KR102487974B1 - aerosol generation - Google Patents

Abstract

A heat-not-burn article comprising an aerosol generating medium and a filter is provided herein. The filter holds one or more crushable capsules. In use, the aerosol-generating medium is heated without burning, and the capsule is exposed to temperatures of about 30 to 100 °C. During this exposure, the structural integrity of the capsule is not compromised, so that the capsule can be crushed by the user before, during or after heating.

Description

aerosol generation

The present invention relates to heat-not-burn articles and heat-not-burn assemblies.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Items such as cigarettes, cigars, and the like burn tobacco during use to produce tobacco smoke. Alternatives to these combustible articles generate an inhalable aerosol by heating the substrate material.

Such products may be generally referred to as aerosol generating devices. Examples of such aerosol-generating devices are so-called non-combustion heating products, also known as tobacco heating products or tobacco heating devices, which release compounds by heating but not burning a solid base material to form an inhalable aerosol. This material may be, for example, a combination such as a blended mix or tobacco or other non-tobacco products, which may or may not contain nicotine.

A first aspect of the invention provides a non-combustion heated article comprising an aerosol-generating medium and a filter, the filter having one or more crushable capsules, wherein, in use, the aerosol-generating medium is combustible. The capsule can be crushed by the user before, during or after heating as the capsule is exposed to temperatures of about 30 to 100° C. during this exposure and the structural integrity of the capsule is not compromised.

In some cases, in use, the aerosol-generating medium generates a moist aerosol and the capsule is exposed to at least 12 mg of water.

In some cases, the capsule has a core-shell structure, the core contains a liquid, the shell encapsulates the core, and the shell contains between 5 and 90% based on total capsule shell weight. % by weight of a gelling agent, wherein the gelling agent comprises carrageenan.

In some cases, the aerosol-generating medium includes an aerosol-generating agent. In some cases, the aerosol-generating medium comprises at least 10 weight percent of an aerosol-generating agent, based on the total weight of the aerosol-generating medium.

In some cases, the aerosol-generating medium includes tobacco material.

In some cases, the aerosol-generating medium includes an aerosol-generating agent and tobacco material, which may be provided in the same portion of the aerosol-generating medium or in separate sections of the aerosol-generating medium.

In some cases, the capsule fills about 5-30% v/v of the filter.

In some cases, the filter includes 70 to 95% v/v of filter material. In some cases, the filter material has an average melting point of at least about 150 °C. In some cases, the filter material has an average thermal conductivity of at least 0.130 W/mK.

In some cases, a filter further includes a wrapper around other filter elements.

In some cases, the shell comprises 5 to 60% by weight of carrageenan as a gelling agent, based on the total capsule shell weight. Suitably, the shell comprises 10 to 35% by weight of carrageenan as a gelling agent, based on the total capsule shell weight.

In some cases, the gelling agent of the capsule shell includes carrageenan. In some cases, the carrageenan has a melting point of at least about 30 °C or at least about 40 °C.

In some cases, the capsule shell further includes a plasticizer. In some cases, the total amount of plasticizer and gelling agent combined in the shell may be about 40 to 70 weight percent based on the total capsule shell weight.

In some cases, the capsule shell further includes a carbohydrate such as starch.

In some cases, the capsule has an initial crush strength (prior to heating) of about 0.8 kilopond (kp) to about 3.5 kp, suitably about 1.0 kp to about 2.5 kp, or about 1.0 kp to about 2.0 kp. have

In some cases, the capsule core includes a flavoring agent.

A second aspect of the present invention provides a combustionless heating assembly comprising the heater and the combustionless heating article according to the first aspect.

In some cases, the capsule is at least about 25 mm or at least about 30 mm from the heater. In some cases, the capsule is 25 to 30 mm away from the heater. In some other cases, the capsule is 30 to 35 mm away from the heater.

In some cases, the heater includes a combustible fuel source arranged such that upon ignition the fuel source heats but does not burn the aerosol-generating medium of the non-combustible heated article.

In some cases, a heater is a device into which, in use, a non-combustible heating article is at least partially inserted so that the aerosol-generating medium is heated but not burned.

In some cases, the assembly is configured such that one or more capsules are exposed to a temperature of between about 30 and 100 °C. In some cases, the assembly is configured such that one or more capsules are exposed to a temperature of between about 40 and 90 °C.

In some cases, the assembly can be configured to expose the aerosol-forming medium to at least 200° C. for at least 50% of the heating period.

According to a further aspect, the present invention comprises a filter for a non-combustible heated article, the filter having a crushable capsule, in use, the aerosol-generating medium is heated without burning, and the capsule is heated to a temperature of about 30 to 100 °C. and since its structural integrity is not compromised during this exposure, the capsule can be crushed by the user before, during or after heating,

To the extent that they are compatible, features disclosed in relation to one aspect of the invention are explicitly disclosed in combination with all other aspects.

Further features and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the following description of examples of the invention, given by way of example only, made with reference to the accompanying drawings.

1 shows a schematic side view of an example of a noncombustion heating article.
2 shows a schematic side view of one example of a combustionless heating assembly.
3 shows a cross-sectional view of one example of a non-combustion heating article.
Figure 4 shows a perspective view of the article of Figure 3;
5 shows a cross-sectional elevational view of one example of a noncombustion heated article.
Figure 6 shows a perspective view of the article of Figure 5;
7 shows a perspective view of one example of a combustionless heating assembly.
8 shows a cross-sectional view of an exemplary combustionless heating assembly.
9 shows a perspective view of an example of an exemplary combustionless heating assembly.

A first aspect of the present invention provides a non-combustible heated article comprising an aerosol-generating medium and a filter, the filter having one or more crushable capsules, in use, the aerosol-generating medium is heated without burning, and the capsules contain about Because it is exposed to temperatures of 30 to 100° C. and its structural integrity is not compromised during this exposure, the capsules can be crushed by the user before, during or after heating.

Aerosols generated by noncombustion heated products are typically warm and moist due to the nature of the heating profile and the composition of the aerosol-generating medium. For example, the aerosol-generating medium in a non-combustion heated article according to the present invention may contain a higher proportion of aerosol-generating agent than a smokable material used in a combustible article. Additionally or alternatively, the aerosol-generating medium in a non-combustible heated article according to the present invention may be heated to a temperature/duration higher than the burning temperature/duration of the combustible article and/or for a longer period of time. The inventors have established that the capsules detailed in claim 1 are particularly suitable for use in non-combustion heating products and the conditions therein. It has been found that the capsules specified in claim 1 are less likely than other capsules to break or rupture when exposed to conditions in a non-combustible heated product.

In some cases, in use, the aerosol-generating medium generates a moist aerosol and the capsule is exposed to at least 12 mg of water.

