Patent Application
20230337724
The present disclosure relates to aerosol generation and particularly, although not exclusively, to an article for use within a non-combustible aerosol provision system and a non-combustible aerosol provision system.
Smoking articles such as cigarettes, cigars and the like burn tobacco during use to create tobacco smoke. Alternatives to these types of articles release compounds without burning.
Apparatus is known that heats aerosol-generating material to volatilize at least one component of the aerosol-generating material, typically to form an aerosol which can be inhaled, without burning or combusting the aerosol-generating material. Such apparatus is sometimes described as a “heat-not-burn” apparatus or a “tobacco heating product” (THP) or “tobacco heating device” or similar. Various different arrangements for volatilizing at least one component of the aerosol-generating material are known.
The material may be for example tobacco or other non-tobacco products or a combination, such as a blended mix, which may or may not contain nicotine.
According to a first aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided article for use within a non-combustible aerosol provision system, the article comprising a filter and an aerosol-generating portion, wherein the aerosol-generating portion comprises an aerosol-generating material and an encapsulated first aerosol-modifying agent, wherein the encapsulated first aerosol-modifying agent is released on heating to at least a threshold release temperature, and wherein the filter comprises a component holding a second aerosol-modifying agent, wherein the second aerosol-modifying agent is selectively releasable from the component.
The provision of the encapsulated first aerosol-modifying agent, releasable on heating to a threshold temperature, provides sustained release of the first aerosol-modifying agent. The provision of a selectively releasable second aerosol-modifying agent in the filter portion of an article facilitates user control over the composition of the generated aerosol. The user can choose whether and when the second aerosol-modifying agent is released.
According to a second aspect of the disclosure, there is provided a non-combustible aerosol provision system comprising a heater and an article according to the first aspect, wherein the heater is arranged to heat the aerosol-generating portion of the article in use to generate an aerosol.
Features disclosed herein in relation to the article are hereby explicitly disclosed in combination with the system and vice versa.
Further features and advantages of the disclosure will become apparent from the following description of examples of the disclosure, given by way of example only, which is made with reference to the accompanying drawings.
The aerosol-generating system according to examples of the disclosure may also be referred to herein as a heat-not-burn device, a tobacco heating product or a tobacco heating device.
As noted above, the disclosure provides an article for use within a non-combustible aerosol provision system, the article comprising a filter and an aerosol-generating portion,
wherein the aerosol-generating portion comprises an aerosol-generating material and an encapsulated first aerosol-modifying agent, wherein the encapsulated first aerosol-modifying agent is released on heating to at least a threshold release temperature, and wherein the filter comprises a component holding a second aerosol-modifying agent, wherein the second aerosol-modifying agent is selectively releasable from the component.
Such an article may alternatively be referred to herein as an aerosol generating article.
As used herein, the term “aerosol-modifying agent” refers to any compound which can be aerosolized and combined with the aerosol generated by heating the aerosol-generating material, and which changes how the aerosol is perceived by the user. In some embodiments, the aerosol-modifying agent may comprise one or more of aerosol-forming materials, flavorants, aromas and active constituents. In some embodiments, the aerosol-modifying agent comprises one or more flavorants, suitably menthol. In some cases, the aerosol-modifying agent essentially consists of, or consists of, menthol.
In some cases, the first and/or second aerosol-modifying agent comprises or consists of a flavorant, suitably menthol. In some cases, the first and second aerosol-modifying agents are the same. In some cases, the first and second aerosol-modifying agents are different.
The first aerosol-modifying agent is encapsulated, and the aerosol-modifying agent is released on heating of the encapsulated agent to at least a threshold release temperature. The encapsulated first aerosol-modifying agent is released from its encapsulation at a temperature which is less than or equal to the temperature reached at the site of the encapsulated agent within the article in use.
In some cases, the threshold release temperature is at least 50° C., optionally at least 100° C., optionally at least 150° C., and optionally less than about 300° C., about 270° C. or about 250° C. Encapsulation can be used to prevent unintended volatilization of the aerosol-modifying agent, to provide sustained delivery of the aerosol-modifying agent and to prevent migration of the aerosol-modifying agent within the aerosol-generating material before use.
The first aerosol-modifying agent may be encapsulated in an encapsulating material. In some cases, the encapsulating material comprises at least one of a polysaccharide material such as an alginate, carrageenan or pectin material; a cellulosic material; a gelatin; a gum; a protein material; a polyol matrix material; an amorphous solid; a gel; a wax; a polyurethane; polymerised, hydrolysed ethylene vinyl acetate, a polyester, a polycarbonate, a polymethacrylate, a polyglycol, polyethylene, polystyrene, polypropylene, polyvinyl chloride or a mixture thereof.
In some cases, the temperature dependent release may be provided through use of an encapsulating material that that melts, decomposes, reacts, degrades, swells or deforms to release the flavorant at the release temperature. In other cases, heating may cause the encapsulated aerosol-modifying agent to swell causing rupture of the encapsulating material.
The encapsulated first aerosol-modifying agent may be provided in the form of capsules that are powders, granules or beads. In some cases, these capsules may be carried on a substrate. In some cases, the encapsulated first aerosol-modifying agent may be provided in the form of an amorphous solid which encapsulates the aerosol-modifying agent. The amorphous solid may comprise a polysaccharide matrix. The amorphous solid may be provided as a thin film. This thin film may be provided in shredded or sheet form, for example. In some cases, the encapsulated first aerosol-modifying agent may be present in a mixture of these forms, such as a combination of capsules and an encapsulating film.
