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 method of generating an aerosol and an
aerosol generating system.
Background
Smoking articles such as cigarettes, cigars and the like burn tobacco during
use
to create tobacco smoke. Attempts have been made to provide alternatives to
these
articles that burn tobacco by creating products that release compounds without
burning.
Examples of such products are heating devices which release compounds by
heating,
but not burning, the material. The material may be for example tobacco or
other non-
tobacco products, which may or may not contain nicotine.
Summary
A first aspect of the invention provides an aerosol generating system
comprising
(i) an aerosol generating article comprising an aerosol generating material
which
comprises nicotine, and (ii) an aerosol generating device comprising an
induction
heater, wherein during operation, the article is inserted into the device and
an aerosol is
generated by using the induction heater to heat the aerosol generating
material to at
least 150 C, wherein at least 10 i.ig of nicotine is aerosolised from the
aerosol generating
material under an airflow of at least 1.50L/m during a two-second period.
A second aspect of the invention provides a method of generating an aerosol
from an aerosol generating material that comprises nicotine, the method
comprising
using an induction heater to heat the aerosol generating material to at least
150 C,
wherein at least 10 i.ig of nicotine is aerosolised from the aerosol
generating material
under an airflow of at least 1.50L/m during a two-second period.
A third aspect of the invention provides a method of generating an aerosol
from
an aerosol generating material that comprises nicotine and aerosol generating
agent, the
method comprising using an induction heater to the heat aerosol generating
material to
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at least 150 C, wherein in an aerosol generated under an airflow of at least
1.50L/m
during a two-period, the weight ratio of aerosol generating agent to nicotine
is at least
about 2.5:1, suitably at least 8.5:1.
A fourth aspect of the invention provides an aerosol generating system
comprising (i) an aerosol generating article comprising an aerosol generating
material
which comprises nicotine and aerosol generating agent, and (ii) an aerosol
generating
device comprising an induction heater, wherein during operation, the article
is inserted
into the device and an aerosol is generated by using the induction heater to
heat the
aerosol generating material to at least 150 C, wherein in an aerosol generated
under an
airflow of at least 1.50L/m during a two-second period, the weight ratio in
the generated
aerosol, of aerosol generating agent to nicotine is at least about 2.5:1,
suitably at least
8.5:1.
A further aspect of the invention provides an aerosol comprising at least 10
i.ig
of nicotine, obtainable or obtained by induction heating an aerosol generating
material
to at least 150 C, under an airflow of at least 1.50L/m for a two-second
period.
A further aspect of the invention provides an aerosol comprising aerosol
generating agent and nicotine, wherein the weight ratio aerosol generating
agent to
nicotine is at least about 2.5:1, suitably at least 8.5:1, wherein the aerosol
is obtainable
or obtained by induction heating an aerosol generating material to at least
150 C, under
an airflow of at least 1.50L/m for a two-second period.
A yet further aspect of the invention provides an aerosol generating system
comprising (i) an aerosol generating article comprising aerosol generating
agent, and
(ii) an aerosol generating device comprising an induction heater, wherein
during
operation, the article is inserted into the device and an aerosol is generated
by using the
induction heater to heat the aerosol generating material to at least 150 C,
wherein at
least 10 i.ig of aerosol generating agent is aerosolised from the aerosol
generating
material under an airflow of at least 1.50L/m during a two-second period.
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Another aspect of the invention provides a method of generating an aerosol
from
an aerosol generating material that comprises aerosol generating agent, the
method
comprising using an induction heater to heat the aerosol generating material
to at least
150 C, wherein at least 10 i.ig of aerosol generating agent is aerosolised
from the aerosol
generating material under an airflow of at least 1.50L/m during a two-second
period.
A further aspect of the invention provides an aerosol comprising at least 10
i.ig
of aerosol generating agent, obtainable or obtained by induction heating an
aerosol
generating material to at least 150 C, under an airflow of at least 1.50L/m
for a two-
second period.
Features described herein in relation to one aspect of the invention are
explicitly
disclosed in combination with the other aspects, to the extent that they are
compatible.
Further features and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the
following description of preferred embodiments 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 front view of an example of an aerosol generating device;
Figure 2 shows a front view of the aerosol generating device of Figure 1 with
an outer cover removed;
Figure 3 shows a cross-sectional view of the aerosol generating device of
Figure
1;
Figure 4 shows an exploded view of the aerosol generating device of Figure 2;
Figure 5A shows a cross-sectional view of a heating assembly within an aerosol
generating device;
Figure 5B shows a close-up view of a portion of the heating assembly of Figure
5A;
Figure 6A shows a partially cut-away section view of an example of an aerosol
generating article;
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Figure 6B shows a perspective view of the example aerosol generating article
of Figure 6A;
Figures 7A and 7B show heat profiles programmed into an example of an
aerosol generating device;
Figures 8A and 8B show the tobacco temperature in an aerosol generating
article
heated by the programmed aerosol generating device of Figures 7A and 7B
respectively;
Figure 9 shows the nicotine delivery from an aerosol generating article heated
according to an embodiment of the invention;
Figure 10 shows the glycerol delivery from an aerosol generating article
heated
according to an embodiment of the invention.
Detailed Description
As used herein, the term "aerosol generating material" includes materials that
provide volatilised components upon heating, typically in the form of an
aerosol.
Aerosol generating material includes any tobacco-containing material and may,
for
example, include one or more of tobacco, tobacco derivatives, expanded
tobacco,
reconstituted tobacco or tobacco substitutes. Aerosol generating material also
may
include other, non-tobacco, products, which, depending on the product, may or
may not
contain nicotine. Aerosol generating material may for example be in the form
of a solid,
a liquid, a gel, a wax or the like. Aerosol generating material may for
example also be
a combination or a blend of materials. Aerosol generating material may also be
known
as "smokable material" or "aerosolisable material".
