EP4376645A1

EP4376645A1 - An article for use with a non-combustible aerosol provision device

Info

Publication number: EP4376645A1
Application number: EP22747727.0A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Steven Holford
Original assignee: Nicoventures Trading Ltd
Current assignee: Nicoventures Trading Ltd
Priority date: 2021-07-28
Filing date: 2022-07-18
Publication date: 2024-06-05
Also published as: JP2024528884A; CN118119291A; GB202110881D0; KR20240027073A; WO2023007122A1

Abstract

An article (1) for use with a non-combustible aerosol provision device is disclosed. The article comprises: an aerosol generating material (2); a mouth end section (3); a tubular element (4) located between the aerosol generating material and the mouth end section, and a ventilation area (5) in the mouth end section.

Description

An article for use with a non-combustible aerosol provision device Technical Field

The following relates to an article for use with a non-combustible aerosol provision device, to a non-combustible aerosol provision system, and to a method of manufacturing an article for use with a non-combustible aerosol provision system.

Background

Certain tobacco industry products produce an aerosol for inhalation by a user. For example, tobacco heating devices heat an aerosol-generating material such as tobacco to form an aerosol without burning the material. A tobacco industry product of this type may include a mouthpiece through which the aerosol is drawn into the user’s mouth. Summary

According to an aspect of the present invention, there is provide an article for use with a non-combustible aerosol provision device, the article comprising: an aerosol generating material; a mouth end section; a tubular element located between the aerosol generating material and the mouth end section; and a ventilation area in the mouth end section.

The ventilation area may be configured such that when the mouth end section is placed between a user’s lips and an aerosol generated by the aerosol generating material is drawn into the user’s mouth through the tubular element and the mouth end section, air is drawn into the mouth end section through the ventilation area to cool the mouth end section.

Optionally, the ventilation area may comprise a porous wrapper wrapped around the mouth end section.

The porous wrapper maybe configured to be partially blocked by a user’s lips during use to control the amount of air entering the mouth end section through the ventilation area. The ventilation area may comprise at least one hole. The ventilation area may comprise a plurality of holes equally spaced around the circumference of the mouth end section.

Optionally, the mouth end section may comprise at least one channel extending along the length of the mouth end section.

The mouth end section may comprise a plurality of channels equally spaced around the circumference of the mouth end section. Each of the plurality of holes may be aligned with a corresponding channel in the mouth end section.

The at least one hole may be a slot. The at least one slot may be configured to be partially blocked by a user’s lips during use to control the amount of air entering the mouth end section through the ventilation region.

The aerosol generating material, the tubular element and the mouth end section may be axially aligned along a longitudinal axis, and each slot may extend in an axial direction along the mouth end section.

Optionally, the mouth end section and tubular element may be joined by a porous wrapper.

The porous wrapper joining the mouth end section and tubular element may be exposed by the at least one hole of the ventilation area.

The aerosol generating material, tubular element and mouth end section may be joined by a wrapper, wherein a portion of the porous wrapper joining the tubular element and mouth end section may be exposed by a split in the wrapper.

The tubular element may comprises a ventilation area configured such that the aerosol flowing through the tubular element from the aerosol generating material mixes with air drawn into the tubular element via the ventilation area. The mouth end section maybe formed from a fibrous material.

The fibrous material may be a filamentary tow. The filamentary tow may be cellulose acetate.

The article may comprise a filtration section located between the tubular element and the mouth end section. The filtration section may be formed from a fibrous material.

The fibrous material may be a filamentary tow.

The filamentary tow may be cellulose acetate.

According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a system comprising: a non-combustible aerosol provision device; and an article according to the above. According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method of manufacturing an article for use in a non-combustible aerosol provision device, the method comprising: providing an aerosol generating material and a mouth end section; positioning a tubular element between the aerosol generating material and the mouth end section; and providing a ventilation area in the mouth end section.

The method may comprise configuring the ventilation area such that when the mouth end section is placed between a user’s lips and an aerosol generated by the aerosol generating material is drawn into the user’s mouth through the tubular element and the mouth end section, air is drawn into the mouth end section through the ventilation area to cool the mouth end section.

