WO2020089080A1 - Smoking substitute consumable - Google Patents
Smoking substitute consumable Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- WO2020089080A1 WO2020089080A1 PCT/EP2019/079184 EP2019079184W WO2020089080A1 WO 2020089080 A1 WO2020089080 A1 WO 2020089080A1 EP 2019079184 W EP2019079184 W EP 2019079184W WO 2020089080 A1 WO2020089080 A1 WO 2020089080A1
- Authority
- WO
- WIPO (PCT)
- Prior art keywords
- tobacco
- aerosol
- consumable
- flavourant
- slurry
- Prior art date
Links
Classifications
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- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A24—TOBACCO; CIGARS; CIGARETTES; SIMULATED SMOKING DEVICES; SMOKERS' REQUISITES
- A24B—MANUFACTURE OR PREPARATION OF TOBACCO FOR SMOKING OR CHEWING; TOBACCO; SNUFF
- A24B15/00—Chemical features or treatment of tobacco; Tobacco substitutes, e.g. in liquid form
- A24B15/10—Chemical features of tobacco products or tobacco substitutes
- A24B15/12—Chemical features of tobacco products or tobacco substitutes of reconstituted tobacco
- A24B15/14—Chemical features of tobacco products or tobacco substitutes of reconstituted tobacco made of tobacco and a binding agent not derived from tobacco
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- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A24—TOBACCO; CIGARS; CIGARETTES; SIMULATED SMOKING DEVICES; SMOKERS' REQUISITES
- A24B—MANUFACTURE OR PREPARATION OF TOBACCO FOR SMOKING OR CHEWING; TOBACCO; SNUFF
- A24B15/00—Chemical features or treatment of tobacco; Tobacco substitutes, e.g. in liquid form
- A24B15/10—Chemical features of tobacco products or tobacco substitutes
- A24B15/16—Chemical features of tobacco products or tobacco substitutes of tobacco substitutes
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- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A24—TOBACCO; CIGARS; CIGARETTES; SIMULATED SMOKING DEVICES; SMOKERS' REQUISITES
- A24C—MACHINES FOR MAKING CIGARS OR CIGARETTES
- A24C5/00—Making cigarettes; Making tipping materials for, or attaching filters or mouthpieces to, cigars or cigarettes
- A24C5/01—Making cigarettes for simulated smoking devices
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- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A24—TOBACCO; CIGARS; CIGARETTES; SIMULATED SMOKING DEVICES; SMOKERS' REQUISITES
- A24D—CIGARS; CIGARETTES; TOBACCO SMOKE FILTERS; MOUTHPIECES FOR CIGARS OR CIGARETTES; MANUFACTURE OF TOBACCO SMOKE FILTERS OR MOUTHPIECES
- A24D1/00—Cigars; Cigarettes
- A24D1/20—Cigarettes specially adapted for simulated smoking devices
Definitions
- the present disclosure relates to a methods of forming an HNB consumable for use in a smoking substitute system HNB consumables formed by such methods.
- tobacco waste is produced.
- the tobacco waste is typically in the form of tobacco dust, leaf or stem.
- the tobacco waste can be collected and processed to provide what is known as reconstituted tobacco, or“recon”.
- slurry-type recon Two distinct methods are most commonly employed to manufacture reconstituted tobacco, these are i) a paper-making process (i.e. to provide“Paper Recon”), and ii) slurry casting (to provide“Slurry-type Recon”).
- a paper-making process i.e. to provide“Paper Recon”
- slurry casting to provide“Slurry-type Recon”.
- the products that result from these distinct processes have notably different properties and characteristics.
- slurry-type recon generally has improved aroma/flavour and nicotine content in comparison to paper recon, yet slurry-type recon is typically more easily broken and often has poorer uniformity of quality.
- the tobacco waste is milled to a fine powder and mixed with an aqueous solvent, typically water, and combined with a binding agent.
- the resultant slurry may undergo further milling to reduce the particle size of the tobacco material further.
- the slurry is then cast on a surface and dried to form a sheet.
- the dried sheet may be shredded to be used within various tobacco products, for example as a cigarette filler.
- the tobacco waste is mechanically beaten in the presence of an aqueous solvent to digest and process the tobacco into workable fibres. Subsequently, water soluble compounds present in the tobacco are extracted into the aqueous solvent. The aqueous extract and insoluble fibrous portion are separated. The separated fibrous portion, which may also be described as a“pulp”, undergoes further processing to form a base sheet via a typical paper-making procedure. The aqueous extract is concentrated and then reapplied to the base sheet. The base sheet is then dried to form a paper.
- the smoking of tobacco is generally considered to expose a smoker to potentially harmful substances. It is generally thought that a significant amount of the potentially harmful substances are generated through the heat caused by the burning and/or combustion of the tobacco and the constituents of the burnt tobacco in the tobacco smoke itself.
- Conventional combustible smoking articles such as cigarettes, typically comprise a cylindrical rod of tobacco comprising shreds of tobacco which is surrounded by a wrapper, and usually also a cylindrical filter axially aligned in an abutting relationship with the wrapped tobacco rod.
- the filter typically comprises a filtration material which is circumscribed by a plug wrap.
- the wrapped tobacco rod and the filter are joined together by a wrapped band of tipping paperthat circumscribes the entire length of the filter and an adjacent portion of the wrapped tobacco rod.
- a conventional cigarette of this type is used by lighting the end opposite to the filter, and burning the tobacco rod.
- the smoker receives mainstream smoke into their mouth by drawing on the mouth end or filter end of the cigarette.
- Combustion of organic material such as tobacco is known to produce tar and other potentially harmful by-products.
- smoking substitute systems or“substitute smoking systems” in order to avoid the smoking of tobacco.
- Such smoking substitute systems can form part of nicotine replacement therapies aimed at people who wish to stop smoking and overcome a dependence on nicotine.
- Smoking substitute systems include electronic systems that permit a user to simulate the act of smoking by producing an aerosol (also referred to as a“vapour”) that is drawn into the lungs through the mouth (inhaled) and then exhaled.
- aerosol also referred to as a“vapour”
- the inhaled aerosol typically bears nicotine and/or flavourings without, or with fewer of, the odour and health risks associated with traditional smoking.
- smoking substitute systems are intended to provide a substitute for the rituals of smoking, whilst providing the user with a similar experience and satisfaction to those experienced with traditional smoking and with combustible tobacco products.
- Some smoking substitute systems use smoking substitute articles that are designed to resemble a traditional cigarette and are cylindrical in form with a mouthpiece at one end.
- HNB heat not burn
- a typical HNB smoking substitute system may include a device and a consumable.
- the consumable may include the tobacco material.
- the device and consumable may be configured to be physically coupled together.
- heat may be imparted to the tobacco material by a heating element of the device, wherein airflow through the tobacco material causes moisture in the tobacco material to be released as vapour.
- a vapour may also be formed from a carrier in the tobacco material (this carrier may for example include propylene glycol and/or vegetable glycerine) and additionally volatile compounds released from the tobacco. The released vapour may be entrained in the airflow drawn through the tobacco.
- the vapour passes through the consumable (entrained in the airflow) from an inlet to a mouthpiece (outlet), the vapour cools and condenses to form an aerosol for inhalation by the user.
- the aerosol will normally contain the volatile compounds.
- HNB smoking substitute systems heating as opposed to burning the tobacco material is believed to cause fewer, or smaller quantities, of the more harmful compounds ordinarily produced during smoking. Consequently, the HNB approach may reduce the odour and/or health risks that can arise through the burning, combustion and pyrolytic degradation of tobacco.
- the present disclosure relates to method of forming an HNB consumable comprising an aerosol-forming substrate having an increased concentration of volatile compound.
- the present invention provides a method of forming an HNB consumable comprising an aerosol-forming substrate, the method comprising a slurry-type process for forming a reconstituted plant material, wherein a flavourant is provided in the slurry prior to casting into a sheet.
- slurry-type corresponds to a reconstituted plant material made by slurry-casting as opposed to a paper-making process.
- an aerosol-forming substrate which will itself include a volatile compound
- a flavourant By using an aerosol-forming substrate (which will itself include a volatile compound) dosed with a flavourant, the number/concentration of volatile compound(s) can be increased to provide the user with a vapour/aerosol containing a higher concentration of the volatile compound(s). This may provide the user with an enhanced recreational and/or medicinal effect when inhaled. Also, current flavouring options for HNB consumables is limited. Therefore, by dosing the aerosol-forming substrate with flavourant the user will experience an enhanced and varied flavour from the resultant HNB consumable.
- the method of the first aspect for manufacturing a heat-not-burn (HNB) consumable comprising an aerosolforming substrate, wherein the aerosol forming substrate is a slurry-type reconstituted plant material comprises the steps of:
- flavourant in the slurry
- the aerosol-forming substrate formed by the present methods is capable of being heated to release at least one volatile compound that can form an aerosol.