Apparatus is known that heats aerosol generating material to volatilise at
least
one component of the aerosol generating material, typically to form an aerosol
which
can be inhaled, without burning or combusting the aerosol generating material.
Such
apparatus is sometimes described as an "aerosol generating device", an
"aerosol
provision device", a "heat-not-burn device", a "tobacco heating product
device" or a
"tobacco heating device" or similar. Similarly, there are also so-called e-
cigarette
devices, which typically vaporise an aerosol generating material in the form
of a liquid,
which may or may not contain nicotine. The aerosol generating material may be
in the
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form of or be provided as part of a rod, cartridge or cassette or the like
which can be
inserted into the apparatus. A heater for heating and volatilising the aerosol
generating
material may be provided as a "permanent" part of the apparatus.
5 An
aerosol generating device can receive an article comprising aerosol
generating material for heating. An "article" in this context is a component
that includes
or contains in use the aerosol generating material, which is heated to
volatilise the
aerosol generating material, and optionally other components in use. A user
may insert
the article into the aerosol generating device before it is heated to produce
an aerosol,
which the user subsequently inhales. The article may be, for example, of a
predetermined or specific size that is configured to be placed within a
heating chamber
of the device which is sized to receive the article.
The inventors have found that the use of an induction heater allows more rapid
heating and greater control over the heat profile. The heat profile affects
the aerosol
constitution and composition.
As noted above, one aspect of the invention provides a method of generating an
aerosol from an aerosol generating material that comprises nicotine, the
method
comprising using an induction heater to heat the aerosol generating material
to at least
150 C, wherein at least 10 i.ig of nicotine is aerosolised from the aerosol
generating
material under an airflow of at least 1.50L/m during a two-second period.
As noted above, another aspect of the invention provides a method of
generating
an aerosol from an aerosol generating material that comprises aerosol
generating agent,
the method comprising using an induction heater to heat the aerosol generating
material
to at least 150 C, wherein at least 10 i.ig of aerosol generating agent is
aerosolised from
the aerosol generating material under an airflow of at least 1.50L/m during a
two-second
period.
In some cases, at least 30 i.ig of nicotine, suitably at least 40 i.ig of
nicotine, is
aerosolised from the aerosol generating material under an airflow of at least
1.50L/m
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during the two-second period. In some cases, less than about 200 jig, suitably
less than
about 150 jig or less than about 125 jig, of nicotine is aerosolised from the
aerosol
generating material under an airflow of at least 1.50L/m during the two-second
period.
In some cases, at least 10 1..ig of aerosol generating agent, suitably at
least
100 jig, 200 1..tg, 500 jig or 1 mg of aerosol generating agent, is
aerosolised from the
aerosol generating material under an airflow of at least 1.50L/m during the
two-second
period. Suitably, the aerosol generating agent comprises (or consists of)
glycerol. In
some cases, less than about 2 mg, 1.7 mg, 1.5mg, 1.3 mg, or 1 mg of aerosol
generating
agent, is aerosolised from the aerosol generating material under an airflow of
at least
1.50L/m during the two-second period.
Suitably, in each aspect and embodiment of the invention discussed herein, the
airflow may be at least at least 1.55 L/m or 1.60 L/m. In some cases, the
airflow may
be less than about 2.00 L/m, 1.90 L/m, 1.80 L/m or 1.70L/m. In some cases, the
airflow
may be about 1.65 L/m.
In some cases, the aerosol generating agent comprises, or substantially
consists
of, or consists of, glycerol.
In some cases, the aerosol generating material comprises aerosol generating
agent, and in the aerosol generated in the two-second period, the weight ratio
of aerosol
generating agent to nicotine is at least about 2.5:1, suitably at least 3:1,
3.5:1, 4:1, 5:1,
6:1, 7:1, 8:1, 8.5:1, 9:1 or 10:1. In some cases, the ratio may be less than
about 15:1.
In some cases, the aerosol generating material is a solid or a gel material.
That
is, the method may be a method of generating an aerosol from a tobacco heating
product, also known as a heat-not-burn device. In some cases, the aerosol
generating
material comprises tobacco. In some cases, the aerosol generating material is
solid and
comprises tobacco.
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In some cases, the aerosol generating material comprises a reconstituted
tobacco
material. In some cases, it comprises or consists of about 220 mg to about 400
mg or a
reconstituted tobacco material. In some cases, it comprises about 220 mg to
about 300
mg, suitably about 240 mg to about 280 mg, suitably about 260 mg of a
reconstituted
tobacco material. In some other cases, it comprises about 320 mg to about 400
mg,
suitably about 320 mg to about 370 mg, suitably about 340 mg of a
reconstituted
tobacco material.
In some cases, the aerosol generating material, which may comprise a tobacco
material, suitably the reconstituted tobacco material discussed in the
preceding
paragraph, may have a nicotine content of between about 5 mg/g and 15 mg/g
(dry
weight basis), suitably between about 7 mg/g and 12 mg/g. In some cases, the
aerosol
generating material, which may comprise a tobacco material, may have an
aerosol
generating agent (suitably glycerol) content of between about 130 mg/g and 170
mg/g,
suitably between about 145 mg/g and 155 mg/g (all dry weight basis). In some
cases,
the aerosol generating material, may have a water content of about 5 to 8 wt%
(wet
weight basis). In some cases, the aerosol generating material comprises at
least about
1.5 mg of nicotine, suitably at least about 1.7 mg, 1.8 mg or 1.9 mg of
nicotine. In some
cases, the aerosol generating material comprises at least about 25 mg of
aerosol
generating agent, suitably at least about 30 mg, 32 mg, 34 mg or 36 mg of
aerosol
generating agent, which may comprise or consist of glycerol in some instances.
In some
cases, the aerosol generating material comprises aerosol generating agent and
nicotine
in a weight ratio of at least 10:1, suitably at least 12:1, 14:1 or 16:1.
