KR20230054878A - flavor glycosides - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention relates to non-combustible aerosol delivery systems and articles for use in non-combustible aerosol delivery systems. The article comprises an aerosol generating segment having at least two portions, the portions comprising a first flavor glycoside in different concentrations.

Description

flavor glycosides

The present invention relates to non-combustible aerosol delivery systems and articles for use in non-combustible aerosol delivery systems.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Smoking articles such as cigarettes, cigars, and the like burn tobacco during use to produce tobacco smoke. Non-combustible aerosol-providing systems are offered as alternatives to these flammable products, typically releasing compounds from an aerosol-generating material by heating rather than burning to create an inhalable aerosol or vapor.

One example of such a system is a heating device that heats a solid aerosolizable material but does not burn it thereby releasing the compounds. This solid aerosolizable material may, in some cases, include tobacco material. Heating volatilizes at least one component of the material, typically forming an inhalable aerosol. Such systems may be referred to as heat-not-burn devices, tobacco heating devices, or tobacco heating products. A variety of different arrangements for volatilizing at least one component of a solid aerosolizable material are known.

It is known to provide flavors to non-flammable aerosol delivery systems. Since derivatized flavors have different volatilization temperatures than free flavors, it is known to provide derivatized flavors, such as flavor glycosides, to alter the flavor release profile.

According to a first aspect of the present invention there is provided an article for use in a non-flammable aerosol-providing system, the article comprising an aerosol-generating segment, the aerosol-generating segment comprising a first flavor glycoside, comprising: comprises at least two portions, and the concentration of the first flavor glycoside differs between the two portions.

A second invention provides a non-combustible aerosol-provisioning system comprising an aerosol-generating segment, the aerosol-generating segment comprising a flavor glycoside, and the aerosol-generating segment comprising at least two parts. and the concentration of flavor glycosides differs between the two parts.

Suitably, the second aspect provides a non-combustible aerosol-dispensing system comprising (i) an article according to the first aspect, and (ii) an aerosol-dispensing device containing the article when in use. do.

Features that have been described herein in connection with one aspect of the invention, and thus in combination with another aspect, are explicitly disclosed to the extent that they are compatible.

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

1 shows a cross-sectional view of an example of an article for use in a non-combustible aerosol delivery system.
Figure 2 shows a perspective view of the article of Figure 1;
3 shows a cross-sectional view of an example of an article for use in a non-combustible aerosol delivery system.
Figure 4 shows a perspective view of the article of Figure 3;
5 shows a perspective view of an example of a non-combustible aerosol delivery system.
6 shows a cross-sectional elevational view of an example of a non-combustible aerosol delivery system.
7 shows a perspective view of an example of a non-combustible aerosol delivery system.

We have found that free flavor (which means underivatized, unencapsulated flavor) typically volatilizes quickly during use of non-flammable aerosol delivery systems, resulting in the flavor being rapidly consumed and product use. It has been found that the distribution may not be evenly distributed throughout. Flavor losses prior to consumption and/or flavor migration through the product have also been observed by the present inventors.

Flavor glycosides have higher volatilization temperatures than equivalent free flavors. The glycosidic bonds are broken upon heating, and only then the flavor is released. The energy input required to break this bond is greater than the energy required to volatilize the glass flavor. Thus, flavor glycosides can be used to alter the flavor release profile and minimize flavor shift or losses.

The inventors have now established that the flavor profile provided by an article for use in a non-flammable aerosol delivery system can be advantageously altered through non-uniform distribution of flavor glycosides within the aerosol generating segment of the article. In some cases, portions of the aerosol-generating material are not initially heated, so that different sections/parts of the aerosol-generating segment are heated to different It can be exposed to thermal profiles. However, the inventors have established that heat bleed between the portions can cause volatilization of the free flavors from the portions before they are directly heated; In contrast, we find that flavor glycosides are directly heated (since glycosidic bonds must be cleaved to release flavor, and sufficient energy to break these bonds is not provided by heat release between segments). It was found that flavor glycosides release only flavor when cooked. Thus, the unequal distribution of glycosides can be used to further control the flavor profile of aerosols generated from such articles.

At least two portions of an aerosol-generating segment may be referred to herein as first and second aerosol-generating portions. "First" and "Second" labels are provided to facilitate reference to individual parts, do not impose any restrictions on the positioning of parts within a segment, and (unless explicitly stated otherwise) when used No order of heating is implied.

