UA128621C2 - Aerosol generation - Google Patents

Abstract

Disclosed herein is an aerosol generating substrate comprising an aerosol generating material, wherein the aerosol generating material comprises an amorphous solid. The amorphous solid comprises an aerosol generating agent, wherein at least 65wt% of the aerosol generating agent is aerosolised on heating of the aerosol generating material to 370 °C for a ten-second period under a 1.95L/min airflow.

Description

The field of technology

This invention relates to aerosol generation.

Prerequisites of the invention

In smoking products such as cigarettes, cigars, etc., tobacco is burned during use to produce tobacco smoke. Alternatives to these types of products release an inhalable aerosol or vapor, releasing compounds from the substrate material by heating without burning. They may be called non-combustible smoking products or aerosol generating units.

One example of such a product is a heating device that releases compounds by heating, but not burning, a solid aerosolizing material. This solid, aerosol-forming material may, in some cases, contain tobacco material. Heating vaporizes at least one component of the material, usually forming an inhalable aerosol. These products may be referred to as non-burning heating devices, tobacco heating devices or tobacco heating products. Different devices are known for the evaporation of at least one component of a solid material capable of forming an aerosol.

As another example, there are hybrid devices in the form of an e-cigarette / tobacco heating product, also known as electronic tobacco hybrid devices. These hybrid devices contain a source of liquid (which may or may not contain nicotine) that evaporates when heated to produce an inhalable vapor or aerosol. The device additionally contains a solid, capable of forming an aerosol material (which may or may not contain tobacco material), and components of this material enter the inhalable vapor or aerosol to produce an inhalable substance.

The essence of the invention

In the most general sense, the present invention provides an aerosol-generating substrate comprising an aerosol-generating material, wherein the aerosol-generating material comprises an amorphous solid, wherein the amorphous solid comprises an aerosol-generating agent, wherein at least 65 kg. 95 of the aerosol generating agent is converted into an aerosol by heating the aerosol generating material to 37096 for a period of ten seconds at an air flow rate of 1.95 L/min.

In some embodiments, the aerosol-generating material contains an amorphous solid, wherein the amorphous solid contains: - 1-60 wt. 95 gel forming agent; and/or - 5-80 kg. 95 means that generate an aerosol; and/or -10--60 wt. 95 active substances; - and, optionally, flavoring; at the same time, these weight values are in terms of dry weight;

In specific embodiments, the amorphous solid contains: - 1-60 wt. 95 gel forming agent; and/or - 5-80 kg. 95 means that generate an aerosol; and/or - 10--60 kg. 95 of tobacco extract; - and, optionally, flavoring; at the same time, these weight values are in terms of dry weight;

In some embodiments, the aerosol generating substrate contains from about 0.1 to 80 wt. 6 flavors based on dry weight. In specific embodiments, the aerosol-generating substrate contains from about 0.5 to 60 wt.90 of flavoring agent on a dry weight basis.

The present invention also provides an aerosol generating article comprising such an aerosol generating substrate. The present invention also provides an aerosol-generating assembly comprising such an aerosol-generating substrate or an aerosol-generating article and a heater configured to heat, but not burn, the aerosol-generating substrate.

In additional aspects of the present invention described herein, the use of an aerosol-generating substrate, an aerosol-generating article, or an aerosol-generating assembly may be provided during the generation of an inhalable aerosol.

Additional 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 figures.

Brief description of figures

In Fig. 1 shows a cross-sectional view of an example of an aerosol generating product. 60 in Fig. 2 shows a perspective view of the product shown in fig. 1.

In Fig. C shows a cross-sectional top view of an example of an aerosol-generating product.

In Fig. 4 shows a perspective view of the product shown in fig. 3.

In Fig. 5 shows a perspective view of an example of an aerosol generating unit.

In Fig. 6 shows a cross-sectional view of an example of an aerosol generating unit.

In Fig. 7 shows a perspective view of an example of an aerosol generating unit.

Detailed description of the invention

The aerosol-generating material described herein comprises an "amorphous solid," which may alternatively be referred to as a "monolithic solid" (ie, non-fibrous) or a "dried gel." An amorphous solid is a solid material that can hold a certain amount of fluid, such as a liquid. In some cases, the aerosol generating material contains from 50 wt. 95, 60 wt. 95 or 70 wt. 95 amorphous solid to about 90 wt. 95, 95 kg. 906 or 100 wt. 95 amorphous solid. In some cases, the material generating the aerosol consists of an amorphous solid.

As noted above, the present invention provides an aerosol-generating substrate comprising an aerosol-generating material, wherein the aerosol-generating material comprises an amorphous solid, wherein the amorphous solid comprises an aerosol-generating agent, wherein at least 65 weight 95 of the aerosol generating agent is converted to an aerosol by heating the aerosol generating material to 370°C for a period of ten seconds at an air flow rate of 1.95 L/min.

In some cases, at least 68 lbs. 95, 70 weights. 5, 72 kg. 5, 75 kg. Ub or 78 weights. 95 of the aerosol generating agent is converted to an aerosol when the aerosol generating material is heated to 370°C for a period of ten seconds at an air flow rate of 1.95 L/min.

The present inventors have found that aerosol-generating agent transfer from an amorphous solid is more efficient than from other aerosol-generating materials such as tobacco.

This means that aerosol generating materials that contain amorphous solids can deliver the required aerosol volume after a shorter heating period.

In other words, such materials can be heated strongly for short periods, reducing energy consumption and increasing efficiency while still delivering the required amount of aerosol in one puff. Due to the high rate of transfer of the aerosol-generating material from the amorphous solid to the respirable aerosol, it is possible to heat such materials only during inhalation. Optionally, different sections of such material may be heated to provide an aerosol for different puffs.

In some cases, the amorphous solid contains an active ingredient. For example, in some cases, the amorphous solid contains tobacco extract and/or nicotine. In some cases, the amorphous solid may contain from about 1 wt. 95, 5 wt. In, 10 weights. In, 15 kg. 95, 20 wt. 95 or 25 wt. 95 to about 70 wt. 95, 50 wt. 95, 45 kg. U5 or 40 kg. 96 (in terms of dry weight) of the active substance. In some cases, the amorphous solid may contain from about 1 wt. 95, 5 wt. 95, 10 wt. Uo, 15 kg. 95, 20 wt. 95 or 25 wt. In up to about 70 weights. 95, 60 wt. Oh, 50 kg. 95, 45 kg. 95 or 40 wt. 95 (in terms of dry weight) of tobacco extract and/or nicotine.

In some cases, the amorphous solid contains an active ingredient such as tobacco extract. In some cases, the amorphous solid may contain 5-60 wt.% (on a dry weight basis) of tobacco extract. In some cases, the amorphous solid may contain from about 5 wt. 95, 10 wt. 95, 15 wt. 95, 20 wt. In or 25 kg. 96 to about 55 wt. 95, 50 wt. 95, 45 kg. In or 40 kg. 95 (in terms of dry weight) of tobacco extract.

For example, an amorphous solid may contain 5-60 wt. 95, 10-55 kg. U5 or 25-55 kg. 905 of tobacco extract. The tobacco extract may contain nicotine in such a concentration that the amorphous solid contains 1 wt. 95, 1.5 kg. 95, 2 wt. In or 2.5 kg. 95 to about 6 wt. In", 5 kg. 95, 4.5 wt. Uo or 4 weights. 95 (in terms of dry weight) of nicotine. In some cases, the amorphous solid may contain no nicotine other than that derived from the tobacco extract.

In some embodiments, the amorphous solid does not contain tobacco material, but does contain nicotine. In some such cases, the amorphous solid may contain from about 1 wt. 90, 2 wt. 95, From weights. 95 or 4 wt. 95 to about 20 wt. 95, 15 wt. 90, 10 wt. 95 or 5 wt. 95 (in terms of dry weight) of nicotine. For example, an amorphous solid may contain 1-20 wt. 95 or 2-5 wt. 95 nicotine. for In some cases, the total content of the active substance and/or flavoring substance can be at least about 0.1 wt. 95, 1 weight. hey, 5 wag. 95, 10 wt. Uo, 20 weights. 95, 25 wt. Uyu or 30 kg. 95. In some cases, the total content of active substance and/or flavoring substance may be less than about 80 wt. 95, 70 weights. 95, 60 wt. 95, 50 wt. U5 or 40 kg. 95 (all calculated on dry weight).

In some cases, the total content of tobacco extract, nicotine and flavoring may be at least about 0.1 wt. 95, 1 weight. Wow, 5 wag. Wow, 10 lbs. In, 20 weights. yes, 25 kg. Uh or 30 weights. 95. In some cases, the total content of tobacco material, nicotine and flavoring may be less than about 80 wt. 95, 70 weights. In, 60 kg. Uyu, 20 kg. 95 or 40 wt. 95 (all calculated on dry weight).

In some cases, the amorphous solid contains 5-80 wt. 95 aerosol generating means. In some cases, the amorphous solid contains: - 1-60 wt. 95 gel forming agent; and/or - 5-80 kg. 95 means that generate an aerosol; and/or - 0.1--60 wt. 95 active substance and/or flavoring, while these weight values are converted to dry weight (DWW).

