Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
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DELIVERY VEHICLE
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present disclosure relates to a delivery vehicle, containers in which are
contained the
delivery vehicle, and to electronic aerosol provision systems such as
electronic aerosol
delivery systems (e.g. e-cigarettes) incorporating said product.
BACKGROUND TO THE INVENTION
Electronic vapour provision systems such as e-cigarettes generally contain a
reservoir of
liquid which is to be vaporised, typically containing nicotine. When a user
inhales on the
device, a heater is activated to vaporise a small amount of liquid, which is
therefore inhaled
by the user.
The use of e-cigarettes in the UK has grown rapidly, and it has been estimated
that there are
now almost three million people using them in the UK.
Current vaping products use liquids which are wicked to a heater that
generates an aerosol.
The aerosol is inhaled by the user and provides a sensory experience similar
to that of
smoking tobacco. The aerosol may also be used to deliver nicotine and/or
flavour. Some
vaping products deliver nicotine but do not contain flavour. Some deliver
flavour but no
nicotine. Some deliver both flavour and nicotine. Current e-cigarette
formulations typically
utilise glycerol and/or propylene glycol as the liquid. In the flavour
delivering systems it is
known that a material can be used to hold flavour or another functionalising
component for
delivering a sensory effect in the aerosol to be delivered. For example, in US
2005/0172976
flavour or another functionalising component can be held in a flavour release
additive such
as a bead, film or inclusion complex. The materials taught as being suitable
for
encapsulating the flavour include various known materials and are designed
such that they
.. release their flavour at a given temperature. However, materials which have
high loadings of
flavour or another functionalising component may suffer from depletion of the
flavour or
another functionalising component during storage.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
In one aspect there is provided a delivery vehicle for functionalising an
aerosol in proximity
to the delivery vehicle, wherein the delivery vehicle comprises a porous
substrate material
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comprising at least one porous thermoplastic polymer and at least one
formulation held
within the thermoplastic polymer, wherein the formulation comprises at least
one
functionalising component and the porous thermoplastic polymer has a
formulation loading
capacity of at least 30% w/w based on the porous substrate.
The present invention further provides a contained delivery vehicle for
functionalising an
aerosol, the contained delivery vehicle comprising
(a) a container; and
(b) a delivery vehicle for functionalising an aerosol in proximity to the
delivery vehicle,
wherein the delivery vehicle comprises a porous substrate material comprising
at least one
porous thermoplastic polymer and at least one formulation held within the
thermoplastic
polymer, wherein the formulation comprises at least one functionalising
component and the
porous thermoplastic polymer has a formulation loading capacity of at least
30% w/w based
on the porous substrate.
The present invention further provides an aerosolisable product comprising
(a) an aerosol forming material; and
(b) a delivery vehicle for functionalising an aerosol in proximity to the
delivery vehicle,
wherein the delivery vehicle comprises a porous substrate material comprising
at least one
porous thermoplastic polymer and at least one formulation held within the
thermoplastic
polymer, wherein the formulation comprises at least one functionalising
component and the
porous thermoplastic polymer has a formulation loading capacity of at least
30% w/w based
on the porous substrate.
The present invention further provides a process for forming a functionalised
aerosol, the
process comprising
(a) providing a delivery vehicle for functionalising an aerosol in proximity
to the delivery
vehicle, wherein the delivery vehicle comprises a porous substrate material
comprising at
least one porous thermoplastic polymer and at least one formulation held
within the
thermoplastic polymer, wherein the formulation comprises at least one
functionalising
component and the porous thermoplastic polymer has a formulation loading
capacity of at
least 30% w/w based on the porous substrate; and
(b) placing an aerosol in proximity with the delivery vehicle.
The present invention further provides an electronic aerosol provision system
comprising:
(a) an aerosol generation device; and
(b) a delivery vehicle for functionalising an aerosol in proximity to the
delivery vehicle,
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wherein the delivery vehicle comprises a porous substrate material comprising
at least one
porous thermoplastic polymer and at least one formulation held within the
thermoplastic
polymer, wherein the formulation comprises at least one functionalising
component and the
porous thermoplastic polymer has a formulation loading capacity of at least
30% w/w based
on the porous substrate.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
As discussed herein the present invention provides a delivery vehicle for
functionalising an
aerosol in proximity to the delivery vehicle, wherein the delivery vehicle
comprises a porous
substrate material comprising at least one porous thermoplastic polymer and at
least one
formulation held within the thermoplastic polymer, wherein the formulation
comprises at least
one functionalising component and the porous thermoplastic polymer has a
formulation
loading capacity of at least 30% w/w based on the porous substrate.
We have found that by use of delivery vehicle comprising a porous substrate
material
comprising at least one porous thermoplastic polymer which has a
functionalising
component loading capacity of at least 30% w/w, appreciable amounts of
functionalising
component may be held within the thermoplastic polymer yet when the delivery
vehicle is
positioned within the airflow path of an aerosol which is to be functionalised
the pressure
drop across the delivery vehicle can be reduced. This is advantageous as it is
possible for
the user to add the delivery vehicle to an aerosol delivery device in order to
functionalise the
aerosol without affecting (or hardly affecting) the pressure drop across the
delivery vehicle.
Since users of aerosol delivery devices, such as e-cigarettes, are sensitive
to the pressure
drop across the device during an inhalation, it is advantageous to provide a
delivery vehicle
which does not lead to a significant (if any) additional pressure drop when
placed in the
airflow path of the aerosol.
For ease of reference, these and further aspects of the present invention are
now discussed
under appropriate section headings. However, the teachings under each section
are not
necessarily limited to each particular section.
