KR102627441B1 - Consumables for use in devices for heating aerosolizable materials - Google Patents

Abstract

Described herein is a consumable foam for use in an apparatus for heating an aerosolizable material to volatilize at least one component of the aerosolizable material, the consumable comprising a hollow tube, the hollow tube containing the aerosolizable material. It includes a wound structure containing.

Description

Consumables for use in devices for heating aerosolizable materials

The present invention relates to consumables for use in an apparatus for heating an aerosolizable material, consumables, and systems comprising an apparatus for heating an aerosolizable material to volatilize at least one component of the aerosolizable material of the consumable. , and methods of manufacturing consumables for use in devices for heating aerosolizable materials.

Smoking articles such as cigarettes, cigars, etc. produce tobacco smoke by burning tobacco during use. There have been attempts to provide alternatives to these items by creating products that release the compounds without burning. Examples of such products are so-called "heat not burn" products or tobacco heating devices or products that release compounds by heating the material but not burning it. The material may be, for example, tobacco or other non-tobacco products, which may or may not contain nicotine.

A first aspect of the invention provides a consumable foam for use in an apparatus for heating an aerosolizable material to volatilize at least one component of the aerosolizable material, the consumable comprising a hollow tube, the hollow tube and a wound structure comprising an aerosolizable material.

In an exemplary embodiment, the consumable is non-combustible.

In an exemplary embodiment, the winding structure is a helical winding structure.

In an exemplary embodiment, the aerosolizable material includes tobacco. In an exemplary embodiment, the aerosolizable material includes recycled aerosolizable material. In an exemplary embodiment, the aerosolizable material includes an amorphous solid.

In an exemplary embodiment, the structure comprising the aerosolizable material includes a carrier, and the aerosolizable material is on the surface of or impregnated into the carrier. In an exemplary embodiment, the structure comprising the aerosolizable material is comprised of the aerosolizable material. For example, aerosolizable materials can be molded or otherwise shaped.

In an exemplary embodiment, a wrap structure comprising aerosolizable material defines at least a portion of the surface of the consumable. In an exemplary embodiment, a wrap structure comprising aerosolizable material defines the surface of the consumable. In an exemplary embodiment, the surface is the innermost surface of the consumable.

In an exemplary embodiment, the winding structure comprising the aerosolizable material includes pleats, embossing or debossing.

In an exemplary embodiment, the wound structure forms a layer of hollow tubes, and the hollow tubes include one or more additional layers. In an exemplary embodiment, at least one of the additional layers is a wound layer, such as a spiral wound layer. In an exemplary embodiment, the aerosolizable material adheres the wound structure comprising the aerosolizable material to at least one of the one or more additional layers.

In an exemplary embodiment, the coiled structure comprising the aerosolizable material includes pleats, embossing, or debossing, and the hollow tube comprises pleats, embossing, or debossing of the structure comprising the aerosolizable material and one or more additional and one or more aerosol flow paths defined by at least one of the layers and between the wrinkles, embossing or debossing and the at least one layer.

In an exemplary embodiment, the hollow tube includes a barrier layer defining at least a portion of the surface of the consumable. In an exemplary embodiment, the barrier layer is impermeable to aerosols released from the aerosolizable material during heating of the aerosolizable material during use. In an exemplary embodiment, the barrier layer is a wound layer, such as a spiral wound layer. In an exemplary embodiment, the barrier layer defines the surface of the consumable. In an exemplary embodiment, the surface is the outermost surface of the consumable.

In an exemplary embodiment, the consumable has no heating material that can be heated by penetration of the variable magnetic field. In an alternative exemplary embodiment, the consumable includes a heating material that is heatable by penetration of a variable magnetic field. In an exemplary embodiment, the hollow tube includes a layer containing a heating material.

In an exemplary embodiment, the heating material includes one or more materials selected from the group consisting of electrically-conductive materials, magnetic materials, and magneto-electrically-conductive materials. In an exemplary embodiment, the heating material includes a metal or metal alloy. In an exemplary embodiment, the heating material consists of aluminum, gold, iron, nickel, cobalt, conductive carbon, graphite, steel, plain carbon steel, mild steel, stainless steel, ferritic stainless steel, molybdenum, silicon carbide, copper, and bronze. Contains one or more materials selected from the group.

In an exemplary embodiment, the layer containing the heating material includes a metal foil or metal alloy foil.

In an exemplary embodiment, the layer containing the heating material is a wound layer, such as a spiral wound layer.

In an exemplary embodiment, the hollow tube includes a barrier layer defining at least a portion of the surface of the consumable, and the layer comprising the heating material is positioned between the barrier layer and the winding structure comprising the aerosolizable material.

In an exemplary embodiment, the layer comprising the heating material is located radially outward of the wrap structure comprising the aerosolizable material.

In an exemplary embodiment, the one or more additional layers include one or more additional winding layers, such as helical winding layers.

In an exemplary embodiment, the hollow tube includes one or more additional layers, at least one of the one or more additional layers including an aerosolizable material. In an exemplary embodiment, the hollow tube includes a layer comprising a heating material, the layer comprising a heating material being between the wound structure comprising the aerosolizable material and at least one additional layer comprising the aerosolizable material. is located.

In an exemplary embodiment, the hollow tube includes one or more additional layers, at least one of the one or more additional layers including a flavoring agent or sensory agent.

In an exemplary embodiment, the aerosolizable material of the coiled structure comprises an amorphous solid.

A second aspect of the invention provides a system for heating an aerosolizable material to volatilize at least one component of the aerosolizable material, the system comprising: a consumable of the first aspect of the invention; and an apparatus for heating the aerosolizable material to volatilize at least one component of the aerosolizable material of the consumable, the apparatus comprising a heating zone for receiving the consumable, and an aerosolizable material when the consumable is in the heating zone. It includes a device for causing heating of the material.

In an exemplary embodiment, the device includes a magnetic field generator for generating a variable magnetic field that penetrates the heating zone when the consumable is in the heating zone.

In an exemplary embodiment, the device for causing heating of the aerosolizable material when the consumable is in the heating zone is configured to heat different sections of the heating zone independently of each other.

A third aspect of the invention provides a method of manufacturing a hollow tube for use in or as a consumable for use in an apparatus for heating an aerosolizable material to volatilize at least one component of the aerosolizable material, , the method includes winding up a structure comprising an aerosolizable material.

In an exemplary embodiment, the aerosolizable material includes tobacco. In an exemplary embodiment, the aerosolizable material is a recycled aerosolizable material. In an exemplary embodiment, the aerosolizable material includes an amorphous solid.

In an exemplary embodiment, the structure comprising the aerosolizable material includes a carrier, and the aerosolizable material is on the surface of or impregnated into the carrier. In an exemplary embodiment, the structure comprising the aerosolizable material is comprised of the aerosolizable material. For example, aerosolizable materials can be molded or otherwise shaped.

In an exemplary embodiment, the winding step includes spirally winding the structure comprising the aerosolizable material.

In an exemplary embodiment, the winding step includes winding the structure comprising the aerosolizable material around a mandrel.

In an exemplary embodiment, the method includes applying an aerosolizable material to a material using a mandrel to form a structure.

In an exemplary embodiment, the method includes coiling the material while flowing it from a source, and applying an aerosolizable material to the material downstream of the source.

In an exemplary embodiment, the material is porous relative to the aerosolizable material.

In an exemplary embodiment, the method includes drying the aerosolizable material during or after coiling the structure comprising the aerosolizable material.

In an exemplary embodiment, the wound structure forms a layer of hollow tube, and the method includes winding one or more additional layers. In an exemplary embodiment, the method includes wrapping one or more additional layers around a structure comprising an aerosolizable material. In an exemplary embodiment, the method includes wrapping a structure comprising an aerosolizable material around one or more layers.

In an exemplary embodiment, the method includes spirally winding one or more additional layers.

In an exemplary embodiment, the method includes wrapping a structure comprising an aerosolizable material around a mandrel, and wrapping one or more layers around the mandrel.

In an exemplary embodiment, at least one of the one or more additional layers includes a heating material that is heatable by penetration of a variable magnetic field.

In an exemplary embodiment, winding up the structure comprising the aerosolizable material includes winding the structure comprising the aerosolizable material to form an innermost surface of the hollow tube.

In an exemplary embodiment, the structure comprising the aerosolizable material comprises a carrier comprised of the aerosolizable material, or having the aerosolizable material on its surface or impregnated therein with the aerosolizable material.

In an exemplary embodiment, the aerosolizable material of the structure comprises an amorphous solid.

A further aspect of the invention may provide for using the consumable of the first aspect of the invention in generating an inhalable aerosol.

Embodiments of the invention will now be described by way of example only with reference to the accompanying drawings.
1 shows a schematic side cross-sectional view of an example of a consumable for use in an apparatus for heating an aerosolizable material to volatilize at least one component of the aerosolizable material.
Figure 2 shows a schematic end cross-sectional view of the consumable of Figure 1 taken along line II-II in Figure 1;
Figure 3 shows a schematic side cross-sectional view of an example of another consumable for use in an apparatus for heating aerosolizable material to volatilize at least one component of the aerosolizable material.
Figure 4 shows a schematic end cross-sectional view of the consumable of Figure 3 taken along line IV-IV in Figure 3;
Figure 5 shows a schematic cross-sectional side view of an example of a system including a consumable and an apparatus for heating the aerosolizable material to volatilize at least one component of the aerosolizable material of the consumable.
6 is a flow diagram illustrating an example of a method of manufacturing a hollow tube for use in or as a consumable for use in an apparatus for heating an aerosolizable material to volatilize at least one component of the aerosolizable material. It shows.
7 is a flow diagram illustrating an example of another method of manufacturing a hollow tube for use in or as a consumable for use in an apparatus for heating aerosolizable material to volatilize at least one component of the aerosolizable material. shows.

As used herein, the term “aerosolizable material” includes materials that provide components that volatilize upon heating, typically in the form of a vapor or aerosol. “Aerosolizable materials” may be non-tobacco-containing materials or tobacco-containing materials. “Aerosolizable material” is, for example, tobacco itself, tobacco derivatives, expanded tobacco, reconstituted tobacco, tobacco extract, homogenized tobacco or May include one or more of tobacco substitutes. The aerosolizable material may be in the form of shredded tobacco, cut tobacco, extruded tobacco, regenerated tobacco, recycled aerosolizable material, liquid, gel, gelled sheet, powder, or agglomerates. “Aerosolizable materials” may also include other non-tobacco products, which may or may not contain nicotine depending on the product. “Aerosolizable material” may include one or more humectants, such as glycerol or propylene glycol.

In some embodiments, the aerosolizable material includes an “amorphous solid,” which may alternatively be referred to as a “monolithic solid” (i.e., non-fibrous) or as a “dry gel.” there is. Amorphous solids are solid materials that can retain some fluid, such as a liquid, inside them. In some cases, the aerosolizable material comprises from about 50 wt%, 60 wt%, or 70 wt% amorphous solids to about 90 wt%, 95 wt%, or 100 wt% amorphous solids. In some cases, the aerosolizable material consists of an amorphous solid.

Amorphous solids can be formed as sheets. Amorphous solids can be incorporated into consumables in sheet form. In some cases, the aerosolizable material may be included as a flat sheet, a bundled or corrugated sheet, a crimped sheet, or a rolled sheet (i.e., in the form of a tube). In some such cases, the amorphous solids of these embodiments may be included in a consumable or system as a sheet, such as a sheet surrounding a stick (e.g., a cigarette) made of an aerosolizable material. In some other cases, the aerosolizable material can be formed as a sheet and then shredded and incorporated into the consumable. In some cases, shredded sheets may be mixed with cut rag tobacco and included in the consumable.

In some embodiments, the amorphous solid takes the form of a foam, such as an open celled foam.

“Aerosolizable materials” may also include other non-tobacco products, which may or may not contain nicotine depending on the product. “Aerosolizable material” may include one or more humectants, such as glycerol or propylene glycol.

