TWI828785B - Smoking substitute consumable, smoking substitute article, smoking substitute system, and method of using the smoking substitute system - Google Patents

Abstract

The present disclosure provides a smoking substitute article (e.g. a HNB consumable) which comprises solely biodegradable components. It may be formed solely of one or more materials selected from biodegradable paper/cardboard, plant material or biodegradable plastics material.

Description

Smoking substitute consumables, smoking substitute products, smoking substitute systems and use of smoking Alternative system approach

The present disclosure relates to consumables for use in alternative smoking systems, and in particular (but not exclusively) to heat-not-burn (HNB) consumables.

It is generally believed that smoking tobacco exposes smokers to potentially harmful substances. It is generally believed that a large number of potentially harmful substances are produced by the heat caused by the combustion and/or ignition of burning tobacco components in tobacco and the tobacco smoke itself.

Conventional combustible smoking articles (such as cigarettes) generally include a cylindrical tobacco rod and usually also include a cylindrical filter. The cylindrical tobacco rod includes shredded tobacco surrounded by a wrapper, and the filter is formed with the wrapped tobacco rod. axially aligned in adjacent relationship. Filters generally include filter material enclosed by a plug. The wrapped tobacco rod and filter are joined together by a wrapped tipping tape that encompasses the entire length of the filter and adjacent portions of the wrapped tobacco rod. Such conventional cigarettes are used by lighting the end opposite the filter and burning the tobacco rod. Smokers receive mainstream smoke into their mouths by puffing on the mouth end or filter end of a cigarette.

The ignition of organic materials, such as tobacco, is known to produce tar and other potentially harmful by-products. Various smoking alternative systems (or "alternative smoking systems") have been proposed to avoid smoking tobacco.

Such smoking replacement systems could form part of nicotine replacement therapy for people who wish to stop smoking and overcome their dependence on nicotine.

Smoking alternative systems include electronic systems that allow users to simulate the action of smoking by generating smoke (also called "vapor") that is drawn into the lungs through the mouth (inhalation) and then exhaled. Inhaled smoke typically contains nicotine and/or flavoring, which has none or fewer of the odors and health risks associated with traditional smoking.

Generally speaking, smoking alternative systems aim to provide an alternative to the smoking ritual while providing a similar experience to users and providing satisfaction to those who have experience with traditional smoking and combustible tobacco products. Some smoking alternative systems use a smoking alternative article that is designed to resemble a traditional cigarette and is cylindrical in form with a mouthpiece at one end.

Over the past few years, the popularity and use of smoking replacement systems has grown rapidly. Although originally marketed as an aid to assist habitual smokers who wish to quit smoking tobacco, consumers are increasingly viewing smoking replacement systems as desirable lifestyle accessories.

There are many different categories of smoking replacement systems, each utilizing different smoking replacement methods.

One method used in alternative smoking systems is the so-called "heat not burn" ("HNB") method, in which tobacco (rather than "electricity") is Sub-liquid") is heated or warmed to release vapor. The tobacco may be tobacco leaves or reconstituted tobacco. The vapor may contain nicotine and/or flavorings. In the HNB method, the intention is that the tobacco is heated but not burned, ie the tobacco does not undergo ignition.

A typical HNB smoking replacement system may include equipment and consumables. Consumables may include tobacco materials. Equipment and consumables can be configured to be physically coupled together. In use, heat may be imparted to the tobacco material by heating means of the device, wherein the flow of air through the tobacco material causes moisture in the tobacco material to be released as vapor. The vapor may also be formed from a carrier in the tobacco material and additional volatile compounds released from the tobacco (the carrier may include, for example, propylene glycol and/or vegetable glycerin). The released vapor can become entrained in the air flow drawn through the tobacco.

As the vapor passes through the filament (entrained in the air flow) from the inlet to the mouthpiece (outlet), the vapor cools and condenses to form aerosol for inhalation by the user. Smoke will typically contain volatile compounds.

In the HNB smoking alternative system, it is believed that heating rather than burning the tobacco material results in fewer or smaller amounts of the more harmful compounds typically produced during smoking. Thus, the HNB approach can reduce odor and/or health risks that may be caused by combustion, ignition, and pyrolytic degradation of tobacco.