In some cases, the aerosol density is at least 0.2 iig/cc, 0.3 jig/cc or 0.4
jig/cc.
In some cases, the aerosol density is less than about 2.5 jig/cc, 2.0 jig/cc,
1.5 jig/cc or
1.0 jig/cc.
As defined herein, the term "mean particle or droplet size" refers to the mean
size of the solid or liquid components of an aerosol (i.e. the components
suspended in
a gas). Where the aerosol contains suspended liquid droplets and suspended
solid
particles, the term refers to the mean size of all components together.
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In some cases, the mean particle or droplet size in the generated aerosol may
be
less than about 900 nm, 800 nm, 700, nm 600 nm, 500nm, 450nm or 400 nm. In
some
cases, the mean particle or droplet size may be more than about 50 nm or
100nm.
A further aspect of the invention provides an aerosol generating system
comprising (i) an aerosol generating article comprising an aerosol generating
material
which comprises nicotine, and (ii) an aerosol generating device comprising an
induction
heater, wherein during operation, the article is inserted into the device and
an aerosol is
generated by using the induction heater to heat the aerosol generating
material to at
least 150 C, wherein at least 10 i.ig of nicotine is aerosolised from the
aerosol generating
material under an airflow of at least 1.50L/m during a two-second period.
A further aspect of the invention provides an aerosol generating system
comprising (i) an aerosol generating article comprising aerosol generating
agent, and
(ii) an aerosol generating device comprising an induction heater, wherein
during
operation, the article is inserted into the device and an aerosol is generated
by using the
induction heater to heat the aerosol generating material to at least 150 C,
wherein at
least 10 i.ig of aerosol generating agent is aerosolised from the aerosol
generating
material under an airflow of at least 1.50L/m during a two-second period.
In some cases, the aerosol generating material is a solid or a gel material.
That
is, the system may be a tobacco heating product, also known as a heat-not-burn
device.
In some cases, the aerosol generating material comprises tobacco. In some
cases, the
aerosol generating material is solid and comprises tobacco.
In some cases, the article is inserted into the device during operation and an
aerosol is generated by using the induction heater to heat the aerosol
generating material
to at least 150 C, wherein the total amount of nicotine aerosolised from the
aerosol
generating material during at least 7 two-second periods, under an airflow of
at least
1.50L/m, is at least about 0.20 mg. Suitably, the total amount of nicotine
aerosolised
from the aerosol generating material during at least 9 two-second periods,
under an
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airflow of at least 1.50L/m, is at least about 0.30 mg, 0.35 mg, 0.40 mg or
0.43 mg. In
some cases, the total aerosolised nicotine is at least about lOwt%, suitably
at least about
20%, of the total nicotine content in the aerosol generating material.
In some cases, the aerosol generating material comprises aerosol generating
agent. In some such cases, the article is inserted into the device during
operation and
an aerosol is generated by using the induction heater to heat the aerosol
generating
material to at least 150 C, wherein the total amount of aerosol generating
agent
aerosolised from the aerosol generating material during at least 7 two-second
periods,
under an airflow of at least 1.50L/m during the periods, is at least about 2
mg. Suitably,
the total amount of aerosol generating agent aerosolised from the aerosol
generating
material during at least 9 two-second periods, under an airflow of at least
1.50L/m
during the periods, is at least about 3.5 mg, 4 mg, 4.5 mg or 5 mg.
Thus, in some cases, the ratio of aerosol generating agent to nicotine
aerosolised
in the 7 or 9 two-second periods may be at least about 8.5:1, suitably at
least about 10:1.
In some cases, during operation, the article is inserted into the device and
an
aerosol is generated by using the induction heater to heat the aerosol
generating material
to at least 150 C, wherein in an aerosol generated during at least 7 two-
second periods
under an airflow of at least 1.50L/m, the mean aerosol density is at least 0.6
iig/cc,
suitably at least 0.8 jig/cc. In other words, the article may generate at
least 4.2 iig/cc,
suitable at least 5.6 i.tg/cc of aerosol over the 7 two-second periods.
In some cases, during operation, the article is inserted into the device and
an
aerosol is generated by using the induction heater to heat the aerosol
generating material
to at least 150 C, wherein in an aerosol generated during at least 9 two-
second periods,
under an airflow of at least 1.50L/m during the periods, wherein the mean
aerosol
density is at least 0.4 jig/cc, suitably at least 0.6 jig/cc. In other words,
the article may
generate at least 3.6 jig/cc, suitable at least 5.4 jig/cc of aerosol over the
9 two-second
periods.
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The heater in the device is an induction heater. The susceptor defines a
cylindrical chamber into which the article is inserted in use, so that the
aerosol
generating material is heated by the susceptor. The cylindrical chamber length
may be
from about 40mm to 60mm, about 40mm to 50mm or about 40mm to 45mm, or about
5 44.5mm. The cylindrical chamber diameter may be from about 5.0mm to
6.5mm,
suitably about 5.35mm to 6.0mm, suitably about 5.5mm to 5.6mm, suitably about
5.55mm.
The aerosol generating article may comprise the aerosol generating material
and
10 a wrapping material arranged around the aerosol generating material. In
some cases,
the aerosol generating material comprises tobacco. The tobacco may be any
suitable
solid tobacco, such as single grades or blends, cut rag or whole leaf, ground
tobacco,
tobacco fibre, cut tobacco, extruded tobacco, tobacco stem and/or
reconstituted tobacco.
The tobacco may be of any type including Virginia and/or Burley and/or
Oriental
.. tobacco.