In some embodiments, the amorphous solid comprises: 1-60 wt % of a gelling agent; 0.1-50 wt % of an aerosol-former agent; and 0.1-80 wt % of a flavor; wherein these weights are calculated on a dry weight basis.
In some further embodiments, the amorphous solid comprises: 1-50 wt % of a gelling agent; 0.1-50 wt % of an aerosol-former agent; and 30-60 wt % of a flavor; wherein these weights are calculated on a dry weight basis.
In some further embodiments, the amorphous solid comprises: aerosol-former material in an amount of from about 40 to 80 wt % of the amorphous solid; gelling agent and optional filler (i.e. in some examples filler is present in the amorphous solid, in other examples filler is not present in the amorphous solid), wherein the amount of gelling agent and filler taken together is from about 10 to 60 wt % of the amorphous solid (i.e. the gelling agent and filler taken together account for about 10 to 60 wt % of the amorphous solid); and optionally, active substance and/or flavorant in an amount of up to about 20 wt % of the amorphous solid (i.e. the amorphous solid comprises <20 wt % active substance).
The amorphous solid material may be formed from a dried gel. It has been found that using the component proportions discussed above means that as the gel sets, flavor compounds are stabilized within the gel matrix allowing a higher flavor loading to be achieved than in non-gel compositions. The flavor (e.g. menthol) is stabilized at high concentrations and the products have a good shelf life.
In some cases, the amorphous solid may have a thickness of about 0.015 mm to about 1.5 mm. Suitably, the thickness may be in the range of about 0.0 5 mm, 0.1 mm or 0.15 mm to about 0.5 mm, 0.3 mm or 1 mm. The inventors have found that a material having a thickness of 0.2 mm is suitable in some embodiments. The amorphous solid may comprise more than one layer, and the thickness described herein refers to the aggregate thickness of those layers.
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.
Suitably, the amorphous solid may comprise from about 1 wt %, 5 wt %, 10 wt %, 15 wt %, 20 wt %, 25 wt %, 30 wt % or 35 wt % to about 60 wt %, 55 wt %, 50 wt %, 45 wt %, 40 wt % or 35 wt % of a gelling agent (all calculated on a dry weight basis). For example, the amorphous solid may comprise 1-60 wt %, 5-60 wt %, 20-60 wt %, 25-55 wt %, 30-50 wt %, 35-45 wt %, 5-45 wt %, 10-40 wt % or 20-35 wt % of a gelling agent.
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.
In some embodiments, the gelling agent comprises a hydrocolloid. In some embodiments, the gelling agent comprises one or more compounds selected from the group comprising alginates, pectins, starches (and derivatives), celluloses (and derivatives), gums, silica or silicones compounds, clays, polyvinyl alcohol and combinations thereof. For example, in some embodiments, 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, polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS), sodium silicate, kaolin and polyvinyl alcohol. In some cases, 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. In some cases, the amorphous solid may comprise a calcium-crosslinked alginate and/or a calcium-crosslinked pectin.
In some embodiments, the cellulosic gelling agent is selected from the group consisting of: hydroxymethyl cellulose, hydroxyethyl 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.
In some embodiments, the gelling agent comprises (or is) one or more of hydroxyethyl cellulose, hydroxypropyl cellulose, hydroxypropyl methylcellulose (HPMC), carboxymethylcellulose, guar gum, or acacia gum.
In some embodiments, 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. In some embodiments, the non-cellulose based gelling agent is alginate or agar.
In some embodiments, the amorphous solid comprises alginate and pectin, and the ratio of the alginate to the pectin is from 1:1 to 10:1. The ratio of the alginate to the pectin is typically >1:1, i.e. the alginate is present in an amount greater than the amount of pectin. In examples, the ratio of alginate to pectin is from about 2:1 to 8:1, or about 3:1 to 6:1, or is approximately 4:1.
In some embodiments, the amorphous solid comprises filler in an amount of from 1 to 30 wt % of the amorphous solid, such as 5 to 25 wt %, or 10 to 20 wt %. In examples, the amorphous solid comprises filler in an amount greater than 1 wt %, 5 wt %, or 8 wt % of the amorphous solid.
In examples, the amorphous solid comprises filler in an amount less than 4 0 wt %, 30 wt %, 20 wt %, 15 wt %, 12 wt % 10 wt %, 5 wt %, or 1 wt % of the amorphous solid. In other examples, the amorphous solid does not comprise filler.
In examples, the amorphous solid comprises gelling agent and filler, taken together, in an amount of from about 10 wt %, 20 wt %, 25 wt %, 30 wt %, 35 wt %, 40 wt %, 45 wt %, 50 wt %, 55 wt % or from about 60 wt %. In examples, the amount of gelling agent and filler, taken together, is no more than 85 wt %, 80 wt %, 75 wt %, 70 wt %, 65 wt %, or no more than 60 wt % of the amorphous solid. In examples, the amorphous solid comprises gelling agent and filler, taken together, in an amount of from about 20 to 60 wt %, 25 to 55 wt %, 30 to 50 wt %, or 35 to 45 wt % of the amorphous solid.
The filler, if present, 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. In particular cases, the amorphous solid comprises no calcium carbonate such as chalk.