Improvements in the design of HNB consumables are needed to enhance the user experience and improve the functionality of HNB smoking replacement systems.

This disclosure has been designed with the above considerations in mind.

In the broadest sense, the present disclosure relates to an aerosol-forming article (eg, a smoking alternative article, such as a HNB consumable) that is disposable in a more environmentally friendly manner.

According to a first aspect, there is provided an aerosol-forming article (eg, a smoking alternative article, such as an HNB consumable), the aerosol-forming article comprising only biodegradable materials.

The inventors have discovered that existing aerosol-forming articles, such as existing HNB consumables, contain at least one component that is not biodegradable or not readily biodegradable, and is therefore difficult to dispose of in an environmentally friendly manner. For example, aerosol-forming articles may include non-biodegradable plastic materials, non-biodegradable ink, non-biodegradable paper (due to the presence of non-biodegradable components in the paper, such as inorganic fillers), non-biodegradable Adhesives (due to the presence of non-biodegradable polymers in adhesives), and other non-biodegradable components must be disposed of through traditional, non-environmentally friendly means (such as landfills) handle.

In providing fully biodegradable aerosol-forming articles, it is promoted to dispose of the aerosol-forming articles after use by alternative, more environmentally friendly means (such as by composting).

As used herein, the term "biodegradable" has its ordinary meaning, indicating materials capable of being degraded or broken down by bacteria, fungi, or other living organisms. Standard cellulose acetate tow filters used in aerosol-forming articles such as cigarettes and HNB consumables have a degree of acetyl substitution (DS) of 2.5, which provides good solubility in common solvents, good molecular weight, and good melting nature. However, this type of cellulose acetate is The filter fiber bundles are not readily biodegradable and require a long time to achieve uniform partial disintegration under natural composting conditions. Cellulose acetate is not considered "readily biodegradable" in the context of this invention. In some embodiments, the term "readily biodegradable" refers to a material that is biodegradable at 46 Degrade at least 30 weight percent after days, such as at least 35 weight percent degradation, at least 40 weight percent degradation, at least 45 weight percent degradation, or at least 50 weight percent degradation. According to the ISO 11734 standard ("Assessment of Several Test Methods for the Determination of the Anaerobic Biodegradability of Polymers" by Gartiser et al., J. Polymer Environ, Vol. 6, No. 3, pp. 159-173, 1998), cellulose acetate Cellulose acetate fibers of the type used in plain tow filters (DS=2.45) degraded by 27 weight percent after 46 days.

The optional features are now listed. These features are applicable individually or in any combination with any aspect.

The aerosol-forming article is preferably a heat not burn (HNB) consumable.

The aerosol-forming article preferably includes an aerosol-forming substrate.

The aerosol-forming substrate can be heated to release at least one volatile compound that can form aerosol. The aerosol-forming substrate may be located at the upstream end of the article/consumable.

As used herein, the terms "upstream" and "downstream" are intended to refer to the direction of flow of vapor/smoke, i.e. the downstream end of the article/consumable is the oral end where the smoke leaves the article/consumable for inhalation by the user or Flow direction in case of outlet. The upstream end of the article/consumable is the opposite end of the downstream end.

To generate aerosol, the aerosol-forming substrate includes at least one volatile compound that is intended to be vaporized/aerosolized and that can provide recreational and/or medical benefits to the user when inhaled. Suitable chemically and/or physiologically active volatile compounds include the group consisting of: nicotine, cocaine, caffeine, opium and opiates, norpseudoephedrine and cathinones, kava lactones , myristyl ether, beta-carboline alkaloids, salvinorin A, and any combination, functional equivalent, and/or synthetic substitute of the foregoing items.