In some cases, the concentration of the first flavor glycoside in the second portion of the aerosol-generating segment is less than about 80%, suitably 70%, 60%, 50%, 40%, 30%, 20% or less than 10%. In some cases, a second portion of the at least two portions does not include the first flavor glycoside. In these cases, the flavor glycosides are completely localized within the first portion of the aerosol generating segment. Typically, this first part may be configured for secondary heating in a non-combustible aerosol dispensing system. In some cases, the first portion may be closer to the mouth end of the article than the second portion. In some other cases, the first portion may be farther from the mouth end of the article than the second portion.

In some cases, the first flavor glycoside is a flavor glucoside. In some cases, the first flavor glycoside is biotechnologically produced; For example, the first flavor glycoside is produced enzymatically. In some cases, the first flavor glycoside is a menthol glycoside.

In some cases, the aerosol generating segment comprises an aerosol generating material and at least a portion of the first flavor glycoside is provided on or within the aerosol generating material. In some cases, the aerosol generating segment comprises an aerosol generating material and a wrapper arranged around the aerosol generating material, and at least a portion of the first flavor glycoside is provided on or within the wrapper. Suitably, the wrapper may include paper or a paper-backed foil, such as a paper-aluminum foil laminate. In some cases, the first flavor glycoside may be provided on or within both the wrapper and the aerosol generating material.

In some cases, the aerosol generating segment additionally includes a free flavor. In some such cases, the glass flavor is provided only to the first portion or only to the second portion of the at least two portions, or to the first and second portions. In some cases, the concentration of free flavor in the two portions is substantially the same. In some cases, the free flavor is the same flavor as the glycosylated flavor of the first flavor glycoside. In one specific case, the free flavor is menthol and the first flavor glycoside is a menthol glycoside, such as a menthol glycoside.

Thus, in one particular embodiment, only the second portion of the aerosol generating segment comprises free flavor and only the first portion comprises a first flavor glycoside that is a glycosylated version of the free flavor. The second part is first heated in use; There may be some heat release between the portions, but this is insufficient to liberate flavor from the flavor glycosides in the first portion, so that the first flavor glycosides are not volatilized at this stage. Thus, at this point, all of the flavor present in the first portion is retained in the first portion. Subsequently, the first portion is heated to volatilize the flavor liberated from the flavor glycosides. Thus, such an arrangement can provide sustained flavor delivery and an improved puff profile.

In another particular embodiment, both portions of the aerosol-generating segment include free flavor, and only the first portion includes a first flavor glycoside that is a glycosylated version of the free flavor. In use, the second portion is heated first to volatilize the glass flavor from the second portion, and some heat release between the portions may result in some volatilization of the glass flavor from the first portion. The first flavor glycoside is not volatilized at this stage. Subsequently, the first portion is heated, resulting in volatilization of the remaining free flavor and flavor liberated from the flavor glycosides; In some cases, this can result in two modes of flavor delivery from the first portion, as there is some delay in delivery from the flavor glycoside when the glycosidic bond is cleaved. Thus, such an arrangement can provide sustained flavor delivery and an improved puff profile.

In another specific embodiment, both portions of the aerosol-generating segment include free flavor, both portions include a first flavor glycoside that is a glycosylated version of the free flavor, and the first portion includes a second portion. higher concentrations of the first flavor glycoside. The second part heats up first in use and delivers two peaks in flavor delivery; The first peak corresponds to volatilization of substantially free flavors and the second peak corresponds to flavors liberated from flavor glycosides. Additionally, slight heat release between the portions may result in slight volatilization of the glass flavor from the first portion. The flavor glycosides of the first portion are not volatilized at this stage. The first portion is then heated to volatilize the remaining free flavor and flavor liberated from the flavor glycosides, again providing two peaks in flavor delivery. There is a higher concentration of flavor glycosides in the first portion than in the second portion; This compensates for the losses of glass flavor from the first part caused by heat release. Thus, the total flavor delivery during heating of each of the zones may be approximately the same. Thus, such an arrangement can provide sustained flavor delivery and an improved puff profile.

In some cases, the aerosol generating segment includes a second flavor glycoside that is different from the first flavor glycoside. In some such cases, the second flavor glycoside is provided only to the first portion or only to the second portion of the at least two portions, or is provided to the first and second portions.

In some cases, the aerosol generating segment includes a solid aerosol generating material. Suitably, in these cases, the aerosol generating material may include one or more of a tobacco material, an aerosol former material, an active material and a functional material.