The inventors have established that the temperature profile at the center of the filter peaks at the time of each puff during use. This is because hot aerosol is sucked through the filter during puffing. In some cases, the capsule may be exposed to temperatures greater than about 30 °C, 40 °C or 50 °C during use. In some cases, the maximum temperature to which the capsule is exposed in use is less than about 100 °C, 90 °C, 80 °C or 70 °C. In some cases, the capsule may be exposed to temperatures in the range of 30 °C to 100 °C, suitably in the range of 40 °C to 80 °C or 50 °C to 70 °C.

As used herein, the term “non-combustion heated article” refers to an article containing an aerosol-generating medium; In use, the components of the aerosol-generating medium, burned/unburned, volatilize by heating to form an inhalable vapor or aerosol.

The aerosol-generating medium of a non-combustion heated article contains a solid component (in contrast to the aerosol-generating medium of e-cigarettes where the aerosol-generating medium is a liquid). By "solid" is meant that the aerosol-generating medium does not flow when in a steady state. Solids may include gels and the like. For the avoidance of doubt, the aerosol-generating medium of a non-combustion heated article may comprise a liquid component in addition to a solid component.

The capsules described herein may have a core-shell structure. In these cases, the core contains a liquid. In some cases, the core can include one or more aerosol generating agents and/or one or more flavoring agents. In some cases, the core can include acid, base and/or water. In some cases, the core may include a solvent. In some specific cases, the core may include menthol.

A capsule shell material (which may alternatively be referred to herein as a barrier material or an encapsulating material) encapsulates the core. In some cases, the shell material may serve to minimize movement of the core during storage of the product. In some cases, the shell material can provide controlled release of the core during use. The capsule may be ruptured (ie crushed) to release the contents before, during or after heating of the non-combustible heated article.

The capsule shell material is comminuteable; That is, it is brittle or prone to breakage. The capsule may be crushed or otherwise broken or destroyed by the user to release the contents. Typically, the capsule is destroyed immediately before heating begins, but the user can choose when to release the contents (ie, the capsule can be crushed after heating begins). The term "crushing capsule" refers to a capsule in which the encapsulating material (which may be a shell) may be broken by pressure to release the encapsulated material (which may be a capsule core); More specifically, the encapsulating material (eg shell) may rupture under pressure exerted by the user's fingers (or any other pressure generating means) when the user wishes to expel the contents of the capsule. In some cases, the capsule may have an initial (preheat) crush strength of about 0.8 kp to about 3.5 kp, suitably about 1.0 kp to about 2.5 kp or about 1.0 to about 2.0 kp. The inventors have established that capsules can weaken when heated. The inventors have established that capsules with an initial crushing strength of at least 0.8 kp are less likely to break/rupture upon heating. The inventors have established that capsules with a crushing strength greater than 3.5 kp are difficult to crush prior to heating. We have determined that an initial crushing strength in the range of 1.0 kp to 2.0 kp provides the best capsule performance.

In some cases, capsules described herein may be substantially spherical and may have a diameter of at least about 0.4 mm, 0.6 mm, 0.8 mm, 1.0 mm, 2.0 mm, 2.5 mm, 2.8 mm, or 3.0 mm. The diameter of the capsules may be less than about 10.0 mm, 8.0 mm, 7.0 mm, 6.0 mm, 5.5 mm, 5.0 mm, 4.5 mm, 4.0 mm, 3.5 mm or 3.2 mm. Illustratively, the capsule diameter may range from about 0.4 mm to about 10.0 mm, from about 0.8 mm to about 6.0 mm, from about 2.5 mm to about 5.5 mm, or from about 2.8 mm to about 3.2 mm. In some cases, the capsule may have a diameter of about 3.0 mm to about 3.5 mm. These sizes are particularly suitable for incorporating the capsule into a filter for non-combustion heated articles.

In some cases, the total weight of a capsule described herein is about 1 mg to about 100 mg, suitably about 5 mg to about 60 mg, about 10 mg to about 50 mg, about 15 mg to about 40 mg, or It may range from about 15 mg to about 30 mg.

In some cases, the total weight of the core formulation is about 2 mg to about 90 mg, suitably about 3 mg to about 70 mg, about 5 mg to about 25 mg, about 8 mg to about 20 mg, or about 10 mg. to about 15 mg.

The shell comprises from 5 to 90% by weight, based on the total capsule shell weight, of a gelling agent, wherein the gelling agent comprises, consists essentially of, or consists of carrageenan. In some cases, the shell comprises 5 to 60%, 5 to 50% or 10 to 35% by weight of the gelling agent, based on the total capsule shell weight. In some cases, the gelling agent of the capsule shell includes carrageenan. In some cases, the carrageenan has a melting point of at least about 30 °C or at least about 40 °C.

In addition to carrageenan, the shell may contain additional gelling agents. Suitable gelling agents that may be included in the capsule shell material include, without limitation, polysaccharide or cellulosic gelling agents, gelatins, gums, gels, waxes or mixtures thereof. can include Suitable polysaccharides include alginates, dextrans, maltodextrins, cyclodextrins and pectins. Suitable alginates include, for example, salts of alginic acid, esterified alginates or glyceryl alginates. Salts of alginic acid include ammonium alginate, triethanolamine alginate, and Group I or II metal ion alginate salts such as sodium, potassium, calcium and magnesium alginate. Esterified alginates include propylene glycol alginate and glyceryl alginate. In some examples, the barrier material includes sodium alginate and/or calcium alginate. Suitable cellulosic materials include methyl cellulose, ethyl cellulose, hydroxyethyl cellulose, hydroxypropyl cellulose, carboxymethyl cellulose, cellulose acetates and cellulose ethers. The gelling agent may include one or more modified starches. The gelling agent may include one or more carrageenans. Suitable gums are agar, gellan gum, gum Arabic, pullulan gum, mannan gum, gum ghatti, gum tragacanth tragacanth, Karaya, locust bean, acacia gum, guar, quince seed and xanthan gums. Suitable gels include agar, agarose, carrageenan, furoidan and furcellaran. Suitable waxes include carnauba wax. In some cases, the gelling agent may include carrageenan and/or gellan gum; These gelling agents are particularly suitable for inclusion as gelling agents because the pressure required to break the resulting capsules is particularly moderate. In some cases, the capsule shell does not contain gelatin.

The capsule shell may further contain one or more of a bulking agent, a buffering agent, a coloring agent and a plasticizer.

In some cases, the capsule shell material may include one or more bulking agents such as starches, modified starches (eg oxidized starches) and sugar alcohols such as maltitol.

In some cases, the capsule shell material may include a colorant that facilitates positioning of the capsule within the tobacco industry product during manufacture. The colorant is preferably selected from among colorants and pigments.

In some cases, the capsule shell material may further include one or more buffering agents such as citrate or phosphate compounds.