The aerosol-forming substrate may include plant material. The plant material may include at least one plant material selected from the list including: Amaranthus dubius, Arctostaphylos uva-ursi (bearberry), Argemone mexicana , Amica , Artemisia vulgaris , Yellow Tees, Galea zacatechichi , Canavalia maritima (convalylola) , Cecropia mexicana (Guamura), Cestrum noctumum , Cynoglossum virginianum (Cynoglossum virginianum), Cytisus scoparius , Damiana , Entada rheedii , Eschscholzia califomica (Flowers), Fittonia albivenis , Hippobroma longiflora , Humulus japonica (Japanese hops), Humulus lupulus (Hops), Lactuca virosa (Poisonous Lettuce), Laggera alata , Leonotis leonurus , Leonurus cardiaca (Leonurus), Leonurus sibiricus (Honeyweed), Lobelia cardinalis , Lobelia inflata (Indian tobacco), Lobelia siphilitica , Nepeta cataria (False Nepeta), Nicotiana species (Tobacco), Nymphaea alba (White Lily), Nymphaea caerulea (Blue Lily), Poppy, Passiflora incamata (Passion Flower), Pedicularis densiflora (Indian Warrior), Pedicularis groenlandica (Elephant Head), Salvia divinorum , Salvia dorrii (tobacco sage), Salvia species (sage), Scutellaria galericulata , Scutellaria lateriflora , Scutellaria nana , Scutellaria species (head grass), Sida acuta (wire grass), Sida rhombifolia , Silene capensis , Syzygium aromaticum (clove ), Tagetes lucida (Mexican tarragon), Tarchonanthus camphoratus , Tumera diffusa (Mexican beet), Verbascum (mullein), Zamia latifolia (Maconha Brava), and any combinations, functional equivalents, and /or synthetic alternatives.

Preferably, the plant material is tobacco. Any type of tobacco can be used. This includes, but is not limited to, flue-cured, burley, Maryland, dark-cured, oriental, dark-cured, perique (perique) Tobacco, and Nicotiana tabacum. This also includes mixtures of the tobaccos mentioned above.

Any suitable part of the tobacco plant may be used. This includes leaves, stems, roots, bark, seeds and flowers.

Tobacco may include one or more of the following: leaf tobacco, stem tobacco, tobacco powder, tobacco dust, tobacco derivatives, expanded tobacco, homogenized tobacco, chopped tobacco, extruded tobacco, cut tobacco, and/or reconstituted tobacco Tobacco (e.g. pulp reconstitution or paper reconstitution).

The aerosol-forming substrate may comprise aggregated sheets of homogeneous (eg paper/pulp composite) tobacco or aggregated fragments/strands formed from such sheets.

In some embodiments, the sheet used to form the aerosol-forming substrate has a grammage per square meter greater than or equal to 100 g/m ² , such as greater than or equal to 110 g/m ² , such as greater than or equal to 120 g/m ² .

The sheet may have a grammage per square meter of less than or equal to 300 g/m ² , such as less than or equal to 250 g/m ² or less than or equal to 200 g/m ² .

The sheet may have a grammage per square meter between 120 and 190 g/ ^m2 .

The aerosol-forming substrate may comprise at least 50 weight percent plant material, such as at least 60 weight percent plant material, such as about 65 weight percent plant material. The aerosol-forming substrate may include 80 weight percent or less plant material, such as 75 or 70 weight percent or less plant material. The aerosol-forming substrate may comprise from 50 to 80 weight percent plant material, for example from 50 to 75 weight percent, from 55 weight percent to 80 weight percent, from 55 to 75 weight percent, from 50 to 70 weight percent, from 55 to 70 weight percent, from 60 to 75 weight percent, or from 60 to 70 weight percent.

The aerosol-forming substrate may include one or more additives selected from the group consisting of humectants, flavorings, biodegradable fillers, aqueous/non-aqueous solvents, and biodegradable binders.

Moisturizers are provided as vapor generators - the vapor generated helps carry volatile active compounds and increases visible vapor. Suitable humectants include polyols (such as propylene glycol (PG), triethylene glycol, 1,2-butanediol, and vegetable glycerin (VG)) and their esters (such as glyceryl monoacetate, glyceryl diacetate, or glyceryl diacetate). triacetin). They may be present in the aerosol-forming substrate in an amount between 1 and 50 weight percent.