Porous Substrate Material
As discussed herein the present invention provides a delivery vehicle having a
porous
substrate material comprising at least one porous thermoplastic polymer and at
least one
formulation held within the thermoplastic polymer, wherein the formulation
comprises at least
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one functionalising component and the porous thermoplastic polymer has a
formulation
loading capacity of at least 30% w/w based on the porous substrate.
The porous thermoplastic polymer may be any suitable thermoplastic polymer. In
one
aspect, the thermoplastic polymer is selected from acrylonitrile butadiene
styrene, natural
rubber, nylon 6, polyamide, polyamideimide, polyarylate, polycarbonate,
polydimethyl
siloxane, polyetheretherketone, polyetherimide, polyethersulphone,
polyethylene,
polyethylene terephthalate, polymethylmethacrylate, polyoxymethylene,
polyphenylene
sulphide, polypropylene, polystyrene, polysulphone,
polytetrafluoroethylene,
polyvinylchloride, and mixtures thereof. In one aspect, the thermoplastic
polymer is at least
polypropylene. Suitable polymers, such as suitable polypropylene, may be
delivered in any
suitable physical form, for example they may be delivered in the form of
pellets, powders,
granules or films. Even when loaded with the functionalising component as
described herein
the thermoplastic polymer in the form of powder, pellets or granules remain
dry and free
flowing making them convenient for dosing and handling.
In one aspect the delivery vehicle comprises a first porous thermoplastic
polymer and a
second porous thermoplastic polymer, wherein the first thermoplastic polymer
and the
second thermoplastic polymer are different from each other. In one aspect, the
first
thermoplastic polymer is selected from acrylonitrile butadiene styrene,
natural rubber, nylon
6, polyamide, polyamideimide, polyarylate, polycarbonate, polydimethyl
siloxane,
polyetheretherketone, polyetherimide, polyethersulphone, polyethylene,
polyethylene
terephthalate, polymethylmethacrylate, polyoxymethylene, polyphenylene
sulphide,
polypropylene, polystyrene, polysulphone, polytetrafluoroethylene,
polyvinylchloride, and
mixtures thereof. In one aspect, the first thermoplastic polymer is at least
polypropylene. In
one aspect, the second thermoplastic polymer is selected from acrylonitrile
butadiene
styrene, natural rubber, nylon 6, polyamide, polyamideimide, polyarylate,
polycarbonate,
polydimethyl siloxane, polyetheretherketone, polyetherimide,
polyethersulphone,
polyethylene, polyethylene terephthalate, polymethylmethacrylate,
polyoxymethylene,
polyphenylene sulphide, polypropylene, polystyrene, polysulphone,
polytetrafluoroethylene,
polyvinylchloride, and mixtures thereof. In one aspect, the second
thermoplastic polymer is
at least polypropylene.
The at least one porous thermoplastic polymer of the present delivery vehicle
may have a
nominal pore size of from 0.01 to 1 pm. In one aspect the porous thermoplastic
polymer
present in the delivery system consists of porous thermoplastic polymer having
a nominal
pore size of from 0.01 to 1 pm.
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The porous substrate material may be formed wholly or in part from
thermoplastic polymer
having a nominal pore size of from 0.01 to 1 pm. In one aspect thermoplastic
polymer having
a nominal pore size of from 0.01 to 1 pm is present in an amount of at least
10 wt.% based
on the porous substrate material. In one aspect thermoplastic polymer having a
nominal
pore size of from 0.01 to 1 pm is present in an amount of at least 20 wt.%
based on the
porous substrate material. In one aspect thermoplastic polymer having a
nominal pore size
of from 0.01 to 1 pm is present in an amount of at least 30 wt.% based on the
porous
substrate material. In one aspect thermoplastic polymer having a nominal pore
size of from
0.01 to 1 pm is present in an amount of at least 40 wt.% based on the porous
substrate
material. In one aspect thermoplastic polymer having a nominal pore size of
from 0.01 to 1
pm is present in an amount of at least 50 wt.% based on the porous substrate
material. In
one aspect thermoplastic polymer having a nominal pore size of from 0.01 to 1
pm is present
in an amount of at least 60 wt.% based on the porous substrate material. In
one aspect
thermoplastic polymer having a nominal pore size of from 0.01 to 1 pm is
present in an
amount of at least 70 wt.% based on the porous substrate material. In one
aspect
thermoplastic polymer having a nominal pore size of from 0.01 to 1 pm is
present in an
amount of at least 80 wt.% based on the porous substrate material. In one
aspect
thermoplastic polymer having a nominal pore size of from 0.01 to 1 pm is
present in an
amount of at least 90 wt.% based on the porous substrate material. In one
aspect
thermoplastic polymer having a nominal pore size of from 0.01 to 1 pm is
present in an
amount of at least 95 wt.% based on the porous substrate material. In one
aspect
thermoplastic polymer having a nominal pore size of from 0.01 to 1 pm is
present in an
amount of at least 99 wt.% based on the porous substrate material. In one
aspect the porous
substrate material consists essentially of thermoplastic polymer having a
nominal pore size
of from 0.01 to 1 pm. In one aspect the porous substrate material consists of
thermoplastic
polymer having a nominal pore size of from 0.01 to 1 pm.
In one aspect the at least one thermoplastic polymer has a nominal pore size
of from 0.01 to
0.9 pm. In one aspect the at least one thermoplastic polymer has a nominal
pore size of
from 0.01 to 0.8 pm. In one aspect the at least one thermoplastic polymer has
a nominal
pore size of from 0.01 to 0.7 pm. In one aspect the at least one thermoplastic
polymer has a
nominal pore size of from 0.01 to 0.6 pm. In one aspect the at least one
thermoplastic
polymer has a nominal pore size of from 0.01 to 0.5 pm. In one aspect the at
least one
thermoplastic polymer has a nominal pore size of from 0.01 to 0.4 pm. In one
aspect the at
least one thermoplastic polymer has a nominal pore size of from 0.01 to 0.3
pm. In one
aspect the at least one thermoplastic polymer has a nominal pore size of from
0.05 to 0.3
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pm. In one aspect the at least one thermoplastic polymer has a nominal pore
size of from
0.1 to 0.3 pm.
