CN117295410A

CN117295410A - Aerosol generating material and use thereof

Info

Publication number: CN117295410A
Application number: CN202280013635.8A
Authority: CN
Inventors: 戴维·比肖普
Original assignee: Nicoventures Trading Ltd
Current assignee: Nicoventures Trading Ltd
Priority date: 2021-02-05
Filing date: 2022-02-04
Publication date: 2023-12-26
Also published as: BR112023015690A2; KR20230140461A; EP4287851A1; WO2022167809A1; GB202101606D0; US20240074487A1; JP2024504989A

Abstract

The present invention relates to an aerosol-generating material comprising: tobacco particles comprising tobacco material; and an expansion agent, wherein the expansion agent expands upon contact with moisture to move the tobacco particles within the aerosol-generating material and expose additional tobacco material. The invention also relates to tobacco particles comprising tobacco material and an expansion agent. Such aerosol-generating materials and tobacco particles may be used in a non-combustible aerosol delivery system.

Description

Aerosol generating material and use thereof

Technical Field

The present invention relates to an aerosol-generating material (aerosol-generating material), comprising a tobacco material and an expansion agent. The invention also relates to tobacco particles (tobacco granules) comprising tobacco material and an expansion agent. Such aerosol-generating materials and tobacco particles may be used in a non-combustible aerosol delivery system.

Background

Smoking articles such as cigarettes, cigars, and the like burn tobacco during use to produce tobacco smoke. Attempts have been made to provide alternatives to these articles by producing products that release compounds without burning. Examples of such products are so-called "heat non burn" products or tobacco heating devices or products which release compounds by heating but not burning smokable material.

Disclosure of Invention

According to a first aspect of the present invention there is provided an aerosol-generating material comprising: tobacco particles comprising a tobacco material; and an expansion agent, wherein the expansion agent expands upon contact with moisture to move the tobacco particles within the aerosol-generating material and expose additional tobacco material (further tobacco material ).

In some embodiments, the aerosol-generating material comprises from about 5% to about 50% by weight of the bulking agent, based on the weight of the aerosol-generating material.

In some embodiments, the bulking agent is selected from the group consisting of: carboxymethyl cellulose (CMC), microcrystalline cellulose (MCC), and croscarmellose sodium (CCS).

In some embodiments, at least some expansion agent is included within the tobacco particles.

In some embodiments, the expansion agent is distributed throughout the (through) tobacco particles.

In some embodiments, at least some of the expansion agent is present on the surface of the tobacco particles.

In some embodiments, the tobacco particles comprise an expander core (core of expansion agent) surrounded by tobacco material.

In some embodiments, the tobacco particles are formed by extrusion.

In some embodiments, the aerosol-generating material comprises individual particles of the expanding agent located between tobacco particles.

In some embodiments, the tobacco material has a pH of at least about 7. In some embodiments, the tobacco has a pH of about 8 to about 9.5, or about 8.5 to about 9.

According to a second aspect of the present invention there is provided a tobacco particle comprising a tobacco material and an expansion agent, wherein the expansion agent expands upon contact with moisture to fracture and/or break open the tobacco particle.

In some embodiments, the tobacco particles comprise from about 5% to about 50% by weight of the bulking agent, based on the weight of the tobacco particles.

In some embodiments, the tobacco particles are formed by coextruding a tobacco material and an expansion agent.

According to a third aspect of the present invention there is provided a consumable comprising an aerosol-generating material according to the first aspect, or comprising one or more tobacco particles according to the second aspect.

In some embodiments, the consumable comprises a first chamber containing aerosol-generating material or one or more tobacco particles and a second chamber containing an aerosolizable material (aerosolisable material).

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention there is provided a non-combustible sol supply system comprising an aerosol-generating material according to the first aspect or comprising one or more tobacco particles according to the second aspect.

In some embodiments, the aerosol provision system further comprises an aerosolizable material, wherein the system is configured for heating the aerosolizable material to form a vapor and/or aerosol, wherein the vapor/aerosol contacts the aerosol generating material or the one or more tobacco particles to entrain (enrain) one or more components thereof, and thereby form the inhalable medium.

In some embodiments, the vapor/aerosol comprises moisture that expands the expanding agent.