In some cases, the amorphous solid contains 5-80 wt. 95 aerosol generating means. In some cases, the amorphous solid contains: - 1-60 wt. 95 gel forming agent; and/or - 5-80 kg. 95 means that generate an aerosol; and/or - 10-60 kg. 95 of tobacco extract, and/or nicotine, and/or flavoring, while these weight values are converted to dry weight (OM/B).

The present inventors have discovered that amorphous solids having this composition can be effectively heated to generate an inhalable aerosol.

Moreover, the authors of this invention have found that the transfer of active ingredients from such an amorphous solid is more effective than from other aerosol-forming materials such as tobacco. In some cases, at least 70 kg. 95, 72 kg. Oh, 75 kg. 9Uo, 78 kg. In or 80 kg. 95% of the active ingredient is aerosolized when the aerosol generating material is heated to 370°C for a period of ten seconds at an air flow rate of 1.95 L/min. In some cases, at least 70 kg. 95, 72 kg. 95, 75 kg. Uo, 78 kg. U5 or 80 kg. 95% of all active ingredients are aerosolized when the aerosol generating material is heated to 370°C for a period of ten seconds at an air flow rate of 1.95 L/min.

In the context of this document, "active ingredients", which may alternatively be referred to as "volatile components" or "volatile substances", refer to components of an amorphous solid that exert a physiological or sensory effect on the human body. In particular, the active ingredients may contain nicotine or its derivatives, flavors and aromas with high vapor pressure. In some cases, the amorphous solid contains nicotine. In some cases, the amorphous solid contains a flavoring agent. In some cases, the flavoring agent contains or consists of menthol.

In some cases, the amorphous solid may be a hydrogel and contain less than about 20 wt. 95, 15 wt. 95, 12 wt. 95 or 10 wt. 956 of water on a wet weight basis (M/L/L/W). In some cases, the amorphous solid may contain at least about 1 wt. 95, 2 wt. 95 or 5 wt. 95 water (M/L/B). In some cases, the amorphous solid contains from about 1 wt. 95 to about 15 wt. of water or from about 5 kg. 95 to about 15 wt. 95 on a wet weight basis. Preferably, the water content of the amorphous solid may be from about 5 wt. 95, 7 wt. U5 or 9 kg. U6 to about 15 lbs. 9Uo, 13 kg. 95 or 11 wt. 95 (MLLIV), most preferably about 10 wt. 95.

In some cases, the amorphous solid may contain 1--60 g of gelling agent, and these weight values are converted to dry weight.

Preferably, the amorphous solid may contain from about 1 wt. 95, 5 wt. Oh, 10 kg. 95, 15 wt. 95, 20 wt. U5 or 25 kg. 95 to about 60 wt., 9550 wt. Oh, 45 kg. 95, 40 wt. In, 35 kg. wow, 30 kg. 96 or 27 kg. 96 of gelling agent (all calculated by dry weight).

For example, an amorphous solid may contain 1--50 wt. 95, 5-40 wt. 95, 10-30 wt. 95 or 15--27 kg. 95 gelling agent.

In some embodiments, the gelling agent comprises a hydrocolloid. In some embodiments, the gelling agent contains one or more compounds selected from the group consisting of alginates, pectins, starches (and derivatives thereof), celluloses (and derivatives), gums, silicon dioxide or silicone compounds, clays, polyvinyl alcohol, and combinations thereof . For example, 60 in some embodiments, the gelling agent comprises one or more alginates,

pectins, hydroxyethyl cellulose, hydroxypropyl cellulose, carboxymethyl cellulose, pullulan, xanthan gum, guar gum, carrageenan, agarose, acacia gum, pyrogenic silicon dioxide, ROMB, sodium silicate, kaolin and polyvinyl alcohol. In some cases, the gelling agent contains alginate and/or pectin and may be combined with an agent to provide solidification (such as a calcium source) during the formation of the amorphous solid. In some cases, the amorphous solid may contain cross-linked calcium ions alginate and/or cross-linked calcium ions pectin.

In some embodiments, the gelling agent contains alginate, and the alginate is present in an amorphous solid in an amount of 10-30 wt. 95 amorphous solids (based on dry weight). In some embodiments, alginate is the only gelling agent present in the amorphous solid. In other embodiments, the gelling agent comprises alginate and at least one other gelling agent, such as pectin.

In some embodiments, the amorphous solid may contain a gelling agent containing carrageenan.

The amorphous solid may contain from about 5 wt. 95, 10 wt. 95, 20 wt. In, 25 kg. In, 27 kg. 95 or 30 wt. 95 to about 60 wt. 95, 55 kg. 9Uo, 50 kg. 95, 45 kg. 95, 40 wt. In or 35 kg. 95 aerosol generating means (AMS). The aerosol generating agent can act as a plasticizer. For example, an amorphous solid may contain 10-60 wt. Us, 20--50 weights. uyu, 25--40 kg. U5 or 30--35 kg. 95 aerosol generating means. In some cases, the aerosol generating agent contains one or more compounds selected from erythritol, propylene glycol, glycerin, triacetin, sorbitol, and xylitol. In some cases, the aerosol generating agent contains, consists essentially of, or consists of glycerin. The present inventors have found that if the plasticizer content is too high, the amorphous solid can absorb water (since the aerosol generating agent is hygroscopic), resulting in the material not providing a proper consumption experience when used. The authors of this invention have found that if the plasticizer content is too low, the amorphous solid can be brittle and break easily. The plasticizer content specified herein provides flexibility to the amorphous solid that allows the amorphous solid sheet to be wound onto a bobbin, which is useful in the manufacture of aerosol generating articles.

The amorphous solid may contain from about 10 wt. 95, 20 wt. 95, 30 wt. In, 40 kg. In or 45 kg. 95 to about 50 wt. 95, 55 kg. 95 or 60 wt. 96 of tobacco extract (OMU/B). For example, an amorphous solid may contain 20--60 wt. 95, 40-55 kg. In or 45-50 kg. of tobacco extract. The tobacco extract may contain nicotine in such a concentration that the amorphous solid contains from about 1 wt. 95, 1.5 kg. U5 or 2 kg. U6 to about 6 lbs. 95, 5 wt. In", 4 weights. 95 or Z wag. 95 nicotine (OM/B). In some cases, the amorphous solid may contain no nicotine other than that derived from the tobacco extract.

In some cases, the tobacco extract can be an aqueous extract obtained as a result of extraction with water. The tobacco extract may be an extract from any suitable tobacco, such as single varieties or blends, cut tobacco or whole leaf tobacco, including Virginia, and/or Burley, and/or Oriental. It may also be extract from tobacco fine particles or dust, expanded tobacco, stems, expanded stems and other processed materials in the form of stems, such as cut and twisted stems.

The extract can be obtained from crushed tobacco or regenerated tobacco material.

In some cases, the amorphous solid may contain a flavoring agent.

Accordingly, the amorphous solid may contain up to about 60 wt. 95, 50 wt. In, 40 kg. wow, 30 kg. 96, 20 wt. 95, 10 wt. U5 or 5 weights. 95 flavoring substances. In some cases, the amorphous solid may contain at least about 0.1 wt. 5, 0.5 wt. Uyu, 1 weight. 95, 2 wt. 96, 5 wt. 95, 10 wt. 95, 20 wt. In or 30 kg. In flavoring substances (all calculated on dry weight). For example, an amorphous solid may contain 0.1-60 wt. U5, 1-60 kg. 5, 5-60 kg. U5, 10-60 kg. U5, 20-50 kg. 95 or 30--40 kg. 95 flavoring substances. In some cases, the flavor (if any) contains, consists essentially of, or consists of menthol. In some cases, the amorphous solid does not contain a flavoring substance.

In some embodiments, the amorphous solid contains less than 60 wt. 95 filler, for example, from 1 weight. 95 to 60 kg. 95, or from 5 kg. U5 to 50 kg. 95, or from 5 kg. 95 to 30 wt. 95, or from 10 kg. 95 to 20 wt. 95.

In other embodiments, the amorphous solid contains less than 20 wt. 95, 60 preferably less than 10 wt. 95 or less than 5 wt. 95 filler. In some cases, the amorphous solid contains less than 1 wt. 95 filler, and in some cases no filler.

The filler, if present, may contain one or more inorganic fillers such as calcium carbonate, perlite, vermiculite, diatomite, colloidal silicon dioxide, magnesium oxide, magnesium sulfate, magnesium carbonate and suitable inorganic sorbents such as molecular sieves.

The filler may contain one or more organic fillers such as wood pulp, cellulose and cellulose derivatives. In specific cases, the amorphous solid does not contain calcium carbonate, such as chalk.

In specific embodiments that include filler, the filler is fibrous.

For example, the filler can be a fibrous organic filler, such as wood pulp, hemp fiber, cellulose or cellulose derivatives. Without wishing to be bound by theory, it is believed that the incorporation of a fibrous filler into an amorphous solid can increase the tensile strength of the material. This may provide particular advantages in examples where the amorphous solid is provided as a sheet, such as when a sheet of amorphous solid surrounds a core of aerosolizable material.