In one aspect thermoplastic polymer present in the delivery system consists of
thermoplastic
polymer having a nominal pore size of from 0.01 to 0.9 pm. In one aspect
thermoplastic
polymer present in the delivery system consists of thermoplastic polymer
having a nominal
pore size of from 0.01 to 0.8 pm. In one aspect thermoplastic polymer present
in the delivery
system consists of thermoplastic polymer having a nominal pore size of from
0.01 to 0.7 pm.
In one aspect thermoplastic polymer present in the delivery system consists of
thermoplastic
polymer having a nominal pore size of from 0.01 to 0.6 pm. In one aspect
thermoplastic
polymer present in the delivery system consists of thermoplastic polymer
having a nominal
pore size of from 0.01 to 0.5 pm. In one aspect thermoplastic polymer present
in the delivery
system consists of thermoplastic polymer having a nominal pore size of from
0.01 to 0.4 pm.
In one aspect thermoplastic polymer present in the delivery system consists of
thermoplastic
polymer having a nominal pore size of from 0.01 to 0.3 pm. In one aspect
thermoplastic
polymer present in the delivery system consists of thermoplastic polymer
having a nominal
pore size of from 0.05 to 0.3 pm. In one aspect thermoplastic polymer present
in the delivery
system consists of thermoplastic polymer having a nominal pore size of from
0.1 to 0.3 pm.
In one embodiment, the at least one porous thermoplastic polymer of the
present delivery
vehicle may have an average pore size of from 0.01 to 1 pm. Suitable methods
for
determining the average pore size include via scanning electron microscope.
In one aspect the at least one thermoplastic polymer has an average pore size
of from 0.01
to 0.9 pm. In one aspect the at least one thermoplastic polymer has an average
pore size of
from 0.01 to 0.8 pm. In one aspect the at least one thermoplastic polymer has
an average
pore size of from 0.01 to 0.7 pm. In one aspect the at least one thermoplastic
polymer has
an average pore size of from 0.01 to 0.6 pm. In one aspect the at least one
thermoplastic
polymer has an average pore size of from 0.01 to 0.5 pm. In one aspect the at
least one
thermoplastic polymer has an average pore size of from 0.01 to 0.4 pm. In one
aspect the at
least one thermoplastic polymer has an average pore size of from 0.01 to 0.3
pm. In one
aspect the at least one thermoplastic polymer has an average pore size of from
0.05 to 0.3
pm. In one aspect the at least one thermoplastic polymer has an average pore
size of from
0.1 to 0.3 pm.
In one aspect thermoplastic polymer present in the delivery system consists of
thermoplastic
polymer having an average pore size of from 0.01 to 0.9 pm. In one aspect
thermoplastic
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polymer present in the delivery system consists of thermoplastic polymer
having an average
pore size of from 0.01 to 0.8 pm. In one aspect thermoplastic polymer present
in the delivery
system consists of thermoplastic polymer having an average pore size of from
0.01 to 0.7
pm. In one aspect thermoplastic polymer present in the delivery system
consists of
thermoplastic polymer having an average pore size of from 0.01 to 0.6 pm. In
one aspect
thermoplastic polymer present in the delivery system consists of thermoplastic
polymer
having an average pore size of from 0.01 to 0.5 pm. In one aspect
thermoplastic polymer
present in the delivery system consists of thermoplastic polymer having an
average pore
size of from 0.01 to 0.4 pm. In one aspect thermoplastic polymer present in
the delivery
system consists of thermoplastic polymer having an average pore size of from
0.01 to 0.3
pm. In one aspect thermoplastic polymer present in the delivery system
consists of
thermoplastic polymer having an average pore size of from 0.05 to 0.3 pm. In
one aspect
thermoplastic polymer present in the delivery system consists of thermoplastic
polymer
having an average pore size of from 0.1 to 0.3 pm.
The porous substrate material may be present in any suitable amount to provide
the desired
aim of functionalising an aerosol. In one aspect, the porous substrate
material is present in
an amount of at least 0.2g. In one aspect, the porous substrate material is
present in an
amount of at least 0.3g. In one aspect, the porous substrate material is
present in an amount
of at least 0.4g. In one aspect, the porous substrate material is present in
an amount of at
least 0.5g. In one aspect, the porous substrate material is present in an
amount of at least
0.6g. In one aspect, the porous substrate material is present in an amount of
at least 0.7g. In
one aspect, the porous substrate material is present in an amount of at least
0.8g. In one
aspect, the porous substrate material is present in an amount of at least
0.9g. In one aspect,
the porous substrate material is present in an amount of at least 1.0g. In one
aspect, the
porous substrate material is present in an amount of at least 1.5g. In one
aspect, the porous
substrate material is present in an amount of at least 2.0g.
In one aspect, the porous substrate material is present in an amount of up to
10.0g. In one
aspect, the porous substrate material is present in an amount of up to 9.0g.
In one aspect,
the porous substrate material is present in an amount of up to 8.0g. In one
aspect, the
porous substrate material is present in an amount of up to 7.0g. In one
aspect, the porous
substrate material is present in an amount of up to 6.0g. In one aspect, the
porous substrate
material is present in an amount of up to 5.0g. In one aspect, the porous
substrate material
is present in an amount of up to 4.0g. In one aspect, the porous substrate
material is present
in an amount of up to 3.0g. In one aspect, the porous substrate material is
present in an
amount of up to 2.9g. In one aspect, the porous substrate material is present
in an amount of
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up to 2.8g. In one aspect, the porous substrate material is present in an
amount of up to
2.7g. In one aspect, the porous substrate material is present in an amount of
up to 2.6g. In
one aspect, the porous substrate material is present in an amount of up to
2.5g.
