Patent Application
20240277034
The present invention relates to an article for use in a non-combustible aerosol provision system, to a system comprising the article and a non-combustible aerosol provision device, and to a method of manufacturing an article according to the invention.
Certain tobacco industry products produce an aerosol during use, which is inhaled by a user. For example, tobacco heating devices heat an aerosol generating substrate such as tobacco to form an aerosol by heating, but not burning, the substrate. Such tobacco industry products commonly include mouthpieces through which the aerosol passes to reach the user's mouth.
In accordance with some embodiments described herein, there is provided an article for use in a non-combustible aerosol provision system that includes an aerosol provision device, the article comprising a rod of aerosol-generating material having a distal end for insertion into the non-combustible aerosol provision device such that a heating element of the device extends into the rod of aerosol-generating material through said distal end, wherein the article comprises a cavity extending in a longitudinal direction into the rod of aerosol-generating material from said distal end to receive the heating element.
The article may comprise a mouth end opposite to said distal end, said mouth end being configured to be placed between the lips of a user when the distal end is inserted into a non-combustible aerosol provision device.
A cooling segment may be located between the aerosol-generating material and the mouth end.
A filtration segment may be located between the cooling segment and the mouth end.
The cavity may extend the full length of the aerosol-generating material.
The cavity may be coaxial with a longitudinal axis of the article.
The aerosol-generating material may comprise a tube.
The tube may comprise an inner surface, and a profile is formed may be formed in said surface that extends in a longitudinal direction.
The profile may comprise a helical groove or recess.
The profile may comprise a linear groove or recess.
A plurality of cavities may extend into the aerosol-generating material from said distal end.
One or more of said cavities may be arranged about said longitudinal axis.
One of the cavities may be coaxial with said longitudinal axis of the aerosol-generating material.
The or each cavity may have a non-circular cross-section.
The or each cavity may have a non-uniform cross section in a longitudinal direction.
The or each cavity may be tapered in a longitudinal direction.
The or each cavity may be tapered so that it narrows in a direction away from the distal end.
An article may comprise a plug at said distal end. The plug may abut the aerosol-generating material.
The plug may have a passage positioned to correspond with the cavity extending in the aerosol-generating material. The passage can be a slit or slot in the plug.
The plug may be formed from gathered, and in some examples crimped, paper.
The article may comprise a material layer on an inner wall of the cavity.
The material layer can be a gel, an amorphous solid, or a sheet material layer such as paper.
The material layer can be another layer of aerosol-generating material different to the aerosol-generating material.
In some embodiments, the material layer may comprise a heat-conductive material. For example, the material layer may comprise a metal or metal alloy, polymer ceramic or graphite.
In accordance with some other embodiments described herein, there is provided a system comprising a non-combustible aerosol provision device having a heating element; and an article comprising a rod of aerosol-generating material having a distal end for insertion into a non-combustible aerosol provision device such that the heating element of the device extends into the aerosol-generating material through said distal end, wherein a cavity extends into the rod of aerosol-generating material in a longitudinal direction from said distal end to receive the heating element.
The heating element and the cavity may each have the same cross-sectional shape.
The heating element may be a snug or interference fit in the cavity.
The heating element and the cavity may each have a different cross-sectional shape such that, when the heating element is received in the cavity, a passage remains between the heating element and an inner wall of the aerosol generating material.
The pin may have a circular cross-section and the cavity may have a portion with a circular cross-section to receive the pin and at least one lobe extending from the circular portion to form said passage.
The aerosol-generating material may have a longitudinal axis and said cavity to receive the heating element may be a central cavity extending along said longitudinal axis.
There may be a plurality of additional cavities extending into said aerosol-generating material from said distal end, wherein said additional cavities surround said central cavity and form open passages through the aerosol-generating material when the heating element is received in said central cavity.
In accordance with some embodiments described herein, there is provided a method of manufacturing an article comprising a rod of aerosol-generating material having a distal end for insertion into a non-combustible aerosol provision device, the method comprising extruding the aerosol-generating material through a die head and over a mandrel to form a cavity extending through the aerosol-generating material.
The mandrel may be shaped to provide a correspondingly shaped cavity in the aerosol-generating material.
In accordance with some other embodiments described herein, there is provided a method of manufacturing an article comprising aerosol-generating material having a distal end for insertion into a non-combustible aerosol provision device, comprising molding the aerosol-generating material around a former.
The former may be is shaped to provide a correspondingly shaped cavity in the aerosol-generating material.
Embodiments of the invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to accompanying drawings, in which:
As used herein, the term “delivery system” is intended to encompass systems that deliver at least one substance to a user, and includes:
According to the present disclosure, 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 of at least one substance to a user.