In some cases, an article may include more than two parts, such as three, four, five or six parts. If the concentration of flavor glycoside in the first and second portions is different, the first flavor glycoside may be present in some or all portions.

In some cases, the first portion of the aerosol-generating segment may be closer to the mouth end of the article than the second portion. In some cases, the second portion of the aerosol-generating segment may be closer to the mouth end of the article than the first portion.

In some cases, the first and second portions may have essentially the same volume. In other cases, the first portion may have a larger volume than the second portion, and in further cases, the first portion may have a smaller volume than the second portion.

In some cases, the aerosol-generating article may be rod-shaped, suitably cylindrical. In some cases, the aerosol-generating segment may be rod-shaped, suitably cylindrical. In some cases, the at least two portions may be axially arranged along the length of the aerosol-generating article/segment. For example, the portions may be in the form of coaxial cylinders arranged along the length of the aerosol generating article/segment. In other cases, the parts may be, for example, prismatic sections arranged together to form a cylinder. For example, if there are two parts, they can be semi-cylindrical and can be arranged so that their respective planar faces are in contact.

In some embodiments, an article for use with a non-combustible aerosol providing device may include, in addition to an aerosol generating segment, an aerosol generator (such as a heater), a housing, a filter, a cooling element and/or a mouthpiece. there is. One or more of these additional components may have additional flavor glycosides. In particular, in some cases, an article (which may alternatively be referred to herein as a consumable) may also include an aerosol generator, such as a heater, that emits heat to cause the aerosol-generating material to produce an aerosol upon use. The heater may include, for example, a combustible material, a material capable of being heated by electrical conduction, or a susceptor. A cooling element, if present, may be provided with the mouthpiece and may act or function to cool the gas or aerosol components. In some cases, it may act to cool gas components such that they condense to form an aerosol. This may also serve to keep very hot parts of the device away from the user. The filter, if any, may include any suitable filter known in the art, such as a cellulose acetate plug.

The article may further include ventilation apertures. These may be provided on the side walls of the article. In some cases, ventilation apertures may be provided in the filter and/or cooling element. Such apertures, in use, can allow cool air to be drawn into the article, which can mix with the heated volatilized components to cool the aerosol.

Aeration enhances the production of visible heat volatilized components from the article as the article is heated in use. By the process of cooling the heated volatilized components so that supersaturation of the heated volatilized components occurs, the heated volatilized components become visible. The heat volatilized components then undergo droplet formation otherwise known as nucleation, eventually by further condensation of the heat volatilized components and solidification of the newly formed droplets from the heat volatilized components. The size of their aerosol particles increases.

In some cases, the ratio of cool air to the sum of heated volatilized components and cool air, known as the aeration ratio, is at least 15%. An aeration rate of 15% enables the heated volatilized components to become visible by the method described above. Visibility of the heated volatilized components enables the user to identify that the volatilized components are produced and adds to the sensory experience of the smoking experience.

In another example, the aeration rate is between 50% and 85% to provide additional cooling to the heated volatilized components. In some cases, the aeration rate may be at least 60% or 65%.

The non-combustible aerosol providing system may include an aerosol generator, such as a heater. In some cases, the heater is configured to, in use, heat the aerosol generating segment to form an aerosol, and the system provides a different thermal profile to a first portion and a second portion of the at least two portions. In some such cases, the system can be configured such that heating of the first portion of the aerosol-generating segment is initiated after heating of the second portion. Suitably, the system may include at least two heaters, the heaters being arranged to respectively heat different portions of the aerosol-generating segment.

In accordance with the present disclosure, a “non-combustible” aerosol-delivery system is one in which an aerosol-generating material that is a component of the aerosol-delivery system (or components thereof) is combusted or burned to facilitate delivery of at least one substance to a user. it does not support In some embodiments, the non-combustible aerosol providing system is an aerosol-generating material heating system, also known as a non-combustion heating system. An example of such a system is a tobacco heating system.

Typically, a non-combustible aerosol-providing system may include a non-combustible aerosol-providing device and an article for use with the non-combustible aerosol-providing device (which may also be referred to herein as a consumable).

In some implementations, a non-combustible aerosol-providing system, such as a non-combustible aerosol-providing device thereof, can include a power source and a controller. The power source may be an electric power source or an exothermic power source. In some implementations, the heating power source can include a carbon substrate that can be energized to distribute power in the form of heat to an aerosol generating material or heat transfer material proximate to the heating power source.