Functionalising Component
The functionalising component may be any material which modifies the nature of
the aerosol
with which it is contacted. In one aspect, the at least one functionalising
component may be
selected from flavour components, protonating components, active componentsand
mixtures
thereof. In one aspect the at least one functionalising component is at least
one flavour
component. A flavoured component is a material which imparts a flavour to the
aerosol. In
one aspect the at least one flavour component is selected from the group
consisting of (4-
(para-)methoxyphenyI)-2-butanone, vanillin, y-undecalactone, menthone, 5-
propenyl
guaethol, menthol, para-mentha-8-thioI-3-one and mixtures thereof. In one
aspect, the at
least one flavour component is at least menthol.
The functionalising component may be solid or liquid. In one aspect the
functionalising
component is a solid at temperature of 40 C. In one aspect the functionalising
component is
a solid at temperature of 60 C. In one aspect, the functionalising component
is a powder,
such as a free flowing powder.
The at least one functionalising component may be present in any suitable
amount to
provide the desired aim of functionalising an aerosol. In one aspect the at
least one
functionalising component is present in an amount of at least 1 wt.% based on
the porous
substrate. In one aspect the at least one functionalising component is present
in an amount
of at least 2 wt.% based on the porous substrate. In one aspect the at least
one
functionalising component is present in an amount of at least 3 wt.% based on
the porous
substrate. In one aspect the at least one functionalising component is present
in an amount
of at least 4 wt.% based on the porous substrate. In one aspect the at least
one
functionalising component is present in an amount of at least 5 wt.% based on
the porous
substrate. In one aspect the at least one functionalising component is present
in an amount
of at least 10 wt.% based on the porous substrate. In one aspect the at least
one
functionalising component is present in an amount of at least 15 wt.% based on
the porous
substrate. In one aspect the at least one functionalising component is present
in an amount
of at least 20 wt.% based on the porous substrate. In one aspect the at least
one
functionalising component is present in an amount of at least 25 wt.% based on
the porous
substrate. In one aspect the at least one functionalising component is present
in an amount
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of at least 30 wt.% based on the porous substrate. In one aspect the at least
one
functionalising component is present in an amount of at least 40 wt.% based on
the porous
substrate. In one aspect the at least one functionalising component is present
in an amount
of at least 50 wt.% based on the porous substrate. In one aspect the at least
one
functionalising component is present in an amount of at least 60 wt.% based on
the porous
substrate. In one aspect the at least one functionalising component is present
in an amount
of at least 70 wt.% based on the porous substrate. In one aspect the at least
one
functionalising component is present in an amount of at least 80 wt.% based on
the porous
substrate. In one aspect the at least one functionalising component is present
in an amount
of at least 90 wt.% based on the porous substrate.
In one aspect the at least one functionalising component is present in an
amount of from 1 to
90 wt.% based on the porous substrate. In one aspect the at least one
functionalising
component is present in an amount of from 2 to 90 wt.% based on the porous
substrate. In
one aspect the at least one functionalising component is present in an amount
of from 3 to
90 wt.% based on the porous substrate. In one aspect the at least one
functionalising
component is present in an amount of from 4 to 90 wt.% based on the porous
substrate. In
one aspect the at least one functionalising component is present in an amount
of from 5 to
90 wt.% based on porous substrate. In one aspect the at least one
functionalising
component is present in an amount of from 10 to 90 wt.% based on the porous
substrate. In
one aspect the at least one functionalising component is present in an amount
of from 20 to
90 wt.% based on the porous substrate. In one aspect the at least one
functionalising
component is present in an amount of from 20 to 90 wt.% based on the porous
substrate.
In one aspect the formulation comprises the functionalising component and a
carrier. The
carrier may be selected from water, polyhydric alcohols, such as glycerol,
propylene glycol
and triethylene glycol, for example, or esters such as triethyl citrate or
triacetin, or high
boiling point hydrocarbons, or non-polyols, such as glycols, sorbitol or
lactic acid, for
example. The carrier may be selected from polyhydric alcohols, such as
glycerol, propylene
glycol and triethylene glycol, for example, or esters such as triethyl citrate
or triacetin, or high
boiling point hydrocarbons, or non-polyols, such as glycols, sorbitol or
lactic acid, for
example. In one aspect, the carrier is selected from polyhydric alcohols (such
as glycerol,
propylene glycol and triethylene glycol), esters (such as triethyl citrate and
triacetin), high
boiling point hydrocarbons, non-polyols (such as glycols, sorbitol and lactic
acid), and
mixtures thereof.
The carrier may be selected from water, triethylene glycol, triethyl citrate,
triacetin, glycols,
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sorbitol, lactic acid, glycerol, propylene glycol, and mixtures thereof. The
carrier may be
selected from triethylene glycol, triethyl citrate, triacetin, glycols,
sorbitol, lactic acid, glycerol,
propylene glycol, and mixtures thereof.
In one aspect, the carrier is selected from water, glycerol, propylene glycol,
and mixtures
thereof. In one aspect, the carrier is selected from glycerol, propylene
glycol, and mixtures
thereof. In one aspect, the carrier is a mixture of glycerol and propylene
glycol.
The one or more carriers may be present in any suitable amount in the
formulation
depending on the functionalising component. In one aspect the one or more
carriers is
present in a total amount of at least 1 wt.% based on the formulation. In one
aspect the one
or more carriers is present in a total amount of at least 2 wt.% based on the
formulation. In
one aspect the one or more carriersis present in a total amount of at least 5
wt.% based on
the formulation. In one aspect the one or more carriersis present in a total
amount of at least
10 wt.% based on the formulation. In one aspect the one or more carriersis
present in a total
amount of at least 20 wt.% based on the formulation. In one aspect the one or
more
carriersis present in a total amount of at least 30 wt.% based on the
formulation. In one
aspect the one or more carriersis present in a total amount of at least 40
wt.% based on the
formulation. In one aspect the one or more carriersis present in a total
amount of at least 50
wt.% based on the formulation.
