CN112888323A

CN112888323A - Cooling element

Info

Publication number: CN112888323A
Application number: CN201980065806.XA
Authority: CN
Inventors: 保罗·莫里斯; 阿里耶夫·拉赫曼; 苏迪尔曼·维迪阿托·维迪阿托; 米歇尔·格雷格
Original assignee: Essentra Filter Products Development Co Pte Ltd
Current assignee: Essentra Filter Products Development Co Pte Ltd
Priority date: 2018-10-08
Filing date: 2019-10-07
Publication date: 2021-06-01
Anticipated expiration: 2039-10-07
Also published as: EP3863434A2; WO2020074420A2; CN116473274A; JP2022504378A; CN112888323B; WO2020074420A3; KR20210069684A; US20210329966A1

Abstract

The invention provides a cooling element (4) for use with a smoking article, such as a tobacco heating product (1) or a product (1) which is heated to be non-combustible, the cooling element (4) having a longitudinally extending core of cellulose acetate material, the longitudinally extending core of cellulose acetate material having a profiled outer surface comprising a plurality of grooves or channels (9), the plurality of grooves or channels (9) extending the entire length of the core.

Description

Cooling element

Technical Field

The present invention provides a cooling element for use with a smoking article such as a tobacco heating product or a product which is heated without combustion.

Background

Tobacco heating products or products which are heated without burning (HNB) are well known. The idea of tobacco heating products is to heat tobacco to a particular temperature (e.g., 350 ℃) without burning. This releases nicotine-containing vapors, but it is believed that heating without combustion avoids the production of combustion products that are harmful to the consumer.

Tobacco heating products (HNB products) may include modified tobacco plugs and other mouthpiece elements wrapped in paper plugwrap to provide a cigarette-like appearance. In one such product, a reconstituted tobacco plug, wrapped hollow acetate tube, wrapped PLA (polylactic acid) plug, and conventional wrapped acetate section are all wrapped in white paper. The product may then be inserted into a heating element that heats the tobacco, which may then be "smoked" by the consumer. The function of the "filter" in these products is distinct from that of cigarette filters; the primary function is to provide the look and feel of the cigarette and to cool the smoke to a temperature acceptable to the consumer. In the above products, the PLA section performs an important cooling function.

PLA sections have disadvantages in terms of usability, manufacturability, filtration properties (particularly those associated with phenols), feel, firmness, biodegradability and appearance.

Disclosure of Invention

According to a first aspect of the present invention there is provided a cooling element (e.g. for a tobacco heating product and/or an HNB product) comprising a longitudinally extending core made (e.g. thermoformed) from a cellulose acetate material; a longitudinally extending core made of a cellulose acetate material has a profiled outer surface comprising a plurality of (e.g. longitudinally extending) (e.g. C-shaped or U-shaped) grooves or channels having a depth (e.g. maximum depth) of 0.5 to 2.6mm, the plurality of grooves or channels extending over the entire length (of the outer surface) of the core.

The cooling element may further comprise an outer wrap engaged around the longitudinally extending core, the outer wrap together with the profiled outer surface of the core defining a plurality of covered (e.g. longitudinally extending) grooves or channels of a depth (e.g. maximum depth) of 0.5 to 2.6mm, the plurality of grooves or channels extending over the entire length (of the outer surface) of the core. The outer wrapper may be a paper (e.g. plugwrap), preferably a paper having a basis weight of 40 to 160gsm (e.g. plugwrap), for example a paper having a basis weight of 70 to 150gsm (e.g. plugwrap), for example a paper having a basis weight of 70 to 140gsm (e.g. plugwrap).

The longitudinally extending core may be a longitudinally extending tubular core made of a cellulose acetate material, the longitudinally extending tubular core made of a cellulose acetate material having an inner surface defining a bore (or aperture) extending longitudinally through the entire length of the tubular core and a profiled outer surface comprising a plurality of (e.g. longitudinally extending) (e.g. C-shaped or U-shaped) grooves or channels having a depth (e.g. maximum depth) of 0.5 to 2.6mm, the plurality of grooves or channels extending over the entire length (of the outer surface) of the tubular core.

