JP2020520638A - Homogenized botanical material containing basic pH adjuster - Google Patents

Abstract

The homogenized botanical material comprises about 60% by weight or more of particulate botanical material, an aerosol former and a basic pH adjusting agent having a solubility in water of about 0.1 g/100 mL water or less at 20° C. and 1 atm. including. The homogenized botanical material is advantageously used as an aerosol-generating substrate for heated aerosol-generating articles. [Selection diagram] None

Description

The present invention relates to homogenized plant material. The present invention also relates to aerosol-generating rods comprising an assemblage of sheets of homogenized plant material, and aerosol-generating articles comprising such rods. In particular, the present invention relates to heated aerosol generating articles that include an aerosol generating rod that includes an assemblage of cast sheets of homogenized plant material.

Homogenized tobacco materials are often used in the manufacture of tobacco products. Such homogenized tobacco materials are typically made from parts of the tobacco plant that are less suitable for making cut fillers, such as tobacco stems or tobacco dust.

Numerous reconstitution processes for producing homogenized tobacco material are known in the art. These include, for example, papermaking processes of the type described in US 3,860,012, such as casting or "cast leaf" processes of the type described in US 5,724,998, for example US 3,894,544. And soft extruding processes of the type described, for example, in GB983,928A, but are not limited thereto.

Known casting, or "cast leaf," processes typically involve combining particulate tobacco and a binder to form a slurry, casting the slurry onto a support surface, drying the cast slurry and homogenizing tobacco. Forming the sheet of material and removing the homogenized sheet of tobacco material from the support surface. The sheet of homogenized tobacco material may be cut or chopped prior to being used in the manufacture of tobacco products.

Nicotine may be partially lost during the manufacture of homogenized tobacco material using these known reconstitution processes. In particular, nicotine may be lost during the drying of homogenized tobacco material produced using these known reconstitution processes. For example, in the known casting or "cast leaf" process, nicotine may be lost during the process of drying the cast slurry to form a homogenized sheet of tobacco material.

WO2012/164009A2 discloses a rod comprising an assembly of cast sheets of homogenized tobacco material for use as an aerosol-generating substrate in a heated aerosol-generating article.

In heated aerosol-generating articles that include an aerosol-generating substrate, the inhalable aerosol is formed by heating the aerosol-generating substrate to a relatively low temperature (eg, a temperature of about 350° C.). A homogenized vegetable material for use in an aerosol-generating substrate in a heated aerosol-generating article, in order to generate sufficient aerosol with heating the aerosol-generating substrate to such a relatively low temperature, It typically has a relatively high aerosol former content.

It is desirable to enhance the release of the active substance from the homogenized plant material upon heating. In particular, it is desirable to increase the transfer of the active agent to the inhalable aerosol produced by heating the aerosol-generating substrate containing the homogenized botanical material within the heated aerosol-generating article, although the activity The amount of substance transfer is (the amount of the active substance in the homogenized plant material in the aerosol-generating substrate of the aerosol-generating article before heating)/(the amount of the active substance delivered to the aerosol upon heating) and Is defined.

It is particularly desirable to enhance the release of nicotine from the homogenized tobacco material with heating. In particular, it is desirable to increase the amount of transfer of nicotine to the inhalable aerosol produced by heating the aerosol-generating substrate containing the homogenized tobacco material within the heated aerosol-generating article, but the amount of transfer of nicotine. Is defined as (amount of nicotine in the homogenized tobacco material in the aerosol generating substrate of the aerosol generating article prior to heating) (amount of nicotine delivered to the aerosol upon heating).

Upon heating the homogenized tobacco material, nicotine migrates from within the homogenized tobacco material for release to the surface of the homogenized tobacco material. The migration of nicotine within the homogenized tobacco material is limited by diffusion. Therefore, one way to increase the release of nicotine is to increase the temperature at which the homogenized tobacco material is heated, thereby improving diffusion. However, this can disadvantageously lead to the formation and release of potentially unwanted compounds. By increasing the temperature at which the aerosol-generating substrate comprising the homogenized tobacco material within the heated aerosol-generating article is heated, the physical properties of the generated aerosol, such as the temperature of the aerosol or the droplet or particle size of the aerosol, are increased. It can also have an adverse effect.

Therefore, it would be desirable to increase the release of nicotine from a homogenized tobacco material with heating to relatively low temperatures. In particular, it is desirable to increase the transfer of nicotine to an inhalable aerosol produced by heating an aerosol-generating substrate containing a homogenized tobacco material within a heated aerosol-generating article to a relatively low temperature.

It is also desirable to enhance the release of the active substance from other homogenized plant materials with heating to relatively low temperatures.

According to the present invention there is provided a homogenized plant material comprising a plant material, an aerosol former and a basic pH adjusting agent having a solubility in water of about 0.1 g/100 mL water or less at 20° C. and 1 atm. Has been done.

In accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention, a homogenized composition comprising a botanical material, an aerosol former, and a basic pH adjusting agent having a solubility in water at 20° C. and 1 atm of about 0.1 g/100 mL water or less. A plant material sheet is provided.

According to a particularly preferred embodiment of the present invention, a homogenized composition comprising a botanical material, an aerosol former and a basic pH adjusting agent having a solubility in water of not more than about 0.1 g/100 mL water at 20° C. and 1 atm. Cast sheets of different plant materials are provided.

According to the present invention there is also provided an aerosol generating article comprising an aerosol generating substrate comprising the homogenized plant material according to the present invention.

According to a preferred embodiment of the present invention there is provided a heated aerosol generating article comprising an aerosol generating substrate comprising a homogenized plant material according to the present invention.

According to the invention, there is also provided an aerosol-generating rod comprising an assembly of sheets of homogenized plant material according to the invention surrounded by a wrapper.

