WO2020089090A1

WO2020089090A1 - Smoking substitute consumable

Info

Publication number: WO2020089090A1
Application number: PCT/EP2019/079208
Authority: WO
Inventors: Chris Lord; Kate FERRIE; Edward Ross SHENTON; Samantha MURRAY; Kim Christian JEPSEN
Original assignee: Nerudia Ltd
Current assignee: Nerudia Ltd
Priority date: 2018-10-29
Filing date: 2019-10-25
Publication date: 2020-05-07
Anticipated expiration: 2021-04-29
Also published as: TWI828785B; GB201817581D0; EP3873267A1; TW202023400A

Abstract

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

Description

Smoking substitute consumable

Field of the Disclosure

The present disclosure relates to a consumable for use in a smoking substitute system and particularly, although not exclusively, to a heat-not-burn (HNB) consumable.

Background

The smoking of tobacco is generally considered to expose a smoker to potentially harmful substances. It is generally thought that a significant amount of the potentially harmful substances are generated through the heat caused by the burning and/or combustion of the tobacco and the constituents of the burnt tobacco in the tobacco smoke itself.

Conventional combustible smoking articles, such as cigarettes, typically comprise a cylindrical rod of tobacco comprising shreds of tobacco which is surrounded by a wrapper, and usually also a cylindrical filter axially aligned in an abutting relationship with the wrapped tobacco rod. The filter typically comprises a filtration material which is circumscribed by a plug wrap. The wrapped tobacco rod and the filter are joined together by a wrapped band of tipping paper that circumscribes the entire length of the filter and an adjacent portion of the wrapped tobacco rod. A conventional cigarette of this type is used by lighting the end opposite to the filter, and burning the tobacco rod. The smoker receives mainstream smoke into their mouth by drawing on the mouth end or filter end of the cigarette.

Combustion of organic material such as tobacco is known to produce tar and other potentially harmful byproducts. There have been proposed various smoking substitute systems (or“substitute smoking systems”) in order to avoid the smoking of tobacco.

Such smoking substitute systems can form part of nicotine replacement therapies aimed at people who wish to stop smoking and overcome a dependence on nicotine.

Smoking substitute systems include electronic systems that permit a user to simulate the act of smoking by producing an aerosol (also referred to as a“vapour”) that is drawn into the lungs through the mouth (inhaled) and then exhaled. The inhaled aerosol typically bears nicotine and/or flavourings without, or with fewer of, the odour and health risks associated with traditional smoking.

In general, smoking substitute systems are intended to provide a substitute for the rituals of smoking, whilst providing the user with a similar experience and satisfaction to those experienced with traditional smoking and with combustible tobacco products. Some smoking substitute systems use smoking substitute articles that are designed to resemble a traditional cigarette and are cylindrical in form with a mouthpiece at one end.

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

There are a number of different categories of smoking substitute systems, each utilising a different smoking substitute approach.

One approach for a smoking substitute system is the so-called "heat not burn" (“HNB”) approach in which tobacco (rather than an“e-liquid”) is heated or warmed to release vapour. The tobacco may be leaf tobacco or reconstituted tobacco. The vapour may contain nicotine and/or flavourings. In the HNB approach the intention is that the tobacco is heated but not burned, i.e. the tobacco does not undergo combustion.

A typical HNB smoking substitute system may include a device and a consumable. The consumable may include the tobacco material. The device and consumable may be configured to be physically coupled together. In use, heat may be imparted to the tobacco material by a heating element of the device, wherein airflow through the tobacco material causes moisture in the tobacco material to be released as vapour. A vapour may also be formed from a carrier in the tobacco material (this carrier may for example include propylene glycol and/or vegetable glycerine) and additionally volatile compounds released from the tobacco. The released vapour may be entrained in the airflow drawn through the tobacco.

As the vapour passes through the consumable (entrained in the airflow) from an inlet to a mouthpiece (outlet), the vapour cools and condenses to form an aerosol for inhalation by the user. The aerosol will normally contain the volatile compounds.

In HNB smoking substitute systems, heating as opposed to burning the tobacco material is believed to cause fewer, or smaller quantities, of the more harmful compounds ordinarily produced during smoking. Consequently, the HNB approach may reduce the odour and/or health risks that can arise through the burning, combustion and pyrolytic degradation of tobacco.

There is a need for improved design of HNB consumables to enhance the user experience and improve the function of the HNB smoking substitute system.

