Note : Les descriptions sont présentées dans la langue officielle dans laquelle elles ont été soumises.
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AEROSOL GENERATION
Technical Field
The present invention relates to a heat-not-burn article and a heat-not-burn
assembly.
Background
Articles such as cigarettes, cigars and the like burn tobacco during use to
create tobacco
smoke. Alternatives to these combustible articles generate an inhalable
aerosol by
heating a substrate material.
These products may generally be referred to as aerosol generating devices. An
example
of such aerosol generating devices are the so-called heat-not-burn products,
also known
as tobacco heating products or tobacco heating devices, which release
compounds by
heating, but not burning, a solid substrate material to form an inhalable
aerosol. The
material may be for example tobacco or other non-tobacco products or a
combination,
such as a blended mix, which may or may not contain nicotine.
Summary
A first aspect of the invention provides a heat-not-burn article comprising an
aerosol
generating medium and a filter, the filter containing one or more crushable
capsules,
wherein, in use, the aerosol generating medium is heated without being
combusted, and the capsule is exposed to a temperature of about 30-100 C
during which
exposure its structural integrity is not compromised, such that the capsule
can be
crushed by the user before, during or after heating.
In some cases, in use, the aerosol generating medium generates a humid aerosol
and the
capsule is exposed to at least 12 mg of water.
In some cases, the capsule has a core-shell structure, the core comprising a
liquid and
the shell encapsulating the core, and wherein the shell comprises 5-90% by
weight
based on the total capsule shell weight of a gelling agent, wherein the
gelling agent
comprises carrageenan.
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In some cases, the aerosol generating medium comprises an aerosol generating
agent.
In some cases, the aerosol generating medium comprises at least 10% by weight
of an
aerosol generating agent based on the total weight of the aerosol generating
medium.
In some cases, the aerosol generating medium comprises a tobacco material.
In some cases, the aerosol generating medium comprises an aerosol generating
agent
and a tobacco material, which may be provided in the same portion of the
aerosol
generating medium or in separate sections of the aerosol generating medium.
In some cases, the capsule fills about 5-30% v/v of the filter.
In some cases, the filter comprises 70-95% v/v of a filter material. In some
cases, the
filter material has an average melting point of at least about 150 C. In some
cases, the
filter material has an average thermal conductivity of at least 0.130W/mK.
In some cases, the filter additionally comprises a wrapper that circumscribes
the other
filter components.
In some cases, the shell comprises 5-60% by weight based on the total capsule
shell
weight of carrageenan as a gelling agent. Suitably, the shell comprises 10-35%
by
weight based on the total capsule shell weight of carrageenan as a gelling
agent.
In some cases, the gelling agent in the capsule shell comprises a carrageenan.
In some
cases, that carrageenan has a melting point of at least about 30 C or at least
about 40 C.
In some cases, the capsule shell additionally comprises a plasticiser. In some
cases, the
total amount in the shell of plasticiser and gelling agent combined may be
about 40-
70% by weight based on the total capsule shell weight.
In some cases, the capsule shell additionally comprises a carbohydrate, such
as a starch.
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In some cases, the capsule has an initial crush strength (before heating) of
from about
0.8 kilopond (kp) to about 3.5 kp, suitably from about 1.0 kp to about 2.5 kp,
or from
about 1.0 kp to about 2.0 kp.
In some cases, the capsule core comprises a flavourant.
A second aspect of the invention provides a heat-not-burn assembly, comprising
a heat-
not-burn article according to the first aspect and a heater.
In some cases, the capsule is at least about 25 mm or at least about 30 mm
from the
heater. In some cases, the capsule is 25-30 mm from the heater. In some other
cases,
the capsule is 30-35 mm from the heater.
In some cases, the heater comprises a combustible fuel source which is
arranged such
that, on ignition, the fuel source heats but does not burn the aerosol
generating medium
of the heat-not-burn article.
In some cases, the heater is a device into which the heat-not-burn article is
at least
partially inserted such that in use, the aerosol generating medium is heated
but not
burned.
In some cases, the assembly is configured such that the one or more capsules
are
exposed to a temperature of about 30-100 C. In some cases, the assembly is
configured
such that the one or more capsules are exposed to a temperature of about 40-90
C.
In some cases, the assembly may be configured to expose the aerosol forming
medium
to at least 200 C for at least 50% of a heating period.
According to a further aspect, the invention provides comprises a filter for a
heat-not-
burn article, the filter containing a crushable capsule,
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wherein, in use, the aerosol generating medium is heated without being
combusted, and
the capsule is exposed to a temperature of about 30-100 C during which
exposure its
structural integrity is not compromised, such that the capsule can be crushed
by the user
before, during or after heating.