In some embodiments, a non-combustible aerosol delivery system can include an area for containing consumables, an aerosol generator (eg, heater), an aerosol-generating area, a housing, a mouthpiece and/or a filter.

The heater is configured to heat but not burn the aerosol-generating segment. In some cases, the heater may heat the aerosol-generating segment from 120° C. to 350° C. in use but not burn it. In some cases, the heater may heat the aerosol-generating segment to between 140°C and 250°C in use but not burn it.

As mentioned above, in some cases the system may include at least two heaters. In some such cases, the heaters are arranged to respectively heat the first and second portions of the aerosol-generating segment. In some cases, the aerosol-generating segment may include more than two parts, and the system may include additional heaters, each of which is arranged to directly heat one or more parts of the aerosol-generating segment. .

In some cases, the system can be configured such that at least any section of the aerosol-generating segment is exposed to a temperature of at least 180°C or 200°C for at least 50% of the heating period. In some examples, the aerosol-generating segment can be exposed to a thermal profile as described in WO2018/019855, the contents of which are incorporated herein in their entirety.

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

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

The heater may in some cases be a thin film electrical resistance heater. In other cases, the heater may include an induction heater or the like (and the susceptor may be an item or device of the system). The heater may be a combustible heat source or a chemical heat source that undergoes an exothermic reaction to produce during use. If more than one heater is present, each heater may be the same or different.

Generally, the heater or each heater is powered by a battery which may be a rechargeable battery or a non-rechargeable battery. Examples of suitable batteries include, for example, lithium-ion batteries, nickel batteries (eg, nickel-cadmium batteries), alkaline batteries, and the like. A battery is electrically coupled to the heater to supply power when required to heat the aerosol-generating segment (to volatilize components of the aerosol-generating material within the aerosol-generating segment without burning the aerosol-generating material).

In one example, the heater is generally in the form of a hollow cylindrical tube having a hollow internal heating chamber into which an aerosol generating segment is inserted for heating in use. Different arrangements for the heater are possible. For example, the heater may be formed as a single heater, or may be formed of a plurality of heaters aligned along a longitudinal axis of the heater. (For simplicity, references herein to a “heater” shall be taken to include a plurality of heaters, unless the context requires otherwise.) The heater may be annular or tubular. The heater may be dimensioned such that when inserted, substantially all of the aerosol-generating segments are positioned within the heater's heating element(s) such that substantially all of the aerosol-generating segments are heated in use. The heaters may be arranged such that selected zones of the aerosol-generating segments may be heated independently, eg sequentially (sequentially) or together (simultaneously) as desired.

The heater may be surrounded by insulation along at least a portion of its length, which helps reduce heat transferred from the heater to the exterior of the aerosol-generating assembly. This helps keep power requirements for the heater low, as the heater generally reduces heat losses. Insulation also helps keep the exterior of the aerosol-generating assembly cool during operation of the heater.

Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2 , partial cut-away cross-sectional and perspective views of an example of an article 101 for use in a non-combustible aerosol delivery system are shown. Article 101 is configured for use with a device having a power source and heater. The article 101 of this embodiment is particularly suitable for use with the device 51 shown in FIGS. 5-7 described below. In use, article 101 can be removably inserted into the device shown in FIG. 5 at insertion point 20 of device 51 .

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

The aerosol generating segment has two parts 103a, 103b. In one example, the first section 103a (closer to the proximal end 113 of the article 101) contains a first flavor glycoside, and the second section 103b (the distal end of the article 101 ( Closer to 115) does not contain the first flavor glycoside. In some cases, both sections can include a first flavor glycoside if the concentration of flavor glycoside in each section is different. In some cases, either or each section of sections 103a, 103b may include a free flavor corresponding to a flavor glycoside. In some cases, either or each section of sections 103a, 103b may include an aerosol generating material, and flavors and/or flavor glycosides may be retained on or within the aerosol generating material. . When used in the device illustrated in FIG. 5 , the second section 103b may be heated before the first section 103a. In some cases, the two sections 103a , 103b of the aerosol-generating segment may be joined together by an annular tipping paper (not shown) positioned substantially around the circumferential segment 103 .

In one example, the aerosol generating segment 103 is between 34 mm and 50 mm long, suitably between 38 mm and 46 mm long, suitably between 42 mm long.

