Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
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AEROSOL GENERATION
Technical Field
The present invention relates to aerosol generation.
Background
Smoking articles such as cigarettes, cigars and the like burn tobacco during
use
to create tobacco smoke. Alternatives to these types of articles release an
inhalable
aerosol or vapour by releasing compounds from a substrate material by heating
without
burning. These may be referred to as non-combustible smoking articles or
aerosol
generating assemblies.
One example of such a product is a heating device which release compounds by
heating, but not burning, a solid aerosolisable material. This solid
aerosolisable
material may, in some cases, contain a tobacco material. The heating
volatilises at least
one component of the material, typically forming an inhalable aerosol. These
products
may be referred to as heat-not-burn devices, tobacco heating devices or
tobacco heating
products. Various different arrangements for volatilising at least one
component of the
solid aerosolisable material are known.
Another known type of aerosol generating assembly is an electronic cigarette
or
e-cigarette. In these devices, a liquid or gel aerosol generating material is
heated
without burning. This vaporises one component of the material to form an
inhalable
vapour or aerosol. The liquid or gel material may comprise nicotine.
As another example, there are e-cigarette / tobacco heating product hybrid
devices, also known as electronic tobacco hybrid devices. These hybrid devices
contain
a liquid source (which may or may not contain nicotine) which is vaporised by
heating
to produce an inhalable vapour or aerosol. The device additionally contains a
solid
aerosolisable material (which may or may not contain a tobacco material) and
components of this material are entrained in the inhalable vapour or aerosol
to produce
the inhaled medium.
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Summary
A first aspect of the invention provides an aerosol generating article for use
in
an aerosol generating assembly, the article comprising an aerosol generating
substrate
comprising an aerosol generating material, wherein the aerosol generating
material is
solid and comprises a starch and a plasticiser, wherein the amount of
plasticiser is from
about 5% to 70% by weight of the starch.
A second aspect of the invention provides an aerosol generating assembly
comprising an aerosol generating article according to the first aspect and a
heater which
is configured to heat but not burn the aerosol generating material.
A third aspect of the invention provides starch matrix material comprising;
- a plasticiser wherein the amount of plasticiser is from about 5% to 70%
by weight of the starch; and
- a plant-derived flavour or aroma component.
A fourth aspect of the invention a kit comprising an aerosol generating
article
according to the first aspect and a device which is configured to receive the
article in
use, the device comprising a heater which is configured to heat but not burn
the aerosol
generating material in use.
A fifth aspect of the invention provides a method of making an aerosol
generating article according to the first aspect, the method comprising;
(i) mixing the constituent parts of the aerosol generating material in a
slurry,
heating and stirring the slurry to effect gelation, casting the gel and drying
by heating
to form the aerosol generating material; and
(ii) incorporating the aerosol generating material in an aerosol generating
article.
The invention also provides a slurry comprising:
- a starch;
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- a plasticiser wherein the amount of plasticiser is from about 5% to 70%
by weight of the starch; and
- a plant-derived flavour or aroma component; and
- water.
Suitably, the weight ratio of water to the total weight of the other
ingredients is
between about 10:1 and 20:1.
The invention also provides a slurry comprising:
- a starch;
- a plasticiser, wherein the amount of plasticiser is from about 5% to 70%
by weight of the starch;
- a powdered tobacco material having a mean particle diameter of less
than about 250i.tm, wherein the amount of powdered tobacco material is from
about
40% to 300% by weight of the starch;
- water, wherein the weight ratio of water to the total weight of the
other
ingredients is between about 10:1 and 20:1.
The invention also provides a slurry comprising
- a starch;
- a plasticiser, wherein the amount of plasticiser is from about 5% to 70%
by weight of the starch;
- an aqueous tobacco extract, wherein the weight ratio of the aqueous
tobacco extract to the total weight of the other ingredients is between about
10:1 and
20:1.
Further aspects of the invention include;
(i) a wrapper for a smoking article or aerosol generating
article, wherein the
wrapper comprises a starch matrix and a plasticiser, wherein the amount
of plasticiser is from about 5% to 30% by weight of the starch; and
(ii) a filter for a smoking article or aerosol generating article, the
filter
comprising a starch matrix and a plasticiser, wherein the amount of
plasticiser is from about 5% to 15% by weight of the starch.
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The invention also provides articles including the above wrapper and/or
filter.
Further aspects, features and advantages of the invention will become apparent
from the following description, given by way of example only, and with
reference to
the accompanying figures. Features described herein in relation to one aspect
are
explicitly disclosed in combination with other aspects of the invention, to
the extent
that they are compatible.
Brief Description of the Figures
Figure 1 shows a section view of an example of an aerosol generating article.
Figure 2 shows a perspective view of the article of Figure 1.
Figure 3 shows a sectional elevation of an example of an aerosol generating
article.
Figure 4 shows a perspective view of the article of Figure 3.
Figure 5 shows a perspective view of an example of an aerosol generating
assembly.
Figure 6 shows a section view of an example of an aerosol generating assembly.
Figure 7 shows a perspective view of an example of an aerosol generating
assembly.
Detailed Description
The aerosol generating material described herein is "solid". However, it may
be a solid that retains within it some fluid such as liquid. The solid may be
a gel. It
may be referred to as a "dried gel". It may also be referred to as a "starch
matrix".
As described above, the invention provides an aerosol generating article for
use
in an aerosol generating assembly, the article comprising an aerosol
generating
substrate comprising an aerosol generating material, wherein the aerosol
generating
material is solid and comprises a starch and a plasticiser, wherein the amount
of
plasticiser is from about 5% to 70% by weight of the starch.
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The inventors have found that materials having this composition can be
efficiently heated to generate an inhalable aerosol.
Starch forms a helical structure and small molecules such as flavours and
5 aromas
are able to bind within this helix. However, release of these molecules
requires
the helix to be heated so that it unwinds. The aerosol generating material
described
herein is formed by heating and dissolving starch and mixing with a
plasticiser. This
plasticiser embeds within the starch. As the starch then cools, retrogradation
(realignment into the crystalline helical form) is inhibited by the glycerol,
resulting in
an irregular starch matrix which the small molecules can bind to. The release
temperatures for these small molecules is lower than for the regular
crystalline
structure.
The inventors have established that such starch matrix materials (comprising
plasticiser in the claimed range) are suitable for use as aerosol generating
materials in
non-combustible smoking articles.
Any starch may be used in the invention. Suitably, the starch may be a soluble
starch, suitably a non-modified soluble starch. Suitably the starch may be a
derived
from a gluten-free product. The starch may comprise potato starch. This
material is
readily available. The inventors have established that the use of starch as a
matrix
material is preferable as compared to other materials such as alginates and
pectins, since
these other components require the addition of a setting agent (e.g. a calcium
source) to
form the matrix; starch requires no such additional agent. Alginates and
pectins also
contribute off-notes to the flavour/aroma of the generated aerosol, and the
use of starch
as the matrix material has been found to reduce this effect. Starch also has a
higher
loading capacity. Starch materials are also typically less tacky than
comparable alginate
or pectin materials, easing manufacture and handling.
The amount of plasticiser is from about 5% to 70% by weight of the starch.