To the extent that they are compatible, features disclosed in relation to one
aspect of the
invention are explicitly disclosed in combination with all other aspects.
Further features and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the
following description of examples of the invention, given by way of example
only,
which is made with reference to the accompanying drawings.
Brief Description of the Drawings
Figure 1 shows a schematic side view of an example of a heat-not-bum article.
Figure 2 shows a schematic side view an example of a heat-not-bum assembly.
Figure 3 shows a section view of an example of a heat-not-burn article.
Figure 4 shows a perspective view of the article of Figure 3.
Figure 5 shows a sectional elevation of an example of a heat-not-burn article.
Figure 6 shows a perspective view of the article of Figure 5.
Figure 7 shows a perspective view of an example of a heat-not-bum assembly.
Figure 8 shows a section view of an example heat-not-bum assembly.
Figure 9 shows a perspective view of an example an example heat-not-bum
assembly.
Detailed Description
A first aspect of the invention provides a heat-not-bum article comprising an
aerosol
generating medium and a filter, the filter containing one or more crushable
capsules,
wherein, in use, the aerosol generating medium is heated without being
combusted, and the capsule is exposed to a temperature of abo ut 30-100 C
during which
exposure its structural integrity is not compromised, such that the capsule
can be
crushed by the user before, during or after heating.
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The aerosol generated by a heat-not-burn product is typically warm and moist
due to
the nature of the heating profile and the composition of the aerosol
generating medium.
For example, the aerosol generating medium in a heat-not-burn product
according to
the invention may contain a greater proportion of aerosol generating agent
than a
5 smokable material used in a combustible product. Further, or in the
alternative, the
aerosol generating medium in a heat-not-burn product according to the
invention may
be heated to a high temperature and/or for a longer period than the burning
temperature/period of a combustible product. The inventors have established
that the
capsules detailed in claim 1 are particularly suitable for use in a heat-not-
burn product
and the conditions therein. The capsules stipulated in claim 1 have been found
to be
less likely to fail or rupture on exposure to the conditions in a heat-not-
burn product,
when compared to other capsules.
In some cases, in use, the aerosol generating medium generates a humid aerosol
and the
capsule is exposed to at least 12 mg of water.
The inventors have established that the temperature profile of the centre of
the filter
peaks at the time of each puff during use. This is due to hot aerosol being
drawn
through the filter on puffing. In some cases, the capsule may be exposed to a
temperature in excess of about 30 C, 40 C or 50 C during use. In some cases,
the
maximum temperature that the capsule is exposed to in use is less than about
100 C,
90 C, 80 C or 70 C. In some cases, the capsule may be exposed to temperatures
in the
range of 30 C-100 C, suitably from 40 C-80 C or 50 C-70 C.
As used herein, the term `teat-not-burn article" refers to an article
containing an aerosol
generating medium; in use, components of the aerosol generating medium are
volatilised by heating, without burning/combustion, to from an inhalable
vapour or
aerosol.
The aerosol generating medium of a heat-not-burn article comprises a solid
component
(in contrast to the aerosol generating medium of e-cigarettes in which the
aerosol
generating medium is liquid). By "solid", it is meant that the aerosol
generating
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medium exhibits no flow when in the steady-state. Solid may encompass gels and
the
like. For the avoidance of doubt, the aerosol generating medium of a heat-not-
burn
article may comprise, in addition to a solid component, a liquid component.
The capsule described herein may have a core-shell structure. In such cases,
the core
comprises a liquid. In some cases, the core may comprise one or more aerosol
generating agents and/or one or more flavourants. In some cases, the core may
comprise an acid, a base, and/or water. In some cases, the core may comprise a
solvent.
In some particular cases, the core may comprise menthol.
The capsule shell material (which may alternatively be referred to herein as
the barrier
material or the encapsulating material) encapsulates the core. The shell
material may,
in some cases, function to minimise migration of the core during storage of
the product.
In some cases, the shell material may provide controlled release of the core
during use.
The capsule can be ruptured (i.e. crushed) to release the contents before,
during or after
heating of the heat-not-burn article.
The capsule shell material is crushable; that is, it is frangible or
breakable. The capsule
is crushed or otherwise fractured or broken by the user to release the
contents.