In some cases, the capsule shell material may further comprise at least one plasticizer, which plasticizer is glycerol, sorbitol, maltitol, triacetin, polyethylene glycol, propylene. It may be a propylene glycol or other polyalcohol with plasticizing properties, optionally an acid of the mono-, di- or tri-acid type, in particular citric acid, fumaric acid, malic acid and the like. In some cases, the amount of plasticizer ranges from 1% to 30%, preferably from 2% to 15%, even more preferably from 3 to 10% by weight of the total weight of the shell. In some cases, the total amount of plasticizer and gelling agent combined in the shell is about 40 to 70 weight %, suitably 50 to 60 weight %, based on the total capsule shell weight. In some cases, the plasticizer comprises, consists essentially of, or consists of glycerol.

In some cases, the capsule shell may also include one or more filler materials. Suitable filler materials are starch derivatives such as dextrin, maltodextrin, cyclodextrin (alpha, beta or gamma), or hydroxypropyl-methylcellulose (HPMC), hydroxypropylcellulose (HPC), methylcellulose (MC), carboxyl -Cellulose derivatives such as methylcellulose (CMC), polyvinyl alcohol, polyols or mixtures thereof. The capsule shell can include, in some cases, up to about 60% by weight of filler based on the total capsule shell weight. In some cases, the capsule shell may include up to about 50%, 40%, 30% or 20% filler by weight based on the total capsule shell weight. In some specific cases, the capsule shell may contain no filler.

The capsule shell may further include a hydrophobic outer layer that reduces the susceptibility of the capsule to moisture-induced degradation. The hydrophobic outer layer may be waxes, in particular carnauba wax, candelilla wax or beeswax, carbowax, shellac (in alcohol or aqueous solution), ethyl cellulose, hydroxypropyl methyl cellulose, hydrophobic It is suitably selected from the group comprising roxyl-propylcellulose, latex compositions, polyvinyl alcohol, or combinations thereof. More preferably, the at least one moisture barrier is ethyl cellulose or a mixture of ethyl cellulose and shellac.

Methods of making capsules include co-extrusion, optionally followed by centrifugation and curing and/or drying. These and other suitable techniques are known in the art.

A filter may include a filter material. For example, the filter may include a cellulosic material such as cellulose acetate, a ceramic material, polylactic acid, a polymer matrix, and/or activated carbon. Suitable examples of ceramic materials include silicon carbide (SiC), silicon nitride (Si ₃ N ₄ ), titanium carbide, and zirconium dioxide (zirconia).

In some cases, the filter material has an average melting point of at least about 150 °C. When used in aerosol-generating devices, filters are generally exposed to temperatures below 150°C; Thus, in these embodiments, the filter does not melt and supports the capsule well. This is helpful for users who want to crush the capsules after heating is initiated. In some cases, the filter material has an average melting point of at least about 160 °C, 170 °C, 180 °C, 190 °C or 200 °C.

In some cases, the filter material has an average thermal conductivity of at least 0.130 W/mK. The inventors have found that this helps the user to crush the capsules after heating is initiated. In some cases, the filter material has an average thermal conductivity of at least 0.140 W/mK, 0.150 W/mK or 0.160 W/mK.

In some cases, a filter may further include a wrapper around other filter elements. The wrapper may include tobacco tipping paper.

In some cases, the capsule fills about 5-30% v/v of the filter. In some cases, the filter comprises 70-95% v/v of filter material, suitably cellulose acetate. The inventors have established that these ratios result in adequate heat absorption by the capsule.

In some cases, the filter is substantially cylindrical, and the capsule is arranged substantially centrally to the diameter of the cylinder. In some cases, the capsule is arranged substantially centrally to the length of the cylinder. In some cases, the cylindrical filter may be about 8 to 14 mm long, suitably 9 to 13 mm or 10 to 12 mm long. Cylindrical filters may have a cross-sectional diameter of about 5 to 9 mm, suitably 7.5 to 8 mm. A cylindrical filter may be formed of cellulose acetate fibers.

In some cases, when the capsule is in an unbroken state, the pressure differential across the filter when the user inhales is in the range of 30 to 90 mmH ₂ O. Suitably, when the capsule is in an unbroken state, the pressure differential across the filter is between about 30 mmH ₂ O, 33 mmH ₂ O, 35 mmH ₂ O, 38 mmH ₂ O or 40 mmH ₂ O to about 90 mmH ₂ O. , 75 mmH ₂ O, 65 mmH ₂ O, 60 mmH ₂ O, 55 mmH ₂ O or 50 mmH ₂ O. Illustratively, the pressure differential across the filter when the capsule is in an unbroken state may be in the range of about 35 to 60 mmH ₂ O, preferably 38 to 55 mmH ₂ O or 40 to 50 mmH ₂ O.

In some cases, a filter holds only one capsule. In other cases, the filter holds more than one capsule. If the filter includes a plurality of capsules, the individual capsules may be the same or different from each other. For example, a plurality of capsules may be provided to allow the user to select when/whether to break the capsules, thereby controlling the aerosol delivery profile.

In some cases, the aerosol-generating medium includes an aerosol-generating agent. In some cases, the aerosol-generating medium includes tobacco material. In some cases, the aerosol-generating medium includes a flavoring agent. In some cases, the aerosol-generating medium consists essentially of or consists of an aerosol-generating agent and/or tobacco material and/or flavoring agent. In some cases, the aerosol-generating medium may be provided as a single integrated component. In other cases, the aerosol-generating medium may include separate sections containing different compositions. For example, the aerosol-generating medium may include an aerosol-generating agent and tobacco material, which may be provided in separate and distinct sections of the aerosol-generating medium.

In some embodiments, the capsule contains a flavoring agent and the aerosol-generating medium contains a flavoring agent, wherein in both cases the flavoring agent is substantially the same. This may provide delivery of a more consistent flavor profile. In some cases, the capsule contains menthol and the aerosol-generating medium includes menthol.

As used herein, the term “tobacco material” refers to any material that includes tobacco or derivatives thereof. The term “tobacco material” may include one or more of tobacco, tobacco derivatives, puffed tobacco, reconstituted tobacco or tobacco substitutes. The tobacco material may include one or more of ground tobacco, tobacco fibers, cut tobacco, extruded tobacco, tobacco stems, reconstituted tobacco, and/or tobacco extract.

The tobacco used to produce the tobacco material may be single grades or blends, cut rag or whole leaf, including Virginia and/or Burley and/or Oriental. It can be any suitable cigarette, such as Tobacco can also be tobacco particle 'fines' or dust, expanded tobacco, stems, expanded stems, and other processed stem materials, such as cut rolled stems. The tobacco material may be ground tobacco or reconstituted tobacco material. The reconstituted tobacco material may include tobacco fibers and may be formed by casting, a Fourdrinier based papermaking type approach in which tobacco extract is added back, or extrusion.

As used herein, the term "aerosol generating agent" refers to an agent that promotes generation of an aerosol. Aerosol-generating agents may facilitate generation of an aerosol by facilitating initial vaporization and/or condensation of a gas into an inhalable solid and/or liquid aerosol.