According to the present invention there is also provided an aerosol-generating article comprising an aerosol-generating rod according to the invention.

According to a preferred embodiment of the present invention there is provided a heated aerosol generating article comprising an aerosol generating rod according to the present invention.

In accordance with the present invention, a step of forming a slurry by combining a plant material, an aerosol former and a basic pH adjuster having a solubility in water of less than about 0.1 g/100 mL water at 20° C. and 1 atm, forming a slurry, Homogenized, including casting on a support surface, drying the cast slurry to form a homogenized plant material sheet, and removing the homogenized cast plant material from the support surface. Further provided is a method of making a cast sheet of plant material.

The homogenized vegetable material is preferably an alkaloid-containing material. The homogenized vegetable material preferably comprises alkaloid-containing vegetable material. As used herein in the context of the present invention, the term "alkaloid-containing material" means a material containing one or more alkaloids.

Alkaloids are a class of natural nitrogen-containing organic compounds. Alkaloids are found mostly in plants, but are also found in bacteria, fungi and animals.

Examples of alkaloids include, but are not limited to, caffeine, nicotine, theobromine, atropine, and tubocurarine. A preferred alkaloid is nicotine, which can be found in tobacco.

The homogenized plant material is preferably a homogenized tobacco material, and the plant material is preferably tobacco.

As used herein in the context of the present invention, the term "homogenized vegetable material" means a material formed by agglomerating particulate vegetable material.

As used herein in the context of the present invention, the term "homogenized tobacco material" means a material formed by agglomerating particulate tobacco.

The term "sheet" as used herein in the context of the present invention means a laminar element having a width and length substantially greater than its thickness.

The term "rod" as used herein in connection with the present invention is used to describe a generally cylindrical element of substantially circular, oval or elliptical cross section.

As used herein in the context of the present invention, the term "collection" means that the sheet is rolled up, folded or otherwise compressed or contracted substantially transverse to the cylindrical axis of the rod. Means being done.

As used herein in the context of the present invention, the term "aerosol generating substrate" means a substrate capable of releasing a volatile compound capable of forming an aerosol upon heating of the substrate.

As used herein in the context of the present invention, the term "heated aerosol-generating article" may be synonymous with "non-combustible aerosol-generating article" and "heat-non-combustible aerosol-generating article". As intended, it refers to an aerosol-generating article that includes an aerosol-generating substrate that upon heating of the aerosol-generating substrate releases a volatile compound that is capable of forming an aerosol without combustion of the aerosol-generating substrate.

Inclusion of a basic pH adjusting agent in the homogenized plant material increases the pH of the homogenized plant material. When the homogenized plant material is a homogenized tobacco material and the plant material is tobacco, it is advantageous to include a basic pH adjusting agent in the homogenized plant material, in order to Increases the release of nicotine from the homogenized tobacco material with heating, as compared to the homogenized tobacco material that does not contain a neutral pH modifier. In particular, the inclusion of a basic pH adjuster in the homogenized tobacco material advantageously provides homogenization within a heated aerosol generating article as compared to a homogenized tobacco material that does not include a basic pH adjuster. Increasing the transfer of nicotine to an inhalable aerosol produced by heating an aerosol generating substrate containing a tobacco material.

When the homogenized plant material is a homogenized tobacco material and the plant material is tobacco, a basic pH adjustment having a solubility in water of about 0.1 g/100 mL water or less at 20° C. and 1 atm. The inclusion of the agent also advantageously reduces nicotine loss during manufacture of the homogenized tobacco material as compared to the homogenized tobacco material containing a basic pH adjusting agent having higher solubility in water. ..

The aerosol-generating substrate of the heated aerosol-generating article comprises a plant material, an aerosol former, and a base having a solubility in water of about 0.1 g/100 mL water or less at 20° C. and 1 atm, as described herein. The use of a homogenized vegetable material containing a basic pH adjuster is thereby free of basic pH adjusters having a solubility in water of less than about 0.1 g/100 mL water at 20° C. and 1 atm. It may be possible to obtain comparable amounts of nicotine or aerosol production with heating the aerosol generating substrate to a lower temperature as compared to the use of homogenized botanical material. This can provide a number of benefits. For example, heating the aerosol-generating substrate to a lower temperature may advantageously reduce the formation and release of potentially unwanted aerosol components from the homogenized plant material. As a further example, if the heated aerosol-generating article is used in an electrically actuated aerosol-generating system, heating the aerosol-generating substrate to a lower temperature may advantageously be an electrically-actuated aerosol-generating system. It is possible to have a longer duration of operation of an electrically operated aerosol generating system without the need to recharge the battery inside or to recharge the battery within an electrically operated aerosol generating system The time required to do this can be advantageously shortened. As a further example, when the heated aerosol-generating article is used in an electrically actuated aerosol-generating system, heating the aerosol-generating substrate to a lower temperature advantageously results in electrically-actuated aerosol-generating aerosol generation. The use of smaller batteries in the system is possible, which may advantageously result in electrically actuated aerosol generating systems having lower weight and smaller dimensions.

The basic pH adjusting agent can have a solubility in water at 20° C. and 1 atm of about 0.05 g/100 mL water or less, or at 20° C. and 1 atm of about 0.001 g/100 mL water or less.

The basic pH adjusting agent is advantageously an alkaline earth metal carbonate, an alkaline earth metal hydrogen carbonate, an alkaline earth metal hydroxide, an alkaline earth metal phosphate, and an alkaline earth metal monohydrogen. It may include one or more basic inorganic salts selected from the group consisting of phosphates.

Suitable basic pH adjusting agents include, but are not limited to, magnesium carbonate, calcium carbonate, magnesium hydrogen carbonate, magnesium hydroxide, magnesium phosphate, calcium phosphate, and calcium monohydrogen phosphate.