- the aerosol-forming substrate may be located at the upstream end of the consumable.
- upstream and downstream are intended to refer to the flow direction of the vapour/aerosol i.e. with the downstream end of the consumable being the mouth end or outlet where the aerosol exits the consumable for inhalation by the user.
- the upstream end of the consumable is the opposing end to the downstream end.
- the aerosol-forming substrate comprises at least one volatile compound that is intended to be vaporised/aerosolised and that may provide the user with a recreational and/or medicinal effect when inhaled.
- Suitable chemical and/or physiologically active volatile compounds include the group consisting of: nicotine, cocaine, caffeine, opiates and opoids, cathine and cathinone, kavalactones, mysticin, beta-carboline alkaloids, salvinorin A together with any combinations, functional equivalents to, and/or synthetic alternatives of the foregoing.
- a binder may also be included within the slurry. Therefore the methods may further comprise a step of incorporating a binder into the slurry.
- the ground tobacco may be combined with the binder before combination with the aqueous medium.
- the binder may be combined with the aqueous medium prior to combining the aqueous medium with the ground tobacco.
- Suitable binders are known in the art and may act to bind together the components forming the aerosolforming substrate.
- Binders may comprise starches and/or cellulosic binders such as methyl cellulose, ethyl cellulose, hydroxypropyl cellulose, hydroxyethyl cellulose and carboxymethyl cellulose, gums such as xanthan, guar, arabic and/or locust bean gum, organic acids and their salts such as alginic acid/ sodium alginate, agar and pectins.
- the binder is included at a level to result in the binder content being 5 to 20 wt% of the aerosolforming substrate e.g. around 6 to 8 wt%.
- the upper limit of binder is preferably up to 15 wt. %, such as up to 10 wt. %.
- the binder content is above 5 wt%.
- the slurry may also contain fillers, humectants, and/or preservatives. These may be combined with the ground plant material before combination with the aqueous medium, or alternatively can be added to the slurry separately
- the total solids content of the slurry is between 15 % and 30 % of the total slurry weight. Of this preferred range about 50 to 90 % of the total solids content of the slurry should be the plant material.
- the plant material content of the slurry is not critical, but it is preferred that the minimum amount of aqueous medium is used to avoid leaching of plant material solubles into the aqueous medium.
- the slurry is formed by mixing the various components of the slurry. This may be achieved using a high energy mixer or a high shear mixer to homogenize the slurry. During mixing the slurry may optionally be heated.
- the slurry may be vibrated to aid homogenization of the slurry. This may be achieved by vibrating a tank or silo in which the slurry is contained.
- the slurry is cast onto a moving support surface, such as a dryer belt to form a sheet.
- Casting of the sheet may be achieved by a roll coater system or a laminator, or any other method suitable in the art. It is preferred that the moisture of the sheet at casting is between 60 to 80 percent of the total weight of the cast slurry.
- the cast sheet is then dried, for example by exposure to elevated temperatures and/or reduced pressures to remove excess moisture content from the sheet. Suitable drying methods include a steam dryer and/or heated air dryers. Alternatively, the sheet may be dried under ambient conditions,
- the flavourant may be provided in solid or liquid form. It may include menthol, peppermint, spearmint, liquorice, chocolate, fruit flavour (including e.g. citrus, cherry etc.), vanilla, spice (e.g. ginger, cinnamon), coffee, eucalyptus, and tobacco flavour.
- the flavourant may be evenly dispersed throughout the aerosolforming substrate or may be provided in isolated locations and/or varying concentrations throughout the aerosol-forming substrate.
- the flavourant is evenly dispersed in the slurry resulting in an even dispersion throughout the aerosol-forming substrate.
- the ability to evenly disperse the flavourant throughout the aerosol-forming substrate is one benefit of the present methods. The result of this is an improved user experience and uniformity of flavour profile.
- the dosed flavourant content of the aerosol-forming substrate may have a lower limit of at least 0.1 wt % of the weight of the aerosol-forming substrate, such as at least 0.5 wt%, such as at least 1 wt%, such as at least 2 wt %, such as at least 5 wt %, such as at least 10 wt %, such as at least 15 wt %.
- the dosed flavourant content of the aerosol-forming substrate may have an upper limit of at most 20 wt % of the aerosol-forming substrate, such as at most 15 wt %, such as at most 10 wt %.
- the flavourant concentration is 0.1 to 15 wt %. Even more preferred is a flavourant concentration of 0.1 to 5 wt % of the aerosol-forming substrate
- flavourant is menthol.
- flavourant is synthetically derived menthol.
- this source of menthol is not naturally derived.
- naturally derived menthol is provided in the form of mint or mint extracts. Consequently, the use of synthetic menthol excludes the presence of undesired components present in mint or mint extracts.
- the use of non-tobacco flavours provides the user with unconventional flavours, which are not typically experienced. Therefore, a varied and enhanced user experience is provided.
- the flavourant is provided in a base liquid.
- by“pre-mixing” the flavourant with a base liquid prior to combining the“pre-mixture” with a slurry provides a safer, efficient and reproducible delivery of flavourant to the slurry.
- the pre-mixing of the flavourant with a base liquid reduces the volatility of the flavourant making it easierto handle and process.
- the benefit of the resultant HNB consumable is that it avoids exposure of the user to harmful combustion products when using the consumable, but without loss of flavour.
- Preferable base liquids are polyhydric alcohols.
- Suitable polyhydric alcohols include propylene glycol (PG), triethylene glycol, 1 ,2-butane diol and vegetable glycerine (VG)) and their esters (e.g. glycerol mono-, di- or tri-acetate).
- PG propylene glycol
- VG vegetable glycerine
- esters e.g. glycerol mono-, di- or tri-acetate.
- propylene glycol and vegetable glycerine are preferred.
- the dosed flavourant content contained within the base liquid is within the range 1 to 95 wt % based on the total weight of flavourant and base liquid.
- flavourant content of 1 to 50 wt %, such as 1 to 25 wt. %, such as 1 to 15 wt % of the total weight flavourant and base liquid.
- this provides sufficient dilution of flavourant with base liquid to provide safer handling of the flavourant during processing.
- such a combination allows for good dispersion of flavourant within the base liquid.
- the aerosol-forming substrate may comprise at least 50 wt% plant material, e.g. at least 60 wt% plant material e.g. around 65 wt% plant material.
- the aerosol-forming substrate may comprise 80 wt% or less plant material e.g. 75 or 70 wt% or less plant material.
- the plant material may comprise least one plant material selected from the list including Amaranthus dubius, Arctostaphylos uva-ursi (Bearberry), Argemone mexicana, Arnica, Artemisia vulgaris, Yellow Tees, Galea zacatechichi, Canavalia maritima (Baybean), Cecropia mexicana (Guamura), Oestrum noctumum, Cynoglossum virginianum (wild comfrey), Cytisus scoparius, Damiana, Entada rheedii, Eschscholzia califomica (California Poppy), Fittonia albivenis, Hippobroma long i flora, Humulus japonica (Japanese Hops), Humulus lupulus (Hops), Lactuca virosa (Lettuce Opium), Laggera alata, Leonotis leonurus, Leonurus cardiaca
- the plant material is tobacco.
- Any type of tobacco may be used. This includes, but is not limited to, flue-cured tobacco, burley tobacco, Maryland Tobacco, dark-air cured tobacco, oriental tobacco, dark-fired tobacco, perique tobacco and rustica tobacco. This also includes blends of the above mentioned tobaccos.
- any suitable parts of the tobacco plant may be used. This includes leaves, stems, roots, bark, seeds and flowers.
- the tobacco may comprise one or more of leaf tobacco, stem tobacco, tobacco powder, tobacco dust, tobacco derivatives, expanded tobacco, homogenised tobacco, shredded tobacco, extruded tobacco, cut rag tobacco and/or reconstituted tobacco (e.g. slurry recon or paper recon).
- the plant material is tobacco.
- the use of tobacco provides a slurry-type reconstituted plant material having the inherent properties of tobacco, for examples, the texture, aroma and nicotine content.
- the plant material is ground to a particle size of less than 120 microns. It is undesirable to have a particle size greater than 150 microns as this is associated with the formation of defects and inhomogeneous areas in the sheet formed by casting the slurry. Particularly, preferred is a particle size of 30 to 120 microns.
- the method may comprise a step of winding the formed sheet onto a bobbin.
- the method may further comprise gathering the sheet of homogenised slurry recon tobacco or gathering shreds/strips formed from such a sheet.
- the sheet used to form the aerosol-forming substrate has a grammage greater than or equal to 100 g/m 2 , e.g. greater than or equal to 1 10 g/m 2 such as greater than or equal to 120 g/m 2 .