Optionally, the method may comprise wrapping the mouth end section in a porous wrapper. The method may comprise configuring the porous wrapper such that the porous wrapper is partially blocked by a user’s lips during use to control the amount of air entering the mouth end section through the ventilation area. The method may comprise providing at least one hole in the ventilation area.

The method may comprise providing a plurality of holes equally spaced around the circumference of the mouth end section. The method may comprise providing at least one channel in the mouth end section extending along the length of the mouth end section.

The method may comprise providing a plurality of channels in the mouth end section equally spaced around the circumference of the mouth end section.

Optionally, the method may comprise aligning each of the plurality of holes with a corresponding channel in the mouth end section.

The method may comprise providing the at least one hole as a slot.

The method may comprise configuring the at least one slot to be partially blocked by a user’s lips during use to control the amount of air entering the mouth end section through the ventilation region. The method may comprise joining the mouth end section and tubular element with a porous wrapper.

The method may comprise exposing the porous wrapper joining the mouth end section and tubular element with the at least one hole of the ventilation area.

The method may comprise joining the aerosol generating material, tubular element and mouth end section with a wrapper, wherein a portion of the porous wrapper joining the tubular element and mouth end section is exposed by a split in the wrapper. The method may comprise providing a ventilation area in the tubular element configured such that the aerosol flowing through the tubular element from the aerosol generating material mixes with air drawn into the tubular element via the ventilation area.

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

Figure 1 is a cross-sectional side elevation of an article according to an embodiment of the invention; Figure 2 is a cross-sectional side elevation of an article according to another embodiment of the invention;

Figure 3 is a cross-sectional side elevation of an article according to another embodiment of the invention;

Figure 4 is a cross-sectional side elevation of an article according to another embodiment of the invention; and

Figure 5 shows method steps of a method of manufacturing an article according to an embodiment of the invention.

Detailed Description According to the present disclosure, a non-combustible aerosol provision system is one where a constituent aerosol-generating material of the aerosol provision system (or component thereof) is not combusted or burned in order to facilitate delivery of at least one substance to a user. In some embodiments, the non-combustible aerosol provision system is a powered non-combustible aerosol provision system, and the non-combustible aerosol provision device for use with the non-combustible aerosol provision system is an electronic cigarette, also known as a vaping device or electronic nicotine delivery system (END), although the presence of nicotine in the aerosol-generating material is not essential.

In some embodiments, the non-combustible aerosol provision system is an aerosol generating material heating system, also known as a heat-not-burn system. An example of such a system is a tobacco heating system. In some embodiments, the non-combustible aerosol provision system is a hybrid system to generate aerosol using a combination of aerosol-generating materials, one or a plurality of which may be heated. Each of the aerosol-generating materials may be, for example, in the form of a solid, liquid or gel and may or may not contain nicotine.

In some embodiments, the hybrid system comprises a liquid or gel aerosol-generating material and a solid aerosol-generating material. The solid aerosol-generating material may comprise, for example, a tobacco or a non-tobacco product.

In some embodiments, the disclosure relates to consumables comprising aerosol generating material. The consumables are configured for use with non-combustible aerosol provision device of the invention. These consumables are generally referred to as articles throughout the disclosure.

In some embodiments, the non-combustible aerosol provision device, of the non combustible aerosol provision system of the invention, may comprise a power source and a controller. The power source may, for example, be an electric power source or an exothermic power source. In some embodiments, the exothermic power source comprises a carbon substrate that maybe energised so as to distribute power in the form of heat to an aerosol-generating material or to a heat transfer material in proximity to the exothermic power source. In some embodiments, the non-combustible aerosol provision device comprises an area for receiving the article such as an aperture into which the article maybe inserted for use with the device.