In one aspect the one or more carriersis present in a total amount of from 1
to 990 wt.%
based on the formulation. In one aspect the one or more carriers is present in
a total amount
of from 2 to 50 wt.% based on the formulation. In one aspect the one or more
carriersis
present in a total amount of from 5 to 50 wt.% based on the formulation. In
one aspect the
one or more carriersis present in a total amount of from 10 to 50 wt.% based
on the
formulation. In one aspect the one or more carriersis present in a total
amount of from 20t0
50 wt.% based on the formulation. In one aspect the one or more carriersis
present in a total
amount of from 30 to 50 wt.% based on formulation.
As discussed herein, in one aspect the carrier is at least glycerol. The
glycerol may be
present in any suitable amount in the formulation. In one aspect the glycerol
is present in a
total amount of at least 1 wt.% based on the formulation. In one aspect the
glycerol is
present in a total amount of at least 2 wt.% based on the formulation. In one
aspect the
glycerol is present in a total amount of at least 5 wt.% based on the
formulation. In one
aspect the glycerol is present in a total amount of at least 10 wt.% based on
the formulation.
In one aspect the glycerol is present in a total amount of at least 20 wt.%
based on the
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formulation. In one aspect the glycerol is present in a total amount of at
least 30 wt.% based
on the formulation. In one aspect the glycerol is present in a total amount of
at least 40 wt.%
based on the formulation. In one aspect the glycerol is present in a total
amount of at least
50 wt.% based on the formulation.
In one aspect the glycerol is present in a total amount of from 1 to 99 wt.%
based on the
formulation. In one aspect the glycerol is present in a total amount of from 1
to 90 wt.%
based on the formulation. In one aspect the glycerol is present in a total
amount of from 1 to
80 wt.% based on the formulation. In one aspect the glycerol is present in a
total amount of
from 1 to 70 wt.% based on the formulation. In one aspect the glycerol is
present in a total
amount of from 1 to 60 wt.% based on the formulation. In one aspect the
glycerol is present
in a total amount of from 1 to 90 wt.% based on the formulation. In one aspect
the glycerol is
present in a total amount of from 2 to 50 wt.% based on the formulation. In
one aspect the
glycerol is present in a total amount of from 5 to 50 wt.% based on the
formulation. In one
aspect the glycerol is present in a total amount of from 10 to 50 wt.% based
on the
formulation. In one aspect the glycerol is present in a total amount of from
20t0 50 wt.%
based on the formulation. In one aspect the glycerol is present in a total
amount of from 30
to 50 wt.% based on the formulation.
As discussed herein, in one aspect the carrier is at least propylene glycol.
The propylene
glycol may be present in any suitable amount in the formulation. In one aspect
the propylene
glycol is present in a total amount of at least 1 wt.% based on the
formulation. In one aspect
the propylene glycol is present in a total amount of at least 2 wt.% based on
the formulation.
In one aspect the propylene glycol is present in a total amount of at least 5
wt.% based on
the formulation. In one aspect the propylene glycol is present in a total
amount of at least 10
wt.% based on the formulation. In one aspect the propylene glycol is present
in a total
amount of at least 20 wt.% based on the formulation. In one aspect the
propylene glycol is
present in a total amount of at least 30 wt.% based on the formulation. In one
aspect the
propylene glycol is present in a total amount of at least 40 wt.% based on the
formulation. In
one aspect the propylene glycol is present in a total amount of at least 50
wt.% based on the
formulation.
In one aspect the propylene glycol is present in a total amount of from 1 to
99 wt.% based on
the formulation. In one aspect the propylene glycol is present in a total
amount of from 1 to
90 wt.% based on the formulation. In one aspect the propylene glycol is
present in a total
amount of from 1 to 80 wt.% based on the formulation. In one aspect the
propylene glycol is
present in a total amount of from 1 to 70 wt.% based on the formulation. In
one aspect the
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propylene glycol is present in a total amount of from 1 to 60 wt.% based on
the formulation.
In one aspect the propylene glycol is present in a total amount of from 1 to
50 wt.% based on
the formulation. In one aspect the propylene glycol is present in a total
amount of from 2 to
50 wt.% based on the formulation. In one aspect the propylene glycol is
present in a total
amount of from 5 to 50 wt.% based on the formulation. In one aspect the
propylene glycol is
present in a total amount of from 10 to 50 wt.% based on the formulation. In
one aspect the
propylene glycol is present in a total amount of from 20t0 50 wt.% based on
the formulation.
In one aspect the propylene glycol is present in a total amount of from 30 to
50 wt.% based
on the formulation.
As discussed herein, in one aspect the carrier is at least water. The water
may be present in
any suitable amount in the formulation. In one aspect the water is present in
a total amount
of at least 1 wt.% based on the formulation. In one aspect the water is
present in a total
amount of at least 2 wt.% based on the formulation. In one aspect the water is
present in a
total amount of at least 5 wt.% based on the formulation. In one aspect the
water is present
in a total amount of at least 10 wt.% based on the formulation. In one aspect
the water is
present in a total amount of at least 20 wt.% based on the formulation. In one
aspect the
water is present in a total amount of at least 30 wt.% based on the
formulation. In one aspect
the water is present in a total amount of at least 40 wt.% based on the
formulation. In one
aspect the water is present in a total amount of at least 50 wt.% based on the
formulation.