In some examples which include filler, the filler may be fibrous. For example, the filler may be a fibrous organic filler material such as wood pulp, hemp fiber, cellulose or cellulose derivatives. Without wishing to be bound by theory, it is believed that including fibrous filler in an amorphous solid may increase the tensile strength of the material.
In some examples, the amorphous solid does not comprise tobacco fibers. In particular examples, the amorphous solid does not comprise fibrous material.
In some embodiments, the amorphous solid may comprise from about 0.1 wt %, 0.5 wt %, 1 wt %, 3 wt %, 5 wt %, 7 wt % or 10 wt % to about 80 wt %, 50 wt %, 45 wt %, 40 wt %, 35 wt %, 30 wt % or 2 5 wt % of an aerosol former material (all calculated on a dry weight basis). For example, the amorphous solid may comprise 0.5-40 wt %, 3-35 wt % or 10-25 wt % of an aerosol former material.
The aerosol former material may act as a plasticizer. If the content of the plasticizer is too high, the amorphous solid may absorb water resulting in a material that does not create an appropriate consumption experience in use. If the plasticizer content is too low, the amorphous solid may be brittle and easily broken.
In some embodiments, the aerosol former included in the amorphous solid 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.
In some cases, the aerosol former material comprises one or more compound selected from erythritol, propylene glycol, glycerol, triacetin, sorbitol and xylitol. In some cases, the aerosol former material comprises, consists essentially of or consists of glycerol.
In some embodiments, the amorphous solid comprises a colorant. The addition of a colorant may alter the visual appearance of the amorphous solid. The presence of colorant in the amorphous solid may enhance the visual appearance of the amorphous solid and the aerosol-generating material. By adding a colorant to the amorphous solid, the amorphous solid may be color-matched to other components of the aerosol-generating material or to other components of an article comprising the amorphous solid.
A variety of colorants may be used depending on the desired color of the amorphous solid. The color of amorphous solid may be, for example, white, green, red, purple, blue, brown or black. Other color are also envisaged. Natural or synthetic colorants, such as natural or synthetic dyes, food-grade colorants and pharmaceutical-grade colorants may be used. In certain embodiments, the colorant is caramel, which may confer the amorphous solid with a brown appearance. In such embodiments, the color of the amorphous solid may be similar to the color of other components (such as tobacco material) in an aerosol-generating material comprising the amorphous solid. In some embodiments, the addition of a colorant to the amorphous solid renders it visually indistinguishable from other components in the aerosol-generating material.
The colorant 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 comprise an acid. The acid may be an organic acid. In some of these embodiments, the acid may be at least one of a monoprotic acid, a diprotic acid and a triprotic acid. In some such embodiments, the acid may contain at least one carboxyl functional group. In some such embodiments, the acid may be at least one of an alpha-hydroxy acid, carboxylic acid, dicarboxylic acid, tricarboxylic acid and keto acid. In some such embodiments, the acid may be an alpha-keto acid.
In some such embodiments, 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.
Suitably the acid is lactic acid. In other embodiments, the acid is benzoic acid. In other embodiments the acid may be an inorganic acid. In some of these embodiments the acid may be a mineral acid. In some such embodiments, the acid may be at least one of sulfuric acid, hydrochloric acid, boric acid and phosphoric acid. In some embodiments, the acid is levulinic acid.
The inclusion of an acid is useful in embodiments in which the amorphous solid comprises nicotine. In such embodiments, the presence of an acid may stabilize dissolved species in the slurry from which the 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.
In some embodiments, the amorphous solid 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).
The amorphous solid may comprise one or more cannabinoid compounds selected from the group consisting of cannabidiol (CBD) and THC (tetrahydrocannabinol).
The amorphous solid may comprise cannabidiol (CBD).
The amorphous solid may comprise nicotine and cannabidiol (CBD).
The amorphous solid may comprise nicotine, cannabidiol (CBD), and THC (tetrahydrocannabinol).
In some cases, the encapsulated first aerosol-modifying agent is in the form of a plurality of elements which are mixed with the aerosol-generating material. For instance, the encapsulated first aerosol-modifying agent may include granules or particles that are mixed with the aerosol-generating material. In some cases, the encapsulated first aerosol-modifying agent may comprise an amorphous solid which encapsulates the aerosol-modifying agent, wherein the amorphous solid is provided in the form of a shredded sheet, mixed with the aerosol-generating material.
For the avoidance of doubt, the encapsulated first aerosol-modifying agent is not one where release of the aerosol-modifying agent is achieved through application of force or pressure by the user.
In some cases, the aerosol-generating material comprises a tobacco material.
In some embodiments, the aerosol-generating material comprises an amorphous material.
This amorphous material may be as discussed above. In some embodiments, the aerosol-generating material may include amorphous material as described above, but not including an aerosol-modifying agent.
In certain embodiments, the aerosol-generating material comprises an acid. The acid may be one or more of the acids discussed above.
In certain embodiments, the aerosol-generating material comprises a gelling agent comprising a cellulosic gelling agent and/or a non-cellulosic gelling agent, an active substance and an acid.
In some cases, the aerosol-generating portion further comprises a third aerosol-modifying agent; for example, this may be an unencapsulated flavorant. In some cases, the aerosol-generating portion further comprises an aerosol-forming material.
In some cases, the aerosol-generating portion includes a wrapper circumscribing at least part of the aerosol-generating material.