According to an aspect of the present invention, there is provided a cooling element (e.g. for a tobacco heating product and/or an HNB product) comprising a longitudinally extending tubular core made (e.g. thermoformed) from a cellulose acetate material; a longitudinally extending tubular core made of a cellulose acetate material has an inner surface defining a bore extending longitudinally through the entire length of the tubular core and a profiled outer surface comprising a plurality of (e.g. longitudinally extending) (e.g. U-shaped) grooves or channels having a depth (e.g. maximum depth) of 0.5 to 2.6mm extending over the entire length of the tubular core (of the outer surface).

The cooling element may further comprise an outer wrap engaged around the longitudinally extending tubular core, the outer wrap defining, together with the profiled outer surface of the core, a plurality of covered (e.g. longitudinally extending) grooves or channels of a depth (e.g. maximum depth) of 0.5 to 2.6mm, the plurality of grooves or channels extending over the entire length (of the outer surface) of the tubular core. The outer wrapper may be paper (e.g. plugwrap), preferably paper having a basis weight of 40 to 160gsm (e.g. plugwrap), for example paper having a basis weight of 70 to 150gsm (e.g. plugwrap), for example paper having a basis weight of 70 to 140gsm (e.g. plugwrap).

Applicants have found that cellulose acetate cooling elements can provide adequate cooling while providing a consumer with a pleasing look and feel.

In some examples, the cooling element of the present invention has zero or substantially zero tobacco smoke filtration. In other examples, the cooling element of the present invention may have a tobacco smoke filtering effect.

Preferably, the profiled outer surface defines 3 to 10, such as 3 to 7, such as 4 to 6, such as 5 (e.g. longitudinally extending) channels having a depth of 0.5mm to 2.6 mm. The channel is preferably a longitudinally extending groove or channel extending over the entire length (of the outer surface) of the (e.g. tubular) core. However, the channel may be helical, although still extending over the entire length (of the outer surface) of the (e.g. tubular) core. The depth (e.g. maximum depth) of each channel is 0.5 to 2.5mm, e.g. 0.8 to 2.2mm, e.g. 1.30 to 2.1mm, preferably 1.35 to 2mm, e.g. 1.4 to 1.9 mm. The width (e.g. maximum width) of each channel is 1.0 to 3.0mm, e.g. 1.30 to 2.1mm, preferably 1.35 to 2mm, e.g. 1.4 to 1.9 mm.

Preferably, the length of the cooling element is 5 to 35mm, such as 10 to 25mm, such as 15 to 20mm, such as 18 mm.

Preferably, the circumference of the cooling element is 12 to 30mm, such as 15 to 28mm, more preferably 17 to 25mm, such as 18 to 25mm, such as 20 to 24mm, such as 22 to 24mm, such as 23.2 mm. The term "perimeter" when used with respect to a grooved/channeled cooling element refers to an imaginary circular line that extends around the outer (circular) portion of the cooling element but omits the channel.

Preferably, the longitudinally extending core made of cellulose acetate material has a uniform axial cross section.

Preferably, the longitudinally extending tubular core of cellulose acetate material (if the core is tubular) has a uniform axial cross-section. The holes are preferably circular, but may have different shapes [ circular, semi-circular (D-shaped), square, triangular, hollow star, trilobal, pentagonal or toothed cross-sections, or cross-sections having a shape in a logo or other pattern ].

The cooling element may comprise more than one hole.

The cooling element may be thermoformed from cellulose acetate by methods known in the art. The cellulose acetate may also include a plasticizer (e.g., triacetin, triethylene glycol diacetate (TEGDA), or polyethylene glycol (PEG) or other plasticizers, or mixtures of plasticizers).

The applicant has surprisingly found that a cooling element according to this aspect of the invention may provide effective cooling of the vapour together with other components of the mouthpiece. This is particularly surprising given the conventional wisdom that cellulose acetate segments are not capable of performing this function.

According to the present invention there is provided a smoking article (e.g. a tobacco heating product, HNB product) comprising a cooling element as described herein and claimed below.

