CN117998998A

CN117998998A - Aerosol-generating material comprising guar gum and starch or modified starch

Info

Publication number: CN117998998A
Application number: CN202280053405.4A
Authority: CN
Inventors: 瓦利德·阿比·奥翁; 珍妮弗·路易丝·克罗斯; 傅源峰; 张云岩
Original assignee: Nicoventures Trading Ltd
Current assignee: Nicoventures Trading Ltd
Priority date: 2021-08-04
Filing date: 2022-08-04
Publication date: 2024-05-07
Also published as: WO2023012304A1; KR20240053034A

Abstract

The present invention provides an aerosol-generating material comprising: (a) an aerosol-forming material; (b) a first binder, the first binder being guar gum; (c) A second binder, the second binder being starch or modified starch; and (d) a filler. The invention also provides a method of forming an aerosol generating material. The present invention also provides a consumable for use in a non-combustible aerosol provision system, the consumable comprising an aerosol generating composition, wherein the aerosol generating composition comprises an aerosol generating material of the invention. The invention also provides a method of generating an aerosol using a non-combustible aerosol provision system and the use of an aerosol generating composition in a consumable for use with a non-combustible aerosol provision device.

Description

Aerosol-generating material comprising guar gum and starch or modified starch

Technical Field

The present invention relates to aerosol generation. In particular, the present invention relates to aerosol generating materials, aerosol generating compositions, consumables, non-combustible aerosol provision systems, methods of generating aerosols and methods of forming aerosol generating materials.

Background

Smoking articles such as cigarettes (cigarette), cigars, and the like burn tobacco during use to produce tobacco smoke. Alternatives to these types of articles release compounds from the substrate material by heating without burning to release inhalable aerosols or vapors. These may be referred to as non-combustible aerosol-generating articles, aerosol-generating components, or non-combustible aerosol-providing systems.

One example of such a product is a heating device that releases a compound by heating, rather than burning, a solid aerosolizable material. In some cases, such solid aerosolizable material may contain tobacco material. Heating volatilizes at least one component of the material, typically forming an inhalable aerosol. These products may be referred to as heat-non-combustion devices, tobacco heating devices, or Tobacco Heating Products (THP). A number of different arrangements are known for volatilising at least one component of a solid aerosolizable material.

As another example, there are electronic cigarette/tobacco heating product mixing devices, also known as electronic tobacco mixing devices. These mixing devices contain a source of vaporised liquid (which may or may not contain nicotine) that generates an inhalable vapour or aerosol by heating. The device additionally contains a solid aerosolizable material (which may or may not contain tobacco material) and entrains components of such material in the inhalable vapor or aerosol to produce an inhalation medium.

Disclosure of Invention

In a first aspect, there is provided an aerosol-generating material comprising:

(a) An aerosol-forming material;

(b) A first binder, the first binder being guar gum;

(c) A second binder, the second binder being starch or modified starch; and

(D) And (3) a filler.

In a second aspect, there is provided an aerosol-generating composition comprising the aerosol-generating material of the first aspect.

In a third aspect, there is provided a consumable for a non-combustible aerosol provision device, the consumable comprising the aerosol generating composition of the second aspect.

In a fourth aspect, there is provided a non-combustible sol providing system comprising the consumable of the third aspect and a non-combustible sol providing device (provision device).

In a fifth aspect, there is provided a method of generating an aerosol using the non-combustible sol providing system of the fourth aspect, the method comprising heating an aerosol generating material to a temperature of less than 350 ℃.

In a sixth aspect, there is provided the use of the non-combustible aerosol provision system of the fourth aspect to produce an inhalable aerosol.

In a seventh aspect, there is provided a method of preparing an aerosol-generating material, the method comprising:

(i) Providing a slurry comprising an aerosol-forming material, a first binder that is guar gum, a second binder that is starch or modified starch, a filler, a solvent, and any optional other components of an aerosol-generating material;

(ii) Forming a layer of slurry; and

(Iii) The slurry is dried to form an aerosol generating material.

Other aspects provide methods of making the aerosol-generating materials described herein using a papermaking process, such as a dust-free papermaking process.

To the extent that they are combinable, in combination with each and every other aspect, the features described herein with respect to one aspect of the invention are explicitly disclosed.

Other features and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the following description, which is provided by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings.

Drawings

Fig. 1 shows a cross-sectional view of an example of a consumable.

Fig. 2 shows a perspective view of the consumable of fig. 1.

FIG. 3 shows that display device A kind of electronic device with a high-pressure air-conditioning system example section a vertical view.

Fig. 4 shows a perspective view of the consumable of fig. 3.

Fig. 5 shows a perspective view of an example of a non-combustible sol providing system.

Fig. 6 shows a cross-sectional view of an example of a non-combustible sol providing system.

Fig. 7 shows a perspective view of an example of a non-combustible sol providing system.

Detailed Description

As described above, there is provided an aerosol-generating material comprising:

(a) An aerosol-forming material;

(b) A first binder, the first binder being guar gum;

(c) A second binder, the second binder being starch or modified starch; and

(D) And (3) a filler.

The aerosol generating material may form part of an aerosol generating composition. An aerosol-generating composition is a composition that is capable of generating an aerosol, for example, when heated, irradiated, or otherwise energized.

The aerosol generating material may be an "amorphous solid". In some embodiments, the aerosol-generating material comprises an aerosol-generating film, the aerosol-generating film being an amorphous solid. In some embodiments, the amorphous solid is a "monolithic solid (monolithic solid)". The aerosol generating material may be non-fibrous or fibrous. For example, the aerosol-generating material may be substantially non-fibrous. In some embodiments, the aerosol-generating material may be a xerogel. An aerosol generating material is a solid material that can retain some fluid, such as a liquid, within its interior. In some embodiments, the retained fluid may be water (e.g., water absorbed from around the aerosol-generating material) or the retained fluid may be a solvent (e.g., when the aerosol-generating material is formed from a slurry). In some embodiments, the solvent may be water.

In some embodiments, the aerosol-generating material is a film.

In some embodiments, the aerosol-generating material consists essentially of an aerosol-forming material; first and second binders; optionally chitosan; solvents such as water; and a filler or consists thereof.

In some embodiments, the aerosol-generating material consists essentially of an aerosol-forming material; first and second binders; optionally chitosan; water; and a filler or consists thereof.

In some embodiments, the aerosol-generating material is a hydrogel and comprises less than about 20wt% water, calculated on a wet weight basis. In some cases, the hydrogel may contain less than about 15wt%, 12wt%, or 10wt% water, calculated on a Wet Weight (WWB) basis.

In some embodiments, the aerosol-generating material may contain less than about 20wt%, such as less than about 15wt%,12wt%, or 10wt% water, calculated on a Wet Weight (WWB) basis. For example, the aerosol generating material may contain about 1-15wt% water, such as 3-12wt% water (WWB).

First and second binders

The aerosol generating material comprises a first binder which is guar gum and a second binder which is starch or modified starch.

The term "gellant" may also be used herein in place of "binder".

For aerosol-generating materials, it is advantageous to have a surface density of about 80 to about 120g/m ², such as about 100g/m ², so that the mixture of aerosol-generating material and tobacco (e.g., cut tobacco) is not easily separated. For aerosol-generating materials, it is also desirable that the aerosol-generating material have sufficient tensile strength to wind (e.g., in sheet form) onto a spool and not break when unwound. It has been found that guar gum adhesives can be used in combination with fillers and aerosol-forming materials to produce aerosol-generating materials having a desired surface density (e.g., about 100g/m ²) and a tensile strength (e.g., greater than or equal to about 250N/m) sufficient to wind and unwind on a spool. However, the viscosity of the liquid (e.g., slurry) containing the guar gum adhesive may be relatively high. It has been found that replacing a portion of the guar gum binder with a second binder that is starch or modified starch can reduce the viscosity of the resulting mixture, thereby facilitating handling, while also enabling the production of aerosol-generating materials having a suitable surface density (e.g., about 100g/m ²) and sufficient tensile strength.

In some embodiments, the second binder is a modified starch. The terms "modified starch" and "starch derivative" may be used interchangeably in this disclosure and are intended to be equivalent.

Suitable modified starches (which may also be referred to as starch derivatives) include, but are not limited to, hydroxypropyl starch, sodium carboxymethyl starch, octenyl succinic anhydride modified starch, starch acetate, mono-starch phosphate, di-starch adipate, di-starch hydroxypropyl phosphate, di-starch acetylated phosphate, and di-starch acetylated adipate. In particular embodiments, the modified starch comprises (or is) one or more of hydroxypropyl starch, carboxymethyl starch, and sodium carboxymethyl starch. In particular embodiments, the modified starch comprises (or is) one or more of hydroxypropyl starch and sodium carboxymethyl starch.

In some embodiments, the aerosol-generating material comprises the first binder (guar gum) in an amount of about 3wt%, 5wt%, 7wt%, or 10wt% to about 35wt%, 30wt%, 25wt%, or 20wt% of the aerosol-generating material on a dry weight basis. For example, in some embodiments, the aerosol-generating material comprises the first binder in an amount of about 3 to 35wt%, about 5 to 30wt%, about 7 to 25wt%, or about 10 to 20wt% of the aerosol-generating material.

In some embodiments, the aerosol-generating material comprises a total amount of the second binder (starch or modified starch) of about 1wt%, 2wt%, or 3wt% to about 20wt%, 15wt%, or 10wt% of the aerosol-generating material on a dry weight basis. For example, in some embodiments, the aerosol-generating material comprises a total amount of the second binder of about 1 to 20wt%, about 2 to 15wt%, or about 3 to 10wt% of the aerosol-generating material.

In some embodiments, the aerosol-generating material comprises a total amount of the first and second binders of about 5wt%, 10wt%, 15wt%, 17wt%, or 20wt% to about 50wt%, 45wt%, 40wt%, 35wt%, 30wt%, or 25wt% of the aerosol-generating material on a dry weight basis. In some of these embodiments, the total amount of the first and second binders in the aerosol-generating material is about 5 to 50wt%, 10 to 40wt%, 15 to 30wt%, 15 to 25wt%, or 17 to 25wt%. In a specific embodiment, the total amount of the first and second binders in the aerosol-generating material is from about 15 to about 25wt%.

Other binders

In addition to the first and second binders, the aerosol-generating material may also comprise one or more other binders other than guar gum, starch or modified starch.

In some embodiments, the other binder comprises a hydrocolloid.

In some embodiments, the additional binder comprises (or is) one or more compounds selected from the group consisting of: polysaccharide binders such as alginate (alginate), pectin, cellulose or derivatives thereof, pullulan, carrageenan, agar and agarose; gelatin and chitosan; gums such as xanthan gum and gum arabic; silica or silicone compounds such as PDMS and sodium silicate; clays, such as kaolin; and polyvinyl alcohol.

In some embodiments, the other binder comprises (or is) one or more polysaccharide binders. In some embodiments, the polysaccharide binder is selected from the group consisting of alginate, pectin, cellulose or derivatives thereof, and chitosan.

Examples of cellulose binders (also referred to herein as cellulose derivatives) include, but are not limited to, hydroxymethyl cellulose, hydroxyethyl cellulose, hydroxypropyl cellulose, carboxymethyl cellulose (CMC), hydroxypropyl methyl cellulose (HPMC), methyl cellulose, ethyl cellulose, cellulose Acetate (CA), cellulose Acetate Butyrate (CAB), and Cellulose Acetate Propionate (CAP). In some embodiments, the cellulose or derivative thereof is selected from the group consisting of hydroxymethyl cellulose, hydroxyethyl cellulose, hydroxypropyl cellulose, carboxymethyl cellulose (CMC), hydroxypropyl methyl cellulose (HPMC), methyl cellulose, ethyl cellulose, cellulose Acetate (CA), cellulose Acetate Butyrate (CAB), and Cellulose Acetate Propionate (CAP). In a specific embodiment, the cellulose derivative is CMC.