In some cases, the amorphous solid may include 1-60 wt % of gelling agent, where these weights are calculated on a dry weight basis.

Suitably, the amorphous solid has from about 1 wt%, 5 wt%, 10 wt%, 15 wt%, 20 wt%, or 25 wt% to about 60 wt%, 50 wt%, 45 wt%, 40 wt%, 35 wt%, 30 wt%, or 27 wt% of the gelling agent. (all calculated on dry weight basis). For example, the amorphous solid may include 1-50 wt%, 5-40 wt%, 10-30 wt%, or 15-27 wt% of gelling agent.

In some embodiments, the gelling agent includes a hydrocolloid. In some embodiments, the gelling agent is alginates, pectins, starches (and derivatives), celluloses (and derivatives), gums, silica or silicone compounds, clays, polyvinyl alcohol, and their It contains one or more compounds selected from the group containing combinations. For example, in some embodiments, the gelling agent may be alginates, pectins, hydroxyethyl cellulose, hydroxypropyl cellulose, carboxymethylcellulose, pullulan, xanthan gum guar gum, carrageenan, agarose, acacia gum, fumed Contains one or more of silica, PDMS, sodium silicate, kaolin, and polyvinyl alcohol. In some cases, the gelling agent includes alginate and/or pectin and may be combined with a curing agent (such as a calcium source) during the formation of an amorphous solid. In some cases, the amorphous solid may include calcium-crosslinked alginate and/or calcium-crosslinked pectin.

In some embodiments, the gelling agent comprises alginate, and the alginate is present in the amorphous solid in an amount of 10-30 wt% (calculated on dry weight basis) of the amorphous solid. In some embodiments, alginate is the only gelling agent present in the amorphous solid. In other embodiments, the gelling agent includes alginate and at least one additional gelling agent, such as pectin.

In some embodiments, the amorphous solid may include a gelling agent including carrageenan.

Suitably, the amorphous solid is from about 5 wt%, 10 wt%, 15 wt%, or 20 wt% to about 80 wt%, 70 wt%, 60 wt%, 55 wt%, 50 wt%, 45 wt%, 40 wt%, or 35 wt% of the aerosol generator. (all calculated on dry weight basis). Aerosol generating agents can function as plasticizers. For example, the amorphous solid may include 10-60 wt%, 15-50 wt%, or 20-40 wt% of aerosol generating agent. In some cases, the aerosol generator includes one or more compounds selected from erythritol, propylene glycol, glycerol, triacetin, sorbitol, and xylitol. In some cases, the aerosol-generating agent includes, consists of, or consists essentially of glycerol. The inventors have found that if the content of plasticizer is too high, the amorphous solid may absorb water, resulting in a material that does not produce an acceptable consumption experience during use. The present inventors have found that if the plasticizer content is too low, the amorphous solid can become brittle and easily break. The plasticizer content specified herein provides amorphous solid flexibility that allows the amorphous solid sheet to be wound onto a bobbin, which is useful in the manufacture of aerosol-generating articles.

In some cases, the amorphous solid may include flavor. Suitably, the amorphous solid may comprise up to about 60 wt%, 50 wt%, 40 wt%, 30 wt%, 20 wt%, 10 wt% or 5 wt% of flavor. In some cases, the amorphous solid may include at least about 0.1 wt%, 0.5 wt%, 1 wt%, 2 wt%, 5 wt%, 10 wt%, 20 wt%, or 30 wt% of flavor (all calculated on a dry weight basis). there is. For example, the amorphous solid may contain 0.1-60 wt%, 1-60 wt%, 5-60 wt%, 10-60 wt%, 20-50 wt%, or 30-40 wt% of flavor. In some cases, the flavor (if present) includes, consists essentially of, or consists of menthol. In some cases, the amorphous solid contains no flavor.

In some cases, the amorphous solid includes the active material. For example, in some cases, the amorphous solid includes tobacco material and/or nicotine. For example, the amorphous solid may include powdered tobacco and/or nicotine and/or tobacco extract. In some cases, the amorphous solid contains from about 1 wt%, 5 wt%, 10 wt%, 15 wt%, 20 wt%, or 25 wt% to about 70 wt%, 50 wt%, 45 wt%, or 40 wt% of active material (calculated on a dry weight basis). may include. In some cases, the amorphous solid may contain from about 1 wt%, 5 wt%, 10 wt%, 15 wt%, 20 wt% or 25 wt% to about 70 wt%, 60 wt%, 50 wt%, 45 wt% or 40 wt% of tobacco material and/or nicotine ( calculated on a dry weight basis).

In some cases, the amorphous solid includes an active substance such as tobacco extract. In some cases, the amorphous solid may include 5-60 wt% tobacco extract (calculated on dry weight basis). In some cases, the amorphous solid may comprise from about 5 wt%, 10 wt%, 15 wt%, 20 wt% or 25 wt% to about 55 wt%, 50 wt%, 45 wt% or 40 wt% of tobacco extract (calculated on a dry weight basis). You can. For example, the amorphous solid may include 5-60 wt%, 10-55 wt%, or 25-55 wt% of tobacco extract. The tobacco extract contains nicotine at a concentration such that the amorphous solid contains from 1 wt% 1.5 wt%, 2 wt% or 2.5 wt% to about 6 wt%, 5 wt%, 4.5 wt% or 4 wt% nicotine (calculated on a dry weight basis). It can be held. In some cases, no nicotine may be present in the amorphous solid other than the nicotine originating from the tobacco extract.

In some embodiments, the amorphous solid does not include any tobacco material but includes nicotine. In some such cases, the amorphous solid may comprise from about 1 wt%, 2 wt%, 3 wt% or 4 wt% to about 20 wt%, 15 wt%, 10 wt% or 5 wt% nicotine (calculated on a dry weight basis). For example, the amorphous solid may contain 1-20 wt% or 2-5 wt% nicotine.

In some cases, the total content of active substance and/or flavor may be at least about 0.1 wt%, 1 wt%, 5 wt%, 10 wt%, 20 wt%, 25 wt%, or 30 wt%. In some cases, the total content of active substance and/or flavor may be less than about 80 wt%, 70 wt%, 60 wt%, 50 wt%, or 40 wt% (all calculated on a dry weight basis).

In some cases, the total content of tobacco material, nicotine and flavor may be at least about 1 wt%, 5 wt%, 10 wt%, 20 wt%, 25 wt% or 30 wt%. In some cases, the total content of tobacco material, nicotine and/or flavor may be less than about 70 wt%, 60 wt%, 50 wt% or 40 wt% (all calculated on a dry weight basis).

In some cases, the amorphous solid comprises from about 1 wt% to about 15 wt% or from about 5 wt% to about 15 wt% water, calculated on a wet weight basis. Suitably, the moisture content of the amorphous solid may be from about 5 wt%, 7 wt% or 9 wt% to about 15 wt%, 13 wt% or 11 wt% (WWB), most suitably about 10 wt%.

In some embodiments, the amorphous solid is a hydrogel and contains less than about 20 wt % water, calculated on a wet weight basis. In some cases, the hydrogel may contain less than about 15 wt%, 12 wt%, or 10 wt% water when calculated on a wet weight basis (WWB). In some cases, the hydrogel may comprise at least about 2 wt% or at least about 5 wt% water (WWB).

The amorphous solid can be made into a gel, which can further contain a solvent included at 0.1-50 wt%. However, the present inventors have found that the inclusion of a solvent in which the flavor is dissolved can reduce gel stability and the flavor may crystallize from the gel. Therefore, in some cases, the gel does not contain a solvent in which the flavor is dissolved.

In some embodiments, the amorphous solid includes less than 60 wt% filler, such as 1 wt% to 60 wt%, or 5 wt% to 50 wt%, or 5 wt% to 30 wt%, or 10 wt% to 20 wt% filler.

In other embodiments, the amorphous solid comprises less than 20 wt% filler, suitably less than 10 wt% or less than 5 wt% filler. In some cases, the amorphous solid includes less than 1 wt% filler, and in some cases, no filler.

The filler, if present, may include one or more inorganic filler materials such as calcium carbonate, perlite, vermiculite, diatomaceous earth, colloidal silica, magnesium oxide, magnesium sulfate, magnesium carbonate, and a suitable inorganic adsorbent such as molecular sieves. The filler may include one or more organic filler materials such as wood pulp, cellulose and cellulose derivatives. In special cases, the amorphous solid does not contain calcium carbonate such as chalk.

In particular embodiments that include filler, the filler is fibrous. For example, the filler can be a fibrous organic filler material such as wood pulp, hemp fiber, cellulose or cellulose derivatives. Without being bound by theory, it is believed that including fibrous fillers in an amorphous solid can increase the tensile strength of the material. This may be particularly advantageous in instances where the amorphous solid is provided as a sheet, such as when the amorphous solid sheet surrounds a rod of aerosolizable material.

In some embodiments, the amorphous solid does not include tobacco fibers. In particular embodiments, the amorphous solid does not include fibrous material.

In some embodiments, the aerosol-generating material does not include tobacco fibers. In particular embodiments, the aerosol-generating material does not include fibrous material.

In some embodiments, the aerosol-generating substrate does not include tobacco fibers. In particular embodiments, the aerosol-generating substrate does not include fibrous material.

In some embodiments, the consumable product does not include tobacco fibers. In particular embodiments, the consumable product does not include fibrous material.

In some cases, the amorphous solid may essentially include or be composed of a gelling agent, an aerosol generator, a tobacco material and/or nicotine source, water, and optionally a flavor.

A method of making an aerosolizable material includes the steps of (a) forming a slurry comprising amorphous solid or precursor components thereof, (b) forming a slurry layer, (c) mixing the slurry to form a gel. It may include curing, and (d) drying to form an amorphous solid.

Step (b) of forming the slurry layer may include, for example, spraying, casting, or extruding the slurry. In some cases, the layer is formed by electro-spraying the slurry. In some cases, the layer is formed by casting the slurry.

In some cases, the slurry is applied to the carrier.

In some cases, steps (b) and/or (c) and/or (d) may occur, at least partially, simultaneously (eg, during electro-spraying). In some cases, these steps may occur sequentially.

Step (c) of curing the gel may include adding a curing agent to the slurry. For example, the slurry can include sodium, potassium, or ammonium alginate as a gel-precursor, and a curing agent comprising a calcium source (e.g., calcium chloride) can be added to the slurry to form a calcium alginate gel.

The total amount of curing agent, such as calcium source, may be 0.5-5 wt% (calculated on dry weight basis). The inventors have discovered that adding too little curing agent can result in an amorphous solid that does not stabilize the amorphous solid components and causes these components to separate from the amorphous solid. The inventors have discovered that adding too much curing agent results in an amorphous solid that is very sticky and consequently has poor handling properties.

Alginate salts are derivatives of alginic acid and are typically high molecular weight polymers (10-600 kDa). Alginic acid is a copolymer of β-D-mannuronic acid (M) and α-L-guluronic acid (G) units (blocks) linked together with (1,4)-glycosidic bonds to form a polysaccharide. Upon addition of calcium cations, the alginate crosslinks to form a gel. The inventors determined that alginate salts with high G monomer content form gels more readily upon addition of a calcium source. Accordingly, in some cases, the gel-precursor fae comprises an alginate salt, wherein at least about 40%, 45%, 50%, 55%, 60% or 70% of the monomer units of the alginate copolymer are α-L- It is a unit of guluronic acid (G).

The drying step may cause the casting material thickness to be reduced by at least 80%, suitably by 85% or 87%. For example, the slurry may be cast to a thickness of 2 mm and the resulting dried amorphous solid material may have a thickness of 0.2 mm.