In one aspect the water is present in a total amount of from 1 to 50 wt.%
based on the
formulation. In one aspect the water is present in a total amount of from 2 to
50 wt.% based
on the formulation. In one aspect the water is present in a total amount of
from 5 to 50 wt.%
based on the formulation. In one aspect the water is present in a total amount
of from 10 to
50 wt.% based on the formulation. In one aspect the water is present in a
total amount of
from 20t0 50 wt.% based on the formulation. In one aspect the water is present
in a total
amount of from 30 to 50 wt.% based on the formulation.
The porous thermoplastic polymer has a formulation loading capacity of at
least 30 wt.%
based on the porous substrate. In one aspect the porous thermoplastic polymer
has a
formulation loading capacity of at least 40 wt.% based on the porous
substrate. In one
aspect the porous thermoplastic polymer has a formulation loading capacity of
at least 50
wt.% based on the porous substrate. In one aspect the porous thermoplastic
polymer has a
formulation loading capacity of at least 60 wt.% based on the porous
substrate. In one
aspect the porous thermoplastic polymer has a formulation loading capacity of
at least 70
wt.% based on the porous substrate. In one aspect the porous thermoplastic
polymer has a
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formulation loading capacity of at least 80 wt.% based on the porous
substrate.
Aerosolisable Product
The delivery vehicle of the present invention may contain one or more further
components,
which may be present in the formulation, adhered to the porous substrate, or
located
elsewhere on the delivery vehicle. These components may be selected depending
on the
nature of the formulation. In one aspect, the delivery vehicle further
comprises an active
agent. By "active agent" it is meant an agent which has a biological effect on
a subject when
the vapour is inhaled. The one or more active agents may be selected from
nicotine,
botanicals, and mixtures thereof. The one or more active agents may be of
synthetic or
natural origin. The active could be an extract from a botanical, such as from
a plant in the
tobacco family. An example active is nicotine.
In one aspect, the active agent is at least nicotine. Nicotine may be provided
at any suitable
amount depending on the desired dosage to be inhaled by the user. In one
aspect nicotine is
present in an amount of no greater than 6 wt% based on the total weight of the
delivery
vehicle. In one aspect nicotine is present in an amount of from 0.4 to 6 wt%
based on the
total weight of the delivery vehicle. In one aspect nicotine is present in an
amount of from 0.8
to 6 wt% based on the total weight of the delivery vehicle. In one aspect
nicotine is present
in an amount of from 1 to 6 wt% based on the total weight of the delivery
vehicle. In one
aspect nicotine is present in an amount of from 1.8 to 6 wt% based on the
total weight of the
delivery vehicle. In one aspect nicotine is present in an amount of from 0.4
to 5 wt% based
on the total weight of the delivery vehicle. In one aspect nicotine is present
in an amount of
from 0.8 to 5 wt% based on the total weight of the delivery vehicle. In one
aspect nicotine is
present in an amount of from 1 to 5 wt% based on the total weight of the
delivery vehicle. In
one aspect nicotine is present in an amount of from 1.8 to 5 wt% based on the
total weight of
the delivery vehicle. In one aspect nicotine is present in an amount of no
greater than 4 wt%
based on the total weight of the delivery vehicle. In one aspect nicotine is
present in an
amount of from 0.4 to 4 wt% based on the total weight of the delivery vehicle.
In one aspect
nicotine is present in an amount of from 0.8 to 4 wt% based on the total
weight of the
delivery vehicle. In one aspect nicotine is present in an amount of from 1 to
4 wt% based on
the total weight of the delivery vehicle. In one aspect nicotine is present in
an amount of from
1.8 to 4 wt% based on the total weight of the delivery vehicle. In one aspect
nicotine is
present in an amount of no greater than 3 wt% based on the total weight of the
delivery
vehicle. In one aspect nicotine is present in an amount of from 0.4 to 3 wt%
based on the
total weight of the delivery vehicle. In one aspect nicotine is present in an
amount of from 0.8
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to 3 wt% based on the total weight of the delivery vehicle. In one aspect
nicotine is present
in an amount of from 1 to 3 wt% based on the total weight of the delivery
vehicle. In one
aspect nicotine is present in an amount of from 1.8 to 3 wt% based on the
total weight of the
delivery vehicle. In one aspect nicotine is present in an amount of no greater
than 1.9 wt%
based on the total weight of the delivery vehicle. In one aspect nicotine is
present in an
amount of no greater than 1.8 wt% based on the total weight of the delivery
vehicle. In one
aspect nicotine is present in an amount of from 0.4 to 1.9 wt% based on the
total weight of
the delivery vehicle. In one aspect nicotine is present in an amount of from
0.4 to 1.8 wt%
based on the total weight of the delivery vehicle. In one aspect nicotine is
present in an
amount of from 0.5 to 1.9 wt% based on the total weight of the delivery
vehicle. In one
aspect nicotine is present in an amount of from 0.5 to 1.8 wt% based on the
total weight of
the delivery vehicle. In one aspect nicotine is present in an amount of from
0.8 to 1.9 wt%
based on the total weight of the delivery vehicle. In one aspect nicotine is
present in an
amount of from 0.8 to 1.8 wt% based on the total weight of the delivery
vehicle. In one
aspect nicotine is present in an amount of from 1 to 1.9 wt% based on the
total weight of the
delivery vehicle. In one aspect nicotine is present in an amount of from 1 to
1.8 wt% based
on the total weight of the delivery vehicle. In one aspect nicotine is present
in an amount of
less than 1.9 wt% based on the total weight of the delivery vehicle. In one
aspect nicotine is
present in an amount of less than 1.8 wt% based on the total weight of the
delivery vehicle.