In some embodiments, the other binder is chitosan, which may improve the retention of certain effective compounds in the aerosol-generating material. For example, the use of chitosan may aid in the retention of glycerin within the aerosol-generating material. This may help reduce the surface tackiness of the aerosol-generating material, such as when it contains a high concentration of aerosol-forming material, and may thus facilitate processing and/or handling of the aerosol-generating material (during its production and/or subsequent processing).

The use of chitosan may also improve the tensile strength of the aerosol-generating material.

Chitosan is a copolymer of D-glucosamine and N-acetyl-D-glucosamine. Typically, chitosan is produced by N-deacetylation of chitin (chitin) via alkaline hydrolysis.

In some embodiments, the aerosol-generating material comprises chitosan in an amount of about 0.01wt%,0.025wt%,0.05wt%, or 0.1wt% to about 10wt%,5wt%,4wt%,3wt%,2wt%,1wt%, or 0.7wt% of the aerosol-generating material on a dry weight basis. For example, the aerosol-generating material may comprise chitosan in an amount of about 0.01 to 10wt%, such as 0.025 to 5wt%,0.05 to 2wt%,0.1 to 1wt%, or 0.1 to 0.7 wt%.

In some embodiments, the only binders are the first and second binders (i.e., guar gum and starch or starch derivatives).

Aerosol forming material

The aerosol-forming material may comprise one or more components capable of forming an aerosol. In some embodiments, the aerosol-forming material comprises (or is) one or more of glycerol, propylene glycol, diethylene glycol, triethylene glycol, tetraethylene glycol, 1, 3-butanediol, erythritol, meso-erythritol (meso-Erythritol), ethyl vanillic acid, ethyl laurate, diethyl suberate, triethyl citrate, glyceryl triacetate, diacetin mixtures, benzyl benzoate, glyceryl tributyrate, lauryl acetate, lauric acid, myristic acid, and propylene carbonate.

In some embodiments, the aerosol-forming material comprises (or is) one or more polyols, such as propylene glycol, triethylene glycol, 1, 3-butanediol, and glycerol; polyhydric alcohol esters such as monoacetate, diacetate or triacetate of glycerin; and/or aliphatic esters of monocarboxylic, dicarboxylic or polycarboxylic acids, such as dimethyl dodecanedioate and dimethyl tetradecenedioate.

In a specific embodiment, the aerosol-forming material comprises (or is) glycerin optionally in combination with propylene glycol.

The aerosol-generating material may comprise a total amount of aerosol-forming material of from about 1% to about 80% by weight of the aerosol-generating material on a dry weight basis. In some embodiments, the aerosol-generating material may comprise about 1wt%,10wt%,20wt%,30wt%,35wt%,40wt% or 45wt% to about 80wt%,70wt%,65wt%,60wt% or 55wt% of the aerosol-forming material in total, such as about 50wt% of the aerosol-generating material. In particular embodiments, the aerosol-generating material comprises a total amount of aerosol-forming material of about 35 to 65wt%, about 40 to 60wt%, or about 45 to 55wt%, such as about 50wt%.

Filler (B)

The aerosol generating material comprises a filler. The use of fillers may help reduce the viscosity of the aerosol-generating material, for example, if high levels of aerosol-forming material are present.

In some embodiments, the aerosol-generating material comprises a total amount of filler of at least 15wt% of the aerosol-generating material on a dry weight basis, such as from about 15 to 40wt%. For example, in some embodiments, the aerosol-generating material comprises a total amount of filler of about 20 to 40wt% or about 25 to 35 wt%.

In some embodiments, the filler comprises (or is) one or more inorganic filler materials, such as calcium carbonate, perlite, vermiculite, diatomaceous earth, colloidal silica, magnesia, magnesium sulfate, magnesium carbonate, and suitable inorganic adsorbents such as molecular sieves.

In some embodiments, the filler comprises (or is) one or more organic filler materials, such as wood pulp; tobacco pulp; cellulose and cellulose derivatives, such as microcrystalline cellulose and/or nanocrystalline cellulose.

As will be well understood by the skilled person, microcrystalline cellulose may be formed by depolymerizing cellulose by chemical processes (e.g., using acids or enzymes). One example method of forming microcrystalline cellulose includes acid hydrolysis of cellulose using an acid such as HCl. The cellulose produced after such treatment is crystalline (i.e., no amorphous regions remain). Methods and conditions suitable for forming microcrystalline cellulose are well known in the art.

In some embodiments, the aerosol-generating material does not comprise an inorganic filler. In some embodiments, the aerosol-generating composition does not comprise an inorganic filler.

In some embodiments, the aerosol-generating material does not comprise calcium carbonate, such as chalk.

In some embodiments, the aerosol-generating composition does not comprise calcium carbonate, such as chalk.

In a specific embodiment, the aerosol-generating material comprises a filler and the filler is fibrous. For example, the filler may be a fibrous organic filler material such as wood pulp, tobacco pulp, cellulose or cellulose derivatives. In some embodiments, the fibrous organic filler material may be wood pulp, cellulose, or cellulose derivatives. In a specific embodiment, the fibrous filler is wood pulp. Without wishing to be bound by theory, it is believed that including fibrous fillers in the aerosol-generating material may increase the tensile strength of the material. This may be particularly advantageous in examples where the aerosol-generating material is provided as a sheet, such as when a sheet of aerosol-generating material surrounds a rod of aerosolizable material.

In a specific embodiment, the filler comprises (or is) wood pulp.

Alternative active substances

The aerosol-generating material or aerosol-generating composition may comprise an active substance.

In some cases, the aerosol-generating material may comprise from about 1wt%,5wt%,10wt%,15wt%,20wt% or 25wt% to about 65wt%,60wt%,50wt%,45wt%,40wt%,35wt% or 30wt% (calculated on a dry weight basis) of the active substance.

In some cases, the active substance is nicotine. In some cases, the aerosol-generating material may comprise about 1wt%,2wt%,3wt%,4wt%, or 5wt% to about 20wt%,18wt%,15wt%,12wt%, or 10wt% (calculated on a dry weight basis) nicotine. For example, the aerosol-generating material may comprise about 1 to 20wt%,2 to 18wt% or 3 to 12wt% nicotine.

An active substance as used herein may be a physiologically active material, which is a material intended to achieve or enhance a physiological response. The active substance may for example be selected from nutrients, nootropic agents. The active substance may be naturally occurring or synthetically obtained. The active substance may comprise, for example, nicotine, caffeine, taurine, caffeine, vitamins, such as B6 or B12 or C, melatonin, or components, derivatives or combinations thereof. The active may include one or more components, derivatives or extracts of tobacco or other plant products (botanical).

In some embodiments, the active comprises nicotine. In some embodiments, the active comprises caffeine, melatonin, or vitamin B12.

As referred to herein, an active substance may comprise or be derived from one or more plant products or ingredients, derivatives or extracts thereof. As used herein, the term "plant product" includes any material derived from plants including, but not limited to, extracts, leaves, bark, fibers, stems, roots, seeds, flowers, fruits, pollen, pericarps (skin), hulls (shell), and the like. Alternatively, the material may comprise a synthetically derived active compound naturally occurring in a plant product. The material may be in the form of a liquid, gas, solid, powder, dust, crushed particles, granules, pellets, chips, strips, flakes, or the like. Examples of vegetable products are tobacco, eucalyptus, star anise, cocoa, fennel, lemon grass, peppermint, spearmint, sabina chinensis (rooibos), chamomile, flax, ginger, ginkgo, hazelnut, hibiscus, bay, licorice (licorice), green tea, coupler (mate), orange peel, papaya, rose, sage, tea, such as green tea or black tea, thyme, clove, cinnamon, coffee, anise (star anise), basil, bay leaf, cardamom, coriander (coriander), fennel, nutmeg, oregano, red pepper, rosemary, saffron, lavender, lemon peel, peppermint, juniper, elder, vanilla, wintergreen, perilla, turmeric (curcuma), turmeric root (turmyc), sandalwood, coriander leaf, bergamot, orange flower, myrtle, blackcurrant, valerian, sweet pepper (pimento), nutmeg peel, damiana (damien, danmin), marjoram, olive, lemon balm, lemon basil, chive, caraway, verbenan, tarragon, geranium, mulberry, ginseng, theanine, theophylline, maca, south african eggplant, shaggy clock flower, guarana, chlorophyll, monkey, or any combination thereof. Peppermint may be selected from the following mint varieties: wild mint (MENTHA ARVENTIS), mint cultivars (Mentha c.v.), ni Luo Meizhou mint (MENTHA NILIACA), peppermint (MENTHA PIPERITA), citrus mint cultivars (MENTHA PIPERITA CITRATA c.v.), peppermint cultivars (MENTHA PIPERITA c.v.), peppermint (MENTHA SPICATA CRISPA), heart mint (Mentha cordifolia), spearmint (Mentha longifolia), pineapple mint (Mentha suaveolens variegata), calyx mint (Mentha pulegium), spearmint cultivar (MENTHA SPICATA c.v.), and apple mint (Mentha suaveolens).

In some embodiments, the active comprises or is derived from one or more plant products or ingredients, derivatives or extracts thereof and the plant product is tobacco.

In some embodiments, the active comprises or is derived from one or more plant products or ingredients, derivatives or extracts thereof and the plant is selected from eucalyptus, star anise and cocoa.

In some embodiments, the active comprises or is derived from one or more plant products or ingredients, derivatives or extracts thereof and the plant is selected from the group consisting of loyi Bai Si and fennel.

In some embodiments, the aerosol-generating material does not comprise tobacco fibers.

In some embodiments, the aerosol-generating material does not comprise tobacco material.

In some embodiments, the aerosol-generating material is substantially free of tobacco material.

In some embodiments, the aerosol-generating material does not comprise an active substance.

Flavoring agent (flavor)

In some embodiments, the aerosol-generating material or aerosol-generating composition comprises a flavoring agent.

In some cases, the aerosol-generating material may comprise about 1wt%,5wt%,10wt%,15wt%,20wt%, or 25wt% to about 65wt%,60wt%,50wt%,45wt%,40wt%,35wt%, or 30wt% (calculated on a dry basis) of the flavoring agent.