In some cases, the amorphous solid may have a thickness of about 0.015 mm to about 1.0 mm. Suitably, the thickness may range from about 0.05 mm, 0.1 mm, or 0.15 mm to about 0.5 mm, or 0.3 mm. The inventors have found that a material with a thickness of 0.2 mm is particularly suitable. An amorphous solid may include more than one layer, and the thickness described herein refers to the total thickness of these layers.

In some cases, the slurry solvent may comprise or consist essentially of water. In some cases, the slurry may include about 50 wt%, 60 wt%, 70 wt%, 80 wt%, or 90 wt% of solvent (WWB).

In cases where the solvent consists of water, the dry weight content of the slurry may match the dry weight content of the amorphous solid. Accordingly, the discussion herein regarding solid compositions is explicitly disclosed in conjunction with the slurry aspect of the invention.

In some examples, the slurry has a viscosity of about 10 to about 20 Pa·s at 46.5°C, such as about 14 to about 16 Pa·s at 46.5°C.

The aerosolizable material comprising amorphous solids may have any suitable areal density, such as from 30 g/m ² to 120 g/m ² . In some embodiments, the aerosolizable material can have an areal density of about 30 to 70 g/m ² , or about 40 to 60 g/m ² . In some embodiments, the amorphous solid may have an areal density of about 80 to 120 g/m ² , or about 70 to 110 g/m ² , or especially about 90 to 110 g/m ² . These areal densities may be particularly suitable if the aerosol-generating material is included in the consumable or system in sheet form, or as shredded sheets (described further below).

In some examples, the amorphous solid in sheet form can have a tensile strength of about 200 N/m to about 900 N/m. In some instances, such as when the amorphous solid does not include fillers, the amorphous solid may have a tensile strength of 200 N/m to 400 N/m, or 200 N/m to 300 N/m, or about 250 N/m. These tensile strengths may be particularly suitable for embodiments where the aerosolizable material is formed into a sheet and then shredded and incorporated into the consumable. In some instances, such as when the amorphous solid includes a filler, the amorphous solid may have a tensile strength of 600 N/m to 900 N/m, or 700 N/m to 900 N/m, or about 800 N/m. These tensile strengths may be particularly suitable for embodiments where the aerosolizable material is included in the consumable or system as a rolled sheet, suitably in the form of a tube.

In one special case, the carrier may be a paper-backed foil; The paper layer is in contact with the amorphous solid layer, and the properties discussed in the previous paragraphs are provided by this contact. The foil backing is substantially impermeable, providing control of the aerosol flow path. Metal foil backings can also serve to conduct heat to amorphous solids.

In other cases, the foil layer of the paper-backed foil is in contact with the amorphous solid. The foil is substantially impermeable, preventing water provided to the amorphous solid from being absorbed into the paper, which could weaken the structural integrity of the amorphous solid.

In some cases, the carrier is formed of or includes a metal foil, such as aluminum foil. Metal carriers can allow thermal energy to be better conducted in amorphous solids. Additionally or alternatively, the metal foil can function as a susceptor in an induction heating system. In certain embodiments, the carrier includes a metal foil layer and a support layer, such as cardboard. In these embodiments, the metal foil layer may have a thickness of less than 20 μm, such as about 1 μm to about 10 μm, suitably about 5 μm.

As used herein, the active agent may be a physiologically active material, which is a material intended to achieve or enhance a physiological response. The active substance may be chosen, for example, from nutraceuticals, nootropics, psychotropic drugs. The active substances may occur naturally or be obtained synthetically. The active substances may include, for example, nicotine, caffeine, taurine, theine, vitamin B6 or B12 or C, melatonin, cannabinoids, or constituents, derivatives or combinations thereof. The active substance may include one or more components, derivatives or extracts of tobacco, cannabis or other plants.

In some embodiments, the active substance includes nicotine.

In some embodiments, the active agent includes caffeine, melatonin, or vitamin B12.

As mentioned herein, the active substance may comprise one or more constituents, derivatives or extracts of cannabis, such as one or more cannabinoids or terpenes. Cannabinoids are a class of natural or synthetic compounds that act on cannabinoid receptors on cells (i.e. CB1 and CB2), inhibiting neurotransmitter release in the brain. Cannabinoids can occur naturally from plants such as cannabis (phytocannabinoids), from animals (endocannabinoids), or artificially manufactured (synthetic cannabinoids). The cannabis species contains at least 85 different phytocannabinoids, with subclasses including cannabigerol, cannabichromene, cannabidiol, tetrahydrocannabinol, cannabinol and cannabinodiol, and others. Divided into cannabinoids. The cannabinoids found in cannabis include cannabigerol (CBG), cannabichromene (CBC), cannabidiol (CBD), tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), cannabinol (CBN), cannabinodiol (CBDL), cannabicyclol (CBL), cannabivarin (CBV), and THCV ( tetrahydrocannabivarin, cannabidivarin (CBV), cannabichromevarin (CBCV), cannabigerovarin (CBGV), cannabigerol monomethyl ether (CBGM), cannabinerolic acid (CBDA), cannabidiolic acid (CBNV), cannabinol propyl variant (CBNV), cannabitriol (CBO), tetrahydrocannabmolic acid (THCA) , and tetrahydrocannabivarinic acid A (THV A).

As mentioned herein, the active substance may comprise or be derived from one or more plants or their components, derivatives or extracts. As used herein, the term “botanical” includes extracts, leaves, bark, fibers, stems, roots, seeds, flowers, fruits, pollen, bark, shells, etc. (but not limited to) any material derived from plants. Alternatively, the materials may comprise active compounds naturally present in plants, which are obtained synthetically. The material may be in the form of a liquid, gas, solid, powder, dust, ground particles, granules, granules, pieces, strips, sheets, etc. Exemplary plants include tobacco, eucalyptus, star anise, hemp, cocoa, cannabis, fennel, lemongrass, peppermint, spearmint, rooibos, chamomile, flax, ginger, ginkgo, hazelnut, hibiscus, laurel, licorice, matcha, mate, and orangeskin. , papaya, rose, sage, tea such as green or black tea, thyme, clove, cinnamon, coffee, aniseed, basil, bay leaf, cardamom, coriander, cumin, nutmeg, oregano, paprika, rosemary, saffron, Lavender, lemon peel, mint, juniper, elderflower, vanilla, wintergreen, leaf, turmeric, sandalwood, coriander, bergamot, orange blossom, myrtle, cassis, valerian, pimento, mace, damian, marjoram, olive, lemon. Chestnuts, lemon basil, chives, carvi, verbena, tarragon, geranium, mulberry, ginseng, theanine, theacrine, maca, ashwagandha, damiana, guarana, chlorophyll, baobab or any combination of these. Mint can be chosen from the following mint varieties: Mentha arvensis , Mentha cv, Mentha niliaca , Mentha piperita, Mentha piperita citrata cv, Mentha piperita cv, Mentha spicata crispa, Mentha cordifolia , Mentha longifolia , Mentha suaveolens variegata , Mentha pulegium, Mentha spicata cv and Mentha suaveolens .

In some embodiments, the plant is selected from eucalyptus, star anise, cocoa, and hemp.

In some embodiments, the plant is selected from rooibos and fennel.

As used herein, the terms “flavor” and “flavor” may be used to create a desired taste, aroma or other somatosensory sensation in a product for adult consumers, when local regulations permit. Refers to the materials present.

“Flavor” and “flavor” refer to naturally occurring flavoring materials, plants, plant extracts, synthetically obtained materials, or combinations thereof (e.g., tobacco, cannabis, licorice, hydrangea, eugenol, Japanese White Bark Magnolia Leaf, Chamomile, Fenugreek, Clove, Maple, Matcha, Menthol, Japanese Mint, Anisid, Cinnamon, Turmeric, Indian Spices, Asian Spices, Herbs, Wintergreen, Cherries, Berries, Red Berries , cranberries, peaches, apples, oranges, mangoes, clementines, lemons, limes, tropical fruits, papaya, rhubarb, grapes, durian, dragon fruit, cucumbers, blueberries, mulberries, citrus fruits, Dram V, bourbon, scotch, whiskey, gin , tequila, rum, spearmint, peppermint, lavender, aloe vera, cardamom, celery, cascarilla, nutmeg, sandalwood, bergamot, geranium, khat, naswar, betel nut, shisha, pine, honey essence, rose oil, Vanilla, lemon oil, orange oil, orange blossom, cherry, cassia, caraway, cognac, jasmine, ylang-ylang, sage, fennel, horseradish, pepper, ginger, coriander, coffee, hemp, from any species of the genus Peppermint. Mint oil, eucalyptus, star anise, cocoa, lemongrass, rooibos, flax, ginkgo, hazel, hibiscus, laurel, mate, orange skin, rose, tea such as green or black tea, thyme, juniper, elderflower, basil, bay leaf. , cumin, oregano, paprika, rosemary, saffron, lemon peel, mint, lobules, turmeric, coriander, myrtle, cassis, valerian, pimento, mace, damian, marjoram, olive, lemon balm, lemon basil, chive, carvi. , verbena, tarragon, limonene, thymol, camphene), flavor enhancers, bitter receptor site blockers, sensory receptor site activators or stimulants, sugars and/or sugar substitutes (e.g. sucralose, acesulfame potassium, aspartame) , saccharin, cyclamates, lactose, sucrose, glucose, fructose, sorbitol or mannitol), and other additives such as charcoal, chlorophyll, minerals, herbal medicines or breath fresheners. “Flavor” and “flavoring agents” may be artificial, synthetic or natural ingredients or blends thereof. “Flavor” and “flavor” may be in any suitable form, such as a liquid such as an oil, a solid such as a powder, or a gas.

The flavor may suitably comprise one or more mint-flavors, suitably mint oil from any species of the genus Peppermint. The flavor suitably may comprise, may comprise as an essential component of, or may consist of menthol.

In some embodiments, the flavor includes menthol, spearmint, and/or peppermint.

In some embodiments, the flavor includes flavor components of cucumber, blueberry, citrus, and/or red berry.

In some embodiments, the flavor includes eugenol.

In some embodiments, the flavor includes flavor components extracted from tobacco.

In some embodiments, the flavor includes flavor components extracted from cannabis.

In some embodiments, flavors may include sensory agents intended to achieve somatosensory sensations, which are typically chemically evoked and perceived by stimulation of the fifth cranial nerve (trigeminal nerve) in addition to or instead of the scent or taste nerves. These may include agents that provide heating, cooling, tingling, or numbing effects. A suitable warming effect agent may be, but is not limited to, vanillyl ethyl ether, and a suitable temperature reducing agent may be, but is not limited to, eucalyptol, WS-3.

As used herein, the term “aerosol generating agent” refers to an agent that promotes the generation of an aerosol. Aerosol generating agents can facilitate the generation of aerosols by promoting initial evaporation and/or promoting condensation of gases into inhalable solid and/or liquid aerosols.

Suitable aerosol generators include polyols such as erythritol, sorbitol, glycerol, and glycols (such as propylene glycol or triethylene glycol); and monohydric alcohols, high boiling point hydrocarbons, acids such as lactic acid, glycerol derivatives, and ethers (such as diacetin, tracetin, triethylene glycol diacetate, triethyl citrate or myristates (ethyl myristates) stearate and isopropyl myristate) and aliphatic carboxylic acid esters (such as methyl stearate, dimethyl dodecanedioate and dimethyl tetradecanedioate). The aerosol generator may suitably have a composition that does not dissolve menthol. The aerosol generator may suitably comprise, comprise as an essential component, or consist of glycerol.

As used herein, the term “tobacco material” refers to any material including tobacco or derivatives thereof. The term “tobacco material” may include one or more of tobacco, tobacco derivatives, puffed tobacco, regenerated tobacco or tobacco substitutes. The tobacco material may include one or more of ground tobacco, tobacco fiber, tobacco, extruded tobacco, tobacco stems, regenerated tobacco, and/or tobacco extract.