Typically, the capsule is broken immediately prior to heating being initiated
but the
user can select when to release the contents (i.e. it can be crushed after
heating is
initiated). The term "crushable capsule" refers to a capsule in which the
encapsulating
material (which may be a shell) can be broken by means of a pressure to
release the
encapsulated material (which may be a capsule core); more specifically the
encapsulating material (e.g. shell) can be ruptured under the pressure imposed
by the
user's fingers (or any other pressure creating means) when the user wants to
release the
contents of the capsule. In some cases, the capsule may have an initial (pre-
heating)
crush strength from about 0.8 kp to about 3.5 kp, suitably from about 1.0 kp
to about
2.5 kp or from about 1.0 to about 2.0 kp. The inventors have established that
capsules
may be weakened on heating. The inventors have established that capsules
having an
initial crush strength of at least 0.8 kp are less likely to break/rupture on
heating. The
inventors have established that capsules having a crush strength of more than
3.5 kp are
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difficult to crush prior to heating. The inventors have determined that an
initial crush
strength in the range of 1.0 kp to 2.0 kp provides the best capsule
performance.
In some cases, the capsules described herein may be substantially spherical
and have a
diameter of at least about 0.4 mm, 0.6 mm, 0.8 mm, 1.0 mm, 2.0 mm, 2.5 mm, 2.8
mm
or 3.0 mm. The diameter of the capsules may be less than about 10.0 mm, 8.0
mm, 7.0
mm, 6.0 mm, 5.5 mm, 5.0 mm, 4.5 mm, 4.0 mm, 3.5 mm or 3.2 mm. Illustratively,
the
capsule diameter may be in the range of about 0.4 mm to about 10.0 mm, about
0.8 mm
to about 6.0 mm, about 2.5 mm to about 5.5 mm or about 2.8 mm to about 3.2 mm.
In
some cases, the capsule may have a diameter of about 3.0 mm to about 3.5 mm.
These
sizes are particularly suitable for incorporation of the capsule into a filter
for a heat-not-
burn article.
In some cases, the total weight of a capsule described herein may be in the
range of
about 1 mg to about 100 mg, suitably about 5 mg to about 60 mg, about 10 mg to
about
50 mg, about 15 mg to about 40 mg, or about 15 mg to about 30 mg.
In some cases, the total weight of the core formulation may be in the range of
about
2 mg to about 90 mg, suitably about 3 mg to about 70 mg, about 5 mg to about
25 mg,
about 8 mg to about 20 mg, or about 10 mg to about 15 mg.
The shell comprises 5-90% by weight based on the total capsule shell weight of
a gelling
agent, wherein the gelling agent comprises, consists essentially of or
consists of a
carrageenan. In some cases, the shell comprises 5-60%, 5-50% or 10-35% by
weight
based on the total capsule shell weight of the said gelling agent. In some
cases, the
gelling agent in the capsule shell comprises a carrageenan. In some cases,
that
carrageenan has a melting point of at least about 30 C or at least about 40 C.
In addition to carrageenan, the shell may comprise additional gelling agents.
Suitable
gelling agents which may be included in the capsule shell material may
include, without
limitation, polysaccharide or cellulosic gelling agents, gelatins, gums, gels,
waxes or a
mixture thereof. Suitable polysaccharides include alginates, dextrans,
maltodextrins,
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cyclodextrins and pectins. Suitable alginates include, for instance, a salt of
alginic acid,
an esterified alginate or glyccryl alginate. Salts of alginic acid include
ammonium
alginate, triethanolamine alginate, and group 1 or 11 metal ion alginate
salts, such as
sodium, potassium, calcium and magnesium alginate. Esterified alginates
include
propylene glycol alginate and glyceryl alginate. In some examples, the barrier
material
comprises sodium alginate and/ or calcium alginate. Suitable cellulosic
materials
include methyl cellulose, ethyl cellulose, hydroxyethyl cellulose,
hydroxypropyl
cellulose, carboxymethyl cellulose, cellulose acetate and cellulose ethers.
The gelling
agent may comprise one or more modified starches. The gelling agent may
comprise
one or more carrageenans. Suitable gums include agar, gellan gum, gum Arabic,
pullulan gum, mannan gum, gum ghatti, gum tragacanth, Karaya, locust bean,
acacia
gum, guar, quince seed and xanthan gums. Suitable gels include agar, agarose,
carragecnans, furoidan and furcellaran. Suitable waxes include carnauba wax.
In some
cases, the gelling agent may comprise carragecnans and/or gellan gum; these
gelling
.. agents are particularly suitable for inclusion as the gelling agent as the
pressure required
to break the resulting capsules is particularly suitable. In some cases, the
capsule shell
does not comprise gelatin.
The capsule shell may additionally comprise one or more of a bulking agent, a
buffer,
.. a colouring agent, and a plasticiser.
In some cases, the capsule shell material may comprise one or more bulking
agents,
such as starches, modified starches (such as oxidised starches) and sugar
alcohols such
as maltitol.
In some cases, the capsule shell material may comprise a colouring agent which
renders
easier the location of the capsule within the tobacco industry product during
manufacture. The colouring agent is preferably chosen among colorants and
pigments.
In some cases, the capsule shell material may further comprise at least one
buffer, such
as a citrate or phosphate compound.