In some embodiments, the amorphous solid does not contain tobacco fibers. In specific embodiments, the amorphous solid does not contain fibrous material.

In some embodiments, the aerosol generating material does not contain tobacco fibers. In specific embodiments, the aerosol generating material does not contain fibrous material.

In some embodiments, the aerosol generating substrate does not contain tobacco fibers. In specific embodiments, the aerosol generating substrate does not contain fibrous material.

In some embodiments, the aerosol generating article does not contain tobacco fibers. In specific embodiments, the aerosol generating article does not contain fibrous material.

In some cases, the amorphous solid may consist essentially of or consist of a gelling agent, an aerosol generating agent, an active agent, water, and optionally a flavoring agent. In some cases, the amorphous solid may consist essentially of or consist of glycerin, alginates and/or pectins, an active ingredient, and water.

In some cases, the amorphous solid may consist essentially of or consist of a gelling agent, an aerosol generating agent, tobacco extract, water, and optionally a flavoring agent. In some cases, the amorphous solid may consist essentially of or consist of glycerin, alginates and/or pectins, tobacco extract, and water.

In some cases, the aerosol-generating substrate may additionally include a substrate on which an amorphous solid is provided. This substrate can facilitate production and/or processing by, for example, (a) providing a surface onto which the suspension can be applied (and without the suspension having to be separated from it afterwards), (b) providing a non-sticky surface for the aerosol generating material , (c) providing some rigidity to the substrate.

In some cases, the aerosol generating substrate includes a substrate on which an amorphous solid is provided. In some cases, the substrate may be formed from materials selected from metal foil, paper, carbon paper, greaseproof paper, ceramics, carbon allotropes such as graphite and graphene, plastic, cardboard, wood, or combinations thereof. In some cases, the backing may contain or consist of a tobacco material, such as reconstituted tobacco leaf. In some cases, the substrate may be formed from materials selected from metal foil, paper, cardboard, wood, or combinations thereof. In some cases, the substrate itself is a layered structure containing layers of materials selected from the preceding lists. In some cases, the lining may be impregnated with flavoring or additional tobacco extract.

In some cases, the substrate may be substantially or completely impermeable to gas and/or aerosol. This prevents aerosol or gas from passing through the pad during use, thereby controlling the flow and ensuring it is delivered to the user. It can also be used to prevent condensation or other gas/aerosol deposition when used, for example, on the surface of a heater provided in an aerosol generating unit.

Thus, consumption efficiency and hygiene can be improved in some cases.

In some cases, the substrate in the aerosol generating article may contain or consist of a porous layer that is adjacent to an amorphous solid. For example, the porous layer may 60 be a paper layer. In some specific cases, the amorphous solid is located in direct contact with the porous layer; the porous layer adjoins the amorphous substance and forms a strong connection. An amorphous solid is formed by drying the gel and, without being limited by theory, it is believed that the suspension from which the gel is formed partially permeates the porous layer (e.g., paper) so that as the gel solidifies and forms crosslinks, the porous layer is partially cross-linked. "sticks with the gel." This ensures a strong bond between the gel and the porous layer (as well as between the dried gel and the porous layer).

In addition, surface roughness can contribute to the strength of the bond between the amorphous material and the substrate. The authors of this invention have found that the roughness of the paper (for the surface adjacent to the substrate) can be in the range of 50-1000 seconds according to the Beck method, preferably 50-150 seconds according to the Beck method, preferably 100 seconds according to the Beck method (measured in the air pressure interval 50.66-48.00 kPa). (A device for measuring smoothness according to the method

A becca is an instrument used to determine the smoothness of a paper surface in which air at a given pressure flows between a smooth glass surface and a paper sample, and the time (in seconds) for a set volume of air to seep between these surfaces is the "smoothness according to Beck's method".)

Conversely, the surface of the substrate facing away from the amorphous solid may be in contact with the heater, and a smoother surface may provide more efficient heat transfer. Thus, in some cases, the substrate is positioned to have a rougher side adjacent to the amorphous material and a smoother side facing away from the amorphous material.

In one particular case, the backing may be foil paper; the paper layer is adjacent to the amorphous solid layer, and the properties discussed in the preceding paragraphs are provided by this adjacency. The foil base is essentially impermeable, providing control over the aerosol flow path. The metal foil base can also serve to conduct heat to the amorphous solid.

Otherwise, the foil layer of foil paper is adjacent to the amorphous solid. The foil is essentially impermeable, thereby preventing water contained in the amorphous solid from being absorbed by the paper, which could weaken its structural integrity.

In some cases, the substrate is formed from or includes a metal foil, such as aluminum foil. A metal substrate can provide better thermal energy conduction to an amorphous solid. Additionally or alternatively, the metal foil can act as a current collector in the induction heating system. In specific embodiments, the substrate contains a layer of metal foil and a support layer, such as cardboard. In these embodiments, the metal foil layer may have a thickness of less than 20 μm, for example, from about 1 μm to about 10 μm, preferably about 5 μm.

In some cases, the substrate may be magnetic. This functionality can be used to attach the substrate to the assembly in use or can be used to create specific shapes of the amorphous solid. In some cases, the aerosol generating substrate can include one or more magnets that can be used to attach the substrate to the induction heater in use.

In some cases, the aerosol generating material may contain heating means embedded in an amorphous solid, such as resistive or induction heating elements.

In some cases, the amorphous solid may have a thickness of from about 0.015 mm to about 1.0 mm. Preferably, the thickness may range from about 0.05 mm, 0.1 mm or 0.15 mm to about 0.5 mm or 0.3 mm. The authors of this invention have found that a material with a thickness of 0.2 mm is particularly preferred. An amorphous solid may contain more than one layer, and the thickness described in this document refers to the combined thickness of these layers.

The authors of this invention found that if the amorphous solid is too thick, it negatively affects the heating efficiency. This negatively affects energy consumption during use. | conversely, if an amorphous solid is too thin, it is difficult to manufacture and process; very thin material is more difficult to cast and can be brittle, which adversely affects aerosol formation during use.

The inventors of this invention have determined that the amorphous solid thicknesses established herein optimize the material properties in view of these competing considerations.

The thickness specified in this document is the average thickness of the material. In some cases, the thickness of the amorphous solid may vary by no more than 25 95, 20 95, 15 95, 10 95, 5 95, or 1 95.

The aerosol generating material containing the amorphous solid may have any suitable surface density, for example from 30 g/m? up to 120 g/m2. In some embodiments, the aerosol generating material may have a surface density of from about 30 to 70 g/m2 or from about 40 to 60 g/m. In some embodiments, the amorphous solid may have a surface density of from about 80 to 120 g/m, or from about 70 to 110 g/m2, or especially from about 90 to 110 g/m. Such surface densities may be particularly advantageous when the aerosol generating material is incorporated into the aerosol generating article/assembly in sheet form or as a shredded sheet (described further below).

An amorphous solid can be formed as a sheet. It can be included in the product in the form of a letter. In some cases, the aerosol generating material may be contained as a flat sheet, as a cohesive or gathered sheet, as a corrugated sheet, or as a rolled sheet (ie, in the form of a tube). In some such cases, the amorphous solid according to these embodiments may be contained in an aerosol-generating article/assembly, such as a sheet, such as a sheet surrounding a core of aerosol-generating material (eg, tobacco). In some other cases, the aerosol generating material may be formed as a sheet and then ground and incorporated into the product. In some cases, the crushed leaf can be mixed with chopped tobacco and included in the product. In such cases, the aerosol generating material may have a mass per unit area of 80--120 g/m2 (so that it has a density comparable to cut tobacco leaves and therefore the mixture of components does not separate).

In some examples, the amorphous solid in sheet form may have a tensile strength of from about 200 N/m to about 900 N/m. In some examples, such as when the amorphous solid contains no filler, the amorphous solid may have a tensile strength of 200 N/m to 400 N/m, or 200 N/m to 300 N/m, or about 250 N/m m. Such tensile strengths may be particularly advantageous for embodiments in which the aerosol-generating material is formed as a sheet and then ground and incorporated into the aerosol-generating article. In some examples, such as when the amorphous solid contains a filler, the amorphous solid may have a tensile strength of 600 N/m to 900 N/m, or 700 N/m to 900 N/m, or about 800 N/m . Such tensile strengths may be particularly advantageous for embodiments where the aerosol-generating material is incorporated into the aerosol-generating article as a rolled sheet, preferably in the form of a tube.

In some cases, at least a portion of the aerosol generating material may be contained as a rolled sheet, forming a tubular core of aerosol generating material. The tubular nature of the aerosol generating material can be adapted for use in a variety of ways in such cases. In some cases, the aerosol generating article is designed to be usable with an aerosol generating assembly in which the heater is located within the tube during use. In other cases, the aerosol generating article is designed for use with an aerosol generating assembly in which the heater is located outside the tube during use. In such cases, it may be that no components of the aerosol generating assembly are located in the tube during use; preferably the tube provides a flow path for the aerosol or vapor during use; this can reduce or prevent aerosol or vapor condensation on the reusable components of the aerosol generating unit, thereby improving consumption efficiency and hygiene. In some such cases, the outer wall of the tube may be substantially or completely impermeable to the gas/(aerosol), further controlling the flow path.