The article of the invention includes aerosol-generating material. Aerosol-generating material is a material that is capable of generating aerosol, for example when heated, irradiated or energized in any other way. Aerosol-generating material may, for example, be in the form of a solid, liquid or gel which may or may not contain an active substance and/or flavourants. In some embodiments, the aerosol-generating material may comprise an “amorphous solid”, which may alternatively be referred to as a “monolithic solid” (i.e. non-fibrous). In some embodiments, the amorphous solid may be a dried gel. The amorphous solid is a solid material that may retain some fluid, such as liquid, within it. In some embodiments, the aerosol-generating material may for example comprise from about 50wt%, 6owt% or 70wt% of amorphous solid, to about 90wt%, 95wt% or ioowt% of amorphous solid. The aerosol-generating material may comprise one or more active substances and/or flavours, one or more aerosol-former materials, and optionally one or more other functional material. In the figures described herein, like reference numerals are used to illustrate equivalent features, articles or components.

Figure 1 illustrates an article 1 according to an embodiment of the invention. The article l comprises aerosol-generating material 2 in the form of a rod at a distal end of the article, and a mouth end section 3 at the opposite or proximal end. A tubular element 4 is located between the aerosol-generating material 2 and the mouth end section 3. The aerosol-generating material 2, the tubular element 4 and the mouth end section 3 are in longitudinal alignment along the longitudinal axis of the article 1. The mouth end section 3 is formed from a fibrous material. Optionally, the fibrous material is a filamentary tow such as cellulose acetate. The article 1 may further comprise a filtration section (not shown) located between the mouth end section 3 and the tubular element 4. The filtration section is formed from a fibrous material. Optionally, the fibrous material is a filamentary tow such as cellulose acetate. The aerosol-generating material 2 may contain an aerosol-former material such as glycerol. In alternative examples, the aerosol-former material can be another material as described herein or a combination thereof. The aerosol-former material has been found to improve the sensory performance of the article 1, by helping to transfer compounds such as flavour compounds from the aerosol-generating material 2 to the consumer. However, an issue with adding such aerosol-former materials to the aerosol generating material 2 within an article 1 for use in a non-combustible aerosol provision system can be that, when the aerosol-generating material 2 is aerosolised upon heating, it can increase the mass of aerosol which is delivered by the article 1. This increased mass can maintain a higher temperature as it passes through the mouth end section 3. As it passes through the mouth end section 3, the aerosol transfers heat into the mouth end section 3 and this warms the outer surface of the mouth end section 3, including the area that contacts the user’s lips during use. The temperature of the mouth end section 3 and/or the aerosol temperature can be higher than a user maybe accustomed to when smoking, for instance, conventional cigarettes. Therefore, it is desirable to reduce the temperature of the aerosol to prevent the mouth end section 3 from becoming warmer than would normally be the case. In embodiments of the invention, the mouth end section 3 comprises a ventilation area 5 through which air is drawn into the mouth end section 3. Air drawn into the mouth end section 3 through the ventilation region 5 acts to cool and reduce the temperature of the mouth end segment 3. The ventilation area 5 is configured such that when the mouth end section 3 is placed between a user’s lips, and an aerosol generated by the aerosol-generating material 2 is drawn into the user’s mouth through the tubular element 4 and mouth end section 3, air is drawn into the mouth end section 3 through the ventilation area 5 to cool the mouth end section 3.

The ventilation area 5 comprises a porous wrapper 6 wrapped around the mouth end section 3. The porous wrapper 6 allows air to enter the mouth end section 3 to cool the mouth end section 3. During use of the article 1, the porous wrapper 6 is configured to be partially blocked by a user’s lips to control the amount of air entering the mouth end section 3 through the ventilation area 5. Therefore, the further the user’s lips are positioned along the mouth end section 3 from the proximal end of the article 1, the less air is able to enter the mouth end section 3 through the porous wrapper 6 of the ventilation area 5. As seen in Figure 1, the wrapped mouth end section 3 and the tubular element 4 are joined by a porous wrapper 7, such as a porous plug wrap. The porous wrapper 7 connects the components together and allows air to enter the mouth end section 3 through the ventilation area 5. The aerosol-generating material 2 is joined to the wrapped tubular element 4 and mouth end section 3 by a wrapper 8, such as a tipping paper. The tipping paper 8 covers the tubular element 4 and extends over a portion of the aerosol-generating material 2 and a portion of the mouth end section 3. Therefore, the porous wrapper 7 is exposed at a proximal end of the article 1 to facilitate air entering the mouth end section 3 through the porous wrapper 6 of the ventilation area 5·