Advantageously, the homogenized vegetable material has a pH of about 5.5 or higher.

More advantageously, the homogenized plant material has a pH of about 6.0 or higher.

The homogenized botanical material may have a pH of about 6.5 or higher.

Advantageously, the homogenized botanical material has a pH of about 8.0 or less.

More advantageously, the homogenized botanical material has a pH of about 7.5 or less.

The homogenized botanical material may have a pH of about 7.0 or less.

The homogenized botanical material can have a pH of about 5.5 to about 8.0, about 5.5 to about 7.5, or about 5.5 to about 7.0.

The homogenized botanical material can have a pH of about 6.0 to about 8.0, about 6.0 to about 7.5, or about 6.0 to about 7.0.

The homogenized botanical material can have a pH of about 6.5 to about 8.0, about 6.5 to about 7.5, or about 6.5 to about 7.0.

The pH of the homogenized botanical material is obtained by dispersing 0.5 g sample of the homogenized botanical material in 5 g water, stirring the dispersion and then using a pH electrode to adjust the pH of the dispersion. It is measured by measuring.

The homogenized botanical material may have a basic pH adjusting agent content of no more than about 10% by weight on a dry weight basis, or no more than about 5% by weight on a dry weight basis.

The homogenized botanical material may have a botanical material content of about 90% or less by dry weight.

The homogenized botanical material can have a botanical material content of about 85 wt% or less on a dry weight basis, or about 80 wt% or less on a dry weight basis.

The homogenized botanical material may advantageously have a botanical material content of about 60% by weight or more on a dry weight basis.

The homogenized botanical material may have a botanical material content of greater than or equal to about 65% by weight on a dry weight basis, or greater than or equal to about 70% by weight on a dry weight basis.

The homogenized botanical material content is from about 60% to about 90% by weight on a dry weight basis, from about 60% to about 85% by weight on a dry weight basis, or from about 60% to about 85% by weight on a dry weight basis. It may have a plant material content of 80% by weight.

The homogenized vegetable material content is from about 65% to about 90% by weight on a dry weight basis, from about 65% to about 85% by weight on a dry weight basis, or from about 65% to about 85% by weight on a dry weight basis. It may have a plant material content of 80% by weight.

The homogenized botanical material content is about 70 wt% to about 90 wt% on a dry weight basis, about 70 wt% to about 85 wt% on a dry weight basis, or about 70 wt% to about 70 wt% on a dry weight basis. It may have a plant material content of 80% by weight.

When the homogenized plant material is a homogenized tobacco material and the plant material is tobacco, the homogenized tobacco material may have a tobacco content of about 90% by weight or less on a dry weight basis.

The homogenized tobacco material may have a tobacco content of not more than about 85% by weight on a dry weight basis, or not more than about 80% by weight on a dry weight basis.

The homogenized tobacco material may have a tobacco content of greater than or equal to about 60% by weight on a dry weight basis.

The homogenized tobacco material may have a tobacco content of greater than or equal to about 65% by weight on a dry weight basis, or greater than or equal to about 70% by weight on a dry weight basis.

The homogenized tobacco material comprises about 60% to about 90% by weight on a dry weight basis, about 60% to about 85% by weight on a dry weight basis, or about 60% to about 80% by weight on a dry weight basis. It may have a tobacco content.

The homogenized tobacco material comprises from about 65% to about 90% by weight on a dry weight basis, from about 65% to about 85% by weight on a dry weight basis, or from about 65% to about 80% by weight on a dry weight basis. It may have a tobacco content.

The homogenized tobacco material comprises about 70 wt% to about 90 wt% on a dry weight basis, about 70 wt% to about 85 wt% on a dry weight basis, or about 70 wt% to about 80 wt% on a dry weight basis. It may have a tobacco content.

The homogenized botanical material may advantageously be used as an aerosol-forming substrate in an aerosol-generating article.

The homogenized botanical material can be used particularly advantageously as an aerosol-forming substrate for heated aerosol-generating articles.

The aerosol-generating substrate may include about 30% by weight or more of the homogenized botanical material, based on the total weight of the aerosol-generating substrate.

Advantageously, the aerosol-generating substrate comprises about 40% by weight or more of the homogenized vegetable material, based on the total weight of the aerosol-generating substrate.

More advantageously, the aerosol-generating substrate comprises about 50% by weight or more of the homogenized vegetable material, based on the total weight of the aerosol-generating substrate.

The aerosol-generating substrate is about 60% by weight or more of the homogenized plant material based on the total weight of the aerosol-generating substrate, and about 70% by weight or more of the homogenized plant based on the total weight of the aerosol-generating substrate. Material, about 80% by weight or more of the homogenized vegetable material based on the total weight of the aerosol-generating substrate, or about 90% by weight or more of the homogenized vegetable material based on the total weight of the aerosol-generating substrate. Materials may be included.

Heated aerosol generating articles that include an aerosol generating substrate that includes a homogenized tobacco material typically have a lower total nicotine content than conventional light-ended cigarettes.

When the homogenized plant material is a homogenized tobacco material and the plant material is tobacco, the heated aerosol generating article may advantageously have a total nicotine content of about 10 mg or less.

The heated aerosol generating article can have a total nicotine content of about 8 mg or less, about 6 mg or less, or about 4 mg or less.

The homogenized plant material according to the present invention is formed by agglomerating the particulate plant material obtained by grinding or otherwise subdividing one or both of plant leaf lamina and plant leaf stem. May be done.

When the homogenized plant material is a homogenized tobacco material and the plant material is tobacco, the homogenized tobacco material according to the present invention is a tobacco formed during the treatment, handling and transportation of tobacco. It may include one or more of dust, tobacco fines and other particulate tobacco byproducts.