- the sheet may have a grammage of less than or equal to 300 g/m 2 e.g. 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 of between 120 and 190 g/m 2 .
- the sheet used to form the aerosol-forming substrate has a density of less than 1 100 mg/cm 3 , preferably less than 1000 mg/cm 3 , and more preferably less than 900 mg/cm 3 .
- the sheet used to form the aerosol-forming substrate has a mass/surface area of less than 0.09 mg/mm 2 , preferably less than 0.085 mg/mm 2 , preferably less than 0.08 mg/mm 2 and more preferably less than 0.075 mg/mm 2 .
- the aerosol-forming substrate may have a thickness less than about 1 mm, preferably less than about 0.5 mm, preferably between about 0.1 and 0.3 mm, such as about 0.2 mm.
- the step of casting the slurry to form a sheet may therefore comprise spreading the slurry to form a sheet which, when dried, has a thickness and/or density as set out herein.
- the aerosol-forming substrate may additionally comprise one or more additives selected from humectants, fillers, aqueous/non-aqueous solvents and binders provided during the formation method, e.g. provided in the slurry.
- Humectants are provided as vapour generators - the resulting vapour helps carry the volatile active compounds and increases visible vapour.
- Suitable humectants include polyhydric alcohols (e.g. propylene glycol (PG), triethylene glycol, 1 ,2-butane diol and vegetable glycerine (VG)) and their esters (e.g. glycerol mono-, di- or tri-acetate). They may be present in the aerosol-forming substrate in an amount between 1 and 50 wt%.
- the humectant content of the aerosol-forming substrate may have a lower limit of at least 1 % by weight of the plant material, such as at least 2 wt %, such as at least 5 wt %, such as at least 10 wt %, such as at least 20 wt %, such as at least 30 wt %, or such as least 40 wt %.
- 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 wt %, such as at most 30 wt %, or such as at most 20 wt %.
- the humectant content is 1 to 40 wt % of the aerosol-forming substrate, such as 1 to 20 wt %
- Fillers are known in the art and may act to strengthen the aerosol-forming substrate.
- Fillers may comprise fibrous (non-tobacco) fillers such as cellulose fibres, lignocellulose fibres (e.g. wood fibres), jute fibres and combinations thereof.
- the filler content is 5 to 10 wt% of the aerosol-forming substrate e.g. around 6 to 9 wt%.
- the aerosol-forming substrate may comprise an aqueous and/or non-aqueous solvent.
- the aerosol forming substrate has a water content of between 5 and 10 wt% e.g. between 6-9 wt% such as between 7-9 wt%.
- the aerosol-forming substrate may be formed in a substantially cylindrical shape such that the consumable resembles a conventional cigarette. It may have a diameter of between 5 and 10mm e.g. between 6 and 9mm or 6 and 8mm e.g. around 7 mm. It may have an axial length of between 10 and 15mm e.g. between 1 1 and 14mm such as around 12 or 13mm.
- the aerosol-forming substrate may be circumscribed by a wrapping layer e.g. a paper wrapping layer.
- the wrapping layer may overlie an inner foil layer or may comprise a paper/foil laminate (with the foil innermost).
- the consumable may comprise at least one filter element.
- the upstream filter element may be at least partly (e.g. entirely) circumscribed by the (paper) wrapping layer.
- the or at least one of the filter element(s) e.g. the terminal filter element and/or the upstream filter element
- the or at least one of the filter elements) (e.g. the terminal filter element and/or the upstream filter element) may be comprised of activated charcoal.
- the or at least one of the filter element(s) e.g.
- the terminal filter element and/or the upstream filter element may be comprised of paper.
- the or at least one of the filter element(s) e.g. the terminal filter element and/or the upstream filter element
- the or each filter element may be circumscribed with a plug wrap e.g. a paper plug wrap.
- the or each filter element may have a substantially cylindrical shape with a diameter substantially matching the diameter of the aerosol-forming substrate (with or without its associated wrapping layer).
- the axial length of the or each filter element may be less than 20mm, e.g. between 8 and 15mm, for example between 9 and 13 mm e.g. between 10 and 12mm.
- the or at least one of the filter element(s) may be a solid filter element.
- the or at least one of the filter element(s) may be a hollow bore filter element.
- the or each hollow bore filter may have a bore diameter of between 1 and 5 mm, e.g. between 2 and 4 mm or between 2 and 3 mm.
- the terminal filter element (at the downstream end of the consumable) may be joined to the upstream elements forming the consumable by a circumscribing tipping layer e.g. a tipping paper layer.
- the tipping paper may have an axial length longer than the axial length of the terminal filter element such that the tipping paper completely circumscribes the terminal filter element plus the wrapping layer surrounding any adjacent upstream element.
- the or at least one of the filter elements e.g. the terminal filter element may include a capsule e.g. a crushable capsule (crush-ball) containing a liquid flavourant e.g. any of the flavourants listed above.
- the capsule can be crushed by the user during smoking of the consumable to release the flavourant.
- the capsule may be located at the axial centre of the terminal filter element.
- the consumable may comprise an aerosol-cooling element which is adapted to cool the aerosol generated from the aerosol-forming substrate (by heat exchange) before being inhaled by the user.
- the aerosol-cooling element will be downstream from the aerosol-forming substrate. For example, it may be between the aerosol-forming substrate and a/the filter element and/or between two filter elements.
- the aerosol cooling element may be at least partly (e.g. completely) circumscribed by the (paper) wrapping layer.
- the aerosol-cooling element may be formed of a plastics material selected from the group consisting of polylactic acid (PLA), polyvinyl chloride (PVC), polyethylene (PE) and polyethylene terephthalate (PET).
- the aerosol-cooling element may be formed of a crimped/gathered sheet of material to form a structure having a high surface area with a plurality of longitudinal channels to maximise heat exchange and cooling of the aerosol.
- the consumable may comprise a spacer element that defines a space or cavity between the aerosolforming substrate and the downstream end of the consumable.
- the spacer element may comprise a cardboard tube.
- the spacer element may be at least partly (e.g. entirely) circumscribed by the (paper) wrapping layer.
- the spacer element may have an external diameter of between 5 and 10mm e.g. between 6 and 9mm or 6 and 8mm e.g. around 7 mm. It may have an axial length of between 10 and 15mm e.g. between 12 and 14 mm or 13 and 14mm e.g. around 14mm.
- an HNB consumable formed by a method according to the first aspect.
- a smoking substitute system comprising an HNB consumable according to the second aspect and a device comprising a heating element.
- the device may be a HNB device i.e. a device adapted to heat but not combust the aerosol-forming substrate.
- the device may comprise a main body for housing the heating element.
- the heating element may comprise an elongated e.g. rod, tube-shaped or blade heating element.
- the heating element may project into or surround a cavity within the main body for receiving the consumable described above.
- the device e.g. the main body
- an electrical power supply e.g. a (rechargeable) battery for powering the heating element.
- It may further comprise a control unit to control the supply of power to the heating element.
- a smoking substitute system comprising:
- the method comprises inserting the HNB consumable into a cavity within the main body and penetrating the HNB consumable with the heating element upon insertion of the HNB consumable.
- the heating element may penetrate the aerosol-forming substrate in the HNB consumable.
- Figure 1 shows a first embodiment of an HNB consumable formed by the present methods
- Figure 2 shows a second embodiment of an HNB consumable formed by the present methods
- Figure 3 shows a third embodiment of an HNB consumable formed by the present methods
- Figure 4 shows the first embodiment within a device forming an HNB system.
- Figure 5 shows an illustrative diagram of an embodiment of the present methods.
- the HNB consumable 1 comprises an aerosol-forming substrate 2 at the upstream end of the consumable 1 .
- the aerosol-forming substrate 2 comprises reconstituted tobacco which includes nicotine as a volatile compound and which is dosed with up to 20 wt% of flavourant selected from menthol, peppermint, spearmint, liquorice, chocolate, fruit flavour, vanilla, spice, coffee, eucalyptus, and tobacco flavour .
- flavourant selected from menthol, peppermint, spearmint, liquorice, chocolate, fruit flavour, vanilla, spice, coffee, eucalyptus, and tobacco flavour .
- the aerosol-forming substrate 2 comprises 65 wt% tobacco which is provided in the form of gathered shreds produced from a sheet of slurry tobacco.
- the tobacco is dosed with 20wt% of a humectant such as propylene glycol (PG) or vegetable glycerine (VG) and has a moisture content of between 7-9 wt%.
- a humectant such as propylene glycol (PG) or vegetable glycerine (VG) and has a moisture content of between 7-9 wt%.
- the aerosol-forming substrate further comprises cellulose pulp filler and guar gum binder.