The present disclosure has been devised in the light of the above considerations. Summary of the Disclosure

At its most general, the present disclosure relates to an aerosol-forming article e.g. a smoking substitute article such as an HNB consumable which is disposable in a more environmentally-friendly manner.

According to a first aspect, there is provided an aerosol-forming article (e.g. a smoking substitute article such as an HNB consumable) which comprises solely biodegradable materials.

The inventors have found that existing aerosol-forming articles, such as existing HNB consumables, contain at least one non-biodegradable or non-read ily-biodegradable element and are therefore difficult to dispose of in an environmentally-friendly manner. For example, aerosol-forming articles may comprise non- biodegradable plastics materials, non-biodegradable inks, non-biodegradable paper (due to the presence of non-biodegradable constituents within the paper such as inorganic fillers), non-biodegradable adhesives (due to the presence of non-biodegradable polymers within the adhesives) and other non-biodegradable components which necessitate disposal by traditional, non-environmentally friendly means such as landfill.

In providing an aerosol-forming article which is entirely biodegradable, the disposal of the aerosol-forming article after use by alternative, more environmentally-friendly means, is facilitated, for example disposal by composting.

Herein, the term“biodegradable” takes its usual meaning, indicating a material which is capable of being degraded or decomposed by bacteria, fungi or other living organisms. Standard cellulose acetate tow filters used in aerosol-forming articles such as cigarettes and HNB consumables have a degree of acetyl substitution (DS) of 2.5 which provides good solubility in common solvents, good molecular weight and good melt properties. However, such cellulose acetate filter tow is not readily biodegradable, requiring lengthy time periods to achieve even partial disintegration under natural composting conditions. Thus cellulose acetate is not considered to be“readily biodegradable” in the context of the present invention. In some embodiments, the term“readily biodegradable” indicates a material which is at least 30 wt% degraded after 46 days as determined according to the ISO 1 1734 standard of 1995 (anaerobic biodegradability in municipal wastewater treatment plant sludge at 35 °C), for example at least 35 wt% degraded, at least 40 wt% degraded, at least 45 wt% degraded or at least 50 wt% degraded. Cellulose acetate fibers of the type used in cellulose acetate tow filters (DS = 2.45) are 27 wt% degraded after 46 days as determined according to the ISO 1 1734 standard (Gartiser et al.,“Assessment of Several Test Methods for the Determination of the Anaerobic Biodegradability of Polymers”, J. Polymer Environ., Vol. 6, No. 3, 1998, pp. 159-173).

Optional features will now be set out. These are applicable singly or in any combination with any aspect.

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

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

As used herein, the terms“upstream” and“downstream” are intended to refer to the flow direction of the vapour/aerosol i.e. with the downstream end of the article/consumable being the mouth end or outlet where the aerosol exits the article/consumable for inhalation by the user. The upstream end of the article/consumable is the opposing end to the downstream end.

In order to generate an aerosol, the aerosol-forming substrate comprises at least one volatile compound that is intended to be vaporised/aerosolised and that may provide the user with a recreational and/or medicinal effect when inhaled. Suitable chemical and/or physiologically active volatile compounds include the group consisting of: nicotine, cocaine, caffeine, opiates and opoids, cathine and cathinone, kavalactones, mysticin, beta-carboline alkaloids, salvinorin A together with any combinations, functional equivalents to, and/or synthetic alternatives of the foregoing.

The aerosol-forming substrate may comprise plant material. The plant material may comprise least one plant material selected from the list including Amaranthus dubius, Arctostaphylos uva-ursi (Bearberry), Argemone mexicana, Arnica, Artemisia vulgaris, Yellow Tees, Galea zacatechichi, Canavalia maritima (Baybean), Cecropia mexicana (Guamura), Oestrum noctumum, Cynoglossum virginianum (wild comfrey), Cytisus scoparius, Damiana, Entada rheedii, Eschscholzia califomica (California Poppy), Fittonia albivenis, Hippobroma longi flora, Humulus japonica (Japanese Hops), Humulus lupulus (Hops), Lactuca virosa (Lettuce Opium), Laggera alata, Leonotis leonurus, Leonurus cardiaca (Motherwort), Leonurus sibiricus (Honeyweed), Lobelia cardinalis, Lobelia inflata (Indian-tobacco), Lobelia siphilitica, Nepeta cataria (Catnip), Nicotiana species (Tobacco), Nymphaea alba (White Lily), Nymphaea caerulea (Blue Lily), Opium poppy, Passiflora incamata (Passionflower), Pedicularis densiflora (Indian Warrior), Pedicularis groenlandica (Elephant's Head), Salvia divinorum, Salvia dorrii (Tobacco Sage), Salvia species (Sage), Scutellaria galericulata, Scutellaria lateriflora, Scutellaria nana, Scutellaria species (Skullcap), Sida acuta (Wireweed), Sida rhombi folia, Silene capensis, Syzygium aromaticum (Clove), Tagetes lucida (Mexican Tarragon), Tarchonanthus camphoratus, Tumera diffusa (Damiana), Verbascum (Mullein), Zamia latifolia (Maconha Brava) together with any combinations, functional equivalents to, and/or synthetic alternatives of the foregoing.

