- the reference signs shown in Figures 3 and 4 are equivalent to the reference signs shown in Figures 1 and 2, but with an increment of 200.
- a ventilation region 317 is provided in the consumable 301 to enable air to flow into the interior of the consumable 301 from the exterior of the consumable 301.
- the ventilation region 317 takes the form of one or more ventilation holes 317 formed through the outer layer of the consumable 301.
- the ventilation holes may be located in the cooling segment 307 to aid with the cooling of the consumable 301.
- the ventilation region 317 comprises one or more rows of holes, and preferably, each row of holes is arranged circumferentially around the consumable 301 in a cross-section that is substantially perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of the consumable 301. In one example, there are between one to four rows of ventilation holes to provide ventilation for the consumable 301. Each row of ventilation holes may have between 12 to 36 ventilation holes 317.
- the ventilation holes 317 may, for example, be between 100 to 500 pm in diameter. In one example, an axial separation between rows of ventilation holes 317 is between 0.25mm and 0.75mm, suitably 0.5mm.
- the ventilation holes 317 are of uniform size. In another example, the ventilation holes 317 vary in size.
- the ventilation holes can be made using any suitable technique, for example, one or more of the following techniques: laser technology, mechanical perforation of the cooling segment 307 or pre-perforation of the cooling segment 307 before it is formed into the consumable 301.
- the ventilation holes 317 are positioned so as to provide effective cooling to the consumable 301.
- the rows of ventilation holes 317 are located at least 11mm from the proximal end 313 of the consumable, suitably between 17mm and 20mm from the proximal end 313 of the consumable 301.
- the location of the ventilation holes 317 is positioned such that user does not block the ventilation holes 317 when the consumable 301 is in use.
- Providing the rows of ventilation holes between 17mm and 20mm from the proximal end 313 of the consumable 301 enables the ventilation holes 317 to be located outside of the device 51, when the consumable 301 is fully inserted in the device 51, as can be seen in Figures 6 and 7.
- By locating the ventilation holes outside of the device non-heated air is able to enter the consumable 301 through the ventilation holes from outside the device 51 to aid with the cooling of the consumable 301.
- the length of the cooling segment 307 is such that the cooling segment 307 will be partially inserted into the device 51, when the consumable 301 is fully inserted into the device 51.
- the length of the cooling segment 307 provides a first function of providing a physical gap between the heater arrangement of the device 51 and the heat sensitive filter arrangement 309, and a second function of enabling the ventilation holes 317 to be located in the cooling segment, whilst also being located outside of the device 51, when the consumable 301 is fully inserted into the device 51.
- the majority of the cooling element 307 is located within the device 51. However, there is a portion of the cooling element 307 that extends out of the device 51. It is in this portion of the cooling element 307 that extends out of the device 51 in which the ventilation holes 317 are located.
- FIG. 5 to 7 there is shown an example of a device 51 arranged to heat aerosol-generating material to volatilise at least one component of said aerosol-generating material, typically to form an aerosol which can be inhaled.
- the device 51 is a heating device which releases compounds by heating, but not burning, the aerosol -generating material.
- a first end 53 is sometimes referred to herein as the mouth or proximal end 53 of the device 51 and a second end 55 is sometimes referred to herein as the distal end 55 of the device 51.
- the device 51 has an on/off button 57 to allow the device 51 as a whole to be switched on and off as desired by a user.
- the device 51 comprises a housing 59 for locating and protecting various internal components of the device 51.
- the housing 59 comprises a uni -body sleeve 11 that encompasses the perimeter of the device 51, capped with a top panel 17 which defines generally the ‘top’ of the device 51 and a bottom panel 19 which defines generally the ‘bottom’ of the device 51.
- the housing comprises a front panel, a rear panel and a pair of opposite side panels in addition to the top panel 17 and the bottom panel 19.
- the top panel 17 and/or the bottom panel 19 may be removably fixed to the uni body sleeve 11, to permit easy access to the interior of the device 51, or may be “permanently” fixed to the uni -body sleeve 11, for example to deter a user from accessing the interior of the device 51.
