RU2841850C1 - Article, substrate and aerosol-generating system, as well as an aerosol and method of making a substrate - Google Patents

Abstract

FIELD: aerosol-generating articles; chemistry.

SUBSTANCE: invention relates to an article, a substrate and an aerosol-generating system, as well as to an aerosol and a method of producing a substrate. Article (1000), (4000a, 4000b), (5000), which generates aerosol, comprises aerosol-generating substrate (1020), wherein the aerosol-generating substrate is formed from a homogenised dill seed material containing dill seed particles, an aerosol-generating substance and a binder. Aerosol-generating substrate additionally contains at least 100 micrograms of carvone per gram of substrate in terms of dry weight and at least 2 micrograms of limonene per gram of substrate in terms of dry weight. Amount of carvone per gram of substrate is not more than 50 times the amount of limonene per gram of substrate.

EFFECT: invention enables to provide an aerosol-generating substrate for a heated aerosol-generating article which provides an aerosol with an improved savour and mouth fullness, and wherein the aerosol has a reduced level of undesirable aerosol compounds compared to existing aerosol-generating substrates.

16 cl, 11 dwg, 4 tbl, 1 ex

Description

The present invention relates to aerosol-generating substrates containing homogenized plant material formed from dill seed particles and to aerosol-generating articles containing such an aerosol-generating substrate. The present invention further relates to an aerosol obtained from an aerosol-generating substrate containing dill seed particles.

Aerosol generating articles in which an aerosol generating substrate, such as a tobacco-containing substrate, is heated rather than burned are known in the art (see, for example, EP 3616537 A4, RU 2673615 C1 and EA 12316 B1). Typically, in such articles, the aerosol is generated by heat transfer from a heat source to a physically separate aerosol generating substrate or material that may be located in contact with, within, around or downstream of the heat source. During use of the aerosol generating article, volatile compounds are released from the substrate by heat transfer from the heat source and are entrained in air drawn through the article. As the released compounds cool, they condense to form an aerosol.

Some aerosol-generating articles contain a flavoring agent that is delivered to the consumer during use of the article to provide the consumer with a different sensory experience, such as enhancing the taste of the aerosol. The flavoring agent may be used to deliver a taste sensation (flavor), an olfactory sensation (smell), or both a taste and olfactory sensation to the user inhaling the aerosol. It is known to provide heated aerosol-generating articles that contain flavoring agents.

It is also known to provide flavorings in conventional combustible cigarettes, which are smoked by lighting the end of the cigarette opposite the mouthpiece, causing the tobacco rod to burn to generate inhaled smoke. One or more flavorings are typically mixed with the tobacco in the tobacco rod to impart additional flavor to the inhaled smoke when the tobacco is burned. Such flavorings may be provided, for example, in the form of an essential oil.

The aerosol from a conventional cigarette, which contains many components that interact with receptors located in the mouth, provides a sensation of "mouth fullness", i.e. a relatively strong sensation in the mouth. "Mouth feel" as used herein refers to the physical sensations in the mouth caused by a food, drink or aerosol, and is distinct from taste. It is a fundamental sensory attribute that, along with taste and smell, determines the overall flavor of a food or aerosol.

There are difficulties in reproducing the consumer experience provided by conventional combustible cigarettes in aerosol-generating products in which the aerosol-generating substrate is heated rather than combusted. This is partly due to the lower temperatures achieved when heating such aerosol-generating products, which results in a different profile of the volatile compounds released.

It would be desirable to provide a new aerosol generating substrate for a heated aerosol generating article that provides an aerosol with an improved mouthfeel and mouth fullness. It would be particularly desirable if such an aerosol generating substrate could provide an aerosol with a sensation comparable to that provided by a conventional combustible cigarette. It would also be particularly desirable if such an aerosol generating substrate could provide an aerosol that has reduced levels of undesirable aerosol compounds compared to existing aerosol generating substrates, such as those containing only tobacco.

It would also be desirable to provide such an aerosol generating substrate that can be easily incorporated into an aerosol generating article and that can be manufactured using existing high-speed methods and devices.

The present invention relates to an aerosol generating article comprising an aerosol generating substrate, wherein the aerosol generating substrate is formed from

homogenized plant material comprising dill seed particles, referred to herein as "homogenized dill seed material." The homogenized dill seed material may comprise dill seed particles. The homogenized dill seed material may further comprise an aerosol forming agent. The homogenized dill seed material may further comprise a binder. The aerosol generating substrate may further comprise at least about 100 micrograms of carvone per gram of substrate on a dry weight basis. The aerosol generating substrate may further comprise at least about 2 micrograms of limonene per gram of substrate on a dry weight basis. The amount of carvone per gram of substrate may be no more than about 50 times the amount of limonene per gram of substrate.

According to the present invention, there is provided an aerosol-generating article comprising an aerosol-generating substrate, wherein the aerosol-generating substrate is formed from a homogenized material based on dill seeds, comprising dill seed particles. According to the present invention, the homogenized plant material comprises: dill seed particles, an aerosol-forming substance, and a binder. The aerosol-generating substrate further comprises at least about 100 micrograms of carvone per gram of substrate, based on dry weight, and at least about 2 micrograms of limonene per gram of substrate, based on dry weight. The amount of carvone per gram of substrate is no more than about 50 times the amount of limonene per gram of substrate.

Preferably, when the aerosol-generating substrate of the aerosol-generating article of the present invention is heated in accordance with Test Method A as described below, an aerosol is generated comprising: at least about 20 micrograms of carvone per gram of substrate on a dry weight basis and at least about 2 micrograms of limonene per gram of substrate on a dry weight basis, wherein the amount of carvone in the aerosol per gram of substrate is no more than about 10 times the amount of limonene in the aerosol per gram of substrate.

Preferably, when the aerosol generating substrate is heated according to Test Method A, the aerosol generated from the aerosol generating substrate may contain carvone in an amount of at least about 0.5 micrograms per puff of the aerosol. When the aerosol generating substrate is heated according to Test Method A, the aerosol generated from the aerosol generating substrate may contain limonene in an amount of at least about 0.05 micrograms per puff of the aerosol. The amount of carvone per puff of the aerosol is preferably no more than about 10 times the amount of limonene per puff of the aerosol. The puff of the aerosol has a volume of 55 milliliters when generated by a smoking machine.

According to the present invention, there is provided an aerosol-generating article comprising an aerosol-generating substrate, wherein the aerosol-generating substrate is formed from a homogenized material based on dill seeds, comprising dill seeds particles. The aerosol-generating substrate comprises at least approximately 100 micrograms of carvone per gram of substrate, calculated on a dry weight basis, and at least approximately 2 micrograms of limonene per gram of substrate, calculated on a dry weight basis. The amount of carvone per gram of substrate is no more than approximately 50 times the amount of limonene per gram of substrate.

The present invention also relates to an aerosol-generating substrate formed from homogenized plant material containing dill seed particles, referred to herein as "homogenized dill seed material." The homogenized dill seed material may further comprise an aerosol-forming substance. The homogenized dill seed material may further comprise a binder. The aerosol-generating substrate may comprise at least about 100 micrograms of carvone per gram of substrate, based on dry weight. The aerosol-generating substrate may comprise at least about 2 micrograms of limonene per gram of substrate, based on dry weight. The amount of carvone per gram of substrate may be no more than about 50 times the amount of limonene per gram of substrate.

According to the present invention, there is also provided an aerosol generating substrate formed from a homogenized material based on dill seeds, wherein the homogenized material based on dill seeds comprises particles of dill seeds, an aerosol forming substance and a binder. The aerosol generating substrate further comprises at least approximately 100 micrograms of carvone per gram of substrate based on dry weight and at least 2 micrograms of limonene per gram of substrate based on dry weight, wherein the amount of carvone per gram of substrate is no more than approximately 50 times the amount of limonene per gram of substrate.

The present invention further relates to an aerosol obtained by heating an aerosol-generating substrate. The aerosol may contain carvone in an amount of at least about 0.5 micrograms per puff of the aerosol. The aerosol may contain limonene in an amount of at least about 0.05 micrograms per puff of the aerosol. The amount of carvone in the aerosol per gram of substrate may be no more than about 10 times the amount of limonene in the aerosol per gram of substrate. A puff of the aerosol has a volume of 55 milliliters when generated by a smoking machine.

According to the present invention, an aerosol is further provided, obtained by heating an aerosol-generating substrate, wherein the aerosol comprises: carvone in an amount of at least about 0.5 micrograms per puff of the aerosol and limonene in an amount of at least about 0.05 micrograms per puff of the aerosol, wherein the amount of carvone in the aerosol per gram of substrate is no more than 10 times greater than the amount of limonene in the aerosol per gram of substrate and wherein the puff of the aerosol has a volume of 55 milliliters when generated by a smoking machine.

The present invention further provides a method for producing an aerosol-generating substrate comprising: forming a pulp comprising dill seed particles, water, an aerosol-forming agent, a binder and optionally tobacco particles; casting or extruding the pulp into a sheet or threads; and drying the sheets or threads, preferably at a temperature of from 80 to 160 degrees Celsius. After forming the sheet of the aerosol-generating substrate, the sheet may optionally be cut into threads or the sheet may be collected to form a rod. The sheet may optionally be corrugated before the collecting step.

Any references below to aerosol generating substrates and aerosols according to the present invention should be construed as applicable to all aspects of the present invention unless otherwise stated.

As used herein, the term "aerosol-generating article" refers to an article for producing an aerosol, wherein the article comprises an aerosol-generating substrate that is suitable and designed to be heated or burned to release volatile compounds that can form an aerosol. A conventional cigarette is lit when a user applies a flame to one end of the cigarette and draws air through the other end. The localized heat provided by the flame and the oxygen in the air drawn through the cigarette causes the end of the cigarette to ignite, and the resulting combustion generates inhalable smoke. In contrast, in "heated aerosol-generating articles," the aerosol is generated by heating the aerosol-generating substrate rather than by burning the aerosol-generating substrate. Known heated aerosol-generating articles include, for example, electrically heated aerosol-generating articles and aerosol-generating articles in which the aerosol is generated as a result of heat transfer from a combustible heat-generating element or heat source to a physically separated aerosol-generating substrate.

Also known are aerosol generating articles that are adapted for use in an aerosol generating system that supplies an aerosol forming substance to the aerosol generating articles. In such a system, the aerosol generating substrate in the aerosol generating articles contains substantially less aerosol forming substance relative to the aerosol generating substrate that contains and provides substantially all of the aerosol forming substance used in aerosol formation during operation.

As used herein, the term "aerosol-generating substrate" refers to a substrate capable of releasing volatile compounds upon heating that can form an aerosol. The aerosol generated from aerosol-generating substrates may be visible or invisible to the human eye and may contain vapors (e.g., finely dispersed particles of substances that are in a gaseous state and are typically liquid or solid at room temperature), as well as gases and liquid droplets of condensed vapors.

The term "homogenized plant material" as used herein includes any plant material formed by agglomerating plant particles. For example, sheets or webs of homogenized plant material for aerosol-generating substrates according to the present invention can be formed by agglomerating plant material particles obtained by grinding, milling or grinding plant material based on dill seeds and optionally tobacco material, such as tobacco leaf blades or tobacco leaf stems. The homogenized plant material can be obtained by casting, extrusion, papermaking processes or any other suitable methods known in the art.

As used herein, the term "homogenized fennel seed material" refers to a homogenized plant material comprising fennel seed particles, optionally in combination with tobacco particles. The term "homogenized tobacco material" refers to a homogenized plant material comprising tobacco particles but not comprising fennel seed particles, which is therefore not in accordance with the present invention.

As used herein, the term "dill seed particles" includes particles obtained from the seeds of dill (Anethum graveolens). Dill is an annual herbaceous plant of the genus Anethum in the celery family Apiaceae that is widely grown in Europe and Asia. Dill leaves and dill seeds are commonly used as a food flavoring.

In contrast, dill oil is a distillate extracted from the leaves, stems, and seeds of the plant, and carvone and limonene are compounds derived from dill seeds.

The present invention provides an aerosol generating article comprising an aerosol generating substrate formed from homogenized plant material containing dill seed particles, referred to herein as "homogenized dill seed based material". The present invention also provides an aerosol obtained from such an aerosol generating substrate. The inventors of the present invention have found that by incorporating dill seed particles into the aerosol generating substrate, it is advantageously possible to obtain an aerosol that provides a new sensory experience. Such an aerosol provides a unique taste and can provide an increased level of mouth filling.

In addition, the inventors have found that it is advantageously possible to obtain an aerosol with an improved aroma and flavor of dill seed compared to an aerosol obtained by adding dill seed additives, such as dill oil. Dill oil (CAS Registration No. 8006-75-5) is obtained by steam distillation from the dill plant, primarily dill seed. It has a flavor composition that differs from dill seed particles, presumably due to the distillation process, which can selectively remove or retain certain flavors. Carvone is one of the main constituents of dill oil. Limonene is also present in dill oil, although at a significantly lower level than limonene.

Moreover, in some aerosol generating substrates provided herein, dill seed particles may be included at a sufficient level to impart a desired dill seed flavor while maintaining a sufficient amount of tobacco material to provide a desired nicotine level to the consumer.

In addition, it was unexpectedly found that the inclusion of dill seed particles in an aerosol-generating substrate provides a significant reduction in certain undesirable aerosol compounds compared to an aerosol produced from an aerosol-generating substrate containing 100 percent tobacco particles without the dill seed particles. In particular, as shown below, it was unexpectedly found that the inclusion of dill seed particles in an aerosol-generating substrate provides a significant reduction in certain polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) and phenolic compounds compared to an aerosol produced from an aerosol-generating substrate containing 100 percent tobacco particles without the dill seed particles. In addition, it was found that this reduction is greater than would be expected on a proportional basis as a result of the reduction in the amount of tobacco particles.

The presence of dill seeds in homogenized plant material (such as molded leaf) can be accurately determined by DNA barcoding. Methods for performing DNA barcoding based on the nuclear ITS2 gene, the rbcL and matK system, and the plastid intergenic spacer trnH-psbA are well known in the art and can be used (Chen S, Yao H, Han J, Liu C, Song J, et al. (2010) Validation of the ITS2 Region as a Novel DNA Barcode for Identifying Medicinal Plant Species. PLoSONE 5(1): e8613; Hoi1ingsworth PM, Graham SW, Little DP (2011) Choosing and Using a Plant DNA Barcode. PLoS ONE 6(5): el9254).

The inventors of the present invention have carried out a complex analysis and characterization of aerosols generated from aerosol-generating substrates according to the present invention, which contain dill seed particles and a mixture of dill seed particles and tobacco particles, and compared these aerosols with aerosols obtained from existing aerosol-generating substrates formed from tobacco material without dill seed particles. Based on this, the inventors of the present invention were able to determine a group of "characteristic compounds", which are compounds present in aerosols and obtained from dill seed particles. The detection of these characteristic compounds in the aerosol within a certain range of weight fractions can thus be used to identify aerosols that are obtained from an aerosol-generating substrate containing dill seed particles. These characteristic compounds are not present to a significant extent, or are present only in a very low amount, in the aerosol generated from tobacco material. In addition, the proportion of characteristic compounds in the aerosol and the ratio of characteristic compounds to each other clearly indicate the use of dill seed-based plant material rather than dill oil. Likewise, the presence of these characteristic compounds in specific proportions in the aerosol-generating substrate indicates the incorporation of dill seed particles into the substrate.

In particular, the determined levels and ratio of the characteristic compounds in the substrate and the aerosol are specific for the dill seed particles present in the homogenised dill seed material. The level of each characteristic compound depends on the method by which the dill seed particles were processed during the production of the homogenised dill seed material. The level also depends on the composition of the homogenised dill seed material and, in particular, will be affected by the level of other components in the homogenised dill seed material. The level of the characteristic compounds in the homogenised dill seed material will differ from the level of the same compound in the original dill seed material. It will also differ from the level of the characteristic compounds in materials containing dill seed particles but which do not correspond to the present invention as defined herein.

To characterize aerosols, the present inventors used a complementary non-targeted

differential screening (NTDS) using liquid chromatography coupled to high-resolution mass spectrometry (LC-HRAM-MS) in parallel with two-dimensional gas chromatography coupled to time-of-flight mass spectrometry (GCxGC-TOFMS).

Non-targeted screening (NTS) is a key technique for characterizing the chemical composition of complex matrices by matching unknown compound detections with spectral databases (putative screening analysis [SSA]) or, if preliminary data are inconsistent, by elucidating the structure of unknowns using, for example, first-order fragmentation (MS/MS) information matched to in silico predicted fragments from compound databases (non-targeted analysis [NTA]). It provides simultaneous measurement and the ability to semi-quantify large numbers of small molecules in samples using an unbiased approach.

If the focus is on comparing two or more aerosol samples as described above to assess any significant differences in chemical composition between uncontrolled samples, or if preliminary group-related data are available between sample groups, a non-targeted differential screening (NTDS) may be performed. A complementary differential screening approach using liquid chromatography coupled to high-resolution mass spectrometry with accurate mass (LC-HRAM-MS) in parallel with two-dimensional gas chromatography coupled to time-of-flight mass spectrometry (GCxGC-TOFMS) was applied to provide comprehensive analytical coverage to identify the most significant differences in aerosol composition between aerosols generated from articles containing 100% by weight of dill seed as particulate plant material and aerosols generated from articles containing 100% by weight of tobacco as particulate plant material.

The aerosol was generated and collected using the apparatus and methodology detailed below.

LC-HRAM-MS analysis was performed using a Thermo QExactive™ high-resolution mass spectrometer in both full scan and data dependent modes. A total of three different methods were used to cover a wide range of substances with different ionization properties and compound classes. Samples were analyzed by RP chromatography with heated electrospray ionization (HESI) in both positive and negative modes and by atmospheric pressure chemical ionization (APCI) in positive mode. The methods are described in the following papers: Arndt, D. et al, "In depth characterization of chemical differences between heat-not-burn tobacco products and cigarettes using LC-HRAM-MS-based non-targeted differential screening" (DOI:10.13140/RG.2.2.11752.16643); Wachsmuth, C. et al, “Comprehensive chemical characterisation of complex matrices through integration of multiple analytical modes and databases for LC-HRAM-MS-based non-targeted screening” (DOI:10.13140/RG.2.2.12701. 61927); and Buchholz, C. et al, “Increasing confidence for compound identification by fragmentation database and in silico fragmentation comparison with LC-HRAM-MS-based non-targeted screening of complex matrices” (DOI:10.13140/RG.2.2.17944.49927), all produced at the 66th ASMS Conference on Mass Spectrometry and Related Topics, San Diego, USA (2018). The methods are further described in the following papers: Arndt, D. et al, “A complex matrix characterization approach, applied to cigarette smoke, that integrates multiple analytical methods and compound identification strategies for non-targeted liquid chromatography with high-resolution mass spectrometry” (DOI: 10.1002/rcm.8571).

GCxGC-TOFMS analysis was performed using an Agilent GC model 6890A or 7890A equipped with an automatic liquid nebulizer (model 7683B) and a temperature modulator coupled to a LECO Pegasus 4D™ mass spectrometer using three different methods for non-polar, polar, and highly volatile compounds in the aerosol. The methods are described in the following papers: Almstetter efc al, “Non-targeted screening using GCxGC-TOFMS for in-depth chemical characterization of aerosol from a heat-not-burn tobacco product” (DOI:10.13140/RG.2.2.36010.31688/1); and Almstetter et al, “Non-targeted differential screening of complex matrices using GCxGC-TOFMS for comprehensive characterization of the chemical composition and determination of significant differences” (DOI: 10.13140/RG.2.2.32692.55680), obtained from the 66th and 64th ASMS Conferences on Mass Spectrometry and Related Topics, San Diego, USA, respectively.

The results of the analytical methods provided information on the main compounds responsible for the differences in aerosols generated by such articles. The purpose of the untargeted differential screening using both the LC-HRAM-MS and GCxGC-TOFMS analytical platforms was to identify compounds that were present in high amounts in aerosols of a sample of the aerosol-generating substrate according to the present invention containing 100 percent of dill seed particles relative to a comparative sample of the aerosol-generating substrate containing 100 percent of tobacco particles. The NTDS methodology is described in the documents listed above.

Based on this information, the present inventors were able to identify specific compounds in the aerosol that can be considered "characteristic compounds" derived from dill seed particles in the substrate. Characteristic compounds derived from dill seed include, but are not limited to: limonene (1-methyl-4-(prop-1-en-2-yl)cyclohex-1-ene, chemical formula: C ₁₀ H ₁₆ , Chemical Abstracts Service Registry Number 138-86-3) and carvone (2-methyl-5-(prop-1-en-2-yl)cyclohex-2-en-1-one, chemical formula: C ₁₀ H ₂₀ O, Chemical Abstracts Service Registry Number 99-49-0).

For the purposes of the present invention, targeted screening may be performed on a sample of an aerosol-generating substrate to identify the presence and amount of each of the characteristic compounds in the substrate. Such a targeted screening method is described below. As described, the characteristic compounds may be detected and measured both in the aerosol-generating substrate and in the aerosol obtained from the aerosol-generating substrate.

As defined above, the aerosol generating article according to the present invention comprises an aerosol generating substrate formed from homogenized plant material containing dill seed particles. As a result of the inclusion of dill seed particles, the aerosol generating substrate comprises certain proportions of the "characteristic compounds" of dill seed, as described above. In particular, the aerosol generating substrate preferably comprises at least 100 micrograms of carvone per gram of substrate and at least 2 micrograms of limonene per gram of substrate, based on dry weight.

For the purposes of the present invention, the amount of carvone shall be taken as the total combined amount of the stereoisomers of carvone: L-carvone and D-carvone. Similarly, the amount of limonene shall be taken as the total combined amount of the stereoisomers of limonene: L-limonene and D-limonene.