The aerosol generating material may be a rod of aerosol generating material. A
wrapper may form a tube disposed around the rod of aerosol generating
material. As
used herein, the term "rod" generally refers to an elongate body which may be
any
suitable shape for use in an aerosol generating device. In some cases, the rod
is
substantially cylindrical. The cylindrical body of aerosol generating material
may be
between about 34mm and 50mm in length, suitably between about 38mm and 46mm in
length, suitably about 42mm in length. The cylindrical body of aerosol
generating
material have a diameter of about 5.0mm to 6.0mm, suitably about 5.25mm to
5.45mm,
suitably about 5.35mm to 5.40mm, suitably about 5.39mm. In some cases, the
aerosol
generating material may fill at least about 85% of the void defined by the
susceptor.
The aerosol generating material may comprise, in addition to the nicotine, one
or more of an aerosol generating agent(s), a binder, a filler and a
flavourant.
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In some cases, the aerosol generating material may comprise a tobacco
composition as described in W02017/097840, the content of which are
incorporated
herein by reference.
The aerosol generating article may additional comprise one or more of a
filter,
a cooling element and a mouthpiece.
In some cases, the aerosol generating article comprises a wrapper, which at
least
partially surrounds other components of the article, including one or more of
a filter, a
cooling element, a mouthpiece and the aerosol generating material. In some
cases, the
wrapper may surround the perimeter of each of these components. The wrapper
may
have a thickness of between about 10 iim and 50 iim, suitably between about 15
iim
and 45 iim or between about 20 iim and 40 iim. In some cases, the wrapper may
comprise a paper layer, and in some cases this may have a basis weight of at
least about
10 g.m-2, 15 g.m-2, 20 g.m-2 or 25 g.m-2 to about 50 g.m-2, 45 g.m-2, 40 g.m-2
or
35 g.m-2. In some cases, the wrapper may comprise a non-combustible layer,
such as a
metallic foil. Suitably, the wrapper may comprise an aluminium foil layer,
which may
have a thickness between about 3 iim and 15 iim, suitably between about 5 iim
and 10
iim, suitably about 6 iim. The wrapper may comprise a laminate structure, and
in some
cases, the laminate structure may comprise a least one paper layer and at
least one non-
combustible layer.
In some such cases, ventilation apertures are provided in the wrapper. In some
cases, the ventilation ratio provided by the holes (i.e. the amount of inhaled
air flowing
through the ventilation holes as a percentage of the aerosol volume) may be
between
about 5% and 85%, suitably at least 20%, 35%, 50% or 60%. The ventilation
apertures
may be provided in the wrapper in the portion that surrounds one or more of a
filter, a
cooling element and a mouthpiece.
Referring now to the figures, there is illustrated in Figure 1 an example of
an
aerosol generating device 100 for generating aerosol from an aerosol
generating
medium/material. In broad outline, the device 100 may be used to heat a
replaceable
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article 110 comprising the aerosol generating medium, to generate an aerosol
or other
inhalable medium which is inhaled by a user of the device 100.
The device 100 comprises a housing 102 (in the form of an outer cover) which
surrounds and houses various components of the device 100. The device 100 has
an
opening 104 in one end, through which the article 110 may be inserted for
heating by a
heating assembly. In use, the article 110 may be fully or partially inserted
into the
heating assembly where it may be heated by one or more components of the
heater
assembly.
The device 100 of this example comprises a first end member 106 which
comprises a lid 108 which is moveable relative to the first end member 106 to
close the
opening 104 when no article 110 is in place. In Figure 1, the lid 108 is shown
in an open
configuration, however the cap 108 may move into a closed configuration. For
example,
a user may cause the lid 108 to slide in the direction of arrow "A".
The device 100 may also include a user-operable control element 112, such as
a button or switch, which operates the device 100 when pressed. For example, a
user
may turn on the device 100 by operating the switch 112.
The device 100 may also comprise an electrical component, such as a
socket/port 114, which can receive a cable to charge a battery of the device
100. For
example, the socket 114 may be a charging port, such as a USB charging port.
In some
examples the socket 114 may be used additionally or alternatively to transfer
data
between the device 100 and another device, such as a computing device.
Figure 2 depicts the device 100 of Figure 1 with the outer cover 102 removed
and without an article 110 present. The device 100 defines a longitudinal axis
134.
As shown in Figure 2, the first end member 106 is arranged at one end of the
device 100 and a second end member 116 is arranged at an opposite end of the
device
100. The first and second end members 106, 116 together at least partially
define end
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surfaces of the device 100. For example, the bottom surface of the second end
member
116 at least partially defines a bottom surface of the device 100. Edges of
the outer
cover 102 may also define a portion of the end surfaces. In this example, the
lid 108
also defines a portion of a top surface of the device 100.
The end of the device closest to the opening 104 may be known as the proximal
end (or mouth end) of the device 100 because, in use, it is closest to the
mouth of the
user. In use, a user inserts an article 110 into the opening 104, operates the
user control
112 to begin heating the aerosol generating material and draws on the aerosol
generated
in the device. This causes the aerosol to flow through the device 100 along a
flow path
towards the proximal end of the device 100.
The other end of the device furthest away from the opening 104 may be known
as the distal end of the device 100 because, in use, it is the end furthest
away from the
mouth of the user. As a user draws on the aerosol generated in the device, the
aerosol
flows away from the distal end of the device 100.
The device 100 further comprises a power source 118. The power source 118
may be, for example, a battery, such as a rechargeable battery or a non-
rechargeable
battery. Examples of suitable batteries include, for example, a lithium
battery (such as
a lithium-ion battery), a nickel battery (such as a nickel¨cadmium battery),
and an
alkaline battery. The battery is electrically coupled to the heating assembly
to supply
electrical power when required and under control of a controller (not shown)
to heat the
aerosol generating material. In this example, the battery is connected to a
central
support 120 which holds the battery 118 in place.
The device further comprises at least one electronics module 122. The
electronics module 122 may comprise, for example, a printed circuit board
(PCB). The
PCB 122 may support at least one controller, such as a processor, and memory.