- the aerosol-forming substrate 2 is formed in a substantially cylindrical shape such that the consumable resembles a conventional cigarette. It has diameter of around 7mm and an axial length of around 12 mm.
- the aerosol-forming substrate 2 is circumscribed by a paper wrapping layer 3.
- the consumable 1 comprises an upstream filter element 4 and a downstream (terminal) filter element 5.
- the two filter elements 4, 5 and spaced by a cardboard tube spacer 6. Both filter elements 4, 5 are formed of cellulose acetate tow and wrapped with a respective paper plug layer (not shown).
- Both filter elements have a substantially cylindrical shape.
- the diameter of the upstream filter element 4 matches the diameter of the aerosol-forming substrate 2.
- the diameter of the terminal filter element 5 is slightly larger and matches the combined diameter of the aerosol-forming substrate 2 and the wrapping layer 3.
- the upstream filter element 4 is slightly shorter in axial length than the terminal filter element 5 at an axial length of 10mm compared to 12mm for the terminal filter element 5.
- the cardboard tube spacer is longer than each of the two filter portions having an axial length of around 14mm.
- Each filter element 4, 5 is a hollow bore filter element with a hollow, longitudinally extending bore.
- the diameter of the bore in the upstream filter element 4 is slightly larger than the diameter of the bore in the terminal filter element 5 having a diameter of 3mm compared to 2 mm for the terminal filter element 5.
- the cardboard tube spacer 6 and the upstream filter portion 4 are circumscribed by the wrapping layer 3.
- the terminal filter element 5 is joined to the upstream elements forming the consumable by a circumscribing paper tipping layer 7.
- the tipping layer 7 encircles the terminal filter portion and has an axial length of around 20mm such that it overlays a portion of the cardboard tube spacer 6.
- FIG 2 shows a second embodiment of a consumable T which is the same as that shown in Figure 1 except that the terminal filter element 5 comprises a crushable capsule 8 (crush-ball) containing a liquid menthol or cherry or vanilla flavourant.
- the capsule 8 is spherical and has a diameter of 3.5mm. It is positioned within the axial centre of the terminal filter portion 5.
- Figure 3 shows a third embodiment of a consumable 1” which is the same as the first embodiment except that the wrapping layer 3 does not completely circumscribe the cardboard tube spacer 6 such that there is an annular gap 9 between the tipping layer 7 and the cardboard tube spacer 6 downstream of the end of the wrapping layer 3.
- Figure 4 shows the first embodiment inserted into an HNB device 10 comprising a rod-shaped heating element (not shown).
- the heating element projects into a cavity 1 1 within the main body 12 of the device.
- the consumable 1 is inserted into the cavity 1 1 of the main body 12 of the device 10 such that the heating rod penetrates the aerosol-forming substrate 2.
- Heating of the reconstituted tobacco in the aerosol-forming substrate 2 is effected by powering the heating element (e.g. with a rechargeable battery (not shown)).
- the heating element e.g. with a rechargeable battery (not shown)
- moisture and volatile compound e.g. nicotine
- the tobacco and the aerosol former are released as a vapour and entrained within an airflow generated by inhalation by the user at the terminal filter portion 5.
- the vapour cools within the upstream filer element 4 and the cardboard tube spacer 6, it condenses to form an aerosol containing the volatile compounds for inhalation by the user.
- Figure 5 shows an illustrative diagram of an embodiment of the manufacturing method. Tobacco is ground to reduce the particle size to less than 120 microns 101
- the ground tobacco 101 is then combined with a guar gum binder, cellulose pulp filler, propylene glycol and vegetable glycerine to form a mixture 102.
- the mixture 102 is combined with an aqueous medium to form a slurry 103.
- Mixing of the mixture 102 with the aqueous medium is carried out in a high shear mixer.
- the tobacco content of the slurry is approximately 50 to 90 % of the total solids content of the slurry, where the total solids content is 15 to 30 weight % of the slurry.
- the resultant slurry is cast onto a dryer belt to form a sheet 105.
- the sheet is dried using a steam drying apparatus to remove excess moisture content from the sheet until the sheet is self-supporting 106.
- the sheet is wound onto a bobbin 107 for storage.
- the moisture content of the cast sheet at winding is about 7 to 15 percent of dry weight of the tobacco sheet.
- the sheet can subsequently be made into a whole or part of an HNB consumable suitable for an HNB device 108. This is achieved by cutting the sheet to an appropriate size.
- the sheet may be used as whole or part of an HNB consumable for an HNB device 109. In particular, it is a slurry-type reconstituted tobacco product for use in an HNB device.
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Abstract
The present disclosure relates to a method of forming an HNB consumable comprising a slurry-type aerosol-forming substrate (e.g. tobacco) dosed with a flavourant, and HNB consumables formed by that method.
Description
Smoking substitute consumable
Field of the Disclosure
The present disclosure relates to a methods of forming an HNB consumable for use in a smoking substitute system HNB consumables formed by such methods.
Background
During the manufacturing process for tobacco products, such as cigarettes, tobacco waste is produced. The tobacco waste is typically in the form of tobacco dust, leaf or stem. The tobacco waste can be collected and processed to provide what is known as reconstituted tobacco, or“recon”.
Two distinct methods are most commonly employed to manufacture reconstituted tobacco, these are i) a paper-making process (i.e. to provide“Paper Recon”), and ii) slurry casting (to provide“Slurry-type Recon”). The products that result from these distinct processes have notably different properties and characteristics. For example, slurry-type recon generally has improved aroma/flavour and nicotine content in comparison to paper recon, yet slurry-type recon is typically more easily broken and often has poorer uniformity of quality.
In slurry casting the tobacco waste is milled to a fine powder and mixed with an aqueous solvent, typically water, and combined with a binding agent. The resultant slurry may undergo further milling to reduce the particle size of the tobacco material further. The slurry is then cast on a surface and dried to form a sheet. The dried sheet may be shredded to be used within various tobacco products, for example as a cigarette filler.
In the paper-making process the tobacco waste is mechanically beaten in the presence of an aqueous solvent to digest and process the tobacco into workable fibres. Subsequently, water soluble compounds present in the tobacco are extracted into the aqueous solvent. The aqueous extract and insoluble fibrous portion are separated. The separated fibrous portion, which may also be described as a“pulp”, undergoes further processing to form a base sheet via a typical paper-making procedure. The aqueous extract is concentrated and then reapplied to the base sheet. The base sheet is then dried to form a paper.
The smoking of tobacco is generally considered to expose a smoker to potentially harmful substances. It is generally thought that a significant amount of the potentially harmful substances are generated through the heat caused by the burning and/or combustion of the tobacco and the constituents of the burnt tobacco in the tobacco smoke itself.
Conventional combustible smoking articles, such as cigarettes, typically comprise a cylindrical rod of tobacco comprising shreds of tobacco which is surrounded by a wrapper, and usually also a cylindrical filter axially aligned in an abutting relationship with the wrapped tobacco rod. The filter typically comprises a filtration material which is circumscribed by a plug wrap. The wrapped tobacco rod and the filter are joined together by a wrapped band of tipping paperthat circumscribes the entire length of the filter and an adjacent portion of the wrapped tobacco rod. A conventional cigarette of this type is used by lighting the end opposite to the filter, and burning the tobacco rod. The smoker receives mainstream smoke into their mouth by drawing on the mouth end or filter end of the cigarette. Combustion of organic material such as tobacco is known to produce tar and other potentially harmful by-products. There have been proposed various smoking substitute systems (or“substitute smoking systems”) in order to avoid the smoking of tobacco.
Such smoking substitute systems can form part of nicotine replacement therapies aimed at people who wish to stop smoking and overcome a dependence on nicotine.
Smoking substitute systems include electronic systems that permit a user to simulate the act of smoking by producing an aerosol (also referred to as a“vapour”) that is drawn into the lungs through the mouth (inhaled) and then exhaled. The inhaled aerosol typically bears nicotine and/or flavourings without, or with fewer of, the odour and health risks associated with traditional smoking.
In general, smoking substitute systems are intended to provide a substitute for the rituals of smoking, whilst providing the user with a similar experience and satisfaction to those experienced with traditional smoking and with combustible tobacco products. Some smoking substitute systems use smoking substitute articles that are designed to resemble a traditional cigarette and are cylindrical in form with a mouthpiece at one end.
The popularity and use of smoking substitute systems has grown rapidly in the past few years. Although originally marketed as an aid to assist habitual smokers wishing to quit tobacco smoking, consumers are increasingly viewing smoking substitute systems as desirable lifestyle accessories.
There are a number of different categories of smoking substitute systems, each utilising a different smoking substitute approach.