By defining the aerosol generating substrate relative to desired levels of signature compounds, consistency between products can be ensured despite potential differences in signature compound levels in the starting materials. This advantageously allows for more effective quality control of the product.

Preferably, the aerosol generating substrate comprises at least about 250 micrograms of carvone per gram of substrate, more preferably at least about 500 micrograms of carvone per gram of substrate on a dry weight basis. Alternatively or additionally, the aerosol generating substrate preferably comprises no more than about 4500 micrograms of carvone per gram of substrate, more preferably no more than about 4000 micrograms of carvone per gram of substrate, more preferably no more than about 3000 micrograms of carvone per gram of substrate on a dry weight basis.

For example, the aerosol generating substrate may contain from about 100 micrograms to about 4500 micrograms of carvone per gram of substrate, or from about 250 micrograms to about 4000 micrograms of carvone per gram of substrate, or from about 500 micrograms to about 3000 micrograms of carvone per gram of substrate on a dry weight basis.

In certain preferred embodiments, the aerosol-generating substrate may comprise from about 100 micrograms to about 1500 micrograms of carvone per gram of aerosol-generating substrate, more preferably from about 250 micrograms to about 1000 micrograms of carvone per gram of aerosol-generating substrate. For example, the level of carvone may be within these ranges for the first preferred embodiment of the present invention, in which the aerosol-generating substrate comprises from 2.5 percent by weight to 25 percent by weight of dill seed particles on a dry weight basis, as described below.

Preferably, the aerosol generating substrate comprises at least about 10 micrograms of limonene per gram of substrate, more preferably at least about 25 micrograms of limonene per gram of substrate on a dry weight basis. Alternatively or additionally, the aerosol generating substrate preferably comprises no more than about 200 micrograms of limonene per gram of substrate, more preferably no more than about 150 micrograms of limonene per gram of substrate, more preferably no more than about 100 micrograms of limonene per gram of substrate on a dry weight basis.

For example, the aerosol generating substrate may contain from about 2 micrograms to about 200 micrograms of limonene per gram of substrate, or from about 10 micrograms to about 150 micrograms of limonene per gram of substrate, or from about 25 micrograms to about 100 micrograms of limonene per gram of substrate on a dry weight basis.

In certain particularly preferred embodiments, the aerosol-generating substrate may comprise from about 2 micrograms to about 50 micrograms of limonene per gram of aerosol-generating substrate, more preferably from about 10 micrograms to about 40 micrograms of limonene per gram of aerosol-generating substrate. For example, the level of limonene may be within these ranges for the first preferred embodiment of the present invention, in which the aerosol-generating substrate comprises from 2.5 percent by weight to 25 percent by weight of dill seed particles on a dry weight basis, as described below.

As defined above, the ratio of the characteristic compounds in the aerosol-generating substrate is such that the amount of carvone per gram of substrate is no more than about 50 times the amount of limonene per gram of substrate, more preferably no more than about 40 times the amount of limonene per gram of substrate, more preferably no more than about 35 times the amount of limonene per gram of substrate. The ratio of carvone to limonene in the aerosol-generating substrate is thus significantly lower than the ratio of carvone to limonene in dill oil due to the significantly higher relative proportion of carvone present in the oil compared to the dill seed particles.

The ratio of carvone to limonene is thus characteristic of the incorporation of dill seed particles into the aerosol-generating substrate.

As defined above, the present invention also provides an aerosol generating article that comprises an aerosol generating substrate formed from homogenized plant material containing dill seed particles, wherein upon heating the aerosol generating substrate, an aerosol is generated that contains "characteristic compounds" of dill seed.

For the purposes of the present invention, the aerosol-generating substrate is heated according to "test method A". In test method A, an aerosol-generating article that contains the aerosol-generating substrate is heated in a tobacco heating system 2.2 holder (THS2.2 holder) according to the machine smoking regimen approved by Health Canada. For the purposes of performing test method A, the aerosol-generating substrate is provided in an aerosol-generating article that is compatible with the THS2.2 holder.

The tobacco heating system 2.2 holder (THS2.2 holder) corresponds to the commercially available IQOS device (Philip Morris Products SA, Switzerland) as described in Smith et al., 2016, Regul. Toxicol. Pharmacol. 81 (S2) S82-S92. Aerosol generating products for use in combination with the IQOS device are also commercially available.

The Health Canada smoking regimen is a clearly defined and accepted smoking protocol as defined in Health Canada 2000 Tobacco Products Information Regulations SOR/2000-273, Schedule 2; published by the Department of Justice, Canada. The test method is described in ISO/TR 19 4 7 8-1:2014. In the Health Canada smoking test, aerosol is collected from an aerosol-generating substrate sample over 12 puffs with a puff volume of 55 millimetres, a puff duration of 2 seconds and an inter-puff interval of 30 seconds, with all ventilation blocked if ventilation is present.

Thus, in the context of the present invention, the expression "under heating of the aerosol-generating substrate according to Test Method A" means heating of the aerosol-generating substrate in a THS2.2 holder according to the machine smoking regimen approved by Health Canada, as defined in Health Canada 2000 - Tobacco Products Information Regulations SOR/2000-273, Schedule 2, published by the Department of Justice Canada, the test method being described in IS0/TR 19 4 7 8-1:2014.

For analytical purposes, the aerosol generated by heating the aerosol generating substrate is collected using a suitable device depending on the analytical method to be used. In a suitable method for generating samples for LC-HRAM-MS analysis, the dispersed phase is collected using a 4 mm Cambridge glass fibre filter pad (according to ISO 3308) and a filter holder (according to ISO 4387 and ISO 3308). The remaining gas phase is collected downstream of the filter pad using two

successive microimpingers (20 ml), each containing methanol and an internal standard solution (ISTD) (10 ml), maintained at -60 degrees Celsius using a mixture consisting of dry ice and isopropanol. The trapped dispersed phase and gas phase are then recombined and extracted using methanol from the microimpingers by shaking the sample, vigorously mixing for 5 minutes and centrifuging (4500 g, 5 minutes, 10 degrees Celsius). The resulting extract is diluted with methanol and mixed in an Eppendorf thermal mixer (5 degrees Celsius, 2000 rpm). Test samples from the extract are analyzed by LC-HRAM-MS in a combination of full scan mode and fragmentation mode depending on the data to identify characteristic compounds. For the purposes of the present invention, LC-HRAM-MS analysis is suitable for the identification and quantification of carvone.

Samples for GCxGC-TOFMS analysis can be generated in a similar manner, but for GCxGC-TOFMS analysis, different solvents are suitable for the extraction and analysis of polar compounds, non-polar compounds, and volatile compounds isolated from the whole aerosol.

For non-polar and polar compounds, the total aerosol is collected using a standard 44 mm Cambridge glass fibre filter pad (ISO 3308) and filter holder (ISO 4387 and ISO 3308) followed by two microimpingers connected and sealed in series. Each microimpinger (20 ml) contains 10 ml of dichloromethane/methanol (80:20 v/v) containing the internal standard (ISTD) and retention index marker (RIM) compounds. The microimpingers are maintained at -80 °C with a mixture of dry ice and isopropanol. For the analysis of non-polar compounds, the dispersed phase of the total aerosol is extracted from the glass fibre filter pad using the contents of the microimpingers. Water is added to an aliquot (10 ml) of the resulting extract and the sample is shaken and centrifuged as described above. The dichloromethane layer is separated, dried with sodium sulfate and analyzed by GCxGC-TOFMS in full scan mode. For the analysis of polar compounds, the water layer remaining from the preparation of the non-polar sample described above is used. ISTD and RIM compounds are added to the water layer, which is then analyzed directly by GCxGC-TOFMS in full scan mode.

For volatile compounds, the entire aerosol is collected using two sealed microimpingers (20 mL) connected in series, each filled with 10 mL of N,N-dimethylformamide (DMF) containing ISTD and RIM compounds. The microimpingers are maintained at -50 to -60 °C using a mixture of dry ice and isopropanol. After collection, the contents of the two microimpingers are combined and analyzed by GCxGC-TOFMS in full scan mode.

For the purposes of the present invention, GCxGC-TOFMS analysis is suitable for the identification and quantification of carvone and limonene.

The aerosol generated by heating the aerosol generating substrate according to the present invention according to Test Method A is preferably characterized by the amounts and ratios of the characteristic compounds, carvone and limonene, as defined above.

Preferably, in an aerosol-generating article comprising an aerosol-generating substrate as described above, upon heating the aerosol-generating substrate according to Test Method A, an aerosol is generated comprising at least about 20 micrograms of carvone per gram of substrate on a dry weight basis and at least about 2 micrograms of limonene per gram of substrate on a dry weight basis. Preferably, the amount of carvone in the aerosol per gram of substrate is no more than about 10 times the amount of limonene in the aerosol per gram of substrate.

The ranges specify the amount of each characteristic compound in the generated aerosol per gram of aerosol-generating substrate (also referred to herein as "substrate"). This is equal to the total amount of the characteristic compound measured in the aerosol collected during Test Method A divided by the dry weight of the aerosol-generating substrate before heating.

When the aerosol generating substrate is heated according to Test Method A, an aerosol is preferably generated which preferably contains at least about 100 micrograms of carvone per gram of substrate on a dry weight basis. More preferably, the aerosol generated from the aerosol generating substrate according to the present invention contains at least about 200 micrograms of carvone per gram of substrate on a dry weight basis.

Alternatively or additionally, the aerosol generated from the aerosol generating substrate preferably comprises up to about 1500 micrograms of carvone per gram of substrate on a dry weight basis. More preferably, the aerosol generated from the aerosol generating substrate comprises up to about 1200 micrograms of carvone per gram of substrate on a dry weight basis. Even more preferably, the aerosol generated from the aerosol generating substrate comprises up to about 1000 micrograms of carvone per gram of substrate on a dry weight basis.

In certain embodiments of the present invention, the aerosol generated from the aerosol-generating substrate may contain up to 500 micrograms of carvone per gram of substrate, more preferably up to 300 micrograms of carvone per gram of substrate on a dry weight basis. For example, the level of carvone may be within these ranges for the first preferred embodiment of the present invention, in which the aerosol-generating substrate contains from 2.5 percent by weight to 25 percent by weight of dill seed particles on a dry weight basis, as described below.

Heating the aerosol generating substrate according to Test Method A generates an aerosol that preferably contains at least about 20 micrograms of limonene per gram of substrate on a dry weight basis. More preferably, the aerosol generated from the aerosol generating substrate according to the present invention contains at least about 50 micrograms of limonene per gram of substrate on a dry weight basis.

Alternatively or additionally, the aerosol generated from the aerosol generating substrate preferably comprises up to about 300 micrograms of limonene per gram of substrate on a dry weight basis. More preferably, the aerosol generated from the aerosol generating substrate comprises up to about 250 micrograms of limonene per gram of substrate on a dry weight basis. Even more preferably, the aerosol generated from the aerosol generating substrate comprises up to about 200 micrograms of limonene per gram of substrate on a dry weight basis.

In certain embodiments of the present invention, the aerosol generated from the aerosol-generating substrate may contain up to 100 micrograms of limonene per gram of substrate, more preferably up to 75 micrograms of limonene per gram of substrate on a dry weight basis. For example, the level of carvone may be within these ranges for the first preferred embodiment of the present invention, in which the aerosol-generating substrate contains from 2.5 percent by weight to 25 percent by weight of dill seed particles on a dry weight basis, as described below.

Preferably, the aerosol obtained from the aerosol-generating substrate according to the present invention during Test Method A further comprises at least about 0.1 micrograms of nicotine per gram of substrate, more preferably at least about 1 microgram of nicotine per gram of substrate, more preferably at least about 2 micrograms of nicotine per gram of substrate. Preferably, the aerosol comprises up to about 10 micrograms of nicotine per gram of substrate, more preferably up to about 7.5 micrograms of nicotine per gram of substrate, more preferably up to about 4 micrograms of nicotine per gram of substrate. For example, the aerosol may comprise from about 0.1 micrograms to about 10 micrograms of nicotine per gram of substrate, or from about 1 microgram to about 7.5 micrograms of nicotine per gram of substrate, or from about 2 micrograms to about 4 micrograms of nicotine per gram of substrate. In some embodiments of the present invention, the aerosol may comprise zero micrograms of nicotine.

Various methods known in the art may be used to measure the amount of nicotine in an aerosol.

Alternatively or additionally, the aerosol obtained from the aerosol-generating substrate according to the present invention during Test Method A may optionally further comprise at least about 20 milligrams of cannabinoid compound per gram of substrate, more preferably at least about 50 milligrams of cannabinoid compound per gram of substrate, more preferably at least about 100 milligrams of cannabinoid compound per gram of substrate. Preferably, the aerosol comprises up to about 250 milligrams of cannabinoid compound per gram of substrate, more preferably up to about 200 milligrams of cannabinoid compound per gram of substrate, more preferably up to about 150 milligrams of cannabinoid compound per gram of substrate. For example, the aerosol may contain from about 20 milligrams to about 250 milligrams of cannabinoid compound per gram of substrate, or from about 50 milligrams to about 200 milligrams of cannabinoid compound per gram of substrate, or from about 100 milligrams to about 150 milligrams of cannabinoid compound per gram of substrate. In some embodiments of the present invention, the aerosol may contain zero micrograms of cannabinoid compound.

Preferably, the cannabinoid compound is selected from CBD and THC. More preferably, the cannabinoid compound is CBD.

Various methods known in the art may be used to measure the amount of cannabinoid compound in an aerosol.

Carbon monoxide may also be present in the aerosol generated from the aerosol generating substrate according to the present invention during Test Method A and may be measured and used to further characterize the aerosol. Nitrogen oxides, such as nitric oxide and nitrogen dioxide, may also be present in the aerosol and may be measured and used to further characterize the aerosol.

According to the present invention, the aerosol generated from the aerosol-generating substrate during test method A preferably has an amount of carvone per gram of substrate that is no more than 10 times greater than the amount of limonene per gram of substrate. Therefore, the ratio of carvone to limonene is no more than 10:1. More preferably, the amount of carvone in the aerosol generated from the aerosol-generating substrate during test method A is no more than 8 times greater than the amount of limonene per gram of substrate, so that the ratio of carvone to limonene is no more than 8:1.

A certain ratio of carvone to limonene characterizes the aerosol obtained from dill seed particles. In contrast, in the aerosol obtained from dill oil, the ratio of carvone to limonene will be significantly different due to the significantly higher relative proportion of carvone present in the oil relative to the dill seed particles.

The aerosol obtained from the aerosol-generating substrate according to the present invention during Test Method A may further comprise at least about 5 milligrams of aerosol-forming substance per gram of aerosol-generating substrate, or at least about 10 milligrams of aerosol per gram of substrate, or at least about 15 milligrams of aerosol-forming substance per gram of substrate. Alternatively or additionally, the aerosol may comprise up to about 30 milligrams of aerosol-forming substance per gram of substrate, or up to about 25 milligrams of aerosol-forming substance per gram of substrate, or up to about 20 milligrams of aerosol-forming substance per gram of substrate. For example, the aerosol may contain from about 5 milligrams to about 30 milligrams of aerosol forming agent per gram of substrate, or from about 10 milligrams to about 25 milligrams of aerosol forming agent per gram of substrate, or from about 15 milligrams to about 20 milligrams of aerosol forming agent per gram of substrate. In alternative embodiments, the aerosol may contain less than 5 milligrams of aerosol forming agent per gram of substrate. This may be suitable, for example, if the aerosol forming agent is provided separately within the aerosol generating article or the aerosol generating device.

Aerosol forming substances suitable for use in the present invention are presented below.

Various methods known in the art may be used to measure the amount of aerosol forming agent in an aerosol.

As described above, the presence of characteristic compounds in the aerosol in certain quantities and ratios indicates the inclusion of dill seed particles in the homogenized plant material forming the aerosol-generating substrate.

Preferably, the aerosol-generating substrate of the aerosol-generating articles according to the present invention comprises a homogenized dill seed material comprising at least about 2.5 percent by weight of dill seed particles on a dry weight basis. Preferably, the homogenized dill seed material comprises at least about 3 percent by weight of dill seed particles, more preferably at least about 4 percent by weight of dill seed particles, more preferably at least about 5 percent by weight of dill seed particles, more preferably at least about 6 percent by weight of dill seed particles, more preferably at least about 7 percent by weight of dill seed particles, more preferably at least about 8 percent by weight of dill seed particles, more preferably at least about 9 percent by weight of dill seed particles, more preferably at least about 10 percent by weight of dill seed particles on a dry weight basis.

The homogenized dill seed material may contain up to about 100 percent by weight of dill seed particles on a dry weight basis. Preferably, the homogenized plant material contains up to about 90 percent by weight of dill seed particles, more preferably up to about 80 percent by weight of dill seed particles, more preferably up to about 70 percent by weight of dill seed particles, more preferably up to about 60 percent by weight of dill seed particles, more preferably up to about 50 percent by weight of dill seed particles on a dry weight basis.

For example, the homogenized dill seed material may contain from about 2.5 percent to about 100 percent by weight of dill seed particles, or from about 5 percent to about 90 percent by weight of dill seed particles, or from about 10 percent to about 80 percent by weight of dill seed particles, or from about 15 percent to about 70 percent by weight of dill seed particles, or from about 20 percent to about 60 percent by weight of dill seed particles, or from about 30 percent to about 50 percent by weight of dill seed particles on a dry weight basis.

In certain particularly preferred embodiments of the present invention, the homogenized dill seed material comprises from about 15 percent by weight to about 20 percent by weight dill seed particles on a dry weight basis.

The amount by weight of dill seed particles that can be included in the homogenized dill seed material while still providing a suitable material for an aerosol generating article may depend to some extent on the composition of the homogenized dill seed material. For example, the maximum amount of dill seed particles that can be included in the homogenized dill seed material may depend on the nature of the binder, as described below.

According to a first preferred embodiment of the present invention, the homogenized dill seed material comprises up to about 25 percent by weight of dill seed particles, preferably up to about 24 percent by weight of dill seed particles, more preferably up to about 23 percent by weight of dill seed particles, more preferably up to about 22 percent by weight of dill seed particles, more preferably up to about 20 percent by weight of dill seed particles on a dry weight basis. For example, the homogenized dill seed-based material of the aerosol-generating articles according to the first preferred embodiment of the present invention contains from about 2.5 percent to about 25 percent by weight of dill seed particles, or from about 4 percent to about 24 percent by weight of dill seed particles, or from about 5 percent to about 23 percent by weight of dill seed particles, or from about 6 percent to about 22 percent by weight of dill seed particles, or from about 8 percent to about 21 percent by weight of dill seed particles, or from about 10 percent to about 20 percent by weight of dill seed particles on a dry weight basis.

According to a second preferred embodiment of the present invention, the homogenized dill seed-based material contains up to about 65 percent by weight of dill seed particles, more preferably up to about 60 percent by weight of dill seed particles, more preferably up to about 55 percent by weight of dill seed particles, more preferably up to about 50 percent by weight of dill seed particles, more preferably up to about 45 percent by weight of dill seed particles. For example, the homogenized dill seed-based material of the aerosol-generating articles according to the first preferred embodiment of the present invention contains from about 2.5 percent to about 65 percent by weight of dill seed particles, or from about 10 percent to about 60 percent by weight of dill seed particles, or from about 15 percent to about 55 percent by weight of dill seed particles, or from about 20 percent to about 50 percent by weight of dill seed particles, or from about 30 percent to about 45 percent by weight of dill seed particles, or from about 35 percent to about 45 percent by weight of dill seed particles on a dry weight basis.

In certain embodiments of the present invention, the plant particles forming the homogenized dill seed material may comprise at least 98 percent by weight of dill seed particles, or at least 95 percent by weight of dill seed particles, or at least 90 percent by weight of dill seed particles based on the dry weight of the plant particles. Therefore, in such embodiments, the aerosol-generating substrate comprises dill seed particles substantially free of other plant particles. For example, the plant particles forming the homogenized dill seed material may comprise approximately 100 percent by weight of dill seed particles.

In alternative embodiments of the present invention, the homogenized dill seed-based material may comprise dill seed particles in combination with at least one of tobacco particles or hemp particles, as described below.

In the following description of the present invention, the terms "particulate plant material" and "plant particles" are used to designate collectively the plant material particles that are used to form the homogenized plant material. The particulate plant material may consist essentially of fennel seed particles or may be a mixture of fennel seed particles with tobacco particles, hemp particles, or both tobacco particles and hemp particles.

As described above, the present inventors have identified a number of "characteristic compounds" that are compounds that are characteristic of the dill seed plant and thus indicative of the incorporation of dill seed plant particles into the aerosol generating substrate.

The amounts of the characteristic compounds present in the pure dill seed particles are expected to differ from the amounts present in the aerosol-generating substrate. The substrate manufacturing process, which includes hydration in a pulp or suspension and drying at elevated temperatures, as well as the presence of other ingredients such as an aerosol-generating agent, will vary the amounts of each of the characteristic compounds differently. The integrity of the dill seed particles and the stability of the compound under the influence of temperature and depending on the manipulations during manufacturing will also affect the final amount of the compound present in the substrate. Therefore, it is expected that the ratio of the characteristic compounds to each other will differ after incorporation of the dill seed particles into the substrate in different physical forms, such as sheets, threads and granules.

The presence of dill seeds in the aerosol-generating substrate and the proportion of dill seeds provided in the aerosol-generating substrate can be determined by measuring the amount of characteristic compounds in the substrate and comparing it with the corresponding amount of characteristic compounds in pure dill seed-based material. The presence and amount of characteristic compounds can be determined using any suitable methods known to a person skilled in the art.