Suitable aerosol generators include, but are not limited to: sorbitol, polyols such as glycerol and glycols such as propylene glycol or triethylene glycol; Non-polyols such as monohydric alcohols, high boiling point hydrocarbons, acids such as lactic acid, glycerol derivatives, esters such as diacetin, triacetin, triethylene glycol diacetate, triethyl citrate or ethyl myristate (ethyl myristate) and myristates including isopropyl myristate and aliphatic carboxylic acid esters such as methyl stearate, dimethyl dodecanedioate and dimethyl tetradecanedioate. In some cases, the aerosol generating agent may include glycerol and/or propylene glycol.

In some cases, the aerosol-generating medium comprises at least 10 weight percent of an aerosol-generating agent, based on the total weight of the aerosol-generating medium. Suitably, the aerosol-generating medium comprises at least 12%, 15%, 18% or 20% by weight of an aerosol-generating agent, based on the total weight of the aerosol-generating medium. The remainder may, in some cases, be tobacco material.

In some cases, the noncombustion heating article may be substantially cylindrical.

In some cases, the noncombustion heating article may further include a cooling element. This can be arranged, for example, between the filter and the aerosol-generating medium. The cooling element, if present, separates the filter from the (in use) hottest parts of the noncombustion heating article. The cooling element, if present, may suitably comprise a vacant tube formed of paper. Vaporized components of the aerosol-generating medium may condense and, in use, if present, form an aerosol in the cooling element.

The noncombustion heated article may further include vent holes. These may be provided on the side walls of the article. In some cases, vent holes may be provided in the filter and/or cooling element. These apertures allow cool air to be drawn into the article during use, which mixes with the heated volatilized components thereby cooling the aerosol.

Ventilation enhances the evolution of visible heated volatilized components from the article as it heats up in use. The heated volatilized components are made visible by the process of cooling the heated volatilized components so that supersaturation of the heated volatilized components occurs. The heated volatilized components then undergo droplet formation, otherwise known as nucleation, eventually resulting in heated volatilization by further condensation of the heated volatilized components and solidification of newly formed droplets from the heated volatilized components. The size of the aerosol particles of the components increased.

In some cases, the ratio of cool air to the sum of heated volatilized components and cool air, known as the aeration ratio, is at least 15%. An aeration rate of 15% allows volatilized components heated by the method described above to become visible. The visibility of the heated volatilized components allows the user to identify that volatilized components have been generated and adds to the sensory experience of the smoking experience.

In another example, the aeration rate is between 50% and 85% to provide additional cooling to the heated volatilized components.

As used herein, the term "combustionless heating assembly" refers to a combination of a combustionless heating article and a heater. The heater, without burning, heats the aerosol-generating medium of the non-combustible heated article to volatilize the components of the substrate and generate an inhalable vapor or aerosol.

In some cases, the heater may be provided integrally with the article. For example, a heater can be a combustible fuel source attached to an article, such that, in use, combustion of the fuel source heats the aerosol-generating medium without burning the medium. In another example, a heater may include a chemical heat source such as a phase change material that undergoes an exothermic reaction to generate heat when in use.

In other cases, the heater may be a separate entity configured for use with the article. For example, a heater may be a device into which a non-combustion heating article is at least partially inserted. In another example, a heater may be a device that is at least partially inserted into a noncombustion heated article. The heater can be electrically controlled. In some cases, the heater includes a thin film, an electrical resistive heater, an induction heater, or the like.

In some cases, the assembly can be configured such that at least a portion of the aerosol-generating medium in the non-combustion heated article is exposed to a temperature of at least 180 °C or 200 °C for at least 50% of the heating period. In some instances, the aerosol-generating medium may be exposed to a thermal profile described in co-pending application PCT/EP2017/068804, the contents of which are incorporated herein in their entirety.

In some specific cases, a non-combustion heating assembly configured to separately heat two portions of an aerosol-generating medium is provided. By controlling the temperature of the first and second portions over time so that the temperature profiles of these portions are different, it is possible to control the puff profile of the aerosol during use. The heat provided to the two portions of aerosol-generating medium may be provided at different times or rates; Staggering the heating in this way can allow for both rapid aerosol generation and extended service life.

In one specific example, the assembly may be configured such that upon initiation of the consumption experience, the first heating element corresponding to the first portion of the aerosol-generating medium is immediately heated to a temperature of 240°C. This first heating element is held at 240° C. for 145 seconds, then dropped to 135° C. where it is held for the remainder of the consumption experience. 75 seconds after the consumption experience begins, the second heating element corresponding to the second portion of the aerosol-generating medium is heated to a temperature of 160°C. 135 seconds after the consumption experience begins, the temperature of the second heating element is raised to 240° C., where it is maintained for the remainder of the consumption experience. The consumption experience lasts for 280 seconds, at which point both heaters cool down to room temperature.

In some cases, the assembly is configured such that the filter of the noncombustion heated article is not directly heated. For example, in cases where the heater is a device into which the article is partially inserted, the assembly can be configured such that the filter of the non-combustion heated article is not inserted into the device.

In some specific cases, the assembly is configured such that the filter and, if present, the cooling element of the noncombustion heated article are not directly heated. For example, in cases where the heater is a device into which the article is partially inserted, the assembly can be configured such that the filter of the non-combustion heated article and, if present, the cooling element are not inserted into the device. In other cases, at least a portion of the cooling element may be inserted into the device.

In these cases, even if the filter is not directly heated, heat will be drawn through the non-combustion heated article during the consumption experience (when the user puffs). The inventors have established that the temperature profile of the center of the filter peaks at the time of each puff. This is because the hot aerosol is sucked through the filter during puffing. In some cases, the filter (and capsule) may be exposed to temperatures in excess of about 30 °C, 40 °C or 50 °C during use. In some cases, the maximum temperature to which the filter (and capsule) is exposed in use is less than about 100 °C, 90 °C, 80 °C or 70 °C. In some cases, the filter (and capsule) may be exposed to temperatures in the range of 30 °C to 100 °C, suitably in the range of 40 °C to 80 °C or 50 °C to 70 °C.

The inventors have established that the capsules specified in claim 1 are particularly suitable for use in non-combustion heated articles. Although the capsules may in some cases be exposed to temperatures above the shell melting point or glass transition temperature, the capsules defined in claim 1 may, compared to other capsules, be exposed to the conditions of a non-combustion heating assembly. It has been found to be less likely to break or rupture when Such capsules can be easily crushed by a user before, during or after heating is initiated to release their contents. A click sensation is maintained during crushing, providing the user with tactile feedback that crushing has been performed. This click feeling is useful because the user knows that in this case sufficient pressure has been applied and the capsule contents have been ejected. Thus, there is less possibility of excessive pressure being applied which could damage the non-combustion heated article.

Without wishing to be bound by theory, it is believed that the suitability of the capsules for use in the non-combustion heated articles described herein is due to shell material composition and water absorption. Other factors that may be relevant include the heat capacity of the shell material, the melting point or glass transition temperature of the shell material, and/or the distance of the capsule from the heater.