In some embodiments, the delivery system is a non-combustible aerosol provision system, such as a powered non-combustible aerosol provision system.
In some embodiments, 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.
In some embodiments, the non-combustible aerosol provision system is an aerosol-generating material heating system, also known as a heat-not-burn system. An example of such a system is a tobacco heating system.
In some embodiments, 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. In some embodiments, 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.
Typically, 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.
The disclosure relates to consumables comprising aerosol-generating material and configured to be used with non-combustible aerosol provision devices. These consumables are sometimes referred to as articles throughout the disclosure.
The terms ‘upstream’ and ‘downstream’ used herein are relative terms defined in relation to the direction of mainstream aerosol drawn through an article or device in use. Reference to the ‘distal end’ refers to an upstream end of the device, whereas ‘proximal end’ refers to the downstream end of the device.
In some embodiments, the non-combustible aerosol provision system, such as a non-combustible aerosol provision device thereof, may comprise a power source and a controller. The power source may, for example, be an electric power source or an exothermic power source. In some embodiments, 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 to a heat transfer material in proximity to the exothermic power source.
In some embodiments, the non-combustible aerosol provision system comprises an area for receiving the consumable, an aerosol generator, an aerosol generation area, a housing, a mouthpiece, a filter and/or an aerosol-modifying agent.
In some embodiments, the consumable for use with the non-combustible aerosol provision device may comprise aerosol-generating material, an aerosol-generating material storage area, an aerosol-generating material transfer component, an aerosol generator, an aerosol generation area, a housing, a wrapper, a filter, a mouthpiece, and/or an aerosol-modifying agent.
The consumable comprises a substance to be delivered. The substance to be delivered is an aerosol-generating material. As appropriate, the material may comprise one or more active constituents, one or more flavors, one or more aerosol-former materials, and/or one or more other functional materials.
In some embodiments, 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. In some embodiments, the active substance comprises nicotine. In some embodiments, the active substance comprises caffeine, melatonin or vitamin B12.
As noted herein, the active substance 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 Arventis, Mentha c.v., Mentha niliaca, Mentha piperita, Mentha piperita citrata c.v., Mentha piperita c.v, Mentha spicata crispa, Mentha cardifolia, Mentha longifolia, Mentha suaveolens variegata, Mentha pulegium, Mentha spicata c.v. and Mentha suaveolens.
In some embodiments, the active substance comprises or is derived from one or more botanicals or constituents, derivatives or extracts thereof and the botanical is tobacco.
In some embodiments, 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.
In some embodiments, 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.
In some embodiments, the substance to be delivered comprises a flavor.
As used herein, the terms “flavor” and “flavorant” 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 flavor 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, whiskey, gin, tequila, rum, spearmint, peppermint, lavender, aloe vera, cardamom, celery, cascarilla, nutmeg, sandalwood, bergamot, geranium, khat, naswar, betel, shisha, pine, honey essence, rose oil, vanilla, lemon oil, orange oil, orange blossom, cherry blossom, cassia, caraway, cognac, jasmine, ylang-ylang, sage, fennel, wasabi, piment, ginger, coriander, coffee, hemp, a mint oil from any species of the genus Mentha, eucalyptus, star anise, cocoa, lemongrass, rooibos, flax, Ginkgo biloba, hazel, hibiscus, laurel, mate, orange skin, rose, tea such as green tea or black tea, thyme, juniper, elderflower, basil, bay leaves, cumin, oregano, paprika, rosemary, saffron, lemon peel, mint, beefsteak plant, curcuma, cilantro, myrtle, cassis, valerian, pimento, mace, damien, marjoram, olive, lemon balm, lemon basil, chive, carvi, verbena, tarragon, limonene, thymol, camphene), 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, liquid such as an oil, solid such as a powder, or gas.
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 eucolyptol, WS-3.
An aerosol-generating material is a material that is capable of generating aerosol, for example when heated, irradiated or energized in any other way. An aerosol-generating material may be in the form of a solid, liquid or gel which may or may not contain an active substance and/or flavorants. The aerosol-generating material is incorporated into an article for use in the aerosol-generating system.
As used herein, the term “tobacco material” refers to any material comprising tobacco or derivatives or substitutes thereof. The tobacco material may be in any suitable form. 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, tobacco lamina, reconstituted tobacco and/or tobacco extract.