The humectant content of the aerosol-forming substrate may have a lower limit of at least 1 weight percent, such as at least 2 weight percent, such as at least 5 weight percent, such as at least 10 weight percent, such as at least 20 weight percent, such as at least 30 weight percent, of the plant material. Or for example at least 40 weight percent.

The humectant content of the aerosol-forming substrate may have an upper limit of at most 50% by weight of the plant material, such as at most 40% by weight, such as at most 30% by weight, or for example at most 20% by weight.

Preferably, the humectant content is from 1 to 40 weight percent of the aerosol-forming substrate, for example from 1 to 20 weight percent.

Suitable adhesives are known in the art and can be used to bind together the components of the aerosol-forming substrate. Adhesives can include Starch and/or cellulose binders (such as methylcellulose, ethylcellulose, hydroxypropylcellulose, hydroxyethylcellulose, and methylcellulose), gums (such as xanthan gum, guar gum, Arabic gum, and/or carob gum), organic acids, and their salts (such as alginic acid/sodium alginate, agar, and pectin).

Preferably, the binder content is 5 to 10 weight percent of the aerosol-forming substrate, for example about 6 to 8 weight percent.

Suitable fillers are known in the art and can be used to strengthen the aerosol-forming substrate. Fillers may include fibrous (non-tobacco) fillers such as cellulosic fibers, lignocellulosic fibers (eg, wood fibers), jute fibers, and combinations of the foregoing.

Preferably, the filler content is 5 to 10 weight percent of the aerosol-forming substrate, for example about 6 to 9 weight percent.

The aerosol-forming substrate may include aqueous and/or non-aqueous solvents. In some embodiments, the aerosol-forming substrate has a water content of between 5 and 10 weight percent (eg, between 6-9 weight percent, such as between 7-9 weight percent).

Seasonings can be provided in solid or liquid form. This may include menthol, licorice, chocolate, fruit flavors (including, for example, citrus, cherry, etc.), vanilla, spices (eg, ginger, cinnamon), and tobacco flavors. The flavorings may be uniformly dispersed throughout the aerosol-forming substrate, or may be provided in isolated locations and/or in varying concentrations throughout the aerosol-forming substrate.

The aerosol-forming substrate can be formed in a substantially cylindrical shape such that the article/consumable resembles a conventional cigarette. It can have 5 and A diameter of between 10 mm (eg 6 and 9 mm or between 6 and 8 mm, eg about 7 mm). It may have an axial length of between 10 and 15 mm, such as between 11 and 14 mm, such as about 12 or 13 mm.

The aerosol-forming substrate may be surrounded by a biodegradable (eg, readily biodegradable) coating.

In some embodiments, the wrapping layer includes one or more materials selected from: biodegradable paper/cardboard, plant material (e.g., tobacco), biodegradable polymer/plastic material (e.g., polylactic acid) , cellulosic/lignocellulosic materials (e.g. wood, bamboo, jute). Any ink or adhesive used with the wrap will be biodegradable.

Wraps do not include non-biodegradable inks, fillers, or adhesives.

The article/consumable may include at least one filter member. There may be a terminal filter member at the downstream/oral end of the article/consumable. There may be upstream filtering components upstream of the terminal filtering component. The terminal filter member and the upstream filter member may be axially adjacent or may be axially spaced apart.

The filter member is biodegradable, preferably readily biodegradable.

In some embodiments, the filter member includes one or more materials selected from: biodegradable paper/cardboard, plant material (eg, tobacco, eg, extruded tobacco), biodegradable polymer/plastic material (e.g. polylactic acid), and cellulosic/lignocellulosic materials (e.g. wood, bamboo, jute). The filter element does not include cellulose acetate.

The or each filter member may be enclosed by a plug (eg, a biodegradable paper plug).

The or each filter member may have a substantially cylindrical shape, with a diameter that substantially matches the diameter of the aerosol-forming substrate (with or without its associated wrapping layer). The or each filter member may have an axial length of less than 20 mm, such as between 8 and 15 mm, such as between 9 and 13 mm, such as between 10 and 12 mm.