Preferably, the plant material is tobacco. Any type of tobacco may be used. This includes, but is not limited to, flue-cured tobacco, burley tobacco, Maryland Tobacco, dark-air cured tobacco, oriental tobacco, dark-fired tobacco, perique tobacco and rustica tobacco. This also includes blends of the above mentioned tobaccos.

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

The tobacco may comprise one or more of leaf tobacco, stem tobacco, tobacco powder, tobacco dust, tobacco derivatives, expanded tobacco, homogenised tobacco, shredded tobacco, extruded tobacco, cut rag tobacco and/or reconstituted tobacco (e.g. slurry recon or paper recon).

The aerosol-forming substrate may comprise a gathered sheet of homogenised (e.g. paper/slurry recon) tobacco or gathered shreds/strips formed from such a sheet.

In some embodiments, the sheet used to form the aerosol-forming substrate has a grammage greater than or equal to 100 g/m², e.g. greater than or equal to 1 10 g/m² such as greater than or equal to 120 g/m².

The sheet may have a grammage of less than or equal to 300 g/m² e.g. less than or equal to 250 g/m² or less than or equal to 200 g/m².

The sheet may have a grammage of between 120 and 190 g/m².

The aerosol-forming substrate may comprise at least 50 wt% plant material, e.g. at least 60 wt% plant material e.g. around 65 wt% plant material. The aerosol-forming substrate may comprise 80 wt% or less plant material e.g. 75 or 70 wt% or less plant material. The aerosol-forming substrate may comprise from 50 to 80 wt% plant material, for example from 50 to 75 wt%, from 55 to 80 wt%, from 55 to 75 wt%, from

50 to 70 wt%, from 55 to 70 wt%, from 60 to 75 wt% or from 60 to 70 wt%.

The aerosol-forming substrate may comprise one or more additives selected from humectants, flavourants, biodegradable fillers, aqueous/non-aqueous solvents and biodegradable binders.

Humectants are provided as vapour generators - the resulting vapour helps carry the volatile active compounds and increases visible vapour. Suitable humectants include polyhydric alcohols (e.g. propylene glycol (PG), triethylene glycol, 1 ,2-butane diol and vegetable glycerine (VG)) and their esters (e.g. glycerol mono-, di- or tri-acetate). They may be present in the aerosol-forming substrate in an amount between 1 and 50 wt%.

The humectant content of the aerosol-forming substrate may have a lower limit of at least 1 % by weight of the plant material, such as at least 2 wt %, such as at least 5 wt %, such as at least 10 wt %, such as at least 20 wt %, such as at least 30 wt %, or such as least 40 wt %. The humectant content of the aerosol-forming substrate may have an upper limit of at most 50 % by weight of the plant material, such as at most 40 wt %, such as at most 30 wt %, or such as at most 20 wt %.

Preferably, the humectant content is 1 to 40 wt % of the aerosol-forming substrate, such as 1 to 20 wt %

Suitable binders are known in the art and may act to bind together the components forming the aerosolforming substrate. Binders may comprise starches and/or cellulosic binders such as methyl cellulose, ethyl cellulose, hydroxypropyl cellulose, hydroxyethyl cellulose and methyl cellulose, gums such as xanthan, guar, arabic and/or locust bean gum, organic acids and their salts such as alginic acid/ sodium alginate, agar and pectins.

Preferably the binder content is 5 to 10 wt% of the aerosol-forming substrate e.g. around 6 to 8 wt%.