- the panels 17 and 19 are made of a plastics material, including for example glass-filled nylon formed by injection moulding, and the uni-body sleeve 11 is made of aluminium, though other materials and other manufacturing processes may be used.
- the top panel 17 of the device 51 has an opening 20 at the mouth end 53 of the device 51 through which, in use, the consumable 101, 301 including the aerosol generating material may be inserted into the device 51 and removed from the device 51 by a user.
- the housing 59 has located or fixed therein a heater arrangement 23, control circuitry 25 and a power source 27.
- the heater arrangement 23, the control circuitry 25 and the power source 27 are laterally adjacent (that is, adjacent when viewed from an end), with the control circuitry 25 being located generally between the heater arrangement 23 and the power source 27, though other locations are possible.
- the control circuitry 25 may include a controller, such as a microprocessor arrangement, configured and arranged to control the heating of the aerosol -generating material in the consumable 101, 301 as discussed further below.
- a controller such as a microprocessor arrangement
- the power source 27 may be for example a battery, which may be a rechargeable battery or a non-rechargeable battery.
- suitable batteries include for example a lithium-ion battery, a nickel battery (such as a nickel-cadmium battery), an alkaline battery and/ or the like.
- the battery 27 is electrically coupled to the heater arrangement 23 to supply electrical power when required and under control of the control circuitry 25 to heat the aerosol-generating material in the consumable (as discussed, to volatilise the aerosol-generating material without causing the aerosol generating material to burn).
- An advantage of locating the power source 27 laterally adjacent to the heater arrangement 23 is that a physically large power source 25 may be used without causing the device 51 as a whole to be unduly lengthy.
- a physically large power source 25 has a higher capacity (that is, the total electrical energy that can be supplied, often measured in Amp-hours or the like) and thus the battery life for the device 51 can be longer.
- the heater arrangement 23 is generally in the form of a hollow cylindrical tube, having a hollow interior heating chamber 29 into which the consumable 101, 301 comprising the aerosol-generating material is inserted for heating in use.
- the heater arrangement 23 may comprise a single heating element or may be formed of plural heating elements aligned along the longitudinal axis of the heater arrangement 23.
- the or each heating element may be annular or tubular, or at least part-annular or part-tubular around its circumference.
- the or each heating element may be a thin film heater.
- the or each heating element may be made of a ceramics material.
- suitable ceramics materials include alumina and aluminium nitride and silicon nitride ceramics, which may be laminated and sintered.
- Other heating arrangements are possible, including for example inductive heating, infrared heater elements, which heat by emitting infrared radiation, or resistive heating elements formed by for example a resistive electrical winding.
- the heater arrangement 23 is supported by a stainless steel support tube and comprises a polyimide heating element.
- the heater arrangement 23 is dimensioned so that substantially the whole of the body of aerosol-generating material 103, 303 of the consumable 101, 301 is inserted into the heater arrangement 23 when the consumable 101, 301 is inserted into the device 51.
- the or each heating element may be arranged so that selected zones of the aerosol-generating material can be independently heated, for example in turn (over time, as discussed above) or together (simultaneously) as desired.
- the heater arrangement 23 in this example is surrounded along at least part of its length by a thermal insulator 31.
- the insulator 31 helps to reduce heat passing from the heater arrangement 23 to the exterior of the device 51. This helps to keep down the power requirements for the heater arrangement 23 as it reduces heat losses generally.
- the insulator 31 also helps to keep the exterior of the device 51 cool during operation of the heater arrangement 23.
- the insulator 31 may be a double-walled sleeve which provides a low pressure region between the two walls of the sleeve. That is, the insulator 31 may be for example a “vacuum” tube, i.e. a tube that has been at least partially evacuated so as to minimise heat transfer by conduction and/or convection.
- the housing 59 may further comprises various internal support structures 37 for supporting all internal components, as well as the heating arrangement 23.