It will be appreciated that the cooling element may be used in any multi-segment filter or consumable. The filter configuration may be two, three, four or more segments. The filter may be attached to a tobacco rod (the tobacco rod may be made of any form of tobacco, including reconstituted tobacco). The filter may include other segments including capsules, carbon, CPS, tubes, acetate, paper, menthol, and the like.

According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a smoking article (e.g. a tobacco heating product, HNB product) comprising: a hollow tubular element (e.g., formed from a cellulose acetate material) having a bore with a diameter a; and a cooling element abutted to the hollow tubular element, the cooling element comprising a longitudinally extending core (e.g., thermoformed) of a cellulose acetate material; a longitudinally extending core made of a cellulose acetate material has a profiled outer surface comprising a plurality of (e.g. longitudinally extending) (e.g. C-shaped or U-shaped) grooves or channels having a depth (e.g. maximum depth) of 0.5 to 2.6mm, the plurality of grooves or channels extending over the entire length (of the outer surface) of the core; wherein the diameter a is sufficiently large that a portion of the bore of the tubular element is aligned with at least a portion of the grooves (channels), preferably with each groove (channel).

The smoking article may further comprise an outer wrapper engaged around the hollow tubular element having the bore of diameter a and a cooling element. Which together with the profiled outer surface of the core of the cooling element defines a plurality of covered (e.g. longitudinally extending) grooves or channels of a depth of 0.5 to 2.6mm extending over the entire length (of the outer surface) of the tubular core of the cooling element. The outer wrapper may be paper (e.g. plugwrap), preferably paper having a basis weight of 40 to 160gsm (e.g. plugwrap), for example paper having a basis weight of 70 to 150gsm (e.g. plugwrap), for example paper having a basis weight of 70 to 140gsm (e.g. plugwrap).

According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a smoking article (e.g. a tobacco heating product, HNB product) comprising: a hollow tubular element (e.g., formed from a cellulose acetate material) having a bore with a diameter a; and a cooling element abutted to the hollow tubular element, the cooling element comprising a longitudinally extending tubular core made (e.g., thermoformed) of a cellulose acetate material; a longitudinally extending tubular core made of a cellulose acetate material having an inner surface defining a bore extending longitudinally through the entire length of the tubular core and a profiled outer surface comprising a plurality of (e.g. longitudinally extending) (e.g. C-shaped or U-shaped) grooves or channels having a depth (e.g. maximum depth) of 0.5 to 2.6mm, the plurality of grooves or channels extending over the entire length (of the outer surface) of the tubular core; wherein the diameter a is sufficiently large such that a part of the bore of the hollow tubular element is aligned with (e.g. a part of) the bore of the cooling element and a part of the bore of the tubular element is aligned with at least a part of the grooves (channels), preferably with each groove (channel).

The smoking article may further comprise an outer wrapper engaged around the hollow tubular element having the bore of diameter a and a cooling element. Which together with the profiled outer surface of the core of the cooling element defines a plurality of covered (e.g. longitudinally extending) grooves or channels of a depth of 0.5 to 2.6mm, which extend over the entire length (of the outer surface) of the tubular core of the cooling element. The outer wrapper may be a paper (e.g. plugwrap), preferably a paper having a basis weight of 40 to 160gsm (e.g. plugwrap), for example a paper having a basis weight of 70 to 150gsm (e.g. plugwrap), for example a paper having a basis weight of 70 to 140gsm (e.g. plugwrap).

Preferably, the profiled outer surface of the cooling element defines 3 to 10, such as 3 to 7, such as 4 to 6, such as 5 (e.g. longitudinally extending) channels having a depth (e.g. maximum depth) of 0.5mm to 2.6 mm. The channel is preferably a longitudinally extending groove or channel extending over the entire length (of the outer surface) of the (e.g. tubular) core. However, the channel may be helical, although still extending over the entire length (of the outer surface) of the (e.g. tubular) core.