Advantageously, the homogenized tobacco material comprises tobacco powder.

More advantageously, the homogenized tobacco material comprises tobacco powder having an average particle size of about 0.03 mm to about 0.12 mm.

For example, the homogenized tobacco material can include tobacco powder having an average particle size of about 0.05 mm to about 0.10 mm.

It is believed that crushing or otherwise subdividing the tobacco to open the tobacco cell structure to produce a tobacco powder having an average particle size of about 0.03 mm to about 0.12 mm. This may advantageously improve the aerosolization of volatile components such as nicotine from tobacco.

The homogenized botanical material comprises aerosol formers.

An aerosol former, in use, promotes the formation of a dense and stable aerosol and is substantially pyrolytically resistant at the temperature of use of a heated aerosol generating article that includes an aerosol generating substrate that includes a homogenized plant material. It may be any suitable known compound or mixture of compounds.

The aerosol former may serve to carry other constituents of the homogenized vegetable material into the aerosol when the homogenized vegetable material is heated above the evaporation temperature of the aerosol former. For example, if the homogenized plant material is a homogenized tobacco material and the plant material is tobacco, the homogenized tobacco material is heated to a temperature above the evaporation temperature of the aerosol forming body to form an aerosol. The body may serve to carry other components of the homogenized tobacco material, such as nicotine and flavors, into the aerosol.

Aerosol formers can also help maintain a desired level of water in the homogenized plant material. For example, the aerosol former may be a hygroscopic material that functions as a wetting agent.

Suitable aerosol formers are known in the art and include, for example, monohydric alcohols (such as menthol), polyhydric alcohols (triethylene glycol, tetraethylene glycol, 1,3-butanediol, erythritol, propylene glycol, And glycerol), esters of polyhydric alcohols (such as glycerol monoacetate, glycerol diacetate, or glycerol triacetate) and aliphatic esters of monocarboxylic, dicarboxylic, or polycarboxylic acids (diethyl suberate, dimethyl dodecanedioate). , Dimethyl tetradecanedioate, ethyl laurate, lauryl acetate, and triethyl citrate), benzyl benzoate, benzylphenylacetate, ethyl vanillate, lauric acid, myristic acid, propylene carbon salt, and tributyrin. However, it is not limited to these.

The homogenized botanical material may advantageously have an aerosol former content of greater than or equal to about 5% by weight on a dry weight basis.

The homogenized botanical material may have an aerosol former content of greater than or equal to about 10% by weight on a dry weight basis, or greater than or equal to about 15% by weight on a dry weight basis.

The homogenized botanical material may advantageously have an aerosol former content of not more than about 35% by weight on a dry weight basis.

The homogenized botanical material may have an aerosol former content of about 30 wt% or less on a dry weight basis, about 25 wt% or less on a dry weight basis, or about 20 wt% or less on a dry weight basis.

The homogenized vegetable material comprises about 5% to about 35% by weight on a dry weight basis, about 5% to about 30% by weight on a dry weight basis, and about 5% to about 25% by weight on a dry weight basis. , Or may have an aerosol former content of from about 5% to about 20% by weight on a dry weight basis.

The homogenized vegetable material comprises about 10% to about 35% by weight on a dry weight basis, about 10% to about 30% by weight on a dry weight basis, and about 10% to about 25% by weight on a dry weight basis. , Or may have an aerosol former content of from about 10% to about 20% by weight on a dry weight basis.

The homogenized plant material comprises about 15% to about 35% by weight on a dry weight basis, about 15% to about 30% by weight on a dry weight basis, and about 15% to about 25% by weight on a dry weight basis. , Or can have an aerosol former content of from about 15% to about 20% by weight on a dry weight basis.

The homogenized botanical material may advantageously further comprise a binder.

Inclusion of a binder may advantageously increase the strength of the homogenized vegetable material. This may advantageously facilitate the production of a sheet of homogenized vegetable material.

The inclusion of a binder may advantageously improve the homogeneity of the sheet of homogenized plant material as compared to a sheet without a binder.

Suitable binders are known in the art and include alginates, celluloses (such as methyl cellulose, ethyl cellulose, ethyl hydroxyethyl cellulose and carboxymethyl cellulose), dextrans, gums, gum derivatives (hydroxyethyl guar gum, hydroxypropyl guar gum, hydroxyethyl locust bean). Gums and such as hydroxypropyl locust bean gum), pectins (such as fruit pectins, citrus pectins and tobacco pectins), starches (such as modified or derivatized starches), pullulan, and konjak flour.

The homogenized botanical material may include a gum binder.

Advantageously, the homogenized botanical material may include a natural gum binder.

Even more advantageously, the homogenized botanical material may comprise one or more natural gum binders selected from the group consisting of gum arabic, guar gum, locust bean gum, tamarind gum, and xanthan gum.

The homogenized botanical material may contain two or more different binders.

The homogenized botanical material may advantageously have a binder content of about 1% by weight or more on a dry weight basis.

The homogenized botanical material may have a binder content of greater than or equal to about 2% by weight on a dry weight basis.

The homogenized botanical material may advantageously have a binder content of up to about 10% by weight on a dry weight basis.

The homogenized botanical material may have a binder content of about 8 wt% or less on a dry weight basis, about 6 wt% or less on a dry weight basis, or about 4 wt% or less on a dry weight basis.

The homogenized vegetable material comprises about 1% to about 10% by weight on a dry weight basis, about 1% to about 8% by weight on a dry weight basis, and about 1% to about 6% by weight on a dry weight basis. , Or may have a binder content of from about 1% to about 4% by weight on a dry weight basis.