One approach for a smoking substitute system is the so-called "heat not burn" (“HNB”) approach in which tobacco (rather than an“e-liquid”) is heated or warmed to release vapour. The tobacco may be leaf tobacco or reconstituted tobacco. The vapour may contain nicotine and/or flavourings. In the HNB approach the intention is that the tobacco is heated but not burned, i.e. the tobacco does not undergo combustion.
A typical HNB smoking substitute system may include a device and a consumable. The consumable may include the tobacco material. The device and consumable may be configured to be physically coupled
together. In use, heat may be imparted to the tobacco material by a heating element of the device, wherein airflow through the tobacco material causes moisture in the tobacco material to be released as vapour. A vapour may also be formed from a carrier in the tobacco material (this carrier may for example include propylene glycol and/or vegetable glycerine) and additionally volatile compounds released from the tobacco. The released vapour may be entrained in the airflow drawn through the tobacco.
As the vapour passes through the consumable (entrained in the airflow) from an inlet to a mouthpiece (outlet), the vapour cools and condenses to form an aerosol for inhalation by the user. The aerosol will normally contain the volatile compounds.
In HNB smoking substitute systems, heating as opposed to burning the tobacco material is believed to cause fewer, or smaller quantities, of the more harmful compounds ordinarily produced during smoking. Consequently, the HNB approach may reduce the odour and/or health risks that can arise through the burning, combustion and pyrolytic degradation of tobacco.
There is a need for improved design of HNB consumables to enhance the user experience and improve the function of the HNB smoking substitute system.
The present disclosure has been devised in the light of the above considerations.
Summary of the Disclosure
At its most general, the present disclosure relates to method of forming an HNB consumable comprising an aerosol-forming substrate having an increased concentration of volatile compound.
According to a first aspect, the present invention provides a method of forming an HNB consumable comprising an aerosol-forming substrate, the method comprising a slurry-type process for forming a reconstituted plant material, wherein a flavourant is provided in the slurry prior to casting into a sheet.
Reference to“slurry-type” corresponds to a reconstituted plant material made by slurry-casting as opposed to a paper-making process.
By using an aerosol-forming substrate (which will itself include a volatile compound) dosed with a flavourant, the number/concentration of volatile compound(s) can be increased to provide the user with a vapour/aerosol containing a higher concentration of the volatile compound(s). This may provide the user with an enhanced recreational and/or medicinal effect when inhaled. Also, current flavouring options for HNB consumables is limited. Therefore, by dosing the aerosol-forming substrate with flavourant the user will experience an enhanced and varied flavour from the resultant HNB consumable.
Optional features will now be set out. These are applicable singly or in any combination with any aspect.
The method of the first aspect for manufacturing a heat-not-burn (HNB) consumable comprising an aerosolforming substrate, wherein the aerosol forming substrate is a slurry-type reconstituted plant material, comprises the steps of:
combining a ground plant material with an aqueous medium to form a slurry;
providing a flavourant in the slurry;
casting the slurry to form a sheet;
drying the sheet to form an aerosol-forming substrate; and
incorporating a portion of the aerosol-forming substrate into an HNB consumable.
The aerosol-forming substrate formed by the present methods is capable of being heated to release at least one volatile compound that can form an aerosol. The aerosol-forming substrate may be located at the upstream end of the consumable.
As used herein, the terms’’upstream” and“downstream” are intended to refer to the flow direction of the vapour/aerosol i.e. with the downstream end of the consumable being the mouth end or outlet where the aerosol exits the consumable for inhalation by the user. The upstream end of the consumable is the opposing end to the downstream end.
In order to generate an aerosol, the aerosol-forming substrate comprises at least one volatile compound that is intended to be vaporised/aerosolised and that may provide the user with a recreational and/or medicinal effect when inhaled. Suitable chemical and/or physiologically active volatile compounds include the group consisting of: nicotine, cocaine, caffeine, opiates and opoids, cathine and cathinone, kavalactones, mysticin, beta-carboline alkaloids, salvinorin A together with any combinations, functional equivalents to, and/or synthetic alternatives of the foregoing.
A binder may also be included within the slurry. Therefore the methods may further comprise a step of incorporating a binder into the slurry. The ground tobacco may be combined with the binder before combination with the aqueous medium. Or alternatively, the binder may be combined with the aqueous medium prior to combining the aqueous medium with the ground tobacco.
Suitable binders are known in the art and may act to bind together the components forming the aerosolforming substrate. Binders may comprise starches and/or cellulosic binders such as methyl cellulose, ethyl cellulose, hydroxypropyl cellulose, hydroxyethyl cellulose and carboxymethyl cellulose, gums such as xanthan, guar, arabic and/or locust bean gum, organic acids and their salts such as alginic acid/ sodium alginate, agar and pectins.
Preferably the binder is included at a level to result in the binder content being 5 to 20 wt% of the aerosolforming substrate e.g. around 6 to 8 wt%. The upper limit of binder is preferably up to 15 wt. %, such as up to 10 wt. %. Preferably the binder content is above 5 wt%.
The slurry may also contain fillers, humectants, and/or preservatives. These may be combined with the ground plant material before combination with the aqueous medium, or alternatively can be added to the slurry separately
It is preferred that the total solids content of the slurry is between 15 % and 30 % of the total slurry weight. Of this preferred range about 50 to 90 % of the total solids content of the slurry should be the plant material. The plant material content of the slurry is not critical, but it is preferred that the minimum amount of aqueous medium is used to avoid leaching of plant material solubles into the aqueous medium.
The slurry is formed by mixing the various components of the slurry. This may be achieved using a high energy mixer or a high shear mixer to homogenize the slurry. During mixing the slurry may optionally be heated.
Additionally, the slurry may be vibrated to aid homogenization of the slurry. This may be achieved by vibrating a tank or silo in which the slurry is contained.
After mixing the slurry is cast onto a moving support surface, such as a dryer belt to form a sheet. Casting of the sheet may be achieved by a roll coater system or a laminator, or any other method suitable in the art. It is preferred that the moisture of the sheet at casting is between 60 to 80 percent of the total weight of the cast slurry. The cast sheet is then dried, for example by exposure to elevated temperatures and/or reduced pressures to remove excess moisture content from the sheet. Suitable drying methods include a steam dryer and/or heated air dryers. Alternatively, the sheet may be dried under ambient conditions,
The flavourant may be provided in solid or liquid form. It may include menthol, peppermint, spearmint, liquorice, chocolate, fruit flavour (including e.g. citrus, cherry etc.), vanilla, spice (e.g. ginger, cinnamon), coffee, eucalyptus, and tobacco flavour. The flavourant may be evenly dispersed throughout the aerosolforming substrate or may be provided in isolated locations and/or varying concentrations throughout the aerosol-forming substrate. Preferably the flavourant is evenly dispersed in the slurry resulting in an even dispersion throughout the aerosol-forming substrate. The ability to evenly disperse the flavourant throughout the aerosol-forming substrate is one benefit of the present methods. The result of this is an improved user experience and uniformity of flavour profile.
Advantageously, these flavourants are found to be desired by the user, and also provide the user with a satisfactory flavour“hit”. In addition a varied and enhanced flavour experience is achieved.
The dosed flavourant content of the aerosol-forming substrate may have a lower limit of at least 0.1 wt % of the weight of the aerosol-forming substrate, such as at least 0.5 wt%, such as at least 1 wt%, such as at least 2 wt %, such as at least 5 wt %, such as at least 10 wt %, such as at least 15 wt %.
The dosed flavourant content of the aerosol-forming substrate may have an upper limit of at most 20 wt % of the aerosol-forming substrate, such as at most 15 wt %, such as at most 10 wt %.
Preferably, the flavourant concentration is 0.1 to 15 wt %. Even more preferred is a flavourant concentration of 0.1 to 5 wt % of the aerosol-forming substrate
Preferably, the flavourant is menthol.
It is further preferred that the flavourant is synthetically derived menthol. Advantageously, this source of menthol is not naturally derived. Typically, naturally derived menthol is provided in the form of mint or mint extracts. Consequently, the use of synthetic menthol excludes the presence of undesired components present in mint or mint extracts.
Advantageously, as the invention is primarily intended to provide a method useful in formation of a substitute smoking consumable, the use of non-tobacco flavours provides the user with unconventional flavours, which are not typically experienced. Therefore, a varied and enhanced user experience is provided.
Preferably the flavourant is provided in a base liquid. Advantageously, by“pre-mixing” the flavourant with a base liquid prior to combining the“pre-mixture” with a slurry provides a safer, efficient and reproducible delivery of flavourant to the slurry. In particular, the pre-mixing of the flavourant with a base liquid reduces the volatility of the flavourant making it easierto handle and process. In addition, the benefit of the resultant HNB consumable is that it avoids exposure of the user to harmful combustion products when using the consumable, but without loss of flavour.