The depth (e.g. maximum depth) of each channel is 0.5 to 2.5mm, e.g. 0.8 to 2.2mm, e.g. 1.30 to 2.1mm, preferably 1.35 to 2mm, e.g. 1.4 to 1.9 mm. The width (e.g. maximum width) of each channel is 1.0 to 3.0mm, e.g. 1.30 to 2.1mm, preferably 1.35 to 2mm, e.g. 1.4 to 1.9 mm.

Preferably, the circumference of the cooling element is 12 to 30mm, such as 15 to 28mm, more preferably 17 to 25mm, such as 18 to 25mm, such as 20 to 24mm, such as 22 to 24mm, such as 23.2 mm. The term "perimeter" when used with respect to a grooved belt/channel cooling element refers to an imaginary circular line extending around the outer (circular) portion of the cooling element but ignoring the channel.

Preferably, the holes of the cooling element, if present, have a diameter of 1 to 5mm, for example a diameter of 1 to 4mm, for example a diameter of 2 to 4 mm.

The circumference of the hollow tubular element is 12 to 30mm, for example 15 to 28mm, for example 18 to 25mm, preferably 20 to 24mm, more preferably 22 to 24mm, for example 23.2 mm. Preferably, the circumference of the hollow tubular element is the same as the circumference of the cooling element.

The hollow tubular element may have a wall with a thickness of 0.3mm to 5.5mm, for example a wall with a thickness of 0.4 to 5.5mm, for example a wall with a thickness of 0.5 to 2.5mm, preferably a wall with a thickness of 1 to 2 mm. The hollow tubular element may have a wall with a thickness of 0.4 to 1.0 mm. The hollow tubular element may have a wall with a thickness of 1.0 to 5.5 mm.

Preferably, the hollow tubular element has a bore with a diameter a of 3 to 10mm, for example 4 to 6mm, for example 5 mm.

Preferably, the hollow tubular element has a length of 5 to 25mm, such as 5 to 20mm, such as 6 to 10mm, such as 7 mm.

The applicant has surprisingly found that a cooling element according to this aspect of the invention may provide effective cooling of the vapour together with other components of the mouthpiece. This is particularly surprising given the conventional wisdom that cellulose acetate segments are not capable of performing this function. It is believed that the interaction between the hollow acetate tubes and the cooling element provides multiple paths for the vapor to flow through the cellulose acetate cooling element, thereby providing adequate cooling.

According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a cooling element (e.g. for a tobacco heating product and/or an HNB product) comprising a longitudinally extending tubular core made (e.g. thermoformed) from a cellulose acetate material; a longitudinally extending tubular core made of a cellulose acetate material has an inner surface defining a bore (or aperture) extending longitudinally through the entire length of the tubular core and a profiled outer surface comprising a (e.g. longitudinally extending) (e.g. C-shaped or U-shaped) plurality of grooves or channels extending over the entire length of the (outer surface of the) tubular core. Preferably, the depth (e.g., maximum depth) of the groove or channel is 1.30 to 2.6 mm.

According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a cooling element (e.g. for a tobacco heating product and/or an HNB product) comprising a longitudinally extending core made (e.g. thermoformed) from a cellulose acetate material; a longitudinally extending core made of a cellulose acetate material has a profiled outer surface comprising a (e.g. longitudinally extending) (e.g. C-or U-shaped) plurality of grooves or channels extending over the entire length of the core (of the outer surface). Preferably, the depth (e.g., maximum depth) of the groove or channel is 1.30 to 2.6 mm.

According to another aspect of the present invention there is provided the use of a cooling element in a tobacco heating product and/or HNB product, the cooling element comprising a longitudinally extending tubular core made (e.g. thermoformed) from a cellulose acetate material; a longitudinally extending tubular core made of a cellulose acetate material has an inner surface defining a bore (or aperture) extending longitudinally through the entire length of the tubular core and a profiled outer surface comprising a (e.g. longitudinally extending) (e.g. U-shaped) plurality of grooves or channels extending over the entire length of the (outer surface of the) tubular core. Preferably, the depth (e.g. maximum depth) of the groove or channel is 1.30 to 2.6 mm.