In a suitable method, a 250 milligram sample of the aerosol-generating substrate is mixed with 5 milliliters of methanol and extracted by shaking, vigorous mixing for 5 minutes and centrifugation (4500 g, 5 minutes, 10 °C). Aliquots (300 microliters) of the extract are transferred to a silanized chromatography vial and diluted with methanol (600 microliters) and internal standard solution (ISTD) (100 microliters). The vials are capped and the contents are mixed for 5 minutes using an Eppendorf thermal mixer (5 °C; 2000 rpm). Test samples from the resulting extract are analyzed by LC-HRAM-MS in a combination of full scan and fragmentation modes as appropriate to identify characteristic compounds.

In some embodiments, the homogenized dill seed material further comprises up to about 75 percent by weight of tobacco particles on a dry weight basis.

For example, the homogenized dill seed material preferably contains from about 10 percent to about 75 percent by weight of tobacco particles, more preferably from about 15 percent to about 70 percent by weight of tobacco particles, more preferably from about 20 percent to about 65 percent by weight of tobacco particles, more preferably from about 25 percent to about 60 percent by weight of tobacco particles, more preferably from about 30 percent to about 70 percent by weight of tobacco particles on a dry weight basis.

In some preferred embodiments, the homogenized dill seed material comprises from about 5 percent to about 20 percent by weight dill seed particles and from about 55 percent to about 70 percent by weight tobacco particles, on a dry weight basis.

In the aerosol-generating articles according to the first preferred embodiment of the present invention, as defined above, the homogenized dill seed material preferably comprises from about 40 percent to about 75 percent by weight of tobacco particles, more preferably from about 45 percent to about 70 percent by weight of tobacco particles, more preferably from about 50 percent to about 65 percent by weight of tobacco particles, based on dry weight. For example, the homogenized dill seed material according to the first embodiment may comprise from about 5 percent to about 20 percent by weight of dill seed particles and from about 55 percent to about 70 percent by weight of tobacco particles, based on dry weight.

In the aerosol-generating articles according to the second preferred embodiment of the present invention, as defined above, the homogenized dill seed material preferably comprises from about 5 percent to about 65 percent by weight of tobacco particles, more preferably from about 10 percent to about 60 percent by weight of tobacco particles, more preferably from about 20 percent to about 55 percent by weight of tobacco particles, based on dry weight. For example, the homogenized dill seed material according to the second embodiment may comprise from about 2.5 percent to about 65 percent by weight of dill seed particles and from about 1 percent to about 65 percent by weight of tobacco particles, based on dry weight.

The weight ratio of dill seed particles to tobacco particles in the particulate plant material forming the homogenized dill seed material may vary depending on the desired flavor characteristics and aerosol composition. Preferably, the homogenized dill seed material has a weight ratio of dill seed particles to tobacco particles that is no more than 1:4. This means that the dill seed particles make up no more than 20 percent of the total particulate plant material. More preferably, the homogenized dill seed material has a weight ratio of dill seed particles to tobacco particles that is no more than 1:5, and more preferably no more than 1:6.

For example, in a first preferred embodiment, the ratio by weight of dill seed particles to tobacco particles is approximately 1:4. A ratio of 1:4 corresponds to a particulate plant material consisting of approximately 20 percent by weight of dill seed particles and approximately 80 percent by weight of tobacco particles. For a homogenized dill seed material formed with approximately 75 percent by weight of particulate plant material, this corresponds to approximately 15 percent by weight of dill seed particles and approximately 60 percent by weight of tobacco particles in the homogenized dill seed material, based on dry weight.

In another embodiment, the homogenized dill seed-based material has a weight ratio of 1:9 dill seed particles to tobacco particles. In yet another embodiment, the homogenized dill seed-based material has a weight ratio of 1:30 dill seed particles to tobacco particles.

For purposes of the present invention, the term "tobacco particles" describes particles of any plant belonging to the genus Nicotiana. The term "tobacco particles" includes ground or powdered tobacco leaf lamellas, ground or powdered tobacco leaf stems, tobacco dust, tobacco fines, and other particulate tobacco by-products generated during the processing, handling, and shipping of tobacco. In a preferred embodiment, the tobacco particles are substantially all derived from tobacco leaf lamellas. In contrast, separated nicotine and nicotine salts are compounds derived from tobacco but are not considered tobacco particles for the purposes of the present invention and are not included in the percentage of particulate plant material.

The tobacco particles may be derived from one or more varieties of tobacco plants. Any type of tobacco may be used in the blend. Examples of types of tobacco that may be used include, but are not limited to, sun-cured tobacco, flue-cured tobacco, Burley tobacco, Maryland tobacco, Oriental tobacco, Virginia tobacco, and other specialty tobaccos.

Flue-curing is a method of drying tobacco that is especially widely used with Virginia tobaccos. During the flue-curing process, heated air is circulated through tightly packed tobacco. During the first stage, the tobacco leaves turn yellow and wither. During the second stage, the leaf blades are completely dry. During the third stage, the leaf stems are completely dry.

Burley tobacco plays an important role in many tobacco blends. Burley tobacco has a distinctive flavor and aroma, and also has the ability to absorb large amounts of sauce.

Oriental tobacco has small leaves and pronounced aromatic qualities. However, oriental tobacco has a milder flavor than, for example, Burley tobacco. Therefore, in general, oriental tobacco is used in relatively small proportions in tobacco blends.

Kasturi, Maduro and Yatim are subtypes of sun-cured tobacco that may be used. Preferably, Kasturi tobacco and flue-cured tobacco may be used in a mixture to produce tobacco particles. Accordingly, the tobacco particles in the particulate plant material may comprise a mixture of Kasturi tobacco and flue-cured tobacco.

The tobacco particles may have a nicotine content of at least about 2.5 percent by weight on a dry weight basis. More preferably, the tobacco particles may have a nicotine content of at least about 3 percent, even more preferably at least about 3.2 percent, still more preferably at least about 3.5 percent, most preferably at least about 4 percent by weight on a dry weight basis. When the aerosol-generating substrate comprises tobacco particles in combination with dill seed particles, tobacco species having a higher nicotine content are preferred to maintain similar nicotine levels relative to conventional aerosol-generating substrates without dill seed particles, since otherwise the total amount of nicotine is reduced due to the substitution of the tobacco particles by the dill seed particles.

As a result of the inclusion of tobacco particles, the aerosol-generating substrate and the aerosol generated from the aerosol-generating substrate of such embodiments contain certain proportions of "characteristic compounds" of tobacco. Characteristic compounds generated from tobacco include, but are not limited to, anatabine, cotinine, and damascenone.

Nicotine may optionally be included in the aerosol generating substrate, although it is considered a non-tobacco material for the purposes of the present invention. Nicotine may comprise one or more nicotine salts selected from the list consisting of nicotine lactate, nicotine citrate, nicotine pyruvate, nicotine bitartrate, nicotine benzoate, nicotine pectate, nicotine alginate and nicotine salicylate. Nicotine may be included in addition to low-nicotine tobacco, or nicotine may be included in an aerosol generating substrate that has a reduced or zero tobacco content.

In certain embodiments of the present invention, the aerosol generating substrate comprises a homogenized dill seed material formed from particulate plant material consisting solely of dill seed particles, wherein nicotine, such as a nicotine salt, is included in the aerosol generating substrate.

Preferably, the aerosol generating substrate comprises at least about 0.1 mg nicotine per gram of substrate on a dry weight basis. More preferably, the aerosol generating substrate comprises at least about 0.5 mg nicotine per gram of substrate, more preferably at least about 1 mg nicotine per gram of substrate, more preferably at least about 1.5 mg nicotine per gram of substrate, more preferably at least about 2 mg nicotine per gram of substrate, more preferably at least about 3 mg nicotine per gram of substrate, more preferably at least about 4 mg nicotine per gram of substrate, more preferably at least about 5 mg nicotine per gram of substrate on a dry weight basis.

Preferably, the aerosol generating substrate comprises up to about 50 mg nicotine per gram of substrate on a dry weight basis. More preferably, the aerosol generating substrate comprises up to about 45 mg nicotine per gram of substrate, more preferably up to about 40 mg nicotine per gram of substrate, more preferably up to about 35 mg nicotine per gram of substrate, more preferably up to about 30 mg nicotine per gram of substrate, more preferably up to about 25 mg nicotine per gram of substrate, more preferably up to about 20 mg nicotine per gram of substrate on a dry weight basis.

For example, the aerosol-generating substrate may comprise from about 0.1 mg to about 50 mg nicotine per gram of substrate, or from about 0.5 mg to about 45 mg nicotine per gram of substrate, or from about 1 mg to about 40 mg nicotine per gram of substrate, or from about 2 mg to about 35 mg nicotine per gram of substrate, or from about 5 mg to about 30 mg nicotine per gram of substrate, or from about 10 mg to about 25 mg nicotine per gram of substrate, or from about 15 mg to about 20 mg nicotine per gram of substrate, on a dry weight basis. In certain preferred embodiments of the present invention, the aerosol-generating substrate comprises from about 1 mg to about 20 mg nicotine per gram of substrate, on a dry weight basis.

Specific nicotine content ranges for an aerosol-generating substrate include all forms of nicotine that may be present in the aerosol-generating substrate, including nicotine inherently present in the tobacco material, as well as nicotine that is optionally separately added to the aerosol-generating substrate, such as in the form of a nicotine salt.

Alternatively or additionally to the inclusion of tobacco particles in the homogenized dill seed material of the aerosol generating substrate according to the present invention, the homogenized dill seed material may contain up to 75 percent by weight of hemp particles, based on dry weight. The term "hemp particles" refers to particles of the hemp plant, such as the species Cannabis sativa, Cannabis indiea and Cannabis ruderalis.

For example, the particulate plant material may comprise from about 40 percent to about 75 percent by weight hemp particles, more preferably from about 45 percent to about 60 percent by weight tobacco particles, more preferably from about 50 percent to about 65 percent by weight tobacco particles on a dry weight basis.

One or more cannabinoid compounds may optionally be included in the aerosol generating substrate, although it is considered a non-hemp material for the purposes of the present invention. In the context of this document regarding the present invention, the term "cannabinoid compound" describes any of a class of naturally occurring compounds that are contained in parts of the hemp plant, namely the species Cannabis sativa, Cannabis indica and Cannabis ruderalis. Cannabinoid compounds are particularly concentrated in the female flower heads and are commonly sold as hemp oil. Cannabinoid compounds naturally occurring in the hemp plant include tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) and cannabidiol (CBD). In the context of the present invention, the term "cannabinoid compounds" is used to describe both naturally occurring cannabinoid compounds and synthetically produced cannabinoid compounds.

For example, the aerosol generating substrate may comprise a cannabinoid compound selected from the group consisting of: tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), tetrahydrocannabinolic acid (THCA), cannabidiol (CBD), cannabidiolic acid (CBDA), cannabinol (CBN), cannabigerol (CBG), cannabigerol monomethyl ether (CBGM), cannabivarin (CBV), cannabidivarin (CBDV), tetrahydrocannabivarin (THCV), cannabichromene (CBC), cannabicyclol (CBL), cannabichromevarin (CBCV), cannabigerovarin (CBGV), cannabielsoin (CBE), cannabicitran (CBT), and combinations thereof.

The homogenized dill seed-based material may further comprise a proportion of other flavor-imparting plant particles in addition to the dill seed particles or a combination of dill seed particles with at least one of tobacco particles and hemp particles ("particulate plant material").

For the purposes of the present invention, the term "other flavor particles from plants" refers to particles of material from plants other than fennel seeds, tobacco and hemp, which can generate one or more flavors when heated. This term should be considered as excluding particles of neutral plant material, such as cellulose, which do not contribute to the perceived effect of the aerosol-generating substrate. The particles can be obtained from crushed or powdered leaf blades, fruits, petioles, stems, roots, seeds, buds or bark from other plants. Flavor particles from plants suitable for inclusion in the aerosol-generating substrate according to the present invention are known to those skilled in the art and include, without limitation, clove particles and tea particles.

The composition of the homogenized dill seed-based material can advantageously be adjusted by mixing the desired quantities and types of particles of different plants. This allows the formation of an aerosol-generating substrate from a single homogenized dill seed-based material, if desired, without the need to combine or mix different mixtures, as is the case, for example, with the production of conventional chopped filler. Consequently, the production of the aerosol-generating substrate can potentially be simplified.

The particulate plant material used in the aerosol generating substrates of the present invention can be adapted to provide a desired particle size distribution. Particle size distributions are referred to herein as D values, wherein the D value refers to the percentage by number of particles that have a diameter less than or equal to the stated D value. For example, in a D95 particle size distribution, 95 percent by number of particles have a diameter less than or equal to the stated D95 value, and 5 percent by number of particles have a diameter greater than the stated D95 value. Similarly, in a D5 particle size distribution, 5 percent by number of particles have a diameter less than or equal to the D5 value, and 95 percent by number of particles have a diameter greater than the stated D5 value. In combination, the D5 and D95 values thus provide an indication of the particle size distribution of the particulate plant material.

The particulate plant material may have a range from a D95 value that is greater than or equal to 200 microns to a D95 value that is less than or equal to 1000 microns. This means that the particulate plant material may have a distribution represented by any D95 value in the specified range, i.e., the D95 may be equal to 200 microns, or the D95 may be equal to 250 microns, etc., up to the point that the D95 may be equal to 1000 microns. By providing a D95 value in this range, the inclusion of relatively large plant particles in the homogenized dill seed-based material is avoided. This is desirable since the generation of an aerosol from such large plant particles is likely to be relatively ineffective. In addition, the inclusion of large plant particles in the homogenized dill seed-based material may adversely affect the consistency of the material.

Preferably, the particulate plant material may have a range from a D95 value that is greater than or equal to about 200 microns to a D95 value that is less than or equal to about 900 microns, more preferably from a D95 value that is greater than or equal to about 300 microns to a D95 value that is less than or equal to about 800 microns. The particulate dill seed material and the particulate tobacco material may both have D95 values of about 20 microns or more to D95 values of about 1000 microns or less, preferably D95 values of 200 microns or more to D95 values of about 900 microns or less, more preferably D95 values of about 300 microns or more to D95 values of about 800 microns or less.

Preferably, the particulate plant material may have a D5 value of from about 10 microns or more to a D5 value of about 50 microns or less, more preferably a D5 value of from about 20 microns or more to a D5 value of about 40 microns or less. Providing a D5 value in this range avoids the inclusion of very fine dust particles in the homogenized dill seed material, which may be desirable from a manufacturing point of view.

In some embodiments, the particulate plant material may be specially ground to form particles having a desired particle size distribution. The use of specially ground plant material advantageously improves the uniformity of the particulate plant material and the consistency of the homogenized dill seed material.

The diameter of 100 percent of the particulate plant material may be less than or equal to about 2000 microns, more preferably less than or equal to about 1500 microns. The diameter of 100 percent of the particulate dill seed material and 100 percent of the particulate tobacco material may be less than or equal to about 2000 microns, more preferably less than or equal to about 1500 microns. The range of particle sizes of the particulate dill seed particles allows for the incorporation of particulate dill seed particles with tobacco particles in existing sheet forming processes.

The homogenized dill seed material preferably comprises at least about 55 percent by weight of particulate plant material comprising dill seed particles as described above, more preferably at least about 60 percent by weight of particulate plant material, and more preferably at least about 65 percent by weight of particulate plant material on a dry weight basis. The homogenized dill seed material preferably comprises no more than about 95 percent by weight of particulate plant material, more preferably no more than about 90 percent by weight of particulate plant material, and more preferably no more than about 85 percent by weight of particulate plant material on a dry weight basis. For example, the homogenized dill seed material may contain from about 55 percent to about 95 percent by weight particulate plant material, or from about 60 percent to about 90 percent by weight particulate plant material, or from about 65 percent to about 85 percent by weight particulate plant material on a dry weight basis. In one particularly preferred embodiment, the homogenized dill seed material contains about 75 percent by weight particulate plant material on a dry weight basis.

Preferably, in the homogenized dill seed material according to the first preferred embodiment as described above, the total amount by weight of particulate plant material is no more than about 75 percent by weight on a dry weight basis.

Preferably, in the homogenized dill seed material according to the second preferred embodiment, as described above, the total amount by weight of particulate plant material is no more than about 75 percent by weight on a dry weight basis or no more than about 65 percent by weight on a dry weight basis.

Therefore, the particulate plant material is combined with one or more other components to form a homogenized dill seed based material.

As defined above, the homogenized dill seed material further comprises an aerosol forming agent. After evaporation, the aerosol forming agent may transfer other vaporized compounds released from the aerosol generating substrate upon heating, such as nicotine and flavorings, into the aerosol. The formation of an aerosol of a particular compound from an aerosol generating substrate is not determined solely by its boiling point. The amount of compound transferred into the aerosol may be affected by the physical form of the substrate, as well as other components that are also present in the substrate. The stability of the compound under the influence of temperature and the time interval of aerosol formation will also affect the amount of compound that is present in the aerosol.

Aerosol forming agents suitable for inclusion in the homogenized dill seed material are known in the art and include, but are not limited to: polyhydric alcohols such as triethylene glycol, propylene glycol, 1,3-butanediol and glycerol; esters of polyhydric alcohols such as glycerol mono-, di- or triacetate; and aliphatic esters of mono-, di- or polycarboxylic acids such as dimethyl dodecanedioate and dimethyl tetradecanedioate. The homogenized dill seed material may comprise a single aerosol forming agent or a combination of two or more aerosol forming agents.

If the substrate is intended for use in an aerosol generating article for an electrical aerosol generating system having a heating element, the aerosol forming substance is preferably glycerol.

The amount of aerosol forming agent can be adjusted depending on the composition of the homogenized dill seed material, such as the type or amount of plant particles, in order to obtain an aerosol having the desired levels of flavor compounds from plant particles. The amount of aerosol forming agent can also be adjusted depending on the intended method of heating the aerosol generating substrate during use and, in particular, depending on the temperature to which the aerosol generating substrate will be heated during heating of the aerosol generating article in the associated aerosol generating device.

The homogenized dill seed material preferably has an aerosol forming agent content of from about 5 percent to about 55 percent by weight on a dry weight basis, such as from about 10 percent to about 45 percent by weight on a dry weight basis or from about 15 percent to about 40 percent by weight on a dry weight basis.

The content of the aerosol former may be from about 5 percent to about 30 percent by weight based on dry weight. For example, in the homogenized dill seed materials according to the first preferred embodiment of the present invention, as defined above, the content of the aerosol former is preferably from about 5 percent to about 30 percent by weight, more preferably from about 10 percent to about 25 percent by weight, more preferably from about 15 percent to about 20 percent by weight based on dry weight.

Alternatively, the content of the aerosol former may be from about 15 percent to about 55 percent by weight, based on the dry weight. For example, in the homogenized dill seed materials according to the second preferred embodiment of the present invention, as defined above, the content of the aerosol former is preferably from about 15 percent to about 55 percent by weight, more preferably from about 25 percent to about 50 percent by weight, more preferably from about 35 percent to about 45 percent by weight, based on the dry weight.

In other embodiments, the homogenized dill seed material may have an aerosol forming agent content of about 1 percent to about 5 percent by weight on a dry weight basis. For example, if the substrate is intended for use in an aerosol-generating article in which the aerosol forming agent is retained in a reservoir separate from the substrate, the substrate may have an aerosol forming agent content of greater than 1 percent and less than about 5 percent. In such embodiments, the aerosol forming agent is vaporized upon heating and a stream of the aerosol forming agent contacts the aerosol-generating substrate to capture flavoring agents from the aerosol-generating substrate in the aerosol.

The aerosol forming agent can act as a humectant in the aerosol generating substrate.

As defined above, the homogenized dill seed material further comprises a binder for changing the mechanical properties of the particulate plant material, wherein the binder is included in the homogenized dill seed material during manufacture as described herein. Suitable exogenous binders are known to those skilled in the art and include, but are not limited to: gums such as, for example, guar gum, xanthan gum, acacia and locust bean gum; cellulose binders such as, for example, cellulose ethers such as hydroxypropyl cellulose, carboxymethyl cellulose (CMC), hydroxyethyl cellulose, methyl cellulose and ethyl cellulose; polysaccharides such as, for example, starches, organic acids such as alginic acid, salts of conjugate bases with organic acids such as sodium alginate, agar and pectins; and combinations thereof. Preferably, the binder comprises guar gum.

Preferably, the binder is present in an amount of from about 1 percent to about 10 percent by weight, preferably in an amount of from about 2 percent to about 9 percent by weight, more preferably in an amount of from about 3 percent by weight to about 8 percent by weight on a dry weight basis.

In certain embodiments, the homogenized dill seed material preferably comprises from about 1 percent to about 10 percent by weight of a binder on a dry weight basis, wherein the binder is most preferably guar gum. For example, in the aerosol-generating articles according to the first preferred embodiment of the present invention as defined above, the homogenized dill seed material preferably comprises from about 1 percent to about 10 percent by weight of a binder on a dry weight basis, wherein the binder is most preferably guar gum. For example, the homogenized dill seed material according to the first preferred embodiment may comprise from about 2.5 percent by weight to about 25 percent by weight of dill seed particles, from about 5 percent by weight to about 30 percent by weight of an aerosol former, and from about 1 percent by weight to about 10 percent by weight of a binder.