- the device 51 further comprises a collar 33 which extends around and projects from the opening 20 into the interior of the housing 59 and a generally tubular chamber 35 which is located between the collar 33 and one end of the vacuum sleeve 31.
- the chamber 35 further comprises a cooling structure 35f, which in this example, comprises a plurality of cooling fins 35f spaced apart along the outer surface of the chamber 35, and each arranged circumferentially around outer surface of the chamber 35.
- the air gap 36 is around all of the circumference of the consumable 101, 301 over at least part of the cooling segment 307.
- the collar 33 comprises a plurality of ridges 60 arranged circumferentially around the periphery of the opening 20 and which project into the opening 20.
- the ridges 60 take up space within the opening 20 such that the open span of the opening 20 at the locations of the ridges 60 is less than the open span of the opening 20 at the locations without the ridges 60.
- the ridges 60 are configured to engage with a consumable 101, 301 inserted into the device to assist in securing it within the device 51.
- Open spaces (not shown in the Figures) defined by adjacent pairs of ridges 60 and the consumable 101, 301 form ventilation paths around the exterior of the consumable 101, 301. These ventilation paths allow hot vapours that have escaped from the consumable 101, 301 to exit the device 51 and allow cooling air to flow into the device 51 around the consumable 101, 301 in the air gap 36.
- the consumable 101, 301 is removably inserted into an insertion point 20 of the device 51, as shown in Figures 5 to 7.
- the body of aerosol-generating material 103, 303 which is located towards the distal end 115, 315 of the consumable 101, 301, is entirely received within the heater arrangement 23 of the device 51.
- the proximal end 113, 313 of the consumable 101, 301 extends from the device 51 and acts as a mouthpiece assembly for a user.
- the heater arrangement 23 will heat the consumable 101, 301 to volatilise at least one component of the aerosol-generating material from the body of aerosol-generating material 103, 303.
- the primary flow path for the heated volatilised components from the body of aerosol-generating material 103, 303 is axially through the consumable 101, 301, through the chamber inside the cooling segment 107, 307, through the filter segment 109, 309, through the mouth end segment 111, 313 to the user.
- the temperature of the heated volatilised components that are generated from the body of aerosol generating material is between 60°C and 250°C, which may be above the acceptable inhalation temperature for a user. As the heated volatilised component travels through the cooling segment 107, 307, it will cool and some volatilised components will condense on the inner surface of the cooling segment 107, 307.
- cool air will be able to enter the cooling segment 307 via the ventilation holes 317 formed in the cooling segment 307. This cool air will mix with the heated volatilised components to provide additional cooling to the heated volatilised components.
- the amorphous solid comprises menthol.
- amorphous solid may be particularly suitable for including in an aerosol generating consumable/assembly as a shredded sheet.
- the amorphous solid may have the following composition calculated as percentage of dry weight basis (calculated on a dry weight basis): gelling agent (preferably comprising alginate, more preferably comprising a combination of alginate and pectin) in an amount of from about 20wt% to about 40wt%, or about 25wt% to 35wt%; menthol in an amount of from about 35wt% to about 60wt%, or from about 40wt% to 55wt%; aerosol-former material (preferably comprising glycerol) in an amount of from about 10wt% to about 30wt%, or from about 15wt% to about 25wt% (calculated on a dry weight basis).
- gelling agent preferably comprising alginate, more preferably comprising a combination of alginate and pectin
- menthol in an amount of from about 35
- the amorphous solid comprises about 32-33wt% of an alginate/pectin gelling agent blend; about 47-48wt% menthol flavourant; and about 19- 20wt% glycerol aerosol-former material (calculated on a dry weight basis).
- the amorphous solid of these embodiments may be included in an aerosol generating consumable/assembly as a shredded sheet.
- the shredded sheet may be provided in the consumable/assembly blended with cut tobacco.
- the amorphous solid may be provided as a non-shredded sheet.
- the shredded or non-shredded sheet has a thickness of from about 0.015mm to about 1mm, preferably from about 0.02mm to about 0.07mm.