Preferable base liquids are polyhydric alcohols. Suitable polyhydric alcohols include propylene glycol (PG), triethylene glycol, 1 ,2-butane diol and vegetable glycerine (VG)) and their esters (e.g. glycerol mono-, di- or tri-acetate). In particular, propylene glycol and vegetable glycerine are preferred.
Preferably, the dosed flavourant content contained within the base liquid is within the range 1 to 95 wt % based on the total weight of flavourant and base liquid.
It is particularly preferred to have a flavourant content of 1 to 50 wt %, such as 1 to 25 wt. %, such as 1 to 15 wt % of the total weight flavourant and base liquid. Advantageously, this provides sufficient dilution of
flavourant with base liquid to provide safer handling of the flavourant during processing. Also, such a combination allows for good dispersion of flavourant within the base liquid.
The aerosol-forming substrate may comprise at least 50 wt% plant material, e.g. at least 60 wt% plant material e.g. around 65 wt% plant material. The aerosol-forming substrate may comprise 80 wt% or less plant material e.g. 75 or 70 wt% or less plant material.
The plant material may comprise least one plant material selected from the list including Amaranthus dubius, Arctostaphylos uva-ursi (Bearberry), Argemone mexicana, Arnica, Artemisia vulgaris, Yellow Tees, Galea zacatechichi, Canavalia maritima (Baybean), Cecropia mexicana (Guamura), Oestrum noctumum, Cynoglossum virginianum (wild comfrey), Cytisus scoparius, Damiana, Entada rheedii, Eschscholzia califomica (California Poppy), Fittonia albivenis, Hippobroma long i flora, Humulus japonica (Japanese Hops), Humulus lupulus (Hops), Lactuca virosa (Lettuce Opium), Laggera alata, Leonotis leonurus, Leonurus cardiaca (Motherwort), Leonurus sibiricus (Honeyweed), Lobelia cardinalis, Lobelia inflate (Indian-tobacco), Lobelia siphilitica, Nepeta cataria (Catnip), Nicotiana species (Tobacco), Nymphaea alba (White Lily), Nymphaea caerulea (Blue Lily), Opium poppy, Passiflora incamata (Passionflower), Pedicularis densiflora (Indian Warrior), Pedicularis groenlandica (Elephant's Head), Salvia divinorum, Salvia dorrii (Tobacco Sage), Salvia species (Sage), Scutellaria galericulata, Scutellaria lateriflora, Scutellaria nana, Scutellaria species (Skullcap), Sida acuta (Wireweed), Sida rhombi folia, Silene capensis, Syzygium aromaticum (Clove), Tagetes lucida (Mexican Tarragon), Tarchonanthus camphoratus, Tumera diffusa (Damiana), Verbascum (Mullein), Zamia latifolia (Maconha Brava) together with any combinations, functional equivalents to, and/or synthetic alternatives of the foregoing.
Preferably, the plant material is tobacco. Any type of tobacco may be used. This includes, but is not limited to, flue-cured tobacco, burley tobacco, Maryland Tobacco, dark-air cured tobacco, oriental tobacco, dark-fired tobacco, perique tobacco and rustica tobacco. This also includes blends of the above mentioned tobaccos.
Any suitable parts of the tobacco plant may be used. This includes leaves, stems, roots, bark, seeds and flowers.
The tobacco may comprise one or more of leaf tobacco, stem tobacco, tobacco powder, tobacco dust, tobacco derivatives, expanded tobacco, homogenised tobacco, shredded tobacco, extruded tobacco, cut rag tobacco and/or reconstituted tobacco (e.g. slurry recon or paper recon).
Preferably, the plant material is tobacco.
As the invention is primarily intended to provide a smoking consumable, the use of tobacco provides a slurry-type reconstituted plant material having the inherent properties of tobacco, for examples, the texture, aroma and nicotine content.
It is preferable that the plant material is ground to a particle size of less than 120 microns. It is undesirable to have a particle size greater than 150 microns as this is associated with the formation of defects and inhomogeneous areas in the sheet formed by casting the slurry. Particularly, preferred is a particle size of 30 to 120 microns.
The method may comprise a step of winding the formed sheet onto a bobbin.
The method may further comprise gathering the sheet of homogenised slurry recon tobacco or gathering shreds/strips formed from such a sheet.
In some embodiments, the sheet used to form the aerosol-forming substrate has a grammage greater than or equal to 100 g/m2, e.g. greater than or equal to 1 10 g/m2 such as greater than or equal to 120 g/m2.
The sheet may have a grammage of less than or equal to 300 g/m2 e.g. less than or equal to 250 g/m2 or less than or equal to 200 g/m2.
The sheet may have a grammage of between 120 and 190 g/m2.
In some embodiments, the sheet used to form the aerosol-forming substrate has a density of less than 1 100 mg/cm3, preferably less than 1000 mg/cm3, and more preferably less than 900 mg/cm3.
In some embodiments, the sheet used to form the aerosol-forming substrate has a mass/surface area of less than 0.09 mg/mm2, preferably less than 0.085 mg/mm2, preferably less than 0.08 mg/mm2 and more preferably less than 0.075 mg/mm2.
In some embodiments the aerosol-forming substrate may have a thickness less than about 1 mm, preferably less than about 0.5 mm, preferably between about 0.1 and 0.3 mm, such as about 0.2 mm.
The step of casting the slurry to form a sheet may therefore comprise spreading the slurry to form a sheet which, when dried, has a thickness and/or density as set out herein.
The aerosol-forming substrate may additionally comprise one or more additives selected from humectants, fillers, aqueous/non-aqueous solvents and binders provided during the formation method, e.g. provided in the slurry.
Humectants are provided as vapour generators - the resulting vapour helps carry the volatile active compounds and increases visible vapour. Suitable humectants include polyhydric alcohols (e.g. propylene
glycol (PG), triethylene glycol, 1 ,2-butane diol and vegetable glycerine (VG)) and their esters (e.g. glycerol mono-, di- or tri-acetate). They may be present in the aerosol-forming substrate in an amount between 1 and 50 wt%.
The humectant content of the aerosol-forming substrate may have a lower limit of at least 1 % by weight of the plant material, such as at least 2 wt %, such as at least 5 wt %, such as at least 10 wt %, such as at least 20 wt %, such as at least 30 wt %, or such as least 40 wt %.
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 wt %, such as at most 30 wt %, or such as at most 20 wt %.
Preferably, the humectant content is 1 to 40 wt % of the aerosol-forming substrate, such as 1 to 20 wt %
Suitable fillers are known in the art and may act to strengthen the aerosol-forming substrate. Fillers may comprise fibrous (non-tobacco) fillers such as cellulose fibres, lignocellulose fibres (e.g. wood fibres), jute fibres and combinations thereof.
Preferably, the filler content is 5 to 10 wt% of the aerosol-forming substrate e.g. around 6 to 9 wt%.
The aerosol-forming substrate may comprise an aqueous and/or non-aqueous solvent. In some embodiments, the aerosol forming substrate has a water content of between 5 and 10 wt% e.g. between 6-9 wt% such as between 7-9 wt%.
The aerosol-forming substrate may be formed in a substantially cylindrical shape such that the consumable resembles a conventional cigarette. It may have a diameter of between 5 and 10mm e.g. between 6 and 9mm or 6 and 8mm e.g. around 7 mm. It may have an axial length of between 10 and 15mm e.g. between 1 1 and 14mm such as around 12 or 13mm.
The aerosol-forming substrate may be circumscribed by a wrapping layer e.g. a paper wrapping layer. The wrapping layer may overlie an inner foil layer or may comprise a paper/foil laminate (with the foil innermost).
The consumable may comprise at least one filter element. There may be a terminal filter element at the downstream/mouth end of the consumable. There may be an upstream filter element which may be axially adjacent or axially spaced from the terminal filter element. The upstream filter element may be at least partly (e.g. entirely) circumscribed by the (paper) wrapping layer.
The or at least one of the filter element(s) (e.g. the terminal filter element and/or the upstream filter element) may be comprised of cellulose acetate tow. The or at least one of the filter elements) (e.g. the terminal filter element and/or the upstream filter element) may be comprised of activated charcoal. The or at least one of the filter element(s) (e.g. the terminal filter element and/or the upstream filter element) may be comprised of paper. The or at least one of the filter element(s) (e.g. the terminal filter element and/or the upstream filter element) may be comprised of plant material e.g. extruded plant material. The or each filter element may be circumscribed with a plug wrap e.g. a paper plug wrap.
The or each filter element may have a substantially cylindrical shape with a diameter substantially matching the diameter of the aerosol-forming substrate (with or without its associated wrapping layer). The axial length of the or each filter element may be less than 20mm, e.g. between 8 and 15mm, for example between 9 and 13 mm e.g. between 10 and 12mm.