According to another aspect of the present invention there is provided the use of a cooling element in a tobacco heating product and/or HNB product, the cooling element comprising a longitudinally extending core made (e.g. thermoformed) from a cellulose acetate material; a longitudinally extending core made of a cellulose acetate material has a profiled outer surface comprising a plurality of (e.g. longitudinally extending) (e.g. C-shaped or U-shaped) grooves or channels extending over the entire length of the core (of the outer surface). Preferably, the depth (e.g., maximum depth) of the groove or channel is 1.30 to 2.6 mm.

Drawings

The invention will now be discussed in more detail with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which,

figure 1 shows (not to scale) a longitudinal cross-section of a tobacco heating product according to the invention comprising a cooling element according to the invention;

FIG. 2 shows (not to scale) an axial cross-section (along line X-X of FIG. 1) of the cooling element of the present invention shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 shows (not to scale) an axial cross-section (along line X-X of FIG. 1) of a cooling element, also of the invention, which is different from that of FIG. 2 and which can be used in the tobacco heating product according to the invention shown in FIG. 1; and

fig. 4 compares the pressure drop (mmWG) of the cooling element (B, C, D, E) of the present invention with the pressure drop (mmWG) of a conventional PLA cooling element (a).

Detailed Description

Fig. 1 shows a longitudinal cross-section along the centre line of a cylindrical HNB product 1. The cylindrical HNB product 1 comprises four sections: a cylindrical plug 2 of reconstituted tobacco; a cylindrical hollow acetate fiber tube 3; a cooling element 4; and a cylindrical plug 5 of cellulose acetate tow.

The plug 2 of reconstituted tobacco 2 is 12mm long and has a circumference of 23.2mm, and the plug 2 of reconstituted tobacco forms one end of the HNB product 1. Such plugs are well known in the art. The plug is heated in use by heating means well known in the art. The plug 2 of reconstituted tobacco material was abutted at one end to a 7mm long cylindrical hollow acetate tube 3, the cylindrical hollow acetate tube 3 also having a circumference of 23.2mm and a wall thickness of 1.3 mm. The tube 3 has a cylindrical bore 3 a. The end of the cylindrical hollow acetate tube 3 opposite the plug 2 abuts against the cooling element 4. Hollow acetate tubes and the manufacture of hollow acetate tubes are well known in the art of tobacco smoke filters (see, for example, GB970817, for example the embodiment of figure 7 and the associated discussion).

The cooling element 4 comprises a longitudinally extending tubular core of thermoformed cellulose acetate material having a length of 18 mm. A longitudinally extending tubular core of cellulose acetate material is thermoformed to have an inner surface defining a hole (or aperture) 8 of diameter 2mm extending longitudinally through the entire length of the tubular core and a profiled outer surface comprising five longitudinally extending channels or grooves 9 of generally shallow U-shape in cross section having a maximum depth of 1.80mm and a width of 1.5mm, the five longitudinally extending channels or grooves 9 extending over the entire length of the tubular core. The five channels 9 are equally spaced around the periphery of the profiled outer surface (as can be seen in figure 2). As shown in fig. 2, the longitudinally extending tubular core made of cellulose acetate material has a uniform axial cross-section. It will be appreciated that the cooling element 4 may be considered to be generally annular in cross-section, with five grooves or channels 9 of shallow U-shape disposed equidistantly around the periphery of the cooling element 4. The term "perimeter" when used with respect to a grooved/channeled cooling element refers to an imaginary circular line that extends around the outer (circular) portion of the cooling element but omits the channel; thus, the circumference of the element is about 23.2mm, such that the element is generally aligned with the outer surface of the hollow acetate tube 3 (which has a similar circumference) against which the element abuts. The cooling element 4 is thermoformed using a steam bonding process, as is well known in the art. The cellulose acetate tow is processed and then fed into a steam die having a lead-in but tapered to a desired cross-sectional size and shape (e.g., the cross-section shown in fig. 2). As the tow passes through the die, the tow is shaped and partially cured to form the desired shape. More than one steam mould may be provided, which may be followed by a plurality of drying stations that blow hot air onto the sticks to remove any excess steam/moisture from the sticks. The rods were then fed into the following fittings: at the fitting, the rod is pulled through and cut to the desired length.