In certain embodiments, the homogenized dill seed material preferably comprises from about 2 percent to about 10 percent by weight of a binder on a dry weight basis, wherein the binder is most preferably a cellulose ether. For example, in the aerosol-generating articles according to the second preferred embodiment as defined above, the homogenized dill seed material preferably comprises from about 2 percent to about 10 percent by weight of a binder on a dry weight basis, wherein the binder is preferably a cellulose ether. Particularly preferably, the binder is carboxymethyl cellulose (CMC). For example, the homogenized dill seed material according to the second preferred embodiment may contain from about 2.5 percent by weight to about 65 percent by weight dill seed particles, from about 15 percent by weight to about 55 percent by weight aerosol forming agent, and from about 2 percent by weight to about 10 percent by weight cellulose ether.

In addition, the homogenized dill seed material according to any embodiment may optionally further comprise additional cellulose. For example, the homogenized dill seed material may comprise from about 5 percent by weight to about 50 percent by weight of additional cellulose.

As used herein, the term "additional cellulose" encompasses any cellulose material incorporated into the homogenized dill seed material that is not derived from the dill seed particles or tobacco particles provided in the homogenized dill seed material. Accordingly, the additional cellulose is incorporated into the homogenized dill seed material in addition to the dill seed plant material or tobacco material as a cellulose source separate from and distinct from any cellulose substantially provided in the dill seed particles or tobacco particles. The additional cellulose is typically derived from a plant distinct from the dill seed particles or tobacco particles. Preferably, the additional cellulose is in the form of an inert cellulose material that is inert to the senses and therefore does not significantly affect the organoleptic characteristics of the aerosol generated from the aerosol generating substrate. For example, the additional cellulose is preferably a tasteless and odorless material.

The additional cellulose may consist of a single type of cellulose material or may be a combination of different types of cellulose material that provide different properties, as described in more detail below.

It is believed that additional cellulose included in the homogenized dill seed-based material forming the aerosol-generating substrate of the aerosol-generating articles of the present invention provides additional structure and reinforcement for binding and supporting plant particles and aerosol-forming substance within the homogenized material.

It has been found that the inclusion of additional cellulose is particularly useful in homogenized dill seed based materials in which the binder comprises a cellulose ether as described above. It has been advantageously found that the combination of cellulose ether and additional cellulose material at specific defined levels and within specific ratios as set forth below provides a homogenized dill seed based material having improved tensile strength and uniformity.

Using certain types of binders, it may be technically difficult to produce a homogenized dill seed material with acceptable tensile strength when the proportion of dill seed particles is above a certain level. It has been found that with some binders, above the threshold level of dill seed particles, the homogenized dill seed material has low tensile strength and has a non-uniform texture. If the tensile strength of the homogenized dill seed material is too low, it is brittle and cannot be effectively processed to form an aerosol-generating substrate, particularly on an industrial scale.

The inventors of the present invention have found that by using a specific combination of cellulose ether and additional cellulose in the homogenized dill seed material as defined above, a more effective binding action of dill seed particles can be achieved, and the resulting homogenized dill seed material has a significantly higher tensile strength. Therefore, the resulting homogenized dill seed material can be easily processed to form an aerosol generating substrate using existing high-speed installations and methods.

Preferably, the ratio of additional cellulose material to cellulose ether in the homogenized dill seed material is at least 2.

Preferably, the additional cellulose comprises cellulose powder. The term "cellulose powder" is used herein to denote purified cellulose material in powder form that is derived from cellulose fibers. Preferably, the cellulose powder is formed from particles with an average particle size that is less than about 100 microns. The cellulose powder may be in the form of microcrystalline cellulose. A suitable cellulose powder for use in the present invention is available as SK-105 or SK-101 type microcrystalline cellulose or M-60 type cellulose powder from Gumix International, Inc. of New Jersey.

Preferably, the amount of cellulose powder corresponds to at least about 5 percent by weight of the homogenized dill seed material, more preferably at least about 6 percent by weight of the homogenized dill seed material, more preferably at least about 7 percent by weight of the homogenized dill seed material, and more preferably at least about 8 percent by weight of the homogenized dill seed material, based on dry weight.

The amount of cellulose powder can be adjusted above this minimum level depending on the amount by weight of other components in the homogenized material based on dill seeds and, in particular, depending on the amount by weight of plant particles. In certain embodiments, the cellulose powder can replace a certain proportion of plant particles in the homogenized material based on dill seeds, without significantly affecting the characteristics of the generated aerosol.

Preferably, the amount of cellulose powder corresponds to no more than about 45 percent by weight of the homogenized dill seed material, more preferably no more than about 40 percent by weight of the homogenized dill seed material, based on dry weight.

In certain embodiments, such as embodiments having a relatively high level of particulate plant material in the homogenized dill seed material, the amount of cellulose powder may be relatively low. In such embodiments, the amount of cellulose powder may be from about 5 percent by weight to about 15 percent by weight of the homogenized dill seed material, or from about 6 percent by weight to about 12 percent by weight of the homogenized dill seed material, or from about 7 percent by weight to about 11 percent by weight of the homogenized dill seed material, or from about 8 percent by weight to about 10 percent by weight of the homogenized dill seed material on a dry weight basis.

In other embodiments, such as embodiments having a relatively low level

particulate plant material in the homogenized dill seed material, the amount of cellulose powder may be relatively high. In such embodiments, the amount of cellulose powder may be from about 15 percent by weight to about 45 percent by weight of the homogenized dill seed material, or from about 20 percent by weight to about 40 percent by weight of the homogenized dill seed material, or from about 25 percent by weight to about 35 percent by weight of the homogenized dill seed material on a dry weight basis.

Preferably, if the homogenized fennel seed material contains a cellulose ether and a cellulose powder, the ratio by weight of the cellulose powder to the cellulose ether in the homogenized plant material is at least about 1.5, i.e. the amount of cellulose powder is at least 1.5 times the amount of cellulose ether. More preferably, the ratio by weight of the cellulose powder to the cellulose ether in the homogenized fennel seed material is at least about 1.6, more preferably at least about 1.8.

Alternatively or in addition to the cellulose powder, the additional cellulose may comprise cellulose fibers. The term "cellulose fibers" is used herein to denote fibers obtained directly from plant-based materials, each fiber having a length that is significantly greater than its width. The cellulose fibers preferably have a fiber length of at least 400 microns. Suitable cellulose fibers for use in the present invention include, for example, wood pulp fibers. A suitable source of cellulose fibers for use in the present invention is available as "ECF Bleached Hardwood Kraft Pulp" from Storaenso, Sweden.

Cellulose fibers can advantageously perform the function of mechanical reinforcement in the homogenized material based on dill seeds, forming the aerosol-generating substrate of the aerosol-generating articles according to the present invention. Cellulose fibers can improve the binding of plant particles in the homogenized material based on dill seeds and provide an improvement in tensile strength, in particular in combination with a binder in the form of a cellulose ether.

Preferably, the amount of cellulose fibers corresponds to at least about 3 percent by weight of the homogenized dill seed material on a dry weight basis, more preferably at least about 4 percent by weight of the homogenized dill seed material, more preferably at least about 5 percent by weight of the homogenized dill seed material, and more preferably at least about 6 percent by weight of the homogenized dill seed material on a dry weight basis.

Preferably, the amount of cellulose fibers corresponds to no more than about 12 percent by weight of the homogenized dill seed material, more preferably at least about 11 percent by weight of the homogenized dill seed material, more preferably at least about 10 percent by weight of the homogenized dill seed material, more preferably at least about 8 percent by weight of the homogenized dill seed material on a dry weight basis.

For example, the homogenized dill seed material may contain from about 3 percent by weight to about 12 percent by weight cellulose fibers, or from about 4 percent by weight to about 11 percent by weight cellulose fibers, or from about 5 percent by weight to about 10 percent by weight cellulose fibers, or from about 6 percent by weight to about 8 percent by weight cellulose fibers on a dry weight basis.

Preferably, if the homogenized dill seed material contains cellulose ether and cellulose fibers, the ratio by weight of cellulose fibers to cellulose ether in the homogenized dill seed material is at least about 0.5, i.e. the amount of cellulose powder is at least half the amount of cellulose ether. More preferably, the ratio by weight of cellulose fibers to cellulose ether in the homogenized dill seed material is at least about 0.75, more preferably at least about 1.

In preferred embodiments, the additional cellulose comprises cellulose powder and cellulose fibers. In such embodiments, the weight ratio of cellulose powder to cellulose fibers is preferably at least about 1.5, more preferably at least about 1.75, more preferably at least about 2.

Preferably, the amount of additional cellulose provided in the homogenized dill seed material is adjusted so that the total amount of additional cellulose and plant particles corresponds to no more than 75 percent by weight of the homogenized dill seed material. Preferably, at least about 25 percent by weight of the homogenized dill seed material is thus provided by other components, including cellulose ether and aerosol forming agent.

In the aerosol-generating articles according to the second preferred embodiment of the present invention, the homogenized dill seed material preferably comprises from about 2 percent to about 10 percent by weight of cellulose ether and from about 5 percent by weight to about 50 percent by weight of additional cellulose, based on dry weight. Preferably, the ratio of additional cellulose to cellulose ether is at least 2.

For example, the homogenized dill seed material according to the second preferred embodiment may comprise: from 2.5 percent by weight to 75 percent by weight of dill seed particles, based on dry weight; from 15 percent by weight to 55 percent by weight of an aerosol forming agent, based on dry weight; from 2 percent by weight to 10 percent by weight of a cellulose ether, based on dry weight; and from 3 percent by weight to 50 percent by weight of additional cellulose, based on dry weight. Such homogenized dill seed material preferably further comprises at least 1 percent by weight of tobacco particles, based on dry weight.

In addition to the above-described components, the homogenized dill seed material may optionally further comprise one or more lipids that promote the diffusion capacity of volatile components (e.g., aerosol forming agents, (E)-anethole, and nicotine), wherein the lipid is included in the homogenized plant material during manufacture as described herein. Lipids suitable for inclusion in the homogenized dill seed material include, but are not limited to: medium chain triglycerides, cocoa butter, palm oil, palm kernel oil, mango butter, shea butter, soybean oil, cottonseed oil, coconut oil, hydrogenated coconut oil, candelilla wax, carnauba wax, shellac, sunflower wax, sunflower oil, rice bran, and Revel A, and combinations thereof.

Alternatively or additionally, the homogenized dill seed material may further comprise a pH modifier.

Alternatively or additionally, the homogenized dill seed material may further comprise fibers to alter the mechanical properties of the homogenized dill seed material, wherein the fibers are incorporated into the homogenized dill seed material during manufacture as described herein. Suitable exogenous fibers for inclusion in the homogenized dill seed material are known in the art and include fibers formed from a non-tobacco material and a non-dill seed material, including, but not limited to: cellulose fibers; softwood fibers; hardwood fibers, jute fibers, and combinations thereof. Exogenous fibers derived from tobacco and/or dill seed may also be added. Any fibers added to the homogenized dill seed material are not considered to form part of the "particulate plant material" as defined above. Before incorporation into the homogenized dill seed material, the fibers may be processed by suitable methods known in the art, including, but not limited to: mechanical pulping, cleaning, chemical pulping, bleaching, sulphate pulping, and combinations thereof. The fiber is typically longer than it is wide.

Suitable fibers typically have lengths greater than 400 micrometers and less than or equal to 4 mm, preferably within the range of 0.7 mm to 4 mm. Preferably, the fibers are present in an amount of at least about 2 percent by weight based on the dry weight of the substrate. The amount of fibers in the homogenized dill seed material may depend on the type of material and, in particular, the method used to produce the homogenized dill seed material. In some embodiments, the fibers may be present in an amount of from about 2 percent by weight to about 15 percent by weight, most preferably in an amount of about 4 percent by weight based on the dry weight of the substrate. For example, this level of fibers may be present when the homogenized plant material is in the form of a molded sheet. In other embodiments, the fibers may be present in an amount of at least about 30 percent by weight or at least about 40 percent by weight. For example, this higher level of fibres would most likely be provided when the homogenised dill seed based material is dill seed paper produced through a paper making process.

In preferred embodiments of the present invention, the homogenized dill seed material comprises dill seed particles in an amount of from about 5 percent by weight to about 30 percent by weight of an aerosol forming agent and from about 1 percent by weight to about 10 percent by weight of a binder, based on dry weight. In such embodiments, the homogenized dill seed material preferably further comprises from about 2 percent by weight to about 15 percent by weight of fibers. Particularly preferably, the binder is guar gum.

The homogenized plant material of the aerosol-generating substrate according to the present invention may comprise one type of homogenized plant material or two or more types of homogenized plant material having compositions or forms different from each other. For example, in one embodiment, the aerosol-generating substrate comprises dill seed particles and tobacco particles or hemp particles, which are contained in the same sheet of homogenized plant material. However, in other embodiments, the aerosol-generating substrate may comprise tobacco particles or hemp particles and dill seed particles in sheets different from each other.

The homogenized material based on dill seeds is preferably in the form of a solid or a gel. However, in some embodiments, the homogenized material may be in the form of a solid that is not a gel. Preferably, the homogenized material is not provided in the form of a film.

The homogenized material based on dill seeds can be provided in any suitable form. For example, the homogenized material based on dill seeds can be in the form of one or more sheets. As used herein with reference to the present invention, the term "sheet" describes a layered element having a width and a length that are substantially greater than its thickness.

Alternatively or additionally, the homogenized dill seed material may be in the form of a plurality of pellets or granules.

Alternatively or additionally, the homogenized dill seed-based material may be in a form that can fill a cartridge or a consumable for a hookah or that can be used in a hookah device. The present invention provides a cartridge or a hookah device that contains the homogenized dill seed-based material.

Alternatively or additionally, the homogenized dill seed material may be in the form of a plurality of strands, strips or pieces. As used herein, the term "strand" describes an elongated element of material whose length is substantially greater than its width and thickness. The term "strand" should be considered to include strips, pieces and any other homogenized dill seed material having a similar shape. The strands of homogenized dill seed material may be formed from a sheet of homogenized dill seed material, such as by cutting or dividing into pieces, or by other methods, such as by an extrusion method.

In some embodiments, the threads may be formed in situ in the aerosol-generating substrate by dividing or splitting a sheet of homogenized dill seed material during the formation of the aerosol-generating substrate, such as by corrugating. The threads of homogenized dill seed material in the aerosol-generating substrate may be separated from each other. Alternatively, each thread of homogenized dill seed material in the aerosol-generating substrate may be at least partially connected to an adjacent thread or threads along the length of the threads. For example, adjacent threads may be connected by one or more fibers. This may occur, for example, if the threads were formed by dividing a sheet of homogenized dill seed material during the production of the aerosol-generating substrate, as described above.

Preferably, the aerosol generating substrate is in the form of one or more sheets of homogenized dill seed material. In various embodiments of the present invention, the one or more sheets of homogenized dill seed material may be obtained by a casting process. In various embodiments of the present invention, the one or more sheets of homogenized dill seed material may be obtained by a paper making process. Each of the one or more sheets, as described herein, may individually have a thickness of 100 micrometers to 600 micrometers, preferably 150 micrometers to 300 micrometers, and most preferably 200 micrometers to 250 micrometers. The individual thickness refers to the thickness of the individual sheet, while the cumulative thickness refers to the total thickness of all sheets that make up the aerosol generating substrate. For example, if the aerosol generating substrate is formed from two separate sheets, then the combined thickness is the sum of the thicknesses of the two separate sheets or the measured thickness of the two sheets when the two sheets are stacked on top of each other in the aerosol generating substrate.

Each of the one or more sheets as described herein may individually have a grammage of from about 100 g/ ^m2 to about 300 g/ ^m2 .

Each of the one or more sheets as described herein individually has a density of from about 0.3 g/ _cm3 to about 1.3 g/ ^cm3 , and preferably from about 0.7 g/ ^cm3 to about 1.0 g/ ^cm3 .

The term "tensile strength" is used throughout this description to indicate the measure of force required to stretch a sheet of homogenised dill seed based material until it breaks. More specifically, the tensile strength is the maximum tensile force per unit width that the sheet material will withstand before breaking, and is measured in the machine direction or cross direction of the sheet material. It is expressed in units of newtons per metre of material (N/m). Tests for measuring the tensile strength of sheet material are well known. A suitable test is published in the 2014 publication of ISO 1924-2, "Paper and board - Determination of tensile strength - Part 2: Constant-rate method".

The materials and equipment required to perform the test in accordance with ISO 1924-2 are: universal tensile/compression testing machine, Instron 5566, or equivalent; 100 Newton tensile load cell, Instron, or equivalent; two pneumatically operated grips; a steel measuring block, 180 ± 0.25 millimetres long (approximately 10 millimetres wide, approximately 3 millimetres thick); a strip cutter with two cutting edges, 15 ± 0.05 x approximately 250 millimetres in size, Adamel Lhomargy, or equivalent; a scalpel; computer-based data acquisition software, Merlin, or equivalent; and compressed air.

The sample is prepared by first conditioning a sheet of homogenized dill seed material for at least 24 hours at a temperature of 22 ± 2 degrees Celsius and a relative humidity of 60 ± 5% before testing. The sample is then cut in the machine direction or cross direction to a size of approximately 250 x 15 ± 0.1 millimeters using a strip cutter with two cutting edges. The edges of the test samples must be trimmed neatly, so no more than three test samples are cut at a time.

The tensile/compression testing apparatus is set by installing a 100 Newton tensile load cell, turning on the universal tensile/compression testing machine and the computer, and selecting the measurement method specified in the software, with a test speed set to 8 millimeters per minute. The tensile load cell is then calibrated and the pneumatic grips are installed. The test distance between the pneumatic grips is adjusted to 180 ± 0.5 millimeters by means of a steel measuring block, with the distance and force set to zero.

The test specimen is then placed squarely and centrally between the jaws, avoiding contact of the fingers with the area to be tested. The upper jaw is closed, with the paper strip hanging in the open lower jaw. The force is set to zero. The paper strip is then pulled downwards slightly and the lower jaw is closed; the initial force should be between 0.05 and 0.20 Newton. As the upper jaw moves upwards, a gradually increasing force is applied until the test specimen breaks. The same procedure is repeated with the remaining test specimens. The result is valid if the test specimen breaks when the jaws are separated by more than 10 millimetres. If this is not the case, the result is discarded and an additional measurement is taken.

If the test sample of available homogenised dill seed material is smaller than the sample described in the ISO 1924-2 test as described above, the test scale can be easily reduced to accommodate the available test sample size.

Each of the one or more sheets of homogenized dill seed material as described herein may individually have a tensile strength at a peak value in the transverse direction of from 50 N/m to 400 N/m, or preferably from 150 N/m to 350 N/m. Given that the sheet thickness affects the tensile strength, and if the thickness varies in a batch of sheets, it may be desirable to normalize the value relative to a specific sheet thickness.

Each of the one or more sheets as described herein may individually have a peak tensile strength in the machine direction of 100 N/m to 800 N/m, or preferably 280 N/m to 620 N/m, normalized to a sheet thickness of 215 μm. Machine direction refers to the direction in which the sheet material is wound onto or unwound from a reel and fed into the machine, with the transverse direction being perpendicular to the machine direction. Such tensile strength values make the sheets and methods described herein particularly suitable for subsequent operations involving mechanical loads.

Providing a sheet having the thickness, grammage and tensile strength levels as defined above advantageously optimizes the sheet processability for forming an aerosol generating substrate and ensures the prevention of damage such as sheet rupture during high-speed sheet processing.

In embodiments of the present invention, in which the aerosol-generating substrate comprises one or more sheets of homogenized dill seed material, the sheets are preferably in the form of one or more gathered sheets. The term "gathered" as used herein means that the sheet of homogenized dill seed material is rolled, folded or otherwise compressed or narrowed in a direction substantially transverse to the cylindrical axis of the rod or core. The step of "gathering" the sheet can be carried out by any suitable means that provides the necessary transverse compression of the sheet.

As used herein, the term "longitudinal" refers to the direction corresponding to the major longitudinal axis of the aerosol-generating article, which extends between the upstream and downstream ends of the aerosol-generating article. During use, air is drawn through the aerosol-generating article in the longitudinal direction. The term "transverse" refers to the direction that is perpendicular to the longitudinal axis. As used herein, the term "length" refers to the dimension of the component in the longitudinal direction, and the term "width" refers to the dimension of the component in the transverse direction. For example, in the case of a rod or bar having a circular cross-section, the maximum width corresponds to the diameter of the circle.

The term "rod" as used herein denotes a generally cylindrical element with a substantially polygonal, circular, oval or elliptical cross-section. The term "rod" as used herein refers to a generally cylindrical element with a substantially polygonal cross-section, and preferably with a circular, oval or elliptical cross-section. The rod may have a length that is greater than or equal to the length of the rod. Typically, the rod has a length that is greater than the length of the rod. The rod may comprise one or more rods, preferably aligned in the longitudinal direction.

As used herein, the terms "upstream" and "downstream" describe the relative positions of elements or portions of elements of an aerosol-generating article relative to the direction in which the aerosol is transported during use through the aerosol-generating article. The downstream end of the air flow path is the end through which the aerosol is delivered to the user of the article.

One or more sheets of homogenized dill seed material may be assembled transversely relative to their longitudinal axis and surrounded by a wrapper to form a continuous rod or rod. The continuous rod may be divided into a plurality of individual rods or rods. The wrapper may be a paper wrapper or a non-paper wrapper, as described in more detail below.

Alternatively, one or more sheets of homogenized dill seed material may be cut into threads, as mentioned above. In such embodiments, the aerosol-generating substrate comprises a plurality of threads of homogenized dill seed material. The threads may be used to form a rod. Typically, the width of such threads is at least about 0.2 mm or at least about 0.5 mm. Preferably, the width of such threads is no more than about 5 mm, or about 4 mm, or about 3 mm, or about 1.5 mm. For example, the width of the threads may be from about 0.25 mm to about 5 mm, or from about 0.25 mm to about 3 mm, or from about 0.5 mm to about 1.5 mm.