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In some cases, the capsule shell material may further comprise at least one
plasticiser,
which may be glycerol, sorbitol, maltitol, triacetin, polyethylene glycol,
propylene
glycol or another polyalcohol with plasticising properties, and optionally one
acid of
the monoacid, diacid or triacid type, especially citric acid, fumaric acid,
malic acid, and
the like. In some cases, the amount of plasticiser ranges from 1% to 30% by
weight,
preferably from 2% to 15% by weight, and even more preferably from 3 to 10% by
weight of the total weight of the shell. In some cases, the total amount in
the shell of
plasticiser and gelling agent combined is about 40-70%, suitably 50-60% by
weight
based on the total capsule shell weight. In some cases, the plasticiser
comprises,
consists essentially of or consists of glycerol.
In some cases, the capsule shell may also comprise one or more filler
materials.
Suitable filler materials include comprising starch derivatives such as
dextrin,
maltodextrin, cyclodextrin (alpha, beta or gamma), or cellulose derivatives
such as
hydroxypropyl-methylcellulose (HPMC), hydroxypropylcellulo se
(HPC),
methylcellulose (MC), carboxy-methylcellulose (CMC), polyvinyl alcohol,
polyols or
mixture thereof. The capsule shell may comprise, in some cases, up to about
60% by
weight of filler, based on the total capsule shell weight. In some cases, the
capsule shell
may comprise up to about 50%, 40%, 30% or 20% by weight of filler, based on
the total
capsule shell weight. In some particular cases, the capsule shell may comprise
no filler.
The capsule shell may additionally comprise a hydrophobic outer layer which
reduces
the susceptibility of the capsule to moisture-induced degradation. The
hydrophobic
outer layer is suitably selected from the group comprising waxes, especially
carnauba
wax, candelilla wax or beeswax, carbowax, shellac (in alcoholic or aqueous
solution),
ethyl cellulose, hydroxypropyl methyl cellulose, hydroxyl-propylcellulose,
latex
composition, polyvinyl alcohol, or a combination thereof More preferably, the
at least
one moisture barrier agent is ethyl cellulose or a mixture of ethyl cellulose
and shellac.
Methods of making the capsules include co-extrusion, optionally followed by
centrifugation and curing and/or drying. These and other suitable techniques
are known
in the art.
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The filter may comprise a filter material. For example, the filter may
comprise a
cellulosic material such as cellulose acetate, a ceramic material, polylactic
acid, a
polymer matrix and/or activated carbon. Suitable examples of ceramic materials
5 include silicon carbide (SiC), silicon nitride (Si3N4), titanium carbide,
and zirconium
dioxide (zirconia).
In some cases, the filter material has an average melting point of at least
about 150 C.
In use in an aerosol generating device, the filter is generally exposed to
temperatures
10 below 150 C; thus, in such embodiments, the filter does not melt and
supports the
capsule well. This helps a user seeking to crush a capsule after heating is
initiated. In
some case, the filter material has an average melting point of at least about
160 C,
170 C, 180 C, 190 C or 200 C.
In some cases, the filter material has an average thermal conductivity of at
least
0.130W/mK. The inventors have found that this aids the user seeking to crush a
capsule
after heating is initiated. In some cases, the filter material has an average
thermal
conductivity of at least 0.140W/mK, 0.150W/mK or 0.160W/mK.
In some cases, the filter may additionally comprise a wrapper that
circumscribes the
other filter components. The wrapper may comprise tobacco tipping paper.
In some cases, the capsule fills about 5-30% v/v of the filter. In some cases,
the filter
comprises 70-95% v/v of filter material, suitably cellulose acetate. The
inventors have
established that these proportions result in appropriate heat absorption by
the capsule.
In some cases, the filter is substantially cylindrical and the capsule is
arranged
substantially centrally with respect to the diameter of the cylinder. In some
cases, the
capsule is arranged substantially centrally with respect to the cylinder
length. In some
cases, the cylindrical filter may be approximately 8-14 mm in length, suitably
9-13 mm
or 10-12 mm. It may have a cross-sectional diameter of approximately 5-9 mm,
suitably 7.5-8 mm. It may be formed from cellulose acetate fibres.
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In some cases, the pressure difference across the filter when the user inhales
is in the
range of 30 to 90 mmH20, when the capsule is in an unbroken state. Suitably,
the
pressure difference across the filter may be in the range of from about 30
mmH20, 33
mmH20, 35 mmH20, 38 mmH20 or 40 mmH20 to about 90 mmH20, 75 mmH20, 65
mmH20, 60 mmH20, 55 mmH20 or 50 mmH20, when the capsule is in an unbroken
state. Illustratively, the pressure difference across the filter when the
capsule is in an
unbroken state may be in the range of about 35-60 rrimH20, preferably 38-55
mmH20
or 40-50 mmH20.