As used herein, the terms "flavoring" and "flavoring" refer to materials that can be used to produce a desired taste, aroma, or other somatosensory in an adult consumer product, as permitted by local regulations. They may include naturally occurring flavor materials, plant products, plant product extracts, synthetically obtained materials, or combinations thereof (e.g., tobacco, licorice (licorice), hydrangea, eugenol, japanese white bark magnolia leaf (Japanese white bark magnolia leaf), chamomile, fenugreek, maple, matcha, menthol, japanese mint, anise (star anise), cinnamon, turmeric, indian flavoring, asian flavoring, vanilla, pyrola, cherry, berry, red berry, blueberry, peach, apple, orange, mango, citrus, lemon, lime, tropical fruit, papaya, rhubarb, grape, durian, dragon fruit, cucumber, blueberry, mulberry, citrus fruit, honey whiskey, bouillon, scotch whiskey, juniper, tequila, rum spearmint, peppermint, lavender, aloe, cardamom, celery, caltrop, nutmeg, sandalwood, bergamot, geranium, acacia tea, naswale (naswar), betel nut, hookah, pine, honey essence, rose oil, vanilla, lemon oil, orange flower, cherry blossom, cinnamon, caraway, coriander, coffee, peppermint oil from any of the genera Bolbostemma, eucalyptus, star anise, cocoa, lemon grass, loyi Bai Si, flax, ginkgo, hazelnut, lotus, bay, coupler (mate), orange peel, rose, tea, such as green tea or black tea, thyme, juniper, elder, basil, bay leaf, fennel, oregano, red pepper, rosemary, saffron, and the like, lemon peel, peppermint, perilla, turmeric, coriander leaf, myrtle, blackcurrant, valerian, sweet pepper (pimento), nutmeg peel, damiana (damien, danamine), marjoram, olive, lemon balm, lemon basil, chives, caraway, verbena, tarragon, limonene, thymol, camphene), flavor enhancers, bitter receptor site blockers, sensory receptor site activators or stimulators, sugar 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, botanicals, 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 agent comprises a flavoring component of cucumber, blueberry, citrus fruit, and/or raspberry. In some embodiments, the flavoring agent comprises eugenol. In some embodiments, the flavoring agent comprises a flavoring component extracted from tobacco.

In some embodiments, the flavoring agents may include sensates intended to achieve somatosensory, which is typically chemically induced and perceived by stimulation of the fifth cranial nerve (trigeminal nerve) in addition to or instead of the scent or gustatory nerve, and these may include agents that provide heating, cooling, stimulation (tingling), paralytic (numbing) effects. Suitable heat-acting agents may be, but are not limited to, vanillyl ether, and suitable coolants may be, but are not limited to, eucalyptol, WS-3.

Other functional materials

In some embodiments, the aerosol-generating material or aerosol-generating composition may further comprise one or more other functional materials. The one or more other functional materials may include one or more of a pH adjuster, a colorant, a preservative, a stabilizer, and/or an antioxidant.

The aerosol generating material may comprise an acid. The acid may be an organic acid. In some of these embodiments, the acid may be at least one of a monobasic acid, a dibasic acid, and a tribasic acid. In some of these embodiments, the acid may contain at least one carboxyl functionality. In some of these embodiments, the acid may be at least one of an alpha-hydroxy acid, a carboxylic acid, a dicarboxylic acid, a tricarboxylic acid, and a keto acid. In some of these embodiments, the acid may be an alpha-keto acid.

In some of these embodiments, the acid may be at least one of succinic acid, lactic acid, benzoic acid, citric acid, tartaric acid, fumaric acid, levulinic acid, acetic acid, malic acid, formic acid, sorbic acid, benzoic acid, propionic acid, and pyruvic acid.

Suitably, the acid is lactic acid. In other embodiments, the acid is benzoic acid. In other embodiments, the acid may be an inorganic acid. In some of these embodiments, the acid may be an inorganic acid. In some of these embodiments, the acid may be at least one of sulfuric acid, hydrochloric acid, boric acid, and phosphoric acid. In some embodiments, the acid is levulinic acid.

In embodiments wherein the aerosol-generating material comprises nicotine, the inclusion of an acid is particularly preferred. In these embodiments, the presence of the acid may stabilize dissolved species in the slurry forming the aerosol-generating material. The presence of the acid may reduce or substantially prevent evaporation of nicotine during drying of the slurry, thereby reducing nicotine loss during production.

The aerosol generating material may comprise a colorant. The addition of a colorant may alter the appearance of the aerosol-generating material. The presence of a colorant in the aerosol-generating material may enhance the appearance of the aerosol-generating material and the aerosol-generating composition. By adding a colorant to the aerosol-generating material, the aerosol-generating material may be color matched to other components of the aerosol-generating composition or other components of a consumable containing the aerosol-generating material.

A variety of colorants may be used based on the desired color of the aerosol-generating material. The color of the aerosol-generating material may be, for example, white, green, red, violet, blue, brown or black. Other colors are also contemplated. Natural or synthetic colorants such as natural or synthetic dyes, food grade colorants, and pharmaceutical grade colorants may be used. In certain embodiments, the colorant is caramel, which may impart a brown appearance to the aerosol-generating material. In these embodiments, the color of the aerosol-generating material may be similar to the color of other components (e.g., tobacco material) in the aerosol-generating composition comprising the aerosol-generating material. In some embodiments, the addition of a colorant to the aerosol-generating material makes it visually indistinguishable from the other components in the aerosol-generating composition.

The colorant may be incorporated during formation of the aerosol-generating material (e.g., when forming a slurry comprising the material forming the aerosol-generating material) or it may be applied to the aerosol-generating material after it is formed (e.g., by spraying it onto the aerosol-generating material).

In some embodiments, the aerosol generating material is formed as a sheet. In some cases, the aerosol-generating material sheet may be introduced into the non-combustible sol supply system or consumable in sheet form. The sheet of aerosol generating material may be introduced as a planar sheet, as a bunched or pleated sheet, as a rolled sheet or as a rolled sheet (i.e. in the form of a tube). In some of these cases, the aerosol-generating material of these embodiments may be included in the system/consumable as a sheet, such as a sheet surrounding an aerosolizable material (e.g., tobacco) rod. For example, the sheet of aerosol-generating material may be formed on a wrapper surrounding an aerosolizable material, such as tobacco. In other cases, the sheet may be shredded and then introduced into the assembly, suitably mixed into an aerosolizable material, such as cut tobacco.

In some cases, the aerosol-generating material may be in the form of a sheet or layer having a thickness of about 0.015mm to about 1.0 mm. Suitably, the thickness may be in the range of from about 0.05mm, 0.1mm or 0.15mm to about 0.5mm or 0.3mm, for example 0.1-3mm or 0.15-3mm. A thickness of 0.2mm of material may be particularly suitable. The aerosol-generating material may comprise more than one layer, and the thicknesses described herein refer to the aggregate thickness of those layers.

If the aerosol-generating material is too thick, heating efficiency may be impaired. This adversely affects power consumption in use. Conversely, if the aerosol-generating material is too thin, it may be difficult to produce and handle; very thin materials are more difficult to cast (cast) and can be brittle, compromising aerosol formation when in use.

The thickness specified herein is the average thickness of the material. In some cases, the thicknesses of the aerosol-generating material may differ by no more than 25%, 20%, 15%, 10%, 5%, or 1%.

In some embodiments, the aerosol-generating material in sheet form may have sufficient tensile strength so that it may be wound or unwound on a spool without breaking. In some examples, the aerosol-generating material in sheet form has a tensile strength of greater than or equal to about 250N/m.

The aerosol generating material may have any suitable surface density, such as 30g/m ² to 120g/m ². In some cases, the aerosol-generating material may have a mass per unit area of about 80 to 120g/m ², or about 70 to 110g/m ², or specifically about 90 to 110g/m ², or suitably about 100g/m ² (so that it will not readily separate when mixed with tobacco, such as cut tobacco). These surface densities may be particularly suitable when the aerosol generating material is included in the consumable/system in sheet form or as chips (as described further below).

Aerosol-generating composition

In one aspect there is provided an aerosol-generating composition comprising an aerosol-generating material as defined herein.

In some embodiments, the aerosol-generating composition further comprises a tobacco material. In these embodiments, the tobacco material does not form part of the aerosol-generating material. That is, it is present in the aerosol-generating composition separately from the aerosol-generating material.

As used herein, the term "tobacco material" refers to any material comprising tobacco or derivatives thereof. The term "tobacco material" may include one or more of tobacco, tobacco derivatives, expanded tobacco, reconstituted tobacco, or tobacco substitutes. The tobacco material may include one or more of ground tobacco, tobacco fibers, cut filler, extruded tobacco, tobacco stems, reconstituted tobacco, and/or tobacco extracts.

The tobacco used to produce the tobacco material may be any suitable tobacco, such as single grade or blend, cut filler, or whole leaf, including Virginia (Virginia) and/or Burley (Burley) and/or Oriental (Oriental) tobacco. It may also be tobacco particles "dust" or scraps, expanded tobacco, stems, expanded stems, and other processed stem materials, such as cut stems (cut rolled stems). The tobacco material may be ground tobacco or reconstituted tobacco material. The reconstituted tobacco material may comprise tobacco fibers and may be formed by casting, a fourdrinier-based papermaking type process with a backside addition of tobacco extract, or by extrusion.

In some embodiments, the amount of aerosol-forming material in the aerosol-generating composition is from about 5 to about 30wt% of the aerosol-generating composition on a dry weight basis. For example, in some embodiments, the aerosol-generating composition comprises the aerosol-forming material in an amount of about 10 to about 20wt%, or about 13 to about 17 wt%. In some embodiments, the aerosol-generating composition comprises the aerosol-forming material in an amount of about 15 wt%. The amount includes any aerosol-forming material present in the aerosol-generating composition, such as the aerosol-forming material provided in the aerosol-generating material and any aerosol-forming material loaded into the tobacco material.

Cut filler tobacco blends that can be used alone in conventional combustible flavored tobacco products such as cigarettes have been found to be unsuitable for use in non-combustible sol providing devices. Without wishing to be bound by theory, it is believed that cut filler tobacco blends for use in cigarettes typically may not be loaded with sufficient aerosol-forming material to provide the desired inhalable aerosol when heated by the non-combustible sol providing device.

Previous attempts to address this problem have included replacing some or all of the cut tobacco of the normally combustible tobacco blend with reconstituted tobacco, such as paper reconstituted tobacco. Paper reconstituted tobacco may typically contain a greater proportion of aerosol-forming material. However, tobacco blends containing a high proportion of paper reconstituted tobacco may have undesirable organoleptic characteristics when heated by a non-combustible sol providing device.

By providing an aerosol-generating material having a high content of aerosol-forming material in combination with a tobacco material, acceptable aerosols can be generated without requiring the presence of substantial amounts of reconstituted tobacco (thereby reducing the undesirable organoleptic characteristics associated with reconstituted tobacco).

In some embodiments, the tobacco material comprises or consists of lamina tobacco (e.g., cut tobacco), which provides the desired organoleptic characteristics.

In some embodiments, the tobacco material comprises reconstituted tobacco in an amount of less than about 50wt%,30wt%,10wt%,5wt%, or 1wt%, based on the dry weight of the tobacco material. In some embodiments, the tobacco material comprises substantially no reconstituted tobacco.

The tobacco material may be present in any form, but is typically fine cut (e.g., cut into narrow pieces). The fine cut tobacco material may be advantageously blended with the aerosol-generating material to provide an aerosol-generating composition having a uniform dispersion of tobacco material and aerosol-generating material throughout the aerosol-generating composition.

In some embodiments, the tobacco material comprises one or more of ground tobacco, tobacco fibers, cut filler, extruded tobacco, tobacco stems, reconstituted tobacco, and/or tobacco extracts. A relatively large amount of layered tobacco may be used in the aerosol-generating composition and still provide an acceptable aerosol when heated by the non-combustible aerosol-providing system. Lamina tobacco generally provides superior organoleptic characteristics. In examples, the tobacco material comprises lamina tobacco in an amount of at least about 50wt%,60wt%,70wt%,80wt%,85wt%,90wt%, or 95wt% of the tobacco material. In specific examples, the tobacco material comprises cut filler in an amount of at least about 50wt%,60wt%,70wt%,80wt%,85wt%,90wt%, or 95wt% of the tobacco material.