The homogenized plant material comprises about 2% to about 10% by weight on a dry weight basis, about 2% to about 8% by weight on a dry weight basis, and about 2% to about 6% by weight on a dry weight basis. , Or may have a binder content of from about 2% to about 4% by weight on a dry weight basis.

The homogenized botanical material may advantageously further comprise lipids.

Inclusion of lipids advantageously enhances the diffusivity of volatile components within the homogenized plant material, and, therefore, compared to non-lipidized homogenized plant material. Thus, as the homogenized plant material is heated to a temperature above the melting point of the lipids, volatile components may be transferred from the homogenized plant material to the aerosol.

The lipid may advantageously have a melting point of about 50°C to about 150°C.

Lipids may be tacky.

The lipid may be a natural wax derived from a plant.

The homogenized botanical material may include one or more waxes selected from the group consisting of candelilla wax, carnauba wax, shellac, sunflower wax, rice bran, and Revell A.

Advantageously, the lipid is from the group consisting of fully saturated triglycerides such as fully hydrogenated vegetable oils, saturated fatty acids such as palmitic acid, alkali metal salts of saturated fatty acids such as sodium stearate, and alkaline earth metal salts of saturated fatty acids. Selected.

The homogenized vegetable material can include two or more different lipids that have the same or different melting points.

The homogenized botanical material may advantageously have a lipid content of about 1% by weight or more on a dry weight basis.

The homogenized vegetable material may have a lipid content of 2% by weight or more on a dry weight basis.

The homogenized botanical material may advantageously have a lipid content of about 10% or less by dry weight.

The homogenized botanical material may have a lipid content of about 8 wt% or less on a dry weight basis, or about 6 wt% or less on a dry weight basis.

The homogenized botanical material comprises from about 1% to about 10% by weight on a dry weight basis, from about 1% to about 8% by weight on a dry weight basis, or from about 1% to about 6% by weight on a dry weight basis. It may have a lipid content of %.

The homogenized botanical material is about 2% to about 10% by weight on a dry weight basis, about 2% to about 8% by weight on a dry weight basis, or about 2% to about 6% by weight on a dry weight basis. It may have a lipid content of %.

The homogenized botanical material may advantageously further comprise cellulosic fibers.

The inclusion of cellulosic fibers may advantageously increase the tensile strength of the homogenized plant material. This may advantageously facilitate the production of a sheet of homogenized vegetable material.

The homogenized vegetable material may include one or both of tobacco cellulosic or non-tobacco cellulosic fibers.

Suitable non-tobacco cellulosic fibers for inclusion in the homogenized plant material are known in the art and include, but are not limited to, hard wood fibers, soft wood fibers, jute fibers, and flax fibers.

The cellulosic fibers may advantageously have an average fiber length of about 0.2 mm to about 4.0 mm.

Cellulosic fibers can have an average fiber length of about 1.0 mm to about 3.0 mm.

Cellulosic fibers may be subjected to treatments such as mechanical pulping, chemical pulping, sulfate pulping, refining, bleaching, and combinations thereof.

The homogenized vegetable material may advantageously have a cellulosic fiber content of greater than or equal to about 1% by weight on a dry weight basis.

The homogenized botanical material may advantageously have a cellulosic fiber content of greater than or equal to about 2% by weight on a dry weight basis, or greater than or equal to about 3% by weight on a dry weight basis.

The homogenized vegetable material may advantageously have a cellulosic fiber content of up to about 15% by weight on a dry weight basis.

The homogenized botanical material may have a cellulosic fiber content of about 10 wt% or less on a dry weight basis, or about 5 wt% or less on a dry weight basis.

The homogenized botanical material comprises from about 1% to about 15% by weight on a dry weight basis, from about 1% to about 10% by weight on a dry weight basis, or from about 1% to about 5% by weight on a dry weight basis. It may have a cellulosic fiber content of %.

The homogenized botanical material comprises from about 2% to about 15% by weight on a dry weight basis, from about 2% to about 10% by weight on a dry weight basis, or from about 2% to about 5% by weight on a dry weight basis. It may have a cellulosic fiber content of %.

The homogenized botanical material is about 3% to about 15% by weight on a dry weight basis, about 3% to about 10% by weight on a dry weight basis, or about 3% to about 5% by weight on a dry weight basis. It may have a cellulosic fiber content of %.

The homogenized botanical material may further comprise one or more flavoring agents.

As used herein in the context of the present invention, the term "flavorant" means, in use, one of taste or aroma to an aerosol generated by heating an aerosol-generating substrate comprising a homogenized plant material, or Means a drug that provides both.

The homogenized botanical material may further comprise one or more natural flavors, one or more artificial flavors or a combination of one or more natural flavors and one or more artificial flavors.

For example, the homogenized botanical material can include one or more flavoring agents that provide a flavor selected from the group consisting of menthol, lemon, vanilla, orange, wintergreen, cherry, and cinnamon.

The homogenized botanical material may further comprise one or more chemosensing agents.

As used herein in the context of the present invention, the term "chemosensory agent", when used, by means other than or in addition to perception through taste receptor cells or olfactory receptor cells, Means a drug that is perceived in the oral or nasal cavity of a user. The perception of chemosensory agents goes through either the trigeminal nerve, the glossopharyngeal nerve, the vagus nerve, or some combination of these, typically the "trigeminal nerve response." Chemosensory agents are typically perceived as a hot, savory, cool, or soothing sensation.

The homogenized botanical material may include one or more agents that are both flavoring agents and chemosensing agents. For example, the homogenized botanical material may include menthol or another flavoring agent that provides a refreshing chemosensory effect.

The term "menthol" as used herein in the context of the present invention means the compound 2-isopropyl-5-methylcyclohexanol in any of its isomers.