- menthol-containing amorphous solid may be particularly suitable for including in an aerosol generating consumable/assembly as a sheet, such as a sheet circumscribing a rod of aerosol-generating material (e.g. tobacco).
- aerosol-generating material e.g. tobacco
- the amorphous solid may have the following composition (calculated on a dry weight basis): gelling agent (preferably comprising alginate, more preferably comprising a combination of alginate and pectin) in an amount of from about 5wt% to about 40wt%, or about 10wt% to 30wt%; menthol in an amount of from about 10wt% to about 50wt%, or from about 15wt% to 40wt%; aerosol -former material (preferably comprising glycerol) in an amount of from about 5wt% to about 40wt%, or from about 10wt% to about 35wt%; and optionally filler in an amount of up to 60wt% - for example, in an amount of from 5wt% to 20wt%, or from about 40wt% to 60wt% (calculated on a dry weight basis).
- gelling agent preferably comprising alginate, more preferably comprising a combination of alginate and pectin
- the amorphous solid comprises about 1 lwt% of an alginate/pectin gelling agent blend, about 56wt% woodpulp filler, about 18% menthol flavourant and about 15wt% glycerol (calculated on a dry weight basis). In another of these embodiments, the amorphous solid comprises about 22wt% of an alginate/pectin gelling agent blend, about 12wt% woodpulp filler, about 36% menthol flavourant and about 30wt% glycerol (calculated on a dry weight basis).
- the amorphous solid of these embodiments may be included as a sheet.
- the sheet is provided on a support comprising paper.
- the sheet is provided on a support comprising metal foil, suitably aluminium metal foil.
- the amorphous solid may abut the metal foil.
- the sheet forms part of a laminate material with a layer (preferably comprising paper) attached to a top and bottom surface of the sheet.
- a layer preferably comprising paper
- the sheet of amorphous solid has a thickness of from about 0.015mm to about lmm.
- the amorphous solid comprises a flavourant which does not comprise menthol.
- the amorphous solid may have the following composition (calculated on a dry weight basis): gelling agent (preferably comprising alginate) in an amount of from about 5 to about 40wt%, or from about 10wt% to about 35wt%, or from about 20wt% to about 35wt%; flavourant in an amount of from about 0.1wt% to about 40wt%, of from about lwt% to about 30wt%, or from about lwt% to about 20wt%, or from about 5wt% to about 20wt%; aero sol -former material (preferably comprising glycerol) in an amount of from 15wt% to 75wt%, or from about 30wt% to about 70wt%, or from about 50wt% to about 65wt%; and optionally filler (suitably woodpulp) in an amount of less than about 60wt%, or about
- gelling agent preferably
- the amorphous solid comprises about 27wt% alginate gelling agent, about 14wt% flavourant and about 57wt% glycerol aerosol- former material (calculated on a dry weight basis). In another of these embodiments, the amorphous solid comprises about 29wt% alginate gelling agent, about 9wt% flavourant and about 60wt% glycerol (calculated on a dry weight basis).
- the amorphous solid of these embodiments may be included in an aerosol generating consumable/assembly as a shredded sheet, optionally blended with cut tobacco.
- the amorphous solid of these embodiments may be included in an aerosol generating consumable/assembly as a sheet, such as a sheet circumscribing a rod of aerosol-generating material (e.g. tobacco).
- the amorphous solid of these embodiments may be included in an aerosol generating consumable/assembly as a layer portion disposed on a support.
- the substance to be delivered comprises an active substance.
- the active substance as used herein may be a physiologically active material, which is a material intended to achieve or enhance a physiological response.
- the active substance may for example be selected from nutraceuticals, nootropics, psychoactives.
- the active substance may be naturally occurring or synthetically obtained.
- the active substance may comprise for example nicotine, caffeine, taurine, theine, vitamins such as B6 or B12 or C, melatonin, cannabinoids, or constituents, derivatives, or combinations thereof.
- the active substance may comprise one or more constituents, derivatives or extracts of tobacco, cannabis or another botanical.
