WO2024161117A1

WO2024161117A1 - An aerosol generating material

Info

Publication number: WO2024161117A1
Application number: PCT/GB2024/050238
Authority: WO
Inventors: Peter Davis; Agustin PIAGGIO; Tom STACEY; Erick REIS; Jennifer Louise SCIROCCO
Original assignee: Nicoventures Trading Ltd
Current assignee: Nicoventures Trading Ltd
Priority date: 2023-01-31
Filing date: 2024-01-30
Publication date: 2024-08-08
Anticipated expiration: 2025-07-31
Also published as: GB202301387D0; EP4658102A1; TW202432008A; AR131738A1

Abstract

Described herein is an aerosol generating material comprising: a fibrous material, nicotine benzoate, and glycerol, methods of preparing the same, and an article and delivery system comprising the same.

Description

An Aerosol Generating Material

Technical Field

The present disclosure relates to an aerosol generating material comprising a fibrous material and non-combustible aerosol-provision systems comprising the aerosol generating material.

Background

Aerosol generating materials are typically heated, for example by a non-combustible aerosol-provision system, to form an aerosol, which may be inhaled by a consumer. Aerosol generating materials maybe made from various different sources, including from tobacco material and/or non-tobacco material.

Summary According to a first aspect, there is described an aerosol generating material comprising: a fibrous material, nicotine benzoate, and glycerol.

According to a second aspect, there is described an aerosol generating rod comprising the aerosol generating material according to the first aspect.

According to a third aspect, there is described a delivery' system comprising the aerosol generating material according to the first aspect or the aerosol generating rod according to the second aspect. According to a fourth aspect, there is described a process of preparing an aerosol generating material comprising: extracting and separating a fibrous material into an extract and a fibrous portion; processing the fibrous portion to form a refined pulp; forming the refined pulp into a sheet; impregnating the sheet with nicotine benzoate, glycerol, and the extract; and drying the impregnated sheet to form an aerosol generating material.

According to a fifth aspect, there is described an aerosol generating material obtained or obtainable by the method according to the fourth aspect. Description of Drawings

Embodiments of the invention are described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure i shows a flowchart for a method of making an aerosol generating material.

Detailed Description The invention relates to aerosol -generating materials. The invention also relates to a method of manufacturing an aerosol-generating material, the use of an aerosol- generating material, an article for use in a delivery system, and a system comprising an aerosol-generating material and a device. Aerosol-generating materials comprise aerosolisable components. In use, the aerosol- generating material produces an aerosol, for example a suspension of liquid droplets or particulates in a gas. The aerosol comprises nicotine as well as other components generated by the aerosol -generating material. In use, the user inhales the aerosol . As such, it is important that the aerosol-generating material produces an aerosol that delivers an appropriate user experience and satisfaction.

The composition of the aerosol contributes to the user’s experience and satisfaction.

One attribute that contributes to the user’s experience and satisfaction is the nicotine content in the aerosol. Another attribute that contributes the user’s experience and satisfaction is the perceived harshness of the aerosol. It is therefore important to control the nicotine content and harshness of an aerosol.

In some instances, it has been found that an aerosol generating material comprising a nicotine salt produces an aerosol that has a favourable perceived harshness. The present inventors noted that an aerosol generating material containing pure nicotine, for example free base nicotine, produces an aerosol which has a perceived harshness which maybe too high. Use of a nicotine salt reduced the perceived harshness to a favourable level. As used herein, the term “delivery system” is intended to encompass systems that deliver a substance to a user, and includes: combustible aerosol provision systems, such as cigarettes, cigarillos, cigars, and tobacco for pipes or for roll-your-own or for make-your-own cigarettes (whether based on tobacco, tobacco derivatives, expanded tobacco, reconstituted tobacco, tobacco substitutes or other smokable material); non-combustible aerosol provision systems that release compounds from an aerosol-generating material without combusting the aerosol-generating material, such as electronic cigarettes, tobacco heating products, and hybrid systems to generate aerosol using a combination of aerosol-generating materials; and aerosol-free delivery systems, such as lozenges, gums, patches, articles comprising inhalable powders, and smokeless tobacco products such as snus and snuff, which deliver a material to a user without forming an aerosol.

According to the present disclosure, a “combustible” aerosol provision system is one where a constituent aerosol-generating material of the aerosol provision system (or component thereof) is combusted or burned during use in order to facilitate delivery of at least one substance to a user.

In some embodiments, the delivery system is a combustible aerosol provision system, such as a system selected from the group consisting of a cigarette, a cigarillo and a cigar.

In some embodiments, the disclosure relates to a component for use in a combustible aerosol provision system, such as a filter, a filter rod, a filter segment, a tobacco rod, a spill, an aerosol-modifying agent release component such as a capsule, a thread, or a bead, or a paper such as a plug wrap, a tipping paper or a cigarette paper.

According to the present disclosure, a “non-combustible” aerosol provision system is one where a constituent aerosol-generating material of the aerosol provision system (or component thereof) is not combusted or burned in order to facilitate delivery to a user.

In some embodiments, the delivery system is a non-combustible aerosol provision system, such as a powered non-combustible aerosol provision system. In some embodiments, the non-combustible aerosol provision system is an electronic cigarette, also known as a vaping device or electronic nicotine delivery system (END).