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

The axial end of the aerosol-generating segment 103 is visible at the distal end 115 of the article 101 . However, in other embodiments, the distal end 115 of the article 101 may include an end member (not shown) covering the axial end of the aerosol-generating segment 103 . In some cases, the end member may be part of a wrapper described herein.

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

In one example, the cooling segment 107 is an annular tube and is positioned around the cooling segment and defines an air gap within the cooling segment. The air gap provides a chamber for the flow of heated volatilized components generated from the aerosol-generating segment 103 . Cooling segment 107 is hollow to provide a chamber for aerosol accumulation, but is sufficiently rigid to withstand axial compressive forces and bending moments that may occur during use of article 101 during manufacture and during insertion into device 51 . am. In one example, the thickness of the wall of the cooling segment 107 is approximately 0.29 mm.

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

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

The cooling segment 107 is made of paper, which means that the cooling segment 107 comprises a material that does not produce compounds of interest, such as toxic compounds, when in use near the heater of the device 51 . In one example, the cooling segment 107 is fabricated from a spirally wound paper tube that provides a hollow internal chamber but retains mechanical rigidity. Spiral wound paper tubes can meet the stringent dimensional accuracy requirements of high speed manufacturing processes with respect to tube length, outer diameter, roundness and straightness.

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

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

In some implementations, a capsule (not illustrated) may be provided in filter segment 109 . The capsule may be substantially centered in the filter segment 109 both across the diameter of the filter segment 109 and along the length of the filter segment 109 . In other cases, it may be offset in one or more dimensions. Capsules may in some cases contain volatile ingredients, such as flavoring agents or aerosol generating agents, if present.

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

In one example, the filter segment 109 is made of 8Y15 grade filter tow material, which provides a filtering effect on the heated volatilized material while also reducing the size of condensed aerosol droplets resulting from the heated volatilized material. let it

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

In one example, the filter segment 109 is between 6 mm and 10 mm in length, suitably 8 mm.

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

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

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

In one example, mouth end segment 111 and cooling segment 107 may be formed from a single tube, and filter segment 109 positioned within that tube to separate mouth end segment 111 and cooling segment 107. It should be recognized that

Referring to FIGS. 3 and 4 , partially cut away cross-sectional and perspective views of an example of an article 301 are shown. Reference numerals shown in FIGS. 3 and 4 are equivalent to those shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 , but in increments of 200 .

In the example of article 301 shown in FIGS. 3 and 4 , a ventilation zone 317 is provided in article 301 to allow air to flow from the exterior of article 301 to the interior of article 301 . Provided. In one example, vent region 317 takes the form of one or more vent holes 317 formed through the outer layer of article 301 . Vent holes may be located in the cooling segment 307 to aid in cooling the article 301 . In one example, vent region 317 includes one or more rows of holes, preferably each row of holes circumferentially around article 301 in a cross-section substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of article 301. arranged in the direction

In one example, there are 1 to 4 rows of vent holes to provide ventilation to the article 301 . Each row of vent holes may have 12 to 36 vent holes 317 . The ventilation holes 317 may be, for example, 100 to 500 μm in diameter. In one example, the axial separation between rows of vent holes 317 is between 0.25 mm and 0.75 mm, suitably 0.5 mm.

In one example, the vent holes 317 are uniformly sized. In another example, the vent holes 317 vary in size. Vent holes can be made by any suitable technique, such as the following techniques: pre-perforation of the cooling segment 307 before it is formed into the article 301, mechanical drilling of the cooling segment 307, or using one or more of laser techniques. Vent holes 317 are positioned to provide effective cooling to article 301 .

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

Providing rows of vent holes between 17 mm and 20 mm from the proximal end 313 of the article 301 ensures that the article 301 is completely within the device 51 , as can be seen from FIGS. 6 and 7 . When inserted, allows the vent holes 317 to be located outside the device 51 . By positioning the vent holes outside the device, unheated air can enter the article 301 from outside the device 51 through the vent holes to help cool the article 301 .

The length of the cooling segment 307 is such that when the article 301 is fully inserted into the device 51 , the cooling segment 307 will be partially inserted into the device 51 . The length of the cooling segment 307 has a primary function of providing a physical gap between the heater arrangement of the device 51 and the heat sensitive filter arrangement 309, and when the article 301 is fully inserted into the device 51. It provides a second function to allow the ventilation holes 317 to be located in the cooling segment and at the same time to be located outside the device 51 . As can be seen from FIGS. 7 and 8 , most of the cooling element 307 is located within the device 51 . However, there is a portion of the cooling element 307 that extends out of the device 51 . It is this part of the cooling element 307 that extends out of the device 51 where the vent holes 317 are located.