The length of the threads is preferably more than about 5 mm, such as from about 5 mm to about 20 mm or from about 8 mm to about 15 mm, or about 12 mm. Preferably, the threads have substantially the same length relative to each other. The length of the threads can be determined by a manufacturing process in which the rod is cut into shorter rods, and the length of the threads corresponds to the length of the rod. The threads can be brittle, which can lead to breakage, especially during handling. In such cases, the length of some threads can be shorter than the length of the rod.

The plurality of threads preferably extend substantially in a longitudinal direction along the length of the aerosol-generating substrate aligned with the longitudinal axis. Preferably, the plurality of threads are thus aligned substantially parallel to each other.

Each of the strands of the homogenized dill seed material preferably has a mass to surface area ratio of at least about 0.02 milligrams per square millimeter, more preferably at least about 0.05 milligrams per square millimeter. Preferably, each of the strands of the homogenized dill seed material has a mass to surface area ratio of no more than about 0.2 milligrams per square millimeter, more preferably no more than about 0.15 milligrams per square millimeter. The mass to surface area ratio is calculated by dividing the mass of the strand of the homogenized dill seed material in milligrams by the geometric surface area of the strand of the homogenized dill seed material in square millimeters.

One or more sheets of the homogenized dill seed material may be textured by corrugating, embossing or perforating. The one or more sheets may be textured before being collected or before being cut into threads. Preferably, the one or more sheets of the homogenized dill seed material are corrugated before being collected, whereby the homogenized dill seed material may be in the form of a corrugated sheet, more preferably in the form of a collected corrugated sheet. As used herein, the term "corrugated sheet" means a sheet having a plurality of substantially parallel folds or flutes, generally aligned with the longitudinal axis of the article.

In one embodiment, the aerosol-generating substrate may be in the form of a single rod of aerosol-generating substrate. Preferably, the rod of aerosol-generating substrate may comprise a plurality of strands of homogenized dill seed material. Most preferably, the rod of aerosol-generating substrate may comprise one or more sheets of homogenized dill seed material. Preferably, the one or more sheets of homogenized dill seed material may be corrugated so that they have a plurality of folds or corrugations substantially parallel to the cylindrical axis of the rod. This treatment advantageously facilitates the collection of the corrugated sheet of homogenized dill seed material to form the rod. Preferably, one or more sheets of homogenized dill seed material may be collected. It should be understood that the corrugated sheets of homogenized material based on dill seeds may alternatively or additionally have a plurality of substantially parallel folds or corrugations located at an acute or obtuse angle to the cylindrical axis of the extruder. The sheet may be corrugated to such an extent that the integrity of the sheet is disrupted at a plurality of parallel folds or corrugations, which causes separation of the material and leads to the formation of pieces, threads or strips of homogenized material based on dill seeds.

In another embodiment of the aerosol generating substrate, the homogenized plant material provides a first plug containing a first homogenized plant material and a second plug containing a second homogenized plant material, wherein the first homogenized plant material and the second homogenized plant material contain different levels of dill seed particles and tobacco particles. For example, the first homogenized plant material may contain from about 50 percent to about 75 percent by weight of dill seed particles on a dry weight basis, and the second homogenized plant material contains from about 50 percent to about 75 percent by weight of tobacco particles on a dry weight basis. In general, according to the present invention, the homogenized plant materials in the aerosol generating substrate preferably contain at least 2.5 percent by weight of dill seed particles and up to 70 percent by weight of tobacco particles on a dry weight basis.

In such arrangements, the first homogenized plant material preferably comprises a first plant material in the form of particles with a greater proportion of dill seed particles than the second homogenized plant material. The second homogenized plant material may be a homogenized tobacco material substantially free of dill seed particles.

Preferably, the first homogenized plant material may be in the form of one or more sheets, and the second homogenized plant material may be in the form of one or more sheets.

Optionally, the aerosol generating substrate may comprise one or more plugs. Preferably, the substrate may comprise a first plug and a second plug, wherein the first homogenized plant material may be located in the first plug, and the second homogenized plant material may be located in the second plug.

Two or more rods may be joined end to end and extend to form a rod. Two rods may be arranged longitudinally with a gap between them, thereby creating a cavity in the rod. The rods may be arranged in any suitable manner in the rod.

For example, in a preferred arrangement, a downstream rod containing a major proportion of dill seed particles may be adjacent to an upstream rod containing a major proportion of tobacco particles to form a rod. An alternative configuration is also provided in which the upstream and downstream positions of the respective rods are alternating with respect to each other. Alternative configurations are also provided in which the third homogenized plant material contains a different proportion of dill seed particles and tobacco particles and forms a third rod. If two or more rods are provided, the homogenized plant material may be provided in the same form in each rod or in different forms in each rod, i.e., it may be collected or divided into pieces. One or more rods may optionally be wrapped individually or together in a heat-conducting sheet material, as described below.

The first rod may comprise one or more sheets of the first homogenized plant material, and the second rod may comprise one or more sheets of the second homogenized plant material. The sum of the lengths of the rods may be from about 10 mm to about 40 mm, preferably from about 10 mm to about 15 mm, more preferably about 12 mm. The first rod and the second rod may have the same length or may have different lengths. If the first rod and the second rod have the same lengths, the length of each rod may preferably be from about 6 mm to about 20 mm. Preferably, the second rod may be longer than the first rod in order to provide the desired ratio of tobacco particles to dill seed particles in the substrate. In general, the substrate preferably contains from 0 to 75 percent by weight of tobacco particles and from 2.5 to 75 percent by weight of dill seed particles, based on dry weight. Preferably, the second rod is at least 40 percent to 50 percent longer than the first rod.

If the first homogenized plant material and the second homogenized plant material are in the form of one or more sheets, preferably the one or more sheets of the first homogenized plant material and the second homogenized plant material may be assembled sheets. Preferably the one or more sheets of the first homogenized plant material and the second homogenized plant material may be corrugated sheets. It should be understood that all other physical properties described with reference to the embodiment in which one homogenized plant material is present apply equally to the embodiment in which the first homogenized plant material and the second homogenized plant material are present. Furthermore, it should be understood that a description of additives (such as binders, lipids, fibers, aerosol formers, humectants, plasticizers, flavors, fillers, aqueous and non-aqueous solvents, and combinations thereof) with reference to an embodiment in which one homogenized plant material is present applies equally to an embodiment in which a first homogenized plant material and a second homogenized plant material are present.

In another embodiment of the aerosol generating substrate, the first homogenized plant material is in the form of a first sheet, the second homogenized plant material is in the form of a second sheet, and the second sheet at least partially overlaps the first sheet.

The first sheet may be a textured sheet and the second sheet may be non-textured.

Both the first and second sheets can be textured sheets.

The first sheet may be a textured sheet that is textured differently from the second sheet. For example, the first sheet may be corrugated and the second sheet may be perforated. Alternatively, the first sheet may be perforated and the second sheet may be corrugated.

Both the first and second sheets may be corrugated sheets that are morphologically different from each other. For example, the second sheet may be corrugated with a different number of corrugations per unit width of the sheet than the first sheet.

Sheets can be assembled to form a rod. Sheets that are assembled together to form a rod can have different physical dimensions. The width and thickness of the sheets can vary.

It may be desirable to combine two sheets, each of which has a different thickness, or each of which has a different width. This may change the physical properties of the extrudate. This may facilitate the formation of an aerosol-generating substrate consisting of a mixture of extrudate and sheets of different chemical composition.

The first sheet may have a first thickness, and the second sheet may have a second thickness that is a multiple of the first thickness, such as the second sheet may have a thickness that is two or three times the first thickness.

The first sheet may have a first width and the second sheet may have a second width that is different from the first width.

The first sheet and the second sheet may be arranged to overlap before being assembled together, or at the moment they are assembled together. The sheets may have the same width and thickness. The sheets may have different thicknesses. The sheets may have different widths. The sheets may be textured differently.

If it is desired that both the first sheet and the second sheet are textured, the sheets may be textured simultaneously before collection. For example, the sheets may be arranged in an overlapping manner and passed through texturing means, such as a pair of corrugating rollers. An apparatus and method suitable for simultaneous corrugation is described with reference to Fig. 2 of WO-A-2013/178766. In a preferred embodiment, the second sheet of the second homogenized plant material overlaps the first sheet of the first homogenized plant material, and the combined sheets are collected to form a rod of aerosol-generating substrate. Optionally, the sheets may be corrugated together before collection to facilitate collection.

Alternatively, each sheet can be textured individually and then brought together to form a strip. For example, if two sheets are of different thicknesses, it may be desirable to corrugate the first sheet differently from the second sheet.

It should be understood that all other physical properties described with reference to an embodiment in which one homogenized plant material is present apply equally to an embodiment in which a first homogenized plant material and a second homogenized plant material are present. It should also be understood that a description of additives (such as binders, lipids, fibers, aerosol formers, humectants, plasticizers, flavors, fillers, aqueous and non-aqueous solvents, and combinations thereof) with reference to an embodiment in which one homogenized plant material is present applies equally to an embodiment in which a first homogenized plant material and a second homogenized plant material are present.

The homogenized plant material used in the aerosol generating substrates of the present invention may be produced by a variety of methods, including papermaking, molding, dough reduction, extrusion, or any other suitable process.

Preferably, the homogenized dill seed material is in the form of a "molded sheet". The term "molded sheet" is used herein to denote a sheet product made by a casting process which is based on casting a pulp containing plant particles (e.g. dill seed particles or tobacco particles and dill seed particles in a mixture) and a binder (e.g. guar gum) onto a support surface such as a conveyor belt, drying the pulp and removing the dried sheet from the support surface. An example of a casting or sheet forming process is described, for example, in document US-A-5724998, with respect to the manufacture of tobacco in the form of molded leaves. In the sheet forming process, particulate plant materials are mixed with a liquid component, typically water, to form a pulp. Other added components in the pulp may include fibers, a binder and an aerosol forming agent. The particulate plant materials may agglomerate in the presence of a binder. The pulp is poured onto a support surface and dried to form a sheet of homogenized dill seed-based material.

In certain preferred embodiments, the homogenized dill seed material used in the articles of the present invention is produced by casting. The homogenized dill seed material produced by the casting process typically comprises agglomerated particulate plant material.

During the sheet forming process, since essentially all of the soluble fraction is retained in the plant material, most of the flavour-giving substances are retained. Additionally, energy-intensive papermaking steps are eliminated.

In one preferred embodiment of the present invention, a mixture comprising particulate plant material, water, a binder and an aerosol forming agent is formed to form a homogenized dill seed material. A sheet is formed from the mixture and the sheet is then dried. Preferably, the mixture is an aqueous mixture. As used herein, the term "dry weight" refers to the weight of a particular non-aqueous component relative to the sum of the weights of all non-aqueous components in the mixture, expressed as a percentage. The composition of aqueous mixtures can be considered as a "dry weight percent". This refers to the weight of the non-aqueous components relative to the weight of the entire aqueous mixture, expressed as a percentage.

The mixture may be a pulp. As used herein, the term “pulp” means

a homogenized aqueous mixture with a relatively low dry weight. The pulp used in the method herein may preferably have a dry weight of from about 5 percent to 60 percent.

Alternatively, the mixture may be a dough-like mass. As used herein, the term "dough-like mass" denotes an aqueous mixture with a relatively high dry weight. The dough-like mass used in the method herein may preferably have a dry weight of at least 60 percent, more preferably at least 70 percent.

Pulps having a dry weight greater than 30 percent and pasty masses may be preferred in certain embodiments of the method.

The step of mixing the particulate plant material, water and other optional components can be carried out using any suitable means. For low viscosity mixtures, i.e. some pulps, it is preferable that the mixing be carried out using a high intensity mixer or a high shear mixer. This mixing breaks up and evenly distributes the various phases of the mixture. For higher viscosity mixtures, i.e. some pasty masses, a kneading process can be used to evenly distribute the various phases of the mixture.

The methods according to the present invention may further comprise a step of vibrating the mixture to distribute the various components. Vibrating the mixture, i.e., for example, vibrating a container or intermediate bin in which the homogenized mixture is located, may promote homogenization of the mixture, in particular when the mixture is a low-viscosity mixture, i.e., some pulps. Less mixing time may be required to homogenize the mixture to the target value optimal for casting, if vibration is also applied together with mixing.

If the mixture is a pulp, the web of homogenized dill seed material is preferably formed by a casting process comprising casting the pulp onto a support surface such as a conveyor belt. The method for producing homogenized dill seed material comprises a step of drying said formed web to form a sheet. The formed web can be dried at room temperature or at an ambient temperature of at least about 60 degrees Celsius, more preferably at least about 80 degrees Celsius for a suitable period of time. Preferably, the formed web is dried at an ambient temperature of no more than 200 degrees Celsius, more preferably no more than about 160 degrees Celsius. For example, the formed web can be dried at a temperature of from about 60 degrees Celsius to about 200 degrees Celsius or from about 80 degrees Celsius to about 160 degrees Celsius. Preferably, the moisture content of the sheet after drying is from about 5 percent to about 15 percent based on the total weight of the sheet. After drying, the sheet can be removed from the supporting surface. The formed sheet has such a tensile strength that it can be moved by mechanical means and wound on or unwound from a reel without breaking or deforming.

If the mixture is a dough-like mass, the dough-like mass can be extruded in the form of a sheet, threads or strips before the step of drying the extruded mixture. Preferably, the dough-like mass can be extruded in the form of a sheet. The extruded mixture can be dried at room temperature or at a temperature of at least about 60 degrees Celsius, more preferably at least about 80 degrees Celsius for a suitable period of time. Preferably, the extruded mixture is dried at an ambient temperature of not more than 200 degrees Celsius, more preferably not more than about 160 degrees Celsius. For example, the extruded mixture can be dried at a temperature of from about 60 degrees Celsius to about 200 degrees Celsius or from about 80 degrees Celsius to about 160 degrees Celsius. Preferably, the moisture content of the extruded mixture after drying is from about 5 percent to about 15 percent, based on the total weight of the sheet. A sheet formed from a dough-like mass requires less drying time and/or lower drying temperatures due to the significantly lower water content relative to a web formed from pulp.

After drying the sheet, the method may optionally include the step of applying a nicotine salt, preferably together with an aerosol forming agent, to the sheet, as described in the disclosure of document WO-A-2015/082652.

After drying the sheet, the methods according to the present invention may optionally include the step of cutting the sheet into threads, pieces or strips to form an aerosol-generating substrate, as described above. The threads, pieces or strips may be brought together to form a rod of aerosol-generating substrate by a suitable means. In the formed rod of aerosol-generating substrate, the threads, pieces or strips may be substantially aligned, for example, in the longitudinal direction of the rod. Alternatively, the threads, pieces or strips may be randomly oriented in the rod.

The methods of the present invention may optionally further comprise the step of winding the sheet onto a reel after the drying step.

Alternatively, the homogenized dill seed material may be in the form of dill seed paper. The present invention further provides an alternative method of making paper for producing sheets of homogenized plant material in the form of plant "paper". Plant paper refers to a reconstituted plant sheet formed by a process in which plant material is extracted with a solvent to produce an extract of soluble plant compounds and an insoluble residue of fibrous plant material, and the extract is recombined with the insoluble residue. The extract may optionally be concentrated or further processed before recombining with the insoluble residue. The insoluble residue may optionally be purified and combined with additional plant fibers before recombining with the extract. In the method according to the present invention, the plant material will comprise dill seed particles, optionally in combination with tobacco particles.

In more detail, the method for producing plant paper includes a first step of mixing plant material and water to form a dilute slurry. The dilute slurry contains primarily individual cellulose fibers. The slurry has a lower viscosity and a higher water content than the pulp obtained in the casting process. This first step may include soaking, optionally in the presence of an alkali, such as sodium hydroxide, and optionally applying heat.

The method further comprises a second step of separating the suspension into an insoluble portion containing the insoluble residue of fibrous plant material and a liquid or aqueous extract containing soluble plant compounds. The water remaining in the insoluble residue of fibrous plant material can be drained through a mesh acting as a sieve so that a web of randomly interwoven fibres can be laid. Water can be further removed from this web by compression with rollers, sometimes with the aid of suction or vacuum.

After removing the aqueous portion and water from the insoluble residue, a sheet is formed. Preferably, a generally flat, uniform sheet of plant fibers is formed.

Preferably, the method further comprises the steps of concentrating the extract of soluble plant compounds that have been removed from the leaf and adding the concentrated extract to the leaf from the insoluble residue of fibrous plant material to form the leaf.

homogenized plant material. Alternatively or additionally, soluble plant matter or concentrated plant matter from another process may be added to the leaf. The extract or concentrated extract may be obtained from another variety of the same plant species or from other plant species.

This process, as described in US-A-3,860,012, has been used with tobacco to make reconstituted tobacco products, also known as tobacco paper. The same process can also be used with one or more plants to produce a paper-like sheet material, such as fennel seed paper.

In certain preferred embodiments, the homogenized plant material used in the articles of the present invention is obtained by a papermaking process as defined above.

The homogenized tobacco material or the homogenized dill seed material obtained through this process is called tobacco paper or dill seed paper. The homogenized plant material produced through the paper making process is characterized by

the presence of numerous fibers throughout the material, visible to the naked eye or under a light microscope, especially when the paper is wetted with water. In contrast, homogenized plant material made by the casting process contains fewer fibers than paper and is prone to dissociation to form pulp when wetted. Tobacco-dill seed paper refers to homogenized plant material produced by such a process using a mixture of tobacco material and dill seed material.

In embodiments in which the aerosol-generating substrate comprises a combination of fennel seed particles and tobacco particles, the aerosol-generating substrate may comprise one or more sheets of fennel seed paper and one or more sheets of tobacco paper. The sheets of fennel seed paper and tobacco paper may be arranged alternately with each other or stacked on each other before being assembled to form a rod. Optionally, the sheets may be corrugated. Alternatively, the sheets of fennel seed paper and tobacco paper may be cut into threads, strips or pieces and then combined to form a rod. The relative amounts of tobacco and fennel seed in the aerosol-generating substrate may be adjusted by changing the respective amounts of tobacco sheets and fennel seeds or the relative amounts of threads, strips or pieces of fennel seed and tobacco in the rod.

For example, the number or amount of tobacco leaves or threads and dill seeds may be adjusted to obtain a ratio of dill seeds to tobacco of approximately 1:4, or approximately 1:9, or approximately 1:30.

Other known processes which can be used to produce homogenised plant materials are pasty reconstitution processes of the type described, for example, in US-A-3,894,544; and extrusion processes of the type described, for example, in GB-A-983,928. Typically, the densities of homogenised plant materials produced by extrusion processes and pasty reconstitution processes are higher than the densities of homogenised plant materials produced by casting processes.

Preferably, the aerosol generating substrate of the aerosol generating articles according to the present invention comprises at least about 200 mg of homogenized plant material, more preferably at least about 250 mg of homogenized plant material, and more preferably at least about 300 mg of homogenized plant material.

The aerosol-generating articles according to the present invention comprise a rod comprising an aerosol-generating substrate in one or more rods. The rod of aerosol-generating substrate may have a length of from about 5 mm to about 120 mm. For example, the rod may preferably have a length of from about 10 to about 45 mm, more preferably from about 10 mm to 15 mm, most preferably about 12 mm. In alternative embodiments, the rod preferably has a length of from about 30 mm to about 45 mm or from about 33 mm to about 41 mm. If the rod is formed from one rod of aerosol-generating substrate, the rod has the same length as the rod.

The aerosol-generating substrate rod may have an outer diameter of about 5 mm to about 10 mm, depending on its intended purpose. For example, in some embodiments, the rod may have an outer diameter of about 5.5 mm to about 8 mm or about 6.5 mm to about 8 mm. The outer diameter of the aerosol-generating substrate rod corresponds to the diameter of the rod containing any wrappers.

The aerosol-generating substrate rod of the aerosol-generating articles of the present invention is preferably surrounded by one or more wrappers along at least a portion of its length. The one or more wrappers may comprise a paper wrapper or a non-paper wrapper, or both. Paper wrappers suitable for use in particular embodiments of the present invention are known in the art and include, but are not limited to: cigarette papers and filter wicks. Non-paper wrappers suitable for use in particular embodiments of the present invention are known in the art and include, but are not limited to, sheets of homogenized tobacco materials. Homogenized tobacco wrappers are particularly suitable for use in embodiments wherein the aerosol generating substrate comprises one or more sheets of homogenized dill seed material formed from particulate plant material, wherein the particulate plant material comprises dill seed particles in combination with a low weight percentage of tobacco particles, such as from 20 percent to 0 percent by weight of tobacco particles on a dry weight basis.

In particular embodiments of the present invention, the aerosol-generating substrate is surrounded along at least a portion of its length by a heat-conducting sheet material, such as a metal foil, such as aluminum foil or metallized paper. The metal foil or metallized paper serves the purpose of quickly conducting heat through the aerosol-generating substrate. In addition, the metal foil or metallized paper can serve to prevent the aerosol-generating substrate from igniting if the consumer attempts to set it on fire. In addition, during use, the metal foil or metallized paper can prevent unpleasant odors generated by heating the outer wrapper from entering the aerosol generated from the aerosol-generating substrate. For example, this can be a problem for aerosol-generating articles having an aerosol-generating substrate that is heated from the outside during use to generate the aerosol. Alternatively or additionally, a metallized wrapper may be used to facilitate detection or identification of the aerosol-generating article when it is inserted into the aerosol-generating device during use. The metal foil or metallized paper may contain metal particles, such as iron particles.

One or more wrappers surrounding the aerosol generating substrate preferably have a total thickness of from about 0.1 mm to about 0.9 mm.