Homogenized botanical materials are suitable known for producing homogenized tobacco materials including, but not limited to, paper making processes, casting or "cast leaf" processes, soft-bulk reconstitution processes and extrusion processes. Reconstruction process of

The homogenized botanical material is preferably made using a casting process.

The homogenized vegetable material is preferably in sheet form.

More preferably, the homogenized vegetable material is in the form of a cast sheet.

A sheet of homogenized botanical material for use in the present invention is prepared by casting a slurry containing particulate botanical material and one or more binders onto a conveyor belt or other support surface and drying the cast slurry. It is preferably formed by a casting process of the type generally comprising forming a homogenized plant material sheet and removing the homogenized plant material sheet from the support surface.

The homogenized sheet of vegetable material may advantageously have a width of at least about 20 mm.

The homogenized plant material sheet can have a width of about 40 mm or greater, about 60 mm or greater, or about 80 mm or greater.

The width of the homogenized plant material sheet can be about 20 mm to about 300 mm, about 40 mm to about 300 mm, about 60 mm to about 300 mm, or about 80 mm to about 300 mm.

The homogenized sheet of botanical material may advantageously have a thickness of about 50 microns or greater.

The homogenized sheet of plant material may have a thickness of about 75 microns or greater, about 100 microns or greater, or about 125 microns or greater.

The sheet of homogenized plant material may have a thickness of about 50 microns to about 300 microns, about 75 microns to about 300 microns, about 100 microns to about 300 microns, or about 125 microns to about 300 microns.

Advantageously, the homogenized sheet of vegetable material may be textured. This may facilitate the assembly of a sheet of homogenized plant material to form an aerosol-generating rod.

As used herein in connection with the present invention, the term "textured sheet of homogenized plant material" has been crimped, embossed, debossed, perforated, or otherwise modified. Means a sheet of homogenized plant material. The textured sheet of homogenized vegetable material can include a plurality of spaced indentations, protrusions, perforations or combinations thereof.

More advantageously, the homogenized sheet of vegetable material may be crimped.

As used herein in connection with the present invention, the term "homogenized tobacco material crimped sheet" is synonymous with the term "homogenized vegetable material wrinkled sheet". Is intended to mean a sheet of homogenized botanical material having a plurality of substantially parallel ridges or corrugations.

Advantageously, the crimped sheet of homogenized plant material may have a plurality of ridges or corrugations substantially parallel to the cylindrical axis of the aerosol-generating rod. This may advantageously facilitate assembly of the crimped sheet of homogenized vegetable material to form the aerosol-generating rod.

The homogenized sheet of vegetable material may be textured using filter-tow, paper and other materials using any suitable known machinery for texturing.

The homogenized plant material sheet may be crimped using a crimping unit of the type described in CH-A-6911156 which comprises a pair of rotatable crimping rollers. However, it should be appreciated that the sheet may be textured using other suitable machinery and processes to deform or perforate the sheet.

The method of making a cast sheet of homogenized plant material according to the present invention comprises a plant material, an aerosol former, and a basic having a solubility in water of less than about 0.1 g/100 mL water at 20° C. and 1 atm. combining a pH adjusting agent to form a slurry, casting the slurry onto a support surface, drying the cast slurry to form a cast sheet of homogenized vegetable material, and homogenized vegetable Removing the cast sheet of material from the support surface.

The method advantageously comprises combining a plant material, an aerosol former and a basic pH adjusting agent having a solubility in water at 20° C. and 1 atm of less than about 0.1 g/100 mL water to form an aqueous slurry. May be included.

The method comprises adding one or more additional components such as binders, lipids, cellulosic fibers, flavoring agents, chemosensory agents and combinations thereof to plant materials, aerosol formers and about 0. It may further include combining with a basic pH adjusting agent having a solubility in water of less than 1 g/100 mL water to form a slurry.

If the cast sheet of homogenized plant material further comprises cellulosic fibers, the method comprises a plant material, an aerosol former, a base having a solubility in water of less than about 0.1 g/100 mL water at 20° C. and 1 atm. The step of combining the acidic pH adjusting agent and the loose cellulose fibers to form a slurry may be included.

The combining step comprises a botanical material, an aerosol former and a basic pH adjusting agent having a solubility in water of less than about 0.1 g/100 mL water at 20° C. and 1 atm and, if included, one or more additional constituents. It may include mixing the ingredients to form a slurry.

The combining step may be carried out using a high energy mixer or high shear mixer. The use of high energy mixers or high shear mixers can advantageously disrupt and distribute within the slurry the components that form the slurry uniformly.

If the cast sheet of homogenized plant material further comprises a lipid having a melting point of about 50° C. to about 150° C., the method comprises heating the slurry to a temperature above the melting point of the lipid, and then the slurry. Cooling the slurry to a temperature below the melting point of the lipids prior to casting on the support surface. This may advantageously help to evenly distribute the lipid within the homogenized plant material.

The method may further include vibrating the slurry prior to casting the slurry on the support surface. For example, the method may include vibrating a tank, silo, or other vessel containing the slurry prior to the casting step. Vibrating the slurry prior to the casting step can advantageously help homogenize the slurry.

The casting process may include casting the slurry on a moving support surface such as a moving belt.

The cast slurry advantageously has a water content of from about 60% to about 80% by weight based on the total weight of the cast slurry.

The drying step may include drying the cast slurry using steam and heated air.

The drying step may advantageously include steam drying the side of the cast slurry that is in contact with the support and drying the side of the cast slurry that is not in contact with the support with hot air.

The drying step may include drying the cast slurry to form a cast sheet of homogenized plant material having a water content of about 7 wt% to about 15 wt% on a dry weight basis.

The drying step advantageously comprises drying the cast slurry to form a cast sheet of homogenized plant material having a water content of from about 8% to about 12% by weight on a dry weight basis. May be included.