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, in particular a heating element, that emits heat to cause the aerosol-generating material to generate aerosol in use. The heater may, comprise, 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-modifying agent is a substance, typically located downstream of the aerosol generation area, that is configured to modify the aerosol generated, for example by changing the taste, flavor, acidity or another characteristic of the aerosol. The aerosol-modifying agent may be provided in an aerosol-modifying agent release component, that is operable to selectively release the aerosol-modifying agent.
The aerosol-modifying agent may, for example, be an additive or a sorbent. The aerosol-modifying agent may, for example, comprise one or more of a flavorant, a colorant, water, and a carbon adsorbent. The aerosol-modifying agent may, for example, be a solid, a liquid, or a gel. The aerosol-modifying agent may be in powder, thread or granule form. The aerosol-modifying agent may be free from filtration material.
An aerosol-generating device is an apparatus configured to cause aerosol to be generated from the aerosol-generating material. The aerosol generating device comprises 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 filamentary tow material described herein can comprise cellulose acetate fiber tow. The filamentary tow can also be formed using other materials used to form fibers, such as polyvinyl alcohol (PVOH), polylactic acid (PLA), polycaprolactone (PCL), poly(1-4 butanediol succinate) (PBS), poly(butylene adipate-co-terephthalate)(PBAT), starch based materials, cotton, aliphatic polyester materials and polysaccharide polymers or a combination thereof. The filamentary tow may be plasticised with a suitable plasticiser for the tow, such as triacetin where the material is cellulose acetate tow, or the tow may be non-plasticised. The tow can have any suitable specification, such as fibers having a ‘Y’ shaped or other cross section such as ‘X’ shaped, filamentary denier values between 2.5 and 15 denier per filament, for example between 8.0 and 11.0 denier per filament and total denier values of 5,000 to 50,000, for example between 10,000 and 40,000.
In the figures described herein, like reference numerals are used to illustrate equivalent features, articles or components.
The article 1 has an upstream or distal end ‘D’ and a downstream or proximal end ‘P’. The proximal end P comprises a mouthpiece 2, and the distal end D comprises an aerosol-generating section, connected to the mouthpiece 2. In the present example, the aerosol generating section comprises a source of aerosol-generating material 3 in the form of a rod. The aerosol-generating material 3 may comprise a plurality of strands or strips of aerosol-generating material 3. For example, the aerosol-generating material 3 may comprise a plurality of strands or strips of an aerosolizable material and/or a plurality of strands or strips of an amorphous solid.
In the present example, the aerosol-generating material 3 comprises a plurality of strands and/or strips of aerosol-generating material, and is circumscribed by a wrapper 4. In the present example, the wrapper 4 is a moisture impermeable wrapper.
The plurality of strands or strips of aerosol-generating material 3 may be aligned within the aerosol-generating section such that their longitudinal dimension is in parallel alignment with the longitudinal axis, X-X′ of the article 1. Alternatively, the strands or strips may generally be arranged such that their longitudinal dimension aligned is transverse to the longitudinal axis of the article 1.
In the present example, the rod of aerosol-generating material 3 has a circumference of about 22.7 mm. In alternative embodiments, the rod of aerosol-generating material 3 may have any suitable circumference, for example between about 20 mm and about 26 mm.
The article 1 is configured for use in a non-combustible aerosol provision device 100 (see
The mouthpiece 2 includes a cooling section 5, also referred to as a cooling element, positioned immediately downstream of and adjacent to the source of aerosol-generating material 3. In the present example, the cooling section 5 is in an abutting relationship with the source of aerosol-generating material 3. The mouthpiece 2 also includes, in the present example, a body of material 6 downstream of the cooling section 5, and a hollow tubular element 7 downstream of the body of material 6, at the mouth end 2 of the article 1.
The cooling section 5 comprises a hollow channel, having an internal diameter of between about 1 mm and about 4 mm, for example between about 2 mm and about 4 mm. In the present example, the hollow channel has an internal diameter of about 3 mm. The hollow channel extends along the full length of the cooling section 5. In the present example, the cooling section 5 comprises a single hollow channel. In alternative embodiments, the cooling section can comprise multiple channels, for example, 2, 3 or 4 channels. In the present example, the single hollow channel is substantially cylindrical, although in alternative embodiments, other channel geometries/cross-sections may be used. The hollow channel can provide a space into which aerosol drawn into the cooling section 5 can expand and cool down. In all embodiments, the cooling section 5 is configured to limit the cross-sectional area of the hollow channel/s, to limit tobacco displacement into the cooling section 5, in use.