Suitably, the amount of plasticiser may be from about 5%, 10%, 15% or 20% to
about
70%, 60% or 50% by weight of the starch. If the plasticiser content is too
low, the
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resulting matrix may be brittle, and/or the starch helical structure may be
relatively
ordered meaning that any small molecules bound in the helix may be difficult
to release
in use. Conversely, if the plasticiser content is too high, the resulting
matrix may be
tacky and difficult to handle, and/or the matrix may be so disordered that any
bound
small molecules are released too readily in use. Further, if the content of
the plasticiser
is too high, the material may absorb water (as the plasticiser is hygroscopic)
resulting
in a material that does not create an appropriate consumption experience in
use.
Further, the plasticiser content specified herein provides an aerosol
generating
material with a flexibility that allows a sheet of the material to be wound
onto a bobbin,
which is useful in manufacture of aerosol generating articles.
In some cases, the plasticiser may be an aerosol generating agent. Suitably,
the
plasticiser comprises one or more compound selected from erythritol, sorbitol,
glycerol,
glycols such as propylene glycol, monohydric alcohols, high boiling point
hydrocarbons, lactic acid, diacetin, triacetin, triethylene glycol diacetate,
triethyl citrate,
ethyl myristate, isopropyl myristate, methyl stearate, dimethyl dodecanedioate
and
dimethyl tetradecanedioate. Suitably, the plasticiser may comprise one or more
of
erythritol, propylene glycol, glycerol, triacetin, sorbitol and xylitol. In
some cases, the
aerosol generating agent comprises, consists essentially of or consists of
glycerol.
The aerosol generating material may, in some cases, be a hydrogel and
comprises less than about 20wt%, 15wt%, 12wt% or lOwt% of water calculated on
a
wet weight basis (WWB). In some cases, the material may comprise at least
about
lwt%, 2wt% or 5wt% of water (WWB). In some cases, the amorphous solid
comprises
from about lwt% to about 15wt% water, or from about 5wt% to about 15wt%
calculated on a wet weight basis. Suitably, the water content of the amorphous
solid
may be from about 5wt%, 7wt% or 9wt% to about 15wt%, 13wt% or 1 lwt% (WWB),
most suitably about lOwt%. This water level ensures that the material is
relatively
resistant to microbial degradation (such as mould growth).
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The aerosol generating material may further comprise a plant-derived flavour
or aroma component. In some cases, this may be a powdered plant-derived
component,
and may have a particle size of less than about 250i.tm, suitably less than
about 200i.tm
or 150i.tm (that is, the powder has been sieved and passes through a sieve
with that pore
size). In some cases, the powder may have a mean particle diameter of less
than about
250i.tm, suitably less than about 200i.tm or 150i.tm. The inventors have found
that if a
powder is incorporated into the matrix structure, it is desirable to have a
particle size as
specified ¨ a larger particle size disrupts the starch matrix and any bound
small
molecules are released too readily in use.
The amount of the powder component may suitably be from about 40% to about
300% by weight of the starch, more suitably from about 50% to about 200% or
100%
by weight of the starch.
In some cases, the amorphous solid comprises an active substance. For example,
in some cases, the amorphous solid comprises a tobacco material and/or
nicotine. For
example, the amorphous solid may additionally comprise powdered tobacco
(having a
particle size (or mean diameter) as discussed above) and/or nicotine and/or a
tobacco
extract. In such cases, nicotine and/or tobacco aroma/flavour components of
the extract
may be bound to the starch. In some cases, the amorphous solid may comprise
from
about lwt%, 5wt%, lOwt%, 15wt%, 20wt% or 25wt% to about 80wt%, 70wt%, 50wt%,
45wt% or 40wt% (calculated on a dry weight basis) of active substance. In some
cases,
the amorphous solid may comprise from about lwt%, 5wt%, lOwt%, 15wt%, 20wt%
or 25wt% to about 80wt%, 70wt%, 60wt%, 50wt%, 45wt% or 40wt% (calculated on a
dry weight basis) of a tobacco material and/or nicotine.
In some cases, the amorphous solid comprises an active substance such as
tobacco extract. In some cases, the amorphous solid may comprise 5-60wt%
(calculated on a dry weight basis) of tobacco extract. In some cases, the
amorphous
solid may comprise from about 5wt%, lOwt%, 15wt%, 20wt% or 25wt% to about
55wt%, 50wt%, 45wt% or 40wt% (calculated on a dry weight basis) tobacco
extract.
For example, the amorphous solid may comprise 5-60wt%, 10-55wt% or 25-55wt% of
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tobacco extract. The tobacco extract may contain nicotine at a concentration
such that
the amorphous solid comprises lwt% 1.5wt%, 2wt% or 2.5wt% to about 6wt%, 5wt%,
4.5wt% or 4wt% (calculated on a dry weight basis) of nicotine. In some cases,
there
may be no nicotine in the amorphous solid other than that which results from
the
tobacco extract.
In cases where the amorphous solid includes a tobacco extract, it may be an
aqueous extract, obtained by extraction with water. In some cases, the tobacco
extract
may be within the plasticiser as a solvent (i.e. obtained by extraction using
the
plasticiser). The tobacco extract may be an extract from any suitable tobacco,
such as
single grades or blends, cut rag or whole leaf, including Virginia and/or
Burley and/or
Oriental. It may also be an extract from tobacco particle 'fines' or dust,
expanded
tobacco, stems, expanded stems, and other processed stem materials, such as
cut rolled
stems. The extract may be obtained from a ground tobacco or a reconstituted
tobacco
material.
In some cases, the aerosol generating material may comprises a flavourant. In
some cases, the flavour (if present) comprises, consists essentially of or
consists of
menthol. Suitably, the amorphous solid may comprise up to about 60wt%, 50wt%,
40wt%, 30wt%, 20wt%, lOwt% or 5wt% of a flavour. In some cases, the amorphous
solid may comprise at least about 0.5wt%, lwt%, 2wt%, 5wt% lOwt%, 20wt% or
30wt% of a flavour (all calculated on a dry weight basis). For example, the
amorphous
solid may comprise 0.1-60wt%, 1-60wt%, 5-60wt%, 10-60wt%, 20-50wt% or 30-
40wt% of a flavour. In some cases, the flavour (if present) comprises,
consists
essentially of or consists of menthol. In some cases, the amorphous solid does
not
comprise a flavour.
In some embodiments, the amorphous solid comprises less than 60wt% of a
filler, such as from lwt% to 60wt%, or 5wt% to 50wt%, or 5wt% to 30wt%, or
lOwt%
to 20wt%.
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In other embodiments, the amorphous solid comprises less than 20wt%, suitably
less than lOwt% or less than 5wt% of a filler. In some cases, the amorphous
solid
comprises less than lwt% of a filler, and in some cases, comprises no filler.
In some
embodiments, the amorphous solid does not comprise tobacco fibres. In
particular
embodiments, the amorphous solid does not comprise fibrous material.