The article for use in a non-combustible aerosol provision system may additionally comprise ventilation apertures. These may be provided in the sidewall of the article. In some cases, the ventilation apertures may be provided in the filter. These apertures may allow cool air to be drawn into the article during use, which can mix with the heated volatilized components thereby cooling the aerosol.
The ventilation enhances the generation of visible heated volatilized components from the article when it is heated in use. The heated volatilized components are made visible by the process of cooling the heated volatilized components such that supersaturation of the heated volatilized components occurs. The heated volatilized components then undergo droplet formation, otherwise known as nucleation, and eventually the size of the aerosol particles of the heated volatilized components increases by further condensation of the heated volatilized components and by coagulation of newly formed droplets from the heated volatilized components.
In some cases, the ratio of the cool air to the sum of the heated volatilized components and the cool air, known as the ventilation ratio, is at least 15%. A ventilation ratio of 15% enables the heated volatilized components to be made visible by the method described above. The visibility of the heated volatilized components enables the user to identify that the volatilized components have been generated and adds to the sensory experience of the smoking experience.
In another example, the ventilation ratio is between 50% and 85% to provide additional cooling to the heated volatilized components. In some cases, the ventilation ratio may be at least 60% or 65%.
In some cases, the filter comprises a filter plug which retains the component holding the second aerosol-modifying agent. In some cases, the filter plug comprises a non-aerosolizable filter material which retains an encapsulated second aerosol-modifying agent. Suitably, the non-aerosolizable filter material may comprise cellulose acetate, a ceramic material, a polymer matrix and/or activated carbon. Suitable examples of ceramic materials include silicon carbide (SiC), silicon nitride (Si3N4), titanium carbide, and zirconium dioxide (zirconia).
The second aerosol-modifying agent is selectively releasable. In order to release the second aerosol-modifying agent, the user actuates a release mechanism. For the avoidance of doubt, the second aerosol-modifying agent is not released as a result only of heating of the aerosol-generating portion.
In some cases, component holding the second aerosol-modifying agent is a compressible member, which releases the second aerosol-modifying agent on application of a compressive force. For example, the member may be a compressible capsule with a release valve, wherein the release valve is biased to a closed position and opens on application of a compressive force to release the second aerosol-modifying agent. In another example (discussed below in more detail), the component comprises a breakable capsule and the breakable capsule contains the second aerosol-modifying agent. The term “breakable capsule” refers to a capsule, wherein the shell can be broken by means of a pressure to release the core; more specifically the shell can be ruptured under the pressure imposed by the user's fingers (or any other pressure creating means) when the user wants to release the core of the capsule.
In some cases, the component holding the second aerosol-modifying agent is configured to release the aerosol-modifying agent on heating of the filter section. Importantly, the second aerosol-modifying agent is not released on heating only of the aerosol-generation portion; the user must selectively actuate a boost heater which heats the filter section directly to ensure that the release temperature of the second aerosol-modifying agent is reached. Illustratively, a filter may be exposed to temperatures in the range of 30° C. to 100° C. for example resulting from heating of the aerosol-generating portion, and the release temperature for the second aerosol-modifying agent may be in excess of 50° C. to 120° C.
As noted above, in some cases, the component comprises a breakable capsule and the breakable capsule contains the second aerosol-modifying agent. The term “breakable capsule” refers to a capsule, wherein the shell can be broken by means of a pressure to release the core; more specifically the shell can be ruptured under the pressure imposed by the user's fingers (or any other pressure creating means) when the user wants to release the core of the capsule.
Suitably, the pressure difference across the filter may be in the range of from about 30 mmH2O, 33 mmH2O, 35 mmH2O, 38 mmH2O or 40 mmH2O to about 90 mmH2O, 75 mmH2O, 65 mmH2O, 60 mmH2O, 55 mmH2O or 50 mmH2O, when the capsule is in an unbroken state. Illustratively, the pressure difference across the filter when the capsule is in an unbroken state may be in the range of about 35-60 mmH2O, or in some embodiments 38-55 mmH2O or 40-50 mmH2O.
The capsule according to the disclosure comprises a core as described above, and a shell. The capsules may present a crush strength from about 4.5 N to about 40 N or to about 25 N.
The capsules may be substantially spherical and have a diameter of at least about 0.4 mm, 0.6 mm, 0.8 mm, 1.0 mm, 2.0 mm, 2.5 mm, 2.8 mm or 3.0 mm. The diameter of the capsules may be less than about 10.0 mm, 8.0 mm, 7.0 mm, 6.0 mm, 5.5 mm, 5.0 mm, 4.5 mm, 4.0 mm, 3.5 mm or 3.2 mm. Illustratively, the capsule diameter may be in the range of about 0.4 mm to about 10.0 mm, about 0.8 mm to about 6.0 mm, about 2.5 mm to about 5.5 mm or about 2.8 mm to about 3.2 mm. In some cases, the capsule may have a diameter of about 3.0 mm. These sizes are suitable for incorporation of the capsule into an article.
In some cases, the breakable capsule has a core-shell structure.
In some cases, the total weight of a capsule may be in the range of about 1 mg to about 100 mg, suitably about 5 mg to about 60 mg, about 10 mg to about 50 mg, about 15 mg to about 40 mg, or about 15 mg to about 30 mg.