- the active substance comprises nicotine. In some embodiments, the active substance comprises caffeine, melatonin or vitamin B 12.
- the active substance comprises one or more cannabinoid compounds selected from the group consisting of: cannabidiol (CBD), tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), tetrahydrocannabinolic acid (THCA), cannabidiolic acid (CBDA), cannabinol (CBN), cannabigerol (CBG), cannabichromene (CBC), cannabicyclol (CBL), cannabivarin (CBV), tetrahydrocannabivarin (THCV), cannabidivarin (CBDV), cannabichromevarin (CBCV), cannabigerovarin (CBGV), cannabigerol monomethyl ether (CBGM) and cannabielsoin (CBE), cannabicitran (CBT).
- CBD cannabidiol
- THC tetrahydrocannabinol
- THCA tetrahydrocannabinolic acid
- CBDA
- the active substance may comprise one or more cannabinoid compounds selected from the group consisting of cannabidiol (CBD) and THC (tetrahydrocannabinol).
- CBD cannabidiol
- THC tetrahydrocannabinol
- the active substance may comprise cannabidiol (CBD).
- CBD cannabidiol
- the active substance may comprise nicotine and cannabidiol (CBD).
- CBD cannabidiol
- the active substance may comprise nicotine, cannabidiol (CBD), and THC (tetrahydrocannabinol).
- the active substance may comprise or be derived from one or more botanicals or constituents, derivatives or extracts thereof.
- the term "botanical” includes any material derived from plants including, but not limited to, extracts, leaves, bark, fibres, stems, roots, seeds, flowers, fruits, pollen, husk, shells or the like.
- the material may comprise an active compound naturally existing in a botanical, obtained synthetically.
- the material may be in the form of liquid, gas, solid, powder, dust, crushed particles, granules, pellets, shreds, strips, sheets, or the like.
- Example botanicals are tobacco, eucalyptus, star anise, hemp, cocoa, cannabis, fennel, lemongrass, peppermint, spearmint, rooibos, chamomile, flax, ginger, ginkgo biloba, hazel, hibiscus, laurel, licorice (liquorice), matcha, mate, orange skin, papaya, rose, sage, tea such as green tea or black tea, thyme, clove, cinnamon, coffee, aniseed (anise), basil, bay leaves, cardamom, coriander, cumin, nutmeg, oregano, paprika, rosemary, saffron, lavender, lemon peel, mint, juniper, elderflower, vanilla, wintergreen, beefsteak plant, curcuma, turmeric, sandalwood, cilantro, bergamot, orange blossom, myrtle, cassis, valerian, pimento, mace, damien, marjoram, olive, lemon
- the mint may be chosen from the following mint varieties: Mentha Arventis, Mentha c.v., Mentha niliaca, Mentha piperita, Mentha piperita citrata c.v., Mentha piperita c.v, Mentha spicata crispa, Mentha cardifolia, Memtha longifolia, Mentha suaveolens variegata, Mentha pulegium, Mentha spicata c.v. and Mentha suaveolens
- the active substance comprises or is derived from one or more botanicals or constituents, derivatives or extracts thereof and the botanical is tobacco.
- the active substance comprises or derived from one or more botanicals or constituents, derivatives or extracts thereof and the botanical is selected from eucalyptus, star anise, cocoa and hemp.
- the active substance comprises or derived from one or more botanicals or constituents, derivatives or extracts thereof and the botanical is selected from rooibos and fennel.
- the substance to be delivered comprises a flavour.
- flavour and “flavourant” refer to materials which, where local regulations permit, may be used to create a desired taste, aroma or other somatosensorial sensation in a product for adult consumers. They may include naturally occurring flavour materials, botanicals, extracts of botanicals, synthetically obtained materials, or combinations thereof (e.g., tobacco, cannabis, licorice (liquorice), hydrangea, eugenol, Japanese white bark magnolia leaf, chamomile, fenugreek, clove, maple, matcha, menthol, Japanese mint, aniseed (anise), cinnamon, turmeric, Indian spices, Asian spices, herb, wintergreen, cherry, berry, red berry, cranberry, peach, apple, orange, mango, clementine, lemon, lime, tropical fruit, papaya, rhubarb, grape, durian, dragon fruit, cucumber, blueberry, mulberry, citrus fruits, Drambuie, bourbon, scotch,
- the flavour comprises menthol, spearmint and/or peppermint.
