EP3873263A1 - Rauchersatzverbrauchsstoff - Google Patents

Rauchersatzverbrauchsstoff

Info

Publication number
EP3873263A1
EP3873263A1 EP19798004.8A EP19798004A EP3873263A1 EP 3873263 A1 EP3873263 A1 EP 3873263A1 EP 19798004 A EP19798004 A EP 19798004A EP 3873263 A1 EP3873263 A1 EP 3873263A1
Authority
EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
aerosol
filter element
article
forming substrate
tobacco
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Pending
Application number
EP19798004.8A
Other languages
English (en)
French (fr)
Inventor
Kate FERRIE
Edward Ross SHENTON
Samantha MURRAY
Peter Besson
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
IMPERIAL TOBACCO Ltd
Original Assignee
Nerudia Ltd
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Nerudia Ltd filed Critical Nerudia Ltd
Publication of EP3873263A1 publication Critical patent/EP3873263A1/de
Pending legal-status Critical Current

Links

Classifications

    • AHUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A24TOBACCO; CIGARS; CIGARETTES; SIMULATED SMOKING DEVICES; SMOKERS' REQUISITES
    • A24DCIGARS; CIGARETTES; TOBACCO SMOKE FILTERS; MOUTHPIECES FOR CIGARS OR CIGARETTES; MANUFACTURE OF TOBACCO SMOKE FILTERS OR MOUTHPIECES
    • A24D1/00Cigars; Cigarettes
    • A24D1/20Cigarettes specially adapted for simulated smoking devices