The filler, if present, may comprise one or more inorganic filler materials,
such
as calcium carbonate, perlite, vermiculite, diatomaceous earth, colloidal
silica,
magnesium oxide, magnesium sulphate, magnesium carbonate, and suitable
inorganic
sorbents, such as molecular sieves. The filler may comprise one or more
organic filler
materials such as wood pulp, cellulose and cellulose derivatives. In
particular cases, the
amorphous solid comprises no calcium carbonate such as chalk.
In particular embodiments which include filler, the filler is fibrous. For
example,
the filler may be a fibrous organic filler material such as wood pulp, hemp
fibre,
cellulose or cellulose derivatives. Without wishing to be bound by theory, it
is believed
that including fibrous filler in an amorphous solid may increase the tensile
strength of
the material. This may be particularly advantageous in examples wherein the
amorphous solid is provided as a sheet, such as when an amorphous solid sheet
circumscribes a rod of aerosolisable material.
In some cases, the aerosol generating material may consist essentially of, or
consist of a starch, a plasticiser, water and optionally a plant-derived
flavour or aroma
component, and optionally a flavourant. In some cases, the aerosol generating
material
may consist essentially of, or consist of potato starch, glycerol, a tobacco
material and
water.
In some cases, the aerosol generating substrate may additionally comprise a
carrier on which the aerosol generating material solid is provided. This
carrier may
ease manufacture and/or handling through, for example, (a) providing a surface
onto
which a slurry may be cast (and which the slurry does not need to be separated
from
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later), (b) providing a non-tacky surface for the aerosol generating substrate
easing
handling, (c) providing some rigidity to the substrate.
In some cases, the carrier may be formed from materials selected from metal
5 foil, paper, carbon paper, greaseproof paper, ceramic, carbon allotropes
such as graphite
and graphene, plastic, cardboard, wood or combinations thereof. In some cases,
the
carrier may comprise or consist of a tobacco material, such as a sheet of
reconstituted
tobacco. In some cases, the carrier may be formed from materials selected from
metal
foil, paper, cardboard, wood or combinations thereof. In some cases, the
carrier itself
10 .. be a laminate structure comprising layers of materials selected from the
preceding lists.
In some cases, the carrier may also function as a flavour carrier. For
example, the
carrier may be impregnated with a flavourant or with tobacco extract.
In some cases, the carrier may be substantially or wholly impermeable to gas
and/or aerosol. This prevents aerosol or gas passage through the carrier in
use, thereby
controlling the flow and ensuring it is delivered to the user. This can also
be used to
prevent condensation or other deposition of the gas/aerosol in use on, for
example, the
surface of a heater provided in an aerosol generating assembly. Thus,
consumption
efficiency and hygiene can be improved in some cases.
In some cases, the carrier in the aerosol generating article may comprise or
consist of a porous layer that abuts the starch matrix. For example, the
porous layer
may be a paper layer. In some particular cases, the starch layer is disposed
in direct
contact with the porous layer; the porous layer abuts the starch and forms a
strong bond.
The starch matrix is formed by drying a gel and, without being limited by
theory, it is
thought that the slurry from which the gel is formed partially impregnates the
porous
layer (e.g. paper) so that when the gel sets and forms cross-links, the porous
layer is
partially bound into the gel. This provides a strong binding between the gel
and the
porous layer (and between the dried gel and the porous layer).
Additionally, surface roughness may contribute to the strength of bond between
the aerosol generating material and the carrier. The inventors have found that
the paper
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roughness (for the surface abutting the carrier) may suitably be in the range
of 50-1000
Bekk seconds, suitably 50-150 Bekk seconds, suitably 100 Bekk seconds
(measured
over an air pressure interval of 50.66-48.00 kPa). (A Bekk smoothness tester
is an
instrument used to determine the smoothness of a paper surface, in which air
at a
specified pressure is leaked between a smooth glass surface and a paper
sample, and
the time (in seconds) for a fixed volume of air to seep between these surfaces
is the
"Bekk smoothness")
Conversely, the surface of the carrier facing away from the aerosol generating
material may be arranged in contact with the heater, and a smoother surface
may
provide more efficient heat transfer. Thus, in some cases, the carrier is
disposed so as
to have a rougher side abutting the aerosol generating material and a smoother
side
facing away from the aerosol generating material.
In one particular case, the carrier may be a paper-backed foil; the paper
layer
abuts the aerosol generating material and the properties discussed in the
previous
paragraphs are afforded by this abutment. The foil backing is substantially
impermeable, providing control of the aerosol flow path. A metal foil backing
may also
serve to conduct heat to the aerosol generating material.
In another case, the foil layer of the paper-backed foil abuts the amorphous
solid. The foil is substantially impermeable, thereby preventing water
provided in the
amorphous solid to be absorbed into the paper which could weaken its
structural
integrity.
In some cases, the carrier is formed from or comprises metal foil, such as
aluminium foil. A metallic carrier may allow for better conduction of thermal
energy to
the amorphous solid. Additionally, or alternatively, a metal foil may function
as a
susceptor in an induction heating system. In particular embodiments, the
carrier
comprises a metal foil layer and a support layer, such as cardboard. In these
embodiments, the metal foil layer may have a thickness of less than 20i.tm,
such as from
about li.tm to about 10i.tm, suitably about 5i.tm.
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In some cases, the carrier may be magnetic. This functionality may be used to
fasten the carrier to the assembly in use. In some cases, the aerosol
generating substrate
may comprise one or more magnets which can be used to fasten the substrate to
an
induction heater in use.
In some cases, the aerosol generating substrate may comprise heating means
embedded in the aerosol generating material, such as resistive or inductive
heating
elements.
In some cases, the amorphous solid may have a thickness of about 0.015mm to
about 1.0mm. Suitably, the thickness may be in the range of about 0.05mm,
0.1mm or
0.15mm to about 0.5mm or 0.3mm. The inventors have found that a material
having a
thickness of 0.2mm is particularly suitable. The inventors have established
that if the
aerosol generating material is too thick, then heating efficiency is
compromised. This
adversely affects the power consumption in use. Conversely, if the material is
too thin,
it is difficult to manufacture and handle; a very thin material is harder to
cast and may
be fragile, compromising aerosol formation in use. In some cases, the
thickness
stipulated herein is a mean thickness for the material. In some cases, the
layer thickness
may vary by no more than 25%, 20%, 15%, 10%, 5% or 1%.
The aerosol generating material may be formed as a sheet. It may be
incorporated into the article in sheet form. In some cases, the aerosol
generating
material may be included as a planar sheet, as a bunched or gathered sheet, as
a crimped
sheet, or as a rolled sheet (i.e. in the form of a tube). In some cases, the
sheet may be
used as a wrapping material, which at least partially circumscribes other
elements of
the aerosol generating article, such as another aerosolisable material (e.g.
tobacco). In
some other cases, the aerosol generating material may be formed as a sheet and
then
shredded and incorporated into the article. In some cases, the shredded sheet
may be
mixed with cut rag tobacco and incorporated into the article.