In some cases, the filter contains only one capsule. In other cases, the
filter contains
more than one capsule. Where the filter comprises a plurality of capsules, the
individual
capsules may be the same as each other or may differ. For example, a plurality
of
capsules may be provided so that the user can select when/whether to break the
capsule,
thereby controlling the aerosol delivery profile.
In some cases, the aerosol generating medium comprises an aerosol generating
agent.
In some cases, the aerosol generating medium comprises a tobacco material. In
some
cases, the aerosol generating medium comprises a flavourant. In some cases,
the
aerosol generating medium substantially consists of or consist of an aerosol
generating
agent and/or a tobacco material and/or a flavourant. In some cases, the
aerosol
generating medium may be provided as a single, unitary component. In other
cases, the
aerosol generating medium may comprise distinct sections containing different
compositions. For example, the aerosol generating medium may comprise an
aerosol
generating agent and a tobacco material and these may be provided in distinct,
separate
sections of the aerosol generating medium.
In some embodiments, the capsule contains a flavourant and the aerosol
generating
medium comprises a flavourant, wherein the flavourant in both cases is
substantially
the same. This may provide for delivery of a more consistent flavour profile.
In some
cases, the capsule contains menthol and the aerosol generating medium
comprises
menthol.
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As used herein, the term "tobacco material" refers to any material comprising
tobacco
or derivatives thereof. The term "tobacco material" may include one or more of
tobacco, tobacco derivatives, expanded tobacco, reconstituted tobacco or
tobacco
substitutes. The tobacco material may comprise one or more of ground tobacco,
tobacco 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.
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.
Suitable aerosol generating agents include, but are not limited to: a polyol
such as
sorbitol, glycerol, and glycols like propylene glycol or triethylene glycol; a
non-polyol
such as monohydric alcohols, high boiling point hydrocarbons, acids such as
lactic acid,
glycerol derivatives, esters such as diacetin, triacetin, triethylene glycol
diacetate,
triethyl citrate or myristates including ethyl myristate and isopropyl
myristate and
aliphatic carboxylic acid esters such as methyl stearate, dimethyl
dodecanedioate and
dimethyl tetradecanedioate. In some cases, the aerosol generating agent may
comprise
glycerol and/or propylene glycol.
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In some cases, the aerosol generating medium comprises at least 10% by weight
of an
aerosol generating agent based on the total weight of the aerosol generating
medium.
Suitably, the aerosol generating medium comprises at least 12%, 15%, 18% or
20% by
weight of an aerosol generating agent based on the total weight of the aerosol
generating
medium. The remainder may, in some cases, be tobacco material.
In some cases, the heat-not-burn article may be substantially cylindrical.
In some cases, the heat-not-burn article may additionally comprise a cooling
element.
This may be arranged between the filter and the aerosol generating medium, for
example. The cooling element, if present, spaces the filter from the hottest
parts (in
use) of the heat-not-burn article. The cooling element, if present, may
comprise a
vacant tube, suitably formed from paper. Vaporised components of the aerosol
generating medium may condense to form an aerosol in use in the cooling
element, if
present.
The heat-not-burn article may additionally comprise ventilation apertures.
These may
be provided in the sidewall of the article. In some cases, the ventilation
apertures may
be provided in the filter and/or cooling element. These apertures allow cool
air to be
drawn into the article during use, which mixes with the heated volatilised
components
thereby cooling the aerosol.
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 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.
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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.
As used herein, the term "heat-not-burn assembly" refers to the combination of
a heat-
not-burn article and a heater. The heater heats the aerosol generating medium
of the
heat-not-bum article, without burning, to volatilise components of the
substrate and
generate an inhalable vapour or aerosol.
In some cases, the heater may be provided integrally with the article. For
example, the
heater may be a combustible fuel source that is attached to the article, such
that in use,
combustion of the fuel source heats the aerosol generating medium without
burning of
that medium. In another example, the heater may comprise a chemical heat
source,
such as a phase-change material, which undergoes an exothermic reaction to
produce
heat in use.
In other cases, the heater may be a separate entity, configured for use with
the article.
For example, the heater may be a device into which the heat-not-burn article
is at least
partially inserted. In another example, the heater may be a device which is at
least
partially inserted into the heat-not-bum article. The heater may be
electrically
controlled. In some cases, the heater comprises a thin film, electrically
resistive heater,
an induction heater or the like.
In some cases, the assembly may be configured such that at least a portion of
the aerosol
generating medium in the heat-not-burn article is exposed to a temperature of
at least
180 C or 200 C for at least 50% of the heating period. In some examples, the
aerosol
15
generating medium may be exposed to a heat profile as described in co-pending
application PCT/EP2017/068804.