The or at least one of the filter element(s) may be a solid filter element. The or at least one of the filter element(s) may be a hollow bore filter element. The or each hollow bore filter may have a bore diameter of between 1 and 5 mm, e.g. between 2 and 4 mm or between 2 and 3 mm.
The terminal filter element (at the downstream end of the consumable) may be joined to the upstream elements forming the consumable by a circumscribing tipping layer e.g. a tipping paper layer. The tipping paper may have an axial length longer than the axial length of the terminal filter element such that the tipping paper completely circumscribes the terminal filter element plus the wrapping layer surrounding any adjacent upstream element.
The or at least one of the filter elements e.g. the terminal filter element may include a capsule e.g. a crushable capsule (crush-ball) containing a liquid flavourant e.g. any of the flavourants listed above. The capsule can be crushed by the user during smoking of the consumable to release the flavourant. The capsule may be located at the axial centre of the terminal filter element.
In some embodiments, the consumable may comprise an aerosol-cooling element which is adapted to cool the aerosol generated from the aerosol-forming substrate (by heat exchange) before being inhaled by the user.
The aerosol-cooling element will be downstream from the aerosol-forming substrate. For example, it may be between the aerosol-forming substrate and a/the filter element and/or between two filter elements. The aerosol cooling element may be at least partly (e.g. completely) circumscribed by the (paper) wrapping layer.
The aerosol-cooling element may be formed of a plastics material selected from the group consisting of polylactic acid (PLA), polyvinyl chloride (PVC), polyethylene (PE) and polyethylene terephthalate (PET).
The aerosol-cooling element may be formed of a crimped/gathered sheet of material to form a structure having a high surface area with a plurality of longitudinal channels to maximise heat exchange and cooling of the aerosol.
The consumable may comprise a spacer element that defines a space or cavity between the aerosolforming substrate and the downstream end of the consumable. The spacer element may comprise a cardboard tube. The spacer element may be at least partly (e.g. entirely) circumscribed by the (paper) wrapping layer.
The spacer element may have an external diameter of between 5 and 10mm e.g. between 6 and 9mm or 6 and 8mm e.g. around 7 mm. It may have an axial length of between 10 and 15mm e.g. between 12 and 14 mm or 13 and 14mm e.g. around 14mm.
In a second aspect there is provided an HNB consumable formed by a method according to the first aspect.
In a third aspect, there is provided a smoking substitute system comprising an HNB consumable according to the second aspect and a device comprising a heating element.
The device may be a HNB device i.e. a device adapted to heat but not combust the aerosol-forming substrate.
The device may comprise a main body for housing the heating element. The heating element may comprise an elongated e.g. rod, tube-shaped or blade heating element. The heating element may project into or surround a cavity within the main body for receiving the consumable described above.
The device (e.g. the main body) may further comprise an electrical power supply e.g. a (rechargeable) battery for powering the heating element. It may further comprise a control unit to control the supply of power to the heating element.
In a fourth aspect, there comprises a method of using a smoking substitute system according to the third aspect, the method comprising:
inserting the HNB consumable into the device; and
heating the HNB consumable using the heating element.
In some embodiments, the method comprises inserting the HNB consumable into a cavity within the main body and penetrating the HNB consumable with the heating element upon insertion of the HNB consumable. For example, the heating element may penetrate the aerosol-forming substrate in the HNB consumable.
The skilled person will appreciate that except where mutually exclusive, a feature or parameter described in relation 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 to any aspect and/or combined with any other feature or parameter described herein.
Summary of the Figures
So that the invention may be understood, and so that further aspects and features thereof may be appreciated, embodiments illustrating the principles of the invention will now be discussed in further detail with reference to the accompanying figures, in which:
Figure 1 shows a first embodiment of an HNB consumable formed by the present methods;
Figure 2 shows a second embodiment of an HNB consumable formed by the present methods Figure 3 shows a third embodiment of an HNB consumable formed by the present methods; and Figure 4 shows the first embodiment within a device forming an HNB system.
Figure 5 shows an illustrative diagram of an embodiment of the present methods.
Detailed Description of the Figures
As shown in Figure 1 , the HNB consumable 1 comprises an aerosol-forming substrate 2 at the upstream end of the consumable 1 .
The aerosol-forming substrate 2 comprises reconstituted tobacco which includes nicotine as a volatile compound and which is dosed with up to 20 wt% of flavourant selected from menthol, peppermint, spearmint, liquorice, chocolate, fruit flavour, vanilla, spice, coffee, eucalyptus, and tobacco flavour .
The aerosol-forming substrate 2 comprises 65 wt% tobacco which is provided in the form of gathered shreds produced from a sheet of slurry tobacco. The tobacco is dosed with 20wt% of a humectant such as propylene glycol (PG) or vegetable glycerine (VG) and has a moisture content of between 7-9 wt%. The aerosol-forming substrate further comprises cellulose pulp filler and guar gum binder.
The aerosol-forming substrate 2 is formed in a substantially cylindrical shape such that the consumable resembles a conventional cigarette. It has diameter of around 7mm and an axial length of around 12 mm.
The aerosol-forming substrate 2 is circumscribed by a paper wrapping layer 3.
The consumable 1 comprises an upstream filter element 4 and a downstream (terminal) filter element 5. The two filter elements 4, 5 and spaced by a cardboard tube spacer 6. Both filter elements 4, 5 are formed of cellulose acetate tow and wrapped with a respective paper plug layer (not shown).
Both filter elements have a substantially cylindrical shape. The diameter of the upstream filter element 4 matches the diameter of the aerosol-forming substrate 2. The diameter of the terminal filter element 5 is slightly larger and matches the combined diameter of the aerosol-forming substrate 2 and the wrapping layer 3. The upstream filter element 4 is slightly shorter in axial length than the terminal filter element 5 at an axial length of 10mm compared to 12mm for the terminal filter element 5.
The cardboard tube spacer is longer than each of the two filter portions having an axial length of around 14mm.
Each filter element 4, 5 is a hollow bore filter element with a hollow, longitudinally extending bore. The diameter of the bore in the upstream filter element 4 is slightly larger than the diameter of the bore in the terminal filter element 5 having a diameter of 3mm compared to 2 mm for the terminal filter element 5.
The cardboard tube spacer 6 and the upstream filter portion 4 are circumscribed by the wrapping layer 3.
The terminal filter element 5 is joined to the upstream elements forming the consumable by a circumscribing paper tipping layer 7. The tipping layer 7 encircles the terminal filter portion and has an axial length of around 20mm such that it overlays a portion of the cardboard tube spacer 6.
Figure 2 shows a second embodiment of a consumable T which is the same as that shown in Figure 1 except that the terminal filter element 5 comprises a crushable capsule 8 (crush-ball) containing a liquid menthol or cherry or vanilla flavourant. The capsule 8 is spherical and has a diameter of 3.5mm. It is positioned within the axial centre of the terminal filter portion 5.
Figure 3 shows a third embodiment of a consumable 1” which is the same as the first embodiment except that the wrapping layer 3 does not completely circumscribe the cardboard tube spacer 6 such that there is an annular gap 9 between the tipping layer 7 and the cardboard tube spacer 6 downstream of the end of the wrapping layer 3.
Figure 4 shows the first embodiment inserted into an HNB device 10 comprising a rod-shaped heating element (not shown). The heating element projects into a cavity 1 1 within the main body 12 of the device.
The consumable 1 is inserted into the cavity 1 1 of the main body 12 of the device 10 such that the heating rod penetrates the aerosol-forming substrate 2. Heating of the reconstituted tobacco in the aerosol-forming substrate 2 is effected by powering the heating element (e.g. with a rechargeable battery (not shown)). As
the tobacco is heated, moisture and volatile compound (e.g. nicotine) within the tobacco and the aerosol former are released as a vapour and entrained within an airflow generated by inhalation by the user at the terminal filter portion 5.
As the vapour cools within the upstream filer element 4 and the cardboard tube spacer 6, it condenses to form an aerosol containing the volatile compounds for inhalation by the user.
Figure 5 shows an illustrative diagram of an embodiment of the manufacturing method. Tobacco is ground to reduce the particle size to less than 120 microns 101
The ground tobacco 101 is then combined with a guar gum binder, cellulose pulp filler, propylene glycol and vegetable glycerine to form a mixture 102.
The mixture 102 is combined with an aqueous medium to form a slurry 103. Mixing of the mixture 102 with the aqueous medium is carried out in a high shear mixer. The tobacco content of the slurry is approximately 50 to 90 % of the total solids content of the slurry, where the total solids content is 15 to 30 weight % of the slurry.
A flavourant contained within a propylene glycol or vegetable glycerine base liquid, where the flavourant content is within the range 1 to 50 weight % of total weight of flavourant and base liquid, is combined with the slurry 104.