Other aspects of the present invention include an aerosol generating article comprising an aerosol generating material described herein, and an aerosol generating assembly comprising such an aerosol generating substrate or article.

In some cases, the product or assembly may additionally contain a filter and/or a cooling element. The cooling element, if present, can carry out or perform the function of cooling gaseous or aerosol components. In some cases, it can cool the gaseous components so that they condense to form an aerosol. It can also separate very hot parts of the device from the user. The filter, if available, may include any suitable filter known in the art, such as admethylcellulose string.

The heater in the unit is made with the possibility of heating without burning the aerosol-generating material. The heater can be, in some cases, a thin-film, electroresistive heater. In other cases, the heater may include an inductive heater or the like. The heater may be a combustible heat source or a chemical heat source that undergoes an exothermic reaction to heat the product in use. An aerosol generating unit may contain several heaters. The heater(s) may be battery powered.

In some cases, the heater can heat without burning capable of forming an aerosol 60 material (materials) to a temperature from 120 "C to 350 "C during use. In some cases, the heater can heat non-burning capable of forming an aerosol material (materials) to a temperature of 140 C to 250 C during use. In some cases, when used, substantially all of the amorphous solid is less than about 4 mm, 3 mm, 2 mm, or 1 mm from the heater. In some cases, the solid is located at a distance of from about 0.010 mm to 2.0 mm from the heater, preferably from about 0.02 mm, 0.05 mm or 0.1 mm to 1.0 mm or 0.5 mm. These minimum distances may, in some cases, reflect the thickness of the substrate supporting the amorphous solid. In some cases, the surface of the amorphous solid may be directly adjacent to the heater.

In some cases, the heater may be embedded in the aerosol generating substrate. In some such cases, the heater may be an electroresistive heater (with open contacts for connection to the electrical circuit). In other such cases, the heater may be a current collector embedded in an aerosol-generating substrate that is heated by induction.

In some cases, the unit that generates the aerosol can be a device that heats without burning. That is, it can contain solid tobacco-containing material (and not contain liquid aerosol-forming material). In some cases, the amorphous solid may contain tobacco material. A non-combustion heating device is disclosed in UMO 2015/062983 A2, which is incorporated by reference in its entirety.

In some cases, the aerosol generating unit may be an electronic tobacco hybrid device. That is, it can contain solid aerosol-forming material and liquid aerosol-forming material. In some cases, the amorphous solid may contain nicotine. In some cases, the amorphous solid may contain tobacco material. In some cases, the amorphous solid may contain tobacco material and a separate nicotine source. Separate aerosol-forming materials may be heated by separate heaters, by the same heater, or, in one case, the downstream aerosol-forming material may be heated by hot aerosol generated from the upstream aerosol-forming material.

An electronic tobacco hybrid device is disclosed in document M/O 2016/135331 AT, which is incorporated by reference in its entirety.

The aerosol generating product or assembly may additionally include vents. In some cases, ventilation holes may be provided in the filter and/or cooling element. These openings may allow cold air to be drawn into the product during use, which may mix with the heated vaporized components, thus cooling the aerosol.

Ventilation improves the generation of visible heated vaporized components from the product as it heats up in use. The heated vaporized components become visible as a result of the cooling process of the heated vaporized components, resulting in supersaturation of the heated vaporized components. The heated vaporized components then undergo droplet formation, also known as condensation nucleation, and as a result, the aerosol particle size of the heated vaporized components increases due to further condensation of the heated vaporized components and coalescence of newly formed droplets from the heated vaporized components.

In some cases, the ratio of cold air to the sum of heated vaporized components and cold air, known as the ventilation ratio, is at least 15 95. A ventilation ratio of 15 95 allows the heated vaporized components to become visible using the method described above. The visibility of heated vapors allows the user to determine that vapors have been generated and adds to the flavor of the smoking session.

In another example, the ventilation ratio is between 5095 and 85595 to provide additional cooling of heated vaporized components. In some cases, the ventilation ratio can be at least 60 95 or 65 95.

The assembly may include an integrated aerosol generating product and heater or may include a heating device into which the product is inserted during use.

In Fig. 1 and 2 show a partial cut-away and perspective view of an exemplary aerosol generating article 101. Product 101 is adapted for use with a device that has a power source and a heater. The article 101 according to this embodiment is particularly preferred for use with the device 51 shown in FIG. 5-7 described below. In use, the product 101 can be removably inserted into the device shown in FIG. 5, at the location 20 of the insertion of the device 51. 60 The product 101 of one example has the shape of a substantially cylindrical rod, which contains the main part of the aerosol generating material 103 and the filter assembly 105 in the shape of the rod. The aerosol generating material comprises an amorphous solid material as described herein. In some embodiments, it may be contained in the form of a letter. In some embodiments, it may be contained in the form of a shredded sheet. In some embodiments of the present invention, the aerosol generating material described herein may be included in sheet form and in crushed form.

The filter assembly 105 contains three segments: a cooling segment 107, a filtering segment 109, and a mouthpiece end segment 111. The article 101 has a first end 113, also known as the mouthpiece end or near end, and a second end 115, also known as the far end. A main portion of the aerosol-generating material 103 is located toward the distal end 115 of the article 101. In one example, a cooling segment 107 is located adjacent to the main portion of the aerosol-generating material 103 between the main portion of the aerosol-generating material 103 and the filter segment 109 such that the cooling segment 107 is in close communication with the aerosol generating material 103 and the filtering segment 103. In other examples, there may be a separation between the main part of the aerosol generating material 103 and the cooling segment 107 and between the main part material 103, which generates an aerosol, and a filter segment 109. The filter segment 109 is located between the cooling segment 107 and the segment 111 of the mouthpiece end. The mouthpiece end segment 111 is located near the proximal end 113 of the product 101, adjacent to the filter segment 109. In one example, the filter segment 109 is adjacent to the mouthpiece end segment 111. In one embodiment, the overall length of the filter assembly 105 is between 37 mm and 45 mm, more preferably the overall length of the filter assembly 105 is 41 mm.

In one example, the aerosol generating material rod 103 has a length of 34 mm to 50 mm, preferably 38 mm to 46 mm, preferably 42 mm.

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

At the far end 115 of the product 101, the axial end of the main part of the aerosol-generating material 103 is visible. However, in other embodiments, the distal end 115 of the product 101 may include an end member (not shown) that covers the axial end of the main portion of the aerosol generating material 103.

The body of the aerosol generating material 103 is joined to the filter assembly 105 by an annular rim paper (not shown) positioned substantially around the circumference of the filter assembly 105 to surround the filter assembly 105 and partially extending the length of the body of the generating material 103 aerosol. In one example, the rim paper is made from a standard 58 g/m base rim paper. In one example, the rim paper has a length of 42 mm to 50 mm, preferably 46 mm.

In one example, the cooling segment 107 is an annular tube, and is located in a circle, and defines an air gap in the cooling segment. The air gap provides a chamber for the flow of heated vaporized components generated from the main portion of the aerosol generating material 103 . The cooling segment 107 is hollow to provide an aerosol collection chamber, but rigid enough to resist axial compressive forces and bending moments that may occur during manufacture and use of the article 101 during insertion into the device 51. In one example, the wall thickness of the cooling segment 107 is approximately 0.29 mm.

The cooling segment 107 provides a physical offset between the aerosol generating material 103 and the filter segment 109. The physical distance provided by the cooling segment 107 will provide a temperature drop along the length of the cooling segment 107. In one example, the cooling segment 107 is designed to provide a temperature drop of at least 40 degrees Celsius between the heated vaporized component entering the first end of the cooling segment 107 and the heated vaporized component exiting the second end of the cooling segment 107 .

In one example, the cooling segment 107 is designed to provide a temperature difference of at least 60 degrees Celsius between the heated vaporized component entering the first end of the cooling segment 107 and the heated vaporized component exiting the second end of the cooling segment 107. This temperature difference along the length of the cooling element 107 protects the temperature-sensitive filter segment 109 from the high temperatures of the aerosol-generating material 103 when heated by the device 51. If a physical displacement was not provided between the filter 60 segment 109 and the main part of the aerosol-generating material 103 and the heating elements of the device 51, then the temperature-sensitive filter segment 109 may be damaged during use, causing it to not perform its required functions as effectively.

In one example, the length of the cooling segment 107 is at least 15 mm.

In one example, the length of the cooling segment 107 is from 20 mm to 30 mm, more specifically from 23 mm to 27 mm, more specifically from 25 mm to 27 mm, preferably 25 mm.

The cooling segment 107 is made of paper, which means that it contains a material that does not generate hazardous compounds, such as toxic compounds, when in use adjacent to the heater of the device 51. In one example, the cooling segment 107 is made of a spirally twisted paper tube , which provides a hollow inner chamber, but at the same time maintains mechanical rigidity. Spiral wound paper tubes can meet the strict 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 obtained by forming an indentation in a stiff fizel or rim paper. The stiff fizel or rim paper is manufactured to have sufficient stiffness to resist axial compressive forces and bending moments that may occur during manufacture and application of the article 101 during insertion into the device 51.