The filter member or at least one of the filter members may be a solid filter member. The filter member or at least one of the filter members may be a hollow pore filter member. The or each hollow pore filter member may have a pore diameter of between 1 and 5 mm (eg between 2 and 4 mm or between 2 and 3 mm).

The upstream filtration member may be at least partially (eg completely) surrounded by a (biodegradable) wrapping layer.

The terminal filter member (located at the downstream end of the article/consumable) may be joined to the upstream member forming the article/consumable by a surrounding biodegradable tipping layer (eg, a layer of tipping paper). The tipping paper may have an axial length that is greater than the axial length of the terminal filtration member such that the tipping paper completely surrounds the terminal filtration member plus the wrapping around any adjacent upstream members.

The filter member or at least one of the filter members (eg, a terminal filter member) may include a biodegradable capsule (eg, a crushable capsule (crush ball)) containing a liquid flavoring (For example, any of the seasonings listed above). Capsules can The article/consumable is crushed by the user during smoking to release the flavoring. The capsule may be located at the axial center of the terminal filter member.

In some embodiments, articles/consumables may include biodegradable (eg, readily biodegradable) smoke cooling components. The aerosol cooling member is adapted to cool aerosol generated by the aerosol-forming substrate (generated by heat exchange) prior to inhalation by the user.

The smoke cooling member will be located downstream of the smoke forming substrate. For example, it may be located between the aerosol-forming substrate and the upstream filter member and/or between two filter members. The smoke cooling member may be at least partially (eg completely) surrounded by a (paper) wrapping layer.

In some embodiments, the biodegradable smoke cooling member includes one or more materials selected from: biodegradable paper/cardboard, plant material (e.g., tobacco, e.g., extruded tobacco), biodegradable Polymer/plastic materials (such as polylactic acid), and cellulosic/lignocellulosic materials (such as wood, bamboo, jute). The cooling components do not include cellulose acetate.

The smoke cooling member may be formed from a biodegradable plastic material such as polylactic acid (PLA). The smoke cooling member may be formed from sheets of rolled/agglomerated biodegradable material to form a structure with a high surface area and a plurality of longitudinal channels to maximize heat exchange and cooling of the smoke.

The article/consumable may include a biodegradable (eg, readily biodegradable) spacing member defining a space or cavity or chamber between the aerosol-forming substrate and the downstream end of the article/consumable. For example, its It can be located between the aerosol-forming substrate and the upstream filter member and/or between two filter members. Spacers are used to allow cooling and mixing of the smoke.

In some embodiments, the biodegradable spacer member includes one or more materials selected from: biodegradable paper/cardboard, plant material (e.g., tobacco, e.g., extruded tobacco), biodegradable polymeric materials/plastic materials (such as polylactic acid), and cellulosic/lignocellulosic materials (such as wood, bamboo, jute). The spacer member does not include cellulose acetate.

The spacer member may comprise a tubular member such as a biodegradable cardboard tube or an extruded plant material (eg tobacco) tube. The spacing member may be at least partially (eg completely) enclosed by the (paper) wrapping layer.

The spacing member may have an outer diameter of between 5 and 10 mm, such as between 6 and 9 mm or between 6 and 8 mm, such as about 7 mm. It may have an axial length of between 10 and 15 mm, such as between 12 and 14 mm or 13 and 14 mm, such as about 14 mm.

Articles/consumables do not include any element containing a polymeric material selected from the following: polyethylene, polypropylene, polyvinyl chloride, polystyrene, polyetheretherketone (PEEK), or polytetrafluoroethylene. Such polymeric materials are non-biodegradable, so articles/consumables that do not contain any of these polymeric materials are easier to dispose of in an environmentally friendly manner.

In some embodiments, the article/consumable includes one or more filter members (eg, two filter members), a spacing member, an aerosol-forming substrate, a wrapping layer, and a tipping layer, each of which Includes one or more materials selected from: biodegradable cardboard/paper, plant-based material (e.g. tobacco), biodegradable polymer/plastic material (e.g. polylactic acid), cellulose/lignocellulosic material (e.g. wood, bamboo, jute). Any inks or adhesives used in products/consumables are biodegradable.