The resultant slurry is cast onto a dryer belt to form a sheet 105. The sheet is dried using a steam drying apparatus to remove excess moisture content from the sheet until the sheet is self-supporting 106.
The sheet is wound onto a bobbin 107 for storage. The moisture content of the cast sheet at winding is about 7 to 15 percent of dry weight of the tobacco sheet.
The sheet can subsequently be made into a whole or part of an HNB consumable suitable for an HNB device 108. This is achieved by cutting the sheet to an appropriate size. The sheet may be used as whole or part of an HNB consumable for an HNB device 109. In particular, it is a slurry-type reconstituted tobacco product for use in an HNB device.
The features disclosed in the foregoing description, or in the following claims, or in the accompanying drawings, expressed in their specific forms or in terms of a means for performing the disclosed function, or a method or process for obtaining the disclosed results, as appropriate, may, separately, or in any combination of such features, be utilised for realising the invention in diverse forms thereof.
While the invention has been described in conjunction with the exemplary embodiments described above, many equivalent modifications and variations will be apparent to those skilled in the art when given this disclosure. Accordingly, the exemplary embodiments of the invention set forth above are considered to be illustrative and not limiting. 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 herein are provided for the purposes of improving the understanding of a reader. 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 which follow, unless the context requires otherwise, the words“have”,“comprise”, and“include”, and variations such as“having”,“comprises”,“comprising”, and “including” will be understood to imply the inclusion of a stated integer or step or group of integers or steps but not the exclusion of any other integer or step or group of integers or steps. It must be noted that, as used in the specification and the appended 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 values are expressed as approximations, by the use of the antecedent“about,” it will be understood that the particular value forms another embodiment. The term“about” in relation to a numerical value is optional and means, for example, +/- 10%.
The words "preferred" and "preferably" are used herein refer to embodiments of the invention that may provide certain benefits under some circumstances. It is to be appreciated, however, that other embodiments may also be preferred under the same or different circumstances. The recitation of one or more preferred embodiments therefore does not mean or imply that other embodiments are not useful, and is not intended to exclude other embodiments from the scope of the disclosure, or from the scope of the claims.
Claims
1. A method for manufacturing a heat-not-burn (HNB) consumable comprising an aerosol-forming substrate, wherein the aerosol forming substrate is a slurry-type reconstituted plant material, the method comprising:
combining a ground plant material with an aqueous medium to form a slurry;
providing a flavourant in the slurry;
casting the slurry to form a sheet;
drying the sheet to form an aerosol-forming substrate; and
incorporating a portion of the aerosol-forming substrate into an HNB consumable.
2. A method according to claim 1 , wherein the flavourant is selected from menthol, peppermint, spearmint, liquorice, chocolate, fruit flavour, vanilla, spice, coffee, eucalyptus, and tobacco flavour.
3. A method according to claim 2, wherein the flavourant is a non-tobacco flavourant.
4. A method according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the flavourant is synthetically derived menthol.
5. A method according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the flavourant is provided in an amount resulting in a level of up to 20 % by weight of the dried aerosol-forming substrate.
6. A method according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the plant material is tobacco.
7. A method according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the flavourant is provided in a base liquid.
8. A method according to claim 7, wherein the base liquid is a polyhydric alcohol.
9. An HNB consumable formed by a method according to any one of the preceding claims.
10. A system comprising an HNB consumable according to claim 9 and a device comprising a heating element.
11. A system according to claim 10 wherein the device comprises a main body for housing the heating element and the heating element comprises an elongated heating element.
12. A method of using the system according to claim 10 or 1 1 , the method comprising: inserting the HNB consumable into the device; and
heating the HNB consumable using the heating element.
13. A method according to claim 12 comprising inserting the HNB consumable into a cavity within a main body of the device and penetrating the HNB consumable with the heating element upon insertion of the HNB consumable.
Priority Applications (1)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
US17/242,571 US20210244076A1 (en) | 2018-10-29 | 2021-04-28 | Smoking Substitute Consumable |
Applications Claiming Priority (2)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
GBGB1817556.2A GB201817556D0 (en) | 2018-10-29 | 2018-10-29 | Smoking substitute consumable |
GB1817556.2 | 2018-10-29 |
Related Parent Applications (1)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
PCT/EP2019/079164 Continuation WO2020089065A1 (en) | 2018-10-29 | 2019-10-25 | Smoking substitute consumable |
Related Child Applications (1)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
PCT/EP2019/079180 Continuation WO2020089077A1 (en) | 2018-10-29 | 2019-10-25 | Smoking substitute consumable |
Publications (1)
Publication Number | Publication Date |
---|---|
WO2020089080A1 true WO2020089080A1 (en) | 2020-05-07 |
Family
ID=64560393
Family Applications (1)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
PCT/EP2019/079184 WO2020089080A1 (en) | 2018-10-29 | 2019-10-25 | Smoking substitute consumable |
Country Status (3)
Country | Link |
---|---|
GB (1) | GB201817556D0 (en) |
TW (1) | TWI832918B (en) |
WO (1) | WO2020089080A1 (en) |
Cited By (4)
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WO2022138263A1 (en) * | 2020-12-24 | 2022-06-30 | 日本たばこ産業株式会社 | Method for manufacturing tobacco rod part for non-combustion heating-type flavor inhalation article |
WO2022195562A1 (en) * | 2021-03-19 | 2022-09-22 | Nicoventures Trading Limited | Extruded substrates for aerosol delivery devices |
WO2022248378A1 (en) * | 2021-05-27 | 2022-12-01 | Philip Morris Products S.A. | Method for producing an aerosol-forming substrate and aerosol-forming substrate |
RU2821499C2 (en) * | 2021-05-27 | 2024-06-25 | Филип Моррис Продактс С.А. | Method of producing aerosol-forming substrate and aerosol-forming substrate |
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US20050039767A1 (en) * | 2002-11-19 | 2005-02-24 | John-Paul Mua | Reconstituted tobacco sheet and smoking article therefrom |
WO2013034488A2 (en) * | 2011-09-09 | 2013-03-14 | Philip Morris Products S.A. | Smoking article comprising a flavour delivery material |
WO2013098405A2 (en) * | 2011-12-30 | 2013-07-04 | Philip Morris Products S.A. | Aerosol-generating article for use with an aerosol-generating device |
EP2625974A1 (en) * | 2012-02-13 | 2013-08-14 | Philip Morris Products S.A. | Aerosol-generating article having a flavour-generating component |
WO2015075650A1 (en) * | 2013-11-22 | 2015-05-28 | Philip Morris Products S.A. | Smoking composition comprising flavour precursor |
WO2015092749A1 (en) * | 2013-12-20 | 2015-06-25 | Philip Morris Products, S.A. | Wax encapsulated zeolite flavour delivery system for tobacco |
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2018
- 2018-10-29 GB GBGB1817556.2A patent/GB201817556D0/en not_active Ceased
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2019
- 2019-10-25 WO PCT/EP2019/079184 patent/WO2020089080A1/en active Application Filing
- 2019-10-29 TW TW108138993A patent/TWI832918B/en active
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US20050039767A1 (en) * | 2002-11-19 | 2005-02-24 | John-Paul Mua | Reconstituted tobacco sheet and smoking article therefrom |
WO2013034488A2 (en) * | 2011-09-09 | 2013-03-14 | Philip Morris Products S.A. | Smoking article comprising a flavour delivery material |
WO2013098405A2 (en) * | 2011-12-30 | 2013-07-04 | Philip Morris Products S.A. | Aerosol-generating article for use with an aerosol-generating device |
EP2625974A1 (en) * | 2012-02-13 | 2013-08-14 | Philip Morris Products S.A. | Aerosol-generating article having a flavour-generating component |
WO2015075650A1 (en) * | 2013-11-22 | 2015-05-28 | Philip Morris Products S.A. | Smoking composition comprising flavour precursor |
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Cited By (4)
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WO2022138263A1 (en) * | 2020-12-24 | 2022-06-30 | 日本たばこ産業株式会社 | Method for manufacturing tobacco rod part for non-combustion heating-type flavor inhalation article |
WO2022195562A1 (en) * | 2021-03-19 | 2022-09-22 | Nicoventures Trading Limited | Extruded substrates for aerosol delivery devices |
WO2022248378A1 (en) * | 2021-05-27 | 2022-12-01 | Philip Morris Products S.A. | Method for producing an aerosol-forming substrate and aerosol-forming substrate |
RU2821499C2 (en) * | 2021-05-27 | 2024-06-25 | Филип Моррис Продактс С.А. | Method of producing aerosol-forming substrate and aerosol-forming substrate |
Also Published As
Publication number | Publication date |
---|---|
GB201817556D0 (en) | 2018-12-12 |
TWI832918B (en) | 2024-02-21 |
TW202033108A (en) | 2020-09-16 |
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