In some cases, the capsule may be placed within the combustionless heating article such that it is at least about 25 mm or at least about 30 mm from the heater in the combustionless heating assembly. In some cases, the capsule may be placed within a noncombustion heating article such that it is about 25 to 30 mm or about 30 to 35 mm from the heater. (This distance refers to the distance from the center of the capsule to the nearest point of the heater.) This positioning can mean ensuring that the non-combustion heating article has the proper dimensions while the capsule is exposed to the proper heat level.

Capsules formed from a shell material comprising carrageenan having a melting point of at least 30° C. or at least 40° C. have been found to withstand exposure to non-combustible heating conditions very well.

One example of a non-combustion heated article is illustrated in FIG. 1 . The illustrated non-combustion heating article 10 is substantially cylindrical in shape. It may comprise a rod of aerosol-generating medium 1 towards a first end 2 , suitably a rod of tobacco material, and towards a second end 4 a filter 3 . The second end 4 is a mouth end. A capsule (5) is placed within the filter (3). Filter 3 comprises a filter material which may be cellulose acetate. The paper shroud (6) holds the components in a cylindrical configuration and provides a passage (7) between the tobacco rod (1) and the filter plug (3). Passage 7 serves as a cooling element and may be omitted in alternative embodiments. A shorter passage is shown between the filter plug 3 and the second end 4 . This may also be omitted in alternative embodiments.

In use, combustionless heating article 10 is partially inserted into a heater of a combustionless heating assembly (not shown) so that it may be heated to form an inhalable aerosol. In one embodiment, the heater forms an oven-type arrangement around the aerosol-generating medium. In some embodiments, the first end 2 of the non-combustion heated article 10 is inserted so that the aerosol-generating medium 1 is retained within the heater. Combustionless heating article 10 and combustionless heating assembly are configured such that at least a portion of filter 3 and passageway 7 are not within the heater.

In alternative embodiments, a substantially cylindrical non-combustion heating article may comprise an aerosol-generating medium 1 immediately adjacent to a filter 3 . A passage may be provided on the side of the filter opposite to the medium, or there may be no connecting passage.

After use, the noncombustible heating article is removed from the heater and is typically discarded. Subsequent use of the heater uses additional non-combustion heating articles.

An alternative combustionless heating assembly is depicted in FIG. 2 . In this assembly, a combustible heat source 8 is arranged adjacent to the aerosol-generating medium 1 at the first end 2 of the non-combustible heating article 10 . The combustible heat source 8 may be separated from the aerosol-generating medium 1 by a non-combustible material (not shown) such as an aluminum foil layer. Aluminum foil or other conductive, non-combustible materials are useful because they (a) conduct heat to the aerosol-generating medium and (b) prevent combustion of the fuel source causing combustion of the aerosol-generating medium. In use, the fuel source 8 is ignited by the user; Heat is conducted to the aerosol-generating medium 1 by means of an aluminum foil (etc.), volatilizing the components of the medium 1 without combustion.

Referring to FIGS. 3 and 4 , similar to that shown in FIG. 1 , one example of a non-combustion heating article 101 is shown in a partially cut-away cross-sectional and perspective view. Article 101 is adapted for use with a device having a power source and heater. The article 101 of this embodiment is particularly suitable for use with the device 51 shown in FIGS. 7-9 described below. In use, article 101 can be removably inserted into the device shown in FIG. 7 at insertion point 20 of device 51 .

An example article 101 is in the form of a substantially cylindrical rod comprising a body of aerosol-generating medium 103 and a filter assembly 105 in the form of a rod. The filter assembly 105 includes three segments, a cooling segment 107, a filter segment 109 and a mouth end segment 111. The article 101 has a first end 113, also known as a mouth end or proximal end, and a second end 115, also known as a distal end. The body of the aerosol-generating medium 103 is positioned towards the distal end 115 of the article 101 . In one example, the cooling segment 107 is positioned adjacent to the body of the aerosol-generating medium 103, between the body of the aerosol-generating medium 103 and the filter segment 109 such that the cooling segment 107 comprises the aerosol-generating medium ( 103) and the filter segment 109 in abutting relationship. In other examples, there may be a separation between the body of the aerosol-generating medium 103 and the cooling segment 107 and between the body of the aerosol-generating medium 103 and the filter segment 109 . A filter segment 109 is positioned between the cooling segment 107 and the mouth end segment 111 . The mouth end segment 111 is positioned towards the proximal end 113 of the article 101 , adjacent to the filter segment 109 . In one example, filter segment 109 is in abutting relationship with mouth end segment 111 . In one embodiment, the total length of filter assembly 105 is between 37 mm and 45 mm, more preferably, the total length of filter assembly 105 is 41 mm.

In one embodiment, the body of the aerosol-generating medium 103 comprises a cigarette. However, in other respective embodiments, the body of the aerosol-generating medium 103 may be composed of tobacco, and may be composed substantially entirely of tobacco, with tobacco and other components such as aerosol generating agents and/or flavoring agents. may include In some cases, the aerosol-generating medium may be free of tobacco.

In one example, the rod of aerosol-generating medium 103 is 34 mm to 50 mm long, suitably 38 mm to 46 mm long, suitably 42 mm long.

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

The axial end of the body of the aerosol-generating medium 103 is visible at the distal end 115 of the article 101 . However, in other embodiments, the distal end 115 of the article 101 may include an end member (not shown) covering the axial end of the body of the aerosol-generating medium 103.

The body of the aerosol-generating medium 103 is an annular tipping paper positioned substantially around the circumference of the filter assembly 105 so as to enclose the filter assembly 105 and extending partially along the length of the body of the aerosol-generating medium 103. (not shown) coupled to the filter assembly 105. In one example, the tipping paper is made from 58GSM standard tipping base paper. In one example, the tipping paper has a length of 42 mm to 50 mm, suitably 46 mm.

In one example, the cooling segment 107 is an annular tube and is positioned around it to define an air gap within the cooling segment. The air gap provides a chamber through which the heated volatilized components generated from the body of the aerosol-generating medium 103 flow. Cooling segment 107 is hollow to provide a chamber for aerosol accumulation, but avoids axial compressive forces and bending moments that may occur during manufacturing and in use while article 101 is inserted into device 51 . It is strong enough to withstand moments. In one example, the thickness of the wall of the cooling segment 107 is approximately 0.29 mm.

The cooling segment 107 provides physical displacement between the aerosol-generating medium 103 and the filter segment 109 . The physical displacement provided by the cooling segment 107 will provide a thermal gradient across the length of the cooling segment 107 . In one example, the cooling segment 107 maintains a temperature of at least 40 degrees Celsius between the heated volatilized component entering the first end of the cooling segment 107 and the heated volatilized component exiting the second end of the cooling segment 107. It is configured to provide a temperature difference of degrees. In one example, the cooling segment 107 maintains a temperature of at least 60 degrees Celsius between the heated volatilized component entering the first end of the cooling segment 107 and the heated volatilized component exiting the second end of the cooling segment 107. It is configured to provide a temperature difference of degrees. This temperature difference across the length of the cooling element 107 protects the temperature sensitive filter segment 109 from the high temperatures of the aerosol-generating medium 103 when the aerosol-generating medium is heated by the device 51 . If no physical displacement is provided between the filter segment 109 and the body of the aerosol-generating medium 103 and the heating elements of the device 51, the temperature-sensitive filter segment 109 may be damaged in use, and thus its necessary functions may not be performed effectively.