Definitions

  • the present disclosure relates to a consumable for use in a smoking substitute system and particularly, although not exclusively, to a heat-not-burn (HNB) consumable.
  • HNB heat-not-burn
  • the smoking of tobacco is generally considered to expose a smoker to potentially harmful substances. It is generally thought that a significant amount of the potentially harmful substances are generated through the heat caused by the burning and/or combustion of the tobacco and the constituents of the burnt tobacco in the tobacco smoke itself.
  • Conventional combustible smoking articles such as cigarettes, typically comprise a cylindrical rod of tobacco comprising shreds of tobacco which is surrounded by a wrapper, and usually also a cylindrical filter axially aligned in an abutting relationship with the wrapped tobacco rod.
  • the filter typically comprises a filtration material which is circumscribed by a plug wrap.
  • the wrapped tobacco rod and the filter are joined together by a wrapped band of tipping paper that circumscribes the entire length of the filter and an adjacent portion of the wrapped tobacco rod.
  • a conventional cigarette of this type is used by lighting the end opposite to the filter, and burning the tobacco rod. The smoker receives mainstream smoke into their mouth by drawing on the mouth end or filter end of the cigarette.
  • Such smoking substitute systems can form part of nicotine replacement therapies aimed at people who wish to stop smoking and overcome a dependence on nicotine.
  • Smoking substitute systems include electronic systems that permit a user to simulate the act of smoking by producing an aerosol (also referred to as a“vapour”) that is drawn into the lungs through the mouth (inhaled) and then exhaled.
  • aerosol also referred to as a“vapour”
  • the inhaled aerosol typically bears nicotine and/or flavourings without, or with fewer of, the odour and health risks associated with traditional smoking.
  • smoking substitute systems are intended to provide a substitute for the rituals of smoking, whilst providing the user with a similar experience and satisfaction to those experienced with traditional smoking and with combustible tobacco products.
  • Some smoking substitute systems use smoking substitute articles that are designed to resemble a traditional cigarette and are cylindrical in form with a mouthpiece at one end.
  • HNB heat not burn
  • a typical HNB smoking substitute system may include a device and a consumable.
  • the consumable may include the tobacco material.
  • the device and consumable may be configured to be physically coupled together.
  • heat may be imparted to the tobacco material by a heating element of the device, wherein airflow through the tobacco material causes moisture in the tobacco material to be released as vapour.
  • a vapour may also be formed from a carrier in the tobacco material (this carrier may for example include propylene glycol and/or vegetable glycerine) and additionally volatile compounds released from the tobacco. The released vapour may be entrained in the airflow drawn through the tobacco.
  • the vapour passes through the consumable (entrained in the airflow) from an inlet to a mouthpiece (outlet), the vapour cools and condenses to form an aerosol for inhalation by the user.
  • the aerosol will normally contain the volatile compounds.
  • HNB smoking substitute systems heating as opposed to burning the tobacco material is believed to cause fewer, or smaller quantities, of the more harmful compounds ordinarily produced during smoking. Consequently, the HNB approach may reduce the odour and/or health risks that can arise through the burning, combustion and pyrolytic degradation of tobacco.
  • an aerosol-forming article e.g. a smoking substitute article such as an HNB consumable an aerosol-forming substrate at least partly formed of an extruded plant material.
  • the present invention provides an aerosol-forming article (e.g. a smoking substitute article such as an HNB consumable) comprising an aerosol-forming substrate at least partly comprising a rod of extruded plant material wherein the article further comprises a terminal filter element at the downstream axial end and an upstream filter element upstream and axially spaced from the terminal filter element.
  • an aerosol-forming article e.g. a smoking substitute article such as an HNB consumable
  • an aerosol-forming substrate at least partly comprising a rod of extruded plant material wherein the article further comprises a terminal filter element at the downstream axial end and an upstream filter element upstream and axially spaced from the terminal filter element.
  • Extruded plant material is typically more compacted/more dense than other types of plant material typically used in smoking substitute articles.
  • an aerosol-forming substrate formed of or comprising a rod of extruded plant material
  • the user of a smoking substitute system having an external heater is provided with an aerosol having an increased concentration of volatile compounds and thus an enhanced medicinal/recreational effect.
  • the filter elements act to remove particular matter from the vapour/aerosol generated by heating the extruded plant material with the axial spacing therebetween allowing a greater axial length of article which allows an increased volume for cooling/mixing of the vapour/aerosol.