In some cases, the core comprises at least about 25% w/w flavorant, based on the total weight of the core.
In some cases, the barrier material is heat resistant. That is to say, in some cases, the barrier will not rupture, melt or otherwise fail at the temperature reached at the capsule site during heating of the article. Illustratively, a capsule located in a filter may be exposed to temperatures in the range of 30° C. to 100° C. for example, and the barrier material may continue to retain the second aerosol-modifying agent in the capsule core up to at least about 50° C. to 120° C.
In some cases, the breakable capsule includes a barrier material which retains the aerosol-modifying agent, and wherein the barrier material comprises one or more of a gelling agent, a bulking agent, a coloring agent, a plasticizer, and a filler material.
Suitably, the gelling agent may be, for example, a polysaccharide or cellulosic gelling agent, a gelatin, a gum, a gel, a wax or a mixture thereof. Suitable polysaccharides include alginates, dextrans, maltodextrins, cyclodextrins and pectins. Suitable alginates include, for instance, a salt of alginic acid, an esterified alginate or glyceryl alginate. Salts of alginic acid include ammonium alginate, triethanolamine alginate, and group I or II metal ion alginates like sodium, potassium, calcium and magnesium alginate. Esterified alginates include propylene glycol alginate and glyceryl alginate. In an embodiment, the barrier material is sodium alginate and/or calcium alginate. Suitable cellulosic materials include methyl cellulose, ethyl cellulose, hydroxyethyl cellulose, hydroxypropyl cellulose, carboxymethyl cellulose, cellulose acetate and cellulose ethers. The gelling agent may comprise one or more modified starches. The gelling agent may comprise carrageenans. Suitable gums include agar, gellan gum, gum Arabic, pullulan gum, mannan gum, gum ghatti, gum tragacanth, Karaya, locust bean, acacia gum, guar, quince seed and xanthan gums. Suitable gels include agar, agarose, carrageenans, furoidan and furcellaran. Suitable waxes include carnauba wax. In some cases, the gelling agent may comprise carrageenans and/or gellan gum; these gelling agents are suitable for inclusion as the gelling agent as the pressure required to break the resulting capsules is suitable.
The barrier material may comprise one or more bulking agents, such as starches, modified starches (such as oxidized starches) and sugar alcohols such as maltitol.
The barrier material may comprise a coloring agent which renders easier the location of the capsule within the tobacco industry product during manufacture. The coloring agent is in some embodiments chosen among colorants and pigments.
The barrier material may further comprise at least one buffer, such as a citrate or phosphate compound.
The barrier material may further comprise at least one plasticizer, which may be glycerol, sorbitol, maltitol, triacetin, polyethylene glycol, propylene glycol or another polyalcohol with plasticising properties, and optionally one acid of the monoacid, diacid or triacid type, especially citric acid, fumaric acid, malic acid, and the like. The amount of plasticizer in various embodiments ranges from 1% to 30% by weight, or from 2% to 15% by weight, or from 3 to 10% by weight of the total dry weight of the shell.
The barrier material may also comprise one or more filler materials. Suitable filler materials include starch derivatives such as dextrin, maltodextrin, cyclodextrin (alpha, beta or gamma), or cellulose derivatives such as hydroxypropyl-methylcellulose (HPMC), hydroxypropylcellulose (HPC), methylcellulose (MC), carboxy-methylcellulose (CMC), polyvinyl alcohol, polyols or mixture thereof. Dextrin is a filler in some embodiments. The amount of filler in the shell is at most 98.5%, and in various embodiments may be from 25 to 95%, or from 40 to 80% or from 50 to 60% by weight on the total dry weight of the shell.
The capsule shell may additionally comprise a hydrophobic outer layer which reduces the susceptibility of the capsule to moisture-induced degradation. The hydrophobic outer layer is suitably selected from the group comprising waxes, especially carnauba wax, candelilla wax or beeswax, carbowax, shellac (in alcoholic or aqueous solution), ethyl cellulose, hydroxypropyl methyl cellulose, hydroxyl-propylcellulose, latex composition, polyvinyl alcohol, or a combination thereof. In some embodiments, the at least one moisture barrier agent is ethyl cellulose or a mixture of ethyl cellulose and shellac.
Methods of making the capsules include co-extrusion, optionally followed by centrifugation and curing and/or drying. Further details are disclosed in WO 2007/010407 A2, the contents of which is incorporated herein by reference, in its entirety.
Non-Combustible Aerosol Provision System
As noted above, a second aspect of the disclosure provides a non-combustible aerosol provision system comprising a heater and an article according to the first aspect, wherein the heater is arranged to heat the aerosol-generating portion of the article in use to generate an aerosol.
In some cases, the system may be provided as a kit of parts.
In some cases, the heater is configured to heat the aerosol-generating portion of the article to at least at least 50° C., optionally at least 100° C., optionally at least 150° C., and optionally less than about 300° C., about 270° C. or about 250° C. In some cases, the system is configured such that the filter is exposed to temperatures in the range of 30° C. to 100° C. as a result of operation of the heater arranged to heat the aerosol-generating portion of the article.
In some cases, the system further comprises a boost heater which is arranged to heat the filter directly. In some cases, the boost heater may be configured to heat the filter to temperatures in excess of 50° C. to 120° C.