In some particular cases, a heat-not-burn assembly is provided which is
configured to
heat two portions of the aerosol generating medium separately. By controlling
the
temperature of the first and second portions over time such that the
temperature profiles
of the portions are different, it is possible to control the puff profile of
the aerosol during
use. The heat provided to the two portions of the aerosol generating medium
may be
provided at different times or rates; staggering the heating in this way may
allow for
both fast aerosol production and longevity of use.
In one particular example, the assembly may be configured such that on
initiation of
the consumption experience, a first heating element corresponding to a first
portion of
the aerosol generating medium is immediately heated to a temperature of 240 C.
This
first heating element is maintained at 240 C for 145 seconds and then drops to
135 C
(where it remains for the rest of the consumption experience). 75 seconds
after
initiation of the consumption experience, a second heating element
corresponding to a
second portion of the aerosol generating medium is heated to a temperature of
160 C.
135 seconds after initiation of the consumption experience, the temperature of
the
second heating element is raised to 240 C (where it remains for the rest of
the
consumption experience). The consumption experience lasts 280 seconds, at
which
point both heaters are cool to room temperature.
In some cases, the assembly is configured such that the filter of the heat-not-
burn article
is not directly heated. For example, in cases where the heater is a device
into which the
article is partially inserted, the assembly may be configured such that the
filter of the
heat-not-burn article is not inserted into the device.
In some particular cases, the assembly is configured such that the filter and,
if present,
the cooling element of the heat-not-burn article are not directly heated. For
example,
in cases where the heater is a device into which the article is partially
inserted, the
7332101
Date Recue/Date Received 2022-03-04
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assembly may be configured such that the filter and, if present, the cooling
element of
the heat-not-burn article arc not inserted into the device. In other cases, at
least part of
the cooling element may be inserted into the device.
In such cases, even though the filter is not subject to direct heating, heat
will be drawn
through the heat-not-burn article during the consumption experience (when the
user
puffs). The inventors have established that the temperature profile of the
centre of the
filter peaks at the time of each puff. This is due to hot aerosol being drawn
through
the filter on puffing. In some cases, the filter (and capsule) may be exposed
to a
temperature in excess of about 30 C, 40 C or 50 C during use. In some cases,
the
maximum temperature that the filter (and capsule) is exposed to in use is less
than about
100 C, 90 C, 80 C or 70 C. In some cases, the filter (and capsule) may be
exposed to
temperatures in the range of 30 C-100 C, suitably from 40 C-80 C or 50 C-70 C.
The inventors have established that the capsules stipulated in claim 1 are
particularly
suitable for use in a heat-not-burn article. Even though the capsules may, in
some cases,
be exposed to a temperature that exceeds the shell melting point or glass
transition
temperature, the capsules stipulated in claim 1 have been found to be less
likely to fail
or rupture on exposure to the conditions in a heat-not-burn assembly, when
compared
to other capsules. Such capsules can be readily crushed by the user before,
during or
after heating has been initiated to release their contents. A click sensation
on crushing
is maintained, providing tactile feedback to the user that crushing has been
effected.
This click sensation is useful, since the user then knows that enough pressure
has been
applied and the capsule contents have been released. Excess pressure, which
may
damage the heat-not-burn article, is therefore less likely to be applied.
Without wishing to be bound by theory, the suitability of the capsules
described herein
for use in a heat-not-burn article is thought to be due to the shell material
composition
and water uptake. Other factors which may be relevant include the heat
capacity of the
shell material, the melting point or the glass transition temperature of the
shell material,
and/or the distance of the capsule from the heater.
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In some cases, the capsule may be disposed within the heat-not-burn article so
that it is
at least about 25 mm or at least about 30 mm from the heater in the heat-not-
burn
assembly. In some cases, the capsule may be disposed within the heat-not-burn
article
so that it is about 25-30 mm or about 30-35 mm from the heater. (These
distances refer
to the distance from the centre of the capsule to the nearest point of the
heater.) This
positioning may mean that the capsule is exposed to an appropriate heat level
whilst
ensuring that the heat-not-burn article has appropriate dimensions.
Capsules formed from a shell material comprising a carrageenan having a
melting point
of at least 30 C or at least 40 C have been found to survive exposure to heat-
not-burn
conditions very well.