In some embodiments, the non-combustible aerosol provision system is a tobacco heating system, also known as a heat-not-burn system. In some embodiments, the non -combustible aerosol provision system is a hybrid system to generate aerosol using a combination of aerosol-generating materials, one or a plurality of which may be heated. Each of the aerosol-generating materials may be, for example, in the form of a solid, liquid or gel. In some embodiments, the hybrid system comprises a liquid or gel aerosol-generating material and a solid aerosol- generating material. The solid aerosol-generating material may comprise, for example, tobacco material or a non-tobacco product.

Typically, the non-combustible aerosol provision system may comprise a non- combustible aerosol provision device, also referred to herein as an aerosol generation device, and a consumable for use with the non-combustible aerosol provision system.

In some embodiments, the disclosure relates to consumables comprising aerosol- generating material and configured to be used with non-combustible aerosol provision devices. These consumables are sometimes referred to as articles throughout the disclosure.

In some embodiments, it is envisaged that consumables which themselves comprise a means for powering an aerosol generating component may themselves form the non- combustible aerosol provision system.

In some embodiments, the non-combustible aerosol provision system may comprise a power source and a controller. The power source may be an electric power source or an exothermic power source. In some embodiments, the exothermic power source comprises a carbon substrate which may be energised so as to distribute power in the form of heat to an aerosol-generating material or heat transfer material in proximity to the exothermic power source. In some embodiments, the power source, such as an exothermic power source, is provided in the article so as to form the non-combustible aerosol provision system.

In some embodiments, the non-combustible aerosol provision system may comprise an area for receiving the consumable, an aerosol generator, an aerosol generation area, a housing, a mouthpiece, a filter and/or an aerosol-modifying agent. In some embodiments, the consumable for use with the non-combustible aerosol provision device may comprise aerosol-generating material, an aerosol-generating material storage area, an aerosol-generating material transfer component, an aerosol generator, an aerosol generation area, a housing, a wrapper, a filter, a mouthpiece, and/or an aerosol-modifying agent. In some embodiments, the substance to be delivered comprises an active substance. The active substance as used herein may be a physiologically active material, which is a material intended to achieve or enhance a physiological response. The active substance may for example be selected from nutraceuticals, nootropics, psychoactives. The active substance maybe naturally occurring or synthetically obtained. The active substance may comprise for example nicotine, caffeine, taurine, theine, vitamins such as B6 or B12 or C, melatonin, cannabinoids, or constituents, derivatives, or combinations thereof. The active substance may comprise one or more constituents, deri vatives or extracts of tobacco, cannabis or another botanical.

In some embodiments the active substance is a legally permissible recreational drug.

In some embodiments, the active substance comprises nicotine. In some embodiments, the active substance comprises caffeine, melatonin or vitamin B12.

As noted herein, the active substance may comprise one or more constituents, derivatives or extracts of cannabis, such as one or more cannabinoids or terpenes. The active substance may be CBD or a derivative thereof.

As used herein, the term "botanical" includes any material derived from plants including, but not limited to, extracts, leaves, bark, fibres, stems, roots, seeds, flowers, fruits, pollen, husk, shells or the like. Alternatively, the material may- comprise an active compound naturally existing in a botanical, obtained synthetically. The material maybe in the form of liquid, gas, solid, powder, dust, crushed particles, granules, pel lets, shreds, strips, sheets, or the like. Example botanicals are tobacco, eucalyptus, star anise, hemp, cocoa, cannabis, fennel, lemongrass, peppermint, spearmint, rooibos, chamomile, flax, ginger, ginkgo biloba, hazel, hibiscus, laurel, licorice (liquorice), matcha, mate, orange skin, papaya, rose, sage, tea such as green tea or black tea, thyme, clove, cinnamon, coffee, aniseed (anise), basil, bay leaves, cardamom, coriander, cumin, nutmeg, oregano, paprika, rosemary⁷, saffron, lavender, lemon peel, mint, juniper, elderflower, vanilla, wintergreen, beefsteak plant, curcuma, turmeric, sandalwood, cilantro, bergamot, orange blossom, myrtle, cassis, valerian, pimento, mace, damien, marjoram, olive, lemon balm, lemon basil, chive, carvi, verbena, tarragon, geranium, mulberry, ginseng, theanine, theacrine, maca, ashwagandha, damiana, guarana, chlorophyll, baobab or any combination thereof. The mint may be chosen from the following mint varieties: Mentha Arventis, Mentha c.v., Mentha niliaca, Mentha piperita, Mentha piperita citrata c.v., Mentha piperita c.v, Mentha spicata crispa, Mentha cardifolia, Memtha longifolia, Mentha suaveolens variegata, Mentha pulegium, Mentha spicata c.v. and Mentha suaveolens

In some embodiments, the active substance comprises or derived from one or more botanicals or constituents, derivatives or extracts thereof and the botanical is selected from eucalyptus, cocoa and hemp.

In some embodiments, the active substance comprises or derived from one or more botanicals or constituents, derivatives or extracts thereof and the botanical is selected from star anise, rooibos, and fennel.

In some embodiments, the substance to be delivered comprises a flavour.