In some cases, the or each heater provided in the aerosol-generating system may be an electrically resistive heater, such as a thin-film electrically resistive heater. In other cases, the or each heater may comprise an induction heater or the like. For the avoidance of doubt, where more than one heater is present, the heaters may be the same as each other or different from each other.
Generally, the or each heater is connected to a battery, which may be a rechargeable battery or a non-rechargeable battery. Examples of 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 is electrically coupled to the heater and is controllable via appropriate circuitry to supply electrical power when required to heat the aerosol-generating material (to volatilize components of the aerosol-generating material without causing the aerosol-generating material to burn).
In one example, the or each heater is generally in the form of a hollow cylindrical tube, defining a hollow interior heating chamber into which the aerosol-generating material is inserted for heating in use. The heater dimensions may be such that substantially the whole of the aerosol-generating material is heated in use.
In other example, the or each heater may be in the form a blade which is inserted into the aerosol-generating material in use.
The or each heater may be surrounded along at least part of its length by a thermal insulator which helps to reduce heat passing from the heater to the exterior of the aerosol-generating system. This helps to keep down the power requirements for the heater as it reduces heat losses generally. The insulator also helps to keep the exterior of the aerosol-generating system cool during operation of the heater.
In some cases, the system may comprise a memory with a library of stored heating profiles, and wherein the heating profile applied by the system may be dependent on the composition of the aerosol-generating material, which composition may be detected by the system. For example, the article may include a unique identifier, such as a bar code, RFID or the like, which identifies the aerosol-generating material composition and which is detected by the system, which then selects an appropriate heating profile from the library of stored profiles.
Further embodiments of the disclosure will now be described with reference to the figures.
As illustrated in
A capsule 5 is disposed within the article 10 within the filter 3. The capsule contains an aerosol-modifying agent such as menthol. The capsule 5 will not release the encapsulated aerosol-modifying agent on heating in the device 100 illustrated in
The filter 3 may be formed from cellulose acetate tow. A paper sheath 6 retains the components in the cylindrical configuration and provides a passage 7 between the aerosol-generating material 1 and filter 3. A further short passage is shown between the filter 3 and the second end 4. This may be omitted in an alternative embodiment.
In some cases, the rod of aerosol-generating material 1 is between 34 mm and 50 mm in length, or in various embodiments, the rod of aerosol-generating material 1 is between 38 mm and 46 mm in length, or, the rod of aerosol-generating material 1 is 42 mm in length.
In some cases, the total length of the article 10 is between 71 mm and 95 mm, or in various embodiments between 79 mm and 87 mm, or, the total length of the article 10 is 83 mm.
The paper sheath 6 may extend from the second end 4 of the article 10 to the first end 2. Alternatively, it may extend from the second end 4 so that it reaches end of the aerosol-generating material 1 proximal to the second end 4. In some cases, the paper sheath 4 may be between 42 mm and 50 mm in length, suitably 46 mm.
In some cases, the filter may be between 8 mm and 14 mm in length, suitably from 9 mm to 13 mm or from 10 mm to 12 mm.
In some cases, the short passage between the filter 3 and the second end 4 may be from 3 mm to 7 mm in length, suitably from 4 mm to 6 mm. The total length of this short passage and the filer may suitably be from about 15 mm to about 17 mm in some cases.
In some cases, the capsule may be located centrally in the filter. That is to say, the capsule may be positioned approximately half way along the length of the filter.
In some cases, the passage 7 is at least 15 mm. In some cases, the length of the passage 7 is between 20 mm and 3 0 mm, more particularly 23 mm to 27 mm, more particularly 25 mm to 27 mm and more particularly 25 mm. This passage 7 may allow condensation of volatilized components of the aerosol-generating material 1 to from an aerosol. The passage 7 may be provided to limit the temperature experienced by the heat-sensitive filter and capsule, preventing damage to these components.
In alternative embodiments, the substantially cylindrical article 10 may include the aerosol-generating material 1 immediately adjacent to the filter 3 (with passage 7 omitted). A passage may be provided on the opposite side of the filter to the aerosol-generating material, or there may be no passageway.
The article 10 is at least partly inserted into a device 100 (shown in
A ventilation region (not illustrated) may be provided in the article 10, to enable air to flow into the interior of the article 10 from the exterior. In one case, the ventilation region takes the form of one or more ventilation holes formed through the outer layer of the article 10. The ventilation holes may be located in the passage 7, to aid with the cooling of the aerosol in use. In one example, the ventilation region comprises one or more rows of holes, and each row of holes can be arranged circumferentially around the article 10 in a cross-section that is substantially perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of the article 10. In one example, there are between one to four rows of ventilation holes to provide ventilation for the article 10. Each row of ventilation holes may have between 12 to 36 ventilation holes. The ventilation holes may, for example, be between 100 to 500 μm in diameter. In one example, an axial separation between rows of ventilation holes is between 0.25 mm and 0.7 5 mm, or more specifically, an axial separation between rows of ventilation holes can be 0.5 mm in some embodiments.
In one example, the ventilation holes are of uniform size. In another example, the ventilation holes 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 passage 7 walls, or pre-perforation of the pass 7 walls before the article is formed. The ventilation holes are positioned so as to provide effective cooling to the article 10.
In one example, the rows of ventilation holes are located at least 11 mm from the second end 4 of the article 10, and in some embodiments the ventilation holes are located between 17 mm and 20 mm from the second end 4 of the article 10. The location of the ventilation holes is positioned such that user does not block the ventilation holes when the article 10 is in use.