  • upstream and downstream are intended to refer to the flow direction of the vapour/aerosol i.e. with the downstream end of the consumable being the mouth end or outlet where the aerosol exits the consumable for inhalation by the user.
  • the upstream end of the consumable is the opposing end to the downstream end.
  • the aerosol-forming substrate comprises at least one volatile compound that is intended to be vaporised/aerosolised and that may provide the user with a recreational and/or medicinal effect when inhaled.
  • Suitable chemical and/or physiologically active volatile compounds include the group consisting of: nicotine, cocaine, caffeine, opiates and opoids, cathine and cathinone, kavalactones, mysticin, beta-carboline alkaloids, salvinorin A together with any combinations, functional equivalents to, and/or synthetic alternatives of the foregoing.
  • the aerosol-forming substrate at least partly comprises extruded plant material.
  • the plant material may comprise least one plant material selected from the list including Amaranthus dubius, Arctostaphylos uva- ursi (Bearberry), Argemone mexicana, Arnica, Artemisia vulgaris, Yellow Tees, Galea zacatechichi, Canavaiia maritima (Baybean), Cecropia mexicana (Guamura), Oestrum noctumum, Cynoglossum virginianum (wild comfrey), Cytisus scoparius, Damiana, Entada rheedii, Eschscholzia califomica
  • the plant material is tobacco.
  • Any type of tobacco may be used. This includes, but is not limited to, flue-cured tobacco, burley tobacco, Maryland Tobacco, dark-air cured tobacco, oriental tobacco, dark-fired tobacco, perique tobacco and rustica tobacco. This also includes blends of the above mentioned tobaccos.
  • any suitable parts of the tobacco plant may be used. This includes leaves, stems, roots, bark, seeds and flowers.
  • Extruded tobacco can produced by forming a liquid mixture of powered tobacco and a binding agent such as a gum (e.g. xanthan, guar, arabic and/or locust bean gum). The liquid mixture is heated and then extruded through a die to form the tube-shaped extrudate.
  • a binding agent such as a gum (e.g. xanthan, guar, arabic and/or locust bean gum).
  • the liquid mixture is heated and then extruded through a die to form the tube-shaped extrudate.
  • the aerosol-forming substrate may comprise at least 50 wt% plant material, e.g. at least 60 wt% plant material e.g. around 65 wt% plant material.
  • the aerosol-forming substrate may comprise 80 wt% or less plant material e.g. 75 or 70 wt% or less plant material.
  • the aerosol-forming substrate may comprise one or more additives selected from humectants, flavou rants, fillers, aqueous/ non-aq u eous solvents and binders.
  • Humectants are provided as vapour generators - the resulting vapour helps carry the volatile active compounds and increases visible vapour.
  • Suitable humectants include polyhydric alcohols (e.g. propylene glycol (PG), triethylene glycol, 1 ,2-butane diol and vegetable glycerine (VG)) and their esters (e.g. glycerol mono-, di- or tri-acetate). They may be present in the aerosol-forming substrate in an amount between 1 and 50 wt%.
  • the humectant content of the aerosol-forming substrate may have a lower limit of at least 1 % by weight of the plant material, such as at least 2 wt %, such as at least 5 wt %, such as at least 10 wt %, such as at least 20 wt %, such as at least 30 wt %, or such as least 40 wt %.
  • the humectant content of the aerosol-forming substrate may have an upper limit of at most 50 % by weight of the plant material, such as at most 40 wt %, such as at most 30 wt %, or such as at most 20 wt %.
  • the humectant content is 1 to 40 wt % of the aerosol-forming substrate, such as 1 to 20 wt %
  • Binders may comprise starches and/or cellulosic binders such as methyl cellulose, ethyl cellulose, hydroxy propyl cellulose, hydroxyethyl cellulose and methyl cellulose, gums such as xanthan, guar, arabic and/or locust bean gum, organic acids and their salts such as alginic acid/ sodium alginate, agar and pectins.
  • the binder content is 5 to 10 wt% of the aerosol-forming substrate e.g. around 6 to 8 wt%.
  • Fillers are known in the art and may act to strengthen the aerosol-forming substrate.
  • Fillers may comprise fibrous (non-tobacco) fillers such as cellulose fibres, lignocellulose fibres (e.g. wood fibres), jute fibres and combinations thereof.
  • the filler content is 5 to 10 wt% of the aerosol-forming substrate e.g. around 6 to 9 wt%.
  • the aerosol-forming substrate may comprise an aqueous and/or non-aqueous solvent.
  • the aerosol forming substrate has a water content of between 5 and 10 wt% e.g. between 6-9 wt% such as between 7-9 wt%.
  • the flavourant may be provided in solid or liquid form. It may include menthol, liquorice, chocolate, fruit flavour (including e.g. citrus, cherry etc.), vanilla, spice (e.g. ginger, cinnamon) and tobacco flavour.
  • the flavourant may be evenly dispersed/dosed throughout the aerosol-forming substrate e.g. it may be added to the liquid mixture of plant material prior to extrusion.
  • the aerosol-forming substrate may be formed in a substantially cylindrical shape such that the consumable resembles a conventional cigarette. It may have a diameter of between 5 and 10mm e.g. between 6 and 9mm or 6 and 8mm e.g. around 7 mm.