According to a fifth aspect of the present invention there is provided the use of an expansion agent in an aerosol-generating material comprising tobacco particles to move the tobacco particles within the aerosol-generating material after exposure to moisture and to expose additional tobacco material.

In some embodiments, an expansion agent is included in at least one tobacco particle and wherein the expansion agent expands upon contact with moisture to rupture and/or break apart the tobacco particle.

In some embodiments, the expansion agent is exposed to moisture as the aerosol generating material is exposed to moisture-containing vapor (moistures-containing vapour).

In some embodiments, the vapor is generated by a non-combustible sol supply system.

Drawings

Embodiments of the present invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

fig. 1 is a schematic cross-sectional view of a mixing system for heating an aerosol-generating material to volatilize at least one component of the aerosol-generating material; and

fig. 2 is a schematic cross-sectional view of an example of a cartridge (cartridge) that may be used to contain aerosol-generating material and/or tobacco particles according to an embodiment of the invention.

Detailed Description

The present invention relates to an aerosol-generating material comprising a tobacco material and an expansion agent. The expansion agent expands upon contact with moisture to destroy the aerosol-generating material, thereby exposing more tobacco material to allow release of more tobacco components upon heating. The expansion agent also traps moisture as it expands, thereby reducing wetting of the tobacco material.

The invention also relates to tobacco particles comprising tobacco material and an expansion agent. The expansion agent expands upon contact with moisture to fracture and/or break apart the tobacco particles, thereby exposing more tobacco material to allow release of more tobacco components upon heating. The expansion agent also traps moisture, thereby reducing wetting of the tobacco particles.

Such aerosol-generating materials and tobacco particles may be used in non-combustible aerosol-supplying systems, such as mixing devices, in which an aerosolizable material, such as an e-liquid, is heated to generate a vapor and/or aerosol that passes through or over the tobacco-containing aerosol-generating material or particles to pick up components, including nicotine and (tobacco-derived) flavourant and flavour substances (aromas).

It is known in the art that mixing devices may contain tobacco for providing an aerosol with a realistic tobacco taste and texture to a user. One problem encountered with such devices is the use of aerosol-generating materials, reduced nicotine delivery, particularly towards the end of the life of the material. This is because the more volatile components (including nicotine and many flavors and aroma substances) are easily released from the surface of the tobacco material. Another problem is that vapors or aerosols passing over or through the tobacco material carry moisture. As tobacco becomes increasingly moist under this moisture, the release of nicotine is negatively affected.

Expanding agent

The present invention seeks to address these problems by including an expanding agent. An expanding agent is a material that expands in volume when it comes into contact with water, moisture or humidity. In some embodiments, the bulking agent is one or more of the following: carboxymethyl cellulose (CMC), microcrystalline cellulose (MCC), croscarmellose sodium (CCS), and other materials known in the art that swell upon contact with water.

The expansion agent may be located anywhere within the aerosol-generating material. In some embodiments, the expansion agent is dispersed within the tobacco material of the aerosol-generating material.

In some embodiments, the aerosol-generating material comprises tobacco particles. In some embodiments, the expansion agent is located within the tobacco particles. For example, the tobacco particles may comprise an expander core. Alternatively, the expansion agent may be distributed within the tobacco particles, such as uniformly distributed within the tobacco particles. In other embodiments, the expansion agent is distributed outside the tobacco particles, for example as a complete or incomplete coating, or uniformly or non-uniformly distributed.

In embodiments in which the expansion agent is located within the tobacco particles, the expansion agent expands upon contact with moisture and ruptures or breaks the particles, thereby exposing fresh surface area of the tobacco particles and allowing further release of nicotine and other tobacco components. This has the advantage that the uniformity of nicotine delivery during use of the particles is increased.

In other embodiments, in which the expansion agent is contained simultaneously with and separate from the tobacco material, the tobacco material is optionally in the form of tobacco particles. The mixture of tobacco material and expansion agent constitutes the aerosol-generating material. The swelling agent swells as the aerosol-generating material is exposed to moisture. This expansion causes a displacement within the aerosol-generating material, thereby exposing fresh surface area of the tobacco material. Without wishing to be bound by theory, it is believed that expansion of the expansion agent upon contact with moisture causes movement of the tobacco material in the aerosol-generating material, thereby exposing fresh surface area of the tobacco material, which in turn increases nicotine release. This also has the advantage of improving the consistency of nicotine release. A further advantage is to increase the release of other flavours that may be included in the aerosol-generating material.