Alternatively, the wrappers 6, 7 may be regular non-porous wrappers and the ventilation area 5 may comprise a perforation pattern in the wrappers 6, 7 to allow air to enter the mouth end section 3 through the ventilation area 5. The perforation pattern may comprise at least one hole configured to allow air to enter the mouth end section 3. Optionally, the perforation pattern could comprise a plurality of holes equally spaced around the circumference of the mouth end section 3. The at least one hole could also be a slot extending in a direction along the length of the mouth end section 3 such. The slot may be configured to be partially blocked by a user’s lips during use of the article 1 to control the amount of air entering the mouth end section 3 through the ventilation region 5. Therefore, the further the user’s lips are positioned along the mouth end section 3 from the proximal end of the article 1, the less air is able to enter the mouth end section 3 through the ventilation area 5.

Additionally, the tubular element 4 comprises a ventilation area 9 configured such that the aerosol flowing through the tubular element 4 from the aerosol-generating material 2 mixes with air drawn into the tubular element 4 via the ventilation area 10. Therefore, the aerosol flowing through the article 1 is first cooled in the tubular element 4 by mixing with air drawn into the tubular element 4 via the ventilation area 9 prior to entering the mouth end section 3. This reduces the temperature of the mouth end section 3 which is further cooled by air drawn into the mouth end section 3 via the ventilation area 5. It is to be appreciated that the tubular element 4 may not comprise a ventilation area 9 and that the ventilation area 5 in the mouth end section 3 may be enough alone to cool the mouth end section 3.

Figure 2 illustrates an article 1 according to another embodiment of the invention. Here the tipping paper 8 covers the tubular element 4 and mouth end section 3 and extends over a portion of the aerosol-generating material and the ventilation area 5 comprises a perforation pattern 10 in the tipping paper 8. The ventilation area 5 comprises at least one hole configured to allow air to enter the mouth end section 3. Optionally, the ventilation area 5 comprises a plurality of holes equally spaced around the circumference of the mouth end section 3. Alternatively, the at least one hole may be a slot. The major dimension of the slot extends in a direction along the length of the mouth end section 3 such that the slot is configured to be partially blocked by a user’s lips during use of the article 1 to control the amount of air entering the mouth end section 3 through the ventilation region 5. Therefore, the further the user’s lips are positioned along the mouth end section 3 from the proximal end of the article 1, the less air is able to enter the mouth end section 3 through the porous wrapper 6 of the ventilation area 5. The perforation pattern 10 may be a split 10 in the wrapper 8 which exposes the porous wrapper 7. Therefore, the porous wrapper 7 is exposed at a proximal end of the article 1 to facilitate air entering the mouth end section 3 through the porous wrapper 6 of the ventilation area 5. Alternatively, the wrappers 6, 7 may be regular non-porous wrappers and the perforation pattern or split 10 in the wrapper 8 may extend through the wrappers 6, 7 as well. As described above, the article may comprise a filtration section located between the tubular element 4 and the mouth end section 3.

Figure 3 illustrates an article 1 according to another embodiment of the invention. Here, the wrappers 6,7 and 8 are regular non-porous wrappers. The wrapper 8 is a tipping paper which extends over the entire length of the mouth end section. The wrappers 6, 7 and 8 are pre-perforated with a perforation pattern 10 to allow air to enter the mouth end section 3 through the ventilation area 5. The wrappers 6, 7 and 8 maybe electro-perforated to create the perforation pattern 10 in the wrappers 6, 7 and 8. Alternatively, the wrappers 6 and 7 may be porous and only the wrapper 8 is non- porous and comprises the perforation pattern 10.