As used herein, the terms "flavour" and "flavourant” refer to materials which, where local regulations permit, may be used to create a desired taste, aroma or other somatosensorial sensation in a product for adult consumers. They may include naturally occurring flavour materials, botanicals, extracts of botanicals, synthetically obtained materials, or combinations thereof (e.g., tobacco, cannabis, licorice (liquorice), hydrangea, eugenol, Japanese white bark magnolia leaf, chamomile, fenugreek, clove, maple, matcha, menthol, Japanese mint, aniseed (anise), cinnamon, turmeric, Indian spices, Asian spices, herb, wintergreen, cherry, berry, red berry, cranberry⁷, peach, apple, orange, mango, clementine, lemon, lime, tropical fruit, papaya, rhubarb, grape, durian, dragon fruit, cucumber, blueberry, mulberry, citrus fruits, Drambuie, bourbon, scotch, whiskey, gin, tequila, rum, spearmint, peppermint, lavender, aloe vera, cardamom, celery⁷, cascarilla, nutmeg, sandalwood, bergamot, geranium, khat, naswar, betel, shisha, pine, honey essence, rose oil, vanilla, lemon oil, orange oil, orange blossom, cherry blossom, cassia, caraway, cognacjasmine, ylang-ylang, sage, fennel, wasabi, piment, ginger, coriander, coffee, hemp, a mint oil from any species of the genus Mentha, eucalyptus, star anise, cocoa, lemongrass, rooibos, flax, ginkgo biloba, hazel, hibiscus, laurel, mate, orange skin, rose, tea such as green tea or black tea, thyme, juniper, elderflower, basil, bay leaves, cumin, oregano, paprika, rosemary, saffron, lemon peel, mint, beefsteak plant, curcuma, cilantro, myrtle, cassis, valerian, pimento, mace, damien, marjoram, olive, lemon balm, lemon basil, chive, canfl, verbena, tarragon, limonene, thymol, camphene), flavour enhancers, bitterness receptor site blockers, sensorial receptor site activators or stimulators, sugars and/or sugar substitutes (e.g., sucralose, acesulfame potassium, aspartame, saccharine, cyclamates, lactose, sucrose, glucose, fructose, sorbitol, or mannitol), and other additives such as charcoal, chlorophyll, minerals, botanicals, or breath freshening agents. They maybe imitation, synthetic or natural ingredients or blends thereof. They may be in any suitable form, for example, liquid such as an oil, solid such as a powder, or gas.

In some embodiments, the flavour comprises menthol, spearmint and/or peppermint. In some embodiments, the flavour comprises flavour components of cucumber, blueberry, citrus fruits and/ or redberry. In some embodiments, the flavour comprises eugenol. In some embodiments, the flavour comprises flavour components extracted from tobacco. In some embodiments, the flavour comprises flavour components extracted from cannabis, such as terpenes.

In some embodiments, the flavour may comprise a sensate, which is intended to achieve a somatosensorial sensation which are usually chemically induced and perceived by the stimulation of the fifth cranial nerve (trigeminal nerve), in addition to or in place of aroma or taste nerves, and these may include agents proriding heating, cooling, tingling, numbing effect. A suitable heat effect agent may be, but is not limited to, vanillyl ethyl ether and a suitable cooling agent may be, but not limited to eucalyptol, WS-3.

In some embodiments, the flavour comprises menthol, spearmint and/or peppermint. In some embodiments, the flavour comprises flavour components of berry fruits, citrus fruits, and/or tropical fruits. In some embodiments, the flavour may comprise cucumber, blueberry, citrus fruits, pineapple, strawberry, and/or redberry. In some embodiments, the flavour added to an aerosol generating material may be selected to enhance the underlying properties of the aerosol generating material. For example, as described herein, it maybe preferable that the fibrous material does not contain tobacco material but is instead formed from a botanical material.

In such instances, the botanical material may produce a particularly neutral aroma profile, for example when rooibos, fennel, star anise, and/or mint are utilised in the aerosol generating material. When one, or more, of these botanicals is used, the aroma may be enhanced when paired with a flavour such as menthol, spearmint and/or peppermint; berry fruits, citrus fruits, and/ or tropical fruits, or any combination of these flavours.

An aerosol generating material is a material that is capable of generating aerosol, for example when heated, irradiated or energized in any other way. Aerosol generating materials may, for example, be in the form of a solid, liquid or semi- solid (such as a gel) which may or may not contain an active substance and/or flavourants.

The aerosol-generating material may comprise one or more active substances and/or flavours, one or more aerosol-former materials, and optionally one or more other functional material.

The aerosol generating material may comprise, or be, a continuous sheet of material. The sheet may be in the form of a wrapper, it may be gathered to form a gathered sheet or it may be shredded to form a shredded sheet. The shredded sheet may comprise one or more strands or strips of aerosol generating material.

An aerosol is a suspension of particles of liquid, solid, or both, within a gas. The sheet or shredded sheet comprises a first surface and a second surface opposite the first surface. The dimensions of the first and second surfaces are congruent. The first and second surfaces of the sheet or shredded sheet may have any shape. For example, the first and second surfaces maybe square, rectangular, oblong or circular. Irregular shapes are also envisaged. The first and/or second surfaces of the sheet or shredded sheet maybe relatively uniform (e.g. they may be relatively smooth) or they may be uneven or irregular. For example, the first and/or second surfaces of the sheet maybe textured or patterned to define a relatively coarse surface. In some embodiments, the first and/or second surfaces are relatively rough.