The inner diameter of the aerosol-generating substrate rod is preferably from about 3 mm to about 9.5 mm, more preferably from about 4 mm to about 7.5 mm, more preferably from about 5 mm to about 7.5 mm. "Inner diameter" corresponds to the diameter of the aerosol-generating substrate rod, excluding the thickness of the wrappers, but measured with the wrappers in place. Aerosol-generating articles according to the present invention also include, without limitation, a cartridge or a consumable for a hookah.

The aerosol generating articles according to the present invention may optionally comprise at least one hollow tube located immediately downstream of the aerosol generating substrate. One of the functions of the tube is to position the aerosol generating substrate towards the distal end of the aerosol generating article so that it can come into contact with the heating element. The tube is designed to prevent the aerosol generating substrate from moving along the aerosol generating article towards other downstream elements when the heating element is inserted into the aerosol generating substrate. The tube also acts as a separating element to separate the downstream elements from the aerosol generating substrate. The tube may be made of any material such as cellulose acetate, polymer, cardboard or paper.

Aerosol generating articles according to the present invention optionally comprise one or more of a spacer or an aerosol cooling element downstream of the aerosol generating substrate and immediately downstream of the hollow tube.

In use, the aerosol formed by the volatile compounds released from the aerosol-generating substrate passes through and is cooled by the aerosol cooling element before being inhaled by the user. The lower temperature allows the vapors to condense to form an aerosol. The spacer or aerosol cooling element may be a hollow tube, such as a hollow cellulose acetate tube or a cardboard tube, which may be similar to a tube located immediately downstream of the aerosol-generating substrate. The spacer may be a hollow tube that has an equal outside diameter but a smaller or larger inside diameter than the hollow cellulose acetate tube. In one embodiment, the paper-wrapped aerosol cooling element comprises one or more longitudinal channels made of any suitable material, such as metal foil, paper laminated with foil, a polymer sheet, preferably made of a synthetic polymer, and substantially non-porous paper or cardboard. In some embodiments, the paper-wrapped aerosol cooling element may comprise one or more sheets made of a material selected from the group consisting of polyethylene (PE), polypropylene (PP), polyvinyl chloride (PVC), polyethylene terephthalate (PET), polylactic acid (PLA), cellulose acetate (CA), paper laminated with a polymer sheet, and aluminum foil. Alternatively, the aerosol cooling element may be made of woven or non-woven filaments of a material selected from the group consisting of polyethylene (PE), polypropylene (PP), polyvinyl chloride (PVC), polyethylene terephthalate (PET), polylactic acid (PLA) and cellulose acetate (CA). In a preferred embodiment, the aerosol cooling element is a corrugated and assembled sheet of polylactic acid wrapped in filter paper. In another preferred embodiment, the aerosol cooling element comprises a longitudinal channel and is made of woven filaments of a synthetic polymer, such as polylactic acid filaments, which are wrapped in paper.

The aerosol generating articles of the present invention may further comprise a filter or mouthpiece downstream of the aerosol generating substrate and a hollow acetate tube, spacer or aerosol cooling element. The filter may comprise one or more filter materials for removing particulate components, gaseous components or a combination thereof. Suitable filter materials are known in the art and include, but are not limited to: fibrous filter materials such as, for example, cellulose acetate tow and paper; adsorbents such as, for example, activated alumina, zeolites, molecular sieves and silica gel; biodegradable polymers including, for example, polylactic acid (PLA), Mater-Bi®, hydrophobic viscose fibers and bioplastics and combinations thereof. The filter may be located at the downstream end of the aerosol generating article. The filter may be a cellulose acetate filter rod. The filter in one embodiment has a length of approximately 7 mm, but may have a length of from approximately 5 mm to approximately 10 mm.

Aerosol generating articles according to the present invention may comprise a mouth end cavity at a downstream end of the article. The mouth end cavity may be formed by one or more wrappers extending downstream of a filter or mouthpiece. Alternatively, the mouth end cavity may be formed by a separate tubular element provided at a downstream end of the aerosol generating article.

The aerosol generating articles according to the present invention preferably further comprise a ventilation zone provided at a location along the aerosol generating article. For example, the aerosol generating article may be provided at a location along a hollow tube provided downstream of the aerosol generating substrate.

In preferred embodiments of the present invention, the aerosol-generating article comprises an aerosol-generating substrate, at least one hollow tube downstream of the aerosol-generating substrate, and a filter downstream of the at least one hollow tube. Optionally, the aerosol-generating article further comprises a cavity at the mouth end at the downstream end of the filter. Preferably, the ventilation zone is provided at a location along the at least one hollow tube.

In a particularly preferred embodiment having this arrangement, the aerosol generating substrate has a length of approximately 33 mm and an outer diameter of approximately 5.5 mm to 6.7 mm, wherein the aerosol generating substrate comprises approximately 340 mg of a homogenized material based on dill seeds in the form of a plurality of filaments, wherein the homogenized material based on dill seeds comprises approximately 14 percent by weight of glycerol based on dry weight. In this embodiment, the aerosol generating article has a total length of approximately 7.4 mm and comprises a tow filter made of cellulose acetate fiber having a length of approximately 10 mm, as well as a cavity at the mouth end formed by a hollow tube having a length of approximately 6-7 mm. The aerosol generating article comprises a hollow tube downstream of the aerosol generating substrate, wherein the hollow tube has a length of approximately 25 mm and is provided in the ventilation zone.

The aerosol-generating articles according to the present invention may have an overall length of at least about 30 mm or at least about 40 mm. The overall length of the aerosol-generating article may be less than 90 mm or less than about 80 mm.

In one embodiment, the aerosol-generating article has a total length of about 40 mm to about 50 mm, preferably about 45 mm. In another embodiment, the aerosol-generating article has a total length of about 70 mm to about 90 mm, preferably about 80 mm to about 85 mm. In another embodiment, the aerosol-generating article has a total length of about 72 mm to about 76 mm, preferably about 74 mm.

The aerosol-generating article may have an outer diameter of about 5 mm to about 8 mm, preferably about 6 mm to about 8 mm. In one embodiment, the aerosol-generating article has an outer diameter of about 7.3 mm.

The aerosol-generating articles of the present invention may further comprise one or more aerosol-modifying elements. The aerosol-modifying element may comprise an aerosol-modifying means. As used herein, the term aerosol-modifying means is used to describe any means that, when used, modifies one or more features or properties of an aerosol passing through a filter. Suitable aerosol-modifying means include, but are not limited to, means that, when used, impart flavor or aroma to an aerosol passing through a filter, or means that, when used, remove flavors from an aerosol passing through a filter.

The aerosol modifying agent may be one or more of moisture or a liquid flavoring agent. Water or moisture may modify the sensations experienced by the user, for example by moistening the generated aerosol, which may have a cooling effect on the aerosol and may reduce the perception of astringency experienced by the user. The aerosol modifying element may be in the form of a flavor delivery element designed to deliver one or more liquid flavoring agents. Alternatively, the liquid flavoring agent may be added directly to the homogenized plant material, for example by adding a flavoring agent to the pulp or raw material during the production of the homogenized plant material or by spraying the liquid flavoring agent onto the surface of the homogenized plant material.

One or more liquid flavors may comprise any flavoring compound or plant extract suitable for placement with the possibility of release in liquid form within the flavor delivery element, to improve the taste of the aerosol obtained during use of the aerosol-generating article. Flavors, liquid or solid, may also be located directly in the material that forms the filter, such as cellulose acetate tow. Suitable flavoring agents or aroma imparting agents include, but are not limited to, menthol, mint such as peppermint and spearmint, chocolate, licorice, citrus and other fruit flavoring agents, gamma-octalactone, vanillin, ethyl vanillin, breath freshening flavoring agents, spice flavoring agents such as cinnamon, methyl salicylate, linalool, eugenol, bergamot oil, geranium oil, lemon oil, hemp oil, and tobacco flavoring agent. Other suitable flavoring agents may include flavoring compounds selected from the group consisting of an acid, an alcohol, an ester, an aldehyde, a ketone, a pyrazine, combinations or mixtures thereof, and the like.

An aerosol modifying agent may be an adsorbent material, such as activated carbon, that removes certain components of the aerosol passing through the filter and thus alters the taste and aroma of the aerosol.

One or more aerosol modifying elements may be located downstream of the aerosol generating substrate or inside the aerosol generating substrate. The aerosol generating substrate may comprise a homogenized dill seed material and an aerosol modifying element. In various embodiments, the aerosol modifying element may be located adjacent to the homogenized dill seed material or embedded in the homogenized dill seed material. Typically, the aerosol modifying elements may be located downstream of the aerosol generating substrate, most often inside an aerosol cooling element, inside a filter of the aerosol generating article, such as inside a filter rod or inside a cavity between filter rods. The one or more aerosol modifying elements may be in the form of one or more of a thread, a capsule, a microcapsule, a bead, or a polymer matrix material, or a combination thereof.

If the aerosol modifying element is in the form of a thread, as described in document WO-A-2011/060961, the thread may be formed from paper, such as filter paper, and the thread may be filled with at least one aerosol modifying agent and located within the main part of the filter. Other materials that may be used to form the thread include acetyl cellulose and cotton.

If the aerosol modifying element is in the form of a capsule as described in WO-A-2007/010407, WO-A-2013/068100 and WO-A-2014/154887, the capsule may be a destructible capsule located inside the filter, wherein the inner core of the capsule contains an aerosol modifying agent that can be released by destructing the outer shell of the capsule when the filter is subjected to an external force. The capsule may be located inside the filter rod or inside the cavity between the filter rods.

If the aerosol modifying element is in the form of a polymer matrix material, the polymer matrix material releases the flavouring agent when the aerosol generating article is heated, such as when the polymer matrix is heated above the melting point of the polymer matrix material, as described in WO-A-2013/034488. Typically, such a polymer matrix material may be located within a bead within the aerosol generating substrate. Alternatively or in addition, the flavouring agent may be contained within domains of the polymer matrix material and may be released from the polymer matrix material upon compression of the polymer matrix material. Preferably, the flavouring agent is released upon compression of the polymer matrix material with a force of approximately 15 Newton. Such taste modifying elements may provide a sustained release of liquid flavouring in a force range of at least 5 Newton, such as from 5 N to 20 N, as described in document WO 2013/068304. Typically, such a polymer matrix material may be located inside a ball inside the filter.

The aerosol generating article may comprise a combustible heat source and an aerosol generating substrate located downstream of the combustible heat source, the aerosol generating substrate being as described above in relation to the first aspect of the present invention.

For example, the substrates described herein may be used in the types of heated aerosol-generating articles described in WO-A-2009/022232, which comprise a combustible carbon-based heat source, an aerosol-generating substrate located downstream of the combustible heat source, and a heat-conducting element surrounding and in contact with a rear portion of the combustible carbon-based heat source and an adjacent front portion of the aerosol-generating substrate. However, it should be understood that the substrates described herein may also be used in heated aerosol-generating articles comprising combustible heat sources of other designs.

The present invention provides an aerosol generating system that comprises an aerosol generating device that comprises a heating element and an aerosol generating article for use with the aerosol generating device, wherein the aerosol generating article comprises an aerosol generating substrate as described above.

In a preferred embodiment, the aerosol generating substrates described herein can be used in heated aerosol generating articles for use in electrical aerosol generating systems, in which the aerosol generating substrate of the heated aerosol generating article is heated by an electrical heat source.

For example, the aerosol generating substrates described herein may be used in heated aerosol generating articles of the type described in EP-A-0 822 760.

The heating element of such aerosol generating devices may be of any suitable shape for conducting heat. Heating of the aerosol generating substrate may be achieved from the inside, from the outside, or both. The heating element may preferably be a heating plate or pin adapted to be inserted into the substrate, whereby the substrate is heated from the inside. Alternatively, the heating element may partially or completely surround the substrate and heat the substrate circumferentially from the outside.

The aerosol generating system may be an electrical aerosol generating system comprising an induction heating device. Induction heating devices typically comprise an induction source configured to be connected to a current collector, which may be provided externally relative to the aerosol generating substrate or internally in the aerosol generating substrate. The induction source generates an alternating electromagnetic field, which induces magnetization or eddy currents in the current collector. The current collector may be heated as a result of hysteresis losses or induced eddy currents, which heat the current collector by means of ohmic or resistive heating.

Electric aerosol generating systems that comprise an induction heating device may also comprise an aerosol generating article that has an aerosol generating substrate and a current collector that is in thermal proximity to the aerosol generating substrate. Typically, the current collector is in direct contact with the aerosol generating substrate and heat is transferred from the current collector to the aerosol generating substrate primarily by conduction. Examples of electric aerosol generating systems that comprise induction heating devices and aerosol generating articles that have current collectors are described in WO-A1-95/27411 and WO-A1-2015/177255.

The current collector may be a plurality of current-receiving particles that may be deposited on the aerosol-generating substrate or enclosed in it. When the aerosol-generating substrate is in the form of one or more sheets, the plurality of current-receiving particles may be deposited on one or more sheets or enclosed within them. The current-receiving particles are immobilized by the substrate, for example in the form of a sheet, and remain in the initial position. Preferably, the current-receiving particles may be uniformly distributed in the homogenized dill seed-based material of the aerosol-generating substrate. Due to the fact that the current collector has the form of particles, heat is obtained according to the distribution of the particles in the sheet of the homogenized dill seed-based material of the substrate. Alternatively, the current collector in the form of one or more sheets, strips, pieces or rods may also be located near the homogenized dill seed-based material or used as embedded in the homogenized dill seed-based material. In one embodiment, the aerosol-forming substrate comprises one or more current-collecting strips. In another embodiment, the current-collecting strip is in the aerosol-generating device.

The current collector may have a heat loss of more than 0.05 J/kg, preferably a heat loss of more than 0.1 J/kg. Heat loss is the ability of the current collector to transfer heat to the surrounding material. Since the current collector particles are preferably uniformly distributed in the aerosol-generating substrate, uniform heat losses from the current collector particles can be achieved, which ensures uniform heat distribution in the aerosol-generating substrate and leads to uniform temperature distribution in the aerosol-generating article. It has been found that a specific minimum heat loss of 0.05 J/kg in the current collector particles allows the aerosol-generating substrate to be heated to a substantially uniform temperature, which ensures aerosol generation.

Preferably, the average temperatures achieved within the aerosol generating substrate in such embodiments are from about 200 degrees Celsius to about 240 degrees Celsius.

The risk of overheating of the aerosol-generating substrate can be reduced by using current collector materials having a Curie temperature which ensures the heating process due to hysteresis losses only up to a certain maximum temperature. The current collector may have a Curie temperature of about 200 degrees Celsius to about 450 degrees Celsius, preferably about 240 degrees Celsius to about 400 degrees Celsius, for example about 280 degrees Celsius. When the current collector material reaches its Curie temperature, the magnetic properties change. At the Curie temperature, the current collector material changes from the ferromagnetic phase to the paramagnetic phase. At this point, the heating based on energy losses due to the orientation of the ferromagnetic domains stops. Further heating is then mainly based on the formation of an eddy current, so that the heating process is automatically reduced when the Curie temperature of the current collector material is reached. Preferably, the receiver material and its Curie temperature are matched to the composition of the aerosol generating substrate to achieve optimal temperatures and temperature distributions in the aerosol generating substrate for optimal aerosol generation.

In some preferred embodiments of the aerosol generating article according to the present invention, the current collector is made of ferrite. Ferrite is a ferromagnetic material with high magnetic permeability and is particularly suitable as a current collector material. The main component of ferrite is iron. Other metallic components, such as zinc, nickel, manganese, or non-metallic components, such as silicon, can be present in various amounts. Ferrite is a relatively inexpensive, commercially available material. Ferrite is available in the form of particles in the particle size ranges used in the particulate plant material forming the homogenized plant material according to the present invention. Preferably, the particles are fully sintered ferrite powder, such as, for example, FP160, FP215, FP350, supplied by PPT, Indiana, U.S.A.

In certain embodiments of the present invention, an aerosol generating system comprises an aerosol generating article that comprises an aerosol generating substrate as defined above, a source of a substance for forming an aerosol, and means for vaporizing the substance for forming an aerosol, preferably a heating element as described above. The source of the substance for forming an aerosol may be a reservoir, which may be refillable or replaceable and is located on the aerosol generating device. Although the reservoir is physically separated from the aerosol generating article, the generated vapor is directed through the aerosol generating article. The vapor comes into contact with the aerosol generating substrate, which releases volatile compounds, such as nicotine and flavors in particulate plant material, to form an aerosol. Optionally, in order to avoid evaporation of compounds in the aerosol-generating substrate, the aerosol-generating system may further comprise a heating element for heating the aerosol-generating substrate, preferably in a manner consistent with the aerosol-forming substance. However, in certain embodiments, the heating element used to heat the aerosol-generating article is separate from the heater that heats the aerosol-forming substance.

As defined above, the present invention further provides an aerosol obtained by heating an aerosol generating substrate, wherein the aerosol comprises specific amounts and ratios of characteristic compounds obtained from dill seed particles as defined above.

According to the present invention, the aerosol comprises carvone in an amount of at least 0.5 micrograms per puff of the aerosol and limonene in an amount of at least 0.05 micrograms per puff of the aerosol, wherein the puff of the aerosol has a volume of 55 milliliters when generated by the smoking machine. For the purposes of the present invention, a "puff" is defined as the volume of aerosol released from an aerosol-generating substrate upon heating and collected for analysis, wherein the puff of the aerosol has a puff volume of 55 milliliters when generated by the smoking machine. Accordingly, any reference to a "puff" of an aerosol should be understood as meaning a puff of 55 milliliters, unless otherwise specified.

The ranges specified define the total amount of each component measured in a 55 milliliter puff of aerosol. The aerosol may be generated from an aerosol-generating substrate using any suitable means and may be captured and analyzed as described above to identify the characteristic compounds in the aerosol and measure their amounts. For example, a "puff" may correspond to a 55 milliliter puff taken from a smoking machine, such as the machine used in the Health Canada approved test method described herein.

Preferably, the aerosol of the present invention comprises at least about 2 micrograms of carvone per puff of aerosol, more preferably at least about 5 micrograms of carvone per puff of aerosol. Alternatively or additionally, the aerosol generated from the aerosol-generating substrate comprises up to about 50 micrograms of carvone per puff of aerosol, preferably up to about 40 micrograms of carvone per puff of aerosol, and more preferably up to about 25 micrograms of carvone per puff of aerosol. For example, the aerosol generated from the aerosol-generating substrate may comprise from about 0.1 micrograms to about 50 micrograms of carvone per puff of aerosol, or from about 2 micrograms of carvone per puff of aerosol to about 40 micrograms of carvone per puff of aerosol, or from about 5 micrograms to about 25 micrograms of carvone per puff of aerosol.

Preferably, the aerosol of the present invention comprises at least about 0.2 micrograms of limonene per puff of the aerosol, more preferably at least about 0.5 micrograms of limonene per puff of the aerosol. Alternatively or additionally, the aerosol generated from the aerosol-generating substrate preferably comprises up to about 10 micrograms of limonene per puff of the aerosol, more preferably up to about 8 micrograms of limonene per puff of the aerosol, even more preferably up to about 6 micrograms of limonene per puff of the aerosol. For example, the aerosol generated from the aerosol-generating substrate can comprise from about 0.05 micrograms to about 10 micrograms of limonene per puff of the aerosol, or from about 0.2 micrograms to about 8 micrograms of limonene per puff of the aerosol, or from about 0.5 micrograms to about 6 micrograms of limonene per puff of the aerosol.

According to the present invention, the composition of the aerosol is such that the amount of carvone per puff of the aerosol is preferably no more than about 10 times the amount of limonene per puff of the aerosol. Therefore, the ratio of carvone to limonene in the aerosol is preferably no more than about 10:1.

Preferably, the composition of the aerosol is such that the amount of carvone per puff of the aerosol is no more than approximately 8 times the amount of limonene per puff of the aerosol.

A certain ratio of carvone to limonene characterizes the aerosol obtained from dill seed particles. In contrast, in an aerosol obtained from dill seed essential oil, the ratio of carvone to limonene would be significantly different.

Preferably, the aerosol according to the present invention further comprises at least about 0.1 milligrams of aerosol former per puff of the aerosol, more preferably at least about 0.2 milligrams of aerosol former per puff of the aerosol, and more preferably at least about 0.3 milligrams of aerosol former per puff of the aerosol. Preferably, the aerosol comprises up to 0.6 milligrams of aerosol former per puff of the aerosol, more preferably up to 0.5 milligrams of aerosol former per puff of the aerosol, more preferably up to 0.4 milligrams of aerosol former per puff of the aerosol. For example, an aerosol may contain from about 0.1 milligrams to about 0.6 milligrams of aerosol forming agent per puff of the aerosol, or from about 0.2 milligrams to about 0.5 milligrams of aerosol forming agent per puff of the aerosol, or from about 0.3 milligrams to about 0.4 milligrams of aerosol forming agent per puff of the aerosol. These values are based on a puff volume of 55 milliliters, as defined above.

Aerosol forming substances suitable for use in the present invention are presented above.

Preferably, the aerosol obtained from the aerosol generating substrate according to the present invention further comprises at least about 2 micrograms of nicotine per puff of the aerosol, more preferably at least about 20 micrograms of nicotine per puff of the aerosol, more preferably at least about 40 micrograms of nicotine per puff of the aerosol. Preferably, the aerosol comprises up to about 200 micrograms of nicotine per puff of the aerosol, more preferably up to about 150 micrograms of nicotine per puff of the aerosol, more preferably up to about 75 micrograms of nicotine per puff of the aerosol. For example, the aerosol can comprise from about 2 micrograms to about 200 micrograms of nicotine per puff of the aerosol, or from about 20 micrograms to about 150 micrograms of nicotine per puff of the aerosol, or from about 40 micrograms to about 75 micrograms of nicotine per puff of the aerosol. These values are based on a puff volume of 55 milliliters, as defined above. In some embodiments of the present invention, the aerosol may contain zero micrograms of nicotine.