Suitable fillers are known in the art and may act to strengthen the aerosol-forming substrate. Fillers may comprise fibrous (non-tobacco) fillers such as cellulose fibres, lig nocellulose fibres (e.g. wood fibres), jute fibres and combinations thereof.

Preferably, the filler content is 5 to 10 wt% of the aerosol-forming substrate e.g. around 6 to 9 wt%.

The aerosol-forming substrate may comprise an aqueous and/or non-aqueous solvent. In some embodiments, the aerosol forming substrate has a water content of between 5 and 10 wt% e.g. between 6-9 wt% such as between 7-9 wt%.

The flavourant may be provided in solid or liquid form. It may include menthol, liquorice, chocolate, fruit flavour (including e.g. citrus, cherry etc.), vanilla, spice (e.g. ginger, cinnamon) and tobacco flavour. The flavourant may be evenly dispersed throughout the aerosol-forming substrate or may be provided in isolated locations and/or varying concentrations throughout the aerosol-forming substrate.

The aerosol-forming substrate may be formed in a substantially cylindrical shape such that the article/consumable resembles a conventional cigarette. It may have a diameter of between 5 and 10mm e.g. between 6 and 9 mm or 6 and 8 mm e.g. around 7 mm. It may have an axial length of between 10 and 15 mm e.g. between 1 1 and 14 mm such as around 12 or 13 mm.

The aerosol-forming substrate may be circumscribed by a biodegradable (e.g. readily biodegradable) wrapping layer.

In some embodiments, the wrapping layer comprises one or more materials selected from biodegradable paper/card board, plant material (e.g. tobacco), biodegradable polymer/plastics material (e.g. polylactic acid), cellulosic/lignocellulosic material (e.g. wood, bamboo, jute). Any inks or adhesives used with the wrapping layer will be biodegradable.

The wrapping layer does not comprise non-biodegradable inks, fillers or adhesives.

The article/consumable may comprise at least one filter element. There may be a terminal filter element at the downstream/mouth end of the article/consumable. There may be an upstream filter element upstream from the terminal filter element. The terminal filter element and upstream filter element may be axially adjacent or may be axially spaced.

The filter element(s) is/are biodegradable, preferably readily biodegradable.

In some embodiments, the filter element(s) comprise(s) one or more materials selected from biodegradable paper/card board, plant material (e.g. tobacco such as extruded tobacco), biodegradable polymer/plastics material (e.g. polylactic acid) and cellulosic/lignocellulosic material (e.g. wood, bamboo, jute). The filter element(s) do not comprise cellulose acetate.

The or each filter element may be circumscribed with a plug wrap e.g. a biodegradable paper plug wrap.

The or each filter element may have a substantially cylindrical shape with a diameter substantially matching the diameter of the aerosol-forming substrate (with or without its associated wrapping layer). The axial length of the or each filter element may be less than 20 mm, e.g. between 8 and 15 mm, for example between 9 and 13 mm e.g. between 10 and 12 mm.

The or at least one of the filter element(s) may be a solid filter element. The or at least one of the filter element(s) may be a hollow bore filter element. The or each hollow bore filter element may have a bore diameter of between 1 and 5 mm, e.g. between 2 and 4 mm or between 2 and 3 mm.

The upstream filter element may be at least partly (e.g. entirely) circumscribed by the (biodegradable) wrapping layer.

The terminal filter element (at the downstream end of the article/consumable) may be joined to the upstream elements forming the article/consumable by a circumscribing biodegradable tipping layer e.g. a tipping paper layer. The tipping paper may have an axial length longer than the axial length of the terminal filter element such that the tipping paper completely circumscribes the terminal filter element plus the wrapping layer surrounding any adjacent upstream element.

The or at least one of the filter elements e.g. the terminal filter element may include a biodegradable capsule e.g. a crushable capsule (crush-ball) containing a liquid flavourant e.g. any of the flavourants listed above. The capsule can be crushed by the user during smoking of the article/consumable to release the flavourant. The capsule may be located at the axial centre of the terminal filter element.

In some embodiments, the article/consumable may comprise a biodegradable (e.g. readily biodegradable) aerosol-cooling element. The aerosol-cooling element is adapted to cool the aerosol generated from the aerosol-forming substrate (by heat exchange) before being inhaled by the user.

The aerosol-cooling element will be downstream from the aerosol-forming substrate. For example, it may be between the aerosol-forming substrate and the upstream filter element and/or between two filter elements. The aerosol cooling element may be at least partly (e.g. completely) circumscribed by the (paper) wrapping layer.