The tobacco used to produce the tobacco material may be any suitable tobacco, such as single grades or blends, cut rag or whole leaf, including Virginia and/or Burley and/or Oriental. . It may also be tobacco particle ‘fine’ or powder, puffed tobacco, stalks, puffed stalks and other processed stalk materials, such as rolled stalks. The tobacco material may be ground tobacco or recycled tobacco material. Recycled tobacco material may comprise tobacco fibers and may be formed by casting, i.e., a Fourdrinier-based papermaking-type approach with the addition of tobacco extract again, or by extrusion.

In some embodiments, the amorphous solid includes menthol.

Certain embodiments comprising menthol-retaining amorphous solids may be particularly suitable for inclusion as shredded sheets in consumables or systems. In these embodiments, the amorphous solid may have the following composition (DWB): a gelling agent (preferably comprising alginate) in an amount of about 20 wt% to about 40 wt%, or about 25 wt% to 35 wt%; , more preferably comprising a combination of alginate and pectin); Menthol in an amount of about 35 wt% to about 60 wt%, or about 40 wt% to 55 wt%; An aerosol generator (preferably comprising glycerol) in an amount of about 10 wt% to about 30 wt%, or about 15 wt% to about 25 wt% (DWB).

In one embodiment, the amorphous solid contains about 32-33 wt% of an alginate/pectin gelling agent blend; Approximately 47-48 wt% menthol flavoring agent; and about 19-20 wt% glycerol aerosol generator (DWB).

As mentioned above, the amorphous solids of these embodiments may be included as shredded sheets in the consumable or system. The shredded sheets can be provided to the consumable or system blended with the bamboo shoots. Alternatively, the amorphous solid may be provided as a non-fractured sheet. Suitably, the shredded or non-shredded sheet has a thickness of about 0.015 mm to about 1 mm, preferably about 0.02 mm to about 0.07 mm.

Certain embodiments of menthol-retaining amorphous solids may be particularly suitable for inclusion in consumables or systems, such as sheets surrounding rods of aerosolizable material (e.g., tobacco). In these embodiments, the amorphous solid may have the following composition (DWB): a gelling agent (preferably comprising alginate) in an amount of about 5 wt% to about 40 wt%, or about 10 wt% to 30 wt%; , more preferably comprising a combination of alginate and pectin); Menthol in an amount of about 10 wt% to about 50 wt%, or about 15 wt% to 40 wt%; an aerosol generator (preferably comprising glycerol) in an amount of from about 5 wt% to about 40 wt%, or from about 10 wt% to about 35 wt%; and optionally filler (DWB) in an amount of up to 60 wt% (e.g., 5 wt% to 20 wt%, or about 40 wt% to 60 wt%).

In one of these embodiments, the amorphous solid contains about 11 wt% alginate/pectin gelling agent blend, about 56 wt% wood pulp filler, about 18% menthol flavoring agent, and about 15 wt% glycerol (DWB). ) includes.

In another of these embodiments, the amorphous solid is about 22 wt% alginate/pectin gelling agent blend, about 12 wt% wood pulp filler, about 36% menthol flavoring agent, and about 30 wt% glycerol (DWB). Includes.

As mentioned above, the amorphous solid of these examples may be included as a sheet. In one embodiment, the sheet is provided on a carrier comprising paper. In one embodiment, the sheet is provided on a carrier comprising a metal foil, suitably aluminum metal foil. In this example, the amorphous solid may be in contact with a metal foil.

In one embodiment, the sheet forms part of a laminate material with layers (preferably comprising paper) attached to the top and bottom surfaces of the sheet. Suitably, the sheet of amorphous solid has a thickness of about 0.015 mm to about 1 mm.

In some embodiments, the amorphous solid includes a flavoring agent that does not include menthol. In these embodiments, the amorphous solid may have the following composition (DWB): a gel in an amount of from about 5 wt% to about 40 wt%, or from about 10 wt% to about 35 wt%, or from about 20 wt% to about 35 wt%. topical (preferably containing alginate); Flavoring agent in an amount of about 0.1 wt% to about 40 wt%, about 1 wt% to about 30 wt%, or about 1 wt% to about 20 wt%, or about 5 wt% to about 20 wt%; an aerosol generator (preferably comprising glycerol) in an amount of from 15 wt% to 75 wt%, or from about 30 wt% to about 70 wt%, or from about 50 wt% to about 65 wt%; and optionally filler (suitably wood pulp) in an amount of less than about 60 wt%, or about 20 wt%, or about 10 wt%, or about 5 wt% (preferably the amorphous solid does not include filler) (DWB).

In one of these embodiments, the amorphous solid comprises about 27 wt% alginate gelling agent, about 14 wt% flavoring agent, and about 57 wt% glycerol aerosol generator (DWB).

In another of these examples, the amorphous solid comprises about 29 wt% alginate gelling agent, about 9 wt% flavoring agent, and about 60 wt% glycerol (DWB).

The amorphous solids of these embodiments may be included in the consumable or system as shredded sheets, optionally blended with agar. Alternatively, the amorphous solids of these embodiments may be included in a consumable or system as a sheet, such as a sheet surrounding a stick of aerosolizable material (e.g., cigarettes). Alternatively, the amorphous solids of these embodiments may be included in the consumable or system as a layer portion disposed on a carrier.

In some embodiments, the amorphous solid includes tobacco extract. In these embodiments, the amorphous solid may have the following composition (DWB): gelling agent in an amount of about 5 wt% to about 40 wt%, or about 10 wt% to about 30 wt%, or about 15 wt% to about 25 wt%. (preferably including alginate); Tobacco extract in an amount of about 30 wt% to about 60 wt%, or about 40 wt% to 55 wt%, or about 45 wt% to about 50 wt%; and an aerosol generator (preferably comprising glycerol) in an amount of from about 10 wt% to about 50 wt%, or from about 20 wt% to about 40 wt%, or from about 25 wt% to about 35 wt% (DWB).

In one embodiment, the amorphous solid includes about 20 wt% alginate gelling agent, about 48 wt% Virginia tobacco extract, and about 32 wt% glycerol (DWB).

The amorphous solid of these examples may have any suitable water content. For example, the amorphous solid may have a water content of about 5 wt% to about 15 wt%, or about 7 wt% to about 13 wt%, or about 10 wt%.

The amorphous solids of these embodiments may be included in the consumable or system as shredded sheets, optionally blended with agar. Alternatively, the amorphous solids of these embodiments may be included in a consumable or system as a sheet, such as a sheet surrounding a stick of aerosolizable material (e.g., cigarettes). Alternatively, the amorphous solids of these embodiments may be included in the consumable or system as a layer portion disposed on a carrier. Suitably, in any of these embodiments, the amorphous solid has a thickness of about 50 μm to about 200 μm, or about 50 μm to about 100 μm, or about 60 μm to about 90 μm, suitably about 77 μm. has a thickness of

Slurry for forming such amorphous solids may also form part of the present invention. In some cases, the slurry may have an elastic modulus (also referred to as storage modulus) of about 5 to 1200 Pa; In some cases, the slurry may have a viscous modulus (also referred to as loss modulus) of about 5 to 600 Pa.

All weight percentages (expressed as wt%) described herein are calculated on a dry weight basis unless explicitly stated otherwise. All weight ratios are also calculated on a dry weight basis. Weights quoted on a dry weight basis refer to the totality of the extract or slurry or material other than water and may include components that are themselves liquid at room temperature and pressure, such as glycerol. Conversely, weight percentages quoted on a wet weight basis refer to all components including water.

As used herein, the term “sheet” refers to an element having a width and length that is substantially greater than its thickness. The sheet may for example be a strip.

As used herein, the term “heating material” or “heater material” refers to a material that can be heated by penetration of a variable magnetic field.

Induction heating is the process of heating an electrically conductive object by penetrating it with a variable magnetic field. The process is explained by Faraday's law of induction and Ohm's law. An induction heater may include an electromagnet and a device for passing a variable current, such as alternating current, through the electromagnet. When the electromagnet and the object to be heated are relatively appropriately positioned such that the resulting variable magnetic field produced by the electromagnet penetrates the object, one or more eddy currents are generated within the object. Objects have resistance to the flow of electric current. Therefore, when these eddy currents are generated in an object, their flow against the object's electrical resistance causes the object to heat up. This process is called Joule heating, ohmic heating, or resistive heating. Objects that can be inductively heated are known as susceptors.

It has been confirmed that when the susceptor is in the form of a closed electric circuit, the magnetic coupling between the electromagnet and the susceptor is strengthened during use, which leads to greater or improved Joule heating.

Magnetic hysteresis heating is a process in which a variable magnetic field penetrates an object made of magnetic materials and the object is heated. Magnetic materials can be thought of as containing many atomic-scale magnets, or magnetic dipoles. When a magnetic field penetrates this material, the magnetic dipoles align with the field. Accordingly, when a variable magnetic field, such as an alternating magnetic field generated by, for example, an electromagnet, penetrates a magnetic material, the orientation of the magnetic dipoles changes depending on the variable applied magnetic field. This magnetic dipole reorientation causes heat to be generated in the magnetic material.

When an object is both electrically-conductive and magnetic, penetrating a variable magnetic field into the object can cause both Joule heating and magnetic hysteresis heating in the object. In addition, using magnetic materials can strengthen the magnetic field, enhancing Joule heating and magnetic hysteresis heating.

In each of the above processes, heat is generated inside the object itself rather than by an external heat source by heat conduction, resulting in a rapid rise in temperature of the object and a more uniform heat distribution, especially in the selection of suitable object materials and geometry. This can be achieved through appropriate variable magnetic field size and orientation with respect to the object. Additionally, because induction heating and magnetic hysteresis heating do not require providing a physical connection between the source of the variable magnetic field and the object, there can be greater design freedom and control over the heating profile and lower costs.

1 and 2, schematic side cross-sectional and end cross-sectional views of examples of consumables according to embodiments of the present invention are shown. Consumable 1 is for use in an apparatus for heating aerosolizable material to volatilize at least one component of the aerosolizable material, such as apparatus 100 shown in FIG. 5 and described below. The device is a tobacco heating product (also known in the art as a tobacco heating device or heat-not-burn device).

The consumable product 1 includes a hollow tube 1a. The hollow tube 1a defines a passage 20 therein. The hollow tube 1a comprises a winding structure 10 comprising an aerosolizable material. In this embodiment, winding structure 10 is a helical winding structure comprising an aerosolizable material. However, in other embodiments, the winding structure may be wound non-helically. For example, structures containing aerosolizable materials can be spirally wound in a non-helical manner.

In some embodiments, the aerosolizable material of structure 10 includes tobacco. In some embodiments, the aerosolizable material includes recycled aerosolizable material, such as recycled tobacco. In some embodiments, the aerosolizable material includes an amorphous solid that can be retained by a carrier, such as paper or card. In other embodiments, the aerosolizable material may be in any of the other forms discussed herein. Structures comprising aerosolizable material can include a carrier, such as paper or card, and the aerosolizable material can be on the surface of or impregnated with the carrier. For example, the aerosolizable material may include tobacco extract. In some embodiments, the structure comprising the aerosolizable material is comprised of the aerosolizable material. For example, aerosolizable materials can be molded or otherwise shaped.

In this embodiment, the winding structure 10 comprising aerosolizable material defines both the innermost surface 1b of the hollow tube 1a and the outermost surface 1c of the hollow tube 1a. Indeed, in some embodiments, the hollow tube 1a consists of, or is substantially comprised of, a winding structure 10 comprising an aerosolizable material. In other embodiments, as will be understood from the discussion below, the innermost surface 1b of the hollow tube 1a and/or the outermost surface 1c of the hollow tube 1a comprises an aerosolizable material. It may be defined by parts of the consumable other than the winding structure 10. That part may be another layer of the hollow tube 1a or a consumable. In some embodiments, the winding structure 10 comprising aerosolizable material covers only a portion of the innermost surface 1b of the hollow tube 1a and/or the outermost surface 1c of the hollow tube 1a. since the hollow tube 1a or other parts of the consumable define part or all of the remainder of the innermost and/or outermost surfaces respectively.