The
PCB 122 may also comprise one or more electrical tracks to electrically
connect
together various electronic components of the device 100. For example, the
battery
terminals may be electrically connected to the PCB 122 so that power can be
distributed
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throughout the device 100. The socket 114 may also be electrically coupled to
the
battery via the electrical tracks.
In the example device 100, the heating assembly is an inductive heating
assembly and comprises various components to heat the aerosol generating
material of
the article 110 via an inductive heating process. Induction heating is a
process of heating
an electrically conducting object (such as a susceptor) by electromagnetic
induction.
An induction heating assembly may comprise an inductive element, for example,
one
or more inductor coils, and a device for passing a varying electric current,
such as an
alternating electric current, through the inductive element. The varying
electric current
in the inductive element produces a varying magnetic field. The varying
magnetic field
penetrates a susceptor suitably positioned with respect to the inductive
element, and
generates eddy currents inside the susceptor. The susceptor has electrical
resistance to
the eddy currents, and hence the flow of the eddy currents against this
resistance causes
.. the susceptor to be heated by Joule heating. In cases where the susceptor
comprises
ferromagnetic material such as iron, nickel or cobalt, heat may also be
generated by
magnetic hysteresis losses in the susceptor, i.e. by the varying orientation
of magnetic
dipoles in the magnetic material as a result of their alignment with the
varying magnetic
field. In inductive heating, as compared to heating by conduction for example,
heat is
generated inside the susceptor, allowing for rapid heating. Further, there
need not be
any physical contact between the inductive heater and the susceptor, allowing
for
enhanced freedom in construction and application.
The induction heating assembly of the example device 100 comprises a
susceptor arrangement 132 (herein referred to as "a susceptor"), a first
inductor coil 124
and a second inductor coil 126. The first and second inductor coils 124, 126
are made
from an electrically conducting material. In this example, the first and
second inductor
coils 124, 126 are made from Litz wire/cable which is wound in a helical
fashion to
provide helical inductor coils 124, 126. Litz wire comprises a plurality of
individual
.. wires which are individually insulated and are twisted together to form a
single wire.
Litz wires are designed to reduce the skin effect losses in a conductor. In
the example
device 100, the first and second inductor coils 124, 126 are made from copper
Litz wire
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which has a rectangular cross section. In other examples the Litz wire can
have other
shape cross sections, such as circular.
The first inductor coil 124 is configured to generate a first varying magnetic
5 field for heating a first section of the susceptor 132 and the second
inductor coil 126 is
configured to generate a second varying magnetic field for heating a second
section of
the susceptor 132. In this example, the first inductor coil 124 is adjacent to
the second
inductor coil 126 in a direction along the longitudinal axis 134 of the device
100 (that
is, the first and second inductor coils 124, 126 do not overlap). The
susceptor
10 arrangement 132 may comprise a single susceptor, or two or more separate
susceptors.
Ends 130 of the first and second inductor coils 124, 126 can be connected to
the PCB
122.
It will be appreciated that the first and second inductor coils 124, 126, in
some
15 examples, may have at least one characteristic different from each
other. For example,
the first inductor coil 124 may have at least one characteristic different
from the second
inductor coil 126. More specifically, in one example, the first inductor coil
124 may
have a different value of inductance than the second inductor coil 126. In
Figure 2, the
first and second inductor coils 124, 126 are of different lengths such that
the first
inductor coil 124 is wound over a smaller section of the susceptor 132 than
the second
inductor coil 126. Thus, the first inductor coil 124 may comprise a different
number of
turns than the second inductor coil 126 (assuming that the spacing between
individual
turns is substantially the same). In yet another example, the first inductor
coil 124 may
be made from a different material to the second inductor coil 126. In some
examples,
the first and second inductor coils 124, 126 may be substantially identical.
In this example, the first inductor coil 124 and the second inductor coil 126
are
wound in opposite directions. This can be useful when the inductor coils are
active at
different times. For example, initially, the first inductor coil 124 may be
operating to
heat a first section of the article 110, and at a later time, the second
inductor coil 126
may be operating to heat a second section of the article 110. Winding the
coils in
opposite directions helps reduce the current induced in the inactive coil when
used in
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conjunction with a particular type of control circuit. In Figure 2, the first
inductor coil
124 is a right-hand helix and the second inductor coil 126 is a left-hand
helix. However,
in another embodiment, the inductor coils 124, 126 may be wound in the same
direction,
or the first inductor coil 124 may be a left-hand helix and the second
inductor coil 126
may be a right-hand helix.
The susceptor 132 of this example is hollow and therefore defines a receptacle
within which aerosol generating material is received. For example, the article
110 can
be inserted into the susceptor 132. In this example the susceptor 120 is
tubular, with a
circular cross section.
In this example, the first coil 124 (which is nearer to the mouth end) is
wound
around approximately one third of the susceptor 132 length, and the second
coil 126
(which is nearer to the distal end) is wound around approximately two thirds
of the
susceptor 132 length. That is, the ratio of the coil lengths is 1:2, where the
coil length
refers to the axial distance, where the axis is the axis around which the coil
is wound.
Other length ratios may be employed. For example, in some cases, the ratio of
the coil
lengths of the first coil 124 to the second moil may be in the range of about
1:4 to about
4:1.
The device 100 of Figure 2 further comprises an insulating member 128 which
may be generally tubular and at least partially surround the susceptor 132.
The
insulating member 128 may be constructed from any insulating material, such as
plastic
for example. In this particular example, the insulating member is constructed
from
polyether ether ketone (PEEK). The insulating member 128 may help insulate the
various components of the device 100 from the heat generated in the susceptor
132.
The insulating member 128 can also fully or partially support the first and
second inductor coils 124, 126. For example, as shown in Figure 2, the first
and second
inductor coils 124, 126 are positioned around the insulating member 128 and
are in
contact with a radially outward surface of the insulating member 128. In some
examples
the insulating member 128 does not abut the first and second inductor coils
124, 126.