Figure 4 illustrates an article 1 according to another embodiment of the invention. The mouth end section 3 comprises at least one channel 11 extending in an axial direction along the length of the mouth end section 3. Optionally, the mouth end section 3 comprises a plurality of channels 11 equally spaced around the circumference of the mouth end section 3. Each of the plurality of holes/slots in the ventilation area 5 is aligned with a corresponding channel 11 in the mouth end section 3. The aerosol flowing along the article 1, through the tubular element 4 and into the mouth end section 3, flows in a path along the channels 11 in the mouth end section 3. By aligning the plurality of holes/slots with the plurality of channels 11 in the mouth end section 3, the cooling of aerosol with ventilation air is improved.

As described above, the article may comprise a filtration section located between the tubular element 4 and the mouth end section 3.

Figure 5 illustrates method steps of a method of manufacturing an article according to an embodiment of the invention. The method comprises a first step Si which involves proving an aerosol-generating material and a mouth end section. The second step S2 comprises positioning a tubular element between the aerosol generating material and the mouth end section. The third step S3 involves providing a ventilation area in the mouth end section. - it -

The various embodiments described herein are presented only to assist in understanding and teaching the claimed features. These embodiments are provided as a representative sample of embodiments only, and are not exhaustive and/or exclusive. It is to be understood that 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 utilised and modifications may be made without departing from the scope of the claimed invention. Various embodiments of the invention may suitably comprise, consist of, or consist essentially of, appropriate combinations of the disclosed elements, components, features, parts, steps, means, etc, other than those specifically described herein. In addition, this disclosure may include other inventions not presently claimed, but which may be claimed in future.

Claims

1. An article for use with a non-combustible aerosol provision device, the article comprising: an aerosol generating material; a mouth end section; a tubular element located between the aerosol generating material and the mouth end section; and a ventilation area in the mouth end section.

2. An article according to claim l, wherein the ventilation area is configured such that when the mouth end section is placed between a user’s lips and an aerosol generated by the aerosol generating material is drawn into the user’s mouth through the tubular element and the mouth end section, air is drawn into the mouth end section through the ventilation area to cool the mouth end section.

3. An article according to claims l or 2, wherein the ventilation area comprises a porous wrapper wrapped around the mouth end section.

4. An article according to claim 3, wherein the porous wrapper is configured to be partially blocked by a user’s lips during use to control the amount of air entering the mouth end section through the ventilation area.

5. An article according to any of claims 1 to 4, wherein the ventilation area comprises at least one hole.

6. An article according to claim 5, wherein the ventilation area comprises a plurality of holes equally spaced around the circumference of the mouth end section.

7. An article according to any preceding claim, wherein the mouth end section comprises at least one channel extending along the length of the mouth end section.

8. An article according to claim 7, wherein the mouth end section comprises a plurality of channels equally spaced around the circumference of the mouth end section.

9. An article according to claim 6, when dependent on claim 8, wherein each of the plurality of holes is aligned with a corresponding channel in the mouth end section.

10. An article according to any of claims 5 to 9, wherein the at least one hole is a slot.

11. An article according to claim 10, wherein the at least one slot is configured to be partially blocked by a user’s lips during use to control the amount of air entering the mouth end section through the ventilation region.

12. An article according to claim 11, wherein the aerosol generating material, the tubular element and the mouth end section are axially aligned along a longitudinal axis, and each slot extends in an axial direction along the mouth end section.

13. An article according to any preceding claim, wherein the mouth end section and tubular element are joined by a porous wrapper.

14. An article according to claim 13, when dependent on claim 5, wherein the porous wrapper joining the mouth end section and tubular element is exposed by the at least one hole of the ventilation area.

15. An article according to any of claims 1 to 14, when dependent on claim 13, wherein the aerosol generating material, tubular element and mouth end section are joined by a wrapper, wherein a portion of the porous wrapper joining the tubular element and mouth end section is exposed by a split in the wrapper.

16. An article according to any preceding claim, wherein the tubular element comprises a ventilation area configured such that the aerosol flowing through the tubular element from the aerosol generating material mixes with air drawn into the tubular element via the ventilation area.