In some embodiments, each element of the article/consumable (including the aerosol-forming substrate, filtering component, wrapping layer, tipping paper layer, aerosol cooling component, and spacing component) is composed of a certain material, in accordance with ISO 11734 of 1995 Determined by the standard (anaerobic biodegradability in municipal wastewater treatment plant sludge at 35°C), these materials degrade at least 30 weight percent after 46 days, such as at least 35 weight percent degradation, at least 40 weight percent degradation, Degrade at least 45% by weight, or degrade at least 50% by weight. Cellulose acetate fibers of the type used in cellulose acetate tow filters (DS=2.45) degrade 27 weight percent after 46 days, as determined by the ISO 11734 standard.

In some embodiments, the entire article/consumables are composted under natural composting conditions over a period of 14 days or less (e.g., 13 days or less, 12 days or less, 11 days or less, or 10 days or less). Short) then completely decomposes.

Articles/consumables do not contain any components including cellulose acetate.

In some embodiments, the article/consumable includes a region of weakness between the aerosol-forming substrate and the downstream element, that is, may exist at the downstream axial end of the aerosol-forming substrate (e.g., between the aerosol-forming substrate and the upstream filtration member) Areas of weakness. This way, products/consumables can be handled in different ways of different sections. For example, a user may wish to dispose of the aerosol-forming substrate into an ashtray while disposing of downstream components in an alternative manner, such as by composting. By providing areas of weakness in specific locations, it is easier to separate the consumable into separate segments after use.

In some embodiments, areas of weakness include discrete areas of wrap that have a lower grams per square meter than the remainder of the wrap. In some embodiments, the area of weakness includes an array of perforations in the wrapping layer. The perforation array can extend around the entire perimeter of the filament. In some embodiments, the area of weakness includes a linear array of circular perforations extending around the perimeter of the consumable.

In a second aspect, an alternative smoking system is provided, the alternative smoking system comprising an aerosol-forming article as described in the first aspect, and an apparatus including a heating member.

The device may be a HNB device, ie a device adapted to heat but not ignite the smoke-forming substrate.

The device may include a body for housing the heating member. The heating member may include an elongated (eg, rod-shaped, tube-shaped, or blade-shaped) heating member. The heating member may project into or surround the cavity within the body for receiving the articles/consumables described above.

The device (eg the body) may further comprise a power source (eg a (rechargeable) battery) for powering the heating member. It may further include a control unit to control the power supply to the heating member.

In a third aspect, a method of using the smoking alternative system as described in the second aspect is provided, the method comprising the following steps: inserting the article/consumable into the device; and using the heating member to heat the article/consumable.

In some embodiments, the method includes the steps of inserting the article/consumable into the cavity within the body, and penetrating the article/consumable with a heating member while inserting the article/consumable. For example, the heating member may penetrate the aerosol-forming substrate in the article/consumable.

The skilled person will understand that, except where mutually exclusive, features or parameters described with respect to any one of the above aspects may be applied to any other aspect. Furthermore, except where mutually exclusive, any feature or parameter described herein may be applied in any aspect and/or combined with any other feature or parameter described herein.

As shown in FIG. 1 , the HNB consumable 1 includes an aerosol-forming substrate 2 at the upstream end of the consumable 1 .

The aerosol-forming substrate includes reconstituted tobacco that includes nicotine as a volatile compound. The smoke forming substrate is fully biodegradable.

The aerosol forming substrate 2 comprised 65 weight percent tobacco provided in the form of aggregated chips resulting from the reconstitution of tobacco from a sheet of pulp/paper. The tobacco has 20 weight percent added humectant (such as propylene glycol (PG) or vegetable glycerin (VG)) and has a moisture content between 7 and 9 weight percent. The aerosol-forming substrate also includes cellulose pulp filler and guar gum binder.

The aerosol-forming substrate 2 is formed in a substantially cylindrical shape so that the consumable resembles a conventional cigarette. It has a diameter of approximately 7mm and an axial length of approximately 12mm.