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The aerosol generating material comprising the amorphous solid may have any
suitable area density, such as from 30 g/m2 to 120 g/m2. In some embodiments,
aerosol
generating material may have an area density of from about 30 to 70 g/m2, or
about 40
to 60 g/m2. In some embodiments, the amorphous solid may have an area density
of
from about 80 to 120 g/m2, or from about 70 to 110 g/m2, or particularly from
about 90
to 110 g/m2. Such area densities may be particularly suitable where the
aerosol-
generating material is included in an aerosol generating article/assembly in
sheet form,
or as a shredded sheet (described further hereinbelow). For example, an
aerosol
generating material having a mass per unit area of 80-120 g/m2 has a density
comparable to cut rag tobacco, and so a mixture of these components does not
readily
separate.
In some examples, the amorphous solid in sheet form may have a tensile
strength of from around 200 N/m to around 900 N/m. In some examples, such as
where
the amorphous solid does not comprise a filler, the amorphous solid may have a
tensile
strength of from 200 N/m to 400 N/m, or 200 N/m to 300 N/m, or about 250 N/m.
Such
tensile strengths may be particularly suitable for embodiments wherein the
aerosol
generating material is formed as a sheet and then shredded and incorporated
into an
aerosol generating article. In some examples, such as where the amorphous
solid
comprises a filler, the amorphous solid may have a tensile strength of from
600 N/m to
900 N/m, or from 700 N/m to 900 N/m, or around 800 N/m. Such tensile strengths
may
be particularly suitable for embodiments wherein the aerosol generating
material is
included in an aerosol generating article/assembly as a rolled sheet, suitably
in the form
of a tube.
In some cases, the article may additionally comprise a filter and/or cooling
element. In some cases, the aerosol generating article may be circumscribed by
a
wrapping material such as paper.
A second aspect of the invention provides an aerosol generating assembly
comprising an aerosol generating article according to the first aspect of the
invention
and a heater configured to heat but not burn the aerosol generating material.
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The heater may be, in some cases, a thin film, electrically resistive heater.
In
other cases, the heater may comprise an induction heater or the like. The
heater may
be a combustible heat source or a chemical heat source which undergoes an
exothermic
reaction to product heat in use. The aerosol generating assembly may comprise
a
plurality of heaters. The heater(s) may be powered by a battery.
In some cases, the heater may heat, without burning, the aerosolisable
material
to between 120 C and 350 C in use. In some cases, the heater may heat, without
burning, the aerosolisable material to between 140 C and 250 C in use. In some
cases
in use, substantially all of the amorphous solid is less than about 4mm, 3mm,
2mm or
lmm from the heater. In some cases, the solid is disposed between about
0.010mm and
2.0mm from the heater, suitably between about 0.02mm and 1.0mm, suitably 0.1mm
to
0.5mm. These minimum distances may, in some cases, reflect the thickness of a
carrier
that supports the amorphous solid. In some cases, a surface of the amorphous
solid may
directly abut the heater.
In some cases, the heater may be embedded in the aerosol generating substrate.
In some such cases, the heater may be an electrically resistive heater (with
exposed
contacts for connection to an electrical circuit). In other such cases, the
heater may be
a susceptor embedded in the aerosol generating substrate, which is heated by
induction.
The aerosol generating assembly may additionally comprise a cooling element
and/or a filter. The cooling element, if present, may act or function to cool
gaseous or
aerosol components. In some cases, it may act to cool gaseous components such
that
they condense to form an aerosol. It may also act to space the very hot parts
of the
apparatus from the user. The filter, if present, may comprise any suitable
filter known
in the art such as a cellulose acetate plug.
In some cases, the aerosol generating assembly may be a heat-not-burn device.
A heat-not-burn device is disclosed in WO 2015/062983 A2, which is
incorporated by
reference in its entirety. In some cases, the aerosol generating assembly may
be an
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electronic tobacco hybrid device. An electronic tobacco hybrid device is
disclosed in
WO 2016/135331 Al, which is incorporated by reference in its entirety.
The aerosol generating article or assembly may additionally comprise
5
ventilation apertures. These may be provided in the sidewall of the article.
In some
cases, the ventilation apertures may be provided in the filter and/or cooling
element.
These apertures may allow cool air to be drawn into the article during use,
which can
mix with the heated volatilised components thereby cooling the aerosol.
10 The
ventilation enhances the generation of visible heated volatilised
components from the article when it is heated in use. The heated volatilised
components are made visible by the process of cooling the heated volatilised
components such that supersaturation of the heated volatilised components
occurs. The
heated volatilised components then undergo droplet formation, otherwise known
as
15
nucleation, and eventually the size of the aerosol particles of the heated
volatilised
components increases by further condensation of the heated volatilised
components and
by coagulation of newly formed droplets from the heated volatilised
components.
In some cases, the ratio of the cool air to the sum of the heated volatilised
components and the cool air, known as the ventilation ratio, is at least 15%.
A
ventilation ratio of 15% enables the heated volatilised components to be made
visible
by the method described above. The visibility of the heated volatilised
components
enables the user to identify that the volatilised components have been
generated and
adds to the sensory experience of the smoking experience.
In another example, the ventilation ratio is between 50% and 85% to provide
additional cooling to the heated volatilised components. In some cases, the
ventilation
ratio may be at least 60% or 65%.
The assembly may comprise an integrated aerosol generating article and heater.
For example, the integrated heater may be a combustible or chemical heat
source the
heats the aerosol generating substrate, without burning, in use.
Alternatively, the
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assembly may comprise a heater device into which the article is inserted in
use, wherein
the heater is configured to heat but not burn the aerosol generating
substrate.
Referring to Figures 1 and 2, there are shown a partially cut-away section
view
and a perspective view of an example of an aerosol generating article 101. The
article
101 is adapted for use with a device having a power source and a heater. The
article
101 of this embodiment is particularly suitable for use with the device 51
shown in
Figures 5 to 7, described below. In use, the article 101 may be removably
inserted into
the device shown in Figure 5 at an insertion point 20 of the device 51.
The article 101 of one example is in the form of a substantially cylindrical
rod
that includes a body of aerosol generating material 103 and a filter assembly
105 in the
form of a rod. The aerosol generating material comprises the starch matrix
material
described herein. In some embodiments, it may be included in sheet form. In
some
embodiments it may be included in the form of a shredded sheet. In some
embodiments,
the aerosol generating material described herein may be incorporated in sheet
form and
in shredded form.
The filter assembly 105 includes three segments, a cooling segment 107, a
filter
segment 109 and a mouth end segment 111. The article 101 has a first end 113,
also
known as a mouth end or a proximal end and a second end 115, also known as a
distal
end. The body of aerosol generating material 103 is located towards the distal
end 115
of the article 101. In one example, the cooling segment 107 is located
adjacent the body
of aerosol generating material 103 between the body of aerosol generating
material 103
and the filter segment 109, such that the cooling segment 107 is in an
abutting
relationship with the aerosol generating material 103 and the filter segment
103. In
other examples, there may be a separation between the body of aerosol
generating
material 103 and the cooling segment 107 and between the body of aerosol
generating
material 103 and the filter segment 109. The filter segment 109 is located in
between
the cooling segment 107 and the mouth end segment 111. The mouth end segment
111
is located towards the proximal end 113 of the article 101, adjacent the
filter segment
109. In one example, the filter segment 109 is in an abutting relationship
with the mouth
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end segment 111. In one embodiment, the total length of the filter assembly
105 is
between 37mm and 45mm, more preferably, the total length of the filter
assembly 105
is 41mm.