The smoothness of the first and second surfaces maybe influenced by a number of factors, such as the area density of the sheet or shredded sheet, the nature of the components that make up the aerosolisable material or whether the surfaces of the material have been manipulated, for example embossed, scored or otherwise altered to confer them with a pattern or texture.

The areas of the first and second surfaces are each defined by a first dimension (e.g. a width) and a second dimension (e.g. a length). The measurements of the first and second dimensions may have a ratio of 1:1 or greater than 1:1 and thus the sheet or shredded sheet may have an “aspect ratio” of 1:1 or greater than 1:1. As used herein, the term “aspect ratio” is the ratio of a measurement of a first dimension of the first or second surface to a measurement of a second dimension of the first or second surface. An “aspect ratio of 1:1” means that a measurement of the first dimension (e.g. width) and a measurement of the second dimension (e.g. length) are identical. An “aspect ratio of greater than 1:1” a measurement of the first dimension (e.g. width) and a measurement of the second dimension (e.g. length) are different. In some embodiments, the first and second surfaces of the sheet or shredded sheet have an aspect ratio of greater than 1:1, such as 1:2, 1:3, 1:4, 1:5, 1:6, 1:7 or more.

The shredded sheet may comprise one or more strands or strips of the aerosolisable material. In some embodiments, the shredded sheet comprises a plurality (e.g. two or more) strands or strips of the aerosolisable materi al. The strands or strips of aerosolisable material may have an aspect ratio of 1:1. In an embodiment, the strands or strips of aerosoli sable material have an aspect ratio of greater than 1:1. In some embodiments, the strands or strips of aerosolisable material have an aspect ratio of from about 1:5 to about 1:16, or about 1:5, 1:6, 1:7, 1:8, 1:9, 1:10, 1:11 or 1:12. Where the aspect ratio of the strands or strips is greater than 1:1, the strands or strips comprises a longitudinal dimension, or length, extending between a first end of the strand or strip and a second end of the strand or strip. Where the shredded sheet comprises a plurality of strands or strips of material, the dimensions of each strand or strip may vary between different strands or strips. For example, the shredded sheet may comprise a first population of strands or strips and a second population of strands or strips, wherein the dimensions of the strands or strips of the first population are different to the dimensions of the strands or strips of the second population. In other words, the plurality of strands or strips may comprise a first population of strands or strips having a first aspect ratio and a second population of strands or strips having a second aspect ratio that is different to the first aspect ratio. A first dimension, or cut width, of the strands or strips of aerosolisable material is between 0.9 mm and 1.5 mm. The inventors have found that, when strands or strips of aerosolisable material having a cut width of below 0.9 mm are incorporated into an article for use in a non-combustible aerosol provision system, the pressure drop across the article may be increased to a level that renders the article unsuitable for use in a non-combustible aerosol-provision device. However, if the strands or strips have a cut width above 2 mm (e.g. greater than 2 mm), then it may be challenging to insert the strands or strips of aerosolisable material into the article during its manufacture. In a preferred embodiment, the cut width of the strands or strips of aerosolisable material is between about 1 mm and 1.5 mm.

The strands or strips of material are formed by shredding the sheet of aerosolisable material. The sheet of aerosolisable material may be cut width-wise, for example in a cross-cut type shredding process, to define a cut length for the strands or strips of aerosolisable material, in addition to a cut width. The cut length of the shredded aerosolisable material is preferably at least 5 mm, for instance at least 10 mm, or at least 20 mm. The cut length of the shredded aerosolisable material can be less than 60 mm, less than 50 mm, or less than 40 mm.

In some embodiments, a plurality of strands or strips of aerosolisable material is provided and at least one of the plurality of strands or strips of aerosoli sable material has a length greater than about 10 mm. At least one of the plurality of strands or strips of aerosolisable material can alternatively or in addition have a length between about 10 mm and about 60 mm, or between about 20 mm and about 50 mm. Each of the plurality of strands or strips of aerosolisable material can have a length between about 10 mm and about 60 mm, or between about 20 mm and about 50 mm. A consumable is an article comprising or consisting of aerosol-generating material, part or all of which is intended to be consumed during use by a user. In some embodiments, the consumable for use with the non-com bustible aerosol provision device may comprise one or more other components, such as, an aerosol- generating material storage area, an aerosol-generating material transfer component, an aerosol generator, an aerosol generation area, a housing, a wrapper, a filter, a mouthpiece, and/or an aerosol -modifyi ng agent. A consumable may also comprise an aerosol generator, such as a heater, that emits heat to cause the aerosol-generating material to generate aerosol in use. The heater may, for example, comprise combustible material, a material heatable by electrical conduction, or a susceptor.

A susceptor is a material that is heatable by penetration with a varying magnetic field, such as an alternating magnetic field. The susceptor may be an electrically- conductive material, so that penetration thereof with a varying magnetic field causes induction heating of the heating material. The heating material maybe magnetic material, so that penetration thereof with a varying magnetic field causes magnetic hysteresis heating of the heating material. The susceptor may be both electrically-conductive and magnetic, so that the susceptor is heatable by both heating mechanisms. The device that is configured to generate the varying magnetic field is referred to as a magnetic field generator, herein.