  • the extruded rod of plant material may form the entire aerosol-forming substrate in which case it may have an axial length of between 10 and 15 mm.
  • the axial bore through the extruded rod of plant material may extend through the entire axial length of the extrudate e.g. it may have an axial length of between 10 and 15 mm.
  • the axial upstream end of the axial bore is at the axial upstream end of the article/consumable.
  • the aerosol-forming substrate may be circumscribed by a wrapping layer e.g. a paper wrapping layer.
  • the wrapping layer may overlie an inner foil layer or may comprise a paper/foil laminate (with the foil innermost).
  • the rod of extruded plant material may have an axial bore adapted to receive an external heating element.
  • the axial bore in the extruded rod of plant material may have a diameter of between 1 and 3 mm e.g. around 2 mm.
  • the article/consumable comprises a terminal filter element at the downstream/mouth end of the article/consumable. There is also an upstream filter element which is axially spaced from the terminal filter element. The upstream filter element may be axially adjacent the substrate.
  • the or at least one of the filter element(s) may be comprised of cellulose acetate or polypropylene tow.
  • the or at least one of the filter element(s) may be comprised of activated charcoal.
  • the or at least one of the filter element(s) may be comprised of paper.
  • the or at least one of the filter element(s) may be comprised of plant material e.g. extruded plant material.
  • the or each filter element may be at least partly (e.g. entirely) circumscribed with a plug wrap e.g. a paper plug wrap.
  • the or each filter element may have a substantially cylindrical shape with a diameter substantially matching the diameter of the aerosol-forming substrate (with or without its associated wrapping layer).
  • the axial length of the or each filter element may be less than 20 mm, e.g. between 8 and 15 mm, for example between 9 and 13 mm e.g. between 10 and 12 mm.
  • the or at least one of the filter element(s) may be a solid filter element.
  • the or at least one of the filter element(s) may be a hollow bore filter element.
  • the or each hollow bore filter may have a bore diameter of between 1 and 5 mm, e.g. between 2 and 4 mm or between 2 and 3 mm.
  • the terminal filter element (at the downstream end of the article/consumable) may be joined to the upstream elements forming the article/consumable by a circumscribing tipping layer e.g. a tipping paper layer.
  • the tipping paper may have an axial length longer than the axial length of the terminal filter element such that the tipping paper completely circumscribes the terminal filter element plus the wrapping layer surrounding any adjacent upstream element.
  • the or at least one of the filter elements e.g. the terminal filter element may include a capsule e.g. a crushable capsule (crush-ball) containing a liquid flavourant e.g. a liquid flavourant as described above.
  • the capsule can be crushed by the user during smoking of the consumable to release the flavourant.
  • the capsule may be located at the axial centre of the terminal filter element.
  • the article/consumable may comprise an aerosol-cooling element which is adapted to cool the aerosol generated from the aerosol-forming substrate (by heat exchange) before being inhaled by the user.
  • the aerosol-cooling element will be downstream from the aerosol-forming substrate. For example, it may be between the aerosol-forming substrate and a/the filter element and/or between the two filter elements.
  • the aerosol cooling element may be at least partly (e.g. entirely) circumscribed by the (paper) wrapping layer.
  • the aerosol-cooling element may be formed of a plastics material selected from the group consisting of polylactic acid (PLA), polyvinyl chloride (PVC), polyethylene (PE) and polyethylene terephthalate (PET).
  • the aerosol-cooling element may be formed of a crimped/gathered sheet of material to form a structure having a high surface area with a plurality of longitudinal channels to maximise heat exchange and cooling of the aerosol.
  • the article/consumable may comprise a spacer element that defines a space or cavity between the aerosolforming substrate and the downstream end of the consumable. For example, it may be between the aerosol-forming substrate and a/the filter element and/or between the two filter elements.
  • the spacer element may comprise a tubular element e.g. a cardboard or plastics material tube.
  • the spacer element may be circumscribed by the (paper) wrapping layer.
  • the spacer element may have an external diameter of between 5 and 10mm e.g. between 6 and 9mm or 6 and 8mm e.g. around 7 mm. It may have an axial length of between 10 and 15mm e.g. between 12 and 14 mm or 13 and 14mm e.g. around 14mm.
  • a system comprising an article/consumable according to the first aspect and a device comprising a heating element.
  • the device may be a HNB device i.e. a device adapted to heat but not combust the aerosol-forming substrate.
  • the device may comprise a main body for housing the heating element.
  • the heating element may comprise an elongated e.g. rod, tube-shaped or blade heating element.
  • the heating element may project into or surround a cavity within the main body for receiving the article/consumable.
  • the diameter of the axial bore of the extruded rod of plant material preferably matches the diameter of the elongated rod/tube heater.