In one aspect nicotine is present in an amount of from 0.4 to less than 1.9
wt% based on the
total weight of the delivery vehicle. In one aspect nicotine is present in an
amount of from 0.4
to less than 1.8 wt% based on the total weight of the delivery vehicle. In one
aspect nicotine
is present in an amount of from 0.5 to less than 1.9 wt% based on the total
weight of the
delivery vehicle. In one aspect nicotine is present in an amount of from 0.5
to less than 1.8
.. wt% based on the total weight of the delivery vehicle. In one aspect
nicotine is present in an
amount of from 0.8 to less than 1.9 wt% based on the total weight of the
delivery vehicle. In
one aspect nicotine is present in an amount of from 0.8 to less than 1.8 wt%
based on the
total weight of the delivery vehicle. In one aspect nicotine is present in an
amount of from 1
to less than 1.9 wt% based on the total weight of the delivery vehicle. In one
aspect nicotine
is present in an amount of from 1 to less than 1.8 wt% based on the total
weight of the
delivery vehicle.
Delivery vehicle
As explained above, the delivery vehicle generally comprises both the porous
substrate and
the formulation contained within the porous substrate. In this regard the
porous substrate is
generally held within a housing having a connection end and a mouthpiece end.
The
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connection end attaches to an opening in the aerosol delivery device, and the
mouthpiece
end contains an outlet for the inhalation of aerosol that has been
functionalised.
In one aspect, the housing contains a cavity within which the porous substrate
is retained.
The porous substrate may be retained within the cavity so as to have a minimal
influence on
the pressure drop across the delivery vehicle. In one aspect, the porous
substrate is retained
within the cavity of the delivery vehicle such that the increase in pressure
drop across the
delivery vehicle relative to the delivery vehicle without any porous substrate
is less than 20
mmH20. In one aspect, the porous substrate is retained within the cavity of
the delivery
vehicle such that the increase in pressure drop across the delivery vehicle
relative to the
delivery vehicle without any porous substrate is less than 15 mmH20. In one
aspect, the
porous substrate is retained within the cavity of the delivery vehicle such
that the increase in
pressure drop across the delivery vehicle relative to the delivery vehicle
without any porous
substrate is less than 10 mmH20. In one aspect, the porous substrate is
retained within the
__ cavity of the delivery vehicle such that the increase in pressure drop
across the delivery
vehicle relative to the delivery vehicle without any porous substrate is less
than 7.5 mmH20.
In one aspect, the porous substrate is retained within the cavity of the
delivery vehicle such
that the increase in pressure drop across the delivery vehicle relative to the
delivery vehicle
without any porous substrate is less than 5 MMH20.
In this regard, the porous substrate can be retained within the cavity of the
housing in
various forms so as to minimise the increase in pressure drop. For example,
the porous
substrate can take the form of pellets.
It will be appreciated that in the above aspects, the delivery vehicle may be
supplied with the
porous substrate without the formulation specifically impregnated into the
porous substrate.
Such an arrangement may allow users to functionalise the porous substrate
themselves.
Further Aspects
The delivery vehicle of the present invention may comprise a housing or
container. In one
aspect the housing is adapted to be removably attached to an aerosol delivery
device,
specifically, at a point along the airflow path of the aerosol delivery
device. Furthermore, the
present invention further provides a contained delivery vehicle for
functionalising an aerosol,
the contained delivery vehicle comprising (a) a housing/container; and (b) a
delivery vehicle
for functionalising an aerosol in proximity to the delivery vehicle, wherein
the delivery vehicle
comprises a porous substrate material comprising at least one porous
thermoplastic polymer
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and at least one formulation held within the thermoplastic polymer, wherein
the formulation
comprises at least one functionalising component and the porous thermoplastic
polymer has
a formulation loading capacity of at least 30% w/w.
As discussed herein, in one aspect the delivery vehicle may contain any of the
above
carriers as an aerosol forming material. In a further aspect, an aerosol
forming material
distinct from the delivery vehicle may be provided. Thus, in a further aspect,
the present
invention further provides an aerosolisable product comprising (a) an aerosol
forming
material; and (b) a delivery vehicle for functionalising an aerosol in
proximity to the delivery
vehicle, wherein the delivery vehicle comprises a porous substrate material
comprising at
least one porous thermoplastic polymer and at least one formulation held
within the
thermoplastic polymer, wherein the formulation comprises at least one
functionalising
component and the porous thermoplastic polymer has a formulation loading
capacity of at
least 30% w/w. In this regard, the term "aerosolisable product" refers to a
combination of one
or more materials, at least one of which is capable of forming a condensation
aerosol
following heating to an appropriate temperature. Thus, it is not necessary for
all components
of the aerosolisable product of the present invention to be "aerosolised".
The present invention further provides a process for forming a functionalised
aerosol, the
process comprising
(a) providing a delivery vehicle for functionalising an aerosol in proximity
to the delivery
vehicle, wherein the delivery vehicle comprises a porous substrate material
comprising at
least one porous thermoplastic polymer and at least one formulation held
within the
thermoplastic polymer, wherein the formulation comprises at least one
functionalising
component and the porous thermoplastic polymer has a formulation loading
capacity of at
least 30% w/w; and
(b) placing an aerosol in proximity with the delivery vehicle.
The process of the present invention may comprises additional steps either
before the steps
listed, after the steps listed or between one or more of the steps listed.
The present invention further provides an electronic aerosol provision system
comprising:
(a) an aerosol delivery/generation device; and
(b) a delivery vehicle for functionalising an aerosol in proximity to the
delivery vehicle,
wherein the delivery vehicle comprises a porous substrate material comprising
at least one
porous thermoplastic polymer and at least one formulation held within the
thermoplastic
polymer, wherein the formulation comprises at least one functionalising
component and the
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porous thermoplastic polymer has a formulation loading capacity of at least
30% w/w.