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

Cooling segment 107 is made of paper, meaning that it is constructed from a material that does not generate compounds of concern, eg toxic compounds, when used adjacent to the heater of device 51 . In one example, the cooling segment 107 is made of a spirally wound paper tube that provides a hollow internal chamber but retains mechanical rigidity. Spiral wound paper tubes can meet the stringent dimensional accuracy requirements of high-speed manufacturing processes with respect to tube length, outer diameter, roundness and straightness.

In another example, the cooling segment 107 is a recess created from stiff plug wrap or tipping paper. The stiff plug wrap or tipping paper is manufactured to be rigid enough to withstand axial compressive forces and bending moments that may occur during use during manufacture and during use while article 101 is inserted into device 51 .

Filter segment 109 may be formed of any filter material sufficient to remove one or more volatilized compounds from heated volatilized components from the aerosol-generating medium. In one example, filter segment 109 is made of a mono-acetate material such as cellulose acetate. The filter segment 109 provides cooling and irritation reduction from the heated volatilized components without depleting the amount of the heated volatilized components to a level unsatisfactory to the user.

A crushable capsule (5) is provided on the filter segment (109). It may be substantially centered in the filter segment 109 , across the filter segment 109 diameter and along the filter segment 109 length. In other cases, this may be offset by one or more dimensions.

The density of the cellulose acetate tow material of the filter segment 109 controls the pressure drop across the filter segment 109, which in turn controls the resistance to draw of the article 101. Accordingly, the selection of the material of the filter segment 109 is important in controlling the resistance to draw of the article 101. Additionally, filter segments perform a filtration function in article 101 .

In one example, filter segment 109 is made of 8Y15 grade filter tow material that provides a filtering effect to the heated volatilized material while also reducing the size of condensed aerosol droplets generated by the heated volatilized material.

The presence of the filter segment 109 provides an insulating effect by providing additional cooling to the heated volatilized components exiting the cooling segment 107. This additional cooling effect reduces the contact temperature of the user's lips on the surface of the filter segment 109 .

In one example, the filter segment 109 is between 6 mm and 10 mm long, preferably 8 mm.

The mouth end segment 111 is an annular tube, and is positioned around the mouth to define an air gap within the mouth end segment 111 . The air gap provides a chamber for the heated volatilized components flowing out of the filter segment 109 . Mouth end segment 111 is hollow to provide a chamber for aerosol accumulation, but is capable of withstanding axial compressive forces and bending moments that may occur during manufacture and during use while an article is inserted into device 51 . It is strong enough In one example, the thickness of the wall of the mouth end segment 111 is approximately 0.29 mm. In one example, the length of the mouth end segment 111 is between 6 mm and 10 mm, preferably 8 mm.

Mouth end segment 111 may be made of a spirally wound paper tube that provides a hollow internal chamber but retains critical mechanical stiffness. Spiral wound paper tubes can meet the stringent dimensional accuracy requirements of high-speed manufacturing processes with respect to tube length, outer diameter, roundness and straightness.

The mouth end segment 111 serves to prevent any liquid condensate that has accumulated at the outlet of the filter segment 109 from coming into direct contact with the user.

In one example, mouth end segment 111 and cooling segment 107 may be formed from a single tube, with filter segment 109 positioned within that tube separating mouth end segment 111 and cooling segment 107. You have to understand that it will be

5 and 6 , partial cut-away cross-sectional and perspective views of an example of an article 301 are shown. The reference signs shown in Figs. 5 and 6 are equivalent to the reference signs shown in Figs. 3 and 4, but incremented by 200.

In the example of article 301 shown in FIGS. 5 and 6 , a ventilation region 317 is provided in article 301 to allow air to flow from the outside of article 301 to the inside of article 301 . In one example, ventilation area 317 takes the form of one or more ventilation holes 317 formed through the outer layer of article 301 . Vent holes may be located in the cooling segment 307 to aid in cooling the article 301 . In one example, vent region 317 includes one or more rows of holes, preferably each row of holes is arranged circumferentially around article 301 in a cross-section substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of article 301. do.

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

In one example, the vent holes 317 are uniformly sized. In another example, the vent holes 317 vary in size. The vent holes may be formed by any suitable technique, such as, for example, one or more of the following techniques: laser technique, mechanical drilling of the cooling segment 307 or pre-drilling of the cooling segment 307 prior to being formed in the article 301. can be prepared using Vent holes 317 are positioned to provide effective cooling to article 301 .

In one example, the rows of vent holes 317 are located at least 11 mm from the proximal end 313 of the article, suitably between 17 mm and 20 mm from the proximal end 313 of the article 301 . The location of the vent holes 317 is positioned such that a user does not block the vent holes 317 when the article 301 is in use.

By providing rows of vent holes 17 mm to 20 mm from the proximal end 313 of the article 301 , the article 301 can be fully inserted into the device 51 , as can be seen in FIGS. 8 and 9 . At this time, the ventilation holes 317 may be located outside the device 51 . By positioning the vent holes outside the device, unheated air can enter the article 301 from outside the device 51 through the vent holes to help cool the article 301 .

The length of the cooling segment 307 is such that when the article 301 is fully inserted into the device 51 , the cooling segment 307 can be partially inserted into the device 51 . The length of the cooling segment 307 has the first function of providing a physical gap between the heater arrangement of the device 51 and the heat sensitive filter arrangement 309 and the length of the article 301 to be fully inserted into the device 51. When, while also being located outside of the device 51, the ventilation holes 317 provide a second function that allows them to be located in the cooling segment. As can be seen in FIGS. 8 and 9 , most of the cooling element 307 is located within the device 51 . However, there is a portion of the cooling element 307 that extends out of the device 51 . Vent holes 317 are located in this part of the cooling element 307 that extends out of the device 51 .

Referring now in more detail to FIGS. 7-9 , typically a device 51 arranged to heat an aerosol-generating medium to volatilize at least one component of the aerosol-generating medium to form an inhalable aerosol. An example is shown. Device 51 is a heating device that releases compounds by heating but not burning the aerosol-generating medium.

First end 53 is sometimes referred to herein as the mouth or proximal end 53 of device 51 , and second end 55 is sometimes referred to herein as distal end 55 of device 51 . Device 51 has an on/off button 57 allowing the entire device 51 to be switched on and off as desired by the user.