The moisture impermeable wrapper 4 can have a lower friction with the aerosol-generating material 3, which can result in strands and/or strips of aerosol-generating material 3 being more easily displaced longitudinally, into the cooling section 5, when the heating element 103 is inserted into the rod of aerosol-generating material 3. By providing a cooling section 5 directly adjacent to the source of aerosol generating material 3, and comprising an inner channel with a diameter in this range, the longitudinal displacement of strands and/or strips of aerosol-generating material 3 when the heating element 103 of the device 100 is inserted into the rod of aerosol-generating material 3 is reduced. Reducing the displacement of aerosol-generating material 3, in use, can advantageously result in a more consistent packing density of aerosol-generating material 3 along the length of the rod, which can result in more consistent and improved aerosol generation.
The cooling section 5 may have a wall thickness in a radial direction. The wall thickness of the cooling section 5, for a given outer diameter of cooling section, defines the internal diameter for the chamber surrounded by the walls of the cooling section 5. The cooling section 5 can have a wall thickness of at least about 1.5 mm and up to about 2 mm. In the present example, the cooling section 5 has a wall thickness of about 2 mm. By providing a cooling section 5 having a wall thickness within this range retention of the source of aerosol-generating material 3 in the aerosol generating section is improved, in use, by reducing the longitudinal displacement of strands and/or strips of aerosol-generating material 3 when the aerosol generator is inserted into the article 1.
The cooling section 5 is formed from filamentary tow. Other constructions can be used, such as a plurality of layers of paper which are parallel wound, with butted seams, to form the cooling section 5; or spirally wound layers of paper, cardboard tubes, tubes formed using a papier-mâché type process, molded or extruded plastic tubes or similar. The cooling section 5 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 article 1 is in use.
The wall material of the cooling section 5 can be relatively non-porous, such that at least 90% of the aerosol generated by the aerosol generating material 3 passes longitudinally through the one or more hollow channels rather than through the wall material of the cooling section 5. For instance, at least 92% or at least 95% of the aerosol generated by the aerosol generating material 3 can pass longitudinally through the one or more hollow channels.
In some examples, the mouthpiece 2 comprises a cavity having an internal volume greater than 110 mm3. Providing a cavity of at least this volume has been found to enable the formation of an improved aerosol. In certain examples, the mouthpiece 2 comprises a cavity, for instance formed within the cooling section 5, having an internal volume greater than 110 mm3, or greater than 130 mm3, allowing further improvement of the aerosol. In some examples, the internal cavity comprises a volume of between about 130 mm3 and about 230 mm3, for instance about 134 mm3 or 227 mm3.
The cooling section 5 can be configured to provide a temperature differential of at least 40 degrees Celsius between a heated volatilized component entering a first, upstream end of the cooling section 5 and a heated volatilized component exiting a second, downstream end of the cooling section 5. The cooling section 5 may be configured to provide a temperature differential of at least 60 degrees Celsius, or at least 80 degrees Celsius, or at least 100 degrees Celsius between a heated volatilized component entering a first, upstream end of the cooling section 5 and a heated volatilized component exiting a second, downstream end of the cooling section 5. This temperature differential across the length of the cooling section 8 protects the temperature sensitive body of material 6 from the high temperatures of the aerosol-generating material 3 when it is heated.
When in use, the aerosol-generating section may exhibit a pressure drop of from about 15 to about 40 mm H2O. In some embodiments, the aerosol-generating section exhibits a pressure drop across the aerosol-generating section of from about 15 to about 30 mm H2O.
In the present embodiment, the moisture impermeable wrapper 4 which circumscribes the rod of aerosol-generating material 3 comprises aluminium foil. In other embodiments, the wrapper 4 comprises a paper wrapper, optionally comprising a barrier coating to make the material of the wrapper 4 substantially moisture impermeable. Aluminium foil has been found to be particularly effective at enhancing the formation of aerosol within the aerosol-generating material 3. In the present example, the aluminium foil has a metal layer having a thickness of about 6 μm. In the present example, the aluminium foil has a paper backing. However, in alternative arrangements, the aluminium foil can be other thicknesses, for instance between 4 μm and 16 μm in thickness. The aluminium foil also need not have a paper backing, but could have a backing formed from other materials, for instance to help provide an appropriate tensile strength to the foil, or it could have no backing material. Metallic layers or foils other than aluminium can also be used. The total thickness of the wrapper may be between 20 μm and 60 μm, or between 30 μm and 50 μm, which can provide a wrapper having appropriate structural integrity and heat transfer characteristics. The tensile force which can be applied to the wrapper before it breaks can be greater than 3,000 grams force, for instance between 3,000 and 10,000 grams force or between 3,000 and 4,500 grams force. Where the wrapper comprises paper or a paper backing, i.e. a cellulose based material, the wrapper can have a basis weight greater than about 30 gsm. For example, the wrapper 4 can have a basis weight in the range from about 40 gsm to about 70 gs, which can provide an improved rigidity to the rod of aerosol-generating material 3. The improved rigidity provided by wrappers 4 having a basis weight in this range can make the rod of aerosol-generating material 3 more resistant to crumpling or other deformation under the forces to which the article is subject, in use, for example when the article is inserted into a device and/or a heat generator is inserted into the article 1.