The cylindrical plug 5 is 8mm in length and 23.2mm in circumference and comprises a rod made of cellulose acetate tow around which a plug wrap is arranged. Such "wrapped cellulose acetate" plugs are well known in the art of tobacco smoke filters. The plug 5 abuts to the end of the cooling element 4 opposite to the hollow acetate tube 3 so that the cooling element 4 is located between the plug 5 and the hollow acetate tube 3.

The cylindrical plug 2 of reconstituted tobacco, the cylindrical hollow acetate tube 3, the cooling element 4 and the cylindrical plug of cellulose acetate tow 5 (as is well known in the art) are further wrapped with a conventional plug wrap (not shown) of plugwrap which surrounds the plug 2, tube 3, element 4 and plug 5 and which provides a cigarette-like appearance.

The diameter of the bore 3a (which diameter may be referred to herein as dimension "a") is large enough such that a portion of the bore 3a of the tubular element 3 is aligned with a bore 8 (e.g., a portion) of the cooling element and a portion of the bore of the tubular element is aligned with at least a portion (i.e., the lowermost end) of each groove (channel) 9. Thus, it will be appreciated that the outer grooves or channels 9 and the central bore 8 of the cooling element 4 partially overlap the wider bore 3a of the hollow acetate tube 3. During use, hot steam from the tobacco plug (heated in a conventional manner) is drawn through the holes 3a of the hollow acetate tube 3 and into the holes 8 and passages 9 of the cooling element 4 and then into and through the finished acetate plug 5 to the mouth of the smoker. It is believed that this suction of hot steam through both the holes 8 and the channels 9 of the cooling element 4 provides sufficient cooling, an effect that is not expected by the cellulose acetate material.

It will be appreciated that the hollow acetate tube, wrapped acetate segment and cooling element may be manufactured by methods well known in the art.

Fig. 3 shows (not to scale) an axial cross-section (along the line X-X in fig. 1) of a different cooling element 40 'also according to the invention, which cooling element 40' can be used in the tobacco heating product according to the invention shown in fig. 1. It will be appreciated that the heating element 40' may be used in place of the element 4 in the tobacco heating product according to the invention shown in figure 1.

The cooling element 40' comprises a longitudinally extending core thermoformed from a length of 18mm of cellulose acetate material. A longitudinally extending core of cellulose acetate material is thermoformed to have a profiled outer surface comprising five longitudinally extending channels or grooves 90' of generally shallow U-shape in cross section having a maximum depth of 1.80mm and a width of 1.5mm, the longitudinally extending channels or grooves extending over the entire length of the core. The five channels 90' are equally spaced around the periphery of the profiled outer surface (as can be seen in figure 3). As shown in fig. 3, the longitudinally extending core made of cellulose acetate material has a uniform axial cross-section. It will be appreciated that the cross-section of the cooling element 40 ' may be considered to be generally circular, with five grooves or channels 90 ' of shallow U-shape disposed equidistantly around the periphery of the cooling element 40 '. The term "perimeter" when used with respect to a grooved/channeled cooling element refers to an imaginary circular line that extends around the outer (circular) portion of the cooling element but omits the channel; thus, the perimeter of element 40 'is about 23.2mm such that element 40' is generally aligned with the outer surface of hollow acetate tube 3 shown in fig. 1 (which has a similar perimeter), and element 40 'abuts hollow acetate tube 3 if cooling element 40' is used in place of cooling element 4 in fig. 1. As is well known in the art, the cooling element 40' is thermoformed using a steam bonding process. The cellulose acetate tow is processed and then fed into a steam die having a lead-in but tapered to a desired cross-sectional size and shape (e.g., the cross-section shown in fig. 3). As the tow passes through the die, the tow is shaped and partially cured to form the desired shape. More than one steam mould may be provided, which may be followed by a plurality of drying stations that blow hot air onto the sticks to remove any excess steam/moisture from the sticks. The rods were then fed into the following fittings: at the fitting, the rod is pulled through and cut to the desired length.