The tobacco used to produce the tobacco material may be any suitable tobacco, such as single grade or blend, cut filler, or whole leaf, including virginia and/or burley and/or oriental tobacco.

The tobacco material may generally be present in the aerosol-generating composition in an amount of from about 50 to 95wt%, alternatively from about 60 to 95wt%, alternatively from about 70 to 90wt%, alternatively from about 80 to 90wt% of the aerosol-generating composition.

In some embodiments, the aerosol-generating material is present in the aerosol-generating composition in an amount of about 5to 40wt%, 5to 30wt%, 5to 25wt%, or 10 to 20 wt%. Surprisingly, by configuring the aerosol-generating material to have a relatively high content of aerosol-forming material, a relatively small amount of aerosol-generating material (e.g., about 10 to 20 wt%) can be used in the aerosol-generating composition while still achieving the desired aerosol when used with a non-combustible aerosol-providing system.

In some embodiments, the aerosol-generating composition consists of or consists essentially of an aerosol-generating material and a tobacco material.

In some embodiments, the tobacco material itself comprises an aerosol-forming material. Typically, the tobacco material comprises fine cut tobacco, and the aerosol-forming material is loaded onto the tobacco fragments. In an example, the tobacco material comprises the aerosol-forming material in an amount of about 1 to 10wt% of the tobacco material, such as about 3 to 6 wt%. The aerosol-forming material defined above with respect to the aerosol-generating material is also suitable for use in tobacco materials.

The aerosol-generating material may be present in the aerosol-generating composition in any suitable form. In an example, the aerosol-generating material is present in sheet form. In an example, the aerosol-generating material is present as fragments (e.g., the aerosol-generating composition comprises fragments of the aerosol-generating material). In examples, the aerosol-generating material is present as fragments and is blended with the finely cut and/or chopped tobacco material, e.g., the aerosol-generating material and the tobacco material are in similar forms. Advantageously, providing both the aerosol-generating material and the tobacco material as the chips/fine cut portions provides an aerosol-generating composition blend having a uniform dispersion of the aerosol-generating material and the tobacco material throughout the aerosol-generating composition.

In an example, the aerosol-generating material has a surface density of about 90 to 110% of the surface density of any tobacco material in the aerosol-generating composition. That is, the aerosol-generating material and the tobacco material have similar surface densities. The aerosol-generating material and the tobacco material are typically configured to have similar surface densities when provided as fragments so that the aerosol-generating material and the tobacco material are better blended. For example, an aerosol-generating material in the form of chips having a similar surface density and cut tobacco may be blended to provide a more uniform aerosol-generating composition (e.g., better distribution of each component throughout the aerosol-generating composition).

Fine cut tobacco (e.g., cut filler tobacco) has a cut width generally indicated as CPI (cuts per inch) and indicates the width of the tobacco fragments. In some examples where the tobacco material is fine cut (e.g., where the tobacco material comprises cut filler tobacco) and the aerosol-generating material is a chip, the cut width of the aerosol-generating material is about 90 to 110% of the cut width of the cut filler tobacco. That is, the aerosol-generating material and the tobacco material have similar cut widths or chip widths. The aerosol-generating material and the tobacco material are configured to have similar cut widths so that the aerosol-generating material and the tobacco material are better blended. For example, cut pieces of aerosol-generating material having similar cut widths and cut filler tobacco may be blended to provide a more uniform aerosol-generating composition (e.g., better distribution of each component throughout the aerosol-generating composition). The tobacco material may have a length of 1-4 cm.

Support (support)

An aerosol-generating material for use in aerosol generation may be present on or in the support to form the substrate. The support may be or comprise, for example, paper, card (card), cardboard, reconstituted material, plastic material, ceramic material, composite material, glass, metal or metal alloy. In some embodiments, the support comprises a susceptor (susceptor). In some embodiments, the susceptor is embedded within the material. In some alternative embodiments, the susceptor is located on one or both sides of the material.

The aerosol-generating composition may comprise a carrier on which the aerosol-generating material is provided. The carrier acts as a support on which the layer of aerosol-generating material is formed, making production easy. The carrier may provide tensile strength to the aerosol generating material layer for ease of handling.

In some cases, the carrier may be formed from a material selected from the group consisting of: metal foil, paper, carbon paper, greaseproof paper, ceramics, allotropes of carbon such as graphite and graphene, plastics, cardboard, wood or combinations thereof. In some cases, the carrier may comprise or consist of a tobacco material, such as reconstituted tobacco sheet. In some cases, the carrier may be formed from a material selected from the group consisting of: metal foil, paper, cardboard, wood, or a combination thereof. In some cases, the carrier itself is a sheet-like structure comprising a layer of material selected from the list above. In some cases, the carrier may also function as a flavor carrier. For example, the carrier may be impregnated with a flavoring agent or with a tobacco extract.

In some cases, the carrier may be magnetic. This function may be used to secure the carrier to the non-combustible sol providing means at the time of use or may be used to create a specific aerosol generating material shape. In some cases, the aerosol-generating composition may comprise one or more magnets, which may be used to secure the material to the induction heater when in use.

In some cases, the carrier may be substantially or completely impermeable to the gas and/or aerosol. This prevents the aerosol or gas from passing through the carrier layer, thereby controlling the flow and ensuring that it is delivered to the user. This may also be used to prevent condensation or other deposition of the gas/aerosol being used, for example, on a heater surface provided in the aerosol generating assembly. Thus, consumption efficiency and hygiene can be improved in some cases.

In some cases, the surface of the support adjacent to the aerosol-generating material may be porous. For example, in one case, the carrier comprises paper. Porous supports such as paper have been found to be particularly suitable; the porous (e.g., paper) layer adjoins the aerosol-generating material layer and forms a strong bond. The aerosol-generating material may be formed by drying a slurry, and without being limited by theory, it is believed that the slurry partially impregnates a porous carrier (e.g., paper) such that the carrier partially becomes incorporated into the aerosol-generating material. This provides a strong bond between the aerosol generating material and the carrier.

In some embodiments, the aerosol-generating material may be laminated to a carrier such as a paper sheet.

In some embodiments, when the aerosol-generating material is formed from a slurry as described herein, a layer of the slurry may be formed on a carrier, such as a paper sheet.

In addition, the surface roughness may contribute to the bond strength between the aerosol-generating material and the carrier. The roughness of the paper (for the surface abutting the support) may suitably be in the range 50-1000 picograms seconds (Bekk seconds), suitably in the range 50-150 picograms seconds, suitably 100 picograms seconds (measured for a gas pressure interval of 50.66-48.00 kPa). (the brookfield smoothness tester is an instrument for determining the smoothness of a paper surface, in which air at a specified pressure leaks between a smooth glass surface and a paper sample, and the time (in seconds) for a fixed volume of air to seep between these surfaces is "brookfield smoothness").

Conversely, the surface of the carrier facing away from the aerosol-generating material may be arranged in contact with the heater, and a smoother surface may provide more efficient heat transfer. Thus, in some cases, the carrier is arranged to have a rough side adjacent the aerosol-generating material and a smooth side facing away from the aerosol-generating material.

In a specific case, the carrier may be a paper foil (paper-backed foil); the paper layer adjoins the aerosol-generating material and the properties discussed in the previous paragraph are provided by this abutment. The foil backing is substantially impermeable, thereby providing control of the aerosol flow path. The metal foil backing paper (metal foil backing) may also be used to conduct heat to the aerosol generating material.

In another case, the foil layer of the paper foil abuts the aerosol generating material. The foil is substantially impermeable, thereby preventing water provided in the aerosol-generating material from being absorbed into the paper, which may impair its structural integrity.

In some cases, the carrier is formed from or comprises a metal foil, such as an aluminum foil. The metal carrier may allow better conduction of thermal energy to the aerosol generating material. Additionally or alternatively, the metal foil may act as a susceptor in an induction heating system. In a specific embodiment, the carrier comprises a metal foil layer and a support layer such as cardboard. In these embodiments, the metal foil layer can have a thickness of less than 20 μm, such as about 1 μm to about 10 μm, suitably about 5 μm.

In some cases, the carrier may have a thickness of about 0.010mm to about 2.0mm, suitably about 0.015mm, 0.02mm, 0.05mm or 0.1mm to about 1.5mm, 1.0mm or 0.5 mm.

Consumable product

In another aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided a consumable for use in a non-combustible sol providing device, the consumable comprising an aerosol generating composition, wherein the aerosol generating composition comprises an aerosol generating material as defined herein.

In some embodiments, the present disclosure relates to a consumable comprising an aerosol generating composition and configured for use with a non-combustible sol providing device. Throughout this disclosure, these consumables are sometimes referred to as articles of manufacture.

The consumable may be used with any suitable non-combustible sol providing device.

A consumable is an article comprising or consisting of an aerosol-generating composition, some or all of which is intended to be consumed by a user during use. The consumable may comprise one or more other components, such as an aerosol-generating composition storage area, an aerosol-generating composition 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 in use emits heat to cause the aerosol-generating composition to generate an aerosol. The heater may for example comprise a combustible material, a material heatable by conduction or a susceptor (susceptor).

Susceptors are materials that are heatable by penetration of a varying magnetic field, such as an alternating magnetic field. The susceptor may be an electrically conductive material such that penetration of a varying magnetic field therethrough results in induction heating of the heating material. The heating material may be a magnetic material such that penetration of a varying magnetic field therethrough results in hysteresis heating of the heating material. The susceptor may be both electrically conductive and magnetic so that the susceptor is heatable by two heating mechanisms. The device configured to generate a varying magnetic field is referred to herein as a magnetic field generator.

An aerosol modifier is a substance typically located downstream of the aerosol-generating region that is configured to modify the aerosol generated, for example, by altering the taste, aroma, acidity, or additional characteristics of the aerosol. The aerosol modifier may be provided in an aerosol modifier release component, the release component being operable to selectively release the aerosol modifier.

The aerosol modifier may be, for example, an additive or an adsorbent. The aerosol modifiers may, for example, comprise one or more of flavourings, colourants, water and carbon adsorbents. The aerosol modifier may be, for example, a solid, a liquid or a gel. The aerosol modifier may be in powder, wire (thread) or particulate form. The aerosol modifier may be free of filter material.

An aerosol generator is a device configured to cause the generation of an aerosol from an aerosol-generating composition. In some embodiments, the aerosol generator is a heater configured to subject the aerosol-generating composition to thermal energy to release one or more volatile materials from the aerosol-generating composition to form an aerosol. In some embodiments, the aerosol generator is configured to cause the aerosol to be generated from the aerosol-generating composition without heating. For example, the aerosol generator may be configured to subject the aerosol-generating composition to one or more of vibration, increased pressure, or electrostatic energy.

Non-combustible sol providing system

In another aspect of the present disclosure, a non-combustible sol providing system is provided that includes the consumable and the non-combustible sol providing device described herein.

In accordance with the present disclosure, a "non-combustible" aerosol provision system is a system in which the component aerosol-generating composition of the aerosol provision system (or a component thereof) does not burn or burn away to facilitate delivery of at least one substance to a user.

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

In some embodiments, the non-combustible sol providing system is an aerosol generating composition 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 sol providing device is a heated non-combustion device.

In some embodiments, the non-combustible aerosol provision system is a hybrid system that generates an aerosol using a combination of aerosol generating compositions, one or more of which may be heated. In some embodiments, the mixing system includes an aerosol-generating composition described herein comprising or consisting of an aerosol-generating material and other liquid or gel aerosol-generating compositions.

In some embodiments, the non-combustible sol providing device is an electronic tobacco mixing device.