An aerosol generator is a heater capable of interacting with the aerosol-generating material so as to release one or more volatiles from the aerosol-generating material to form an aerosol. In some embodiments, the aerosol generator is capable of generating an aerosol from the aerosol-generating material without heating. For example, the aerosol generator may be capable of generating an aerosol from the aerosol-generating material without applying heat thereto, for example via one or more of vibrational, mechanical, pressurisation or electrostatic means.

In some embodiments, the fibrous material comprises a botanical material. A fibrous material comprising a botanical material may supplement the flavour profile of any aerosol produced. For example, a botanical material may be selected which has a relatively neutral flavour profile. A neutral flavour profile may be described as a flavour profile which contains few intense flavours and/or one which readily accepts the loading of top flavours, without affecting their perception. For example, a fibrous material containing reconstituted tobacco material maybe described as producing an aerosol with a relatively neutral flavour profile. It may- be advantageous to be able to produce an aerosol which has a similarly neutral flavour profile to that of reconstituted tobacco, but without using tobacco material.

In some embodiments, the fibrous material comprises rooibos.

In some embodiments, the fibrous material does not comprise rooibos. In some embodiments, the fibrous material comprises eucalyptus, star anise, hemp, cocoa, cannabis, fennel, lemongrass, peppermint, spearmint, chamomile, flax, ginger, ginkgo biloba, hazel, hibiscus, laurel, licorice (liquorice), matcha, mate, orange skin, papaya, rose, sage, tea such as green tea or black tea, thyme, clove, cinnamon, coffee, aniseed (anise), basil, bay leaves, cardamom, coriander, cumin, nutmeg, oregano, paprika, rosemary, saffron, lavender, lemon peel, mint, juniper, elderflower, vanilla, wintergreen, beefsteak plant, curcuma, turmeric, sandalwood, cilantro, bergamot, orange blossom, myrtle, cassis, valerian, pimento, mace, damien, marjoram, olive, lemon balm, lemon basil, chive, carvi, verbena, tarragon, geranium, mulberry, ginseng, theanine, theacrine, maca, ashwagandha, damiana, guarana, chlorophyll, baobab or any combination thereof. The mint may be chosen from the following mint varieties: Mentha Arventis, Mentha c.v., Mentha niliaca, Mentha piperita, Mentha piperita citrata c.v., Mentha piperita c.v, Mentha spicata crispa, Mentha cardifolia, Mentha longifolia, Mentha suaveolens variegata, Mentha pulegium, Mentha spicata c.v. and Mentha suaveolens.

In some embodiments, the fibrous material comprises star anise, fennel or mint, or mixtures thereof.

In some embodiments, the fibrous material may be called a substrate. It may be preferable for the substrate to be made from a non-tobacco material, such that a consumer may reduce their use of tobacco-based materials. However, consumers may wish to retain the physiological effects provided by nicotine. Therefore, providing a substrate made from a non-tobacco botanical material which includes nicotine may be of interest to consumers. In some embodiments, the botanical material maybe any non-tobacco botanical material. For example, the material maybe derived from species which are members of the Asteracae family, the Fabaceae family, the Myrtaceae family, Apiaceae family, Camellia taliensis, the Solanaceae family, the Brassicaceae family, the Caricaceae family, the Asci epi adaceae family, the Equisetaceae family, the Oleaceae family, the

Lamiaceae family, and tisanes. For example, the non-tobacco botanical material may be selected from the Matricaria species, such as chamomile; the Pimpinella anisum species, such as anise; the Foeniculum vulgare species, such as fennel; jasmine; lavender; cloves; eucalyptus, and the species Aspalathus linearis, such as rooibos.

In some embodiments, the non-tobacco botanical material is selected from a botanical material which comprises favourable aroma properties for use in a non-combustible aerosol provision system. For example, the non-tobacco botanical material may comprise relatively few aroma compounds compared to traditional tobacco material; therefore, an aerosol produced from a non-tobacco botanical material may have a different profile of volatile compounds compared to an aerosol produced from a tobacco material. The non-tobacco botanical material may deliver an aerosol which is considered favourable by a consumer of tobacco-based delivery systems. In some embodiments, a non-tobacco botanical material may produce an aerosol, when heated, with a sensorial experience that is comparable to that provided by a conventional combustible product, such as a cigarette. In some embodiments, the non-tobacco botanical material is selected from seed-producing plants which do not develop persistent woody tissue and which are often valued for their medicinal or sensorial characteristics. In some embodiments, it maybe preferable to provide an aerosol generating material, for use in a non-combustible aerosol provision system which does not comprise any tobacco plant material.

As used herein, the term “tobacco material” refers to any material comprising tobacco or derivatives or substitutes thereof. The tobacco material may be in any suitable form. The term “tobacco material” may include one or more of tobacco, tobacco derivatives, expanded tobacco, reconstituted tobacco or tobacco substitutes. The tobacco material may comprise one or more of ground tobacco, tobacco fibre, cut tobacco, extruded tobacco, tobacco stem, tobacco lamina, and/or reconstituted tobacco. It is understood that a nicotine extract, derived from tobacco material, is not considered to be a “tobacco material”. In some embodiments, it maybe preferred that the fibrous material does not contain tobacco material; certain consumers may prefer to inhale an aerosol which has been produced from a non-tobacco material while still containing nicotine. The present inventors have identified that the aerosol produced from an aerosol generating material comprising a fibrous material, nicotine benzoate, and glycerol is particularly favourable. In particular, the perceived harshness is at a desirable level and comparable to that provided from a conventional combustible product. In some embodiments, the aerosol generating material comprises a total fibrous material content of between about 70% and about 95% by weight on a dry basis. For example, the total fibrous material content maybe between about 70% and about 90%, such as between about 70% and about 85%, such as between about 75% and about 80% by weight on a dry basis. In some embodiments, the total fibrous material content of the aerosol generating material is about 75%, by weight on a dry basis.