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

In some embodiments, a capsule (not shown) may be provided in the filter segment 109. It can be placed essentially centrally in the filter segment 109, both in the diameter of the filter segment 109 and in the length of the filter segment 109. In other cases, it can be offset by one or more amounts. In some cases, the capsule may contain a volatile component such as a flavoring agent or an aerosol generating agent.

The density of the cellulose acetate web material of the filter segment 109 determines the pressure drop across the filter segment 109, which in turn determines the pull-in resistance of the product 101. Thus, the selection of the material of the filter segment 109 is important when adjusting the pull-in resistance of the product 101. In addition, the filtering segment performs a filtering function in the product 101.

In one example, the filter segment 109 is made of 8U15 grade filter mat material, which provides a filtering effect for the heated vaporized material, while also reducing the size of the condensed aerosol droplets that form as a result of the heated vaporized material.

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

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

The segment 111 of the mouthpiece end is an annular tube, and is arranged in a circle, and defines the air gap in the segment 111 of the mouthpiece end. The air gap provides a chamber for the heated vaporized components that flow from the filter segment 109.

The mouthpiece end segment 111 is hollow to provide an aerosol collection chamber, but rigid enough to resist axial compressive forces and bending moments that may occur during manufacture and application of the article during insertion into the device 51. In one example, the wall thickness of the segment 111 of the mouthpiece end is approximately 0.29 mm. In one example, the length of the mouthpiece end segment 111 is between b mm and 10 mm, preferably 8 mm.

The mouthpiece end segment 111 can be made from a spirally twisted paper tube, which provides a hollow inner chamber, yet maintains critical mechanical stiffness. Spiral wound paper tubes can meet the strict dimensional accuracy requirements of high-speed manufacturing processes with respect to tube length, outer diameter, roundness and straightness. 60 The mouthpiece end segment 111 provides the function of preventing any liquid condensate that accumulates at the outlet of the filter segment 109 from coming into direct contact with the user.

It should be understood that in one example, the mouthpiece end segment 111 and the cooling segment 107 may be formed from the same tube, and the filter segment 109 is located inside this tube, separating the mouthpiece end segment 111 from the cooling segment 107.

In Fig. Fig. 4 shows partial cross-sectional and perspective views of an example of product 301.

The reference numbers shown in FIG. C and 4 are equivalent to the reference numbers shown in FIG

Fig. 1 and 2, but with the addition of 200.

In the example of product 301, which is shown in fig. 3 and 4, a vent section 317 is provided in the article 301 to allow air to flow into the interior of the article 301 from the outside of the article 301. In one example, the vent section 317 is in the form of one or more vent slots 317 that pass through the outer layer of the article 301. The vent slots may be located in the cooling segment 307 to facilitate cooling of the product 301. In one example, the ventilation section 317 includes one or more rows of slots, and preferably each row of slots is located circumferentially around the product 301 in a cross section that is substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the product 301 .

In one example, one to four rows of vents are provided to provide ventilation to the product 301. Each row of vents may have 12 to 36 vents 317. For example, the vents 317 may have a diameter of 100 to 500 µm. In one example, the distance along the axis between the rows of ventilation slots 317 is from 0.25 mm to 0.75 mm, preferably 0.5 mm.

In one example, the vents 317 are the same size. In another example, the vents 317 have different sizes. The ventilation slots can be made using any suitable technique, for example, one or more of the following techniques: laser technology, mechanical perforation of the cooling segment 307 or pre-perforation of the cooling segment 307 before its formation on the product 301.

The ventilation slots 317 are arranged to provide effective cooling of the product 301.

In one example, the rows of vents 317 are located at least 11 mm from the proximal end 313 of the product, preferably 17 mm to 20 mm from the proximal end 313 of the product 301. The vents 317 are positioned so that the user does not block the vents. 317 when using product 301.

By providing rows of vents 17 mm to 20 mm from the proximal end 313 of the product 301, the vents 317 can be located outside of the device 51 when the product 301 is fully inserted into the device 51, as can be seen in FIG. 6 and 7. By positioning the vents outside the device, unheated air can enter the product 301 through the vents from the outside of the device 51, helping to cool the product 301.

The length of the cooling segment 307 is such that the cooling segment 307 will be partially inserted into the device 51 when the product 301 is fully inserted into the device 51. The length of the cooling segment 307 performs the first function of providing physical spacing between the heating structure of the device 51 and the heat sensitive filter structure 309, and the second function, which is to provide the possibility of locating ventilation slots 317 in the cooling segment, which are also located outside the device 51 when the product 301 is fully inserted into the device 51. As can be seen in Fig. 6 and 7, most of the cooling element 307 is located in the device 51.

However, there is a portion of the cooling element 307 that extends beyond the device 51. It is in this portion of the cooling element 307 that extends beyond the device 51 that the ventilation slots 317 are located.

In Fig. 5-7 show in more detail an example of a device 51 designed to heat an aerosol-generating material to vaporize at least one component of said aerosol-generating material, typically to form an inhalable aerosol. Device 51 is a heating device that releases compounds by heating, but not burning, the aerosol generating material.

The first end 53 is sometimes referred to herein as the mouthpiece end or near end 53 of the device 51, and the second end 55 is sometimes referred to herein as the far end 55 of the device 51. The device 51 has an on/off button 57 to allow the entire device 51 to be turned on and off by at the user's request.

The device 51 includes a housing 59 for housing and protecting the various internal components 60 of the device 51. In the example shown, the housing 59 includes an integral sleeve 11 that encompasses the perimeter of the device 51, closed by a top panel 17, which generally defines the "top" of the device 51, and a bottom panel 19, which generally defines the "bottom" of the device 51. In another example, the housing includes a front panel, a rear panel, and a pair of opposing side panels in addition to a top panel 17 and a bottom panel 19.

The upper panel 17 and/or the lower panel 19 may be detachably attached to the monolithic housing 11 to provide easy access to the interior of the device 51, or may be attached to the monolithic housing 11 "without the possibility of detachment", e.g. in order to limit the user's access to the interior of the device 51. In one example, the panels 17 and 19 are made of a plastic material, including, for example, injection-molded skleneylon, and the monolithic housing 11 is made of aluminum, although other materials may be used materials and other production processes.

The upper panel 17 of the device 51 has an opening 20 at the mouthpiece end 53 of the device 51, through which, when in use, the product 101, 301 containing the aerosol generating material can be inserted into the device 51 and removed from the device 51 by the user.

The heating structure 23, the control circuit 25 and the power source 27 are placed or fixed in the housing 59. In this example, the heating structure 23, the control circuit 25 and the power source 27 are adjacent in the lateral direction (that is, adjacent when viewed from the end), and the control circuit 25 is usually placed between the heating structure 23 and the power source 27, although other placement options are possible.

The control circuit 25 may include a controller, such as a microprocessor device, capable of controlling the heating of the aerosol generating material in the product 101 , 301 , as discussed below.

The power source 27 may be, for example, a battery, which may or may not be a battery. Examples of suitable batteries include, for example, a lithium-ion battery, a nickel battery (such as a nickel-cadmium battery), an alkaline battery, and/or the like. A battery 27 is electrically connected to a heating structure 23 to supply electrical power when needed and under the control of a control circuit 25 to heat the aerosol generating material in the article (as discussed to vaporize the aerosol generating material without causing combustion aerosol generating material).

The advantage of placing the power source 27 adjacent in the lateral direction to the heating structure 23 is that a large power source 25 can be used without causing the entire device 51 to be excessively long. As will be appreciated, in general, a larger power source 25 has a larger capacity (ie, the total electrical energy that can be supplied, often measured in amp-hours, etc.), and thus the battery life for the device 51 may be longer.

In one example, the heating structure 23 is generally in the form of a hollow cylindrical tube having a hollow internal heating chamber 29 into which the product 101, 301 containing the aerosol generating material is inserted for heating in use.

Different layouts of the heating structure 23 are possible. For example, the heating structure 23 can contain a single heating element or can be formed from several heating elements installed in a row along the longitudinal axis of the heating structure 23.

Said or each heating element may be annular, or tubular, or at least partially annular or partially tubular around its circumference. In one example, the or each heating element may be a thin film heater. In another example, the or each heating element may be made of a ceramic material. Examples of suitable ceramic materials include ceramics based on aluminum oxide, aluminum nitride and silicon nitride, which can be layered and sintered. Other heating designs are possible, including, for example, an inductive heating device, infrared heating elements that heat using infrared radiation, or resistive heating elements formed by, for example, a resistive electrical winding.

In one particular example, the heating structure 23 rests on a stainless steel support tube and contains a polyimide heating element. The heating structure 23 is sized such that substantially the entire bulk of the aerosol generating material 103 , 303 of the product 101 , 301 is inserted into the heating device 23 when the product 101 , 301 is inserted into the device 51 .