In the present example, the moisture impermeable wrapper 4 is also substantially impermeable to air. In alternative embodiments, the wrapper 4 has a permeability of less than 100 Coresta Units, or less than 60 Coresta Units. It has been found that low permeability wrappers, for instance having a permeability of less than 100 Coresta Units, or less than 60 Coresta Units, result in an improvement in the aerosol formation in the aerosol-generating material 3. Without wishing to be bound by theory, it is hypothesized that this is due to reduced loss of aerosol compounds through the wrapper 10. The permeability of the wrapper 10 can be measured in accordance with ISO 2965:2009 concerning the determination of air permeability for materials used as cigarette papers, filter plug wrap and filter joining paper.
The body of material 6 defines a substantially cylindrical overall outer shape and is wrapped in a first plug wrap 8. The first plug wrap 8 may have a basis weight of less than 50 gsm, or between about 20 gsm and 40 gsm. The first plug wrap 8 can have a thickness of between 30 μm and 60 μm, or between 35 μm and 45 μm. The first plug wrap 8 may be a non-porous plug wrap, for instance having a permeability of less than 100 Coresta units, for instance less than 50 Coresta units. However, in other embodiments, the first plug wrap 8 can be a porous plug wrap, for instance having a permeability of greater than 200 Coresta Units.
As shown in
The “wall thickness” of the hollow tubular element 7 corresponds to the thickness of the wall of the tube 7 in a radial direction. This may be measured, for example, using a calliper. The wall thickness is advantageously greater than 0.9 mm, and can be 1.0 mm or greater. In some examples, the wall thickness is substantially constant around the entire wall of the hollow tubular element 7. However, where the wall thickness is not substantially constant, the wall thickness may be greater than 0.9 mm at any point around the hollow tubular element 7, or 1.0 mm or greater. In the present example, the wall thickness of the hollow tubular element 4 is about 1.3 mm.
A tipping paper 9 is wrapped around the full length of the mouthpiece 2 and over part of the rod of aerosol-generating material 3 and has an adhesive on its inner surface to connect the mouthpiece 2 and rod 3. In the present example, the rod of aerosol-generating material 3 is wrapped in wrapper 4, which forms a first wrapping material, and the tipping paper 9 forms an outer wrapping material which extends at least partially over the rod of aerosol-generating material 3 to connect the mouthpiece 2 and rod 3. In some examples, the tipping paper 9 can extend only partially over the rod of aerosol-generating material 3.
The article 1 has a ventilation level of about 10% of the aerosol drawn through the article 1. In alternative embodiments, the article 1 can have a ventilation level of between 1% and 20% of aerosol drawn through the article 1, for instance between 1% and 12%. Ventilation at these levels helps to increase the consistency of the aerosol inhaled by the user at the mouth end 2b, while assisting the aerosol cooling process. The ventilation is provided directly into the mouthpiece 2 of the article 1. In the present example, the ventilation is provided into the cooling section 5, which has been found to be particularly beneficial in assisting with the aerosol generation process. The ventilation is provided via perforations 10, in the present case formed as a single row of laser perforations, positioned 13 mm from the downstream, mouth-end 2b of the mouthpiece 2. In alternative embodiments, two or more rows of ventilation perforations 10 may be provided. These perforations 10 pass though the tipping paper 9, second plug wrap 11 and cooling section 5. In alternative embodiments, the ventilation can be provided into the mouthpiece 2 at other locations, for instance into the body of material 6 or first tubular element 7. The article 1 may be is configured such that the perforations 10 are provided about 28 mm or less from the upstream end of the article 1, preferably between 20 mm and 28 mm from the upstream end of the article 1. In the present example, the apertures are provided about 25 mm from the upstream end of the article 1.
The aerosol-generating material 3 comprises a plant-based material, such as a tobacco material. The aerosol-generating material 3 may be a sheet or shredded sheet of aerosolizable material comprising a plant based material, such as tobacco material.
The plant based material may be a particulate or granular material. In some embodiments, the plant based material is a powder. Alternatively or in addition, the tobacco material may comprise may comprise strips, strands or fibers of tobacco. For example, the tobacco material may comprise particles, granules, fibers, strips and/or strands of tobacco. In some embodiments, the tobacco material consists of particles or granules of tobacco material.