In one example, the rod of aerosol generating material 103 is between 34mm
and 50mm in length, suitably between 38mm and 46mm in length, suitably 42mm in
length.
In one example, the total length of the article 101 is between 71mm and 95mm,
suitably between 79mm and 87mm, suitably 83mm.
An axial end of the body of aerosol generating material 103 is visible at the
distal end 115 of the article 101. However, in other embodiments, the distal
end 115 of
the article 101 may comprise an end member (not shown) covering the axial end
of the
body of aerosol generating material 103.
The body of aerosol generating material 103 is joined to the filter assembly
105
by annular tipping paper (not shown), which is located substantially around
the
circumference of the filter assembly 105 to surround the filter assembly 105
and extends
.. partially along the length of the body of aerosol generating material 103.
In one
example, the tipping paper is made of 58GSM standard tipping base paper. In
one
example the tipping paper has a length of between 42mm and 50mm, suitably of
46mm.
In one example, the cooling segment 107 is an annular tube and is located
around and defines an air gap within the cooling segment. The air gap provides
a
chamber for heated volatilised components generated from the body of aerosol
generating material 103 to flow. The cooling segment 107 is hollow to provide
a
chamber for aerosol accumulation yet rigid enough to withstand axial
compressive
forces and bending moments that might arise during manufacture and whilst the
article
101 is in use during insertion into the device 51. In one example, the
thickness of the
wall of the cooling segment 107 is approximately 0.29mm.
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The cooling segment 107 provides a physical displacement between the aerosol
generating material 103 and the filter segment 109. The physical displacement
provided
by the cooling segment 107 will provide a thermal gradient across the length
of the
cooling segment 107. In one example the cooling segment 107 is configured to
provide
a temperature differential of at least 40 degrees Celsius between a heated
volatilised
component entering a first end of the cooling segment 107 and a heated
volatilised
component exiting a second end of the cooling segment 107. In one example the
cooling segment 107 is configured to provide a temperature differential of at
least 60
degrees Celsius between a heated volatilised component entering a first end of
the
cooling segment 107 and a heated volatilised component exiting a second end of
the
cooling segment 107. This temperature differential across the length of the
cooling
element 107 protects the temperature sensitive filter segment 109 from the
high
temperatures of the aerosol generating material 103 when it is heated by the
device 51.
If the physical displacement was not provided between the filter segment 109
and the
body of aerosol generating material 103 and the heating elements of the device
51, then
the temperature sensitive filter segment may 109 become damaged in use, so it
would
not perform its required functions as effectively.
In one example the length of the cooling segment 107 is at least 15mm. In one
example, the length of the cooling segment 107 is between 20mm and 30mm, more
particularly 23mm to 27mm, more particularly 25mm to 27mm, suitably 25mm.
The cooling segment 107 is made of paper, which means that it is comprised of
a material that does not generate compounds of concern, for example, toxic
compounds
when in use adjacent to the heater of the device 51. In one example, the
cooling segment
107 is manufactured from a spirally wound paper tube which provides a hollow
internal
chamber yet maintains mechanical rigidity. Spirally wound paper tubes are able
to meet
the tight dimensional accuracy requirements of high-speed manufacturing
processes
with respect to tube length, outer diameter, roundness and straightness.
In another example, the cooling segment 107 is a recess created from stiff
plug
wrap or tipping paper. The stiff plug wrap or tipping paper is manufactured to
have a
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rigidity that is sufficient to withstand the axial compressive forces and
bending
moments that might arise during manufacture and whilst the article 101 is in
use during
insertion into the device 51.
The filter segment 109 may be formed of any filter material sufficient to
remove
one or more volatilised compounds from heated volatilised components from the
aerosol generating material. In one example the filter segment 109 is made of
a mono-
acetate material, such as cellulose acetate. The filter segment 109 provides
cooling and
irritation-reduction from the heated volatilised components without depleting
the
quantity of the heated volatilised components to an unsatisfactory level for a
user.
In some embodiments, a capsule (not illustrated) may be provided in filter
segment 109. It may be disposed substantially centrally in the filter segment
109, both
across the filter segment 109 diameter and along the filter segment 109
length. In other
cases, it may be offset in one or more dimension. The capsule may in some
cases,
where present, contain a volatile component such as a flavourant or aerosol
generating
agent.
The density of the cellulose acetate tow material of the filter segment 109
controls the pressure drop across the filter segment 109, which in turn
controls the draw
resistance of the article 101. Therefore the selection of the material of the
filter segment
109 is important in controlling the resistance to draw of the article 101. In
addition, the
filter segment performs a filtration function in the article 101.
In one example, the filter segment 109 is made of a 8Y15 grade of filter tow
material, which provides a filtration effect on the heated volatilised
material, whilst also
reducing the size of condensed aerosol droplets which result from the heated
volatilised
material.
The presence of the filter segment 109 provides an insulating effect by
providing
further cooling to the heated volatilised components that exit the cooling
segment 107.
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This further cooling effect reduces the contact temperature of the user's lips
on the
surface of the filter segment 109.
In one example, the filter segment 109 is between 6mm to lOmm in length,
5 suitably 8mm.
The mouth end segment 111 is an annular tube and is located around and defines
an air gap within the mouth end segment 111. The air gap provides a chamber
for
heated volatilised components that flow from the filter segment 109. The mouth
end
10 segment 111 is hollow to provide a chamber for aerosol accumulation yet
rigid enough
to withstand axial compressive forces and bending moments that might arise
during
manufacture and whilst the article is in use during insertion into the device
51. In one
example, the thickness of the wall of the mouth end segment 111 is
approximately
0.29mm. In one example, the length of the mouth end segment 111 is between 6mm
15 to lOmm, suitably 8mm.
The mouth end segment 111 may be manufactured from a spirally wound paper
tube which provides a hollow internal chamber yet maintains critical
mechanical
rigidity. Spirally wound paper tubes are able to meet the tight dimensional
accuracy
20 requirements of high-speed manufacturing processes with respect to tube
length, outer
diameter, roundness and straightness.
The mouth end segment 111 provides the function of preventing any liquid
condensate that accumulates at the exit of the filter segment 109 from coming
into direct
contact with a user.
It should be appreciated that, in one example, the mouth end segment 111 and
the cooling segment 107 may be formed of a single tube and the filter segment
109 is
located within that tube separating the mouth end segment 111 and the cooling
segment
107.
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Referring to Figures 3 and 4, there are shown a partially cut-away section and
perspective views of an example of an article 301. The reference signs shown
in Figures
3 and 4 are equivalent to the reference signs shown in Figures 1 and 2, but
with an
increment of 200.
In the example of the article 301 shown in Figures 3 and 4, a ventilation
region
317 is provided in the article 301 to enable air to flow into the interior of
the article 301
from the exterior of the article 301. In one example the ventilation region
317 takes the
form of one or more ventilation holes 317 formed through the outer layer of
the article
301. The ventilation holes may be located in the cooling segment 307 to aid
with the
cooling of the article 301. In one example, the ventilation region 317
comprises one or
more rows of holes, and preferably, each row of holes is arranged
circumferentially
around the article 301 in a cross-section that is substantially perpendicular
to a
longitudinal axis of the article 301.