In some embodiments, the biodegradable aerosol-cooling element comprises one or more materials selected from biodegradable paper/cardboard, plant material (e.g. tobacco, such as extruded tobacco), biodegradable polymer/plastics material (e.g. polylactic acid) and cellulosic/lignocellulosic material (e.g. wood, bamboo, jute). The cooling element does not comprise cellulose acetate.

The aerosol-cooling element may be formed of a biodegradable plastics material such as polylactic acid (PLA). The aerosol-cooling element may be formed of a crimped/gathered sheet of biodegradable material to form a structure having a high surface area with a plurality of longitudinal channels to maximise heat exchange and cooling of the aerosol.

The article/consumable may comprise a biodegradable (e.g. readily biodegradable) spacer element that defines a space or cavity or chamber between the aerosol-forming substrate and the downstream end of the article/consumable. For example, it may be between the aerosol-forming substrate and the upstream filter element and/or between the two filter elements. The spacer acts to allow both cooling and mixing of the aerosol.

In some embodiments the biodegradable spacer element comprises one or more materials selected from biodegradable paper/cardboard, plant material (e.g. tobacco, such as extruded tobacco), biodegradable polymer/plastics material (e.g. polylactic acid) and cellulosic/lignocellulosic material (e.g. wood, bamboo, jute). The spacer element does not comprise cellulose acetate.

The spacer element may comprise a tubular element e.g. a biodegradable cardboard tube or an extruded tube of plant material e.g. tobacco. The spacer element may be at least partly (e.g. entirely) circumscribed by the (paper) wrapping layer. The spacer element may have an external diameter of between 5 and 10 mm e.g. between 6 and 9 mm or 6 and 8 mm e.g. around 7 mm. It may have an axial length of between 10 and 15 mm e.g. between 12 and 14 mm or 13 and 14 mm e.g. around 14 mm.

The article/consumable does not include any components which comprise polymer materials selected from polyethylene, polypropylene, polyvinylchloride, polystyrene, polyether ether ketone (PEEK) or polytetrafluoroethylene. Such polymer materials are non-biodegradable, so an article/consumable which does not contain any of them is easier to dispose of in an environmentally-friendly manner.

In some embodiments, the article/consumable comprises one or more filter elements (e.g. two filter elements), a spacer element, an aerosol-forming substrate, a wrapping layer and a tipping layer, each of which comprises one or more materials selected from biodegradable cardboard/paper, plant material (e.g. tobacco), biodegradable polymer/plastics material (e.g. polylactic acid), cellulosic/lignocellulosic material (e.g. wood, bamboo, jute). Any inks or adhesives used in the article/consumable are biodegradable.

In some embodiments, each component of the article/consumable (including the aerosol-forming substrate, filter element(s), wrapping layer, tipping paper layer, aerosol cooling element and spacer element) is composed of materials which are at least 30 wt% degraded after 46 days as determined according to the ISO 1 1734 standard of 1995 (anaerobic biodegradability in municipal wastewater treatment plant sludge at 35 °C), for example at least 35 wt% degraded, at least 40 wt% degraded, at least 45 wt% degraded or at least 50 wt% degraded. Cellulose acetate fibers of the type used in cellulose acetate tow filters (DS = 2.45) are 27 wt% degraded after 46 days as determined according to the ISO 1 1734 standard.

In some embodiments, the entire article/consumable is completely disintegrated after a time period of 14 days or less under natural composting conditions, for example 13 days or less, 12 days or less, 1 1 days or less or 10 days or less.

The article/consumable does not contain any components which comprise cellulose acetate.

In some embodiments, the article/consumable comprises a region of weakness between the aerosol-forming substrate and the downstream components i.e. there may be a region of weakness at the downstream axial end of the aerosol-forming substrate e.g. between the aerosol-forming substrate and the upstream filter element. In this way, different sections of the article/consumable may be disposed of in different ways. For example, the user may wish to dispose of the aerosol-forming substrate into an ashtray while disposing of the downstream elements in an alternative manner, for example by composting. Separation of the consumable into multiple separate sections after use is much easier due to the provision of the region of weakness in a specific location. In some embodiments, the region of weakness comprises a discrete region of the wrapping layer which is of lower grammage than the remaining wrapping layer. In some embodiments, the region of weakness comprises an array of perforations in the wrapping layer. The array of perforations may extend around the entire circumference of the consumable. In some embodiments, the region of weakness comprises a linear circular array of perforations extending around the circumference of the consumable.