Referring now to FIGS. 5-7 in more detail, an example of a device 51 arranged to heat an aerosol-generating segment to volatilize at least one component of the aerosol-generating segment to form an aerosol that can typically be inhaled is provided. is shown Device 51 is a heating device that releases compounds by heating but not burning the aerosol generating segment.

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

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

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

The top panel 17 of the device 51 has an opening 20 at the mouth end 53 of the device 51 through which, when in use, the article 101 , 301 comprising the aerosol-generating segment is directed to the user. can be inserted into the device 51 and removed from the device 51 by

The housing 59 locates or fixes the heater arrangement 23, control circuitry 25 and power source 27 therein. In this example, heater arrangement 23, control circuit 25, and power source 27 are laterally adjacent (i.e., viewed from the end), and control circuit 25 is generally heater arrangement 23. and power supply 27, but other locations are possible.

Control circuitry 25 may include a controller, such as a microprocessor arrangement, constructed and arranged to control heating of the aerosol-generating segments within articles 101 , 301 as discussed further below.

Power source 27 may be a battery, which may be, for example, a rechargeable battery or a non-rechargeable battery. Examples of suitable batteries include, for example, lithium-ion batteries, nickel batteries (eg, nickel-cadmium batteries), alkaline batteries, and the like. Battery 27 is coupled to control circuitry 25 to, when needed, and to heat the aerosol-generating segment within the article (to volatilize the aerosol-generating material in the aerosol-generating segment without burning the aerosol-generating material, as discussed). electrically coupled to the heater arrangement 23 to supply power under the control of

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

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

The heater arrangement 23 can be programmed to provide a different thermal profile to the respective portions 103a, 103b, 303a, 303b of the aerosol generating segment.

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

The heating element or individual heating elements may be arranged such that selected zones of the aerosol-generating segment may be heated independently, eg sequentially (over time, as discussed above) or together (simultaneously) as desired.

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

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

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

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

In operation, article 101 , 301 is removably inserted into insertion point 20 of device 51 , as shown in FIGS. 5-7 . Referring in particular to FIG. 6 , in one example, the aerosol-generating segment 103 , 303 is positioned towards the distal end 115 , 315 of the article 101 , 301 and is generally a heater arrangement 23 of the device 51 . ) is accepted within Proximal ends 113, 313 of articles 101, 301 extend from device 51 and serve as mouthpiece assemblies for the user.

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

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

In the examples of article 301 shown in FIGS. 4 and 5 , cool air may enter the cooling segment 307 through vent holes 317 formed in the cooling segment 307 . This cold air will mix with the heated volatilized components to provide additional cooling to the heated volatilized components.

definitions

As used herein, the terms “flavour” and “flavourant” refer to a taste, aroma desired in a product for adult consumers, when permitted by local regulations. ) or materials that can be used to create other somatosensory sensations. These include naturally occurring flavor ingredients, botanicals, extracts of botanicals, synthetically obtained materials, or combinations thereof (e.g., tobacco, cannabis, licorice, hydrangea, eugenol ( eugenol), Japanese white bark magnolia leaf, chamomile, fenugreek, clove, maple, matcha green tea, menthol, Japanese mint, anise seed, cinnamon, turmeric, Indian spices, Asian spices, herbs, wintergreen (wintergreen), cherry, berry, red berry, cranberry, peach, apple, orange, mango, clementine, lemon, lime, tropical fruit, papaya, rhubarb, grape, durian, dragon fruit, cucumber, blueberry, mulberry , citrus, Drambuie, bourbon, scotch, whiskey, gin, tequila, rum, spearmint, mint, lavender, aloe vera, cardamom ), celery, cascarilla, nutmeg, sandalwood oil, bergamot, geranium, khat, naswar, betel nut, hookah, pine, honey essence, rose oil, Vanilla, lemon oil, orange oil, orange blossom, cherry blossom, cassia, caraway, cognac, jasmine, ylang-ylang, sage, fennel, wasabi, piment, ginger , coriander, coffee, hemp, mint oil from any species of the genus Menta, eucalyptus, star anise, cocoa, lemongrass, rooibos, flax, ginkgo, hazelnut, hibiscus (hibiscus), bay, 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, beefsteak plant, turmeric, coriander, myrtle, cassis, valerian valerian, pimento, mace, damien, 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 fields, such as charcoal, chlorophyll, minerals, herbal medicines, or breath fresheners. These may be imitation, synthetic or natural ingredients or blends thereof. They may be in any suitable form, such as liquids such as oils, solids such as powders, or gases.