Advantageously, providing the rows of ventilation holes between 17 mm and 20 mm from the second end 4 of the article 10 enables the ventilation holes to be located outside of a device in use. By locating the ventilation holes outside of the device, non-heated air is able to enter the article 10 through the ventilation holes to aid with the cooling of the aerosol in use.
After use, the article 10 is removed from the device and typically disposed of. Subsequent uses of the device use further aerosol-generating articles.
The article 10 of
Referring now to
A first end 103 is sometimes referred to herein as the mouth or proximal end 103 of the device 100 and a second end 105 is sometimes referred to herein as the distal end 105 of the device 100. The device 100 has an on/off button 107 to allow the device 100 as a whole to be switched on and off as desired by a user. The device 100 comprises a housing 109 for locating and protecting various internal components of the device 100.
The device illustrated in
As used herein, the term “tobacco material” refers to any material comprising tobacco or derivatives thereof. The term “tobacco material” may include one or more of tobacco, tobacco derivatives, expanded tobacco, reconstituted tobacco or tobacco substitutes. The tobacco material may comprise one or more of ground tobacco, tobacco fiber, cut tobacco, extruded tobacco, tobacco stem, reconstituted tobacco and/or tobacco extract.
The tobacco used to produce tobacco material may be any suitable tobacco, such as single grades or blends, cut rag or whole leaf, including Virginia and/or Burley and/or Oriental. It may also be tobacco particle ‘fines’ or dust, expanded tobacco, stems, expanded stems, and other processed stem materials, such as cut rolled stems. The tobacco material may be a ground tobacco or a reconstituted tobacco material. The reconstituted tobacco material may comprise tobacco fibers, and may be formed by casting, a Fourdrinier-based paper making-type approach with back addition of tobacco extract, or by extrusion.
As used herein, the term “aerosol-forming material” refers to an agent that promotes the generation of an aerosol. An aerosol-forming material may promote the generation of an aerosol by promoting an initial vaporization and/or the condensation of a gas to an inhalable solid and/or liquid aerosol.
Suitable aerosol-forming materials include, but are not limited to: a polyol such as sorbitol, glycerol, and glycols like propylene glycol or triethylene glycol; a non-polyol such as monohydric alcohols, high boiling point hydrocarbons, acids such as lactic acid, glycerol derivatives, esters such as diacetin, triacetin, triethylene glycol diacetate, triethyl citrate or myristates including ethyl myristate and isopropyl myristate and aliphatic carboxylic acid esters such as methyl stearate, dimethyl dodecanedioate and dimethyl tetradecanedioate.
The active constituent as used herein may be a physiologically active material, which is a material intended to achieve or enhance a physiological response. The active constituent may for example be selected from nutraceuticals, nootropics and psychoactives. The active constituent may be naturally occurring or synthetically obtained. The active constituent 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 constituent may comprise one or more constituents, derivatives or extracts of tobacco, cannabis or another botanical.
In some embodiments, the active constituent comprises nicotine.
In some embodiments, the active constituent comprises caffeine, melatonin or vitamin B12.
As noted herein, the active constituent may comprise one or more constituents, derivatives or extracts of cannabis, such as one or more cannabinoids or terpenes.
Cannabinoids are a class of natural or synthetic chemical compounds which act on cannabinoid receptors (i.e., CB1 and CB2) in cells that repress neurotransmitter release in the brain. Cannabinoids may be naturally occurring (phytocannabinoids) from plants such as cannabis, from animals (endocannabinoids), or artificially manufactured (synthetic cannabinoids). Cannabis species express at least 85 different phytocannabinoids, and are divided into subclasses, including cannabigerols, cannabichromenes, cannabidiols, tetrahydrocannabinols, cannabinols and cannabinodiols, and other cannabinoids. Cannabinoids found in cannabis include, without limitation: cannabigerol (CBG), cannabichromene (CBC), cannabidiol (CBD), tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), cannabinol (CBN), cannabinodiol (CBDL), cannabicyclol (CBL), cannabivarin (CBV), tetrahydrocannabivarin (THCV), cannabidivarin (CBDV), cannabichromevarin (CBCV), cannabigerovarin (CBGV), cannabigerol monomethyl ether (CBGM), cannabinerolic acid, cannabidiolic acid (CBDA), Cannabinol propyl variant (CBNV), cannabitriol (CBO), tetrahydrocannabmolic acid (THCA), and tetrahydrocannabivarinic acid (THCV A).
As noted herein, the active constituent may comprise or be derived from one or more botanicals or constituents, derivatives or extracts thereof. As used herein, the term “botanical” includes any material derived from plants including, but not limited to, extracts, leaves, bark, fibers, stems, roots, seeds, flowers, fruits, pollen, husk, shells or the like. Alternatively, 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 balm, lemon basil, chive, carvi, verbena, tarragon, geranium, mulberry, ginseng, theanine, theacrine, maca, ashwagandha, damiana, guarana, chlorophyll, baobab or any combination thereof. The mint may be chosen from the following mint varieties: Mentha arvensis, Mentha c. v., Mentha niliaca, Mentha piperita, Mentha piperita citrata c. v., Mentha piperita c. v., Mentha spicata crispa, Mentha cordifolia, Mentha longifolia, Mentha suaveolens variegata, Mentha pulegium, Mentha spicata c. v. and Mentha suaveolens.