The aerosol-generating substrate 2 is surrounded by a paper wrapping layer 3 . The paper of wrapping layer 3 does not contain any inorganic filler materials and is biodegradable. The paper wrapping layer may be a tobacco-based paper layer.

The consumable 1 includes an upstream filter member 4 and a downstream (terminal) filter member 5 . The two filter elements 4, 5 are separated by a biodegradable cardboard tube spacer 6. Both filter members 4, 5 are formed from biodegradable paper and wrapped with a corresponding biodegradable paper plug layer (not shown).

Both filter members have a substantially cylindrical shape. The diameter of the upstream filter member 4 matches the diameter of the aerosol forming substrate 2 . The diameter of the terminal filter member 5 is slightly larger and matches the combined diameter of the aerosol-forming substrate 2 and wrapping layer 3 . The axial length of the upstream filter element is slightly shorter than that of the terminal filter element and has an axial length of 10 mm compared to 12 mm of the terminal filter element.

The biodegradable cardboard tube spacers are longer than each of the two filter members and have an axial length of approximately 14 mm. In an alternative embodiment, the biodegradable spacer member 6 is made from extruded biodegradable polylactic acid (PLA) tubing.

Each filter element 4,5 is a hollow pore filter element having a hollow, longitudinally extending pore cavity. The diameter of the cavities in the upstream filter member 4 is slightly larger than the diameter of the cavities in the final filter member 5 and has a diameter of 3 mm compared to the 2 mm of the final filter member 5 .

The cardboard tube spacer 6 and the upstream filter element 4 are surrounded by the wrapping layer 3 .

The final filter element 5 is joined to the upstream element forming the consumable by means of a surrounding paper tipping layer 7 made of biodegradable paper. The tipping layer 7 surrounds the terminal filter element 5 and has an axial length of approximately 20 mm, so that it covers a portion of the cardboard tube spacer 6 .

Figure 2 shows a second embodiment of a consumable 1', which is the same as that shown in Figure 1, except that the final filter element 5 is a solid filter element and includes a crushable capsule 8 (crush balls), the crushable capsules have shell walls made of biodegradable polymeric material (such as PLA) and hold liquid menthol or cherry or vanilla flavorings. The capsule 8 is spherical and has a diameter of 3.5 mm. It is positioned in the axial center of the terminal filter member 5 .

Figure 3 shows a third embodiment of the consumable 1'', which is identical to the first embodiment, except for the following conditions: the wrapping layer 3 does not completely surround the cardboard tube spacer 6, so that between the connecting layer 7 and the wrapping layer There is an annular gap 9 between the cardboard tube spacers 6 downstream of the ends of 3.

Figure 4 shows a first embodiment inserted into a HNB device 10, which HNB device includes a rod-shaped heating member 20. The heating member 20 projects into a cavity 11 within the body 12 of the device.

The consumable 1 is inserted into the cavity 11 of the body 12 of the device 10 so that the heating rod 20 penetrates the aerosol-forming substrate 2 . Heating of the reconstituted tobacco in the aerosol-forming substrate 2 is achieved by energizing the heating means, for example with a rechargeable battery (not shown). As the tobacco heats, moisture and volatile compounds (such as nicotine) within the tobacco and humectant are released as vapor and become entrained in the air flow generated by the inhalation by the user at the final filter member 5 .

As the vapor cools within the upstream filter member 4 and cardboard tube spacer 6, it condenses to form a smoke containing volatile compounds for inhalation by the user.

After using the consumables, the user removes the consumables from the device 10 and the consumables can be disposed of at a composting facility.

The features disclosed in the foregoing description, or in the following claims, or in the drawings may be used individually or in any combination of such features to implement the invention in its various forms, as the case may be. Expressed in their specific form or in terms of means for performing a disclosed function, or a method or process for obtaining a disclosed result.

While the invention has been described in connection with the above-described exemplary embodiments, many equivalent variations and modifications will be apparent to those skilled in the art given this disclosure. Accordingly, the exemplary embodiments of the invention set forth above are to be regarded as illustrative and not restrictive. Various changes to the described embodiments may be made without departing from the scope of the invention.