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 redberry. In some embodiments, the flavor includes eugenol. In some embodiments, the flavor comprises flavor components extracted from tobacco. In some embodiments, the flavor includes flavor components extracted from cannabis.

In some embodiments, the flavor is a sensate intended to achieve a somatic sensation that is generally chemically induced and perceived by stimulation of the 5th cranial nerve (trigeminal nerve) in addition to or instead of the smell or taste nerves. ), which may include agents that provide a warming, cooling, tingling, or numbing effect. A suitable warming agent may be, but is not limited to, vanillyl ethyl ether, and a suitable warming agent may be, but is not limited to, Eucolyptol or WS-3.

As used herein, the term "aerosol-generating material" refers to a material capable of generating an aerosol, such as when energized, irradiated, or heated in any other way. The aerosol generating material may, for example, be in solid form and may include one or more active substances and/or flavors, tobacco material, one or more aerosol former materials, and optionally one or more other functional materials.

As used herein, the term “active material” may be a physiologically active material, which is a material intended to achieve or enhance a physiological response. The active substance may be selected from, for example, nutraceuticals, nootropics, and psychoactives. The active substance may be naturally occurring or may be obtained synthetically. The active substance may include, for example, nicotine, caffeine, taurine, thein, vitamins such as B6 or B12 or C, melatonin, or constituents, derivatives, or combinations thereof. The active substance may include one or more constituents, derivatives or extracts of tobacco or other herbal medicines. In some embodiments, the additional active substance includes nicotine. In some embodiments, additional active substances include caffeine, melatonin or vitamin B12.

As referred to herein, the active substance may include one or more constituents, derivatives or extracts of cannabis, such as one or more cannabinoids or terpenes.

As referred to herein, the active substance may include or be derived from one or more botanical herbal medicines or constituents, derivatives or extracts thereof. As used herein, the term herbal medicine includes extracts, leaves, bark, fibers, stems, roots, seeds, flowers, fruits, pollen, husk, bark. any material derived from plants including, but not limited to, shells and the like. Alternatively, the material may contain active compounds or flavoring agents naturally present in herbal medicines obtained synthetically. This material may be in the form of a liquid, gas, solid, powder, dust, comminuted particles, granules, pellets, shreds, strips, sheets, and the like. Examples of herbal medicines are tobacco, eucalyptus, star anise, hemp, cocoa, cannabis, fennel, lemongrass, peppermint, spearmint, rooibos, chamomile, flax, ginger , ginkgo biloba, hazel, hibiscus, laurel, licorice (liquorice), matcha, mate, orange skin, papaya , rose, sage, tea (eg green or black tea), thyme, cloves, cinnamon, coffee, aniseed (anise), basil, bay leaves ), cardamom, coriander, cumin, nutmeg, oregano, paprika, rosemary, saffron, lavender, lemon peel, mint, juniper, elderflower ), vanilla, wintergreen, beefsteak plant, curcuma, turmeric, sandalwood, cilantro, bergamot, orange blossom, myrtle, cassis, valerian, pimento, mace, damien, marjoram, olive, lemon balm, lemon Basil, chive, carvi, verbena, tarragon, geranium, mulberry, ginseng, theanine, theacrine, maca, ashwagandha, damiana, guarana, chlorophyll, baobab or any combination thereof. Mint can be selected from the following mint varieties: Mentha arvensis, Mentha c.v., Mentha niliaca, Mentha piperita, Mentha piperita citrata. c.v. (Mentha piperita citrata c.v.), Mentha piperita c.v., Mentha spicata crispa, Mentha cordifolia, Mentha longifolia, Mentha suar blends Mentha suaveolens variegata, Mentha pulegium, Mentha spicata c.v. and Mentha suaveolens.

In some embodiments, the active substance comprises or is derived from one or more herbal medicines or constituents, derivatives or extracts thereof, and the herbal medicine is tobacco.