The density of the tobacco material has an impact on the speed at which heat conducts through the material, with lower densities, for instance those below 900 mg/cc, conducting heat more slowly through the material, and therefore enabling a more sustained release of aerosol.
The tobacco material can comprise reconstituted tobacco material having a density of less than about 900 mg/cc, for instance paper reconstituted tobacco material. For instance, the aerosol-generating material comprises reconstituted tobacco material having a density of less than about 800 mg/cc. Alternatively, or in addition, the aerosol-generating material can comprise reconstituted tobacco material having a density of at least 350 mg/cc.
The tobacco material may comprise tobacco obtained from any part of the tobacco plant. In some embodiments, the tobacco material comprises tobacco leaf.
The sheet or shredded sheet can comprise from 5% to about 90% by weight tobacco leaf.
The aerosol-generating material 3 may comprise an aerosol-former material. The aerosol-former material comprises one or more constituents capable of forming an aerosol. The aerosol-former material comprises 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 can be glycerol or propylene glycol.
The sheet or shredded sheet of aerosolizable material comprises an aerosol-former material. The aerosol-former material is provided in an amount of up to about 50% on a dry weight base by weight of the sheet or shredded sheet. In some embodiments, the aerosol former material is provided in an amount of from about 5% to about 40% on a dry weight base by weight of the sheet or shredded sheet, from about 10% to about 30% on a dry weight base by weight of the sheet or shredded sheet or from about 10% to about 20% on a dry weight base by weight of the sheet or shredded sheet.
The aerosol-generating material 3 may comprise a filler. In some embodiments, the sheet or shredded sheet comprises the filler. The filler is generally a non-tobacco component, that is, a component that does not include ingredients originating from tobacco. 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 be a non-tobacco fiber such as wood fiber or pulp or wheat fiber. The filler can be a material comprising cellulose or a material comprises a derivate of cellulose. The filler component may also be a non-tobacco cast material or a non-tobacco extruded material.
The aerosol-generating material 3 herein can comprise an aerosol modifying agent, such as any of the flavors described herein. In one embodiment, the aerosol-generating material 3 comprises menthol. When the aerosol-generating material 3 is incorporated into an article 1 for use in an aerosol-provision system, the article may be referred to as a mentholated article 1. The aerosol-generating material 3 can comprise from 0.5 mg to 20 mg of menthol, from 0.7 mg to 20 mg of menthol, between 1 mg and 18 mg or between 8 mg and 16 mg of menthol.
In some embodiments, the composition comprises an aerosol-forming “amorphous solid”, which may alternatively be referred to as a “monolithic solid” (i.e. non-fibrous). In some embodiments, the amorphous solid may comprise a dried gel. The amorphous solid is a solid material that may retain some fluid, such as liquid, within it.
In some examples, the amorphous solid comprises:
In some further embodiments, the amorphous solid comprises:
The amorphous solid material may be provided in sheet or in shredded sheet form. The amorphous solid material may take the same form as the sheet or shredded sheet of aerosolizable material.
The aerosol-generating material 3 can comprise a paper reconstituted tobacco material. The composition can alternatively or additionally comprise any of the forms of tobacco described herein. The aerosol generating material 3 can comprise a sheet or shredded sheet comprising tobacco material comprising between 10% and 90% by weight tobacco leaf, wherein an aerosol-former material is provided in an amount of up to about 20% by weight of the sheet or shredded sheet, and the remainder of the tobacco material comprises paper reconstituted tobacco.
Where the aerosol-generating material 3 comprises an amorphous solid material, the amorphous solid material may be a dried gel comprising menthol.
In
As shown in
The area 102 is arranged to receive the article 1. When the article 1 is received into the area 102, at least a portion of the aerosol-generating material 3 comes into thermal proximity with the heater 103. When the article 1 is fully received in the area 102, at least a portion of the aerosol-generating material 3 may be in direct contact with the heater 103. The aerosol-forming material 3 will release a range of volatile compounds at different temperatures. By controlling the maximum operation temperature of the electrically heated aerosol generating system 100, the selective release of undesirable compounds may be controlled by preventing the release of select volatile compounds.
As shown in
The housing 101 of non-combustible aerosol provision device 100 defines an area 102 in the form of a cavity, open at the proximal end (or mouth end), for receiving an aerosol-generating article 1 for consumption. The distal end of the cavity is spanned by a heating assembly comprising a heater 103. The heater 103 is retained by a heater mount (not shown) such that an active heating area of the heater is located within the cavity. The active heating area of the heater 103 is positioned within the aerosol-generating section of the aerosol-generating article 1 when the aerosol-generating article 1 is fully received within the cavity.