Device 51 includes a housing 59 for positioning and protecting the various internal components of device 51 . In the illustrated example, housing 59 has a top panel 17 that generally defines the 'top' of device 51 and a bottom panel 19 that generally defines the 'bottom' of device 51 . ), and a uni-body sleeve 11 wrapped around the circumference of the device 51 . In another example, the housing includes a front panel, a back panel and a pair of opposing side panels in addition to a top panel 17 and a bottom panel 19 .

Top panel 17 and/or bottom panel 19 may be removably secured to uni-body sleeve 11 to allow easy access to the interior of device 51, or, for example, It may be "permanently" secured to the uni-body sleeve 11 to prevent the user from accessing the interior of the device 51 . In one example, panels 17 and 19 are made of a plastic material including, for example, glass-filled nylon formed by injection molding, and uni-body sleeve 11 is made of aluminum, but other materials and Other manufacturing processes may be used.

The top panel 17 of the device 51 has an opening 20 at the mouth end 53 of the device 51 through which, in use, an article 101 , 301 containing an aerosol-generating medium may pass. It can be inserted into device 51 and can be removed from device 51 by a user.

The housing 59 has a heater arrangement 23, a control circuit 25 and a power source 27 located or fixed therein. In this example, the heater arrangement 23, the control circuit 25 and the power source 27 are laterally adjacent (ie viewed from the end), the control circuit 25 generally being the heater arrangement 23 ) and power supply 27, but other locations are possible.

Control circuit 25 may include a controller, such as a microprocessor arrangement, constructed and arranged to control heating of the aerosol-generating medium in articles 101, 301, as discussed further below. there is.

The power source 27 may be, for example, a battery, which may be a rechargeable battery or a non-rechargeable battery. Examples of suitable batteries include, for example, a lithium-ion battery, a nickel battery (such as a nickel-cadmium battery), an alkaline battery, and the like. . Battery 27 is provided to heat the aerosol-generating medium in the article (to volatilize the aerosol-generating medium without burning it, as discussed), to supply electrical power when needed under the control of control circuit 25. It is electrically coupled to the heater arrangement (23).

An advantage of locating the power source 27 laterally adjacent to the heater arrangement 23 is that a physically large power source 25 can be used without making the entire device 51 overly long. As will be appreciated, a physically large power source 25 will generally have a higher capacity (i.e. total electrical energy that can be supplied, often measured in Amp-hours or the like), and thus battery life for device 51. this could be longer

In one example, the heater arrangement 23 is in the form of a generally hollow cylindrical tube and has a hollow internal heating chamber 29 into which an article 101 , 301 containing an aerosol-generating medium is inserted for heating in use. . Different arrangements for the heater arrangement 23 are possible. For example, the heater arrangement 23 may include a single heating element or may be formed of a plurality of heating elements aligned along the longitudinal axis of the heater arrangement 23 . The heating element or each heating element may be annular or tubular, or at least part-annular or part-tubular around its circumference. In one example, the or each heating element may be a thin film heater. In another example, the or each heating element may be made of a ceramic material. Examples of suitable ceramic materials include alumina and aluminum nitride and silicon nitride ceramics that can be laminated and sintered. Other heating arrangements are also possible including, for example, induction heating, infrared heater elements that heat by emitting infrared radiation, or resistive heating elements formed, for example, by resistive electrical windings.

In one specific example, the heater arrangement 23 is supported by a stainless steel support tube and includes a polyimide heating element. The heater arrangement 23 is such that substantially the entire body of the aerosol-generating medium 103 , 303 of the article 101 , 301 is heated by the heater arrangement 23 when the article 101 , 301 is inserted into the device 51 . It is dimensioned to fit into the

The or individual heating elements may be arranged such that selected regions of the aerosol-generating medium may be heated independently, eg in sequence (over time, as discussed above) or together (simultaneously) as desired. there is.

The heater arrangement 23 in this example is surrounded along at least part of its length by a thermal insulator 31 . Insulator 31 helps reduce heat transferred from heater arrangement 23 to the outside of device 51 . This generally helps to lower the power requirements for the heater arrangement 23 as it reduces heat loss. Insulation 31 also helps keep the exterior of device 51 cool during operation of heater arrangement 23 . In one example, insulator 31 may be a double wall sleeve providing a low pressure region between the two walls of the sleeve. That is, the insulator 31 may be, for example, a “vacuum” tube, ie a tube that is at least partially evacuated to minimize heat transfer by conduction and/or convection. Other arrangements for the insulator 31 are possible, including the use of insulating materials in addition to or instead of a double-walled sleeve, including, for example, a suitable foam-type material.

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

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

The collar 33 includes a plurality of ridges 60 circumferentially arranged around the periphery of the opening 20 and protruding into the opening 20 . The ridges 60 have an opening such that the open span of the opening 20 at locations of the ridges 60 is smaller than the open span of the opening 20 at locations without the ridges 60. It occupies space within (20). Ridges 60 are configured to engage an article 101 , 301 inserted into the device to help secure the article within device 51 . Adjacent pairs of ridges 60 and open spaces defined by articles 101 and 301 (not shown in the figures) form ventilation paths around the exterior of articles 101 and 301 . These ventilation paths allow hot vapors escaping from the article 101, 301 to exit the device 51, and cool air to flow into the device 51 around the article 101, 301 at the air gap 36. allow that

In operation, articles 101 , 301 are removably inserted into insertion point 20 of device 51 , as shown in FIGS. 7-9 . Referring specifically to FIG. 8 , in one example, the body of the aerosol-generating medium 103 , 303 positioned towards the distal end 115 , 315 of the article 101 , 301 is the heater arrangement 23 of the device 51 . ) is fully accommodated within. Proximal ends 113 , 313 of articles 101 , 301 extend from device 51 and serve as a mouthpiece assembly for a user.

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

The primary flow path for the heated volatilized components from the body of the aerosol-generating medium (103, 303) is axially through the article (101, 301), through a chamber inside the cooling segment (107, 307), through the filter segment ( 109, 309) and through the mouth end segments 111, 313 to the user. In one example, the temperature of the heated volatilized components emitted from the body of the aerosol-generating medium is between 60° C. and 250° C., which may exceed the user acceptable inhalation temperature. As the heated volatilized components move through the cooling segments 107 and 307, they will be cooled and some volatilized components will condense on the inner surfaces of the cooling segments 107 and 307.

In the examples of article 301 shown in FIGS. 5 and 6 , cool air may enter the cooling segment 307 through vent holes 317 formed in the cooling segment 307 . This cold air will mix with the heated volatilized components and provide additional cooling to the heated volatilized components.

Ventilation enhances the production of visible heated volatilized components from article 317 when the article is heated in use by device 51 . The heated volatilized components are visualized by the process of cooling the heated volatilized components so that supersaturation of the heated volatilized components occurs. The heated volatilized components then undergo droplet formation otherwise known as nucleation, eventually resulting in heated volatilization by further condensation of the heated volatilized components and solidification of newly formed droplets from the heated volatilized components. The size of the aerosol particles of the components increased.