The aerosol-generating material will include sufficient expansion agent to provide sufficient expansion to expose more surface area of the tobacco material during use in the aerosol-supply system. In some embodiments, the bulking agent is included in the aerosol-generating material in an amount of about 5% to about 50% by weight based on the weight of the aerosol-generating material. In some embodiments, the bulking agent is included in an amount of at least about 5%, 10%, 2%, 30%, or at least about 40% by weight of the aerosol-generating material.

It is known that at least some suitable expansion agents used herein may act as binders and may be included in the aerosol-generating material due to their adhesive properties. However, these agents have not previously been incorporated into aerosol-generating materials in an amount or manner that enables them to expand sufficiently to destroy the aerosol-generating material. They have not previously been included in an amount sufficient to improve the release characteristics of the aerosol-generating material or in such a way that they are able to absorb sufficient moisture to improve the release characteristics of the aerosol-generating material. How the swelling agent is included in the aerosol-generating material also affects its effect.

Tobacco material

In some embodiments, the tobacco may form an agglomerated structure, such as particles or individual monolithic components, or may be in the form of free-flowing particles.

The agglomerated structure has the advantage that it is convenient and efficient for the release of nicotine and the combination of the bulking agent. Furthermore, aerosol-generating materials comprising tobacco in particulate form can be readily incorporated into consumable and/or aerosol-supply systems (such as mixing devices).

Tobacco particles of a desired size may be formed by grinding, shredding, cutting or crushing tobacco material. Suitable machines for producing such tobacco particles include, for example, choppers, cutters or mills, such as hammer mills, roller mills or other types of commercially available mill machines.

The dimensions of the tobacco particles are selected to provide particles that can readily form agglomerated structures using the methods described herein and that have the characteristics described herein, and which provide a source of tobacco constituents that are readily released upon heating in a non-combustible sol supply system. In some embodiments, tobacco can be agglomerated using a suitable binder. In some embodiments, an expansion agent may be used to agglomerate the tobacco. The tobacco material may be pre-treated or pre-processed.

In some embodiments, one or more binders are included in the agglomerated structure comprising tobacco. This may be in an agglomerated structure, in addition to the expanding agent, if present. In some embodiments, the one or more binders are selected from the group consisting of: thermoreversible gelling agents, such as gelatin; starch; a polysaccharide; pectin; cellulose; a cellulose derivative; alginate (alginate). The binding additive may be selected to aid in the formation of the agglomerated structure by helping the tobacco particles adhere to each other and to other components of the composition.

Formation of agglomerate structures

In some embodiments, the agglomerated structure may be formed by the following method. The tobacco starting material, which may be pretreated or pre-processed, is ground to the desired particle size. An expansion agent is added to the tobacco particles to form a precursor material. Any additional components may be added to the precursor material. These additional components may be in liquid form or in solid form, such as in particulate or powder form. An agglomerated structure is then formed from the resulting precursor composition by adhering the tobacco particles and optionally other components to form a multiparticulate entity.

In some embodiments, water may be added to the precursor composition as a processing aid. For example, the presence of water may help dissolve components of the precursor composition, and/or it may help bind or improve agglomeration.

In some embodiments, the agglomerated structure may be formed from the precursor composition by a method comprising one or more steps selected from the group consisting of pelletizing, extruding, and spheroidizing.

Extrusion of the precursor composition includes feeding the precursor composition through an orifice to produce an extruded agglomerate. The process of applying pressure in combination with shear forces to the precursor composition creates an agglomerated structure.

Extrusion can be performed using one of the main classes of extruders: screw, basket and basket, roll, ram, and pin barrel extruders. The formation of the agglomerate structure by extrusion has the following advantages: this processing combines the mixing, conditioning, homogenizing and molding of the precursor composition.

In some embodiments, an expansion agent is added to the precursor composition and co-extruded. This has the following advantages: the expanding agent is uniformly distributed throughout the formed agglomerate structure. Other materials may also be added to the extrusion process such as bases, diluents, solid aerosol formers, solid flavor modifiers, and other additives known in the art. In some embodiments, the expansion agent is added after the tobacco material is extruded.