In this embodiment, the structure 10 comprising aerosolizable material is circular. In other embodiments, the winding structure 10 comprising aerosolizable material includes pleats, embossing or debossing. This arrangement can increase the surface area from which aerosols can form from the aerosolizable material during use.

3 and 4, schematic side cross-sectional and end cross-sectional views of examples of other consumables according to embodiments of the present invention are shown. The consumables 2 of FIGS. 3 and 4 are used in an apparatus for heating an aerosolizable material to volatilize at least one component of the aerosolizable material, such as apparatus 100 shown in FIG. 5 and described below. It is for this purpose. The device may be a tobacco heating product (also known in the art as a tobacco heating device or heat-not-burn device).

The consumable product 2 includes a hollow tube 2a. The hollow tube 2a defines a passage 20 therein. The hollow tube 2a includes a plurality of layers 10, 11, 12, 13. In some embodiments, two or some or all of the plurality of layers 10, 11, 12, 13 are joined together to form a stack of the plurality of layers.

One of the layers is a wound structure 10 comprising an aerosolizable material. In this embodiment, winding structure 10 is a helical winding structure comprising an aerosolizable material. However, in other embodiments, the winding structure may be wound non-helically. For example, structures containing aerosolizable materials can be spirally wound in a non-helical manner.

In some embodiments, the aerosolizable material of structure 10 includes tobacco. In some embodiments, the aerosolizable material is recycled aerosolizable material, such as recycled tobacco. In some embodiments, the aerosolizable material includes an amorphous solid that can be retained by a carrier, such as paper or card. Structures comprising aerosolizable material can include a carrier, such as paper or card, and the aerosolizable material can be on the surface of or impregnated with the carrier. For example, the aerosolizable material may include tobacco extract. In some embodiments, the structure comprising the aerosolizable material is comprised of the aerosolizable material. For example, aerosolizable materials can be molded or otherwise shaped.

In this embodiment, the winding structure 10 comprising aerosolizable material defines the surface of the hollow tube 2a, and more particularly the innermost surface 2b of the hollow tube 2a. In other embodiments, the winding structure 10 comprising aerosolizable material defines only a portion of the innermost surface 2b of the hollow tube 1a because This is because the other portion defines part or all of the remainder of the innermost surface 2b.

The winding structure 10 comprising aerosolizable material includes pleats in this embodiment. In other embodiments, structure 10 additionally or alternatively includes embossing or debossing to be embossed or debossed, respectively. As noted elsewhere herein, this arrangement can increase the surface area from which aerosols can form from the aerosolizable material during use. In yet other embodiments, the winding structure 10 comprising aerosolizable material is free of wrinkles, embossings, or debossings.

As noted above, the hollow tube 2a comprises additional layers 11, 12, 13. It should be noted that not all of these additional layers 11, 12, 13 may be present in all embodiments. In this embodiment, each of the additional layers 11, 12, 13 is a winding layer, such as a spiral wound layer, but in other embodiments, one or more of the additional layers 11, 12, 13 is a non-winding layer, such as a casting or extraction layer. -Can be a winding layer.

In this embodiment, the consumable product 2 includes a heating material that can be heated by penetration of a variable magnetic field. The heating material may be any of those discussed herein. The heating material is heatable to heat the aerosolizable material of the wound structure 10. In this embodiment, the hollow tube 2a includes a layer 11 comprising a heating material. More specifically, the layer 11 comprising the heating material is radially adjacent and abuts the winding structure 10 comprising the aerosolizable material, such that the thermal energy generated in the heating material during use is directed to the aerosolizable material. can be delivered efficiently. In this embodiment, the layer 11 comprising the heating material is located radially outside the winding structure 10 comprising the aerosolizable material, but in other embodiments the layer 11 comprising the heating material may be positioned radially inside the winding structure 10 comprising the aerosolizable material.

In this embodiment, the layer 11 comprising the heating material is a wound layer, such as a spiral wound layer, and the layer 11 comprising the heating material is wound around the structure 10 comprising the aerosolizable material. In other embodiments, layer 11 comprising heating material may be non-wound. In some embodiments, layer 11 comprising heating material includes a carrier that holds the heating material, such as paper. In other embodiments, the layer 11 comprising heating material comprises a foil, such as a metal or metal alloy foil, such as aluminum foil. In some embodiments, layer 11 containing heating material may be omitted. In fact, in some embodiments, consumable 2 may be free of heating material that can be heated by penetration of a variable magnetic field.

In this embodiment, the aerosolizable material of the wrap structure 10 adheres the wrap structure 10 to the layer 11 comprising the heating material. In other embodiments, this may not be the case and/or the aerosolizable material of the wrapping structure 10 may adhere the wrapping structure 10 to a different layer or portion of the hollow tube 2a. In some embodiments, a separate adhesive may be used to adhere the layers together.

As noted above, in this embodiment, structure 10 comprising aerosolizable material includes pleats, and in some other embodiments, structure 10 may additionally or alternatively be embossed or debossed. Includes. The hollow tube 2a of this embodiment has one or more aerosol flows defined by and between the folds, embossing or debossing of the structure 10 comprising the aerosolizable material and the layer 11 comprising the heating material. Contains paths 17. The aerosol flow path(s) extend axially of the hollow tube 2a and provide a route for aerosols originating in or from the aerosolizable material to leave the hollow tube 2a. This may be particularly advantageous when the passage 20 of the consumable 2 is charged by a heating element of a device in which the consumable 2 is available. In other embodiments, such as embodiments in which there is no heating material in the hollow tube 2a, one or more aerosol flow paths may be formed by corrugations, embossing or debossing of the structure 10 comprising aerosolizable material and as described below. It may be defined by and between other layers or parts of the hollow tube 2a, such as the other layers 12 or the barrier layer 13.

In this embodiment, the hollow tube 2a includes a barrier layer 13 that defines the surface of the hollow tube 2a. In this embodiment, the surface is the outermost surface 2c of the hollow tube 2a. Therefore, the barrier layer 13 is located radially outward of the winding structure 10 of aerosolizable material. Furthermore, the layer comprising the heating material 11 is located between the barrier layer 13 and the structure 10 comprising the aerosolizable material and is adjacent to the structure 10 comprising the aerosolizable material. In some embodiments, the barrier layer 13 defines only a portion of the outermost surface 2c of the hollow tube 2a because the hollow tube 2a or other portion of the consumable is not exposed to the outermost surface 2c. This is because it defines part or all of the remainder of (2c). In some embodiments, barrier layer 13 is a wound layer, such as a spiral wound layer, but in other embodiments, barrier layer 13 may be a non-wound layer.

Barrier layer 13 may comprise, for example, one or more materials selected from the group consisting of paper, card, cardboard, cardboard, recycled tobacco, plastic materials, and heating materials. Barrier layer 13 may help provide rigidity to hollow tube 2a. In some embodiments, such as embodiments where barrier layer 13 abuts or is adjacent to structure 10 comprising an aerosolizable material, barrier layer 13 may adhere to structure 10 during use. It is impermeable to aerosols generated in or therefrom. This can help prevent or inhibit aerosols from contacting or being deposited on the device where the consumables 2 are generated. It may also help channel aerosols originating from or from the aerosolizable material along and out of the hollow tube 2a. In some embodiments, barrier layer 13 is omitted.

The consumable product 2 of this embodiment includes another layer 12 radially adjacent to and in contact with the layer 11 containing the heating material, so that the heat energy generated from the heating material during use is efficiently transferred to the other layer 12. can be passed on. In this embodiment, the layer 11 comprising the heating material is located radially inside the other layer 12, but in other embodiments the layer 11 comprising the heating material is positioned radially inside the other layer 12. It can be located radially outward. Accordingly, another layer 12 is located between the barrier layer 13 and the layer 11 containing the heating material. Another layer 12 also adjoins the barrier layer 13 in this embodiment.

In some embodiments, other layer 12 includes an aerosolizable material. In some such embodiments, the hollow tube 2a is thus a layer comprising a heating material, which is positioned between the winding structure 10 comprising the aerosolizable material and another layer 12 comprising the aerosolizable material. Includes (11). The aerosolizable material of the other layer 12 may adhere the other layer 12 to the barrier layer 13 and/or to the layer 11 comprising the heating material. In some embodiments, the aerosolizable material of the other layer 12 includes tobacco. In some embodiments, the aerosolizable material is recycled aerosolizable material, such as recycled tobacco. In some embodiments, the aerosolizable material includes an amorphous solid that can be retained by a carrier, such as paper or card. In some embodiments, in addition to or alternatively to the aerosolizable material, the other layer 12 may include, for example, a flavoring agent or sensory agent. In some embodiments, other layers 12 are omitted.

In some embodiments, the other layer 12 is a wound layer, such as a spiral wound layer, although in other embodiments the other layer 12 may be a non-wound layer. In some embodiments, the other layer 12 is wound around the layer 11 containing the heating material or around any other layer radially inside the other layer 12 . Similarly, in some embodiments, barrier layer 13 is wrapped around another layer 12.

In some embodiments, the aerosolizable material of the other layers 12 has a different form or chemical composition than the aerosolizable material of structure 10. For example, in some embodiments, differences in morphology may include differences in average particle size of the aerosolizable material. Typically, particles of the aerosolizable material having a smaller average particle size, e.g., are more likely to heat at least one component of the aerosolizable material than particles of the aerosolizable material having a larger average particle size. It can be heated more quickly to volatilize.

In some embodiments, the difference in morphology is such that one of the aerosolizable materials of structure 10 and layer 12 is in the form of recycled aerosolizable material (e.g., recycled cigarettes), and structure 10 comprises an amorphous solid. and aerosolizable materials of other of layers 12.

In some embodiments, differences in chemical composition may include differences in the component or components of the aerosolizable material, such as differences in chemical compositions of individual amorphous solids. In some embodiments, differences in chemical composition may include differences in the type or density of aerosol former, such as glycerol, in the aerosolizable material. In some embodiments, differences in chemical composition may include differences in amounts by weight of smoke modifier, such as a flavorant, as a percentage of the total weight of the aerosolizable material.

In some embodiments, the wrapping structure 10 and/or layer 12 (if provided) comprising aerosolizable material may include a plurality of spaced apart individual sections of aerosolizable material. In use, these individual zones of aerosolizable material can be independently heated by individual heaters of the device in which the consumable 2 can be used.

Accordingly, as noted above, in some embodiments, the plurality of layers 10, 11, 12, 13 of the hollow consumable 2a may be winding layers, with the outer one of the layers 11, 12, 13 The layers are wound around the inner ones of the layers 10, 11, 12. Exemplary methods for manufacturing these hollow tubes 2a are discussed below.

In some embodiments, the order of the layers 10, 11, 12, 13 of the hollow consumable 2a may differ from that shown in FIGS. 3 and 4. For example, in some embodiments, the consumable includes a winding structure comprising an aerosolizable material forming at least a portion of the outermost surface of the hollow tube, and a heating structure positioned radially inward to the structure comprising the aerosolizable material. It may have layers containing materials.

In some embodiments, the hollow tube 2a may include at least one additional layer, which may or may not be a winding layer, such as a spiral wound layer.