Said or each heating element may be positioned such that selected areas of the aerosol generating material may be individually heated, for example alternately (over a period of time as discussed above), or together (simultaneously) as needed. 60 The heating structure 23 in this example is surrounded along at least part of its length by a thermal insulator 31. The insulator 31 helps to reduce heat transfer from the heating structure 23 to the exterior of the device 51. This helps to reduce the energy requirements for the heating structure 23 because it reduces heat loss in general.

The insulator 31 also helps keep the exterior of the device 51 cool during operation of the heating structure 23. In one example, the insulator 31 may be a double-walled jacket that provides a low pressure zone between the two walls of the jacket. That is, the insulator 31 can be, for example, a "vacuum" tube, that is, a tube that is at least partially evacuated to minimize heat transfer by thermal conduction and/or convection. Other options for performing the insulator 31 are possible, including the use of heat-insulating materials, including, for example, a suitable foam material, in addition to or instead of a jacket with two walls.

The housing 59 may additionally contain various internal support structures 37 to support all internal components as well as the heating structure 23.

The device 51 also includes a ring 33 that surrounds the opening 20 and protrudes from it into the interior of the housing 59, and a generally tubular chamber 35 located between the ring 33 and one end of the vacuum jacket 31. The chamber 35 additionally contains a cooling structure 35, which in this example includes a plurality of cooling fins 35 spaced from each other along the outer surface of the chamber 35, each circumferentially positioned around the outer surface of the chamber 35. Between the hollow chamber 35 and the product 101, 301 when it is inserted into the device 51 , an air gap 36 is provided over at least part of the length of the hollow chamber 35. The air gap 36 extends around the entire circumference of the product 101, 301 over at least part of the cooling segment 307.

The ring 33 includes a plurality of protrusions 60 that are located circumferentially around the periphery of the opening 20 and that protrude into the opening 20. The protrusions 60 occupy the space inside the opening 20 so that the open area of the opening 20 at the locations where the protrusions 60 are located is smaller than the open area of the opening 20 in areas without protrusions 60. The protrusions 60 are configured to engage the article 101, 301 inserted into the device to facilitate its fixation within the device 51. Open spaces (not shown in the figures) defined by adjacent pairs of protrusions 60 and the article 101, 301 , form ventilation channels around the exterior of the product 101, 301. These ventilation channels allow hot steam released from the product 101, 301 to exit the device 51, and allow cooling air to flow into the device 51 around the product 101, 301 into the air gap 36.

During operation, the product 101, 301 is inserted with the possibility of disconnection into the insertion point 20 of the device 51, as shown in Fig. 5-7. As specifically shown in FIG. 6, in one example, the bulk of the aerosol generating material 103, 303 located toward the distal end 115, 315 of the article 101, 301 is fully received in the heating structure 23 of the device 51. The proximal end 113, 313 of the article 101, 301 projects from the device 51 and functions as a mouthpiece assembly for the user.

In operation, the heating structure 23 will heat the product 101, 301 to vaporize at least one component of the aerosol-generating material from the main body of the aerosol-generating material 103, 303.

The main flow path of the heated vaporized components from the main body of the aerosol generating material 103, 303 passes axially through the product 101, 301, through the chamber inside the cooling segment 107, 307, through the filter segment 109, 309, through the mouthpiece end segment 111, 313 to the user. In one example, the temperature of the heated vaporized components generated from the main body of the aerosol generating material is between 60 "C and 250 "C, which may be above the inhalation temperature acceptable to the user. As the heated vaporized component passes through the cooling segment 107, 307, it cools and some of the vaporized components condense on the inner surface of the cooling segment 107, 307.

In the product examples 301 shown in FIG. 3 and 4, cold air may enter the cooling segment 307 through vents 317 formed in the cooling segment 307. The cold air mixes with the heated vaporized components to provide additional cooling of the heated vaporized components.

The preparation of the aerosol generating material may in some cases include (a) forming a suspension containing the components of the amorphous solid material, (b) forming a layer of the suspension, (c) allowing the suspension to solidify to form a gel, and (4) drying the gel to form an amorphous solid matter. 60 Step (B) of forming the suspension layer may include, for example, spraying, casting, or extruding the suspension. In some cases, the suspension layer is formed by electrospraying the suspension. In some cases, the slurry layer is formed by slurry casting.

In some cases, steps (B), and/or (c), and/or (4) may at least partially occur simultaneously (for example, during electrospraying). In some cases, these steps can be performed sequentially.

Step (B) may include forming a suspension layer on the substrate.

In some examples, the slurry has a viscosity of from about 10 to about 20 Pa-s at 46.5 °C, for example, from about 14 to about 16 Pa at 46.5 °C.

Step (c) of providing solidification of the gel may include adding an agent to ensure solidification to the suspension. For example, the suspension may contain sodium, potassium, or ammonium alginate as a gelling agent, and a curing agent containing a calcium source (eg, calcium chloride) may be added to the suspension to form a calcium alginate gel.

The total amount of a curing agent, such as a calcium source, may be 0.5-5 wt. 95 (in terms of dry weight). The present inventors have discovered that adding too little of a curing agent can result in an amorphous solid that does not stabilize the amorphous solid components, and this results in these components falling out of the amorphous solid. The present inventors have found that adding too much curing agent results in an amorphous solid that is very sticky and therefore has poor processability.

However, in some cases, a curing agent is not required; tobacco extract may contain sufficient calcium to promote gelation.

Alginate salts are derivatives of alginic acid and, as a rule, are high molecular weight polymers (10-600 kDa). Alginic acid is a copolymer of units (blocks) of B-Y-mannuronic acid (M) and c-I-guluronic acid (b), connected to each other by (1,4)-glycosidic bonds to form a polysaccharide. When calcium cations are added, alginate forms a crosslink with the formation of a gel. The authors of this invention determined that alginate salts with a high content of monomer C more easily form a gel when a calcium source is added. Therefore, in some cases, the gel precursor may contain an alginate salt in which at least approximately 40 95, 45 9", 50 9, 5595, 60 95, or 70 95 of the monomer units in the alginate copolymer are units of as-Y - guluronic acid (6).

The suspension itself may also form part of this invention. In some cases, the suspension solvent may consist essentially of or consist of water. In some cases, the suspension may contain from about 50 wt. 95, 60 wt. 95, 70 weights. wow, 80 kg. 95 or 90 wt. 95 solvent (MLL/B).

In cases where the solvent consists of water, the dry weight content of the suspension may correspond to the dry weight content of the amorphous solid. Thus, the discussion herein regarding the solid composition is clearly disclosed in conjunction with the suspension aspect of the present invention.

ILLUSTRATIVE OPTIONS OF IMPLEMENTATION

In some embodiments, the amorphous solid comprises menthol.

Specific embodiments containing a menthol-containing amorphous solid may be particularly preferred for inclusion in an aerosol generating article/assembly such as a shredded sheet. In these embodiments, the amorphous solid can have the following composition (OMUV): a gelling agent (preferably containing alginate, more preferably containing a combination of alginate and pectin) in an amount of about 20 wt. 95 to about 40 wt. 95 or about 25 wt. 95 to 35 kg. at; menthol in the amount of about 35 wt. 95 to about 60 wt. 95 or from about 40 wt. 95 to 55 kg. 95; means (preferably containing glycerin) that generates an aerosol, in an amount from about 10 wt. 95 to about 30 wt. 956 or from about 15 wt. 96 to about 25 wt. uyu (OMU/V).

In one embodiment, the amorphous solid contains approximately 32-33 wt. 95 mixtures of alginate-galectin gelling agents; approximately 47-48 wt.95 menthol flavoring; and approximately 19--20 wt. 956 glycerol aerosol generating agent (AEG).

As noted above, the amorphous solid according to these embodiments may be contained in the aerosol generating article/assembly as a shredded sheet. Shredded leaf may be provided in a product/bundle mixed with cut tobacco. Alternatively, the amorphous solid 60 may be provided as a non-pulverized sheet. Accordingly, the shredded or unshredded sheet has a thickness of from about 0.015 mm to about 1 mm, preferably from about 0.02 mm to about 0.07 mm.

Specific embodiments of the menthol-containing amorphous solid may be particularly preferred for inclusion in an aerosol-generating article/assembly, such as a sheet, such as a sheet surrounding a core of aerosol-generating material (eg, tobacco). In these embodiments, the amorphous solid may have the following composition (OM/B): a gelling agent (preferably containing alginate, more preferably containing a combination of alginate and pectin) in an amount from about 5 wt. 96 to about 40 wt. 96 or so weight. 95 to 30 wt. 9 o'clock; menthol in the amount of about 10 wt. 95 to about 50 wt. 95 or 10 from about 15 wt. 95 to 40 wt. 95; means (preferably containing glycerin) that generates an aerosol, in the amount of about 5 wt. 95 to about 40 wt. 95 or from about 10 wt. 95 to about 35 wt. 90; and optional filler in the amount of up to 60 weights. 95 - for example, in quantities from 5 weights. 95 to 20 wt. 95 or from about 40 wt. 95 to 60 kg. 95 (OM/V).

In one of these embodiments, the amorphous solid contains approximately 11 wt. 95 alginate/pectin gelling agent mixture, approximately 56 wt. 95 wood pulp filler, about 18 95 menthol flavor and about 15 wt. 95 glycerin (OMV).