If the cooling element of fig. 3 is used in the product of claim 1, it will be understood that the diameter of the bore 3a (which diameter may be referred to herein as dimension "a") is large enough so that a portion of the bore of the tubular element is aligned with at least a portion (i.e., the lowermost end) of each groove (channel) 90'. Thus, it will be appreciated that the external groove or channel 90 'of the cooling element 40' partially overlaps the bore 3a of the hollow acetate tube 3. During use, hot steam (heated in a conventional manner) from the tobacco plug is drawn through the holes 3a of the hollow acetate tube 3 and into the channels 90 'of the cooling element 40' and then into and through the final acetate plug 5 to the mouth of the smoker. The cooling element 40' provides sufficient cooling, an effect that is not expected with cellulose acetate material.

Experiment of

The cooling element (B, C, D, E) of the present invention was manufactured. The cooling elements B and C have a cross-section similar to the cooling element shown in fig. 3, which does not have a central hole or central opening. Thus, the cooling elements B and C have a generally circular cross-section with a circumference of 22.30mm and 5 channels with a depth of 1.2 mm. Cooling elements D and E are cooling elements comprising a central bore as shown in fig. 2. The cooling elements D and E also have a generally circular cross-section with a circumference of 22.30mm and 5 channels with a depth of 1.2mm, but which include a central bore with a diameter of 1.2 mm. Cooling elements B, C, D and E were tested against a conventional PLA cooling element (a) in HNB products.

Five HNB products as shown in fig. 1, each including one of the cooling elements B, C, D, E of the invention or comparative example a (known PLA product), were assembled for testing. Cooling elements A, C and E were used with a hollow acetate fiber tube (element 3 in fig. 1) having a circumference of 22.30mm and a wall thickness of 1.3 mm. The cooling elements B and D were used with a "Thin Wall Tube (TWT)" type hollow acetate fiber tube (element 3 in FIG. 1) having a circumference of 22.30mm and a wall thickness of 0.8 mm.

Fig. 4 compares the pressure drop (mmWG) associated with the cooling element of the present invention (B, C, D, E) and the conventional PLA cooling element (a). This shows that the profile is similar, indicating that the cooling element of the invention is an excellent heat sink in THP products and is suitable as a replacement for PLA. Thus, the cooling element of the present invention may provide a biodegradable alternative to known PLA cooling elements. It can be seen that B and C (without the central hole) more closely approximate the performance of PLA, indicating that B and C perform better than D and E in this test.

Claims

1. A cooling element comprising a longitudinally extending core made of a cellulose acetate material; the longitudinally extending core made of cellulose acetate material has a profiled outer surface comprising a plurality of grooves or channels having a depth of 0.5 to 2.6mm, the plurality of grooves or channels extending over the entire length of the core.

2. The cooling element of claim 3, further comprising an outer wrap engaged around the longitudinally extending core, the outer wrap defining with the profiled outer surface of the core a plurality of covered grooves or channels having a depth of 0.5 to 2.6mm, the plurality of covered grooves or channels extending over the entire length of the tubular core.

3. A cooling element comprising a longitudinally extending tubular core made of a cellulose acetate material; the longitudinally extending tubular core of cellulose acetate material has an inner surface defining a bore extending longitudinally through the entire length of the tubular core and a profiled outer surface comprising a plurality of grooves or channels having a depth of 0.5 to 2.6mm extending over the entire length of the tubular core.

4. The cooling element according to claim 3, further comprising an outer wrap engaged around the longitudinally extending tubular core, the outer wrap defining with the profiled outer surface of the core a plurality of covered grooves or channels having a depth of 0.5 to 2.6mm, the plurality of covered grooves or channels extending over the entire length of the tubular core.

5. A cooling element according to any preceding claim, wherein the profiled outer surface defines 3 to 10, such as 3 to 7, such as 4 to 6, such as 5 channels, with a depth of between 0.5mm and 2.6 mm.