In some embodiments, the fibrous material comprises first and second fibrous materials. In some embodiments, the first and second fibrous materials are different. When the first and second fibrous materials are different, the properties of the aerosol generating material, e.g. the aerosol generated, may be modified.

For example, two different fibrous materials could be combined which complement each other and proride an aerosol that is particularly pleasant/favourable to a consumer.

In some embodiments, the first fibrous material comprises a botanical material and the second fibrous material comprises wood fibre/wood pulp. Used herein, wood fibre and wood pulp may be used to describe a cellulose material derived from a cellulose material which has little, or substantially no noticeable aroma. For example, wood fibre and wood pulp may⁷ be of similar nature to wood fibre/wood pulp used to make paper. Wood fibre and wood pulp are obtained from a non- tobacco material based source.

In some embodiments, a ratio between the first fibrous material and the second fibrous material maybe from about 10:1 to about 2:1. For example, the ratio may be from about 9:1 to about 3:1; such as from about 8:1 to about 4:1; such as from about 7:1 to about 4:1; such as from about 6:1 to about 4:1. In some embodiments, a ratio between the first fibrous material and the second fibrous material may be about 5:1. In some embodiments, modifying the amount of a first fibrous material, comprising, for example, a botanical material; and a second fibrous material, comprising, for example, wood fibre/wood pulp, enables the aerosol to be modified/ tailored to a specific desirable profile. For example, one may increase the relative amount of a botanical material, compared to wood fibre/wood pulp, therefore increasing the amount of aroma compounds derived from the botanical material in an aerosol.

In some embodiments, when the aerosol generating material comprises a botanical material, the aerosol generating material further comprises an extract derived from the botanical material. For example, as shown in Figure 1, the aerosol generating material maybe prepared by extracting and separating the botanical material into an extract and a fibrous portion. The fibrous portion maybe combined with a second fibrous material, processed to form a refined pulp, and formed into a sheet. The extract, in addition to a nicotine salt and an aerosol former may be applied to, e.g. impregnated into, the sheet which is subsequently dried. Reintroducing the extract from the botanical material into the resulting aerosol generating material enables the aroma compounds from the botanical material to be present in the aerosol generating material. It is thought that processing of botanical material, to form an aerosol generating material, for example by a typical paper- making process, results in the loss of volatile flavour/aroma compounds. In particular, heating of the botanical material during a paper-making process can result in the loss of higher volatility compounds, which are more likely to be the compounds which provide the flavour and/or aroma to the botanical material.

In some embodiments, the aerosol generating material contains essentially 100% of the original botanical material. For example, the fibrous material comprises all of the fibrous portion of the original botanical material and the extract comprises the entire extract removed from the original botanical material. Utilising all of the fibrous portion and the extract of a botanical material is favourable as waste product is reduced. Furthermore, the full flavour profile of the original botanical material is maintained in the resulting aerosol generating material. This may be particularly favoured by consumers who may desire to consume an aerosol which has an aroma from a botanical material.

In some embodiments, the aerosol generating material comprises an extract in an amount of from about 5% to about 15% by weight of the aerosol generating material.

For example, the extract may be included in an amount of from about 6% to about 14% by weight of the aerosol generating material; such as from about 7% to about 13% by weight of the aerosol generating material; such as from about 8% to about 12% by weight of the aerosol generating material; such as from about 10% to about 12% by weight of the aerosol generating material. In some embodiments, the aerosol generating material comprises an extract in an amount of about 11% by weight of the aerosol generating material.

The aerosol generating material comprises glycerol as an aerosol former/aerosol former material. The total amount of glycerol may be from about 10% to about 20% by weight of the aerosol generating material. In some embodiments, the total amount of the aerosol former is from about 13% to about 16% by weight of the aerosol generating material. In some embodiments, the total amount of the aerosol former material is about 15% by weight of the aerosol generating material.

In this context, an "aerosol former " is an agent, or material, that promotes the generation of an aerosol. An aerosol former may promote the generation of an aerosol by promoting an initial vaporisation and/or the condensation of a gas to an inhalable solid and/or liquid aerosol. In some embodiments, an aerosol former may improve the delivery of flavour from the aerosol generating material.

The aerosol former material has been found to improve the sensory performance of an article for use with an aerosol generation device comprising the aerosol generating material, by helping to transfer compounds such as flavour compounds from the fibrous material to the consumer. In some embodiments, the aerosol former material described herein, for example glycerol, is flavoured and/or comprises a flavour as described herein.

In some embodiments, the aerosol generating material may comprise two or more aerosol formers. For example, the aerosol generating material may comprise glycerol and one of more of: a polyol such as sorbitol, glycols like propylene glycol or triethylene glycol; a non-polyol such as monohydric alcohols, high boiling point hydrocarbons, acids such as lactic acid, glycerol derivatives, esters such as diacetin, triacetin, triethylene glycol diacetate, triethyl citrate or myristates including ethyl myristate and isopropyl myristate and aliphatic carboxylic acid esters such as methyl stearate, dimethyl dodecanedioate and dimethyl tetradecanedioate.