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

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

In some embodiments, a non-combustible aerosol provision system, such as a non-combustible aerosol provision device thereof, may comprise a region for receiving a consumable, an aerosol generator, an aerosol generation region, a housing, a mouthpiece, a filter, and/or an aerosol modifier.

The non-combustible aerosol provision system or device may comprise a heater configured to heat but not combust the aerosol-generating composition/aerosol-generating material. In some cases, the heater may be a thin film, resistive heater. In other cases, the heater may comprise an induction heater or the like. In other cases, the heater may be a combustible heat source or a chemical heat source that undergoes an exothermic reaction to produce heat when in use.

In some cases, the heater may heat the aerosolizable material to 120 ℃ to 350 ℃ in use, but not burn. In some cases, the heater may heat the aerosolizable material to 140 ℃ to 250 ℃ in use, but not burn. In some cases, substantially all of the aerosol-generating material is less than about 4mm, 3mm, 2mm, or 1mm from the heater when in use. In some cases, the solids are disposed about 0.017mm to 2.0mm, suitably about 0.1mm to 1.0mm, from the heater. In some cases, these shortest distances may reflect the thickness of the carrier supporting the aerosol-generating material. In some cases, the surface of the aerosol-generating material may directly abut the heater.

In some cases, the heater may be embedded in the aerosol-generating composition/aerosol-generating material. In some of these cases, the heater may be a resistive heater (with exposed contacts for connection to an electrical circuit). In other such cases, the heater may be a susceptor embedded in the aerosol-generating composition that is heated by induction.

The non-combustible sol providing system may additionally comprise a cooling element and/or a filter. The cooling element, if present, may serve the function or function of cooling the gas or aerosol components. In some cases, it may act to cool the gas components, condensing them to form an aerosol. It may also act to separate the very hot parts of the device from the user. The filter, if present, may comprise any suitable filter known in the art, such as a cellulose acetate plug.

In some cases, the non-combustible sol providing system may be a heated non-combustion system. That is, it may contain a solid material (and no liquid aerosolizable material). A heating non-combustion device is disclosed in WO 2015/062983A2, which is incorporated by reference in its entirety.

In some cases, the non-combustible sol providing system may include an electronic tobacco mixing device. That is, it may contain both solid aerosolizable material and liquid aerosolizable material. The separate aerosolizable material may be heated by a separate heater, the same heater, or in one case, the downstream aerosolizable material may be heated by a hot aerosol generated from the upstream aerosolizable material. An electronic tobacco mixing device is disclosed in WO 2016/135331 A1, which is incorporated by reference in its entirety.

Alternatively, the consumable may be referred to herein as a cartridge (cartridge). The consumable may be suitable for use in THP, electronic tobacco mixing devices or other aerosol generating devices. In some cases, the consumable may additionally include a filter and/or cooling element, as previously described. In some cases, the consumable may be restrained by a packaging material such as paper.

The consumable may additionally comprise a vent. These may be provided in the side walls of the article. In some cases, vents may be provided in the filter and/or cooling element. These holes may allow cool air to be drawn into the article during use, which may mix with the heated volatile components, thereby cooling the aerosol.

When heated in use, aeration enhances the production of visible heated volatile components from the article. The heated volatile components are made visible by the cooling process of the heated volatile components such that supersaturation of the heated volatile components occurs. The heated volatile component then undergoes droplet formation, otherwise known as nucleation, and eventually increases the size of the heated volatile component aerosol particles through further condensation of the heated volatile component and through condensation of newly formed droplets from the heated volatile component.

In some cases, the ratio of cold air to the sum of heated volatile components and cold air (referred to as the ventilation ratio) is at least 15%. By the method described above, a ventilation ratio of 15% enables the heated volatile components to be made visible. The visibility of the heated volatile components enables the user to identify volatile component production and add to the sensory experience of the smoking experience.

In another example, the ventilation ratio is between 50% and 85% to provide additional cooling for heating the volatile components. In some cases, the ventilation ratio may be at least 60% or 65%.

Referring to fig. 1 and 2, there is shown a partial cross-sectional view and a perspective view of an example of an article of consumable 101 ("article"). The article 101 is suitable for use with a device having an energy source and a heater. As described below, the article 101 of this embodiment is particularly suitable for use with the device 51 shown in fig. 5-7. In use, the article 101 may be removably inserted into the device shown in fig. 5 at the insertion point 20 of the device 51.

The article 101 of one example is in the form of a substantially round rod (CYLINDRICAL ROD) comprising a body of an aerosol-generating composition 103 and a filter assembly 105 in the form of a rod. The aerosol-generating composition comprises an aerosol-generating material as described herein. In some embodiments, it may be contained in sheet form. In some embodiments, it may be contained in the form of fragments. In some embodiments, the aerosol-generating compositions described herein may be incorporated in sheet form or in chip form.

The filter assembly 105 comprises 3 parts, a cooling part 107, a filtering part 109 and a mouth end part 111. The article 101 has a first end 113, also referred to as a mouth end or proximal end, and a second end 115, also referred to as a distal end. The body of the aerosol-generating composition 103 is located proximate to the distal end 115 of the article 101. In one example, the cooling portion 107 is located adjacent to the body of the aerosol-generating composition 103 between the body of the aerosol-generating composition 103 and the filtering portion 109 such that the cooling portion 107 is in an abutting relationship with the aerosol-generating composition 103 and the filtering portion 103. In other examples, there may be a separation between the body of the aerosol-generating composition 103 and the cooling portion 107 and between the body of the aerosol-generating composition 103 and the filtering portion 109. The filter portion 109 is located between the cooling portion 107 and the mouth end portion 111. The mouth end portion 111 is positioned adjacent the filter portion 109 near the proximal end 113 of the article 101. In one example, the filter portion 109 is in an abutting relationship with the mouth end portion 111. In one embodiment, the overall length of the filter assembly 105 is between 37mm and 45mm, more preferably the overall length of the filter assembly 105 is 41mm.

In one example, the length of the rod of aerosol-generating composition 103 is between 34mm and 50mm, suitably between 38mm and 46mm, suitably 42mm.

In one example, the overall length of the article 101 is between 71mm and 95mm, suitably between 79mm and 87mm, suitably 83mm.

The axial end of the body of the aerosol-generating composition 103 is visible at the distal end 115 of the article 101. However, in other embodiments, the distal end 115 of the article 101 may include a tip component (not shown) that covers the axial end of the body of the aerosol-generating composition 103.

The body of the aerosol-generating composition 103 is connected to the filter assembly 105 by an annular tipping paper (not shown) which is disposed substantially circumferentially about the filter assembly 105 to extend around the filter assembly 105 and along a length portion of the body of the aerosol-generating composition 103. In one example, the tipping paper is made from 58GSM standard tipping paper base paper. In one example, the length of the tipping paper is between 42mm and 50mm, suitably 46mm.

In one example, the cooling portion 107 is an annular tube and is placed around and defines an air gap within the cooling portion. The air gap provides a chamber for the flow of heated volatile components generated from the body of the aerosol-generating composition 103. The cooling portion 107 is hollow to provide a chamber for aerosol accumulation, but is sufficiently rigid to withstand axial pressure and bending moments that may occur during production, and at the same time the article 101 is in use during insertion of the device 51. In one example, the wall thickness of the cooling portion 107 is about 0.29mm.

The cooling portion 107 provides a physical displacement between the aerosol-generating composition 103 and the filtering portion 109. The physical displacement provided by the cooling portion 107 will provide a thermal gradient across the length of the cooling portion 107. In one example, the cooling portion 107 is configured to provide a temperature difference of at least 40 degrees celsius between the heated volatile components entering the first end of the cooling portion 107 and the heated volatile components exiting the second end of the cooling portion 107. In one example, the cooling portion 107 is configured to provide a temperature difference of at least 60 degrees celsius between the heated volatile components entering the first end of the cooling portion 107 and the heated volatile components exiting the second end of the cooling portion 107. This temperature difference across the length of the cooling element 107 protects the heat sensitive filter portion 109 from the high temperature of the aerosol generating composition 103 when heated by the device 51. If no physical displacement is provided between the filtering portion 109 and the body of the aerosol-generating composition 103 and the heating element of the device 51, the heat-sensitive filtering portion 109 may be damaged in use so that it will not be able to effectively perform its required function.

In one example, the length of the cooling portion 107 is at least 15mm. In one example, the length of the cooling portion 107 is between 20mm and 30mm, more specifically between 23mm and 27mm, more specifically between 25mm and 27mm, suitably 25mm.

The cooling portion 107 is made of paper, which means that it is composed of a material that does not create a concern for compounds such as toxic compounds when used adjacent to the heater of the device 51. In one example, the cooling portion 107 is made of a helically wound paper tube that provides a hollow interior cavity, but still maintains mechanical rigidity. The spirally wound paper tube can meet the strict dimensional accuracy requirements of the high-speed production process in terms of tube length, outer diameter, roundness and flatness.

In another example, the cooling portion 107 is a recess (recess) created from a hard plug wrap (stick) or tipping paper. The hard-form paper or tipping paper is produced to be rigid enough to withstand axial compressive and bending moments that may occur during production, and at the same time the article 101 is in use during insertion of the device 51.

The filter portion 109 may be formed of any filter material sufficient to remove one or more volatile compounds from the heated volatile components from the aerosol-generating composition. In one example, the filter portion 109 is made of a monoacetate material such as cellulose acetate. The filtering portion 109 provides cooling and reduced irritation of the heated volatile components without eliminating the amount of heated volatile components to a level that is not satisfactory to the user.

In some embodiments, an envelope (not shown) may be provided in the filter portion 109. It may pass through the diameter of the filter portion 109 and be arranged substantially centrally in the filter portion 109 along the length of the filter portion 109. In other cases, it may be offset in one or more dimensions. In some cases, the coating may contain volatile components such as flavors or aerosol-forming materials when present.

The density of the cellulose acetate tow material of the filter portion 109 controls the pressure drop across the filter portion 109, which in turn controls the draw resistance of the article 101. Thus, the choice of material for the filter portion 109 is important in controlling the resistance to draw of the article 101. In addition, the filtering portion performs a filtering function in the product 101.

In one example, the filter portion 109 is made of an 8Y15 grade filter tow material that provides filtration of the heated volatile material while also reducing the size of condensed aerosol droplets produced by the heated volatile material.

The presence of the filtering section 109 provides an insulating effect by providing further cooling to the heated volatile components exiting the cooling section 107. This further cooling action reduces the contact temperature of the user's lips on the surface of the filter portion 109.

In one example, the length of the filter portion 109 is between 6mm and 10mm, suitably 8mm.

The mouth end portion 111 is an annular tube and is placed around and defines an air gap of the mouth end portion 111. The air gap provides a chamber for heated volatile components from the filter section 109. The mouth end portion 111 is hollow to provide a chamber for aerosol accumulation, but is sufficiently rigid to withstand axial pressure and bending moments that may occur during production, and at the same time, the article is in use during insertion of the device 51. In one example, the wall thickness of the mouth end portion 111 is about 0.29mm. In one example, the length of the mouth end portion 111 is between 6mm and 10mm, suitably 8mm.

The mouth end portion 111 may be made of a helically wound paper tube that provides a hollow interior cavity, but still maintains critical mechanical rigidity. The spirally wound paper tube can meet the strict dimensional accuracy requirements of the high-speed production process in terms of tube length, outer diameter, roundness and flatness.

The mouth end portion 111 provides the function of preventing any liquid condensate that builds up at the outlet of the filter portion 109 from directly contacting the user.