Type of tobacco

The tobacco material may be fermented, cured, uncured, baked, or otherwise pre-treated. The tobacco may be, for example, stems, flakes, dust, or a mixture thereof. Suitable tobacco materials include the following tobacco types: virginia tobacco or cured tobacco, burley tobacco, oriental tobacco, or blends of tobacco materials. The tobacco may be expanded, such as Dry Ice Expanded Tobacco (DIET), or processed by any other means, such as extrusion.

Tobacco pH treatment

In some embodiments, the tobacco contained in the aerosol-generating material is subjected to a pH treatment. The tobacco material may be treated with an alkali to facilitate release of nicotine. For example, nicotine is released from nicotine salts in tobacco by reaction with alkali. The pH adjusted nicotine is then volatilized at a lower temperature in use.

In some embodiments, the pH is adjusted by adding one or more base or alkaline buffer systems. In some embodiments, the tobacco material has a pH of at least about 7.5. In some embodiments, the tobacco material has a pH of about 8 to about 9.5, or about 8.5 to about 9.

Additional components

Any additional components may be added to the aerosol-generating material and/or the agglomerate structure. These additional components may be in liquid form or in solid form. The additional solid component is preferably in particulate or powder form. Examples of additional components include one or more of the following: pH adjusters, colorants, preservatives, binders, fillers, stabilizers, and/or antioxidants.

In some embodiments, the agglomerated structures formed from the tobacco material may have an increased surface area by including particles of an inert filler material in the precursor composition. Suitable inert fillers may be porous or nonporous.

In some embodiments, the aerosol-generating material and/or the agglomerate structure further comprises at least one aerosol-former material (aerosol-former material). The aerosol former material may comprise one or more components capable of forming an aerosol. In some embodiments, the aerosol former material may include one or more of glycerol, propylene glycol, diethylene glycol, triethylene glycol, tetraethylene glycol, 1, 3-butanediol, erythritol, meso-erythritol, ethyl vanillic acid, ethyl laurate, diethyl suberate, triethyl citrate, glyceryl triacetate, glyceryl diacetate mixtures, benzyl benzoate, benzyl phenylacetate, glyceryl tributyrate, lauryl acetate, lauric acid, myristic acid, and propylene carbonate. Combinations of aerosol formers may be used in the same or different proportions.

In some embodiments, the aerosol-generating material and/or the agglomerate structure further comprises a preservative. Suitable preservatives are readily known to those skilled in the art and include, for example, those that are safe to use in producing inhalable aerosol products. Examples of preservatives that may be used include: propylene glycol, carvacrol, thymol, L-menthol, 1, 8-cineole, phenoxyethanol, phytoCide, sorbic acid and salts thereof, sodium hydroxymethylglycinate, ethylhexyl glycerol, parabens and vitamins such as vitamin E or vitamin C.

Flavoring agent

In some embodiments, one or more flavors are included in the aerosol-generating material and/or the agglomerate structure. As used herein, the terms "flavoring" and "flavoring" refer to materials that can be used to create a desired taste, aroma, or other somatosensory sensation in an adult consumer product, as permitted by local regulations. They may include naturally occurring flavor materials, botanicals, plant extracts, synthetically derived materials, or combinations thereof (e.g., tobacco, licorice (licorice extract), hydrangea (hydrangea), eugenol, japanese white bark magnolia leaf (Japanese white bark magnolia leaf), chamomile, fenugreek, clove, maple, japanese green tea, menthol, japanese mint, fennel seed (anisoed), cinnamon, turmeric, indian spice, asiatic spice, vanilla, wintergreen, cherry, berry, red berry, cranberry, peach, apple, orange, mango, clematis orange (cleementine), lemon, lime, tropical fruit, papaya, rhubarb, grape, jackfruit, dragon fruit, cucumber, blueberry, mulberry, citrus fruit, black nightshade, borside, scotch, whiskey, gin, rum, spearmint, peppermint, orange, fruit, orange, mango, citrus fruit (clentine), grape, durian, dragon fruit, citrus fruit, black nightshade, scotch, guava, guam wine, orange, papaya, and the like Lavender, aloe vera, cardamom, celery, west Indian bitter tree, nutmeg, mao Zong, bergamot, geranium, arabian tea, nashival, betel nut, hookah, pine, honey essence, rose oil, vanilla, lemon oil, orange flower, cherry blossom, cinnamon, coriander, france brandy, jasmine, ylang-ylang, sage, fennel, horseradish, multi-spice fruit, ginger, coriander, coffee, any of the peppermint oil from the genus Mentha, eucalyptus, star anise, cocoa, lemon grass, roibos (rooibos), flax, ginkgo, hazelnut, hibiscus, bay, mate, orange peel, rose, teas such as green tea or black tea, thyme, juniper berry, presoak, basil, bay leaf, fennel, oregano, capsicum, rosemary, saffron, lemon peel, peppermint, perilla, turmeric, coriander leaf, peach, blackcurrant wine, valerian, sweet pepper tree, nutmeg (mace), damian (damien), marjoram, olive, lemon balm, lemon basil, chives, tarragon, verbena, tarragon, limonene, thymol, camphene), flavor enhancers, bitter taste receptor site blockers, sensory receptor site activators or stimulators, sugars and/or sugar substitutes (e.g., sucralose, acesulfame potassium, aspartame, saccharin, cyclamate, lactose, sucrose, glucose, fructose, sorbitol, or mannitol), and other additives such as charcoal, chlorophyll, minerals, plants, or breath fresheners. They may be imitation, synthetic or natural ingredients or blends thereof. They may be in any suitable form, for example, liquid such as oil, solid such as powder, or gas.