In a second aspect, there is provided a smoking substitute system comprising an aerosol-forming article according to the first aspect and a device comprising a heating element.

The device may be a HNB device i.e. a device adapted to heat but not combust the aerosol-forming substrate.

The device may comprise a main body for housing the heating element. The heating element may comprise an elongated e.g. rod, tube-shaped or blade heating element. The heating element may project into or surround a cavity within the main body for receiving the article/consumable described above.

The device (e.g. the main body) may further comprise an electrical power supply e.g. a (rechargeable) battery for powering the heating element. It may further comprise a control unit to control the supply of power to the heating element.

In a third aspect, there is provided a method of using a smoking substitute system according to the second aspect, the method comprising:

inserting the article/consumable into the device; and

heating the article/consumable using the heating element.

In some embodiments, the method comprises inserting the article/consumable into a cavity within the main body and penetrating the article/consumable with the heating element upon insertion of the article/consumable. For example, the heating element may penetrate the aerosol-forming substrate in the article/consumable.

The skilled person will appreciate that except where mutually exclusive, a feature or parameter described in relation to any one of the above aspects may be applied to any other aspect. Furthermore, except where mutually exclusive, any feature or parameter described herein may be applied to any aspect and/or combined with any other feature or parameter described herein. Summary of the Figures

So that the invention may be understood, and so that further aspects and features thereof may be appreciated, embodiments illustrating the principles of the invention will now be discussed in further detail with reference to the accompanying figures, in which:

Figure 1 shows a cross-sectional view of a first embodiment of an HNB consumable;

Figure 2 shows a cross-sectional view of a second embodiment of an HNB consumable;

Figure 3 shows a cross-sectional view of a third embodiment of an HNB consumable; and

Figure 4 shows cross-sectional view of the first embodiment within a device forming an HNB system.

Detailed Description of the Figures

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

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

The aerosol-forming substrate 2 comprises 65 wt% tobacco which is provided in the form of gathered shreds produced from a sheet of slurry/paper recon tobacco. The tobacco is dosed with 20wt% of a humectant such as propylene glycol (PG) or vegetable glycerine (VG) and has a moisture content of between 7-9 wt%. The aerosol-forming substrate further comprises cellulose pulp filler and guar gum binder.

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

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

The consumable 1 comprises an upstream filter element 4 and a downstream (terminal) filter element 5. The two filter elements 4, 5 and spaced by a biodegradable cardboard tube spacer 6. Both filter elements 4, 5 are formed of biodegradable paper and wrapped with a respective biodegradable paper plug layer (not shown). Both filter elements have a substantially cylindrical shape. The diameter of the upstream filter 4 matches the diameter of the aerosol-forming substrate 2. The diameter of the terminal filter element 5 is slightly larger and matches the combined diameter of the aerosol-forming substrate 2 and the wrapping layer 3. The upstream filter element is slightly shorter in axial length than the terminal filter element at an axial length of 10 mm compared to 12 mm for the terminal filter element.

The biodegradable cardboard tube spacer is longer than each of the two filter elements having an axial length of around 14 mm. In an alternative embodiment the biodegradable spacer element 6 is made from an extruded tube of biodegradable polylactic acid (PLA).

Each filter element 4, 5 is a hollow bore filter element with a hollow, longitudinally extending bore. The diameter of the bore in the upstream filter element 4 is slightly larger than the diameter of the bore in the terminal filter element 5 having a diameter of 3 mm compared to 2 mm for the terminal filter element 5.

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

The terminal filter element 5 is joined to the upstream elements forming the consumable by a circumscribing paper tipping layer 7 which is made from biodegradable paper. The tipping layer 7 encircles the terminal filter element 5 and has an axial length of around 20 mm such that it overlays a portion of the cardboard tube spacer 6.

Figure 2 shows a second embodiment of a consumable T which is the same as that shown in Figure 1 except that the terminal filter element 5 is a solid filter element and comprises a crushable capsule 8 (crush- ball) having a shell wall made from biodegradable polymer material such as PLA and containing a liquid menthol or cherry or vanilla flavourant. The capsule 8 is spherical and has a diameter of 3.5mm. It is positioned within the axial centre of the terminal filter element 5.