- the flavour comprises flavour components of cucumber, blueberry, citrus fruits and/or redberry.
- the flavour comprises eugenol.
- the flavour comprises flavour components extracted from tobacco.
- the flavour comprises flavour components extracted from cannabis.
- the flavour may comprise a sensate, which is intended to achieve a somatosensorial sensation which are usually chemically induced and perceived by the stimulation of the fifth cranial nerve (trigeminal nerve), in addition to or in place of aroma or taste nerves, and these may include agents providing heating, cooling, tingling, numbing effect.
- a suitable heat effect agent may be, but is not limited to, vanillyl ethyl ether and a suitable cooling agent may be, but not limited to eucolyptol, WS-3.
- Aerosol-generating material is a material that is capable of generating aerosol, for example when heated, irradiated or energized in any other way. Aerosol-generating material may, for example, be in the form of a solid, liquid or gel which may or may not contain an active substance and/or flavourants. In some embodiments, the aerosol- generating material may comprise an “amorphous solid”, which may alternatively be referred to as a “monolithic solid” (i.e. non-fibrous). In some embodiments, the amorphous solid may be a dried gel. The amorphous solid is a solid material that may retain some fluid, such as liquid, within it. In some embodiments, the aerosol generating material may for example comprise from about 50wt%, 60wt% or 70wt% of amorphous solid, to about 90wt%, 95wt% or 100wt% of amorphous solid.
- the aerosol-generating material may comprise one or more active substances and/or flavours, one or more aerosol-former materials, and optionally one or more other functional material.
- the aerosol-former material may comprise one or more constituents capable of forming an aerosol.
- the aerosol -former material may comprise one or more of glycerine, glycerol, propylene glycol, diethylene glycol, triethylene glycol, tetraethylene glycol, 1,3-butylene glycol, erythritol, meso-Erythritol, ethyl vanillate, ethyl laurate, a diethyl suberate, triethyl citrate, triacetin, a diacetin mixture, benzyl benzoate, benzyl phenyl acetate, tributyrin, lauryl acetate, lauric acid, myristic acid, and propylene carbonate.
- the aerosol former material comprises one or more polyhydric alcohols, such as propylene glycol, triethylene glycol, 1,3-butanediol and glycerin; esters of polyhydric alcohols, such as glycerol mono-, di- or triacetate; and/or aliphatic esters of mono-, di- or polycarboxylic acids, such as dimethyl dodecanedioate and dimethyl tetradecanedioate.
- polyhydric alcohols such as propylene glycol, triethylene glycol, 1,3-butanediol and glycerin
- esters of polyhydric alcohols such as glycerol mono-, di- or triacetate
- aliphatic esters of mono-, di- or polycarboxylic acids such as dimethyl dodecanedioate and dimethyl tetradecanedioate.
- the one or more other functional materials may comprise one or more of pH regulators, colouring agents, preservatives, binders, fillers, stabilizers, and/or antioxidants.
- the material may be present on or in a support, to form a substrate.
- the support may, for example, be or comprise paper, card, paperboard, cardboard, reconstituted material, a plastics material, a ceramic material, a composite material, glass, a metal, or a metal alloy.
- the support comprises a susceptor.
- the susceptor is embedded within the material. In some alternative embodiments, the susceptor is on one or either side of the material.
- a consumable is an article comprising or consisting of aerosol-generating material, part or all of which is intended to be consumed during use by a user.
- a consumable may comprise one or more other components, such as an aerosol generating material storage area, an aerosol-generating material transfer component, an aerosol generation area, a housing, a wrapper, a mouthpiece, a filter and/or an aerosol modifying agent.