In some embodiments, the flavoring agent comprises menthol, spearmint, and/or peppermint. In some embodiments, the flavoring includes a flavoring component of cucumber, blueberry, citrus fruit, and/or raspberry. In some embodiments, the flavoring agent comprises eugenol. In some embodiments, the flavoring includes a flavoring component extracted from tobacco.

In some embodiments, the flavoring agents may include sensates (sensory) intended to achieve a somatosensory sensation that is generally chemically induced and perceived by stimulating the fifth cranial nerve (trigeminal nerve) in addition to or in lieu of the flavor or taste nerve, and these sensates may include agents that provide a thermal, cold, stinging, numbing effect. Suitable thermal effectors may be, but are not limited to, vanillyl ethyl ether and suitable coolants may be, but are not limited to, eucalyptol WS-3.

Consumable product

A consumable is an article comprising or consisting of an aerosol-generating material, part or all of which is intended to be consumed by a user during use. The consumable may include one or more other components, such as an aerosol-generating material storage area, an aerosol-generating material delivery component, an aerosol-generating area, a housing, a wrapper, a mouthpiece, a filter, and/or an aerosol modifier. The consumable may also comprise an aerosol generator, such as a heater, which generates heat to cause the aerosol-generating material to generate an aerosol in use. The heater may for example comprise a flammable material, a material heatable by electrical conduction or a susceptor.

Delivery system

As used herein, the term "delivery system" is intended to include systems that deliver at least one substance to a user, and includes non-combustible aerosol supply systems (such as tobacco heating products) that release compounds from an aerosol-generating material without burning the aerosol-generating material, as well as hybrid systems that use a combination of aerosol-generating materials to generate an aerosol.

In accordance with the present disclosure, a "non-combustible" aerosol supply system is a system in which the constituent aerosol-generating materials of the aerosol supply system (or components thereof) do not burn or ignite to facilitate delivery of at least one substance to a user.

In some embodiments, the delivery system is a non-combustible sol supply system, such as an electric non-combustible sol supply system.

In some embodiments, the non-combustible sol supply system is an aerosol generating material heating system, also referred to as a heated non-combustion system. An example of such a system is a tobacco heating system.

In some embodiments, the non-combustible aerosol supply system is a hybrid system that uses a combination of aerosol-generating materials to generate an aerosol, one or more of which may be heated. Each of the aerosol-generating materials may be in the form of, for example, a solid, liquid or gel and may or may not contain nicotine. In some embodiments, the mixing system comprises a liquid or gel aerosol-generating material and a solid aerosol-generating material. The solid aerosol-generating material may comprise tobacco.

In general, a non-combustible sol supply system may include a non-combustible sol supply device and a consumable for use with the non-combustible sol supply device.

In some embodiments, the present disclosure relates to a consumable comprising an aerosol-generating material and configured for use with a non-combustible aerosol supply device. These consumables are sometimes referred to as articles throughout this disclosure.