17. An article according to any preceding claim, wherein the mouth end section is formed from a fibrous material.

18. An article according to claim 17, wherein the fibrous material is a filamentary tow.

19. An article according to claim 18, wherein the filamentary tow is cellulose acetate.

20. An article according to any preceding claim, wherein the article comprises a filtration section located between the tubular element and the mouth end section.

21. An article according to claim 20, wherein the filtration section is formed from a fibrous material.

22. An article according to claim 21, wherein the fibrous material is a filamentary tow.

23. An article according to claim 22, wherein the filamentary tow is cellulose acetate.

24. A system comprising: a non-combustible aerosol provision device; and an article according to claims 1 to 23.

25. A method of manufacturing an article for use in a non-combustible aerosol provision device, the method comprising: providing an aerosol generating material and a mouth end section; positioning a tubular element between the aerosol generating material and the mouth end section; and providing a ventilation area in the mouth end section.

26. A method of manufacturing an article for use in a non-combustible aerosol provision device according to claim 25, wherein the method comprises configuring the ventilation area such that when the mouth end section is placed between a user’s lips and an aerosol generated by the aerosol generating material is drawn into the user’s mouth through the tubular element and the mouth end section, air is drawn into the mouth end section through the ventilation area to cool the mouth end section.

27. A method of manufacturing an article for use in a non-combustible aerosol provision device according to claims 25 or 26, wherein the method comprises wrapping the mouth end section in a porous wrapper.

28. A method of manufacturing an article for use in a non-combustible aerosol provision device according to claim 27, wherein the method comprises configuring the porous wrapper such that the porous wrapper is partially blocked by a user’s lips during use to control the amount of air entering the mouth end section through the ventilation area.

29. A method of manufacturing an article for use in a non-combustible aerosol provision device according to any of claims 25 to 28, wherein the method comprises providing at least one hole in the ventilation area.

30. A method of manufacturing an article for use in a non-combustible aerosol provision device according to claim 29, wherein the method comprises providing a plurality of holes equally spaced around the circumference of the mouth end section.

31. A method of manufacturing an article for use in a non-combustible aerosol provision device according to any of claims 25 to 30, wherein the method comprises providing at least one channel in the mouth end section extending along the length of the mouth end section.

32. A method of manufacturing an article for use in a non-combustible aerosol provision device according to claim 31, wherein the method comprises providing a plurality of channels in the mouth end section equally spaced around the circumference of the mouth end section.

33. A method of manufacturing an article for use in a non-combustible aerosol provision device according to claim 31, when dependent on claim 32, wherein the method comprises aligning each of the plurality of holes with a corresponding channel in the mouth end section.

34. A method of manufacturing an article for use in a non-combustible aerosol provision device according to any of claims 29 to 33, wherein the method comprises providing the at least one hole as a slot.

35. A method of manufacturing an article for use in a non-combustible aerosol provision device according to claim 34, wherein the method comprises configuring the at least one slot to be partially blocked by a user’s lips during use to control the amount of air entering the mouth end section through the ventilation region.

36. A method of manufacturing an article for use in a non-combustible aerosol provision device according to any of claims 25 to 35, wherein the method comprises joining the mouth end section and tubular element with a porous wrapper.

37. A method of manufacturing an article for use in a non-combustible aerosol provision device according to claim 36, when dependent on claim 29, wherein the method comprises exposing the porous wrapper joining the mouth end section and tubular element with the at least one hole of the ventilation area.

38. A method of manufacturing an article for use in a non-combustible aerosol provision device according to any of claims 25 to 36, when dependent on claim 36 wherein the method comprises joining the aerosol generating material, tubular element and mouth end section with a wrapper, wherein a portion of the porous wrapper joining the tubular element and mouth end section is exposed by a split in the wrapper.

39. A method of manufacturing an article for use in a non-combustible aerosol provision device according to any of claims 25 to 38, wherein the method comprises providing a ventilation area in the tubular element configured such that the aerosol flowing through the tubular element from the aerosol generating material mixes with air drawn into the tubular element via the ventilation area.