It should be appreciated that in one example, the mouth end portion 111 and the cooling portion 107 may be made of a single tube, and the filter portion 109 is located within the tube separating the mouth end portion 111 and the cooling portion 107.

Referring to fig. 3 and 4, a partial cross-sectional view and a perspective view of an example of an article 301 are shown. The reference symbols shown in fig. 3 and 4 correspond to those shown in fig. 1 and 2, but with an increment of 200.

In the example of the article 301 shown in fig. 3 and 4, a ventilation zone 317 is provided in the article 301 to enable air to flow from outside the article 301 into the interior of the article 301. In one example, the ventilation zone 317 takes the form of one or more ventilation holes 317 formed through the outer layer of the article 301. A vent may be located in the cooling portion 307 to assist in cooling the article 301. In one example, the ventilation zone 317 comprises one or more rows of apertures, and preferably, in a cross-section substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the article 301, each row of apertures is disposed circumferentially about the article 301.

In one example, there are 1 to 4 rows of vents to provide ventilation for the article 301. Each row of vent holes may have 12 to 36 vent holes 317. The diameter of the vent 317 may be, for example, between 100 and 500 μm. In one example, the axial spacing between each row of vent holes 317 is between 0.25mm and 0.75mm, suitably 0.5mm.

In one example, the vent 317 has a uniform size. In another example, the vent 317 is sized differently. The vent may be prepared using any suitable technique, such as one or more of the following: laser technology, mechanical perforation of the cooling portion 307, or pre-perforation of the cooling portion 307 prior to forming the article 301. The vent 317 is positioned to provide effective cooling to the article 301.

In one example, the vent 317 arrangement is located at least 11mm from the proximal end 313 of the article, suitably between 17mm and 20mm from the proximal end 313 of the article 301. The position of the vent 317 is located such that the user does not block the vent 317 while the article 301 is in use.

When the article 301 is fully inserted into the device 51, providing a vent row of 17mm to 20mm from the proximal end 313 of the article 301 enables the vent 317 to be located outside the device 51, as can be seen in fig. 6 and 7. By placing the vent outside the device, unheated air can enter the article 301 through the vent from outside the device 51 to assist in cooling the article 301.

When the article 301 is fully inserted into the device 51, the length of the cooling portion 307 is such that the cooling portion 307 will be partially inserted into the device 51. The length of the cooling portion 307 provides a first function of providing a physical gap between the heater device of the apparatus 51 and the heat sensitive filter device 309, and a second function of enabling the vent 317 to be located in the cooling portion while also being located outside the apparatus 51 when the article 301 is fully inserted into the apparatus 51. As can be seen from fig. 6 and 7, a large part of the cooling element 307 is located within the device 51. However, there is a portion of the cooling element 307 extending out of the device 51. It is in this cooling element 307 portion of the extension device 51 that the vent 317 is located.

Referring now in more detail to fig. 5 to 7, there is shown an example of a device 51 arranged to heat an aerosol-generating composition to volatilize at least one component of the aerosol-generating composition, typically to form an inhalable aerosol. The device 51 is a heating device that releases the compound by heating rather than burning the aerosol-generating composition.

The first end 53 is sometimes referred to herein as the mouth or proximal end 53 of the device 51, and the second end 55 is sometimes referred to herein as the distal end 55 of the device 51. The device 51 has an on/off button 57 to allow the user to switch the device 51 as a whole as desired.

The device 51 comprises a housing 59 for arranging and protecting the various internal components of the device 51. In the example shown, the housing 59 comprises an integral sleeve 11 surrounding the perimeter of the device 51, which is capped by a top panel 17 generally defining the "top" of the device 51 and a bottom panel 19 generally defining the "bottom" of the device 51. In another example, the housing includes a front panel, a rear panel, and a pair of opposing side panels in addition to the top panel 17 and the bottom panel 19.

The top panel 17 and/or the bottom panel 19 may be removably secured to the integrated sleeve 11 to allow easy access to the interior of the device 51, or may be "permanently" secured to the integrated sleeve 11, for example, to prevent user access to the interior of the device 51. In the example, panels 17 and 19 are made of a plastic material, including glass filled nylon, for example, formed by injection molding, and integral sleeve 11 is made of aluminum, although other materials and other methods of production may be used.

The top panel 17 of the device 51 has an opening 20 at the mouth end 53 of the device 51 through which a user may insert and remove an article 101, 301 comprising an aerosol-generating composition from the device 51 in use.

The housing 59 has disposed or secured therein the heater device 23, the control loop 25, and the energy source 27. In this embodiment, the heater device 23, the control loop 25 and the energy source 27 are laterally adjacent (that is, adjacent when viewed from the end), with the control loop 25 generally being located between the heater device 23 and the energy source 27, although other locations are possible.

The control loop 25 may include a controller, such as a microprocessor device, configured and arranged to control heating of the aerosol-generating composition in the article 101, 301, as discussed further below.

The energy source 27 may be, for example, a battery, which may be a rechargeable battery or a non-rechargeable battery. Examples of suitable batteries include, for example, lithium ion batteries, nickel batteries (e.g., nickel-cadmium batteries), alkaline batteries, and/or the like. The battery 27 is electrically coupled to the heater device 23 to provide power when needed and is controlled by the control loop 25 to heat the aerosol-generating composition in the article (as discussed, to volatilize the aerosol-generating composition without causing the aerosol-generating composition to burn).

An advantage of arranging the power supply 27 laterally adjacent to the heater device 23 is that a physically larger power supply 25 may be used without causing the apparatus 51 to be excessively long as a whole. As will be appreciated, typically the physically larger power supply 25 has a greater capacity (that is, the total power that can be provided, typically measured in amp-hours, etc.), and thus the battery life of the device 51 may be longer.

In one example, the heater apparatus 23 is generally in the form of a hollow cylindrical tube having a hollow interior heating chamber 29 into which the article 101, 301 comprising the aerosol-generating composition is inserted for heating in use. Different arrangements of the heater device 23 are possible. For example, the heater device 23 may comprise a single heating element or may be formed of a plurality of heating elements arranged along a longitudinal axis of the heater device 23. The or each heating element may be annular or tubular, or at least partially annular or partially tubular around its circumference. In one example, the or each heating element may be a thin film heater. In another example, the or each heating element may be made of a ceramic material. Examples of suitable ceramic materials include alumina and aluminum nitride and silicon nitride ceramics, which may be laminated and sintered. Other heating means are possible including, for example, induction heating, infrared heater elements, which heat by emitting infrared radiation, or resistive heating elements formed, for example, by resistive coils.

In one specific example, the heater device 23 is supported by a stainless steel support tube and the heater device 23 comprises a polyimide heating element. The dimensions of the heater device 23 are such that when the article 101, 301 is inserted into the apparatus 51, substantially the entire body of the aerosol-generating composition 103, 303 of the article 101, 301 is inserted into the heater device 23.

The or each heating element may be arranged such that selected regions of the aerosol-generating composition may be heated independently, for example alternately (over time as discussed above) or together (simultaneously) as required.

In this example, the heater device 23 is surrounded by a thermal insulator 31 along at least a portion of its length. The insulator 31 helps reduce heat transfer from the heater device 23 to the outside of the apparatus 51. This helps to reduce the energy requirements of the heater device 23, as it generally reduces heat loss. The insulator 31 also helps to keep the device 51 externally cooled during operation of the heater apparatus 23. In one example, the insulator 31 may be a double-walled sleeve that provides a low-voltage region between the two walls of the sleeve. That is, the insulator 31 may be, for example, a "vacuum" tube, i.e., a tube that is at least partially evacuated to minimize heat transfer by conduction and/or convection. Other arrangements of the insulator 31 are possible in addition to or instead of the double-walled sleeve, including the use of insulating materials, including for example suitable foam-type materials.

The housing 59 may also include various internal support structures 37 for supporting all internal components, as well as the heating device 23.

The device 51 further includes a collar (collar) 33 extending around the opening 20 and protruding from the opening 20 into the interior of the housing 59 and a generally tubular chamber 35 between the collar 33 and one end of the vacuum sleeve 31. The chamber 35 further includes a cooling structure 35f, which in this example includes a plurality of cooling fins 35f spaced apart along the outer surface of the chamber 35 and respectively circumferentially arranged around the outer surface of the chamber 35. When the article 101, 301 is inserted into the device 51 over at least a portion of the length of the hollow chamber 35, an air gap 36 exists between the hollow chamber 35 and the article 101, 301. The air gap 36 surrounds the entire circumference of the article 101, 301 over at least a portion of the cooling portion 307.

Collar 33 includes a plurality of ridges 60 disposed circumferentially about the periphery of opening 20 and extending into opening 20. The ridge 60 occupies space within the opening 20 such that the opening span of the opening 20 at the location of the ridge 60 is less than the opening span of the opening 20 at the location of the absence of the ridge 60. The ridge 60 is configured to engage the article 101, 301 inserted into the device to help secure it within the device 51. Ventilation channels around the outside of the articles 101, 301 are formed by the open spaces (not shown) defined by the adjacent pairs of ridges 60 and articles 101, 301. These ventilation channels allow hot steam escaping from the product 101, 301 to leave the device 51 and cooling air to flow in the air gap 36 into the device 51 around the product 101, 301.

In operation, the article 101, 301 is removably inserted into the insertion point 20 of the device 51, as shown in fig. 5-7. Referring specifically to fig. 6, in one example, the body of the aerosol-generating composition 103, 303 disposed at the distal end 115, 315 of the article 101, 301 is fully contained within the heater apparatus 23 of the device 51. The proximal ends 113, 313 of the articles 101, 301 extend from the device 51 and serve as an interface component for the user.

In operation, the heater device 23 will heat the article 101, 301 to volatilize at least one component of the aerosol-generating composition from the body of the aerosol-generating composition 103, 303.

The primary flow path of the heated volatile components from the body of the aerosol-generating composition 103, 303 is axially through the article 101, 301, through the chamber inside the cooling section 107, 307, through the filter section 109, 309, through the mouth end section 111, 313 to the user. In one example, the temperature of the heated volatile components generated from the body of the aerosol-generating composition is between 60 ℃ and 250 ℃, which may be above the user acceptable inhalation temperature. As the heated volatile component passes through the cooling section 107, 307 it will cool and some of the volatile component will condense on the inner surfaces of the cooling section 107, 307.

In the example of the article 301 shown in fig. 3 and 4, the cool air will be able to enter the cooling portion 307 through ventilation holes 317 formed in the cooling portion 307. The cold air will mix with the heated volatile components to provide additional cooling for the heated volatile components.

Method for producing aerosol generating material

Another aspect of the invention provides a method of preparing an aerosol-generating material as described herein. The method may include:

(ii) Forming a layer of slurry; and

(Iii) The slurry is dried to form an aerosol generating material.

The disclosure herein relating to aerosol generating material compositions applies equally to slurries. The slurry may contain these ingredients in any of the proportions provided herein with respect to the composition of the aerosol-generating material.

When the aerosol-generating material comprises other binders that are alginate and/or pectin, the slurry may also comprise a hardener and/or the hardener may be applied to the slurry. In this case, the method may further include a step of hardening the slurry. In some examples, forming a layer of the slurry and/or hardening the slurry and/or drying the slurry occurs at least partially simultaneously (e.g., during electrospray). In some examples, the steps of forming a layer of slurry, hardening the slurry with any hardening agent, and drying the slurry occur sequentially in this order.