In each of the embodiments of Figures 1 to 4, the hollow tubes 1a, 2a have circular inner and outer cross-sectional shapes. In other embodiments, one or each of the inner and outer cross-sectional shapes of the hollow tube may be non-circular, such as oval, polygonal, rectangular, square, triangular, or star-shaped. In each of the embodiments discussed above, the hollow tubes 1a, 2a extend along axis A-A. Axis A-A is a central axis extending along passage 20, but in other embodiments the configuration of consumables 1, 2 may be such that axis A-A is offset from passage 20. In the illustrated embodiments, the consumables 1, 2 are elongated in the direction of axis A-A, but in other embodiments, the width or diameter of the consumables 1, 2 extends from the consumables 1, 2 in the direction of axis A-A. ) may be greater than or equal to the dimensions of ), so the consumables (1, 2) are not elongated. Furthermore, in the illustrated embodiment, the hollow tubes 1a, 2a of the consumables 1, 2 are elongated in the direction of axis A-A, but in other embodiments the width or diameter of the hollow tubes 1a, 2a is along the axis. It may be larger or equal to the dimension of the hollow tubes 1a, 2a in the direction A-A, so that the hollow tubes 1a, 2a themselves do not become longer.

In each of the embodiments of FIGS. 1 to 4 , the passageway 20 opens in the axial end 15 of the hollow tube 1a, 2a and indeed of the consumables 1, 2. In some embodiments, such as some in which the consumable does not have a heating material, a heating element of the device may be inserted into the passageway 20 during use, as will be discussed in more detail below. 1 to 4 , the passageway 20 extends from one axial end 15 of the hollow tube 1a, 2a to the opposite axial end 16 of the hollow tube 1a, 2a. It extends sufficiently through the hollow tubes 1a and 2a. Moreover, in each of these embodiments, the passageway 20 extends from the first axial end 15 of the consumables 1, 2 to the opposite second axial end 16 of the consumables 1, 2. , is sufficiently extended through 2). However, in some embodiments, the passageway 20 may be positioned within the consumables, such as for a majority of the length or axial dimension of the consumables 1, 2 or for a minor portion of the length or axial dimension of the consumables 1, 2. It may extend only partially along the longitudinal or axial dimension of (1, 2).

In some embodiments, the hollow tubes 1a, 2a extend over the entire length or axial dimension of the consumables 1, 2. In other embodiments, the consumables 1, 2 may include one or more elements (not shown) at one or each axial end of the hollow tubes 1a, 2a, so that the hollow tubes 1a, 2a extends for only a portion of the length or axial dimension of the consumables 1, 2.

In some embodiments, consumables 1 and 2 include a porous body (not shown). The porous body may be intended to filter aerosols or vapors released from the aerosolizable material during use. Alternatively or additionally, the porous body may be intended to control the pressure drop over the length or axial dimension of the consumables 1 , 2 . The porous body can be any type of porous body used in the tobacco industry. For example, the porous body can be made of cellulose acetate. In some embodiments, the porous body is substantially cylindrical with a substantially circular cross-section and longitudinal axis. In other embodiments, the filter may have a different cross-section or may not be elongated.

In some embodiments, the porous body abuts the axial ends 15, 16 of the hollow tubes 1a, 2a and is axially aligned with the hollow tubes 1a, 2a. In other embodiments, the porous body may be spaced apart from the hollow tube 1a, 2a, for example by a gap and/or by one or more additional components of the consumables 1, 2. Exemplary additional component(s) are additives or flavoring sources (e.g., additive- or flavor-bearing capsules or threads), which may be held, for example, by a body of filtration material or between two bodies of filtration material. can be maintained in between.

The consumables 1 and 2 may also include a wrap surrounding the hollow tubes 1a and 2a and the porous body to maintain the porous body relative to the hollow tubes 1a and 2a. The wrap may surround the hollow tubes 1a and 2a and the porous body. The wrap can wrap around the hollow tubes 1a, 2a and the porous body so that the free ends of the wrap overlap each other. The wrap may form part or all of the circumferential outer surface of the consumables 1, 2. The wrap may be made of any suitable material, such as paper, card, or recycled aerosolizable material (eg, recycled tobacco). The wrap may also include an adhesive that adheres the overlapping free ends of the wrap together. The adhesive helps prevent the overlapping free ends of the wrap from falling apart. In other embodiments, the adhesive may be omitted, or the wrap may take a different form than described. In other embodiments, the porous body may be held against the hollow tubes 1a, 2a by a connecting material other than a wrap, such as an adhesive.

In some embodiments, consumables 1, 2 have a longitudinal or axial dimension between 30 mm and 150 mm, such as between 70 mm and 120 mm.

In some embodiments, the consumables 1, 2 have an internal dimension (eg, inner diameter) of 2 mm to 10 mm, such as 4 mm to 8 mm, in a direction perpendicular to the axial direction.

In some embodiments, the consumables 1, 2 have an external dimension (eg, outer diameter) of 4 mm to 10 mm, such as 4.5 mm to 8 mm, in a direction perpendicular to the axial direction.

In some embodiments, the aerosolizable material, regardless of where consumables 1 and 2 are provided, has a thickness of 0.05 mm to 2 mm, such as 0.05 mm to 1 mm, or such as 0.1 mm to 1 mm, or such as 0.15 mm to 0.5 mm. has a thickness of The thickness may be 1 mm or less, such as 0.5 mm or less, or 0.25 mm or less, or 0.2 mm or less, or 0.1 mm or less, or 0.05 mm or less.

As noted herein, the winding structure comprising aerosolizable material may include pleats, embossing or debossing. In some such embodiments, the wrinkles, embossing or debossing define a plurality of troughs or depressions, and the aerosolizable material (e.g., an amorphous solid as described herein) defines a plurality of troughs or depressions. It is disposed in at least one of the valleys or depressions, such as depressions.

An exemplary method of manufacturing a hollow tube for use in or as a consumable for use in an apparatus for heating an aerosolizable material to volatilize at least one component of the aerosolizable material will now be described. For example, any of the following methods may be used to make any of the hollow tubes described herein.

Figure 6 shows a flow diagram illustrating an example of a method of making such a hollow tube. Method 600 includes winding up a structure comprising an aerosolizable material (601).

The aerosolizable material may be, for example, any of those discussed herein. In some embodiments, the aerosolizable material includes tobacco. In some embodiments, the aerosolizable material is recycled aerosolizable material, such as recycled tobacco. In some embodiments, the aerosolizable material includes an amorphous solid that can be retained by a carrier, such as paper or card. Structures comprising aerosolizable material can include a carrier, such as paper or card, and the aerosolizable material can be on the surface of or impregnated with the carrier. For example, the aerosolizable material may include tobacco extract. In some embodiments, the structure comprising the aerosolizable material is comprised of the aerosolizable material. For example, aerosolizable materials can be molded or otherwise shaped.

In some embodiments, winding 601 includes spirally winding the structure comprising the aerosolizable material. In some embodiments, winding 601 includes spirally winding the structure comprising the aerosolizable material. In some embodiments, winding 601 includes helically and spirally winding the structure comprising the aerosolizable material such that the structure adopts the spiral shape of a helix.

The winding step 601 may include wrapping the structure comprising the aerosolizable material around the mandrel. The mandrel may be made of any suitable material, such as metal, metal alloy, or plastic material such as polyether ether ketone (PEEK). Alternatively, a mandrel may not be used. For example, structures containing aerosolizable materials can be rolled up using a garniture. In embodiments where the structure comprising the aerosolizable material includes wrinkles or embossings or debossings, the surface of the mandrel may be shaped correspondingly to engage the wrinkles, embossings or debossings.

In some embodiments, winding 601 includes winding the structure comprising the aerosolizable material to form the innermost surface of the hollow tube. In other embodiments, the structure comprising the aerosolizable material may be wound around one or more other elements of the hollow tube being fabricated, such as one or more helically wound layers, such that the structure comprising the aerosolizable material is hollow. It does not form the innermost surface of the tube.

In some embodiments, the structure comprising the aerosolizable material comprises the aerosolizable material on the surface of a carrier, such as paper. In some such embodiments, the method includes winding the carrier and the aerosolizable material around a mandrel such that the carrier contacts the mandrel and the aerosolizable material at its outermost side, and then forming a layer, such as paper, on the aerosolizable material. It includes a winding step. This forms an arrangement in which the aerosolizable material is sandwiched between the carrier and the layer.

7 shows a flow diagram illustrating an example of another method of manufacturing hollow tubes for use in or as a consumable product. Method 700 includes introducing material 701 from a source such as a bobbin or spool. The material may be, for example, paper or card. The method also includes winding 702 the material while flowing the material from the source. The winding step 702 may be, for example, a spiral winding step. Winding step 702 may include winding the material around the mandrel. The mandrel may be made, for example, from any of the mandrel materials discussed herein.

In some embodiments, the material introduced from the source already has aerosolizable material on or within it. However, in some alternative embodiments, the method includes applying 703 an aerosolizable material to a material downstream of the source. The aerosolizable material may be any of those discussed herein. The applying step 703 may be performed upstream of the point where the winding up material step 702 is performed. Alternatively, in embodiments where the winding step 702 includes winding the material around a mandrel, the applying step 703 may be performed using a mandrel. For example, an aerosolizable material may be passed through, e.g., pumped through, a mandrel in fluid form and contacted with the material while it is on the mandrel. The mandrel may include a first portion around which material is wound or coiled, and a second portion downstream of the first portion and including aerobic material feed holes through which aerosolizable material passes to contact the material. The first portion of the mandrel may be devoid of aerosolizable material supply holes. The material may be porous or non-porous for aerosolizable materials. After applying the aerosolizable material to the material (703), the material retaining the aerosolizable material continues to be wrapped around the mandrel.

In some embodiments, the aerosolizable material may be applied to the outer surface of the mandrel, or to the mandrel or material upstream of the mandrel, without first passing through the mandrel. The aerosolizable material, when applied as a slurry, may take the form of a slurry.

The method may further include drying the aerosolizable material (704) during or after winding up the structure (702).

In some embodiments, the structure comprising the aerosolizable material is comprised of the aerosolizable material. Aerosolizable materials can be molded or otherwise shaped. For example, aerosolizable materials can be cast into blocks and then rolled or otherwise compressed into thinner forms such as layers or sheets.

A structure comprising an aerosolizable material may, for example, include wrinkles or embossings or debossings when at the source, or the structure may have wrinkles or embossings or debossings after entering from the source. You can pass through the station created in the structure.

The method may also include winding 705 one or more layers 705, for example in a spiral. One or more layers may be wound around the mandrel when in use. One or more layers can be wrapped around the structure containing the aerosolizable material. Alternatively, the structure comprising aerosolizable material can be wrapped around one or more layers. In some embodiments, the structure comprising the aerosolizable material can be wrapped around one or more layers, and then one or more additional layers can be wrapped around the structure comprising the aerosolizable material.

At least one of the layers may include a heating material that can be heated by penetration of a variable magnetic field. The heating material may be, for example, any of those discussed herein. At least one of the layers may contain a flavoring or sensory agent. At least one of the layers may include an aerosolizable material. The aerosolizable material may be, for example, any of those discussed herein.

Accordingly, when a mandrel is used, in some embodiments the mandrel may be considered to have different zones: a zone where the aerosolizable material is applied to the material to form a structure comprising the aerosolizable material; A zone in which the structure is wound, a zone in which the aerosolizable material is dried or allowed to dry, and, optionally, one or more zones in which one or more layers can be wound around the structure comprising the aerosolizable material.

In some embodiments, different materials or layers may be wrapped around the mandrel from opposite sides of the mandrel. These different materials can be wound around the mandrel at certain common areas along the length of the mandrel. Each of the materials or layers can be, for example, of any type discussed herein.

In some embodiments, the aerosolizable material can be coated with or include a release agent to reduce sticking of the aerosolizable material to the mandrel. Alternatively or additionally, the mandrel may be coated with a release agent, or heated or tapered or equipped with a gas blower or ultrasonic vibrator to prevent the aerosolizable material from sticking to the mandrel, or if the aerosolizable material does stick. The aerosolizable material can be easily separated from the mandrel. The gas blower is a gas source for supplying a gas, such as air, to one or more apertures on the surface of the mandrel through which the aerosolizable material or material is wound during use. may include. In some embodiments, the mandrel may be made of a porous material, and gas may be supplied to the surface of the mandrel from a gas source through the pores of the mandrel.