The method may further include the step of winding the homogenized plant material cast sheet onto a bobbin after removing the homogenized plant material cast sheet from the support surface.

The method comprises the steps of: assembling a homogenized plant material cast sheet transversely to its longitudinal axis; enclosing the homogenized plant material cast sheet assembly in a wrapper to form a rod. The method may further include forming and cutting the rod into a plurality of individual aerosol generating rods.

The method may further include the step of crimping the cast sheet of homogenized plant material prior to the assembling step.

Advantageously, the aerosol-generating rod comprises a collection of sheets of homogenized plant material according to the invention surrounded by a wrapper.

The aerosol-generating rod may comprise an assembly of cast sheets of homogenized plant material according to the invention surrounded by a wrapper.

Aerosol generating rods may be manufactured using conventional cigarette filter manufacturing machines.

For example, an aerosol-generating rod comprising an assembly of sheets of homogenized plant material according to the invention surrounded by a wrapper is an assembly of crimped sheets of paper of the type described in CH-A-6911156. It can be manufactured using machinery to form filter rods, including the body.

The assemblage of sheets of homogenized plant material advantageously extends substantially along the entire length of the aerosol-generating rod and substantially across the cross-sectional area of the aerosol-generating rod.

Advantageously, the aerosol-generating rod may have a substantially uniform cross section.

The rod length of the aerosol-generating rod may advantageously be between about 5 mm and about 25 mm, between about 5 mm and about 20 mm, or between about 5 mm and about 15 mm.

As used herein in connection with the present invention, the term "rod length" means the maximum dimension in the direction of the cylindrical axis of an aerosol generating rod.

The rod diameter of the aerosol-generating rod may advantageously be between about 6 mm and about 10 mm, between about 6 mm and about 9 mm, or between about 6 mm and about 8 mm.

As used herein in the context of the present invention, the term "rod diameter" means the largest dimension in a direction substantially perpendicular to the cylindrical axis of the aerosol-generating rod.

The aerosol-generating rod may comprise a collection of sheets of homogenized plant material according to the present invention surrounded by a porous wrapper.

The aerosol-generating rod may comprise an assembly of sheets of homogenized plant material according to the invention surrounded by a non-porous wrapper.

A method of forming an aerosol-generating rod comprises the steps of providing a continuous sheet of homogenized vegetable material according to the present invention, and assembling the continuous sheet transverse to its longitudinal axis. Enclosing the assembled continuous sheet with a wrapper to form a continuous rod, and cutting the continuous rod into a plurality of individual aerosol generating rods.

The aerosol-generating rod can be used as a component of an aerosol-generating article.

Aerosol-generating rods can be used particularly advantageously in heated aerosol-generating articles.

The inhalable nicotine-containing aerosol is produced by heating the aerosol-generating rod.

Many aerosol generating articles have been proposed in the art in which an aerosol generating substrate is heated rather than burned. Typically in heated aerosol generating articles, the aerosol transfers heat from a heat source, e.g., a chemical, electrical or combustible heat source, to a physically separated aerosol generating substrate that may be located inside, around, or downstream of the heat source. It is generated by

The aerosol-generating rod may be used in a heated aerosol-generating article that includes a combustible heat source and an aerosol-generating substrate downstream of the combustible heat source.

For example, the aerosol-generating rod can be used in a heated aerosol-generating article of the type disclosed in WO2009/022232A2, which comprises a combustible carbonaceous heat source, an aerosol-generating substrate downstream of the combustible heat source, and a combustible heat-generating substrate. A rear portion of the carbonaceous heat source and a thermally conductive element around and in contact with the adjacent front portion of the aerosol-generating substrate. Of course, the aerosol-generating rod can also be used in heated aerosol-generating articles that include a combustible heat source having other structures.

The aerosol-generating rod may advantageously be used in a heated aerosol-generating article for use in an electrically actuated aerosol-generating system in which the aerosol-generating substrate of the heated aerosol-generating article is heated by an electrical heat source. ..

For example, the aerosol generating rod can be used in a heated aerosol generating article of the type disclosed in EP0822760A2.

The heated aerosol generating article may include an aerosol generating rod, and one or more other components.

The one or more other components may include one or more of a support element, a spacer element, an aerosol cooling element, a mouthpiece.

The aerosol-generating rod and one or more other components are assembled within the wrapper of the heated aerosol-generating article to form an elongated rod having a mouth end and a distal end upstream of the mouth end. .. Therefore, the heated aerosol generating article may be similar to a conventional cigarette with a spark end.

Cast sheets of homogenized tobacco material are prepared with the compositions shown in Table 1, the values shown being weight percent on a dry weight basis.

To prepare the cast sheet of homogenized tobacco material of Sample 1, tobacco powder, glycerol, guar gum and cellulose fibers are combined with water to form an aqueous slurry. The aqueous slurry is cast on a support surface and then dried to form a cast sheet of homogenized tobacco material of Sample 1.

To prepare a cast sheet of homogenized tobacco material for Samples 2 and 3, tobacco powder, glycerol, guar gum, cellulosic fibers and a basic pH adjusting agent are combined with water to form an aqueous slurry. The aqueous slurry is cast on a support surface and then dried to form a cast sheet of homogenized tobacco material for Samples 2 and 3.

The pH of the aqueous slurries used to form the cast sheets of homogenized tobacco material of Samples 1, 2 and 3 is measured using a pH electrode.

The pH of the homogenized tobacco material cast sheet of Samples 1, 2 and 3 was determined by dispersing 5 g of the homogenized tobacco material cast sheet in 5 g of water and measuring the pH of the dispersion using a pH electrode. Is measured by

The pH values obtained are shown in Table 2 below.