In some embodiments, an additional aerosol former maybe selected from the group consisting of propylene glycol, diethylene glycol, triethylene glycol, tetraethylene glycol, 1,3-butylene glycol, erythritol, meso-Erythritol, ethyl vanillate, ethyl laurate, a diethyl suberate, triethyl citrate, triacetin, a diacetin mixture, benzyl benzoate, benzyl phenyl acetate, tributyrin, lauryl acetate, lauric acid, myristic acid, propylene carbonate, and mixtures thereof.

In some embodiments, the aerosol former comprises glycerol in amount from about 10% to about 90% by weight of the aerosol former.

In some embodiments, a ratio of glycerol to fibrous material is from about 1:7 to about 1:3. For example, from about 1:6 to about 1:4, such as about 1:5. When the ratio of glycerol to fibrous material is within this range, the aerosol generating material exhibits favourable storage properties and generates a favourable aerosol.

The aerosol-generating materials described herein may comprise a filler component.

The filler component is generally a non-tobacco component, that is, a component that does not include ingredients originating from tobacco. The filler component maybe a non-tobacco fibre such as wood fibre or pulp or wheat fibre. The filler component may also be an inorganic material such as chalk, perlite, vermiculite, diatomaceous earth, colloidal silica, magnesium oxide, magnesium sulphate, magnesium carbonate. The filler component may also be a non-tobacco cast material. The filler component may be present in an amount from about o to about 20% by weight of the tobacco material, or in an amount of from about 1 to about 10% by weight of the aerosol-generating material. In a preferred embodiment, the aerosol-generating material comprises the filler component in an amount between about 5% and about 10% by weight of the aerosol-generating material. In some embodiments, the filler component is absent. In some embodiments, the aerosol generating material has a thickness from about 250 gm to about 450 um. In some embodiments, the aerosol generating material has a thickness from about 250 um and about 400 gm, such as from about 280 gm to about 490 gm. In some embodiments, the aerosol generating material has a thickness of about 300 to about 400 gm. For example, the thickness may be from about 310 gm to about 390 gm. For example, the thickness may be from about 310 gm to about 380 gm. For example, the thickness may be from about 320 gm to about 370 gm. For example, the thickness may be from about 320 gm to about 360 gm. For example, the thickness may be from about 320 gm to about 350 gm. For example, the thickness may be from about 320 gm to about 340 gm. For example, the thickness may be from about 325 gm to about 340 gm. For example, the thickness may be from about 330 gm to about 340 gm.

In some embodiments, the aerosol generating material has a water content of between about 3% to about 8%. For example, the aerosol generating material has a water content of between about 4% to about 7%, for example between about 5% and about 6%. In some embodiments, the aerosol generating material comprises a water content of about 5%. In some embodiments, the aerosol generating material has a filling value from about 2 cm3/g to about 10 cm³/g. In some embodiments, the aerosol generating material has a filling value of from about 3 cm3/g to about 8 cm³/g, for example the aerosol generating material may have a filling value of from about 4 cm³/g to about 7 cm³/g, such as from about 4 cm3/g to about 6 cm3/g. In some embodiments, the aerosol generating material has a filling value of about 5 cm3/g. When the filling value is between about 2 cm³/g to about 10 cm³/'g, for example about 5 cm³/g, a consumable containing the aerosol generating material can weigh less. Therefore, the overall weight of material used, to achieve the same/ required filling value, is less, which can proride a saving to the cost of goods. In addition, using the aerosol generating material described herein may also be advantageous because the resistance to draw is not affected, therefore providing the consumer with a favourable user experience.

In some embodiments, the aerosol generating material exhibits a bursting strength of between about 5 KPa and about 40 KPa. In some embodiments, the aerosol generating material exhibits a bursting strength of between about 10 KPa and about 30 KPa. In some embodiments, the aerosol generating material exhibits a bursting strength of between about 15 KPa and about 25 KPa, for example between about 20 KPa and about 25 KPa. In some embodiments, the bursting strength is about 20 KPa.

In some embodiments, the aerosol generating material comprises nicotine benzoate in an amount of less than about 12% by weight on a dry weight basis, such as less than about 10%, such as less than about 8%, such as less than about 6%, such as less than about 5%, by weight on a dry weight basis. In some embodiments, the aerosol generating material may comprise nicotine benzoate in an amount of from about 1% to about 10% by weight on a dry weight basis. For example, the aerosol generating material may have a total nicotine benzoate amount of from about 1% to about 9% by weight on a dry weight basis; from about 1% to about 8% by weight on a dry weight basis; from about 2% to about 6% by weight on a dry weight basis; from about 3% to about 5% by weight on a dry weight basis. In some embodiments, the aerosol generating material comprises at least one additional nicotine salt. For example, the aerosol generating material may additional comprise: nicotine levulinate, nicotine lactate, nicotine citrate, or mixtures thereof. When the aerosol generating material comprises two or more nicotine salts, the total amount of nicotine salt in the aerosol generating material may be from about 1% to about 10%, by weight on a dry weight basis. For example, the aerosol generating material may have a total nicotine salt amount of from about 1% to about 9% by weight on a dry weight basis; from about 1% to about 8% by weight on a dry weight basis; from about 2% to about 6% by weight on a dry weight basis; from about 3% to about 5% by weight on a dry weight basis.