The method can result in the formation of a continuous hollow tube. A continuous hollow tube can be derived from the mandrel while winding occurs or afterward. The method then involves forming a continuous hollow tube to form a discrete hollow tube that can be incorporated into or form a consumable for use in an apparatus for heating an aerosolizable material to volatilize at least one component of the aerosolizable material. It may include a step 706 of separating the tube, such as by cutting it.

When manufacturing the hollow tube 2a shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, winding step 702 may include winding material to form the innermost surface of the hollow tube, winding the layers. Taking 705 includes wrapping a layer comprising heating material around a structure comprising aerosolizable material, wrapping another layer comprising aerosolizable material around the layer comprising heating material, and and wrapping the barrier layer around another layer comprising an aerosolizable material.

In other embodiments, the method may include providing an aerosolizable material, such as incorporating an amorphous solid on a carrier, such as paper, to provide a structure comprising the aerosolizable material. The aerosolizable material can be coated on the carrier, such as by casting, band-casting, spraying or electro-spraying. The structure may be stored as a source, for example on a bobbin. For example, the structure may be introduced from a source and wound or unwound around a mandrel, such that the free ends of the structure are circumferentially adjacent or touching but do not overlap, creating a tube or near-tube shape with a substantially uniform diameter. do. Accordingly, the tube can have a seamless fit between the free ends. The aerosolizable material may be directed into an internal hollow space in the form of a tube or near-tube. A paper-like layer may be wound around the exterior of the tube or near-tube shape, and optionally attached thereto, to help maintain the shape of the tube or near-tube shape. This layer may similarly have free ends that are adjacent or touching but do not overlap. The adhesive, if used, can be band cast onto the structure. Because the free ends of the structure do not overlap, this method can be used to form hollow tubes that are purely or at least closer to a circular or regular cross-section than comparable hollow tubes containing free ends of overlapping material. This means that more uniform heating of the aerosolizable material may be possible during use, as all zones of the aerosolizable material can be more easily and equally spaced from the heating element that heats the aerosolizable material during use. . However, in other embodiments, the free ends of the combination may overlap.

In some of the embodiments in which the aerosolizable material is retained by a carrier, the surface of the carrier that contacts the aerosolizable material may be porous. For example, in some cases, the carrier includes paper. In some embodiments, the carrier includes or consists of a sheet of tobacco material, such as reconstituted tobacco, which may be porous. The inventors believe that porous carriers, such as paper, are particularly suitable for some embodiments of the invention; It was confirmed that the porous layer forms a strong bond in contact with the aerosolizable material. The amorphous solid of the aerosolizable material of some embodiments is formed by drying a gel, and without being bound by theory, by partially penetrating the slurry from which the gel is formed into a porous carrier (e.g., paper), thereby curing and crosslinking the gel. When forming cells, it is believed that the carrier is partially bound to the gel. This provides a strong bond between the gel and the carrier (and between the dry gel and the carrier). A porous layer (eg, paper) can also be used to deliver flavors. In some cases, the porous layer may comprise paper suitably having a porosity of 0-300 Coresta Units (CU), suitably 5-100 CU or 25-75 CU.

Additionally, surface roughness can contribute to the bond strength between the aerosolizable material and the carrier. The inventors have determined that the paper roughness (relative to the surface in contact with the aerosolizable material) is suitably in the range of 50-1000 Bekk seconds, suitably 50-150 Bekk seconds, suitably 100 Bekk seconds (at an air pressure interval of 50.66-48.00 kPa). (measured over time) was confirmed to be possible. (The Bekk smoothness tester is an instrument used to determine the smoothness of a paper surface, in which air at a specified pressure is leaked between a smooth glass surface and a paper sample, and the time required for a specified amount of air to seep between these surfaces ( seconds) is the “Bekk smoothness”)

In some embodiments, consumables 1 and 2 are suitable for insertion into a heating zone of a device, such as heating zone 110 of device 100 shown in FIG. 5 , where the device includes consumables 1 and 2 It has a device for causing heating of the aerosolizable material of the consumables (1, 2) when in this heating zone. Once in the heating zone 110, the device of the apparatus causes heating of the aerosolizable material to volatilize at least one component of the aerosolizable material.

In some embodiments, the device is configured to apply thermal energy to the consumables 1, 2, particularly to its aerosolizable material. In some such embodiments, the device includes a resistive heater, which is heated by electrically connecting the resistive heater to an electrical source, and heat energy is transferred from the resistive heater to the consumables 1 and 2.

In some other embodiments, the device may include a magnetic field generator to generate a variable magnetic field for penetrating the heating zone 110 when the consumables 1, 2 are in the heating zone 110, and the consumables 1, 2 heats aerosolizable materials, including heatable heating materials, by penetration of a variable magnetic field. Accordingly, in these embodiments, the device is configured to cause electromagnetic energy to be applied to the heating material of the consumables 1, 2 to generate heat therein, and then heat energy is transferred from the heating material to the aerosolizable material. is approved. In some embodiments, consumables 1, 2 may include heating material partially or fully embedded in aerosolizable material.

In still other embodiments, device 100 has a heatable element comprising a heating material, wherein the heatable element is in thermal contact with a heating zone, and the magnetic field generator heats the heatable element of the device and thereby the heating zone. It is intended to generate a variable magnetic field to penetrate the heatable element in order to cause . Accordingly, thermal energy is applied to any consumables in the heating zone.

In any case, the volatile component(s) of the aerosolizable material may be removed from the aerosolizable material by the user, such as by suctioning through the device's mouthpiece (if provided) or through the consumables 1, 2. ) Go outside.

5, a schematic side view of an example of a system including a consumable and an apparatus for heating an aerosolizable material to volatilize at least one component of the aerosolizable material of the consumable, according to an embodiment of the present invention. A cross-sectional view is shown.

System 1000 includes the consumable 1 of FIGS. 1 and 2 and an apparatus 100 for heating the aerosolizable material to volatilize at least one component of the aerosolizable material of the consumable 1. In other embodiments, the consumable may be replaced with any of the other consumables described herein, such as consumable 2 shown in FIGS. 3-4. In this embodiment, device 100 is a tobacco heating product (also known in the art as a tobacco heating device or heat-not-burn device).

The apparatus comprises a heating zone (110) for receiving the consumables (1, 2) and a device (112) for causing heating of the aerosolizable material when the consumables (1, 2) are in the heating zone (110). do.

Apparatus 100 may define at least one air inlet (not shown) fluidly connecting heating zone 110 with the exterior of apparatus 100 . A user may be able to inhale the volatile component(s) of aerosolizable material by inhaling the volatile component(s) of the aerosolizable material from the heating zone 110. When volatile component(s) are removed from heating zone 110 and consumables 1 and 2, air may be introduced into heating zone 110 through the air inlet(s) of device 100.

In this embodiment, heating zone 110 includes a recess for receiving at least a portion of consumables 1 and 2. In other embodiments, heating zone 110 may be something other than a groove, such as a shelf, surface, or protrusion, and may be in mechanical contact with consumables 1, 2 to cooperate with or receive consumables 1, 2. Combination may be necessary. In this embodiment, the heating zone 110 is elongated and is sized and shaped to accommodate the entire consumables 1 and 2. In other embodiments, heating zone 110 may be dimensioned to accommodate only at least a portion of consumables 1 and 2.

In some cases, during use, substantially all of the amorphous solid is less than about 4 mm, 3 mm, 2 mm, or 1 mm from the heater (i.e., a heatable element or a resistive heater). In some cases, the amorphous solid is disposed about 0.010 mm to 2.0 mm, suitably about 0.02 mm to 1.0 mm, suitably 0.1 mm to 0.5 mm from the heater. These minimum distances may, in some cases, reflect the thickness of the carrier supporting the amorphous solid. In some cases, the surface of the amorphous solid may be in direct contact with the heater.

In some embodiments, device 112 includes a power source, a resistive heater heated by passing electricity therein, and a controller to control the passage of electricity through the resistive heater. The resistive heater is configured to apply thermal energy to the heating zone 110 and thus to the consumables 1 and 2 when they are in the heating zone 110 . The resistive heater may cause thermal energy to be applied to the aerosolizable material 14 of the consumables 1 and 2. In some embodiments, the resistive heater may protrude into the heating zone 110 to be positioned in the passageway 20 of the consumables 1 and 2 when the consumables 1 and 2 are in the heating zone 110 . In some other embodiments, the resistive heater may be positioned radially outward of the consumables 1 and 2 when the consumables 1 and 2 are in the heating zone 110 . For example, a resistive heater may at least partially define heating zone 110 . In some embodiments, the device includes a first resistive heater in the passageway 20 of the consumables 1, 2 when the consumables 1, 2 are in the heating zone 110, and This may include a second resistive heater located radially outside the consumables 1, 2 when in the heating zone 110.

In some embodiments, such as the embodiment shown in FIG. 5 , device 112 includes a magnetic field to generate a variable magnetic field that penetrates heating zone 110 when consumables 1 and 2 are in heating zone 110. Includes generator.

As discussed above, in some embodiments, the consumable includes a heating material for use in heating the aerosolizable material. In these embodiments, the magnetic field generator of the device may be configured to generate a variable magnetic field that penetrates the heating material of the consumables 1, 2 when the consumables 1, 2 are in the heating zone 110.

In other embodiments, such as the embodiment shown in Figure 5, device 112 of apparatus 100 includes a heatable heating element 111, and a magnetic field generator generates a variable magnetic field penetrating heating element 111. It is configured to occur. In some embodiments, the heating element is positioned radially outward of the consumables 1, 2 when the consumables 1, 2 are in the heating zone 110. For example, a heating element may at least partially define heating zone 110 . In other embodiments, such as the embodiment shown in FIG. 5 , heating element 111 protrudes into heating zone 110 . The heating element 111 may be insertable into the passageway 20 of the consumables 1 and 2 during use. In some embodiments, such as the embodiment shown in FIG. 5 , heating element 111 enters passageway 20 while consumables 1 and 2 are inserted into heating zone 110 . In other embodiments, the device is such that the heating element 111 is movable relative to the heating zone 110 so as to protrude into the passageway 20 when the consumables 1, 2 are already positioned in the heating zone 110. , can be configured.

In some embodiments, the heating element 111 of the device has an external cross-sectional shape, and the innermost surfaces 1b, 2b of the hollow tubes 1a, 2a of the consumables 1, 2 are of the heating element 111. It has an internal cross-sectional shape that matches the external cross-sectional shape. For example, the internal and external cross-sectional shapes may be circular, or non-circular, such as oval, polygonal, rectangular, square, triangular, wavy or star-shaped. In some embodiments, the innermost surfaces 1b, 2b of the hollow tubes 1a, 2a of the heating element 111 of the device and the consumables 1, 2 have the innermost surface contact the heating element 111 during use. By being dimensioned relative to each other, the efficiency and effectiveness of heat energy transfer from the heating element 111 to the innermost surface is increased. The innermost surface may fit or fit snugly over the heating element 111.

In this embodiment, the magnetic field generator includes a power source 113, a coil 114, a device 116 for passing a variable current, such as alternating current, through the coil 114, a controller 117, and a controller 117. It includes a user interface 118 for user-operation.

The power source 113 in this embodiment is a rechargeable battery. In other embodiments, power supply 113 may be other than a rechargeable battery, such as a non-rechargeable battery, a capacitor, a battery-capacitor hybrid, or a connection to a main electrical source.

Coil 114 may take any suitable form. In some embodiments, coil 114 is a helical coil of electrically-conductive material, such as copper. In some embodiments, the coil is a flat coil. That is, the coil may be a two-dimensional spiral of electrically conductive material such as copper. In some embodiments, coil 114 surrounds heating zone 110. In some embodiments, coil 114 extends along a longitudinal axis substantially aligned with the longitudinal axis of heating zone 110 . Aligned axes can coincide. Alternatively, the aligned axes may be parallel or oblique to each other.