In some embodiments, a non-combustible sol supply system, such as a non-combustible sol supply thereof, may include a power source and a controller. For example, the power source may be an electrical power source or an exothermic power source (exothermic power source). In some embodiments, the exothermic power source comprises a carbon substrate that may be energized to distribute power in the form of heat to the aerosol-generating material or a heat transfer material proximate to the exothermic power source.

In some embodiments, the non-combustible aerosol supply system may include a region for receiving a consumable, an aerosol generator, an aerosol generating region, a housing, a mouthpiece, a filter, and/or an aerosol modifier.

In some embodiments, a consumable for use with a non-combustible aerosol supply device may include an aerosol generating material, an aerosol generating material storage area, an aerosol generating material delivery component, an aerosol generator, an aerosol generating area, a housing, a wrapper, a filter, a mouthpiece, and/or an aerosol modifier.

Fig. 1 shows a cross-sectional view of an example of a non-combustible sol supply system, which is a mixing system for heating aerosol-generating material and an aerosolizable material, such as a liquid. The device 1 has a housing 2 containing a chamber 4, the chamber 4 containing an aerosol-generating material 3 to be heated and volatilized in use. In some embodiments, the aerosol-generating material comprises a plurality of tobacco particles comprising an expansion agent as discussed herein, contained in the chamber or disposed in a cartridge, similar to the cartridge shown in fig. 2. Alternatively or additionally, the expansion agent is in the form of individual particles located within the tobacco particles. The housing 2 also contains a liquid reservoir 5 containing a liquid 6 to be heated to form a vapor.

The device 1 further has an electronics/power compartment 7, which may for example contain electrical control circuitry and/or a power supply (not shown). The electrical control circuit may comprise a controller, such as a microprocessor arrangement, constructed and arranged to control heating of the aerosol-generating material and the liquid 6 by one or more heating elements (not shown). The electrical control circuit may allow the device 21 to be suction actuated to heat the aerosol-generating material "on demand". Alternatively, the device 2 may have a manually operable switch for the user to initiate suction.

The housing 2 also comprises an inlet 8 through which air is drawn into the device. The housing 2 further comprises an outlet 9 at the mouthpiece 10 of the device 1. Air is drawn into the device 1 through the inlet 8, travels through the device, picks up the vapour generated by heating the liquid 6 in the liquid reservoir 5, and the active and volatile components released by the aerosol-generating material 3, and the resulting aerosol generated by the device exits the device through the outlet 9 and is inhaled by the user.

The mixing device 1 schematically shown in fig. 1 represents only one possible configuration of such a device. The relative position of the liquid reservoir 5 and the aerosol-generating material chamber 4 may be varied as may the path of air flow through the device.

In one embodiment, the liquid reservoir is located upstream of the aerosol-generating material to be volatilized. Alternatively, the liquid reservoir may be located downstream of the aerosol-generating material to be volatilized. In yet another arrangement, two aerosol sources in the device may be arranged side-by-side, etc.

In some embodiments, the vapor generated by heating the liquid in the liquid reservoir flows over or through the aerosol-generating material. In some embodiments, the elevated temperature of the vapor results in the release of volatile components. The vapor also carries moisture and this is absorbed by the expanding agent and causes it to expand.

Alternatively or additionally, the aerosol-generating material may be heated separately by the heating means.

In some embodiments, a mixing device is provided wherein the vapor generated by heating the liquid heats the aerosol-generating material so as to volatilize at least one component of the aerosol-generating material. The vapor also carries moisture that expands the expansion agent. In some embodiments, the liquid is a nicotine-free liquid. In other embodiments, the liquid comprises nicotine. In the event that the aerosol-generating material is heated by the vapour to volatilize at least one component of the aerosol-generating material, in certain embodiments the device does not comprise a separate device for heating the aerosol-generating material.

In some embodiments, the hybrid products described herein may receive a consumable in the form of a container or cartridge containing an aerosol-generating material. These containers or cartridges may be removable. They may replace both the chamber containing the aerosol-generating material and the aerosol-generating material in the device described above with reference to fig. 1 and in the alternative embodiment discussed.

Referring to fig. 2, there is shown a tobacco segment cartridge 11 comprising a housing 12 defining a cavity within which one or more particles of aerosol-generating material (not shown) are housed. The housing 12 may be made of molded plastic or the like, for example. In order to allow air drawn through the device to enter the cartridge 11 and pass over or through the one or more aerosol generating material particles and then out of the cartridge 11, a vent hole 13 is provided in the housing 12 of the cartridge 11. In some embodiments, the cartridge 11 may further comprise heating means which is heatable by suitable means to heat the one or more aerosol-generating material particles contained therein.