The heater 103 is configured for insertion into the aerosol generating material 3. As the article 1 is pushed into the device 100, the tapered point of the heater 103 engages with the aerosol-generating material 3. By applying a force to the article 1, the heater 103 penetrates into the aerosol-generating material 3. When the article 1 is properly engaged with the non-combustible aerosol provision device 100, the heater 103 is inserted into the aerosol-generating material 3. When the heater 103 is actuated, aerosol-generating material 3 is warmed and volatile substances are generated or evolved. As a user draws on the mouthpiece 2, air is drawn into the article 1 and the volatile substances condense to form an inhalable aerosol. This aerosol passes through the mouthpiece 2 of the article 1 and into the user's mouth.
Irrespective of the composition of the aerosol-generating material 3, embodiments of the invention provide an aerosol-generating material 3 having a cavity 20 that extends in a longitudinal direction from the distal end D in a direction towards the proximal end P so that, when the article 1 is inserted into the device 100, the heating element 103 of the device 100 is received in the cavity 20.
In some embodiments, the cavity 20 is coaxial with the longitudinal axis X-X′ of the article and the aerosol-generating material 3 may be tubular in shape. In other embodiments, the cavity 20 may be offset from the longitudinal axis X-X′, and/or comprise multiple cavities 20, one or more of which may receive a heating element 103 when the article 1 is inserted into a device 100.
The cavity or cavities 20 may extend for the entire length of the aerosol-generating material 3. Alternatively, some or all the cavities 20 may extend for part of the length of the aerosol-generating material 3.
In embodiments of the invention, an inner surface 21 of the cavity 20, i.e. an inner wall 21 of the aerosol-generating material 3, may be profiled or have an adapted flow path, to increase the surface area of the aerosol-generating material 3, and the contact time between the aerosol and the aerosol-generating material 3. For example, the inner wall 21 may have rifling-type pattern formed in it, such as a helically-shaped groove or recess. The heating element 103 of the device 100 may have a complementary shape, so that the article 1 is rotated during insertion to effectively screw the aerosol-generating material 3 onto the heating element 103.
In other embodiments, the heating element 103 may be a pin or blade that slides into the cavity 20 without any rotation being required, and irrespective of any profile that may be cut into the inner wall 21. For example, in another embodiment the inner wall 21 of the aerosol-generating material 3 may have linear flutes or grooves that may extend in a longitudinal direction between the upstream and downstream ends of the article 1.
Although the or each cavity 20 may have a circular cross-section, as shown in the cross-sectional view of
Irrespective of the shape of the cavity 20, and irrespective of whether the cavity 20 and the heating element 103 have the same cross-sectional shape, the heating element 103 may be a snug or interference fit in the cavity 20. In certain embodiments, the heating element 103 may have a size which is slightly larger than that of the cavity 20 so that the aerosol-generating material 3 is compressed or deformed by the heating element 103 during insertion into the device 100.
In any embodiments of the invention, the inner wall 21 of the cavity 20 of the aerosol-generating material 3 may be coated or otherwise bounded by a layer of a material different to the aerosol-generating material. For example, an amorphous solid, and/or a gel and/or a sheet material layer such as paper, or another layer of aerosol-generating material different to the first, may be disposed on the inner wall 21. The cavity or cavities in the aerosol-generating material therefore extends through this second material layer. The inner material layer may have a lower coefficient of friction compared to the aerosol-generating material so that the heating element 103 slides into the cavity 20 more easily.
In a particular embodiment, a liner extends across at least a part of the inner wall 21 of the cavity 20 so that the heating element 103 is separated from the aerosol-generating material 3 by the liner. The liner can be formed from a heat-conducting material, so that it improves the consistency of heating of the aerosol-generating material 3 and so that the aerosol-generating material will be heated more uniformly. Hygiene is also improved, as the heating element 103 does not come into direct contact with the aerosol-generating material 3 and so cannot stick to the aerosol-generating material 3. Disruption of the aerosol-generating material 3 is also minimised or prevented.
Particular examples of thermally conductive materials that are considered suitable for the liner include a metal or metal alloy, polymer ceramic or graphite. It will be appreciated that the cavity 20 can be lined and take different forms or shapes, such as those illustrated with reference to
In some embodiments of the invention, the heating element 103 and the cavity 20 into which it is inserted have different cross-sections so that the heating element 103 does not entirely fill the cavity 20, leaving a passage or passages for the flow of aerosol between the inner wall of the aerosol-generating material 3 and the heating element 103. It will also be understood that there may be multiple cavities 20 only one or some of which are occupied by the heating element 103, leaving other passages free to allow for the flow of aerosol through the aerosol-generating material 3. By controlling the size of the passage in relation to the size of the heating element 103, or by providing additional cavities 20 that are not occupied by the heating element 103, the resistance to draw through the aerosol-generating material 3 can be controlled, and optimised, for a particular product or market.