In this embodiment, device 116 for passing a variable current through coil 114 is electrically connected between power supply 113 and coil 114. In this embodiment, controller 117 is also electrically coupled to power supply 113 and communicatively coupled to device 116 to control the device 116. More specifically, in this embodiment, controller 117 is for controlling device 116 to control the power supply from power source 113 to coil 114. In this embodiment, the controller 117 includes an IC, such as an integrated circuit (IC) on a printed circuit board (PCB). In other embodiments, controller 117 may take different forms. In some embodiments, device 100 may have a single electrical or electronic component including device 116 and controller 117. Controller 117 is operated in this embodiment by user-operation of user interface 118. User interface 118 may include push-buttons, toggle switches, dials, touch screens, etc. In other embodiments, user interface 118 may be remote and connected to the rest of device 100 wirelessly, such as via Bluetooth.

In this embodiment, actuation of user interface 118 by a user causes controller 117 to cause device 116 to pass alternating current through coil 114. This causes coil 114 to generate an alternating magnetic field. The coil 114 and heating zone 110 of the device 100 cause the variable magnetic field generated by the coil 114 to cause the device 100 when the consumables 1, 2, and 3 are placed in the heating zone 110. ) is positioned relative to each other, so as to penetrate the heating element 111 of ). When the heating material of the heating element 111 is electrically conductive, this penetration causes the generation of one or more eddy currents in the heating material. The flow of eddy currents in the heating material against the electrical resistance of the heating material causes the heating material to be heated by Joule heating. When the heating material of the heating element 111 is a magnetic material, the orientation of the magnetic dipoles of the heating material changes with the changing applied magnetic field, which causes heat to be generated in the heating material.

In some embodiments, the consumables 1 and 2 include a heating material, and the coil 114 and heating zone 110 of the device 100 are configured such that the consumables 1 and 2 are located in the heating zone 110. When heated, the variable magnetic field generated by the coil 114 is appropriately positioned relative to each other to penetrate the heating material of the consumables 1 and 2. In some embodiments, device 100 includes heating element 111 , where heating element 111 includes heating material, and consumables 1 and 2 also include heating material. In some such embodiments, the coil 114 and the heating zone 110 of the device 100 are configured to adjust the variable temperature generated by the coil 114 when the consumables 1 and 2 are positioned in the heating zone 110. The magnetic field may be appropriately positioned relative to each other so as to penetrate the heating material of the consumables 1 and 2 and the heating material of the heating element 111 .

The device 100 of this embodiment includes a temperature sensor 119 for sensing the temperature of the heating zone 110. Temperature sensor 119 is communicatively coupled to controller 117 so that controller 117 can monitor the temperature of heating zone 110. Based on one or more signals received from temperature sensor 119, controller 117 can cause device 112 to adjust the characteristics of the variable or alternating current passing through coil 114 as needed, such that It is ensured that the temperature of the heating zone 110 is maintained within a predetermined temperature range. The characteristic may be, for example, amplitude or frequency or duty cycle. Within a predetermined temperature range, during use, the aerosolizable material in the consumable located in the heating zone 110 volatilizes at least one component of the aerosolizable material 14 without combusting the aerosolizable material 14. It is heated enough to Accordingly, the controller, and the apparatus 100 as a whole, are arranged to heat the aerosolizable material to volatilize at least one component of the aerosolizable material without combusting the aerosolizable material. In some embodiments, the temperature range is from about 50°C to about 350°C, such as from about 100°C to about 300°C, or from about 120°C to about 350°C, or from about 140°C to about 250°C, or from about 200°C to about 200°C. It is 270℃. In other embodiments, the temperature range may be outside of one of these ranges. In some embodiments, the upper limit of the temperature range may be greater than 350°C. In some embodiments, the consumable may be non-flammable, for example, in these temperature ranges. In some embodiments, temperature sensor 119 may be omitted.

In some embodiments, the device 112 for causing heating of the aerosolizable material when the consumable is in the heating zone 110, such as by comprising independently controllable heatable elements 111, It is configured to heat the different sections of 110 independently of each other.

In some embodiments, the heating material of the consumables 1 and 2 or the heating material of the heatable heating element 111 of the device 100 is aluminum. However, in other embodiments, the heating material may include one or more materials selected from the group consisting of electrically-conductive materials, magnetic materials, and magneto-electrically-conductive materials. In some embodiments, the heating material may include a metal or metal alloy. In some embodiments, the heating material consists of aluminum, gold, iron, nickel, cobalt, conductive carbon, graphite, steel, plain carbon steel, mild steel, stainless steel, ferritic stainless steel, molybdenum, silicon carbide, copper, and bronze. It may contain one or more materials selected from the group. In other embodiments, other heating material(s) may be used.

In some embodiments, such as those where the heating material includes iron or aluminum, such as steel (e.g., mild steel or stainless steel), the heating material may be coated to help prevent corrosion or oxidation of the heating material during use. . Such coatings may include, for example, nickel plating, gold plating, or coatings of ceramics or inert polymers.

In some embodiments, consumables 1, 2 may include heating material partially or fully embedded in the aerosolizable material of consumables 1, 2. In some embodiments, the aerosolizable material may include a heating material. In some embodiments, the aerosolizable material may be free of heating material.

In some embodiments, the aerosolizable material includes tobacco. However, in other embodiments, the aerosolizable material may consist of tobacco, may consist substantially entirely of tobacco, may include tobacco and aerosolizable materials other than tobacco, or may contain aerosolizable materials other than tobacco. May contain flammable materials or may be tobacco-free. In some embodiments, the aerosolizable material may include a vapor or aerosol former or humectant, such as glycerol, propylene glycol, triacetin, or diethylene glycol.

In some embodiments, the consumable is non-combustible. In some embodiments, the consumable is configured to be non-combustible during use.

In some embodiments, once all or substantially all of the volatile component(s) of the aerosolizable material of the consumables 1, 2 have been consumed, the user may remove the consumables 1, 2 from the heating zone of the device 100. By removing them, the consumables (1, 2) can be discarded. The user can then reuse another of the consumables 1 and 2 in the device 100 . However, in other individual embodiments, device 100 and consumables 1, 2 may be discarded together once the volatile component(s) of the aerosolizable material have been consumed.

In some embodiments, the consumables 1 and 2 are sold, supplied or otherwise provided separately from the device 100 for which the consumables 1 and 2 are usable. However, in some embodiments, device 100 and one or more of consumables 1, 2 may be provided together as a system, such as a kit or assembly, perhaps with additional components such as cleaning tools.

For the avoidance of doubt, where the term "comprising" is used herein to define an invention or features of the present invention, the invention or feature is defined by the terms "comprising" instead of the term "comprising". Embodiments that can be defined using “comprising as an essential component” or “consisting of” are also disclosed. Reference to a material “comprising” certain features means that these features are provided, retained, or maintained in the material.

In order to solve various issues and advance the art, the entirety of this disclosure is directed to a method in which the claimed invention can be practiced and includes heating an aerosolizable material to volatilize at least one component of the aerosolizable material. Various embodiments are shown by way of illustration and example that provide excellent consumables for use in devices, consumables and systems incorporating such devices, and methods of manufacturing hollow tubes for use in or as such consumables. The advantages and features of the present disclosure are merely a representative sample of embodiments and are not limited and/or exclusive. The advantages and features are presented solely to aid in understanding and teach the claimed or otherwise disclosed features. Advantages, embodiments, examples, functions, features, structures, and/or other aspects of the disclosure are not limited to the disclosure as defined by the claims or limitations to their equivalents. They should not be considered as examples, and it should be understood that other embodiments may be utilized and modifications may be made without departing from the scope and/or spirit of the disclosure. Various embodiments may suitably include, consist of, or incorporate as essential elements various combinations of the disclosed elements, components, features, parts, steps, instrumentalities, etc. . This disclosure may include other inventions that are not currently claimed but may be claimed in the future.

Claims (27)

1. A consumable for use in an apparatus for heating an aerosolizable material to volatilize at least one component of the aerosolizable material, comprising:
The consumable product comprises a hollow tube, the hollow tube comprising a wound structure comprising an aerosolizable material, the wound structure being a spiral wound structure. According to claim 1,
A consumable product, wherein the winding structure comprising an aerosolizable material defines at least a portion of a surface of the consumable product. According to clause 2,
A consumable product, wherein the surface is the innermost surface of the consumable product. According to claim 1,
A consumable article, wherein the winding structure comprising aerosolizable material includes pleats, embossing or debossing. According to claim 1,
The consumable article, wherein the winding structure forms a layer of the hollow tube, the hollow tube comprising one or more additional layers. According to clause 5,
The winding structure comprising aerosolizable material includes pleats, embossing or debossing,
The hollow tube is formed by at least one layer of the pleats, embossing or debossing and the one or more additional layers of the structure comprising an aerosolizable material and by the corrugation, embossing or debossing and the at least one layer. A consumable product comprising one or more aerosol flow paths defined therebetween. According to claim 1,
A consumable product, wherein the hollow tube includes a barrier layer defining at least a portion of a surface of the consumable product. According to claim 1,
A consumable product comprising a heating material that can be heated by penetration of a variable magnetic field. According to clause 8,
The consumable product of claim 1, wherein the hollow tube includes a layer containing the heating material. According to clause 8,
The hollow tube includes a barrier layer defining at least a portion of the surface of the consumable,
A consumable article, wherein the layer comprising the heating material is positioned between the barrier layer and the winding structure comprising an aerosolizable material. According to clause 5,
A consumable article, wherein at least one of the one or more additional layers comprises an aerosolizable material. According to claim 11,
The hollow tube includes a layer comprising a heating material, and
The consumable article, wherein the layer comprising the heating material is positioned between the winding structure comprising the aerosolizable material and the at least one additional layer comprising the aerosolizable material. According to clause 5,
A consumable product, wherein at least one of the one or more additional layers comprises a flavoring agent or sensory agent. According to claim 1,
A consumable product, wherein the aerosolizable material of the wound structure comprises an amorphous solid. A system for heating an aerosolizable material to volatilize at least one component of the aerosolizable material, comprising:
Consumables of Article 1; and
a device for heating the aerosolizable material to volatilize at least one component of the aerosolizable material of the consumable;
The system of claim 1, wherein the apparatus includes a heating zone for receiving the consumable, and a device for causing heating of the aerosolizable material when the consumable is in the heating zone. According to claim 15,
The system of claim 1, wherein the device includes a magnetic field generator for generating a variable magnetic field that penetrates the heating zone when the consumable is in the heating zone. 1. A method of manufacturing a hollow tube for use in or as a consumable for use in an apparatus for heating an aerosolizable material to volatilize at least one component of the aerosolizable material, comprising:
winding up the structure comprising the aerosolizable material,
The method of claim 1, wherein the winding step includes spirally winding the structure comprising an aerosolizable material. According to claim 17,
The method of claim 1, wherein the winding step includes winding the structure comprising an aerosolizable material around a mandrel. According to clause 18,
Applying the aerosolizable material to a material using the mandrel to form the structure. According to claim 17,
winding the material while introducing the material from a source, and
Applying the aerosolizable material to the material downstream of the source. According to claim 17,
The winding structure forms a layer of the hollow tube, and
The method includes winding one or more additional layers. According to claim 21,
Wherein at least one of the one or more additional layers comprises a heating material heatable by penetration of a variable magnetic field. According to claim 17,
The method of claim 1, wherein winding the structure comprising an aerosolizable material comprises winding the structure comprising an aerosolizable material to form an innermost surface of the hollow tube. According to claim 17,
The method of claim 1 , wherein the structure comprising the aerosolizable material comprises a carrier consisting of the aerosolizable material, or having the aerosolizable material on its surface or impregnated therein with the aerosolizable material. According to claim 17,
The method of claim 1, wherein the aerosolizable material of the structure comprises an amorphous solid. delete delete