In one embodiment, the ratio of cool air to the sum of heated volatilized components and cool air, known as the aeration ratio, is at least 15%. An aeration rate of 15% allows volatilized components heated by the method described above to become visible. The visibility of the heated volatilized components allows the user to identify that volatilized components have been generated and adds to the sensory experience of the smoking experience.

In another example, the aeration rate is between 50% and 85% to provide additional cooling to the heated volatilized components.

As used herein, the terms “flavour” and “flavourant” are used to create a desired taste or aroma in a product for adult consumers, when permitted by local regulations. Indicate materials that can be used. These include extracts (e.g. licorice, hydrangea, Japanese white bark magnolia leaf, chamomile, fenugreek, clove, menthol, Japanese mint) , aniseed, cinnamon, herb, wintergreen, cherry, berry, peach, apple, Drambuie, bourbon, Scotch scotch, whiskey, spearmint, peppermint, lavender, cardamom, celery, cascarilla, nutmeg, sandalwood ), bergamot, geranium, honey essence, rose oil, vanilla, lemon oil, orange oil, cassia , caraway, cognac, jasmine, ylang-ylang, sage, fennel, allspice, ginger, anise, coriander, coffee, or mint oil from any species of the genus Mentha), flavor enhancers, bitterness receptor site blockers, sensory receptor site activators ) or stimulators, sugars and/or sugar substitutes (e.g. sucralose, acesulfame potassium, aspartame, saccharine, cyclamat) es), lactose, sucrose, glucose, fructose, sorbitol or mannitol), and charcoal, chlorophyll, minerals, botanicals ) or other additives such as breath freshening agents. These may be man-made, synthetic or natural ingredients or blends thereof. They may be in any suitable form, for example oils, liquids or powders.

For the avoidance of doubt that the term "comprises" is used herein to define the invention or features of the invention, the invention or features "consist essentially of" or "consist of" instead of "comprises". Embodiments that may be defined using the terms are also disclosed.

The above embodiments should be understood as illustrative examples of the present invention. Additional embodiments of the invention are contemplated. Any feature described in connection with any one embodiment may be used alone or in combination with other features described, and may also be one or more features of any other of the embodiments, or any of the embodiments. It should be understood that it may be used in combination with any combination of any other embodiments. Equivalents and modifications not described above may also be used without departing from the scope of the invention as defined in the appended claims.

The various embodiments described herein are presented only to teach and to assist in understanding the claimed features. These examples are provided only as a representative sample of examples, and are not limiting and/or exclusive. The advantages, embodiments, examples, functions, features, structures, and/or other aspects described herein are intended as limitations on the scope of the invention as defined by the claims, or as limitations on the equivalents of the claims. It should be understood that other embodiments may be utilized and modifications may be made without departing from the scope of the claimed invention and should not be considered as limitations. Various embodiments of the present invention may suitably include, or consist of, appropriate combinations of the disclosed elements, elements, features, parts, steps, means, and the like other than those specifically described herein. It may be configured, or may include them as essential components (consist in essence of). In addition, the present disclosure may cover other inventions not currently claimed that may be claimed in the future.

Claims (24)

As a heat-not-burn article,
the noncombustion heating article comprises an aerosol generating medium and a filter, the filter having one or more crushable capsules;
the aerosol-generating medium comprises at least 10% by weight of an aerosol-generating agent, based on the total weight of the aerosol-generating medium;
In use, the aerosol-generating medium is heated without burning, and the capsule is exposed to a temperature of 30 to 100° C. and exposed to at least 12 mg of water, and the structural integrity of the capsule is not damaged during exposure. Therefore, the capsule can be crushed by the user before, during, or after heating,
The capsule has a core-shell structure, the core contains a liquid, and the shell encapsulates the core,
Non-combustion heated articles. According to claim 1,
The shell contains 5 to 90% by weight of a gelling agent based on the total capsule shell weight,
The gelling agent includes carrageenan,
Non-combustion heated articles. According to claim 1 or 2,
wherein the aerosol-generating medium comprises tobacco material;
Non-combustion heated articles. According to claim 1 or 2,
wherein the aerosol-generating medium comprises an aerosol-generating agent and tobacco material which may be provided in the same portion of the aerosol-generating medium or in separate sections of the aerosol-generating medium.
Non-combustion heated articles. According to claim 1 or 2,
wherein the one or more capsules fill 5 to 30% v/v of the filter;
Non-combustion heated articles. According to claim 1,
wherein the filter comprises 70 to 95% v/v of filter material;
Non-combustion heated articles. According to claim 6,
The filter material has an average melting point of at least 150 ° C.
Non-combustion heated articles. According to claim 6 or 7,
wherein the filter material has an average thermal conductivity of at least 0.130 W/mK;
Non-combustion heated articles. According to claim 1 or 2,
wherein the filter further comprises a wrapper surrounding other filter elements.
Non-combustion heated articles. According to claim 2,
The capsule shell contains 5 to 60% by weight of carrageenan as a gelling agent based on the total capsule shell weight.
Non-combustion heated articles. According to claim 2,
The capsule shell contains 10 to 35% by weight of carrageenan as a gelling agent based on the total capsule shell.
Non-combustion heated articles. According to claim 2,
The capsule shell further contains carbohydrates or plasticizers, or contains carbohydrates and plasticizers.
Non-combustion heated articles. According to claim 12,
The carbohydrate is starch,
Non-combustion heated articles. According to claim 1 or 2,
wherein the one or more capsules have a crushing strength of 0.8 kp to 3.5 kp before heating is initiated.
Non-combustion heated articles. According to claim 14,
wherein the one or more capsules have a crush strength of 1.0 kp to 2.5 kp before heating is initiated.
Non-combustion heated articles. According to claim 1 or 2,
The capsule core contains a flavoring agent,
Non-combustion heated articles. Combustionless heating assembly comprising the combustionless heating article according to claim 1 and a heater. According to claim 17,
wherein the one or more capsules are disposed at least 25 mm away from the heater;
Combustionless heating assembly. According to claim 17 or 18,
wherein the heater comprises a combustible fuel source, the combustible fuel source being arranged such that upon ignition the fuel source heats but does not burn the aerosol-generating medium of the non-combustible heated article;
Combustionless heating assembly. According to claim 17 or 18,
wherein the heater is a device into which the non-combustible heated article is at least partially inserted so that, in use, the aerosol-generating medium is heated but not burned.
Combustionless heating assembly. According to claim 17 or 18,
Wherein the one or more capsules are configured to be exposed to a temperature of 30 to 100 ° C.
Combustionless heating assembly. According to claim 21,
Wherein the one or more capsules are configured to be exposed to a temperature of 40 to 90 ° C.
Combustionless heating assembly. According to claim 17 or 18,
configured to expose the aerosol-generating medium to at least 200° C. for at least 50% of a heating period;
Combustionless heating assembly. delete

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