The various embodiments described herein are presented solely to aid in the understanding and teaching of the claimed features. These embodiments are provided as representative examples of embodiments only, and are not exhaustive and/or exclusive. It is to be understood that the advantages, implementations, examples, functions, features, structures, and/or other aspects described herein are not to be considered limitations on the scope of the invention as defined by the claims or limitations on equivalents to the claims, and that other implementations may be used and modifications may be made without departing from the scope of the claimed invention. Various embodiments of the invention may suitably comprise, consist of, or consist essentially of the appropriate combination of the elements, components, features, parts, steps, means, etc. disclosed in addition to those specifically described herein. Furthermore, the present disclosure may include other inventions not presently claimed but which may be claimed in the future.

Claims

1. An aerosol-generating material, the aerosol-generating material comprising: tobacco particles comprising tobacco material; and an expansion agent, wherein the expansion agent expands upon contact with moisture to move the tobacco particles within the aerosol-generating material and expose additional tobacco material.

2. An aerosol-generating material according to claim 1, comprising from about 5% to about 50% by weight of the bulking agent, based on the weight of the aerosol-generating material.

3. An aerosol-generating material according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the swelling agent is selected from the group consisting of: carboxymethyl cellulose (CMC), microcrystalline cellulose (MCC), and croscarmellose sodium (CCS).

4. An aerosol-generating material according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein at least some of the expansion agent is contained within the tobacco particles.

5. An aerosol-generating material according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the expansion agent is distributed throughout the tobacco particles.

6. An aerosol-generating material according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein at least some of the expansion agent is present on the surface of the tobacco particles.

7. An aerosol-generating material according to any one of claims 1 to 4, the tobacco particles comprising an expander core surrounded by tobacco material.

8. An aerosol-generating material according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the tobacco particles are formed by extrusion.

9. An aerosol-generating material according to any one of claims 1 to 8, comprising individual particles of the expanding agent located between tobacco particles.

10. An aerosol-generating material according to any one of claims 1 to 9, wherein the tobacco material has a pH of at least about 7.

11. An aerosol-generating material according to claim 10, wherein the tobacco has a pH of about 8 to about 9.5, or about 8.5 to about 9.

12. A tobacco particle comprising a tobacco material and an expansion agent, wherein the expansion agent expands upon contact with moisture to rupture and/or break apart the tobacco particle.

13. The tobacco particle of claim 13, comprising from about 5% to about 50% by weight of the expansion agent, based on the weight of the tobacco particle.

14. Tobacco particles according to claim 12 or 13, wherein the tobacco particles are formed by co-extruding the tobacco material and the expansion agent.

15. A consumable comprising the aerosol-generating material of any one of claims 1 to 11, or comprising one or more tobacco particles of any one of claims 12 to 14.

16. The consumable of claim 15, comprising: a first chamber comprising the aerosol-generating material or one or more tobacco particles; and a second chamber comprising an aerosolizable material.

17. A non-combustible aerosol-supplying system comprising an aerosol-generating material according to any one of claims 1 to 11, or comprising one or more tobacco particles according to any one of claims 12 to 14.

18. An aerosol provision system according to claim 17, further comprising an aerosolizable material, wherein the system is configured to heat the aerosolizable material to form a vapor and/or aerosol, wherein the vapor/aerosol contacts the aerosol generating material or one or more tobacco particles to entrain one or more components thereof and thereby form an inhalable medium.

19. The aerosol provision system of claim 18, wherein the vapor/aerosol comprises moisture that expands the expanding agent.

20. Use of an expansion agent in an aerosol-generating material comprising tobacco particles to move the tobacco particles within the aerosol-generating material and to expose additional tobacco material after exposure to moisture.

21. Use according to claim 20, wherein the expansion agent is contained in at least one tobacco particle, and wherein the expansion agent expands upon contact with moisture to rupture and/or break apart the tobacco particle.

22. Use according to claim 20 or 21, wherein the swelling agent is exposed to moisture due to exposure of the aerosol-generating material to moisture-containing vapour.

23. Use according to claim 22, wherein the vapour is generated by a non-combustible sol supply system.