Alternatively or additionally, the aerosol according to the present invention may optionally further comprise at least about 0.5 milligrams of cannabinoid compound per puff of aerosol, more preferably at least about 1 milligram of cannabinoid compound per puff of aerosol, more preferably at least about 2 milligrams of cannabinoid compound per puff of aerosol. Preferably, the aerosol comprises up to about 5 milligrams of cannabinoid compound per puff of aerosol, more preferably up to about 4 milligrams of cannabinoid compound per puff of aerosol, more preferably up to about 3 milligrams of cannabinoid compound per puff of aerosol. For example, the aerosol may contain from about 0.5 milligrams to about 5 milligrams of a cannabinoid compound per puff of the aerosol, or from about 1 milligram to about 4 milligrams of a cannabinoid compound per puff of the aerosol, or from about 2 milligrams to about 3 milligrams of a cannabinoid compound per puff of the aerosol. In some embodiments of the present invention, the aerosol may contain zero micrograms of a cannabinoid compound. These values are based on a puff volume of 55 milliliters, as defined above.

Preferably, the cannabinoid compound is selected from CBD and THC. More preferably, the cannabinoid compound is CBD.

Carbon monoxide may also be present in the aerosol according to the present invention and may be measured and used to further characterize the aerosol. Nitrogen oxides, such as nitric oxide and nitrogen dioxide, may also be present in the aerosol and may be measured and used to further characterize the aerosol.

The aerosol of the present invention, containing characteristic compounds from dill seed particles, can be formed from particles having a mass median aerodynamic diameter (MMAD) in the range of from about 0.01 to 200 microns or from about 1 to 100 microns. Preferably, if the aerosol contains nicotine, as described above, the aerosol contains particles having a MMAD in the range of from about 0.1 to about 3 microns to optimize the delivery of nicotine from the aerosol.

The mass median aerodynamic diameter (MMAD) of an aerosol refers to the aerodynamic diameter at which half the mass of the aerosol particles are particles with an aerodynamic diameter greater than the MMAD and half are particles with an aerodynamic diameter less than the MMAD.

The aerodynamic diameter is defined as the diameter of a spherical particle with a density of 1 g/cm3 that has the same settling velocity as the particle being characterized.

The mass median aerodynamic diameter of the aerosol according to the present invention can be determined in accordance with section 2.8 of Schaller et al., “Evaluation of the Tobacco Heating System 2.2. Part 2: Chemical composition, genotoxicity, cytotoxicity and physical properties of the aerosol,” Regul. Toxicol, and Pharmacol., 81 (2016) S27-S47.

As defined above, the present invention further provides an aerosol generating article comprising an aerosol generating substrate, wherein the aerosol generating substrate comprises homogenised plant material, wherein when the aerosol generating substrate is heated according to Test Method A, the aerosol generated from the aerosol generating substrate comprises: carvone in an amount of at least 0.5 micrograms per puff of aerosol; and limonene in an amount of at least 0.05 micrograms per puff of aerosol, wherein the amount of carvone per puff of aerosol is no more than about 10 times the amount of limonene per puff of aerosol, and wherein the puff of aerosol has a volume of 55 millilitres when generated by a smoking machine.

For the purposes of the present invention, a "puff" is defined as the volume of aerosol released from an aerosol-generating substrate upon heating and collected for analysis, wherein a puff of aerosol has a puff volume of 55 milliliters when generated by a smoking machine. Accordingly, any reference to a "puff" of an aerosol shall be understood to mean a puff of 55 milliliters, unless otherwise specified. The ranges specified define the total amount of each component measured in a puff of 55 milliliters of aerosol. The aerosol may be generated from an aerosol-generating substrate using any suitable means and may be collected and analyzed as described above to identify the characteristic compounds in the aerosol and measure their quantities. For example, a "puff" may correspond to a puff of 55 milliliters delivered by a smoking machine, such as the machine used in the Health Canada approved test method described herein.

As defined above, the present invention also provides an aerosol generating substrate formed from homogenized plant material containing at least about 2.5 percent by weight of dill seed particles on a dry weight basis, an aerosol forming agent, and a binder, wherein the aerosol generating substrate contains: at least 100 micrograms of carvone per gram of substrate on a dry weight basis and at least 2 micrograms of limonene per gram of substrate on a dry weight basis, wherein the amount of carvone per gram of substrate is no more than about 50 times the amount of limonene per gram of substrate.

The following is a non-exhaustive list of non-limiting examples. Any one or more of the features of these examples may be combined with any one or more features of another example, embodiment, or aspect described herein.

EX1. An aerosol-generating article comprising an aerosol-generating substrate, wherein the aerosol-generating substrate comprises a homogenized dill seed-based material, wherein the homogenized dill seed-based material comprises dill seed particles, an aerosol-forming substance, and a binder, wherein the aerosol-generating substrate comprises:

at least 100 micrograms of carvone per gram of substrate on a dry weight basis and

at least 2 micrograms of limonene per gram of substrate on a dry weight basis.

EX2. An aerosol generating article according to example EX1, wherein the amount of carvone per gram of substrate is no more than 50 times greater than the amount of limonene per gram of substrate.

EX3. An aerosol generating article according to example EX1 or EX2, wherein the aerosol generating substrate contains from 100 micrograms to 4500 micrograms of carvone per gram of substrate, calculated on a dry weight basis.

EX4. An aerosol generating article according to any of examples EX1 to EX3, wherein the aerosol generating substrate contains from 2 micrograms to 200 micrograms of limonene per gram of substrate on a dry weight basis.

EX5. An aerosol-generating article according to any of the examples EX1 to EX4, in which, when the aerosol-generating substrate is heated according to test method A, an aerosol is generated comprising:

at least 20 micrograms of carvone per gram of substrate on a dry weight basis and

at least 2 micrograms of limonene per gram of substrate on a dry weight basis,

Moreover, the amount of carvone in the aerosol per gram of substrate is no more than 10 times greater than the amount of limonene in the aerosol per gram of substrate.

EX6. An aerosol-generating article according to example EX5, wherein heating of the aerosol-generating substrate according to test method A generates an aerosol containing up to 1500 micrograms of carvone per gram of substrate, calculated on a dry weight basis.

EX7. An aerosol-generating article according to example EX5 or EX6, which, when an aerosol-generating substrate is heated according to test method A, generates an aerosol containing up to 300 micrograms of limonene per gram of substrate, calculated on a dry weight basis.

EX8. An aerosol-generating article according to any of the examples EX5 to EX7, wherein heating of the aerosol-generating substrate according to Test Method A generates an aerosol containing zero micrograms of nicotine per gram of substrate.

EX9. An aerosol-generating article according to any of the examples EX1 to EX4, wherein heating of the aerosol-generating substrate in the THS2.2 holder in accordance with the Health Canada approved machine smoking mode generates an aerosol comprising:

at least 20 micrograms of carvone per gram of substrate on a dry weight basis and

at least 2 micrograms of limonene per gram of substrate on a dry weight basis,

Moreover, the amount of carvone in the aerosol per gram of substrate is no more than 10 times greater than the amount of limonene in the aerosol per gram of substrate.

EX10. An aerosol generating article according to any of examples EX1 to EX9, wherein the homogenized dill seed based material contains at least 2.5 percent by weight of dill seed particles, calculated on a dry weight basis.

EX11. An aerosol generating article according to any of the examples EX1 to EX10, wherein the homogenized dill seed based material contains up to 25 percent by weight of dill seed particles, calculated on a dry weight basis.

EX12. An aerosol generating article according to any of the examples EX1 to EX11, wherein the homogenized dill seed based material contains up to 65 percent by weight of dill seed particles, calculated on a dry weight basis.

EX13. An aerosol generating article according to any of the examples EX1 to EX12, wherein the homogenized dill seed material further comprises up to about 75 percent by weight of tobacco particles, calculated on a dry weight basis.

EX14. An aerosol generating article according to any of the examples EX1-EX13, wherein the homogenized dill seed based material additionally contains tobacco particles, and wherein the weight ratio of dill seed particles to tobacco particles is no more than 1:4.

EX15. An aerosol generating article according to example EX13 or EX14, wherein the homogenised dill seed based material comprises from 5 per cent to 20 per cent by weight of dill seed particles and from 55 per cent to 70 per cent by weight of tobacco particles, calculated on a dry weight basis.

EX16. An aerosol generating article according to any of the examples EX1 to EX15, wherein the homogenized dill seed material has a substantially zero nicotine content.

EX17. An aerosol-generating article according to any of examples EX1 to EX15, wherein the aerosol-generating substrate further comprises at least 0.1 mg nicotine per gram of substrate, calculated on a dry weight basis.

EX18. An aerosol-generating article according to example EX17, wherein the aerosol-generating substrate contains from 1 milligram to 20 milligrams of nicotine per gram of substrate, calculated on a dry weight basis.

EX19. An aerosol generating article according to any of examples EX1 to EX18, wherein the dill seed particles have a D95 value of from about 200 microns or more to a D95 value of about 900 microns or less.

EX20. An aerosol generating article according to any of examples EX1 to EX19, wherein the dill seed particles have a D5 value of from about 10 microns or more to a D5 value of about 50 microns or less.

EX21. An aerosol generating article according to any of examples EX1 to EX20, wherein the dill seed particles are specially ground.

EX22. An aerosol generating article according to any of examples EX1 to EX21, wherein 100 percent of the dill seed particles have a diameter of 300 microns or less.

EX23. An aerosol generating article according to any of the examples EX1 to EX22, wherein the homogenized dill seed material comprises up to 75 percent by weight of particulate plant material, wherein the particulate plant material comprises dill seed particles.

EX24. An aerosol generating article according to any of the examples EX1 to EX23, wherein the homogenized dill seed material has an aerosol forming substance content of from 5 percent to about 30 percent by weight, based on dry weight.

EX25. An aerosol generating article according to any one of examples EX1 to EX24, wherein the binder is selected from: gums, such as, for example, guar gum, xanthan gum, acacia and locust bean gum; cellulosic binders, such as, for example, hydroxypropyl cellulose, carboxymethyl cellulose, hydroxyethyl cellulose, methyl cellulose and ethyl cellulose; polysaccharides, such as, for example, starches, organic acids, such as alginic acid, conjugate salts of organic acids, such as sodium alginate, agar and pectins; and combinations thereof.

EX26. An aerosol generating article according to any of the examples EX1 to EX25, wherein the homogenized dill seed material contains from 1 percent by weight to 10 percent by weight of a binder, calculated on a dry weight basis.

EX27. An aerosol-generating article according to any of examples EX1 to EX26, wherein the binder comprises guar gum.

EX28. An aerosol generating article according to any one of examples EX1 to EX26, wherein the binder comprises a cellulose ether and wherein the homogenized dill seed material comprises from about 2 percent to about 10 percent by weight of the cellulose ether.

EX2 9. An aerosol generating article according to example EX28, wherein the homogenised dill seed based material further comprises additional cellulose which is not obtained from dill seed particles, wherein the additional cellulose comprises at least one of cellulose powder and cellulose fibres.

EX30. An aerosol generating article according to example EX29, wherein the ratio of additional cellulose material to cellulose ether in the homogenised dill seed material is at least 2.

EX31. An aerosol-generating article according to EX29 or EX30, wherein the homogenised dill seed material comprises: from 2.5 per cent by weight to 75 per cent by weight of dill seed particles, calculated on a dry weight basis; from 15 per cent by weight to 55 per cent by weight of an aerosol-forming substance, calculated on a dry weight basis; from 2 per cent by weight to 10 per cent by weight of a cellulose ether, calculated on a dry weight basis; and from 3 per cent by weight to 50 per cent by weight of additional cellulose, calculated on a dry weight basis.

EX32. An aerosol generating article according to any of the examples EX1-EX31, wherein the homogenized dill seed based material additionally contains fibers.

EX33. An aerosol generating article according to example EX32, in which the fibres have length values greater than 400 micrometres.

EX34. An aerosol-generating article according to example EX32 or EX33, wherein the fibres are present in an amount of from about 2 percent by weight to about 15 percent by weight, based on the dry weight of the aerosol-generating substrate.

EX35. An aerosol-generating article according to example EX32 or EX33, in which the fibres are present in an amount of at least 30 percent by weight, based on the dry weight of the aerosol-generating substrate.

EX36. An aerosol generating article according to any one of examples EX1 to EX35, wherein the homogenized dill seed based material comprises dill seed particles in an amount of from about 5 percent by weight to about 30 percent by weight of an aerosol forming substance and from about 1 percent by weight to about 10 percent by weight of a binder, calculated on a dry weight basis.

EX37. Aerosol generating article according to example

EX36, wherein the homogenized dill seed based material further comprises from about 2 percent by weight to about 15 percent by weight of fibers.

EX38. An aerosol-generating article according to example EX36 or EX37, wherein the binder is guar gum.

EX39. An aerosol generating article according to any of the examples EX1 to EX38, wherein the homogenised dill seed based material is in the form of one or more sheets.

EX40. An aerosol-generating article according to example EX39, wherein each of the one or more sheets has a thickness of from 100 micrometres to 600 micrometres.

EX41. An aerosol-generating article according to example EX39, wherein each of the one or more sheets has a grammage of from 100 g/ ^m2 to 300 g/ ^m2 .

EX42. An aerosol generating article according to any of examples EX39 to EX41, wherein each of the one or more sheets has a density of from 0.3 g/ ^cm3 to 1.3 g/ ^cm3 .

EX43. An aerosol generating article according to any of examples EX39 to EX42, wherein each of the one or more sheets has a peak tensile strength in the transverse direction of from 50 N/m to 400 N/m.

EX44. An aerosol generating article according to any of examples EX39 to EX43, wherein each of the one or more sheets has a peak tensile strength in the machine direction of from 100 N/m to 800 N/m.

EX45. An aerosol generating article according to any of examples EX39 to EX44, wherein one or more sheets are in the form of one or more assembled sheets.

EX46. An aerosol generating article according to any of the examples EX1-EX38, wherein the homogenized dill seed based material is presented in the form of a plurality of threads.

EX47. An aerosol generating article according to example EX46, wherein the width of the threads is at least 0.2 mm.

EX48. An aerosol-generating article according to example EX46 or EX47, wherein the plurality of threads extend substantially in a longitudinal direction along the length of the aerosol-generating substrate aligned with the longitudinal axis.

EX49. An aerosol generating article according to example EX46, EX47 or EX48, wherein each of the plurality of filaments has a mass to surface area ratio of at least 0.02 milligrams per square millimetre.

EX50. An aerosol-generating article according to any of the examples EX1-EX49, wherein the homogenized dill seed-based material in the aerosol-generating substrate is in the form of a molded sheet.

EX51. An aerosol-generating article according to any of the examples EX1 to EX49, wherein the homogenized dill seed-based material in the aerosol-generating substrate is in the form of dill seed paper.

EX52. An aerosol-generating article according to any of the examples EX1 to EX51, wherein, when the aerosol-generating substrate is heated according to Test Method A, the aerosol generated from the aerosol-generating substrate comprises:

carvone in an amount of at least 0.5 micrograms per puff of aerosol and

limonene in an amount of at least 0.05 micrograms per puff of aerosol,

wherein the puff of aerosol has a volume of 55 milliliters when generated by a smoking machine, and the amount of carvone per puff of aerosol is no more than 10 times greater than the amount of limonene per puff of aerosol.

EX53. An aerosol-generating article comprising an aerosol-generating substrate, wherein the aerosol-generating substrate comprises a homogenized dill seed material comprising dill seed particles in an amount of from about 5 percent by weight to about 30 percent by weight of an aerosol-forming substance and from about 1 percent by weight to about 10 percent by weight of a binder, calculated on a dry weight basis.

EX54. An aerosol generating article according to example EX53, wherein the homogenized dill seed-based material additionally contains an essential oil, preferably dill seed essential oil.

EX55. An aerosol generating article according to examples EX53 or EX54, in which the homogenised dill seed based material additionally contains tobacco particles.

EX56. An aerosol generating article according to any of the examples EX53 to EX55, wherein the homogenised dill seed based material comprises at least 2.5% by weight of dill seed particles, calculated on a dry weight basis.

EX57. An aerosol generating substrate comprising a homogenised dill seed based material which comprises dill seed particles, an aerosol forming agent and a binder, wherein the aerosol generating substrate comprises:

at least 100 micrograms of carvone per gram of substrate on a dry weight basis;

at least 2 micrograms of limonene per gram of substrate on a dry weight basis, with the amount of carvone per gram of substrate being no more than 50 times the amount of limonene per gram of substrate.

EX58. An aerosol generating system comprising:

an aerosol generating device comprising

heating element; and

an aerosol generating article according to any of examples EX1-EX56.

EX59. An aerosol generating system according to example EX58, wherein the heating element is a heating plate adapted to be inserted into an aerosol generating substrate.

EX60. An aerosol obtained by heating an aerosol-generating substrate according to example EX57, wherein the aerosol comprises:

carvone in an amount of at least 0.5 micrograms per puff of aerosol and

limonene in an amount of at least 0.05 micrograms per puff of aerosol,

In this case, the aerosol puff has a volume of 55 milliliters when generated by a smoking machine, while the amount of carvone per gram of substrate is no more than 10 times greater than the amount of carvone per gram of substrate.

EX61. A method for producing an aerosol generating substrate comprising the steps of:

formation of a pulp containing dill seed particles, water, an aerosol forming agent, a binder and optionally tobacco particles;

casting or extruding the pulp into sheet or filament form; and

drying the sheet or threads at a temperature of 80 to 160 degrees Celsius.

EX62. The method according to example EX60, wherein the pulp is poured onto a support surface and dried to form a sheet of molded sheet.

EX63. A method for producing an aerosol generating substrate comprising the steps of:

forming a dilute suspension containing dill seed particles, water and optionally tobacco particles;

separation of the suspension into an insoluble part and a liquid extract;

molding the insoluble portion into a sheet;

concentration of liquid extract and addition

concentrated liquid extract into a sheet to form paper from dill seeds.

Specific embodiments will be described below, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying graphic materials, in which:

Fig. 1 shows a first embodiment of a substrate of an aerosol generating article as described herein;

Fig. 2 shows an aerosol generating system that contains an aerosol generating article and an aerosol generating device that contains an electric

heating element;

Fig. 3 shows an aerosol generating system that comprises an aerosol generating article and an aerosol generating device that comprises a combustible heating element;

Fig. 4a and 4b illustrate a second embodiment of a substrate for an aerosol generating article as described herein;

Fig. 5 shows a third embodiment of a substrate for an aerosol generating article as described herein;

each of Fig. 6a, 6b and 6c shows a cross-sectional view of filter 1050 further comprising an aerosol modifying element, wherein

Fig. 6a shows an aerosol modifying element in the form of a spherical capsule or ball inside a filter rod.

Fig. 6b shows an aerosol modifying element in the form of a thread inside a filter rod.

Fig. 6c shows an aerosol modifying element in the form of a spherical capsule inside a cavity in the filter;

Fig. 7 shows a cross-sectional view of a rod of a substrate 1020 generating an aerosol, additionally containing an elongated element in the form of a current collector; and

Fig. 8 shows an experimental setup for collecting aerosol samples to be analyzed for the purpose of measuring characteristic compounds.

1 shows a heated article 1000 that generates an aerosol, which comprises a substrate as described in this document. The article 1000 comprises four elements; an aerosol-generating substrate 1020, a hollow cellulose acetate tube 1030, a separator element 1040 and a mouthpiece filter 1050. These four elements are arranged in series, aligned along one axis and united by a cigarette paper 1060 to form the article 1000 that generates an aerosol. The article 1000 has an end 1012 that is brought to the mouth, which the user inserts into his mouth during use, and a distal end 1013 located at the opposite end of the article relative to the end 1012 brought to the mouth. The embodiment of the aerosol generating article shown in Fig. 1 is particularly suitable for use with an electrical aerosol generating device comprising a heater for heating an aerosol generating substrate.

When assembled, the length of the 1000 product is approximately 4.5 millimeters, the outer diameter is approximately 7.2 millimeters, and the inner diameter is approximately 6.9 millimeters.

The aerosol generating substrate 1020 comprises a rod formed from a sheet of homogenized dill seed material containing dill seed particles either alone or in combination with tobacco particles.

A number of examples of homogenized dill seed material suitable for forming the aerosol generating substrate 1020 are shown in Table 1 below (see samples B-D). The leaf is collected, pleated and wrapped in filter paper (not shown) to form a plug. The leaf contains additives, including glycerol, as an aerosol forming agent.

The aerosol generating article 1000 shown in Fig. 1 is configured to be engaged with an aerosol generating device for consumption. Such an aerosol generating device comprises means for heating an aerosol generating substrate 1020 to a temperature sufficient for forming an aerosol. Typically, the aerosol generating device may comprise a heating element that surrounds the aerosol generating article 1000 near the aerosol generating substrate 1020, or a heating element that is inserted into the aerosol generating substrate 1020.

After engagement with the aerosol generating device, the user draws on the mouth end 1012 of the smoking article 1000, and the aerosol generating substrate 1020 is heated to a temperature of approximately 375 degrees Celsius. At this temperature, volatile compounds are released from the aerosol generating substrate 1020. These compounds condense to form an aerosol. The aerosol is drawn through the filter 1050 and into the user's mouth.