- a consumable may also comprise an aerosol generator, such as a heater, that emits heat to cause the aerosol-generating material to generate aerosol in use.
- the heater may, for example, comprise combustible material, a material heatable by electrical conduction, or a susceptor.
- a susceptor is a material that is heatable by penetration with a varying magnetic field, such as an alternating magnetic field.
- the susceptor may be an electrically- conductive material, so that penetration thereof with a varying magnetic field causes induction heating of the heating material.
- the heating material may be magnetic material, so that penetration thereof with a varying magnetic field causes magnetic hysteresis heating of the heating material.
- the susceptor may be both electrically- conductive and magnetic, so that the susceptor is heatable by both heating mechanisms.
- the device that is configured to generate the varying magnetic field is referred to as a magnetic field generator, herein.
- An aerosol generator is an apparatus configured to cause aerosol to be generated from the aerosol-generating material.
- the aerosol generator is a heater configured to subject the aerosol-generating material to heat energy, so as to release one or more volatiles from the aerosol-generating material to form an aerosol.
- the aerosol generator is configured to cause an aerosol to be generated from the aerosol-generating material without heating.
- the aerosol generator may be configured to subject the aerosol-generating material to one or more of vibration, increased pressure, or electrostatic energy.
- weight percentages by weight described herein are calculated on a dry weight basis, unless explicitly stated otherwise. All weight ratios are also calculated on a dry weight basis.
- a weight quoted on a dry weight basis refers to the whole of the extract or slurry or material, other than the water, and may include components which by themselves are liquid at room temperature and pressure, such as glycerol.
- a weight percentage quoted on a wet weight basis refers to all components, including water.
- a slurry having the following composition was formed in a high- shear mixer. Water and glycerol were first mixed, and the alginate and ground menthol powder then added. The alginate was fully hydrated before the calcium citrate was added. The slurry was cast at 2mm thickness at room temperature and allowed to set as a gel. The gel was then dried in an oven (60°C for 1-3 hrs).
- a slurry having the following composition was formed in a high-shear mixer. Water and glycerol were first mixed, and the pectin and ground menthol powder then added. The slurry was warmed during mixing to 50-80°C to melt menthol and reduce the slurry viscosity.
- the warmed slurry was cast at 2mm thickness.
- An aqueous solution of calcium chloride (2.1g calcium chloride dissolved in water) was sprayed onto the cast to effect gelation.
- the gel was then dried in an oven (60°C for 1-3 hrs).
- the calcium source was added after casting due to the speed of gelation of the pectin gelling agent. If calcium were to be added prior to casting, gelation would occur rapidly, and the material could not be easily cast.
- the slurry may comprise molten menthol in this second example because the pectin gelling agent has groups along the polysaccharide chain that emulsify the menthol in the slurry.
- the alginate gelling agent does not have these emulsifying properties, and so menthol is used in dry powder form.
- composition of a third example of an aerosol-generating material and the corresponding slurry from which the material is formed is shown in the table below.