Another aspect of the present invention provides a method of preparing an aerosol-generating composition comprising an aerosol-generating material described herein (hereinafter referred to as a second method). The method may include providing an aerosol-generating material and combining the aerosol-generating material with a tobacco material to provide an aerosol-generating composition.

In some cases, the aerosol-generating composition may comprise the aerosol-forming material in an amount of from about 5 to about 30wt% of the aerosol-generating composition on a dry weight basis.

The second method generally comprises providing an aerosol-generating material as described above, providing a tobacco material as described above and combining the aerosol-generating material and the tobacco material such that a ratio of aerosol-generating composition having an aerosol-forming material content of about 5 to 30wt% of the aerosol-generating composition is provided.

In an example, the aerosol generating material is provided as fragments. In a specific example, providing the aerosol-generating material includes shredding a sheet of aerosol-generating material to provide the aerosol-generating material as fragments. In an example, the tobacco material is fine cut, and combining the aerosol-generating material and the tobacco material comprises blending pieces of the aerosol-generating material with the fine cut tobacco material.

In an example, providing an aerosol-generating material includes (i) forming a slurry comprising a component of the aerosol-generating material or a precursor thereof, (ii) forming a layer of the slurry, and (iii) drying the slurry to form the aerosol-generating material.

(Ii) The slurry forming layers typically include spraying, casting, and extruding the slurry. In an example, the slurry layer is formed by electrospray of the slurry. In an example, the slurry layer is formed by casting a slurry.

In some examples, the slurry is applied to a support. A layer may be formed on the support.

In examples, drying (iii) removes about 50wt%,60wt%,70wt%,80wt%, or 90wt% to about 80wt%,90wt% or 95wt% of water (based on wet weight, WWB) in the slurry.

In an example, drying (iii) reduces the casting material thickness by at least 80%, suitably 85% or 87%. For example, if the slurry is cast at a thickness of 2mm, the resulting dry aerosol-generating material may have a thickness of 0.2 mm.

In an embodiment, the dried aerosol-generating material forms a sheet or layer from about 0.015mm to about 1.0mm thick. Suitably, the thickness may be in the range of from about 0.05mm,0.1mm or 0.15mm to about 0.5mm or 0.3mm, for example 0.05-0.3 or 0.15-0.3 mm. A material thickness of 0.2mm may be particularly suitable.

The slurry itself is one aspect of the present invention. In some examples, the slurry solvent consists essentially of or consists of water. In some examples, the slurry comprises about 50wt%,60wt%,70wt%,80wt% or 90wt% solvent (WWB).

Other aspects provide methods of making the aerosol-generating materials described herein using papermaking. In a specific embodiment, the papermaking process is a dust-free papermaking process. The use of dust-free paper making reduces the water consumption. Suitable dust-free papermaking processes are discussed in US9901112B2, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference.

In one embodiment, a dust free method comprises:

(a) Optionally mixing the bulking agent with any chitosan,

(B) A layer of the mixture (or filler) is formed on a surface such as a moving surface to form a base layer,

(C) Applying a slurry comprising an aerosol-forming material and a first binder and a second binder by spraying the slurry onto the substrate layer, and

(D) And (5) drying.

In one aspect, the spraying step (c) and the drying step (d) are repeated, for example, 2 or 3 times.

Other embodiments of the invention are described below.

1. The aerosol-generating material of claim 1, wherein the aerosol-generating material comprises a total amount of aerosol-forming material of about 1 to 80wt% of the aerosol-generating material on a dry weight basis.

2. The aerosol-generating material of embodiment 1, wherein the aerosol-generating material comprises a total amount of aerosol-forming material of about 35 to 65wt% of the aerosol-generating material on a dry weight basis.

3. The aerosol-generating material of embodiment 2, wherein the aerosol-generating material comprises a total amount of aerosol-forming material of about 40 to 60wt% of the aerosol-generating material on a dry weight basis.

4. The aerosol-generating material of embodiment 3, wherein the aerosol-generating material comprises a total amount of aerosol-forming material of about 45 to 55wt% of the aerosol-generating material on a dry weight basis.

5. The aerosol-generating material of claim 1 or any of the above embodiments, wherein the aerosol-forming material comprises (or is) 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, diacetin mixture, benzyl benzoate, glyceryl tributyrate, lauryl acetate, lauric acid, myristic acid, and propylene carbonate.

6. An aerosol-generating material according to claim 1 or any of the preceding embodiments, wherein the aerosol-forming material comprises (or is) glycerol optionally in combination with propylene glycol.

7. The aerosol-generating material of claim 1 or any of the above embodiments, wherein the second binder is a modified starch.

8. The aerosol-generating material of claim 1 or any of the above embodiments, wherein the modified starch is one or more of hydroxypropyl starch, sodium carboxymethyl starch, octenyl succinic anhydride modified starch, acetic acid starch, phosphoric acid mono-starch, phosphoric acid di-starch, adipic acid di-starch, hydroxypropyl phosphoric acid di-starch, phosphorylated phosphoric acid di-starch, acetylated phosphoric acid di-starch, and acetylated adipic acid di-starch.

9. The aerosol-generating material of embodiment 8, wherein the modified starch comprises (or is) one or more of hydroxypropyl starch, carboxymethyl starch, and sodium carboxymethyl starch.

The aerosol-generating material of embodiment 9, wherein the modified starch comprises (or is) one or more of hydroxypropyl starch and sodium carboxymethyl starch.

10. The aerosol-generating material of claim 1 or any of the above embodiments, wherein the aerosol-generating material comprises the first binder in an amount of about 3 to 35wt% of the aerosol-generating material on a dry weight basis.

11. The aerosol-generating material of embodiment 10, wherein the aerosol-generating material comprises the first binder in an amount of about 5 to 30wt% of the aerosol-generating material on a dry weight basis.

12. The aerosol-generating material of embodiment 11, wherein the aerosol-generating material comprises the first binder in an amount of about 7 to 25wt% of the aerosol-generating material on a dry weight basis.

13. The aerosol-generating material of embodiment 12, wherein the aerosol-generating material comprises the first binder in an amount of about 10 to 20wt% of the aerosol-generating material on a dry weight basis.

14. The aerosol-generating material of claim 1 or any of the above embodiments, wherein the aerosol-generating material comprises the second binder in a total amount of about 1 to 20wt% of the aerosol-generating material on a dry weight basis.

15. The aerosol-generating material of embodiment 14, wherein the aerosol-generating material comprises the second binder in a total amount of about 2 to 15wt% of the aerosol-generating material on a dry weight basis.

16. The aerosol-generating material of embodiment 15, wherein the aerosol-generating material comprises the second binder in a total amount of about 3 to 10wt% of the aerosol-generating material on a dry weight basis.

17. The aerosol-generating material of claim 1 or any of the above embodiments, wherein the aerosol-generating material comprises the first binder and the second binder in a total amount of about 5 to 50wt% of the aerosol-generating material on a dry weight basis.

18. The aerosol-generating material of embodiment 17, wherein the aerosol-generating material comprises the first binder and the second binder in a total amount of about 10 to 40wt% of the aerosol-generating material on a dry weight basis.

19. The aerosol-generating material of embodiment 18, wherein the aerosol-generating material comprises the first binder and the second binder in a total amount of about 15 to 30wt% of the aerosol-generating material on a dry weight basis.

20. The aerosol-generating material of embodiment 19, wherein the aerosol-generating material comprises the first binder and the second binder in a total amount of about 15 to 25wt% of the aerosol-generating material on a dry weight basis.

21. The aerosol-generating material of embodiment 20, wherein the aerosol-generating material comprises the first binder and the second binder in a total amount of about 17 to 25wt% of the aerosol-generating material on a dry weight basis.

22. The aerosol-generating material of claim 1 or any of the above embodiments, wherein the aerosol-generating material further comprises one or more other binders in addition to guar gum, starch, or modified starch.

23. The aerosol-generating material of embodiment 22, wherein the additional binder comprises (or is) one or more compounds selected from the group consisting of: a polysaccharide binder; gelatin; a gum; a silica or silicone compound; clay; and polyvinyl alcohol.

24. The aerosol-generating material of embodiment 23, wherein the gum is selected from the group consisting of xanthan gum and gum arabic.

25. The aerosol-generating material of any of embodiments 23-24, wherein the silica or silicone compound is selected from PDMS and sodium silicate.

26. The aerosol-generating material of any of embodiments 23-25, wherein the clay is kaolin.

27. The aerosol-generating material of embodiment 22, wherein the additional binder comprises (or is) one or more polysaccharide binders.

28. The aerosol-generating material of any of embodiments 23-27, wherein the polysaccharide binder is selected from the group consisting of alginate, pectin, cellulose or a derivative thereof, pullulan, carrageenan, agar, agarose, and chitosan.

29. The aerosol-generating material of embodiment 28, wherein the polysaccharide binder is selected from the group consisting of alginate, pectin, cellulose or derivatives thereof, and chitosan.

30. The aerosol-generating material of any of embodiments 28-29, wherein the cellulose derivative is selected from the group consisting of: hydroxymethyl cellulose, hydroxyethyl cellulose, hydroxypropyl cellulose, carboxymethyl cellulose (CMC), hydroxypropyl methylcellulose (HPMC), methyl cellulose, ethyl cellulose, cellulose Acetate (CA), cellulose Acetate Butyrate (CAB) and Cellulose Acetate Propionate (CAP).

31. The aerosol-generating material of any of embodiments 22-30, wherein the other binder (or polysaccharide binder) comprises (or is) chitosan.

32. The aerosol-generating material of embodiment 31, wherein the aerosol-generating material comprises chitosan in an amount of about 0.01 to 10% by weight of the aerosol-generating material on a dry weight basis.

33. The aerosol-generating material of embodiment 32, wherein the aerosol-generating material comprises chitosan in an amount of about 0.025-5wt% of the aerosol-generating material on a dry weight basis.

34. The aerosol-generating material of embodiment 33, wherein the aerosol-generating material comprises chitosan in an amount of about 0.05 to 2wt% of the aerosol-generating material on a dry weight basis.

35. The aerosol-generating material of embodiment 34, wherein the aerosol-generating material comprises chitosan in an amount of about 0.1 to 1% by weight of the aerosol-generating material on a dry weight basis.

36. The aerosol-generating material of embodiment 35, wherein the aerosol-generating material comprises chitosan in an amount of about 0.1 to 0.7wt% of the aerosol-generating material on a dry weight basis.

37. The aerosol-generating material of claim 1 or any of the above embodiments, wherein the filler comprises one or more organic filler materials.

38. The aerosol-generating material of embodiment 37, wherein the organic filler material is selected from wood pulp; tobacco pulp; starch and starch derivatives, such as maltodextrin; cellulose and cellulose derivatives, such as microcrystalline cellulose and/or nanocrystalline cellulose.

39. The aerosol-generating material of claim 1 or any of the above embodiments, wherein the filler comprises (or is) wood pulp.

40. The aerosol-generating material of claim 1 or any of the above embodiments, wherein the aerosol-generating material comprises a total amount of filler of at least 15wt% of the aerosol-generating material on a dry weight basis.

41. The aerosol-generating material of embodiment 40, wherein the aerosol-generating material comprises filler in a total amount of about 15 to 40wt% of the aerosol-generating material on a dry weight basis.

42. The aerosol-generating material of embodiment 41, wherein the aerosol-generating material comprises filler in a total amount of about 20 to 40wt% of the aerosol-generating material on a dry weight basis.

43. The aerosol-generating material of embodiment 42, wherein the aerosol-generating material comprises a total amount of filler of about 25 to 35wt% of the aerosol-generating material on a dry weight basis.