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For example, a small gap may be present between the outer surface of the
insulating
member 128 and the inner surface of the first and second inductor coils 124,
126.
In a specific example, the susceptor 132, the insulating member 128, and the
first and second inductor coils 124, 126 are coaxial around a central
longitudinal axis
of the susceptor 132.
Figure 3 shows a side view of device 100 in partial cross-section. The outer
cover 102 is present in this example. The rectangular cross-sectional shape of
the first
and second inductor coils 124, 126 is more clearly visible.
The device 100 further comprises a support 136 which engages one end of the
susceptor 132 to hold the susceptor 132 in place. The support 136 is connected
to the
second end member 116.
The device may also comprise a second printed circuit board 138 associated
within the control element 112.
The device 100 further comprises a second lid/cap 140 and a spring 142,
arranged towards the distal end of the device 100. The spring 142 allows the
second lid
140 to be opened, to provide access to the susceptor 132. A user may open the
second
lid 140 to clean the susceptor 132 and/or the support 136.
The device 100 further comprises an expansion chamber 144 which extends
away from a proximal end of the susceptor 132 towards the opening 104 of the
device.
Located at least partially within the expansion chamber 144 is a retention
clip 146 to
abut and hold the article 110 when received within the device 100. The
expansion
chamber 144 is connected to the end member 106.
Figure 4 is an exploded view of the device 100 of Figure 1, with the outer
cover
102 omitted.
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Figure 5A depicts a cross section of a portion of the device 100 of Figure 1.
Figure 5B depicts a close-up of a region of Figure 5A. Figures 5A and 5B show
the
article 110 received within the susceptor 132, where the article 110 is
dimensioned so
that the outer surface of the article 110 abuts the inner surface of the
susceptor 132.
This ensures that the heating is most efficient. The article 110 of this
example comprises
aerosol generating material 110a. The aerosol generating material 110a is
positioned
within the susceptor 132. The article 110 may also comprise other components
such as
a filter, wrapping materials and/or a cooling structure.
Figure 5B shows that the outer surface of the susceptor 132 is spaced apart
from
the inner surface of the inductor coils 124, 126 by a distance 150, measured
in a
direction perpendicular to a longitudinal axis 158 of the susceptor 132. In
one particular
example, the distance 150 is about 3mm to 4mm, about 3-3.5mm, or about 3.25mm.
Figure 5B further shows that the outer surface of the insulating member 128 is
spaced apart from the inner surface of the inductor coils 124, 126 by a
distance 152,
measured in a direction perpendicular to a longitudinal axis 158 of the
susceptor 132.
In one particular example, the distance 152 is about 0.05mm. In another
example, the
distance 152 is substantially Omm, such that the inductor coils 124, 126 abut
and touch
the insulating member 128.
In one example, the susceptor 132 has a wall thickness 154 of about 0.025mm
to lmm, or about 0.05mm.
In one example, the susceptor 132 has a length of about 40mm to 60mm, about
40-45mm, or about 44.5mm.
In one example, the insulating member 128 has a wall thickness 156 of about
0.25mm to 2mm, 0.25 to lmm, or about 0.5mm.
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The end member 116 may further house one or more electrical components,
such as a socket/port 114. The socket 114 in this example is a female USB
charging
port.
Referring to Figures 6A and 6B, there is shown a partially cut-away section
view
and a perspective view of an example of an aerosol generating article 110. The
article
110. In use, the article 110 is removably inserted into the device 100 shown
in Figure
1 at the opening 104 of the device 100.
The article 110 of one example is in the form of a substantially cylindrical
rod
that includes a body of aerosol generating material 303 and a filter assembly
305 in the
form of a rod. The filter assembly 305 includes three segments, a cooling
segment 307,
a filter segment 309 and a mouth end segment 311. The article 110 has a first
end 313,
also known as a mouth end or a proximal end and a second end 315, also known
as a
distal end. The body of aerosol generating material 303 is located towards the
distal
end 315 of the article 110. In one example, the cooling segment 307 is located
adjacent
the body of aerosol generating material 303 between the body of aerosol
generating
material 303 and the filter segment 309, such that the cooling segment 307 is
in an
abutting relationship with the aerosol generating material 303 and the filter
segment
309. In other examples, there may be a separation between the body of aerosol
generating material 303 and the cooling segment 307 and between the body of
aerosol
generating material 303 and the filter segment 309. The filter segment 309 is
located
in between the cooling segment 307 and the mouth end segment 311. The mouth
end
segment 311 is located towards the proximal end 313 of the article 110,
adjacent the
filter segment 309. In one example, the filter segment 309 is in an abutting
relationship
with the mouth end segment 311. In one embodiment, the total length of the
filter
assembly 305 is between 37mm and 45mm, more preferably, the total length of
the
filter assembly 305 is 41mm.
In one embodiment, the body of aerosol generating material 303 comprises
tobacco. However, in other respective embodiments, the body of aerosol
generating
material 303 may consist of tobacco, may consist substantially entirely of
tobacco, may
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comprise tobacco and aerosol generating material other than tobacco, may
comprise
aerosol generating material other than tobacco, or may be free of tobacco. The
aerosol
generating material may include aerosol generating agent, such as glycerol.
5 In one
example, the body of aerosol generating material 303 is between 34mm
and 50mm in length, more preferably, the body of aerosol generating material
303 is
between 38mm and 46mm in length, more preferably still, the body of aerosol
generating material 303 is 42mm in length.
10 In one
example, the total length of the article 110 is between 71mm and 95mm,
more preferably, total length of the article 110 is between 79mm and 87mm,
more
preferably still, total length of the article 110 is 83mm.
An axial end of the body of aerosol generating material 303 is visible at the
15 distal
end 315 of the article 110. However, in other embodiments, the distal end 315
of
the article 110 may comprise an end member (not shown) covering the axial end
of the
body of aerosol generating material 303.