In one example, there are between one to four rows of ventilation holes to
provide ventilation for the article 301. Each row of ventilation holes may
have between
12 to 36 ventilation holes 317. The ventilation holes 317 may, for example, be
between
100 to 500i.tm in diameter. In one example, an axial separation between rows
of
ventilation holes 317 is between 0.25mm and 0.75mm, suitably 0.5mm.
In one example, the ventilation holes 317 are of uniform size. In another
example, the ventilation holes 317 vary in size. The ventilation holes can be
made using
any suitable technique, for example, one or more of the following techniques:
laser
technology, mechanical perforation of the cooling segment 307 or pre-
perforation of
the cooling segment 307 before it is formed into the article 301. The
ventilation holes
317 are positioned so as to provide effective cooling to the article 301.
In one example, the rows of ventilation holes 317 are located at least 1 lmm
from the proximal end 313 of the article, suitably between 17mm and 20mm from
the
proximal end 313 of the article 301. The location of the ventilation holes 317
is
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positioned such that user does not block the ventilation holes 317 when the
article 301
is in use.
Providing the rows of ventilation holes between 17mm and 20mm from the
proximal end 313 of the article 301 enables the ventilation holes 317 to be
located
outside of the device 51, when the article 301 is fully inserted in the device
51, as can
be seen in Figures 6 and 7. By locating the ventilation holes outside of the
device, non-
heated air is able to enter the article 301 through the ventilation holes from
outside the
device 51 to aid with the cooling of the article 301.
The length of the cooling segment 307 is such that the cooling segment 307
will
be partially inserted into the device 51, when the article 301 is fully
inserted into the
device 51. The length of the cooling segment 307 provides a first function of
providing
a physical gap between the heater arrangement of the device 51 and the heat
sensitive
filter arrangement 309, and a second function of enabling the ventilation
holes 317 to
be located in the cooling segment, whilst also being located outside of the
device 51,
when the article 301 is fully inserted into the device 51. As can be seen from
Figures
6 and 7, the majority of the cooling element 307 is located within the device
51.
However, there is a portion of the cooling element 307 that extends out of the
device
51. It is in this portion of the cooling element 307 that extends out of the
device 51 in
which the ventilation holes 317 are located.
Referring now to Figures 5 to 7 in more detail, there is shown an example of a
device 51 arranged to heat aerosol generating material to volatilise at least
one
component of said aerosol generating material, typically to form an aerosol
which can
be inhaled. The device 51 is a heating device which releases compounds by
heating,
but not burning, the aerosol generating material.
A first end 53 is sometimes referred to herein as the mouth or proximal end 53
of the device 51 and a second end 55 is sometimes referred to herein as the
distal end
55 of the device 51. The device 51 has an on/off button 57 to allow the device
51 as a
whole to be switched on and off as desired by a user.
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The device 51 comprises a housing 59 for locating and protecting various
internal components of the device 51. In the example shown, the housing 59
comprises
a uni-body sleeve 11 that encompasses the perimeter of the device 51, capped
with a
top panel 17 which defines generally the 'top' of the device 51 and a bottom
panel 19
which defines generally the 'bottom' of the device 51. In another example the
housing
comprises a front panel, a rear panel and a pair of opposite side panels in
addition to
the top panel 17 and the bottom panel 19.
The top panel 17 and/or the bottom panel 19 may be removably fixed to the uni-
body sleeve 11, to permit easy access to the interior of the device 51, or may
be
"permanently" fixed to the uni-body sleeve 11, for example to deter a user
from
accessing the interior of the device 51. In an example, the panels 17 and 19
are made
of a plastics material, including for example glass-filled nylon formed by
injection
moulding, and the uni-body sleeve 11 is made of aluminium, though other
materials
and other manufacturing processes may be used.
The top panel 17 of the device 51 has an opening 20 at the mouth end 53 of the
device 51 through which, in use, the article 101, 301 including the aerosol
generating
material may be inserted into the device 51 and removed from the device 51 by
a user.
The housing 59 has located or fixed therein a heater arrangement 23, control
circuitry 25 and a power source 27. In this example, the heater arrangement
23, the
control circuitry 25 and the power source 27 are laterally adjacent (that is,
adjacent
when viewed from an end), with the control circuitry 25 being located
generally
between the heater arrangement 23 and the power source 27, though other
locations are
possible.
The control circuitry 25 may include a controller, such as a microprocessor
arrangement, configured and arranged to control the heating of the aerosol
generating
material in the article 101, 301 as discussed further below.
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The power source 27 may be for example a battery, which may be a rechargeable
battery or a non-rechargeable battery. Examples of suitable batteries include
for
example a lithium-ion battery, a nickel battery (such as a nickel¨cadmium
battery), an
alkaline battery and/ or the like. The battery 27 is electrically coupled to
the heater
arrangement 23 to supply electrical power when required and under control of
the
control circuitry 25 to heat the aerosol generating material in the article
(as discussed,
to volatilise the aerosol generating material without causing the aerosol
generating
material to burn).
An advantage of locating the power source 27 laterally adjacent to the heater
arrangement 23 is that a physically large power source 25 may be used without
causing
the device 51 as a whole to be unduly lengthy. As will be understood, in
general a
physically large power source 25 has a higher capacity (that is, the total
electrical energy
that can be supplied, often measured in Amp-hours or the like) and thus the
battery life
for the device 51 can be longer.
In one example, the heater arrangement 23 is generally in the form of a hollow
cylindrical tube, having a hollow interior heating chamber 29 into which the
article 101,
301 comprising the aerosol generating material is inserted for heating in use.
Different
arrangements for the heater arrangement 23 are possible. For example, the
heater
arrangement 23 may comprise a single heating element or may be formed of
plural
heating elements aligned along the longitudinal axis of the heater arrangement
23. The
or each heating element may be annular or tubular, or at least part-annular or
part-
tubular around its circumference. In an example, the or each heating element
may be a
thin film heater. In another example, the or each heating element may be made
of a
ceramics material. Examples of suitable ceramics materials include alumina and
aluminium nitride and silicon nitride ceramics, which may be laminated and
sintered.
Other heating arrangements are possible, including for example inductive
heating,
infrared heater elements, which heat by emitting infrared radiation, or
resistive heating
elements formed by for example a resistive electrical winding.
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In one particular example, the heater arrangement 23 is supported by a
stainless
steel support tube and comprises a polyimide heating element. The heater
arrangement
23 is dimensioned so that substantially the whole of the body of aerosol
generating
material 103, 303 of the article 101, 301 is inserted into the heater
arrangement 23 when
5 the article 101, 301 is inserted into the device 51.
The or each heating element may be arranged so that selected zones of the
aerosol generating material can be independently heated, for example in turn
(over time,
as discussed above) or together (simultaneously) as desired.
The heater arrangement 23 in this example is surrounded along at least part of
its length by a thermal insulator 31. The insulator 31 helps to reduce heat
passing from
the heater arrangement 23 to the exterior of the device 51. This helps to keep
down the
power requirements for the heater arrangement 23 as it reduces heat losses
generally.