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Applications Claiming Priority (2)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
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GBGB1917477.0A GB201917477D0 (en) | 2019-11-29 | 2019-11-29 | Aerosol generation |
PCT/EP2020/083777 WO2021105457A1 (en) | 2019-11-29 | 2020-11-27 | Aerosol generation |
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EP4064874A1 true EP4064874A1 (en) | 2022-10-05 |
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Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
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EP20838899.1A Pending EP4064874A1 (en) | 2019-11-29 | 2020-11-27 | Aerosol generation |
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US (1) | US20230018415A1 (zh) |
EP (1) | EP4064874A1 (zh) |
JP (1) | JP2023505092A (zh) |
KR (1) | KR20220122611A (zh) |
CN (1) | CN115279213A (zh) |
AR (1) | AR120592A1 (zh) |
AU (1) | AU2020392621A1 (zh) |
BR (1) | BR112022010560A2 (zh) |
CA (1) | CA3159868A1 (zh) |
GB (1) | GB201917477D0 (zh) |
IL (1) | IL293168A (zh) |
MX (1) | MX2022006479A (zh) |
WO (1) | WO2021105457A1 (zh) |
Family Cites Families (12)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
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JPS52154599A (en) * | 1976-06-15 | 1977-12-22 | Japan Tobacco Inc | Method for imparting water resistance to molded smoking composition |
US6378528B1 (en) * | 1999-09-22 | 2002-04-30 | R.J. Reynolds Tobacco Company | Cigarette with improved tobacco substrate |
US8881737B2 (en) * | 2012-09-04 | 2014-11-11 | R.J. Reynolds Tobacco Company | Electronic smoking article comprising one or more microheaters |
UA120912C2 (uk) | 2013-10-29 | 2020-03-10 | Брітіш Амерікан Тобакко (Інвестментс) Лімітед | Пристрій для нагрівання курильного матеріалу |
GB201320231D0 (en) * | 2013-11-15 | 2014-01-01 | British American Tobacco Co | Aerosol generating material and devices including the same |
US20150335070A1 (en) * | 2014-05-20 | 2015-11-26 | R.J. Reynolds Tobacco Company | Electrically-powered aerosol delivery system |
JP6725524B2 (ja) | 2015-02-27 | 2020-07-22 | ブリティッシュ アメリカン タバコ (インヴェストメンツ) リミテッドBritish American Tobacco (Investments) Limited | 吸引可能な媒体を発生させるためのカートリッジ、部品および方法 |
GB201508671D0 (en) * | 2015-05-20 | 2015-07-01 | British American Tobacco Co | Aerosol generating material and devices including the same |
KR102037697B1 (ko) * | 2015-11-05 | 2019-10-29 | 필립모리스 프로덕츠 에스.에이. | 용융 가능한 지질이 있는 균질화 담배 물질 |
GB201521626D0 (en) * | 2015-12-08 | 2016-01-20 | British American Tobacco Co | Tobacco composition |
RU2756888C2 (ru) * | 2016-05-27 | 2021-10-06 | Филип Моррис Продактс С.А. | Генерирующее аэрозоль изделие, имеющее индикатор израсходования жидкости |
GB201718033D0 (en) * | 2017-11-01 | 2017-12-13 | Nicoventures Holdings Ltd | Flavoured vaporisable formulation |
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2019
- 2019-11-29 GB GBGB1917477.0A patent/GB201917477D0/en not_active Ceased
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2020
- 2020-11-27 CN CN202080094899.1A patent/CN115279213A/zh active Pending
- 2020-11-27 KR KR1020227018147A patent/KR20220122611A/ko active Search and Examination
- 2020-11-27 WO PCT/EP2020/083777 patent/WO2021105457A1/en active Application Filing
- 2020-11-27 MX MX2022006479A patent/MX2022006479A/es unknown
- 2020-11-27 IL IL293168A patent/IL293168A/en unknown
- 2020-11-27 EP EP20838899.1A patent/EP4064874A1/en active Pending
- 2020-11-27 CA CA3159868A patent/CA3159868A1/en active Pending
- 2020-11-27 JP JP2022531378A patent/JP2023505092A/ja active Pending
- 2020-11-27 US US17/780,393 patent/US20230018415A1/en active Pending
- 2020-11-27 AU AU2020392621A patent/AU2020392621A1/en active Pending
- 2020-11-27 BR BR112022010560A patent/BR112022010560A2/pt unknown
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KR20220122611A (ko) | 2022-09-02 |
CA3159868A1 (en) | 2021-06-03 |
WO2021105457A1 (en) | 2021-06-03 |
US20230018415A1 (en) | 2023-01-19 |
IL293168A (en) | 2022-07-01 |
MX2022006479A (es) | 2022-09-09 |
AR120592A1 (es) | 2022-02-23 |
GB201917477D0 (en) | 2020-01-15 |
CN115279213A (zh) | 2022-11-01 |
AU2020392621A1 (en) | 2022-06-09 |
BR112022010560A2 (pt) | 2022-08-16 |
JP2023505092A (ja) | 2023-02-08 |
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