In some embodiments, the botanical is selected from eucalyptus, star anise, cocoa and hemp.
In some embodiments, the botanical is selected from rooibos and fennel.
As used herein, the terms “flavor” and “flavorant” refer to materials which, where local regulations permit, may be used to create a desired taste or aroma in a product for adult consumers. They may include extracts (e.g., liquorice, hydrangea, Japanese white bark magnolia leaf, chamomile, fenugreek, clove, menthol, Japanese mint, aniseed, cinnamon, herb, wintergreen, cherry, berry, peach, apple, Drambuie, bourbon, scotch, whiskey, spearmint, peppermint, lavender, cardamom, celery, cascarilla, nutmeg, sandalwood, bergamot, geranium, honey essence, rose oil, vanilla, lemon oil, orange oil, cassia, caraway, cognac, jasmine, ylang-ylang, sage, fennel, piment, ginger, anise, coriander, coffee, or a mint oil from any species of the genus Mentha), flavor enhancers, bitterness receptor site blockers, sensorial receptor site activators or stimulators, sugars and/or sugar substitutes (e.g., sucralose, acesulfame potassium, aspartame, saccharine, cyclamates, lactose, sucrose, glucose, fructose, sorbitol, or mannitol), and other additives such as charcoal, chlorophyll, minerals, botanicals, or breath freshening agents. They may be imitation, synthetic or natural ingredients or blends thereof. They may be in any suitable form, for example, oil, liquid, or powder. In some embodiments, the sensorial receptor site activator or stimulator is a sensate, such as a cooling agent. Suitable cooling agents may comprise one or more compounds selected from the group consisting of: N-ethyl-2-isopropyl-5-methylcyclohexane carboxamide (also known as WS-3, CAS: 39711-79-0, FEMA: 3455); 2-isopropyl-N-[(ethoxycarbonyl)methyl]-5-methylcyclohexanecarbox-amide (also known as WS-5, CAS: 68489-14-5, FEMA: 4309); 2-isopropyl-N-(4-methoxylphenyl)-5-methylcyclohexanecarboxamide (also known as WS-12, FEMA: 4681); and 2-isopropyl-N,2,3-trimethylbutanamide (also known as WS-23, FEMA: 3804).
The flavor may suitably comprise one or more mint-flavors suitably a mint oil from any species of the genus Mentha. The flavor may suitably comprise, consist essentially of or consist of menthol.
In some embodiments, the flavor comprises menthol, spearmint and/or peppermint.
In some embodiments, the flavor comprises flavor components of cucumber, blueberry, citrus fruits and/or redberry.
In some embodiments, the flavor comprises eugenol.
In some embodiments, the flavor comprises flavor components extracted from tobacco.
In some embodiments, the flavor comprises flavor components extracted from cannabis.
In some embodiments, the flavor 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 eucalyptol, WS-3.
As used herein, the term “encapsulated” and the like, refers to a material which is confined in any manner such that the release profile is altered as compared to free (i.e., unencapsulated) material in the same environment. The term “encapsulated” does not require that the material be completely surrounded by a barrier or encapsulating material. Materials trapped in a matrix-like structure may be referred to herein as “encapsulated”, for example.
All percentages by weight described herein (denoted wt %) 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. Conversely, a weight percentage quoted on a wet weight basis refers to all components, including water.
A sensory evaluation was carried out to compare the release of menthol as an example aerosol-modifying agent from articles heated in a non-combustible aerosol provision system. Three different articles were tested. The first included menthol in a user-actuated capsule only. The second included menthol encapsulated in an amorphous solid and included in the rod of aerosol generating material. The third included both a user-actuated menthol capsule and menthol encapsulated in an amorphous solid in the rod of aerosol generating material.
The articles were in the form of demi-slim sticks comprising aerosol generating material in the rod, an aluminum foil wrap, and a filter comprising a heat displacement chamber, a cellulose acetate plug including a single capsule, and a tubular mouthpiece section. The capsule was a standard frangible core-shell capsule containing 4.5 mg of menthol.
In articles including encapsulated menthol in the rod of aerosol generating material, 40 mg of the amorphous material was included. The amorphous solid comprised:
For testing, the articles were inserted into in a commercially available non-combustible aerosol provision system, namely a Glo Hyper device, and heated (as per normal commercial device heating parameters). When the effect of the menthol capsule was to be assessed, the capsule was crushed just before the first puff. The puffing was conducted every 20 seconds, and the cooling and menthol taste amplitude was ranked.
The results are shown in
The above examples are to be understood as illustrative examples of the disclosure. It is to be understood that any feature described in relation to any one example may be used alone, or in combination with other features described, and may also be used in combination with one or more features of any other of the examples, or any combination of any other of the examples. Furthermore, equivalents and modifications not described above may also be employed without departing from the scope of the disclosure, which is defined in the accompanying claims.
| Number | Date | Country | Kind |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1917478.8 | Nov 2019 | GB | national |
The present application is a National Phase entry of PCT Application No. PCT/GB2020/053049, filed Nov. 27, 2020, which claims priority from Great Britain Application No. 1917478.8, filed Nov. 29, 2019, each of which is hereby fully incorporated herein by reference.
| Filing Document | Filing Date | Country | Kind |
|---|---|---|---|
| PCT/GB2020/053049 | 11/27/2020 | WO |