Fig. 2 shows a part of an electrical aerosol generating system 2000, which uses a heating plate 2100 for heating an aerosol generating substrate 1020 of an aerosol generating article 1000. The heating plate is installed inside a chamber accommodating an aerosol generating article of an electrical aerosol generating device 2010. The aerosol generating device forms a plurality of air holes 2050 for providing air passage to the aerosol generating article 1000. The air flow is indicated by arrows in Fig. 2. The aerosol generating device includes a power supply unit and an electronic circuit, which are not shown in Fig. 2. The aerosol generating article 1000 shown in Fig. 2 is similar to that shown in Fig. 1.

In an alternative configuration shown in Fig. 3, the aerosol generating system is shown with a combustible heating element. Although it is assumed that the article 1000 shown in Fig. 1 is used in conjunction with an aerosol generating device, the article 1001 shown in Fig. 3 comprises a combustible heat source 108 0 that can be ignited and can transfer heat to the aerosol generating substrate 1020 to form an inhalable aerosol. The combustible heat source 80 is a carbon element that is placed near the aerosol generating substrate at the distal end 13 of the rod 11. Elements that are substantially the same as the elements shown in Fig. 1 are designated by the same numbers.

4a and 4b show a second embodiment of a heated aerosol generating article 4000a, 4000b. The aerosol generating substrate 4020a, 4020b comprises a first downstream rod 4021 formed from a particulate plant material comprising dill seed particles and a second upstream rod 4022 formed from a particulate plant material comprising primarily tobacco particles. A homogenized dill seed material suitable for use in the first downstream rod is shown in Table 1 below as one of Samples A-D. A homogenized tobacco material suitable for use in the second upstream rod is shown in Table 1 below as Sample E. Sample E contains only tobacco particles and is included for comparison purposes only.

In each of the rods, the homogenized plant material is presented in the form of sheets, which are corrugated and wrapped in filter paper (not shown). Both sheets contain additives, including glycerol, as an aerosol forming substance. In the embodiment shown in Fig. 4a, the rods are combined end to end to form a rod and have an equal length of approximately 6 mm each. In a more preferred embodiment (not shown), the second rod is preferably longer than the first rod, for example preferably 2 mm longer, more preferably 3 mm longer, so that the second rod has a length of 7 or 7.5 mm, while the first rod has a length of 5 or 4.5 mm to ensure the desired ratio of tobacco particles to dill seed particles in the substrate. In Fig. 4b, the support element 1030 for the cellulose acetate tube is not shown.

The article 4000a, 4000b, similar to the article 1000 shown in Fig. 1, is particularly suitable for use with the electrical system 2000 generating an aerosol, which contains the heater shown in Fig. 2. Elements that are substantially the same as the elements shown in Fig. 1 are designated by the same numbers. A person skilled in the art can assume that a combustible heat source (not shown) can instead be used with the second embodiment instead of the electrical heating element in a configuration similar to the configuration containing the combustible heat source 1080 in the article 1001 shown in Fig. 3.

Fig. 5 shows a third embodiment of a heated article 5000 generating an aerosol. The aerosol-generating substrate 5020 comprises a rod formed from a first sheet of homogenized material based on dill seeds, formed from a plant material in the form of particles containing a proportion of dill seeds particles, and a second sheet of homogenized tobacco material containing mainly molded leaf tobacco.

Homogenized dill seed material suitable for use as the first leaf is shown in Table 1 below as one of Samples A-D. Homogenized tobacco material suitable for use as the second leaf is shown in Table 1 below as Sample E. Sample E contains only tobacco particles and is included for comparison purposes only.

The second sheet overlaps the first sheet, and the combined sheets are corrugated, collected and at least partially wrapped with filter paper (not shown) to form a rod, which is part of the rod. Both sheets contain additives, including glycerol, as an aerosol forming agent. Article 5000, similar to article 1000 shown in Fig. 1, is particularly suitable for use with an electrical system 2000 generating an aerosol, which contains a heater shown in Fig. 2. Elements that are substantially the same as those shown in Fig. 1 are designated by the same numbers. A person skilled in the art can assume that a combustible heat source (not shown) can instead be used with the third embodiment instead of an electrical heating element in a configuration similar to a configuration containing a combustible heat source 1080 in article 1001 shown in Fig. 3.

Fig. 6a, 6b and 6c show sectional views of filter 1050, additionally containing an aerosol modifying element. In Fig. 6a, filter 1050 additionally contains an aerosol modifying element in the form of a spherical capsule or ball 605.

In the embodiment shown in Fig. 6a, a capsule or ball 605 is inserted into a filter segment 601 and surrounded on all sides by a filter material 603. In this embodiment, the capsule comprises an outer shell and an inner core, and the inner core contains a liquid flavoring agent. The liquid flavoring agent is intended to impart flavor to the aerosol when using an aerosol-generating article provided with a filter. The capsule 605 releases at least a portion of the liquid flavoring agent when the filter is subjected to an external force, such as when squeezed by a consumer. In the embodiment shown, the capsule is generally spherical with a substantially continuous outer shell containing the liquid flavoring agent.

In the embodiment shown in Fig. 6b, the filter segment 601 comprises a rod of filter material 603 and a central thread 607 for carrying a flavouring substance which extends axially through the rod of filter material 603 parallel to the longitudinal axis of the filter 1050. The central thread 607 for carrying a flavouring substance has substantially the same length as the rod of filter material 603, as a result of which the ends of the central thread 607 for carrying a flavouring substance are visible at the ends of the filter segment 601. In Fig. 6b, the filter material 603 is an acetate cellulose tow. The central thread 607 for carrying a flavouring substance is formed from a twisted filter filament and is filled with an aerosol modifying agent.

In the embodiment shown in Fig. 6c, the filter segment 601 comprises more than one rod of filter material 603, 603'. Preferably, the rods of filter material 603, 603' are formed from cellulose acetate, so that they can filter the aerosol provided by the aerosol-generating article. The wrapper 609 is wrapped around the rods 603, 603' of the filter and connects them. Inside the cavity 611, a capsule 605 is located, comprising an outer shell and an inner core, and the inner core contains a liquid flavoring agent. Otherwise, the capsule is similar to the embodiment shown in Fig. 6a.

Fig. 7 shows a cross-sectional view of an aerosol-generating substrate 1020 that further comprises an elongated susceptor strip 705. The aerosol-generating substrate 1020 comprises a rod 703 formed from a sheet of homogenized dill seed material containing tobacco particles and dill seed particles. The elongated susceptor strip 705 is embedded within the rod 703 and extends in a longitudinal direction between an upstream end and a downstream end of the rod 703. In use, the elongated susceptor strip 705 heats the homogenized dill seed material by induction heating, as described above.

Example

Various samples of homogenized plant material for use in the aerosol generating substrate according to the present invention, as described above with reference to the figures, can be obtained from aqueous pulps having the compositions shown in Table 1. Sample A contains only fennel seed particles and does not contain tobacco particles according to the present invention. Samples B-D contain fennel seed particles and tobacco particles according to the present invention. Sample E contains only tobacco particles and is included for comparative purposes only.

Sample A is formed with a CMC binder in combination with cellulose fibers according to a second preferred embodiment of the present invention. Sample A is prepared from an aqueous pulp containing 72.97 kg of water per 100 kg of pulp, the remainder being due to components in the relative amounts shown in Table 1.

Samples B-E were formed with a quantity of dill seed particles below 25 percent by weight and guar gum as a binder in accordance with the first preferred embodiment of the present invention. Samples B-D were prepared from an aqueous pulp containing 7.8-7.9 kg of water per 100 kg of pulp.

In the table below % DWB stands for "on a dry weight basis", in this case the percentage by weight calculated relative to the dry weight of the homogenized plant material. Dill seed powder can be formed from dried dill seeds which can be ground to a final D95 value of 777.1 microns by triple impact milling.

The pulps can be molded with a molding bar (0.6 mm) on a glass plate, dried in an oven at 140 degrees Celsius for 7 minutes, and then dried in a second oven at 120 degrees Celsius for 30 seconds.

For each of the samples A-E of homogenized plant material, the extrudate may be prepared from a single continuous sheet of homogenized plant material, each sheet having a width of 100 mm to 130 mm. The individual sheets preferably have a thickness of about 220 microns and a grammage of about 197 g/ ^m2 . The cut width of each sheet is about 131 mm. The sheets may be corrugated to a height of 165 microns to 170 microns and rolled into extrudates having a length of about 12 mm and diameters of about 7 mm, surrounded by a paper wrapper. The height of the homogenized plant material in each extrudate is about 310 mg, and the total weight of each extrudate is about 323.6 mg.

For each of the rods, an aerosol generating article may be manufactured having an overall length of approximately 4.5 mm and having a structure as shown in Fig. 3, which comprises at the downstream end: a cellulose acetate filter (approximately 7 mm long) at the mouthpiece end; an aerosol divider comprising a corrugated sheet of polylactic acid polymer (approximately 18 mm long); a hollow acetate tube (approximately 8 mm long) and a rod of aerosol generating substrate.

For sample B of the homogenized plant material in which dill seed particles comprised 20 percent of the particulate plant material, the characteristic compounds were extracted from a rod of the homogenized plant material using methanol as detailed above. The extract was analyzed as described above to confirm the presence of the characteristic compounds and to measure the amounts of the characteristic compounds. The results of this analysis are shown in Table 2 below, in which the amounts reported correspond to the amount per aerosol-generating article, wherein the aerosol-generating substrate of the aerosol-generating article contained 310 mg of sample B of the homogenized plant material.

For comparison purposes, the amounts of characteristic compounds present in the particulate plant material (dill seed particles) used to form Sample B are also shown. For the particulate material, the amounts shown correspond to the amount of characteristic compound in a sample of particulate plant material having a weight corresponding to the total weight of particulate plant material in an aerosol-generating article containing 310 mg of Sample B.

For each of the other samples containing a proportion of dill seed particles, the amount of characteristic compounds can be estimated from the values in Table 2, assuming that the amount is present in proportion to the weight of the dill seed particles.

The main aerosol streams of aerosol-generating articles containing aerosol-generating substrates formed from samples A-E of homogenized plant material may be generated in accordance with test method A as defined above. For each sample, the aerosol that is obtained may be captured and analyzed.

As described in detail above, under Test Method A, aerosol-generating products may be tested using the commercially available Tobacco Heating System 2.2 Holder of the IQOS® Combustion-Free Heating Device (THS2.2 Holder) from Philip Morris Products SA. The aerosol-generating products are heated according to the Health Canada approved machine smoking mode for 30 puffs with a puff volume of 55 ml, a puff duration of 2 seconds and an inter-puff interval of 30 seconds (as described in ISO/TR 19478-1:2014).

The aerosol generated during the smoking test is collected on a Cambridge filter pad and extracted using a liquid solvent. Figure 10 shows an apparatus suitable for generating and collecting aerosol from aerosol generating articles.

The aerosol generating device 111 shown in Fig. 10 is a commercially available tobacco heating device (IQOS). The contents of the mainstream aerosol generated during the smoking test approved by Health Canada, as described in detail above, were collected in the aerosol collection chamber 113 on the aerosol collection line 120. The glass fiber filter pad 140 is a 44 mm Cambridge fiberglass filter pad (CFP) in accordance with ISO 4387 and ISO 3308.

For LC-HRAM-MS analysis:

The extraction solution 170, 170a, which in this case is methanol and an internal standard solution (ISTD), is present in a volume of 10 ml in each microimpinger 160, 160a. Each of the cold baths 161, 161a contains a mixture of dry ice and isopropyl ether to maintain each of the microimpingers 160, 160a at a temperature of approximately -60 °C. The vapor-gas phase is captured in the extraction solution 170, 170a when the aerosol passes as bubbles through the microimpingers 160, 160a. The combined solutions from the two microimpingers are separated as an impinger-captured vapor-gas phase solution 180 at step 181.

The CFP and the impinger trapped headspace solution 180 are combined in a clean Pyrex® tube in step 190. In step 200, all particulate material is extracted from the CFP using the impinger trapped headspace solution 180 (which contains methanol as a solvent) by means of thorough shaking (disintegrating the CFP), vigorous mixing for 5 minutes and finally centrifugation (4500 g, 5 minutes, 10°C). Aliquots (300 µl) of the recovered whole aerosol extract 220 were transferred to a silanized chromatography vial and diluted with methanol (700 µl) since the extraction solution 170, 170a already contained the internal standard solution (ISTD). The vials were capped and their contents were mixed for 5 minutes using an Eppendorf thermal mixer (5°C; 2000 rpm).

Aliquots (1.5 µl) of diluted extracts were injected and analyzed by LC-HRAM-MS in both full scan and fragmentation modes depending on the data for compound identification.

For GCxGC-TOFMS analysis:

As described above, when obtaining samples for GCxGC-TOFMS experiments, different solvents are suitable for the extraction and analysis of polar compounds, non-polar compounds, and volatile compounds isolated from the total aerosol. The experimental setup is identical to that described for collecting samples for LC-HRAM-MS, except as noted below.

Non-polar and polar components

Extraction solution 171,171a is present in a volume of 10 ml and is a mixture of 80:20 v/v dichloromethane and methanol, also containing compounds representing a retention index marker (RIM) and a stable isotopically labeled internal standard (ISTD). Each of the cold baths 162, 162a contains a mixture of dry ice and isopropanol to maintain each of the microimpingers 160, 160a at a temperature of approximately -78 °C. The vapor-gas phase is captured in the extraction solution 171, 171a when the aerosol passes as bubbles through the microimpingers 160, 160a. The combined solutions from the two microimpingers are separated as an impinger-captured vapor-gas phase solution 210 at step 182.

Non-polar components

The CFP and the impinger trapped headspace solution 210 are combined in a clean Pyrex® tube in step 190. In step 200, all particulate material is extracted from the CFP using the impinger trapped headspace solution 210 (which contains dichloromethane and methanol as a solvent) by means of thorough shaking (to disintegrate the CFP), vigorous mixing for 5 minutes, and finally centrifugation (4500 g, 5 minutes, 10°C) to separate the polar and non-polar components of the whole aerosol extract 230.

At step 250, a 10-mL aliquot 240 of the whole aerosol extract 230 was collected. At step 260, a 10-mL aliquot of water was added and the entire sample was vortexed and centrifuged. The non-polar fraction 270 was separated, dried over sodium sulfate and analyzed by GCxGC-TOFMS in full scan mode.

Complete components

ISTD and RIM compounds were added to the polar fraction 280, which was then directly analyzed by GCxGC-TOFMS in full scan mode.

Each smoking replicate (n=3) contains the accumulated captured and recovered non-polar fraction 270 and polar fraction 280 for each sample.

Volatile components

All the aerosol was captured using two microimpingers 160, 160a arranged in series. The extraction solution 172, 172a, which in each case is N,N-dimethylformamide (DMF) containing compounds representing a retention index marker (RIM) and a stable isotopically labeled internal standard (ISTD), is present in a volume of 10 ml in each microimpinger 160, 160a. Each of the cold baths 161, 161a contains a mixture of dry ice and isopropyl ether to maintain each of the microimpingers 160, 160a at a temperature of approximately -60 °C. The vapor-gas phase is captured in the extraction solution 170, 170a when the aerosol passes as bubbles through the microimpingers 160, 160a. The combined solutions from the two microimpingers are separated as the volatiles containing phase 211 in step 183. The volatiles containing phase 211 is analyzed separately from the other phases and injected directly into the GCxGC-TOFMS method using cold on-column injection without further preparation.

Table 3 below shows the levels of characteristic compounds from dill seed particles in the aerosol generated from an aerosol-generating article that contains sample B of homogenized plant material containing 15 percent by weight of dill seed particles. For comparison purposes, Table 3 also shows the levels of characteristic compounds in the aerosol obtained from an aerosol-generating article that contains sample E of homogenized plant material containing only tobacco particles (and therefore not in accordance with the present invention).

Relatively high levels of characteristic compounds were measured in the aerosol generated from sample B.

Therefore, the ratio of carvone to limonene was less than 10. The levels of characteristic compounds were thus indicative of the presence of fennel seed particles in the sample. In contrast, for the tobacco-only sample E, which contained essentially no fennel seed particles, the levels of characteristic compounds were equal to or close to zero.

For each of the other samples B-D containing a proportion of dill seed particles, the amount of characteristic compounds in the aerosol can be estimated from the values in Table 3, assuming that the amount is present in proportion to the weight of the dill seed particles in the aerosol-generating substrate from which the aerosol is generated.

In Table 4 below, the levels of certain aerosol constituents in the aerosol generated from an aerosol-generating article containing Sample A (a 20:80 ratio of dill seed to tobacco) are compared with those in the aerosol generated from Sample E, which contains only tobacco. The reduction reported represents the percentage reduction achieved by replacing 20 percent of the tobacco particles in the homogenized material of Sample E with dill seed particles.

As shown in Table 4, the aerosol produced from Sample A, containing 20 percent by weight of dill seed particles based on the dry weight of particulate plant material, resulted in reduced levels of formaldehyde compared to the level of formaldehyde in the aerosol produced from Sample E, containing 100 percent by weight of tobacco based on the dry weight of particulate plant material. In addition, the aerosol produced from Sample A resulted in reduced levels of several polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAH): benzo[a]pyrene, benzo[a]anthracene, and dibenz[a, h]anthracenepyrene compared to the aerosol produced from Sample E. In addition, the aerosol produced from Sample A resulted in reduced levels of several phenolic compounds, including phenol and resorcinol.

In most cases, the reduction provided in the level of these undesirable aerosol compounds is substantially greater than the proportional reduction that would be expected from replacing 20 percent of the tobacco particles with dill seed particles. Therefore, the inclusion of dill seed particles in combination with tobacco particles provides an unexpectedly high reduction in the levels of these compounds. Therefore, the inclusion of dill seed particles can provide an aerosol that has improved sensory attributes while reducing the levels of certain undesirable compounds in the aerosol.

Claims (35)

1. An aerosol-generating article comprising an aerosol-generating substrate, wherein the aerosol-generating substrate comprises a homogenized material based on dill seeds, wherein the homogenized material based on dill seeds comprises dill seeds particles, an aerosol-forming substance, and a binder, wherein the aerosol-generating substrate comprises: at least 100 micrograms of carvone per gram of substrate on a dry weight basis and at least 2 micrograms of limonene per gram of substrate on a dry weight basis, Moreover, the amount of carvone per gram of substrate is no more than 50 times greater than the amount of limonene per gram of substrate. 2. An aerosol-generating article according to claim 1, wherein the aerosol-generating substrate additionally contains from 1 milligram to 20 milligrams of nicotine per gram of substrate, calculated on a dry weight basis. 3. An aerosol generating article according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the homogenized dill seed based material contains from 5 percent by weight to 55 percent by weight of an aerosol forming substance and from 1 percent by weight to 10 percent by weight of a binder, calculated on a dry weight basis. 4. An aerosol generating article according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the binder comprises guar gum. 5. An aerosol generating article according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the binder comprises a cellulose ether. 6. The aerosol generating article of claim 5, wherein the aerosol generating substrate further comprises additional cellulose that is not obtained from dill seed particles, wherein the additional cellulose comprises at least one of cellulose powder and cellulose fibers. 7. An aerosol generating article according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the homogenized dill seed based material contains at least 2.5 percent by weight of dill seed particles on a dry weight basis. 8. An aerosol generating article according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the homogenized dill seed based material further comprises tobacco particles, and wherein the weight ratio of dill seed particles to tobacco particles is no more than 1:4. 9. An aerosol generating article according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the homogenized dill seed based material in the aerosol generating substrate is in the form of a molded sheet. 10. An aerosol generating article according to any one of claims 1 to 9, wherein the homogenized dill seed based material is in the form of dill seed paper. 11. An aerosol-generating article according to any of the preceding claims, wherein heating an aerosol-generating substrate generates an aerosol comprising: at least 20 micrograms of carvone per gram of substrate on a dry weight basis and at least 2 micrograms of limonene per gram of substrate on a dry weight basis, with the amount of carvone in the aerosol per gram of substrate being no more than 10 times the amount of limonene in the aerosol per gram of substrate. 12. An aerosol-generating article according to any of the preceding claims, wherein upon heating the aerosol-generating substrate, the aerosol generated from the aerosol-generating substrate comprises: carvone in an amount of at least 0.5 micrograms per puff of aerosol and limonene in an amount of at least 0.05 micrograms per puff of aerosol, wherein the puff of aerosol has a volume of 55 milliliters when generated by a smoking machine, and wherein the amount of carvone per puff of aerosol is no more than 10 times greater than the amount of limonene per puff of aerosol. 13. An aerosol generating substrate comprising a homogenized dill seed based material which comprises dill seed particles, an aerosol forming substance and a binder, wherein the aerosol generating substrate comprises: at least 100 micrograms of carvone per gram of substrate on a dry weight basis and at least 2 micrograms of limonene per gram of substrate on a dry weight basis, Moreover, the amount of carvone per gram of substrate is no more than 50 times greater than the amount of limonene per gram of substrate. 14. An aerosol generating system comprising: an aerosol generating device comprising a heating element; and an aerosol generating article according to any one of paragraphs 1-12. 15. An aerosol obtained by heating an aerosol-generating substrate according to claim 13, wherein the aerosol contains: carvone in an amount of at least 0.5 micrograms per puff of aerosol and limonene in an amount of at least 0.05 micrograms per puff of aerosol, wherein the puff of aerosol has a volume of 55 milliliters when generated by a smoking machine, and wherein the amount of carvone in the aerosol per gram of substrate is no more than 10 times greater than the amount of limonene in the aerosol per gram of substrate. 16. A method for producing an aerosol-generating substrate according to claim 13, comprising the steps of: formation of a pulp containing dill seed particles, water, an aerosol forming agent, a binder and optionally tobacco particles; casting or extruding the pulp into sheet or filament form; and drying the sheet or threads at a temperature of 80 to 160 degrees Celsius.