An example heat-not-bum article is illustrated in figure 1. The illustrated
heat-not-burn
article 10 is substantially cylindrical in shape. It may include a rod of
aerosol generating
medium 1, suitably a rod of tobacco material, towards a first end 2 and a
filter 3 towards
the second end 4. Second end 4 is a mouth end. A capsule 5 is disposed within
the
filter 3. The filter 3 comprises a filter material that may be cellulose
acetate. A paper
sheath 6 retains the components in the cylindrical configuration and provides
a passage
7 between the tobacco rod 1 and filter plug 3. Passage 7 functions as a
cooling element
and may be omitted in alternative embodiments. A further short passage is
shown
between the filter plug 3 and the second end 4. This may also be omitted in
alternative
embodiments.
In use, the heat-not-burn article 10 is partially inserted into a heater of
heat-not-burn
assembly (not shown) so that it can be heated to from an inhalable aerosol. In
an
embodiment, the heater forms an oven-type arrangement around the aerosol
generating
medium. In some embodiments, the first end 2 of the heat-not-bum article 10 is
inserted, so that the aerosol generating medium 1 is contained within the
heater. The
heat-not-burn article 10 and heat-not-bum assembly are configured such that
filter 3
and at least some of the passage 7 are not in the heater.
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In alternative embodiments, the substantially cylindrical heat-not-burn
article may
include the aerosol generating medium 1 immediately adjacent to the filter 3.
A passage
may be provided on the opposite side of the filter to the medium, or there may
be no
passageway.
After use, the heat-not-burn article is removed from the heater and typically
disposed
of Subsequent uses of the heater use further heat-not-burn articles.
An alternative heat-not-burn assembly is depicted in figure 2. In this
assembly a
combustible heat source 8 is arranged adjacent to the aerosol generating
medium 1 at
the first end 2 of the heat-not-burn article 10. The combustible heat source 8
may be
separated from the aerosol generating medium 1 by a non-combustible material
(not
shown), such as an aluminium foil layer. Aluminium foil or other conductive,
non-
combustible materials are useful as they (a) conduct heat to the aerosol
generating
medium and (b) prevent combustion of the fuel source resulting in combustion
of the
aerosol generating medium. In use, the fuel source 8 is ignited by the user;
heat is
conducted by the aluminium foil (or the like) to the aerosol generating medium
1, to
volatilise components of the medium 1 without combustion.
Referring to Figures 3 and 4, there are shown a partially cut-away section
view and a
perspective view of an example of a heat-not-burn article 101, similar to that
shown in
figure 1. 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 7 to 9, described below. In use, the article 101
may be
removably inserted into the device shown in Figure 7 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 medium 103 and a filter assembly 105 in
the form
of a rod. 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
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distal end. The body of aerosol generating medium 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 medium 103 between the body of aerosol
generating
medium 103 and the filter segment 109, such that the cooling segment 107 is in
an
abutting relationship with the aerosol generating medium 103 and the filter
segment
103. In other examples, there may be a separation between the body of aerosol
generating medium 103 and the cooling segment 107 and between the body of
aerosol
generating medium 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 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 embodiment, the body of aerosol generating medium 103 comprises
tobacco.
However, in other respective embodiments, the body of aerosol generating
medium 103
may consist of tobacco, may consist substantially entirely of tobacco, may
comprise
tobacco and other components such as an aerosol generating agent and/or
flavourant.
In some cases, the aerosol generating medium may be free of tobacco.
In one example, the rod of aerosol generating medium 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 medium 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 medium 103.
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The body of aerosol generating medium 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 medium 103. In
one
5 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
10 heated volatilised components generated from the body of aerosol
generating medium
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
15 segment 107 is approximately 0.29mm
The cooling segment 107 provides a physical displacement between the aerosol
generating medium 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
20 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 medium 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 medium 103 and the heating elements of the device
51, then
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the temperature sensitive filter segment 109 may 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
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 medium. 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.
A crushable capsule 5 is 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.
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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. 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 1 Omm in length,
suitably
8mm.
The mouth end segment 111 is an annular tube and is located around and defines
an air
gap within the mouth end segment 111. The air gap provides a chamber for
heated
volatilised components that flow from the filter segment 109. The mouth end
segment
111 is hollow to provide a chamber for aerosol accumulation yet rigid enough
to
withstand axial compressive forces and bending moments that might arise during
manufacture and whilst the 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
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
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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.
Referring to Figures 5 and 6, there are shown a partially cut-away section and
perspective views of an example of an article 301. The reference signs shown
in Figures
5 and 6 are equivalent to the reference signs shown in Figures 3 and 4, but
with an
increment of 200.
In the example of the article 301 shown in Figures 5 and 6, 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 500um in diameter. In one example, an axial separation between rows of
ventilation
holes 317 is between 0.25mm and 0.75mm, suitably 0.5mm.
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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
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 8 and 9. 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
8 and 9, 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.