The insulator 31 also helps to keep the exterior of the device 51 cool during
operation
of the heater arrangement 23. In one example, the insulator 31 may be a double-
walled
sleeve which provides a low pressure region between the two walls of the
sleeve. That
is, the insulator 31 may be for example a "vacuum" tube, i.e. a tube that has
been at
least partially evacuated so as to minimise heat transfer by conduction and/or
convection. Other arrangements for the insulator 31 are possible, including
using heat
insulating materials, including for example a suitable foam-type material, in
addition to
or instead of a double-walled sleeve.
The housing 59 may further comprises various internal support structures 37
for
supporting all internal components, as well as the heating arrangement 23.
The device 51 further comprises a collar 33 which extends around and projects
from the opening 20 into the interior of the housing 59 and a generally
tubular chamber
which is located between the collar 33 and one end of the vacuum sleeve 31.
The
30 .. chamber 35 further comprises a cooling structure 35f, which in this
example, comprises
a plurality of cooling fins 35f spaced apart along the outer surface of the
chamber 35,
and each arranged circumferentially around outer surface of the chamber 35.
There is
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an air gap 36 between the hollow chamber 35 and the article 101, 301 when it
is inserted
in the device 51 over at least part of the length of the hollow chamber 35.
The air gap
36 is around all of the circumference of the article 101, 301 over at least
part of the
cooling segment 307.
The collar 33 comprises a plurality of ridges 60 arranged circumferentially
around the periphery of the opening 20 and which project into the opening 20.
The
ridges 60 take up space within the opening 20 such that the open span of the
opening
20 at the locations of the ridges 60 is less than the open span of the opening
20 at the
locations without the ridges 60. The ridges 60 are configured to engage with
an article
101, 301 inserted into the device to assist in securing it within the device
51. Open
spaces (not shown in the Figures) defined by adjacent pairs of ridges 60 and
the article
101, 301 form ventilation paths around the exterior of the article 101, 301.
These
ventilation paths allow hot vapours that have escaped from the article 101,
301 to exit
the device 51 and allow cooling air to flow into the device 51 around the
article 101,
301 in the air gap 36.
In operation, the article 101, 301 is removably inserted into an insertion
point
of the device 51, as shown in Figures 5 to 7. Referring particularly to Figure
6, in
20 one example, the body of aerosol generating material 103, 303, which
is located towards
the distal end 115, 315 of the article 101, 301, is entirely received within
the heater
arrangement 23 of the device 51. The proximal end 113, 313 of the article 101,
301
extends from the device 51 and acts as a mouthpiece assembly for a user.
In operation, the heater arrangement 23 will heat the article 101, 301 to
volatilise
at least one component of the aerosol generating material from the body of
aerosol
generating material 103, 303.
The primary flow path for the heated volatilised components from the body of
aerosol generating material 103, 303 is axially through the article 101, 301,
through the
chamber inside the cooling segment 107, 307, through the filter segment 109,
309,
through the mouth end segment 111, 313 to the user. In one example, the
temperature
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of the heated volatilised components that are generated from the body of
aerosol
generating material is between 60 C and 250 C, which may be above the
acceptable
inhalation temperature for a user. As the heated volatilised component travels
through
the cooling segment 107, 307, it will cool and some volatilised components
will
condense on the inner surface of the cooling segment 107, 307.
In the examples of the article 301 shown in Figures 3 and 4, cool air will be
able
to enter the cooling segment 307 via the ventilation holes 317 formed in the
cooling
segment 307. This cool air will mix with the heated volatilised components to
provide
additional cooling to the heated volatilised components.
A third aspect of the invention provides starch matrix material comprising;
- a plasticiser wherein the amount of plasticiser is from about
5% to 70%
by weight of the starch; and
- a plant-derived flavour or aroma component.
Features described herein in relation to the "aerosol generating material" are
hereby explicating disclosed in combination with the third aspect of the
invention.
Suitably, the plant-derived flavour or aroma component comprises a tobacco
material, such as a tobacco extract.
Suitably, the plant-derived flavour or aroma component may be a powdered
component, added in an amount 40% to 300% by weight of the starch.
The invention also provides a method of making an aerosol generating article
according to the first aspect, the method comprising;
(i) mixing the constituent parts of the aerosol generating material in a
slurry,
heating and stirring the slurry to effect gelation, casting the gel and drying
by heating
to form the aerosol generating material; and
(ii) incorporating the aerosol generating material in an aerosol generating
article.
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In some cases, the heating and stirring step may involve heating to around 70-
100 C, suitably 85 C for up to about 20 minutes. The drying step may involve
heating
around 30-70 C, suitably 50 C, for 1-5 hours, suitably around 3 hours.
The method may include an additional step comprising shredding the aerosol
generating material, before it is incorporated into an aerosol generating
article.
The invention also provides a slurry comprising:
- a starch;
- a plasticiser wherein the amount of plasticiser is from about 5% to 70%
by weight of the starch; and
- a plant-derived flavour or aroma component; and
- water.
Suitably, the weight ratio of water to the total weight of the other
ingredients is
between about 10:1 and 20:1.
In some examples, the slurry has a viscosity of from about 10 to about 20 Pas
at 46.5 C, such as from about 14 to about 16 Pas at 46.5 C.
The invention also provides a slurry comprising:
- a starch;
- a plasticiser, wherein the amount of plasticiser is from about 5% to 70%
by weight of the starch;
- a powdered tobacco material having a mean particle diameter of less
than about 250i.tm, wherein the amount of powdered tobacco material is from
about
40% to 300% by weight of the starch;
- water, wherein the weight ratio of water to the total weight of the other
ingredients is between about 10:1 and 20:1.
The invention also provides a slurry comprising
- a starch;
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- a plasticiser, wherein the amount of plasticiser is from about 5% to 70%
by weight of the starch;
- an aqueous tobacco extract, wherein the weight ratio of the aqueous
tobacco extract to the total weight of the other ingredients is between about
10:1 and
20:1.
Further aspects of the invention include;
(iii) a wrapper for a smoking article or aerosol generating article,
wherein the
wrapper comprises a starch matrix and a plasticiser, wherein the amount
of plasticiser is from about 5% to 30% by weight of the starch; and
(iv) a filter for a smoking article or aerosol generating article, the
filter
comprising a starch matrix and a plasticiser, wherein the amount of
plasticiser is from about 5% to 15% by weight of the starch.
The inventors have established that these starch matrix materials find
application as filters and wrappers, in addition to as an aerosol generating
material.
The invention also provides articles including the above wrapper and/or
filter.
Examples
Example]
A starch matrix film was prepared as follows:
1000mg of potato starch, 300mg glycerol and 20mL water were added to a
50mL beaker. The slurry was stirred using a stirring bar and the mixture was
heated to
85 C under vigorous stirring vigorously for 10min. Thickening (or gelation) of
the
mixture was observed.
The gel was cast onto a PTFE sheet. (The gel is very polar so it will stick
strongly to glass or metal.) The material was dried for 2hrs @ 50 C to
generate a film
having a thickness of 4mm.
Example 2
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In another example, a starch matrix film was made using the process of example
1, with the addition of 500-2000mg of tobacco powder (particle size 200iim) to
the
mixture prior to stirring.