6. A cooling element according to any preceding claim, wherein the depth of each channel is 0.5 to 2.5mm, such as 0.8 to 2.2mm, such as 1.30 to 2.1mm, preferably 1.35 to 2mm, such as 1.4 to 1.9 mm.

7. A cooling element according to any preceding claim, wherein the length of the cooling element is 5 to 35mm, such as 10 to 25mm, such as 15 to 20mm, such as 18 mm.

8. A cooling element according to any preceding claim, wherein the perimeter of the cooling element is 12 to 30mm, such as 15 to 28mm, more preferably 17 to 25 mm.

9. The cooling element of any preceding claim, wherein the cooling element is thermoformed from cellulose acetate.

10. A cooling element substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to figures 1 and 2 and/or substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to figures 1 and 3 of the accompanying drawings.

11. A cooling element for a tobacco heating product and/or a product which is heated without combustion, the cooling element comprising a longitudinally extending tubular core of cellulose acetate material; the longitudinally extending tubular core of cellulose acetate material has an inner surface defining a bore extending longitudinally through the entire length of the tubular core and a profiled outer surface comprising a plurality of grooves or channels extending over the entire length of the tubular core.

12. A cooling element for a tobacco heating product and/or a product which is heated without combustion, the cooling element comprising a longitudinally extending core of cellulose acetate material; the longitudinally extending core of cellulose acetate material has a profiled outer surface comprising a plurality of grooves or channels extending over the entire length of the tubular core.

13. A smoking article (e.g. a tobacco heating product, a heating without combustion product) comprising a cooling element according to any preceding claim.

14. A smoking article, the smoking article comprising: a hollow tubular element having a bore with a diameter A; and a cooling element abutted to the hollow tubular element, the cooling element comprising a longitudinally extending tubular core made of a cellulose acetate material; said longitudinally extending tubular core of cellulose acetate material having an inner surface defining a bore extending longitudinally through the entire length of said tubular core and a profiled outer surface comprising a plurality of grooves or channels having a depth of 0.5 to 2.6mm extending over the entire length of said tubular core; wherein the diameter a is sufficiently large such that a portion of the bore of the hollow tubular element is aligned with a portion of the bore of the cooling element and a portion of the bore of the tubular element is aligned with at least a portion of a groove (channel) (or preferably each groove (channel)).

15. A smoking article, the smoking article comprising: a hollow tubular element having a bore with a diameter A; and a cooling element abutted to the hollow tubular element, the cooling element comprising a longitudinally extending core made of a cellulose acetate material; said longitudinally extending core made of cellulose acetate material having a profiled outer surface comprising a plurality of grooves or channels having a depth of 0.5 to 2.6mm, said plurality of grooves or channels extending over the entire length of said core; wherein the diameter a is sufficiently large such that a portion of the bore of the tubular element is aligned with at least a portion of the grooves (channels) (or preferably with each groove (channel)).

16. A smoking article according to claim 14 or claim 15, wherein the hollow tubular element is formed from cellulose acetate.

17. The smoking article as claimed in any one of claims 14 to 16 wherein the hollow tubular element has a wall thickness of 0.3mm to 5.5mm, for example a wall thickness of 0.4 to 1.0mm or 1.0 to 5.5 mm.

18. A smoking article substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to figures 1 and 2 and/or substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to figures 1 and 3 of the accompanying drawings.

19. Use of a cooling element in a tobacco-heated product and/or a heated, non-combustible product, the cooling element comprising a longitudinally extending tubular core made of a cellulose acetate material; the longitudinally extending tubular core of cellulose acetate material has an inner surface defining a bore extending longitudinally through the entire length of the tubular core and a profiled outer surface comprising a plurality of grooves or channels extending over the entire length of the tubular core.

20. Use of a cooling element in a tobacco heating product and/or a heated, non-combustible product, the cooling element comprising a longitudinally extending core made of a cellulose acetate material; the longitudinally extending core of cellulose acetate material has a profiled outer surface comprising a plurality of grooves or channels extending over the entire length of the tubular core.