In some embodiments, the active substance comprises or is derived from one or more herbal medicines or components, derivatives or extracts thereof, wherein the herbal medicine is selected from eucalyptus, star anise, cocoa and hemp.

In some embodiments, the active substance comprises or is derived from one or more herbal medicines or constituents, derivatives or extracts thereof, wherein the herbal medicine is selected from rooibos and fennel.

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

The tobacco used to make the tobacco material may be any suitable tobacco, such as single grades or blends, cut filler or whole leaf, including Virginia and/or Burley and/or Oriental. It can also be tobacco particle 'fines' or powder, puffed tobacco, stems, puffed stems, and other engineered stem materials, such as rolled stems. The tobacco material may be pulverized tobacco or reconstituted tobacco material. The reconstituted tobacco material may include tobacco fibers and may be formed by casting, i.e., a Fourdrinier-based paper-type approach in which tobacco extract is added back, or by extrusion.

As used herein, the term "aerosol former material" refers to one or more components capable of forming an aerosol. In some embodiments, the aerosol former material is glycerin, glycerol, propylene glycol, diethylene glycol, triethylene glycol, tetraethylene glycol, 1,3-butylene glycol, erythritol, meso-erythritol, ethyl vanillaate, One of ethyl laurate, diethyl suberate, triethyl citrate, triacetin, diacetin mixture, benzyl benzoate, benzyl phenyl acetate, tributyrin, lauryl acetate, lauric acid, myristic acid, and propylene carbonate may contain more than

As used herein, the term "functional materials" may refer to pH modifiers, colorants, preservatives, binders, fillers, stabilizers, and/or antioxidants.

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

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

Claims (18)

An article for use in a non-flammable aerosol-provisioning system, the article comprising an aerosol-generating segment, the aerosol-generating segment comprising a first flavor glycoside, the aerosol-generating segment comprising at least two parts; wherein the concentration of the first flavor glycoside is different between the two portions. 2. The article of claim 1, wherein a second portion of the at least two portions does not comprise the first flavor glycoside. 3. The article of claim 1 or 2, wherein the first flavor glycoside is a flavor glycoside. 4. An article according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the first flavor glycoside is produced biotechnologically, preferably enzymatically. 5. The article according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the aerosol generating segment comprises an aerosol generating material and at least a portion of the first flavor glycoside is provided on or within the aerosol generating material. . 6. The method of any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the aerosol-generating segment comprises an aerosol-generating material and a wrapper arranged around the aerosol-generating material, wherein at least a portion of the first flavor glycoside is on the wrapper. An article provided on or within the wrapper. 7. The article according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the aerosol-generating segment additionally comprises a free flavor. 8. The article of claim 7, wherein the free flavor is provided only to the first portion or only to the second portion of the at least two portions, or to the first portion and the second portion. 9. The article of claim 7 or 8, wherein the free flavor is the same flavor as the glycosylated flavor in the first flavor glycoside. 10. The article of any of claims 1-9, wherein the aerosol-generating segment comprises a second flavor glycoside that is different from the first flavor glycoside. 11. The article of claim 10, wherein the first flavor glycoside is provided only in the first portion of the aerosol generating segment and the second flavor glycoside is provided only in the second portion of the aerosol generating segment. 12. An article according to any preceding claim, wherein the aerosol-generating segment comprises a solid aerosol-generating material. 13. The article of claim 12, wherein the aerosol generating material comprises one or more of a tobacco material, an aerosol former material, an active material and a functional material. A non-flammable aerosol-provisioning system comprising an aerosol-generating segment, the aerosol-generating segment comprising a flavor glycoside, the aerosol-generating segment comprising at least two parts, wherein the concentration of the flavor glycoside is A non-combustible aerosol dispensing system that differs between two parts. 15. A non-combustible aerosol delivery system according to claim 14, comprising (i) an article according to any one of claims 1 to 13, and (ii) an aerosol delivery device containing the article when in use. . 16. The system of claim 14 or 15, wherein the system comprises a heater configured to heat the aerosol-generating segment in use to form an aerosol, the system comprising a first portion and a second portion of the at least two portions. A non-combustible aerosol dispensing system that provides different thermal profiles. 17. The non-combustible aerosol dispensing system of claim 16, wherein heating of the first portion of the aerosol-generating segment is configured to initiate after heating of the second portion. 18. A non-combustible aerosol dispensing system according to claim 16 or 17, comprising at least two heaters, the heaters being arranged to respectively heat different portions of the aerosol-generating segment.

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