5
Example 3
In another example, a starch matrix film was made using the process of example
1, except that the water was replaced with 20mL of aqueous tobacco extract
(obtained
by extraction of ground Virginia tobacco with deionised water) and 450mg of
glycerol
10 was used (rather than 300mg).
Testing
The materials of each example will be heated, without burning, in a simulated
puff regime (heating to 250 C, 2 second puffs taken every 30 seconds under a
15 1.65L/min airflow).
Definitions
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
20 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,
25 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
30 vitamin B12.
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As noted herein, the active substance may comprise one or more constituents,
derivatives or extracts of cannabis, such as one or more cannabinoids or
terpenes.
Cannabinoids are a class of natural or synthetic chemical compounds which act
on cannabinoid receptors (i.e., CB 1 and CB2) in cells that repress
neurotransmitter
release in the brain. Cannabinoids may be naturally occurring
(phytocannabinoids)
from plants such as cannabis, from animals (endocannabinoids), or artificially
manufactured (synthetic cannabinoids). Cannabis species express at least 85
different
phytocannabinoids, and are divided into subclasses, including cannabigerols,
cannabichromenes, cannabidiols, tetrahydrocannabinols, cannabinols and
cannabinodiols, and other cannabinoids. Cannabinoids found in cannabis
include,
without limitation: cannabigerol (CBG), cannabichromene (CBC), cannabidiol
(CBD),
tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), cannabinol (CBN), cannabinodiol (CBDL),
cannabicyclol (CBL), cannabivarin (CB V), tetrahydrocannabivarin (THCV),
cannabidivarin (CBDV), cannabichromevarin (CBCV), cannabigerovarin (CBGV),
cannabigerol monomethyl ether (CBGM), cannabinerolic acid, cannabidiolic acid
(CBDA), Cannabinol propyl variant (CBNV),
cannabitriol (CB 0),
tetrahydrocannabmolic acid (THCA), and tetrahydrocannabivarinic acid (THCV A).
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, fibres, 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,
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wintergreen, beefsteak plant, curcuma, turmeric, sandalwood, cilantro,
bergamot,
orange blossom, myrtle, cassis, valerian, pimento, mace, damien, marjoram,
olive,
lemon balm, lemon basil, chive, carvi, verbena, tarragon, geranium, mulberry,
ginseng,
theanine, theacrine, maca, ashwagandha, damiana, guarana, chlorophyll, baobab
or any
combination thereof. The mint may be chosen from the following mint varieties:
Mentha arvensis, Mentha c.v., Mentha niliaca, Mentha piperita, Mentha piperita
citrata c.v., Mentha piperita c.v., Mentha spicata crispa, Mentha cordifolia,
Mentha
longifolia, Mentha suaveolens variegata, Mentha pulegiurn, Mentha spicata c.v.
and
Mentha suaveolens.
In some embodiments, the botanical is selected from eucalyptus, star anise,
cocoa and hemp.
In some embodiments, the botanical is selected from rooibos and fennel.
As used herein, the terms "flavour" and "flavourant" refer to materials which,
where local regulations permit, may be used to create a desired taste, aroma
or other
somatosensorial sensation in a product for adult consumers. They may include
naturally
occurring flavour materials, botanicals, extracts of botanicals, synthetically
obtained
materials, or combinations thereof (e.g., tobacco, cannabis, licorice
(liquorice),
hydrangea, eugenol, Japanese white bark magnolia leaf, chamomile, fenugreek,
clove,
maple, matcha, menthol, Japanese mint, aniseed (anise), cinnamon, turmeric,
Indian
spices, Asian spices, herb, wintergreen, cherry, berry, red berry, cranberry,
peach,
apple, orange, mango, clementine, lemon, lime, tropical fruit, papaya,
rhubarb, grape,
durian, dragon fruit, cucumber, blueberry, mulberry, citrus fruits, Drambuie,
bourbon,
scotch, 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,
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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), flavour 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.
The flavour may suitably comprise one or more mint-flavours suitably a mint
oil from any species of the genus Mentha. The flavour may suitably comprise,
consist
essentially of or consist of menthol.
In some embodiments, the flavour comprises menthol, spearmint and/or
peppermint.
In some embodiments, the flavour comprises flavour components of cucumber,
blueberry, citrus fruits and/or redberry.
In some embodiments, the flavour comprises eugenol.
In some embodiments, the flavour comprises flavour components extracted
from tobacco.
In some embodiments, the flavour comprises flavour components extracted
from cannabis.
In some embodiments, the flavour may comprise a sensate, which is intended to
achieve a somatosensorial sensation which are usually chemically induced and
perceived by the stimulation of the fifth cranial nerve (trigeminal nerve), in
addition to
or in place of aroma or taste nerves, and these may include agents providing
heating,
cooling, tingling, numbing effect. A suitable heat effect agent may be, but is
not limited
to, vanillyl ethyl ether and a suitable cooling agent may be, but not limited
to eucalyptol,
WS-3.
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As used herein, the term "aerosol generating agent" refers to an agent that
promotes the generation of an aerosol. An aerosol generating agent may promote
the
generation of an aerosol by promoting an initial vaporisation and/or the
condensation
of a gas to an inhalable solid and/or liquid aerosol.
As used herein, the term "tobacco material" refers to any material comprising
tobacco or derivatives therefore. 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 fibre, cut tobacco, extruded tobacco, tobacco stem, reconstituted
tobacco and/or
tobacco extract.
The tobacco used to produce tobacco material may be any suitable tobacco, such
as single grades or blends, cut rag or whole leaf, including Virginia and/or
Burley and/or
Oriental. It may also be tobacco particle 'fines' or dust, expanded tobacco,
stems,
expanded stems, and other processed stem materials, such as cut rolled stems.
The
tobacco material may be a ground tobacco or a reconstituted tobacco material.
The
reconstituted tobacco material may comprise tobacco fibres, and may be formed
by
casting, a Fourdrinier-based paper making-type approach with back addition of
tobacco
extract, or by extrusion.
All percentages by weight described herein (denoted wt%) are calculated on a
dry weight basis, unless explicitly stated otherwise. All weight ratios are
also calculated
on a dry weight basis. A weight quoted on a dry weight basis refers to the
whole of the
extract or slurry or material, other than the water, and may include
components which
by themselves are liquid at room temperature and pressure, such as glycerol.
Conversely, a weight percentage quoted on a wet weight basis refers to all
components,
including water.
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For the avoidance of doubt, where in this specification the term "comprises"
is
used in defining the invention or features of the invention, embodiments are
also
disclosed in which the invention or feature can be defined using the terms
"consists
essentially of' or "consists of' in place of "comprises". Reference to a
material
5 "comprising" certain features means that those features are included in,
contained in,
or held within the material.
The above embodiments are to be understood as illustrative examples of the
invention. It is to be understood that any feature described in relation to
any one
10 embodiment may be used alone, or in combination with other features
described, and
may also be used in combination with one or more features of any other of the
embodiments, or any combination of any other of the embodiments. Furthermore,
equivalents and modifications not described above may also be employed without
departing from the scope of the invention, which is defined in the
accompanying claims.