The body of aerosol generating material 303 is joined to the filter assembly
305
20 by
annular tipping paper (not shown), which is located substantially around the
circumference of the filter assembly 305 to surround the filter assembly 305
and extends
partially along the length of the body of aerosol generating material 303. In
one
example, the tipping paper is made of 58GSM standard tipping base paper. In
one
example has a length of between 42mm and 50mm, and more preferably, the
tipping
paper has a length of 46mm.
In one example, the cooling segment 307 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 303 to flow. The cooling segment 307 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
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110 is in use during insertion into the device 100. In one example, the
thickness of the
wall of the cooling segment 307 is approximately 0.29mm.
The cooling segment 307 provides a physical displacement between the aerosol
generating material 303 and the filter segment 309. The physical displacement
provided
by the cooling segment 307 will provide a thermal gradient across the length
of the
cooling segment 307. In one example the cooling segment 307 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 307 and a heated
volatilised
component exiting a second end of the cooling segment 307. In one example the
cooling segment 307 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 307 and a heated volatilised component exiting a second end of
the
cooling segment 307. This temperature differential across the length of the
cooling
.. element 307 protects the temperature sensitive filter segment 309 from the
high
temperatures of the aerosol generating material 303 when it is heated by the
heating
arrangement of the device 100. If the physical displacement was not provided
between
the filter segment 309 and the body of aerosol generating material 303 and the
heating
elements of the device 100, then the temperature sensitive filter segment may
309
become damaged in use, so it would not perform its required functions as
effectively.
In one example the length of the cooling segment 307 is at least 15mm. In one
example, the length of the cooling segment 307 is between 20mm and 30mm, more
particularly 23mm to 27mm, more particularly 25mm to 27mm and more
particularly
25mm.
The cooling segment 307 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 arrangement of the device 100. In one
example, the
cooling segment 307 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
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manufacturing processes with respect to tube length, outer diameter, roundness
and
straightness.
In another example, the cooling segment 307 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 110 is in
use during
insertion into the device 100.
For each of the examples of the cooling segment 307, the dimensional accuracy
of the cooling segment is sufficient to meet the dimensional accuracy
requirements of
high-speed manufacturing process.
The filter segment 309 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 309 is made of
a mono-
acetate material, such as cellulose acetate. The filter segment 309 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.
The density of the cellulose acetate tow material of the filter segment 309
controls the pressure drop across the filter segment 309, which in turn
controls the draw
resistance of the article 110. Therefore the selection of the material of the
filter segment
309 is important in controlling the resistance to draw of the article 110. In
addition, the
filter segment 309 performs a filtration function in the article 110.
In one example, the filter segment 309 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 which consequentially reduces the irritation and throat impact of the
heated
volatilised material to satisfactory levels.
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The presence of the filter segment 309 provides an insulating effect by
providing
further cooling to the heated volatilised components that exit the cooling
segment 307.
This further cooling effect reduces the contact temperature of the user's lips
on the
surface of the filter segment 309.
One or more flavours may be added to the filter segment 309 in the form of
either direct injection of flavoured liquids into the filter segment 309 or by
embedding
or arranging one or more flavoured breakable capsules or other flavour
carriers within
the cellulose acetate tow of the filter segment 309.
In one example, the filter segment 309 is between 6mm to lOmm in length, more
preferably 8mm.
The mouth end segment 311 is an annular tube and is located around and defines
an air gap within the mouth end segment 311. The air gap provides a chamber
for
heated volatilised components that flow from the filter segment 309. The mouth
end
segment 311 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
100. In one
example, the thickness of the wall of the mouth end segment 311 is
approximately
0.29mm.
In one example, the length of the mouth end segment 311 is between 6mm to
lOmm and more preferably 8mm. In one example, the thickness of the mouth end
segment is 0.29mm.
The mouth end segment 311 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
requirements of high-speed manufacturing processes with respect to tube
length, outer
diameter, roundness and straightness.
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The mouth end segment 311 provides the function of preventing any liquid
condensate that accumulates at the exit of the filter segment 309 from coming
into direct
contact with a user.
It should be appreciated that, in one example, the mouth end segment 311 and
the cooling segment 307 may be formed of a single tube and the filter segment
309 is
located within that tube separating the mouth end segment 311 and the cooling
segment
307.
A ventilation region 317 is provided in the article 110 to enable air to flow
into
the interior of the article 110 from the exterior of the article 110. 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 110. 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 110 in a cross-
section that is
substantially perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of the article 110.
In one example, there are between one to four rows of ventilation holes to
provide ventilation for the article 110. 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 500iim in diameter. In one example, an axial separation between rows of
ventilation holes 317 is between 0.25mm and 0.75mm, more preferably, an axial
separation between rows of ventilation holes 317 is 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 110. The
ventilation holes
317 are positioned so as to provide effective cooling to the article 110.
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In one example, the rows of ventilation holes 317 are located at least 1 lmm
from the proximal end 313 of the article, more preferably the ventilation
holes are
located between 17mm and 20mm from the proximal end 313 of the article 110.
The
location of the ventilation holes 317 is positioned such that user does not
block the
5 ventilation holes 317 when the article 110 is in use.
Advantageously, providing the rows of ventilation holes between 17mm and
20mm from the proximal end 313 of the article 110 enables the ventilation
holes 317 to
be located outside of the device 100, when the article 110 is fully inserted
in the device
10 100, as can be seen in Figure 1. By locating the ventilation holes
outside of the
apparatus, non-heated air is able to enter the article 110 through the
ventilation holes
from outside the device 100 to aid with the cooling of the article 110.