For the avoidance of any doubt, any theoretical explanations provided in this article are provided for the purpose of improving the reader's understanding. The inventors do not wish to be bound by any of these theoretical explanations.

Any section headings used herein are for organizational purposes only and are not to be construed as limiting the subject matter described.

Throughout this specification (including the claims below), unless the context requires otherwise, the words "having," "includes," and "including," and variations thereof will be understood to imply the inclusion of stated integers or steps. , or a group of integers or steps, but does not exclude any other integer or step, or group of integers or steps.

It must be noted that, as used in this specification and the accompanying claims, the singular forms "a," "an," and "the" include plural referents unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. Ranges may be expressed herein as from "about" one particular value and/or to "about" another particular value. When such a range is expressed, another embodiment includes from the one particular value and/or to the other particular value. Similarly, when a value is expressed as an approximation by use of the antecedent "about," it will be understood that the particular value forms another embodiment. The word "about" with respect to a numerical value is optional and means, for example, +/-10%.

The words "preferred" and "preferably" are used herein to refer to embodiments of the invention that may provide certain benefits under certain circumstances. However, it is to be understood that other embodiments may be preferred under the same or different circumstances. Therefore, recitation of one or more preferred embodiments does not mean or imply that other embodiments are not useful, and is not intended to exclude other embodiments from the scope of the present disclosure or from the scope of the claims.

1: Consumables

2:Smoke forming substrate

3: Wrapping layer

4: Filter components

5: Filter components

6: Biodegradable Cardboard Tube Dividers

7: Connecting layer

8:Capsule

9: Annular gap

10:HNB equipment

11:Cavity

12:Subject

20:Heating rod

1': consumables

1'': consumables

Embodiments illustrating the principles of the invention, enabling an understanding of the invention, and enabling understanding of further aspects and features of the invention will now be discussed in more detail, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 shows an HNB A cross-sectional view of a first embodiment of a consumable; Figure 2 shows a cross-sectional view of a second embodiment of an HNB consumable; Figure 3 shows a cross-sectional view of a third embodiment of an HNB consumable; and Figure 4 shows the formation of an HNB Cross-sectional view of the first embodiment within the equipment of the system.

Domestic storage information (please note in order of storage institution, date and number) without

Overseas storage information (please note in order of storage country, institution, date, and number) without

1: Consumables

2:Smoke forming substrate

3: Wrapping layer

4: Filter components

5: Filter components

6: Biodegradable Cardboard Tube Dividers

7: Connecting layer

Claims (12)

A smoking alternative article, comprising: an aerosol-forming substrate; a terminal filter member located at a downstream end of the article; and an upstream filter member located upstream of the terminal filter member, wherein the article only includes biodegradable of material, and wherein the article includes a weakened area between the aerosol-forming substrate and the upstream filter member. The article of claim 1, which article is formed of only one or more materials selected from the following items: biodegradable paper/cardboard, plant material, or biodegradable plastic material. The article of claim 1, wherein the smoking alternative article is a heat-not-burn consumable. The article of claim 1, wherein the filter components are separated by a smoke cooling component and/or a spacing component. The article of claim 4, wherein the filter members are formed of biodegradable paper, and/or the spacing member is formed of a biodegradable cardboard tube or an extruded plant material tube, and/or Or the smoke cooling component is formed of biodegradable plastic material. The article of claim 1, wherein the aerosol-forming article does not contain cellulose acetate. The article of claim 1, wherein the weak area is located at a downstream axial end of the aerosol-forming substrate. The article of any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the area of weakness includes an array of perforations in a biodegradable wrapper surrounding the article. A smoking alternative system comprising a smoking alternative article as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 8, and a device including a heating member. The smoking alternative system of claim 9, wherein the device includes a body for receiving the heating member, and the heating member includes an elongated heating member. A method of using a smoking alternative system as claimed in claim 9 or 10, the method comprising the steps of: inserting the article into the device; and using the heating member to heat the article. The method of claim 11, comprising the following steps: inserting the article into a cavity in a body of the device, and using the heating member to penetrate the article when inserting the article.