  • the device e.g. the main body
  • an electrical power supply e.g. a (rechargeable) battery for powering the heating element.
  • It may further comprise a control unit to control the supply of power to the heating element.
  • a third aspect there is provided a method of using a system according to the second aspect, the method comprising:
  • the method comprises inserting the article/consumable into the device such that the heating element is received in the axial bore of the aerosol-forming substrate (where present).
  • Figure 1 shows a first embodiment of an HNB consumable
  • FIG. 2 shows a second embodiment of an HNB consumable
  • Figure 3 shows a third embodiment of an HNB consumable
  • Figure 4 shows the first embodiment within a device forming an HNB system. Detailed Description of the Figures
  • the HNB consumable 1 comprises an aerosol-forming substrate 2 at the upstream end of the consumable 1.
  • the aerosol-forming substrate 2 comprises a rod-shaped extrudate of tobacco and is dosed with 20wt% of a humectant such as propylene glycol (PG) or vegetable glycerine (VG).
  • a humectant such as propylene glycol (PG) or vegetable glycerine (VG).
  • the aerosol-forming substrate 2 is formed in a substantially cylindrical shape such that the consumable resembles a conventional cigarette. It has diameter of around 7mm and an axial length of around 12mm.
  • the extrudate comprises an axial bore 13 which has its axial upstream end at the axial upstream end of the aerosol-forming substrate 2.
  • the axial bore 13 extends the entire length of the extrudate and thus has an axial length of 12 mm. It has a bore diameter of around 2 mm.
  • the aerosol-forming substrate 2 is circumscribed by a paper wrapping layer 3.
  • the consumable 1 comprises an upstream filter element 4 and a downstream (terminal) filter element 5.
  • Both filter elements 4, 5 are formed of cellulose acetate tow and wrapped with a respective paper plug layer (not shown).
  • Both filter elements have a substantially cylindrical shape.
  • the diameter of the upstream filter 4 matches the diameter of the aerosol-forming substrate 2.
  • the diameter of the terminal filter element 5 is slightly larger and matches the combined diameter of the aerosol-forming substrate 2 and the wrapping layer 3.
  • the upstream filter element is slightly shorter in axial length than the terminal filter element at an axial length of 10 mm compared to 12mm for the terminal filter element.
  • the cardboard tube spacer is longer than each of the two filter portions having an axial length of around 14mm.
  • Each filter element 4, 5 is a hollow bore filter element with a hollow, longitudinally extending bore.
  • the diameter of the bore in the upstream filter is slightly larger than the diameter of the bore in the terminal filter having a diameter of 3mm compared to 2 mm for the terminal filter element.
  • the cardboard spacer tube 6 and the upstream filter portion 4 are circumscribed by the wrapping layer 3.
  • the terminal filter element 5 is joined to the upstream elements forming the consumable by a circumscribing paper tipping layer 7.
  • the tipping layer 7 encircles the terminal filter portion and has an axial length of around 20 mm such that it overlays a portion of the cardboard tube spacer 6.
  • Figure 2 shows a second embodiment of a consumable T which is the same as that shown in Figure 1 except that the terminal filter element 5 is a solid filter element and comprises a crushable capsule 8 (crush- ball) having a shell wall containing a liquid menthol or cherry or vanilla flavourant.
  • the capsule 8 is spherical and has a diameter of 3.5mm. It is positioned within the axial centre of the terminal filter portion 5.
  • the capsule 8 may be omitted from the Figure 2 embodiment and may be included in the Figure 1 embodiment.
  • the axial bore 13 does not extend the entire length of the substrate 2.
  • Figure 3 shows a third embodiment of a consumable 1” which is the same as the first embodiment except that the wrapping layer 3 does not completely circumscribe the cardboard spacer tube 6 such that there is an annular gap 9 between the tipping layer 7 and the cardboard spacer tube 6 downstream of the end of the wrapping layer 3. Furthermore, the substrate 2 does not include an axial bore.
  • Figure 4 shows the first embodiment inserted into an HNB device 10 comprising a rod-shaped heating element 20.
  • the heating element projects into a cavity 1 1 within the main body 12 of the device.
  • the consumable 1 is inserted into the cavity 1 1 of the main body 12 of the device 10 such that the heating rod 20 is received in the axial bore 13 of the aerosol-forming substrate 2.
  • Heating of the reconstituted tobacco in the aerosol-forming substrate 2 is effected by powering the heating element (e.g. with a rechargeable battery (not shown)).
  • the heating element e.g. with a rechargeable battery (not shown)
  • moisture and volatile compound e.g. nicotine
  • the humectant are released as a vapour and entrained within an airflow generated by inhalation by the user at the terminal filter portion 5.
  • the vapour cools within the upstream filter element 4 and the cardboard spacer tube 6, it condenses to form an aerosol containing the volatile compounds for inhalation by the user.