The length of the cooling segment 307 is such that the cooling segment 307
will
15 be partially inserted into the device 100, when the article 110 is fully
inserted into the
device 100. The length of the cooling segment 307 provides a first function of
providing a physical gap between the heater arrangement of the device 100 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
20 100, when the article 110 is fully inserted into the device 100. As can
be seen from
Figure 1, the majority of the cooling element 307 is located within the device
100.
However, there is a portion of the cooling element 307 that extends out of the
device
100. It is in this portion of the cooling element 307 that extends out of the
device 100
in which the ventilation holes 317 are located.
In the illustrated embodiment, the article has a total length of 83mm,
including
a 42mm long cylindrical tobacco rod (diameter 5.4mm) containing approximately
260 mg of aerosol generating material. The article has a ventilation ratio of
75%. This
is used in a device having a susceptor with a length of 44.5mm and an internal
diameter
of 5.55mm.
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In another embodiment (not illustrated), the article has a total length of
75mm,
including a 34mm long cylindrical tobacco rod (diameter 6.7mm) containing
approximately 340 mg of aerosol generating material. The article may have a
ventilation ratio of 60%. This is used in a device having a susceptor with a
length of
36mm and an internal diameter of 7.1mm.
Examples
The device illustrated in Figures 1 to 5B and the article illustrated in
Figures 6A
and 6B, each described above, were employed in these examples.
- The susceptor was 44.5mm in length and had an internal diameter of
5.55mm.
- A number of aerosol generating articles were tested and the data shown
below are mean values (unless stated otherwise). The articles had a total
length of 83mm, including a 42mm long cylindrical tobacco rod (diameter
5.4mm) containing approximately 260 mg of a reconstituted tobacco
material with a nicotine content of 0.8wt% ( 0.1wt%) and a glycerol content
of 15wt% ( 2wt%) calculated on a dry weight basis. The ventilation ratio
was 75%.
The device had two heating profiles pre-programmed, and these are illustrated
in Figures 7A and 7B. In each program, the mouth end coil is heated first and
the distal
coil is heated second. Figures 8A and 8B show the tobacco temperature in the
respective heating zones for the two pre-programmed heating profiles (for a
number of
samples, without puffing.).
A simulated puff regime was employed in the example. In this regime, the first
puff occurs two seconds after the device is turned on (in order to allow time
for the
heater to warm the tobacco). Thereafter, a 55mL two-second draw through the
device
mouthpiece was completed every thirty seconds (i.e. 50s, 80s, 110s, 140s etc.
after the
device was turned on) (i.e. the airflow for each puff was 1.65 L/min). The
heat profile
shown in Figure 7A is a 3-minute session, allowing for 7 puffs under this
regime (where
the final puff is taken after the heater has turned off but enough residual
heat is present
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to generate an aerosol). The heat profile shown in Figure 7B is a 4-minute
session,
allowing for 9 puffs under this regime (with the final puff again being taken
after the
heater has turned off). (The Figure 7B profile uses a lower maximum
temperature,
resulting is reduced aerosol generation early in the session, and consequently
allowing
for a longer session.)
Mean nicotine delivery from the tested articles is shown in Figure 9. This
shows
the nicotine delivery per puff and the total nicotine delivery for each of the
heating
profiles from Figure 7.
Mean glycerol delivery from the tested articles is shown in Figure 10. This
shows the glycerol delivery per puff and the total glycerol delivery for each
of the
heating profiles from Figure 7.
Definitions
As used herein, the term an "aerosol generating agent" is an agent that
promotes
the generation of an aerosol. An aerosol generating agent may promote the
generation
of an aerosol by promoting an initial vapourisation and/or the condensation of
a gas to
an inhalable solid and/or liquid aerosol. In some embodiments, an aerosol
generating
agent may improve the delivery of organoleptic components from the aerosol
generating material. 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. Suitably, the aerosol
generating agent may comprise, substantially consist of, or consist of
glycerol,
propylene glycol, triacetin and/or ethyl myristate. In some cases, the aerosol
generating
agent may comprise, substantially consist of, or consist of glycerol and/or
propylene
glycol.
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As used herein, the terms "flavour" 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,
Japanese white bark magnolia leaf, chamomile, fenugreek, clove, menthol,
Japanese
mint, aniseed, cinnamon, herb, wintergreen, cherry, berry, peach, apple,
Drambuie,
bourbon, scotch, whiskey, spearmint, peppermint, lavender, cardamom, celery,
cascarilla, nutmeg, sandalwood, bergamot, geranium, honey essence, rose oil,
vanilla,
lemon oil, orange oil, cassia, caraway, cognac, jasmine, ylang-ylang, sage,
fennel,
piment, ginger, anise, coriander, coffee, or a mint oil from any species of
the genus
Mentha), 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 comprise natural or nature-identical
aroma
chemicals. They may be in any suitable form, for example, oil, liquid, powder,
or gel.
As used herein, the term "filler" may refer to 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. Alternatively, the term filler
may refer to
one or more organic filler materials such as wood pulp, cellulose and
cellulose
derivatives. The filler may comprise organic and inorganic filler materials.
As used herein, the term "binder" may refer to alginates, celluloses or
modified
celluloses, starches or modified starches, or natural gums. Suitable binders
include, but
are not limited to: alginate salts comprising any suitable cation; celluloses
or modified
celluloses, such as hydroxypropyl cellulose and carboxymethylcellulose;
starches or
modified starches; polysaccharides such as pectin salts comprising any
suitable cation,
such as sodium, potassium, calcium or magnesium pectate; xanthan gum, guar
gum,
and any other suitable natural gums; and mixtures thereof. In some
embodiments, the
binder comprises, substantially consists of or consists of one or more
alginate salts
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selected from sodium alginate, calcium alginate, potassium alginate or
ammonium
alginate.
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.
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".
CA 03132766 2021-09-07
WO 2020/182765 PCT/EP2020/056261
The above embodiments are to be understood as illustrative examples of the
invention. 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
5 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.