The nicotine content of the methanoic acid extract of the samples of homogenized tobacco material cast sheets of Samples 1-6 is measured using a gas chromatography flame ionization detector (GC-FID).

Cast sheets of homogenized tobacco material of Samples 1, 2 and 3 are assembled and surrounded by a wrapper to form an aerosol generating rod. A heated aerosol generating article for use in an electrically actuated aerosol generating system is formed with an aerosol generating substrate that includes an aerosol generating rod.

The nicotine content of the aerosol produced by electrically heating a heated aerosol generating article to a maximum temperature of 350° C. under conditions specified by Health Canada is determined using GC-FID. The nicotine transfer of the heated aerosol generating article is determined from the nicotine content of the aerosol, the nicotine content of the cast sheet of homogenized tobacco material, and the amount of homogenized tobacco material in the aerosol generating substrate of the heated aerosol generating article. It is calculated. The cotin transfer yield is (amount of nicotine delivered in the aerosol with heating) by (amount of nicotine in the aggregate of the homogenized tobacco material cast sheet in the aerosol-generating substrate of the aerosol-generating article before heating). ) Is defined as. The results are shown in Table 2 below.

As shown in Table 2, the inclusion of a basic pH modifier in the cast sheet of homogenized tobacco material of Samples 2 and 3 significantly increases the pH of the cast sheet of homogenized tobacco material of Samples 2 and 3. .. As shown in Table 2, the inclusion of a basic pH adjusting agent in the cast sheets of homogenized tobacco material of Samples 2 and 3 also advantageously homogenizes Sample 1 without the basic pH adjusting agent. Compared to a heated aerosol generating article containing a cast sheet of tobacco material, the nicotine transfer of the heated aerosol generating article containing the cast sheet of homogenized tobacco material of Samples 2 and 3 is significantly increased.

However, as shown in Table 2, in a cast sheet of the homogenized tobacco material of Sample 2, calcium hydroxide having a solubility in water of about 0.173 g/100 mL of water at 20° C. and 1 atm was added as a basic pH adjusting agent. Is also disadvantageously compared to the cast sheet of homogenized tobacco material of Sample 1 without the basic pH adjuster during the preparation of the cast sheet of homogenized tobacco material of Sample 2. Significantly increases nicotine loss.

In contrast, the cast sheet of homogenized tobacco material of Sample 3 included magnesium hydroxide having a solubility in water of about 0.00096 g/100 mL water at 20° C. and 1 atm as a basic pH adjusting agent. Advantageously, there is a much greater increase in nicotine loss during preparation of the cast sheet of homogenized tobacco material of Sample 2 as compared to the cast sheet of homogenized tobacco material of Sample 1 without the basic pH adjuster. Get smaller.

The particular embodiments described above are intended to exemplify the invention. However, other embodiments may be made without departing from the scope of the invention as defined in the claims, and the particular embodiments described above are intended to be limiting. It should be understood that not.

Claims (14)

A homogenized vegetable material,
A particulate plant material, wherein the homogenized plant material has a particulate plant material content of about 60% by weight or more on a dry weight basis,
An aerosol former,
A basic pH adjuster having a solubility in water of about 0.1 g/100 mL water or less at 20° C. and 1 atm, which is an alkaline earth metal hydrogen carbonate, an alkaline earth metal hydroxide, and an alkaline earth metal. A basic pH adjusting agent, which comprises one or more basic inorganic salts selected from the group consisting of phosphates, and a homogenized vegetable material. The homogenized plant according to claim 1, wherein the basic pH adjuster comprises one or more basic inorganic salts selected from the group consisting of magnesium hydrogen carbonate, magnesium hydroxide, magnesium phosphate and calcium phosphate. Material. 3. The homogenized botanical material of claim 1 or 2 having a pH of about 5.5 or higher. 4. The homogenized botanical material of any one of claims 1-3, having a pH of about 8.0 or less. The homogenized botanical material of any one of claims 1-4, having a pH of about 6.0 to about 7.5. 6. A homogenized botanical material according to any one of claims 1-5 having an aerosol former content of from about 5% to about 25% by weight on a dry weight basis. 7. The homogenized plant material of any of claims 1-6, further comprising a lipid having a melting point of about 50<0>C to about 150<0>C. The homogenized vegetable material according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the homogenized vegetable material is a homogenized tobacco material and the particulate plant material is tobacco. Sheet of homogenized plant material according to any one of claims 1-8. An aerosol generating rod comprising an assembly of sheets of homogenized plant material according to claim 9 surrounded by a wrapper. An aerosol-generating article for use in an electrically actuated aerosol-generating system, the aerosol-generating article comprising the aerosol-generating rod of claim 10. An aerosol-generating article comprising a combustible heat source, and the aerosol-generating rod according to claim 10 located downstream of the combustible heat source. A method of producing a cast sheet of homogenized plant material,
Forming a slurry by combining a particulate botanical material, an aerosol former, and a basic pH adjusting agent having a solubility in water of less than about 0.1 g/100 mL water at 20° C. and 1 atm to form a slurry. PH adjusting agent comprises one or more basic inorganic salts selected from the group consisting of alkaline earth metal hydrogen carbonates, alkaline earth metal hydroxides and alkaline earth metal phosphates. When,
Casting the slurry on a support surface,
A step of drying the cast slurry to form a homogenized plant material cast sheet, wherein the particulate plant content of the homogenized plant material sheet is about 60 wt. % Or more, a drying step,
Removing the cast sheet of homogenized plant material from the support surface. The method of claim 13, wherein
A step of assembling the homogenized plant material cast sheet laterally with respect to its longitudinal axis;
Forming a rod by wrapping a wrapper around the homogenized cast sheet of plant material with a wrapper;
Cutting the rod into a plurality of individual aerosol generating rods.