Landscapes

  • Cigarettes, Filters, And Manufacturing Of Filters (AREA)
EP19798004.8A 2018-10-29 2019-10-25 Rauchersatzverbrauchsstoff Pending EP3873263A1 (de)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
GBGB1817583.6A GB201817583D0 (en) 2018-10-29 2018-10-29 Smoking substitute consumable
PCT/EP2019/079190 WO2020089083A1 (en) 2018-10-29 2019-10-25 Smoking substitute consumable

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
EP3873263A1 true EP3873263A1 (de) 2021-09-08

Family

ID=64560422

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
EP19798004.8A Pending EP3873263A1 (de) 2018-10-29 2019-10-25 Rauchersatzverbrauchsstoff

Country Status (3)

Country Link
EP (1) EP3873263A1 (de)
GB (1) GB201817583D0 (de)
WO (1) WO2020089083A1 (de)

Family Cites Families (5)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US7163015B2 (en) * 2003-01-30 2007-01-16 Philip Morris Usa Inc. Opposed seam electrically heated cigarette smoking system
CN103987286B (zh) * 2011-12-30 2018-10-02 菲利普莫里斯生产公司 具有前栓棒和气溶胶形成基质的发烟物品以及方法
TWI697289B (zh) * 2014-05-21 2020-07-01 瑞士商菲利浦莫里斯製品股份有限公司 氣溶膠形成製品、電熱氣溶膠產生裝置及系統、及操作該系統之方法
SG11201805485WA (en) * 2015-12-31 2018-07-30 Philip Morris Products Sa Aerosol generating article with ventilation zone
WO2019030274A1 (en) * 2017-08-09 2019-02-14 Philip Morris Products S.A. AEROSOL GENERATING ARTICLE HAVING A ROD COMPRISING MULTIPLE TRANSVERSE LEAVES OF TOBACCO MATERIAL

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
GB201817583D0 (en) 2018-12-12
WO2020089083A1 (en) 2020-05-07

Similar Documents

Publication Publication Date Title
EP3873252B1 (de) Rauchersatzverbrauchsstoff
EP3873255B1 (de) Rauchersatzverbrauchsstoff
WO2020089091A1 (en) Smoking substitute consumable
WO2020089071A1 (en) Smoking substitute consumable
WO2020089119A1 (en) Smoking substitute consumable
EP3873262A1 (de) Rauchersatzverbrauchsstoff
WO2020089055A1 (en) Smoking substitute consumable
WO2020089063A1 (en) Smoking substitute consumable
EP3873261A1 (de) Rauchersatzverbrauchsstoff
EP3873253A1 (de) Rauchersatzverbrauchsstoff
EP3873257B1 (de) Rauchersatzverbrauchsstoff
EP3873266B1 (de) Rauchersatzverbrauchsstoff
WO2020089049A1 (en) Smoking substitute consumable
WO2020089061A1 (en) Smoking substitute consumable
WO2020089068A1 (en) Smoking substitute consumable
WO2020089100A1 (en) Smoking substitute consumable
WO2020089075A1 (en) Smoking substitute consumable
EP3873275A1 (de) Rauchersatzverbrauchsstoff
EP3873269B1 (de) Rauchersatzverbrauchsstoff
EP4442129A2 (de) Rauchersatzverbrauchsmaterial
WO2020089083A1 (en) Smoking substitute consumable
EP3873268A1 (de) Rauchersatzverbrauchsstoff
WO2020089052A1 (en) Smoking substitute consumable
WO2020089050A1 (en) Smoking substitute consumable
WO2020089073A1 (en) Smoking substitute consumable

Legal Events

Date Code Title Description
STAA Information on the status of an ep patent application or granted ep patent

Free format text: STATUS: UNKNOWN

STAA Information on the status of an ep patent application or granted ep patent

Free format text: STATUS: THE INTERNATIONAL PUBLICATION HAS BEEN MADE

PUAI Public reference made under article 153(3) epc to a published international application that has entered the european phase

Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: 0009012

STAA Information on the status of an ep patent application or granted ep patent

Free format text: STATUS: REQUEST FOR EXAMINATION WAS MADE

17P Request for examination filed

Effective date: 20210527

AK Designated contracting states

Kind code of ref document: A1

Designated state(s): AL AT BE BG CH CY CZ DE DK EE ES FI FR GB GR HR HU IE IS IT LI LT LU LV MC MK MT NL NO PL PT RO RS SE SI SK SM TR

DAV Request for validation of the european patent (deleted)
DAX Request for extension of the european patent (deleted)
RAP1 Party data changed (applicant data changed or rights of an application transferred)

Owner name: IMPERIAL TOBACCO LIMITED

STAA Information on the status of an ep patent application or granted ep patent

Free format text: STATUS: EXAMINATION IS IN PROGRESS

17Q First examination report despatched

Effective date: 20240905