44. The aerosol-generating material of claim 1 or any of the above embodiments, wherein the aerosol-generating material does not comprise an inorganic filler.

45. The aerosol-generating material of claim 1 or any of the above embodiments, wherein the aerosol-generating material does not comprise calcium carbonate, such as chalk.

46. The aerosol-generating material of claim 1 or any of the above embodiments, wherein the aerosol-generating material does not comprise an active substance.

47. The aerosol-generating material of claim 1 or any of the above embodiments, wherein the aerosol-generating material does not comprise tobacco material.

48. An aerosol-generating composition comprising an aerosol-generating material as defined in claim 1 or any of the above embodiments.

49. The aerosol-generating composition of embodiment 48, further comprising a tobacco material.

50. The aerosol-generating composition of embodiment 48 or 49, wherein the amount of aerosol-forming material in the aerosol-generating composition is from about 5 to about 30wt% of the aerosol-generating composition on a dry weight basis.

51. The aerosol-generating composition of embodiment 50, wherein the amount of aerosol-forming material in the aerosol-generating composition is from about 10 to about 20wt% of the aerosol-generating composition on a dry weight basis.

52. The aerosol-generating composition of embodiment 51, wherein the amount of aerosol-forming material in the aerosol-generating composition is from about 13 to about 17wt% of the aerosol-generating composition on a dry weight basis.

53. The aerosol-generating composition of any of embodiments 48-52, wherein the aerosol-generating composition comprises the aerosol-generating material in an amount of about 5 to 40wt% of the aerosol-generating composition on a dry weight basis.

54. The aerosol-generating composition of embodiment 53, wherein the aerosol-generating composition comprises the aerosol-generating material in an amount of about 5 to 30% by weight of the aerosol-generating composition on a dry weight basis.

55. The aerosol-generating composition of embodiment 54, wherein the aerosol-generating composition comprises the aerosol-generating material in an amount of about 5 to 25wt% of the aerosol-generating composition on a dry weight basis.

56. The aerosol-generating composition of embodiment 55, wherein the aerosol-generating composition comprises the aerosol-generating material in an amount of about 10 to 25% by weight of the aerosol-generating composition on a dry weight basis.

57. The aerosol-generating composition of embodiment 56, wherein the aerosol-generating composition comprises the aerosol-generating material in an amount of about 10 to 20% by weight of the aerosol-generating composition on a dry weight basis.

58. The aerosol-generating composition of any of embodiments 49-57, wherein the aerosol-generating composition comprises the tobacco material in an amount of about 50 to 95wt% of the aerosol-generating composition on a dry weight basis.

59. The aerosol-generating composition of embodiment 58, wherein the aerosol-generating composition comprises tobacco material in an amount of about 60 to 95% by weight of the aerosol-generating composition on a dry weight basis.

60. The aerosol-generating composition of embodiment 59, wherein the aerosol-generating composition comprises tobacco material in an amount of about 70 to 90% by weight of the aerosol-generating composition on a dry weight basis.

61. The aerosol-generating composition of embodiment 60, wherein the aerosol-generating composition comprises tobacco material in an amount of about 80 to 90% by weight of the aerosol-generating composition on a dry weight basis.

62. The aerosol-generating composition of any of embodiments 49-61, wherein the tobacco material comprises the aerosol-forming material in an amount of about 1-10% by weight of the tobacco material.

63. The aerosol-generating composition of any of embodiments 49-62, wherein the tobacco material is finely cut.

64. The aerosol-generating composition of any of embodiments 49-63, wherein the tobacco material comprises layered tobacco.

65. The aerosol-generating composition of any of embodiments 49-64, wherein the tobacco material comprises cut filler tobacco.

66. The aerosol-generating composition of any of embodiments 49-65, wherein the aerosol-generating material is in the form of fragments and is blended with the tobacco material.

67. The aerosol-generating composition of any of embodiments 49-66, wherein the aerosol-generating composition does not comprise an inorganic filler.

68. The aerosol-generating composition of any of embodiments 49-67, wherein the aerosol-generating composition does not comprise calcium carbonate, such as chalk.

The above-described embodiments defining the characteristics of the aerosol-generating material are equally applicable to the slurries of the present invention.

Similarly, the above embodiments are equally applicable to the consumables, non-combustible aerosol provision systems, methods of generating an aerosol and methods of forming an aerosol generating material of the present invention.

Examples

An Aerosol Generating Material (AGM) having the following composition was produced using a dust-free paper making process. Unless specifically stated otherwise, relative amounts are referenced by dry weight. The thickness, surface density, tensile strength and moisture content of the aerosol-generating material were measured.

The thicknesses were measured using an L & W micrometer (version A-2), set up in the table below. The conditions during the measurement were a temperature of 22.+ -. 2 ℃ and a relative humidity of 60.+ -. 5%.

Pressure of	100kPa
		Speed of descent	2mm/s
Contact time	2s
		Measuring area	2cm²
Standard of	ISO 534

The surface density was determined by cutting a 100cm ² sample of the aerosol generating material using a 100cm ² cutter, and then weighing the cut sample on an analytical balance (resolution 0.01 g). The conditions during the measurement were a temperature of 22.+ -. 2 ℃ and a relative humidity of 60.+ -. 5%.

Samples for tensile strength measurements were prepared as follows:

a sample of width 15mm and length 140mm was cut from the sheet material,

Fold the 25mm sample at both ends to provide a total length of 90mm sample, centered at the 40mm single thickness region.

The water content was determined by karl fischer titration (KARL FISCHER titration).

AGM-A

Ingredients and amounts (dry wt.%)	CAS#
		Wood pulp fiber 30%	-
Glycerol 50%	56-81-5
		Guar gum 11.76%	9000-30-0
Hydroxypropyl starch 7.84%	9049-76-7
		Chitosan 0.4%	9012-76-4

All weight percentages described herein (expressed as wt%) are calculated on a Dry Weight Basis (DWB) unless explicitly stated otherwise. All weight ratios are also calculated on a dry weight basis. The weight quoted on a dry weight basis refers to the entire extract or slurry or material other than water and may contain components that are themselves liquid at room temperature and pressure, such as glycerin. Conversely, weight percentages quoted based on Wet Weight (WWB) refer to all components, including water.

For the avoidance of doubt, when the term "comprising" is used in this specification to define the invention or a feature of the invention, embodiments are also disclosed in which the term "consisting essentially of … …" or "consisting of … …" may be used in place of "comprising" to define the invention or feature. References to a material "comprising" certain features mean that those features are included in, contained within, or maintained within the material.

The above embodiments should be understood as illustrative examples of the present invention. It is to be understood that any feature described in connection with any one embodiment, aspect or example may be used alone or in combination with other described features, and may also be used in combination with one or more features of any other embodiment, aspect or example, or any combination of any other embodiment, aspect or example. Furthermore, equivalents and modifications not described above may also be employed without departing from the scope of the invention, which is defined in the accompanying claims.

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

Claims

1. An aerosol-generating material comprising:

(a) An aerosol-forming material;

(b) A first binder, the first binder being guar gum;

(c) A second binder, the second binder being starch or modified starch; and

(D) And (3) a filler.

2. The aerosol-generating material of claim 1, wherein the second binder is a modified starch.

3. The aerosol-generating material of claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the modified starch is one or more of hydroxypropyl starch, sodium carboxymethyl starch, octenyl succinic anhydride modified starch, acetic acid starch, phosphoric acid mono-starch, phosphoric acid di-starch, adipic acid di-starch, hydroxypropyl phosphoric acid di-starch, phosphorylated phosphoric acid di-starch, acetylated phosphoric acid di-starch, and acetylated adipic acid di-starch.

4. An aerosol-generating material according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the modified starch comprises (or is) one or more of hydroxypropyl starch, carboxymethyl starch and sodium carboxymethyl starch.

5. An aerosol-generating material according to any preceding claim, wherein the aerosol-generating material comprises the first binder in an amount of about 3-35wt% of the aerosol-generating material on a dry weight basis.

6. An aerosol-generating material according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the aerosol-generating material comprises the second binder in a total amount of about 1-20wt% of the aerosol-generating material on a dry weight basis.

7. An aerosol-generating material according to any preceding claim, wherein the aerosol-generating material comprises the first binder and the second binder in an amount of about 5 to 50wt% of the aerosol-generating material on a dry weight basis.

8. An aerosol-generating material according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the aerosol-forming material comprises (or is) one or more of: glycerol, propylene glycol, diethylene glycol, triethylene glycol, tetraethylene glycol, 1, 3-butanediol, erythritol, meso-erythritol, ethyl vanillate, ethyl laurate, diethyl suberate, triethyl citrate, glyceryl triacetate, diacetin mixtures, benzyl benzoate, glyceryl tributyrate, lauryl acetate, lauric acid, myristic acid, and propylene carbonate.

9. An aerosol-generating material according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the aerosol-generating material comprises the aerosol-forming material in a total amount of about 1-80wt% of the aerosol-generating material on a dry weight basis.

10. An aerosol-generating material according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the aerosol-generating material comprises a total amount of the aerosol-forming material of about 40-60wt% of the aerosol-generating material on a dry weight basis.

11. The aerosol-generating material of any one of the preceding claims, wherein the filler comprises (or is) wood pulp.

12. An aerosol-generating material according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the aerosol-generating material comprises the filler in a total amount of at least 15wt% of the aerosol-generating material on a dry weight basis.

13. An aerosol-generating material according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the aerosol-generating material does not comprise an active substance.

14. An aerosol-generating material according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the aerosol-generating material does not comprise tobacco material.

15. An aerosol-generating composition comprising the aerosol-generating material of any of the preceding claims.

16. The aerosol-generating composition of claim 15, wherein the aerosol-generating composition further comprises a tobacco material.

17. The aerosol-generating composition according to claim 16, wherein the tobacco material is finely cut.

18. An aerosol-generating composition according to any one of claims 16 to 17, wherein the tobacco material comprises lamina tobacco.

19. An aerosol-generating composition according to any one of claims 16 to 18, wherein the tobacco material comprises cut filler tobacco.

20. An aerosol-generating composition according to any one of claims 16-19, wherein the aerosol-generating material is in the form of fragments and is blended with the tobacco material.

21. A consumable for use in a non-combustible sol providing device, the consumable comprising the aerosol generating composition of any of claims 15-20.

22. A non-combustible sol providing system comprising the consumable of claim 21 and a non-combustible sol providing device comprising an aerosol generating device arranged to generate an aerosol from the consumable when the consumable is used with the non-combustible sol providing device.

23. A method of generating an aerosol using the non-combustible sol providing system of claim 22, the method comprising heating the aerosol generating material to a temperature of less than 350 ℃.

24. Use of an aerosol-generating composition as defined in any of claims 15 to 20 in a consumable for use with a non-combustible sol providing device comprising an aerosol-generating device arranged to generate an aerosol from the consumable when the consumable is used with the non-combustible sol providing device.

25. A method of forming the aerosol-generating material of any of claims 1-14, the method comprising:

(i) Providing a slurry comprising an aerosol-forming material, a first binder that is guar gum, a second binder that is starch or modified starch, a filler, a solvent, and any optional other components of the aerosol-generating material;

(ii) Forming a layer of the slurry; and

(Iii) The slurry is dried to form the aerosol generating material.

26. The method of claim 25, wherein the solvent comprises water.

27. A method for preparing an aerosol-generating material according to any one of claims 1 to 14 using a papermaking process, such as a dust-free papermaking process.