In one aspect, the aerosol delivery/generation device has an airflow path
along which
aerosol generated by the device flows. In one aspect, the delivery vehicle is
located in
airflow path. In one aspect, the delivery vehicle is located in airflow path
such that the
aerosol passes through the porous substrate.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
The present invention will now be described in further detail by way of
example only with
reference to the accompanying figures in which:-
Figures 1 to 3 each shows a graph.
The invention will now be described with reference to the following non-
limiting example.
Examples
In the present example we utilised Accurele MP/XP materials which are porous
polymers.
The MP and XP product lines are manufactured with different cell forming
agents resulting in
slightly different properties, such as porosity level, additive loading time
and loading level.
The products can be made using PP, PE, EVA, PS, PET, PA6 PA12, PC, PLA, SAN
and
PMNA. PVOH versions are also available. The Accurele porous structure is
capable of
absorbing high amounts of liquid or low melting point additives. On mixing the
additive
penetrates the cell structure by capillary action resulting in a free flowing,
dry, super
concentrate.
Flavour/Fragrance loading
ACCUREL Microporous Polymer MP100-PP ¨ polypropylene was used in this study.
Sample 1 - 10g of Accurel MP100-PP (10g) was placed into glass jar and 23.1g
of cherry
fragrance or menthol added. The glass jar was secured with an aluminium lid on
which a
spindle had been attached. The spindle was attached to a chuck of a rotary
stirrer set
horizontally. The jar and contents were gently rolled for 2 hours at 44rpm
(Caframo top
stirrer, model BDC50) at room temperature, at which time all the liquid had
entered the
porous particles, giving a final dry free flowing product which was 70%
fragrance/flavour by
weight.
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Sample 2 - the method of preparation of sample 1 was repeated and menthol was
replaced
with 50c/opepermint oi1/50c/omenthol.
Testing
Aliquots (5g) of the filled particles were then incubated (in triplicate) at
the relevant
temperature, then weighed at regular intervals for an initial period of 24
hours. The weight
loss was calculated and plotted against time. Control flavour particles were
incubated
alongside the menthol/cherry loaded particles for comparison. The control
sample at 20 C,
40 C, 60 C, 80 C and 100 C is shown in Figure 1. Sample 1 at 20 C, 40 C, 60 C,
80 C and
100 C is shown in Figure 2. Sample 2 at 20 C, 40 C, 60 C, 80 C and 100 C is
shown in
Figure 2.
VVithin the 24 hour period the weight loss from the Accurel was approaching
70% for both
the cherry fragrance and for the peppermint/menthol. The hump noted at 100 C
around hour
15-20 is related to the plot program and not an actual result.
It was found that the loading achieved was very high. At elevated temperatures
the porous
materials do not hold onto the ingredients particularly well. However, at
moderate
temperatures, such as those at which the products are typically stored, the
loss over time
was modest.
The thermoplastic polymer used in the present example was identified as being
a very good
material for producing a highly concentrated free flowing substrate containing
a liquid
flavour.
Pressure drop investigations
In order to test the impact of the delivery vehicle on the pressure drop
across an aerosol
delivery device, the following experiment was conducted.
An aerosol delivery device available from British American Tobacco (eTank Pro,
vv,,,vw.govype.com) was used to assess the impact of the delivery vehicle
comprising the
functionalised porous substrate on the pressure drop across a typical device.
The eTank Pro
device has a detachable drip-tip (mouthpiece) and so it is possible to replace
this with the
delivery vehicle of the present invention.
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The delivery vehicle used in the example comprised Accurel M P100-PP (hemi-
cylindrical
prism pellets of approximately 2.75mm by 2.89mm by 1.69mm, the pellets having
an
average mass of 34.40 mg per pellet, based on the mass of 32 pellets. 15 to 20
pellets were
loaded into a delivery vehicle mouthpiece sized similarly to the mouthpiece of
eTankPro. The
cylindrical cavity of the mouthpiece within which the pellets were held had a
total volume of
655mm3. For comparison purposes, the same delivery vehicle mouthpiece was used
without
the porous substrate and with cellulose acetate in place of the porous
substrate.
Table 1
Pressure Drop
Configuration (mmH20)
1 eTank Pro (with mouthpiece) 46
2 etank Pro mouthpiece alone 0
3 Delivery vehicle mouthpiece alone (no porous substrate) 0
4 etank Pro + Delivery vehicle mouthpiece (no porous substrate)
46
5 eTank Pro + Delivery vehicle mouthpiece (with porous substrate)
48
6 Delivery vehicle mouthpiece (with porous substrate) 2 to 3
7 Delivery vehicle mouthpiece (with cellulose acetate) 26 -
27
8 eTank Pro + Delivery vehicle mouthpiece (with cellulose acetate)
75 - 76
As can be seen from Table 1, when a delivery vehicle including a porous
substrate
comprising at least one porous thermoplastic polymer having a formulation
loading capacity
of at least 30% w/w is used, the impact on pressure drop across the device is
far less
pronounced than when the same delivery vehicle mouthpiece comprising cellulose
acetate is
used. This is an advantage because the user will not notice a significant
change (if any) in
the pressure drop across the device when using the delivery vehicle according
to the present
invention. On the other hand, due to the porous nature of the thermoplastic
polymer, it is
possible to load relatively high amounts of formulation onto the porous
substrate, thereby
leading to an appreciable functionalisation of the aerosol as it passes
through the delivery
vehicle.
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Various modifications and variations of the present invention will be apparent
to those skilled
in the art without departing from the scope and spirit of the invention.
Although the invention
has been described in connection with specific preferred embodiments, it
should be
understood that the invention as claimed should not be unduly limited to such
specific
embodiments. Indeed, various modifications of the described modes for carrying
out the
invention which are obvious to those skilled in chemistry or related fields
are intended to be
within the scope of the following claims.