Figure 3 shows a third embodiment of a consumable 1” which is the same as the first embodiment except that the wrapping layer 3 does not completely circumscribe the cardboard tube spacer 6 such that there is an annular gap 9 between the tipping layer 7 and the cardboard tube spacer 6 downstream of the end of the wrapping layer 3.

Figure 4 shows the first embodiment inserted into an HNB device 10 comprising a rod-shaped heating element 20. The heating element 20 projects into a cavity 1 1 within the main body 12 of the device.

The consumable 1 is inserted into the cavity 1 1 of the main body 12 of the device 10 such that the heating rod 20 penetrates the aerosol-forming substrate 2. Heating of the reconstituted tobacco in the aerosolforming substrate 2 is effected by powering the heating element (e.g. with a rechargeable battery (not shown)). As the tobacco is heated, moisture and volatile compound (e.g. nicotine) within the tobacco and the humectant are released as a vapour and entrained within an airflow generated by inhalation by the user at the terminal filter element 5.

As the vapour cools within the upstream filter element 4 and the cardboard tube spacer 6, it condenses to form an aerosol containing the volatile compounds for inhalation by the user.

After use of the consumable, the user removes the consumable from the device 10 and may dispose of the consumable at a composting facility.

The features disclosed in the foregoing description, or in the following claims, or in the accompanying drawings, expressed in their specific forms or in terms of a means for performing the disclosed function, or a method or process for obtaining the disclosed results, as appropriate, may, separately, or in any combination of such features, be utilised for realising the invention in diverse forms thereof.

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

For the avoidance of any doubt, any theoretical explanations provided herein are provided for the purposes of improving the understanding of a reader. The inventors do not wish to be bound by any of these theoretical explanations.

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

Throughout this specification, including the claims which follow, unless the context requires otherwise, the words“have”,“comprise”, and“include”, and variations such as“having”,“comprises”,“comprising”, and “including” will be understood to imply the inclusion of a stated integer or step or group of integers or steps but not the exclusion of any other integer or step or group of integers or steps.

It must be noted that, as used in the specification and the appended claims, the singular forms“a,”“an,” and“the” include plural referents unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. Ranges may be expressed herein as from“about” one particular value, and/or to“about” another particular value. When such a range is expressed, another embodiment includes from the one particular value and/or to the other particular value. Similarly, when values are expressed as approximations, by the use of the antecedent“about,” it will be understood that the particular value forms another embodiment. The term“about” in relation to a numerical value is optional and means, for example, +/- 10%. The words "preferred" and "preferably" are used herein refer to embodiments of the invention that may provide certain benefits under some circumstances. It is to be appreciated, however, that other embodiments may also be preferred under the same or different circumstances. The recitation of one or more preferred embodiments therefore does not mean or imply that other embodiments are not useful, and is not intended to exclude other embodiments from the scope of the disclosure, or from the scope of the claims.

Claims

Claims:

1. A smoking substitute article which comprises solely biodegradable materials.

2. An article according to claim 1 formed solely of one or more materials selected from biodegradable paper/card board, plant material or biodegradable plastics material.

3. An article according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the smoking substitute article is a heat not burn consumable.

4. An article according to any one of claims 1 to 3, comprising an aerosol-forming substrate and at least one filter element.

5. An article according to claim 4 comprising a terminal filter element and a downstream filter element.

6. An article according to claim 4 wherein the filter elements are spaced by an aerosol-cooling element and/or a spacer element.

7. An article according to any one of claims 4 to 6 wherein the filter element(s) is/are formed of biodegradable paper, and/or the spacer element is formed of a biodegradable cardboard tube or a tube of extruded plant material and/or the aerosol-cooling element is formed of biodegradable plastics material.

8. An article according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the aerosol-forming article is free of cellulose acetate.

9. An according to any one of claims 4 to 8 further comprising a region of weakness at the downstream axial end of the aerosol-forming substrate.

10. An according to claim 9, wherein the region of weakness comprises an array of perforations in a biodegradable wrapping layer circumscribing the article.

1 1. A system comprising a smoking substitute article according to any one of the preceding claims and a device comprising a heating element.

12. A system according to claim 1 1 wherein the device comprises a main body for housing the heating element and the heating element comprises an elongated heating element.

13. A method of using the system according to claim 1 1 or 12, the method comprising:

inserting the article into the device; and

heating the article using the heating element.

14. A method according to claim 13 comprising inserting the article into a cavity within a main body of the device and penetrating the article with the heating element upon insertion of the article.