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Referring now to Figures 7 to 9 in more detail, there is shown an example of a
device
51 arranged to heat aerosol generating medium to volatilise at least one
component of
said aerosol generating medium, typically to form an aerosol which can be
inhaled. The
device 51 is a heating device which releases compounds by heating, but not
burning,
5 the aerosol generating medium.
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
10 to be switched on and off as desired by a user.
The device 51 comprises a housing 59 for locating and protecting various
internal
components of the device 51. 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
15 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.
20 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
25 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 medium
may be inserted into the device 51 and removed from the device 51 by a user.
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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
medium in the article 101, 301 as discussed further below.
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
to heat the aerosol generating medium in the article (as discussed, to
volatilise the
aerosol generating medium without causing the aerosol generating medium to
burn).
An advantage of locating the power source 27 laterally adjacent to the heater
20 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 medium 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-
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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.
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 ofthe body of aerosol
generating medium
103, 303 of the article 101, 301 is inserted into the heater arrangement 23
when 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 medium 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.
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The device 51 further comprises a collar 33 which extends around and projects
from
the opening 20 into the interior of the housing 59 and a generally tubular
chamber 35
which is located between the collar 33 and one end of the vacuum sleeve 31.
The
chamber 35 further comprises a cooling structure 35f, which in this example,
comprises
a plurality of cooling fins 35f spaced apart along the outer surface of the
chamber 35,
and each arranged circumferentially around outer surface of the chamber 35.
There is
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 ofthe 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 20 of the
device 51, as shown in Figures 7 to 9. Referring particularly to Figure 8, in
one example,
the body of aerosol generating medium 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.
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In operation, the heater arrangement 23 will heat the article 101, 301 to
volatilise at
least one component of the aerosol generating medium from the body of aerosol
generating medium 103, 303.
The primary flow path for the heated volatilised components from the body of
aerosol
generating medium 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
of the heated volatilised components that are generated from the body of
aerosol
generating medium 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 5 and 6, cool air will be
able to
enter the cooling segment 307 via the ventilation holes 317 formed in the
cooling
segment 307. This cool air will mix with the heated volatilised components to
provide
additional cooling to the heated volatilised components.
The ventilation enhances the generation of visible heated volatilised
components from
the article 317 when it is heated in use by the device 51. The heated
volatilised
components are made visible by the process of cooling the heated volatilised
components such that supersaturation of the heated volatilised components
occurs. The
heated volatilised components then undergo droplet formation, otherwise known
as
.. nucleation, and eventually the size of the aerosol particles of the heated
volatilised
components increases by further condensation of the heated volatilised
components and
by coagulation of newly formed droplets from the heated volatilised
components.
In one embodiment, 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
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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
5 cooling to the heated volatilised components.
As used herein, the terms "flavour", "flavouring" and "flavourant" refer to
materials
which, where local regulations permit, may be used to create a desired taste
or aroma
in a product for adult consumers. They may include extracts (e.g., licorice,
hydrangea,
10 Japanese white bark magnolia leaf, chamomile, fenugreek, clove, menthol,
Japanese
mint, aniseed, cinnamon, herb, wintergreen, cherry, berry, peach, apple,
Drambuie,
bourbon, scotch, whiskey, spearmint, peppermint, lavender, cardamom, celery,
cascarilla, nutmeg, sandalwood, bergamot, geranium, honey essence, rose oil,
vanilla,
lemon oil, orange oil, cassia, caraway, cognac, jasmine, ylang-ylang, sage,
fennel,
15 piment, ginger, anise, coriander, coffee, or a mint oil from any species
of the genus
Mentha), 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,
20 botanicals, or breath freshening agents. They may be imitation,
synthetic or natural
ingredients or blends thereof. They may be in any suitable form, for example,
oil,
liquid, or powder.
For the avoidance of doubt, where in this specification the term "comprises"
is used in
25 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".
The above embodiments are to be understood as illustrative examples of the
invention.
30 Further embodiments of the invention are envisaged. It is to be
understood that any
feature described in relation to any one embodiment may be used alone, or in
combination with other features described, and may also be used in combination
with
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31
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.
The various embodiments described herein are presented only to assist in
understanding
and teaching the claimed features. These embodiments are provided as a
representative
sample of embodiments only, and are not exhaustive and/or exclusive. It is to
be
understood that advantages, embodiments, examples, functions, features,
structures,
and/or other aspects described herein are not to be considered limitations on
the scope
of the invention as defined by the claims or limitations on equivalents to the
claims, and
that other embodiments may be utilised and modifications may be made without
departing from the scope of the claimed invention. Various embodiments of the
invention may suitably comprise, consist of, or consist essentially of,
appropriate
combinations of the disclosed elements, components, features, parts, steps,
means, etc.,
other than those specifically described herein. In addition, this disclosure
may include
other inventions not presently claimed, but which may be claimed in the
future.