In another of these embodiments, the amorphous solid contains approximately 22 wt. 95 alginate/pectin gelling agent mixture, approximately 12 wt. 95 wood pulp filler, about 36 95 menthol flavor and about 30 wt. 95 glycerin (OMV).

As noted above, the amorphous solid according to these embodiments may be included as a sheet. In one embodiment, the sheet is provided on a substrate containing paper. In one embodiment, the sheet is provided on a substrate containing a metal foil, preferably an aluminum metal foil. In this embodiment, the amorphous solid may be adjacent to the metal foil.

In one embodiment, the sheet forms part of a laminated material with a layer (preferably containing paper) attached to the top and bottom surfaces of the sheet. Accordingly, the sheet of amorphous solid has a thickness of about 0.015 mm to about 1 mm.

In some embodiments, the amorphous solid contains a flavoring that does not contain menthol. In these embodiments, the amorphous solid may have the following composition (0OMUV): a gelling agent (preferably containing alginate) in an amount of from about 5 to about 40 wt. 95, or from about 10 kg. 95 to about 35 wt. In or from about 20 lbs. 96 to about 35 wt. 95; flavoring in an amount from about 0.1 wt. We are up to about 40 weights. 95, from about 1 weight. 95 to about 30 wt.95, or from about 1 wt. 95 to about 20 wt. 95, or from about 5 kg. 95 to about 20 wt. 95; an agent (which mainly contains glycerin) that generates an aerosol, in the amount of 15 wt. 95 to 75 kg. Uyu, or from about 30 weights. 95 to about 70 wt. Uo, or from about 50 weights. 95 to about 65 wt. 95; and optionally filler (predominantly wood pulp) in an amount of less than about 60 wt. 95, or approximately 20 wt. 95, or approximately 10 wt. 95, or approximately 5 wt. 95 (mainly amorphous solid does not contain filler) (0UMV).

In one of these embodiments, the amorphous solid contains approximately 27 wt. 95 alginate gelling agent, approximately 14 wt. 95 flavors and approximately 57 wt. In the glycerol agent that generates an aerosol (OM/B).

In another of these embodiments, the amorphous solid contains approximately 29 wt. 95 alginate gelling agent, approximately 9 wt. 95 flavor and about 60 wt. 95 glycerin (OM/B).

The amorphous solid according to these embodiments may be contained in the aerosol generating product/assembly as a shredded leaf, optionally mixed with cut tobacco. Alternatively, the amorphous solid according to these embodiments may be contained in an aerosol generating article/assembly, such as a sheet, such as a sheet surrounding a core of aerosol-generating material (eg, tobacco). Alternatively, the amorphous solid according to these embodiments may be contained in the aerosol generating article/assembly as part of a layer located on a substrate.

In some embodiments, the amorphous solid comprises tobacco extract. In these embodiments, the amorphous solid may have the following composition (OM/B): gelling agent (preferably containing alginate) in an amount of about 5 wt. 95 to about 40 wt. 95, or approximately 10 wt. 95 to 30 wt. U", or about 15 wt.905 to about 25 wt. 90; tobacco extract in the amount of approximately 30 weights. 95 to about 60 bo wt. Uo, or from about 40 weights. 95 to 55 kg. 95, or from about 45 kg. 95 to about 50 wt. IN; means (preferably containing glycerin) that generates an aerosol, in an amount from about 10 wt. 95 to about 50 wt. 95, or from about 20 kg. 95 to about 40 wt. 95, or from about 25 kg. 95 to about 35 wt. 95 (OM/V).

In one embodiment, the amorphous solid contains approximately 20 wt. 95 alginate gelling agent, approximately 48 wt. 95 of Virginia tobacco extract and about 32 wt. 95 glycerin (OM/B).

The amorphous solid according to these embodiments may have any suitable water content. For example, an amorphous solid may have a water content of about 5 wt. 95 to about 15 wt. 95, or from about 7 weights. 95 to about 13 wt. 95, or approximately 10 wt. 95.

The amorphous solid according to these embodiments may be contained in the aerosol generating product/assembly as a shredded leaf, optionally mixed with cut tobacco. Alternatively, the amorphous solid according to these embodiments may be contained in an aerosol generating article/assembly, such as a sheet, such as a sheet surrounding a core of aerosol-generating material (eg, tobacco). Alternatively, the amorphous solid according to these embodiments may be contained in the aerosol generating article/assembly as part of a layer located on a substrate. Preferably, in any of these embodiments, the amorphous solid has a thickness of from about 50 μm to about 200 μm, or from about 50 μm to about 100 μm, or from about 60 μm to about 90 μm, respectively about 77 μm.

A suspension for the formation of this amorphous solid may also form part of the present invention. In some cases, the suspension may have an elastic modulus of about 5 to 1200 Pa (also called a storage modulus); in some cases, the suspension may have a viscosity modulus of about 5 to 600 Pa (which is also called a loss modulus).

DEFINITION

An active substance, in the context of this document, can be a physiologically active material, which is a material designed to achieve or enhance a physiological response. For example, the active substance can be selected from nutraceuticals, nootropics, psychoactive substances. The active substance can be obtained naturally or synthetically. The active substance may contain, for example, nicotine, caffeine, taurine, theine, vitamins such as Bb or B12 or C, melatonin, cannabinoids or their components, derivatives or their combinations. The active substance may contain one or more constituents, derivatives or extracts of tobacco, cannabis or other material of plant origin.

In some embodiments, the active substance contains nicotine.

In some embodiments, the active ingredient contains caffeine, melatonin, or vitamin B12.

As stated herein, the active ingredient may contain one or more constituents, derivatives or extracts of cannabis, such as one or more cannabinoids or terpenes.

Cannabinoids are a class of naturally occurring or synthetic chemical compounds that act on cannabinoid receptors (i.e., CVI and CVI2) in cells to inhibit the release of neurotransmitters in the brain.

Cannabinoids can be naturally occurring (phytocannabinoids) from plants such as cannabis, from animals (endocannabinoids), or artificially produced (synthetic cannabinoids). Cannabis species express at least 85 different phytocannabinoids and are divided into subclasses including cannabigerols, cannabichromenes, cannabidiols, tetrahydrocannabinols, cannabinols and cannabidiols, and other cannabinoids. The cannabinoids found in cannabis include, but are not limited to: cannabigerol (SVO), cannabichromene (SVO), cannabidiol (SVO), tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), cannabinol (SVM), cannabidiol (SVOI), cannabicyclol (SVI), cannabivarin (SVU), tetrahydrocannabivarin (TNSM), cannabidivarine (SVOM), cannabichromevarin (SVSUM), cannabigerovarin (SVOM), cannabigerol monomethyl ether (SVOM), cannabinerolic acid, cannabidiol acid (SVOA), propyl cannabinol variant (SVMM), cannabitriol (SVO ), tetrahydrocannabinolic acid (TNCA) and tetrahydrocannabivaric acid (TNSM A).

As indicated in this document, the active substance may contain or be obtained from one or more plant substances or components, their derivatives or extracts. In the context of this document, the term "plant matter" includes any material obtained from plants, including, but not limited to, extracts, leaves, bark, fibers, stems, roots, seeds, flowers, fruits, pollen, husks, shells etc. Alternatively, the material may contain an active compound naturally occurring in the plant material obtained synthetically. The material can be in the form of a liquid, gas, solid, powder, dust, crushed particles, granules, pellets, scraps, strips, sheets, etc. Examples of plant substances are tobacco, eucalyptus, 60 star anise, hemp, cocoa, cannabis, fennel, lemongrass, peppermint, mint,

rooibos, chamomile, flax, ginger, ginkgo biloba, hazel, hibiscus, laurel, licorice, matcha, mate, orange peel, papaya, rose, sage, tea such as green tea or black tea, thyme, clove, cinnamon , coffee, anise seed (anis), basil, bay leaves, cardamom, coriander, cumin, nutmeg, oregano, paprika, rosemary, saffron, lavender, lemon peel, mint, juniper, elderflower, vanilla, wintergreen, burdock leaf annual, turmeric, turmeric, sandalwood, cilantro, bergamot, orange blossom, myrtle, cassia, valerian, pimento, mace, damien, marjoram, olive, lemon balm, lemon basil, onion, caraway, verbena, tarragon, geranium, mulberry , ginseng, theanine, theacrine, maca, ashwagandha, damiana, guarana, chlorophyll, baobab, or any combination thereof. Mint can be chosen from the following varieties of mint: Mepia aguepviv,

Mepiia s.m., Mepipa piiiasa, Mepina rirepia, Mepiia rireitya siigada s.m., Mepiga rireiia s.m., Mepina 5risaia sira, Mepipa sogaiioiia, Mepina Iopdiitoiia, Mepipa 5tsameoiepz magiedava, Mepina riiedisht,

Mepipa zrisaya s.m. and Mepina ztsameoiepv.