In some embodiments, the passage for the flow of aerosol is formed as an integral part of the cavity 20 in which the heating element 103 is received. In particular, the heating element 103 and the cavity 20 are of different cross-sectional shapes, to form passages between the heating element 103 and the inner wall of the aerosol-generating material 3. In a particular embodiment, the heating element 103 is cylindrical, i.e. in the form of a pin, but the cavity 20 has a cross-section in the form of a keyhole shape having a generally circular section with a lobe 21a extending from it, as shown in
In any of the embodiments of the invention, the cavity or cavities 20 in the aerosol-generating material 3 may not be uniform along their length. For example, their shape may differ along the length of the aerosol-generating material 3, or the cavity 20 may taper. For example, the cavity 20 may narrow in a direction extending away from the distal end of the aerosol-generating material 3.
In any embodiment, the aerosol-generating material 3 may be extruded through a die. In this manufacturing method, the die can be provided with a mandrel over which the aerosol-generating material 3 is extruded, in order to form the cavity 20 in the aerosol-generating material 3. The mandrel may be cylindrical, but it can have other shapes or configurations to form the required cross-sectional shape cavity within the aerosol-generating material 3.
In an alternate embodiment, the aerosol-generating material 3 may formed in a molding process by placing it within a mold and allowing it to set to retain the shape of the mold. The mold may have an inner core shaped to form the cavity 20 within the aerosol-generating material 3.
In any embodiment of the invention, the article 1 may comprise a plug 25 at the distal end D, as shown in
The plug 25 can be made from a resiliently compressible material so that it will deform in response to the heating element 103 being pushed through it. A hole in the plug 25 may reduce the force required for insertion of the heating element 103 through the plug 25. The hole in the plug 25 may have a cross-sectional shape that compliments the cross-sectional shape of the heating element 103. For example, if the heating element 103 is a pin and has a cylindrical cross-section, the hole in the plug 25 may also be cylindrical. Alternatively, if the heating element 103 is a blade, the hole in the plug 25 may be shaped as a slot.
The plug 25 may wipe the heating element 103 during extraction. Ideally, therefore, the size of the hole in the plug 25 is marginally smaller than the size of the heating element 103 so that the material of the plug 25 will contact the surface of the heating element 103 to carry out the wiping function during extraction.
The plug 25 may be formed of paper. In particular, the plug 25 may be formed from a gathered sheet or sheets of paper, or a gathered and crimped sheet or sheets of paper. The extent to which the paper is gathered controls the resistance to insertion of the heating element 103 through the plug. A tightly gathered paper plug 25 will have a greater resistance to insertion of the heating element 103 in relation to a more loosely gathered paper plug 25.
Once the heating element 103 is received in the aerosol-generating material 3, the article 1 is also more securely retained by the plug 25. This makes the article 1 and device 100 easier to use and also safer because the article 1 may be less likely to become displaced from the device 100 during use.
The various embodiments described herein are presented only to assist in understanding and teaching the claimed features. These embodiments are provided as a representative sample of embodiments only, and are not exhaustive and/or exclusive. It is to be understood that advantages, embodiments, examples, functions, features, structures, and/or other aspects described herein are not to be considered limitations on the scope of the invention as defined by the claims or limitations on equivalents to the claims, and that other embodiments may be utilized and modifications may be made without departing from the scope of the claimed invention. Various embodiments of the invention may suitably comprise, consist of, or consist essentially of, appropriate combinations of the disclosed elements, components, features, parts, steps, means, etc, other than those specifically described herein. In addition, this disclosure may include other inventions not presently claimed, but which may be claimed in future.
| Number | Date | Country | Kind |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2108763.0 | Jun 2021 | GB | national |
| 2116799.4 | Nov 2021 | GB | national |
The present application is a National Phase entry of PCT Application No. PCT/GB2022/051530 filed Jun. 17, 2022, which claims priority to GB Application 2108763.0 filed Jun. 18, 2021 and GB Application No. 2116799.4 filed Nov. 22, 2021, all of which are hereby incorporated by reference in their entirety.
| Filing Document | Filing Date | Country | Kind |
|---|---|---|---|
| PCT/GB2022/051530 | 6/17/2022 | WO |