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

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

In the context of this document, the terms "flavoring substance" and "flavoring agent" refer to materials that, if permitted by local regulations, can be used to create a desired taste, aroma, or other somatosensory sensation in a product for adult consumers. These may include natural aromatic materials, botanicals, plant extracts, synthetically derived materials, or combinations thereof (eg, tobacco, cannabis, licorice), hydrangea, eugenol, magnolia obovate leaf, chamomile, fenugreek, clove, maple, matcha, Menthol, Japanese Mint, Anise Seed (Anise), Cinnamon, Turmeric, Indian Spices, Asian Spices, Herb, Wintergreen, Cherry, Berry, Red Berry, Cranberry, Peach, Apple, Orange, Mango, Clementine, Lemon, Lime, tropical fruits, papaya, rhubarb, grapes, durian, pitaya, cucumber, blueberry, mulberry, citrus,

Drambuis, bourbon, scotch, whiskey, gin, tequila, rum, mint, peppermint, lavender, aloe vera, cardamom, celery, cascarilla, nutmeg, sandalwood, bergamot, geranium, hut, nasvar, betel, hookah , pine, honey essence, rose oil, vanilla, lemon oil, orange oil, orange blossom, cherry, cassia, cumin, cognac, jasmine, ylang-ylang, sage, fennel, wasabi, allspice, ginger, coriander, coffee, hemp , peppermint oil from any species of the genus Mepia, eucalyptus, star anise, cocoa, lemongrass, rooibos, flax, ginkgo biloba, hazel, hibiscus, laurel, mate, orange peel, rose, tea such as green or black tea tea, thyme, juniper, elderflower, basil, bay leaves, cumin, oregano, paprika, rosemary, saffron, lemon peel, mint, burdock, turmeric, cilantro, myrtle, cassia, valerian, pimento, mace, lady's yen, marjoram, olive, lemon balm, lemon basil, onion, caraway, verbena, tarragon, limonene, thymol, camphene), flavor enhancers, blockers of bitter receptor sites, activators or stimulators of sensory receptor sites, sugars and/or sugar substitutes (for example, sucralose, acesulfame potassium, aspartame, saccharin, cyclamates, lactose, sucrose, glucose, fructose, sorbitol or mannitol) and other additives such as charcoal, chlorophyll, minerals, herbal preparations or breath fresheners. These can be imitation, synthetic or natural ingredients or their mixtures. They may be in any suitable form, for example a liquid such as an oil, a solid such as a powder, or a gas.

The flavoring may suitably contain one or more mint flavorings, preferably mint oil from any species of the genus Mepia.

The flavoring may suitably contain, consist essentially of, or consist of menthol.

In some embodiments, the flavoring agent contains menthol, peppermint and/or peppermint.

In some embodiments, the flavor contains cucumber, blueberry, citrus, and/or lingonberry flavor components.

In some embodiments, the flavoring agent comprises eugenol.

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

In some embodiments, the flavor contains aromatic components extracted from cannabis.

In some embodiments, the flavoring agent may contain a sensitizing component designed to achieve somatosensory sensations that are typically chemically induced and perceived by stimulation of the fifth cranial nerve (trigeminal nerve) in addition to or instead of the olfactory or gustatory nerves. and it may include means that 60 provide heating, cooling, tingling, numbness. A suitable heat effect agent may be, but is not limited to, vanillyl ethyl ether, and a suitable cooling agent may be, but is not limited to, eucalyptol, M/5-3.

In the context of this document, the term "aerosol generating agent" refers to an agent that facilitates the generation of an aerosol. The aerosol generating means may facilitate the generation of the aerosol by facilitating the initial vaporization and/or condensation of the gas to produce an inhalable aerosol of solid and/or liquid particles.

Suitable aerosol generating agents include, but are not limited to: polyols such as erythritol, sorbitol, glycerin, and glycols such as propylene glycol or triethylene glycol; non-polyol such as monohydric alcohols, high-boiling hydrocarbons, acids such as lactic acid, glycerol derivatives, esters such as diacetin, triacetin, triethylene glycol diacetate, triethyl citrate or myristates, including ethyl myristate and isopropyl myristate, and aliphatic carboxylic acid esters , such as methyl stearate, dimethyl dodecanedioate and dimethyl tetradecanedioate. The aerosol generating agent may have a suitable composition that does not dissolve menthol. The aerosol generating agent may accordingly contain, consist essentially of, or consist of glycerin.

In the context of this document, the term "tobacco material" refers to any material containing tobacco or its derivatives. The term "tobacco material" may include one or more of tobacco, tobacco derivatives, expanded tobacco, reconstituted tobacco, or tobacco substitutes. Tobacco material may include one or more of ground tobacco, tobacco fiber, cut tobacco, pressed tobacco, tobacco stem, reconstituted tobacco tobacco and/or tobacco extract.

The tobacco used to produce the tobacco material may be any suitable tobacco, such as single varieties or blends, cut tobacco or whole leaf tobacco, including Virginia, and/or Burley, and/or Oriental. It may also be tobacco fines or dust, expanded tobacco, stalks, expanded stalks, and other processed stalk materials such as cut and twisted stalks. The tobacco material may be crushed tobacco or reconstituted tobacco material.

The reconstituted tobacco material may contain tobacco fibers and may be formed by casting, a Fourdrinier papermaking approach with back addition of tobacco extract, or by extrusion.

All percentages by weight described in this document (indicated as wt. 95) are calculated on a dry weight basis, unless expressly stated otherwise. All weight factors are also converted to dry weight. The weight expressed as a dry weight refers to the entire extract, suspension or material, excluding water, and may include components that are themselves liquids at room temperature and pressure, such as glycerin. Conversely, the percentage by weight indicated on the wet weight refers to all components, including water.

For the avoidance of doubt, where in this specification the expression "comprising" is used to define a given invention or features of a given invention, embodiments are also disclosed in which a given invention or feature may be defined by the expressions "consisting essentially of" or "consisting of" instead of "contains". A reference to material "containing" certain features means that those features are included in, contained in, or contained in the material.

The above embodiments should be understood as illustrative examples of the present invention. It should be understood that any feature described in connection with any embodiment may be used alone or in combination with other described features, and may be used in combination with one or more features of any other embodiment or any combination of any other embodiments. In addition, equivalents and modifications not described above may also be used without departing from the scope of the invention as defined in the appended claims. 5О0

Claims (13)

FORMULA OF THE INVENTION 1. An aerosol-generating substrate comprising an aerosol-generating material, wherein the aerosol-generating material comprises an amorphous solid, wherein the amorphous solid comprises an aerosol-generating agent, wherein at least 65 wt. 95 of the aerosol generating agent is converted into an aerosol when the aerosol generating material is heated to 370 °C for a period of ten seconds at an air flow rate of 1.95 L/min, the aerosol generating substrate further comprising a substrate on which an amorphous solid is provided. 2. The aerosol-generating substrate according to claim 1, characterized in that at least 70 wt. 95 60 of the aerosol generating agent is converted to an aerosol when the aerosol generating material is heated to 370 °C for a period of ten seconds at an air flow rate of 1.95 L/min. 3. The aerosol generating substrate of any of the preceding claims, wherein the amorphous solid comprises 5-80 wt. 95 of the aerosol generating agent on a dry weight basis. 4. An aerosol-generating substrate according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the aerosol-generating agent is selected from erythritol, sorbitol, glycerol, glycols, monohydric alcohols, high-boiling hydrocarbons, lactic acid, diacetin , triacetin, triethylene glycol diacetate, triethyl citrate, ethyl myristate, isopropyl myristate, methyl stearate, dimethyl dodecanedisate and dimethyltetradecanedisate. 5. The aerosol-generating substrate according to claim 4, characterized in that the aerosol-generating agent contains glycerol. 6. The aerosol-generating substrate according to any of the previous items, which is characterized by the fact that the amorphous solid contains: - 1-60 wt. 95 gel forming agent; and/or - 5-80 kg. 95 means that generate an aerosol; and/or - 10-60 kg. 95 active substances; while these weight values are converted to dry weight. 7. The aerosol generating substrate according to claim 6, characterized in that the amorphous solid is a hydrogel and contains less than 20 wt. 95 water by weight in the wet state. 8. The aerosol-generating substrate according to item b or 7, characterized in that the gelling agent contains one or more compounds selected from the group consisting of alginates, pectins, starches and starch derivatives, celluloses and cellulose derivatives, gums, silicon dioxide or silicone compounds, clays, polyvinyl alcohol and their combinations. 9. An aerosol-generating substrate according to any of the preceding items, which is characterized in that it contains from 0.1 to 80 wt. 96 flavors by dry weight. 10. The aerosol-generating substrate according to any one of claims 6-9, which is characterized in that the active substance contains tobacco extract, and said tobacco extract is an aqueous extract obtained as a result of extraction with water. 11. An aerosol-generating substrate according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the substrate comprises metal foil, paper, carbon paper, greaseproof paper, ceramic, carbon allotropes, cardboard, tobacco material, wood, or combinations thereof. 12. An aerosol-generating article comprising an aerosol-generating substrate according to any of the preceding claims. 13. An aerosol-generating assembly containing an aerosol-generating substrate according to any one of claims 1-11 or an aerosol-generating product according to claim 12 and a heater designed to heat, but not burn, the generating substrate aerosol. Thank you. I live for 315 peni hair dryer Fig. 1