In an embodiment, the aerosol generating material is in the form of a rod. The aerosol generating rod may have a total weight of between about 250 mg and about 350 mg. In an embodiment, the aerosol generating rod may be wrapped in a wrapper haring a permeability of less than 100 Coresta Units. The aerosol generating rod may have an outer circumference of at least about 19 mm, preferably between about 19 mm and about 23 mm or about 21 mm. This may facilitate insertion of the article into an aerosol generation device.

As used herein, the term “rod” is used to describe a generally cylindrical element of substantially circular, oval, or elliptical cross section. In the compositions described herein, where amounts are given in % by weight, for the avoidance of doubt this refers to a dry weight basis, unless specifically indicated to the contrary. Thus, any water that maybe present in the aerosol-generating material, or in any component thereof, is entirely disregarded for the purposes of the determination of the weight %. The water content of the aerosol-generating material described herein may vary' and may be, for example, from 5 to 15% by weight. The water content of the aerosol-generating material described herein may vary according to, for example, the temperature, pressure and humidity conditions at which the compositions are maintained. The water content can be determined by Karl-Fisher analysis, as known to those skilled in the art. On the other hand, for the avoidance of doubt, even when the aerosol-former material is a component that is in liquid phase, such as glycerol or propylene glycol, any component other than water is included in the weight of the aerosol-generating material. In some embodiments, the system comprises an article as described herein and the aerosol generation device is arranged to receive at least a portion of the article comprising the aerosol-generating material and to heat the portion of the article comprising the aerosol -generating material and generate an aerosol from the aerosol - generating material.

In some embodiments, the aerosol generating material may be positioned in an aerosol generating section of an article. When in use, the aerosol generating section may exhibit a pressure drop of from about 15 to about 40 mm H₂O. In some embodiments, the aerosol generating section exhibits a pressure drop across the aerosol generating section of from about 15 to about 30 mm H₂O.

In some embodiments, the article comprises a mouthpiece, and a cylindrical rod of aerosol generating material connected, either directly or indirectly, to the mouthpiece. A mouthpiece wrapper, also described herein as a tipping paper, may be wrapped around the full lengt h of the mouthpiece and over part of the rod of aerosol generating material and has an adhesive on its inner surface to connect the mouthpiece and rod.

In some embodiments, the tipping paper extends 5 mm over the rod of aerosol generating material but it can alternatively extend between 3 mm and 10 mm over the rod 3, or more preferably between 4 mm and 6 mm, to provide a secure attachment between the mouthpiece and rod. The tipping paper can have a basis weight which is higher than the basis weight of plug wraps used in the article for use with an aerosol generation device, for instance a basis weight of 40 gsm to 80 gsm, more preferably between 50 gsm and 70 gsm, and in the present example 58 gsm. These ranges of basis weights have been found to result in tipping papers having acceptable tensile strength while being flexible enough to wrap around the article and adhere to itself along a longitudinal lap seam on the paper. The outer circumference of the tipping paper, once wrapped around the mouthpiece, may be about 21mm.

According to some embodiments, there is provided an article for use in an aerosol provision system, the article including an aerosol generating material or substrate, a mouthpiece downstream of the aerosol generating material and a wrapper, wherein the wrapper comprises a sensate material. A portion of the mouthpiece wrapper close to the downstream end of the mouthpiece comes into contact with the consumer’s lips during use.

The mouthpiece wrapper may be arranged to wrap around and enclose the mouthpiece in a region between the upstream end and downstream end of the mouthpiece. The mouthpiece wrapper maybe arranged such that, when the article is inserted into a heating device, a portion of the mouthpiece wrapper is heated to the same or a similar temperature as the aerosol generating material.

In some embodiments, the mouthpiece wrapper comprises a sensate material. The sensate material may comprise a flavourant, as herein described. In some embodiments, the flavourant may suitably be liquorice, rose oil, vanilla, lemon oil, orange oil, a mint- flavour, suitably menthol and/or a mint oil from any species of the genus Mentha such as peppermint oil and/or spearmint oil, or lavender, fennel or anise. In preferred embodiments, the sensate material comprises sugars and/ or sugar substitutes (e.g., sucralose, acesulfame potassium, aspartame, saccharine, cyclamates, lactose, sucrose, glucose, fructose, sorbitol, or mannitol). Additionally or alternatively, the sensate material may comprise a material that delivers a cooling, heating or sour sensation to the consumer during use of the article.

In some embodiments, the sensate material may comprise one or more of pH regulators, stabilizers, and/or antioxidants. These materials may help to increase the shelf-life of the mouthpiece wrapper and thus the article. The sensate material can be encapsulated in an encapsulating material. For instance, the sensate material can be provided in the form of microcapsules which are applied to the wrapper. The mouthpiece wrapper may comprise an inwardly facing surface and an outwardly facing surface and the sensate material maybe present on at least a portion of the inwardly facing surface and/or the outwardly facing surface of the wrapper. For example, the sensate material may be disposed on an outwardly facing surface of the mouthpiece wrapper in an area which comes into contact with the consumer’s lips during use. By disposing the sensate material on the outwardly facing surface of the mouthpiece wrapper, the sensate material may be transferred to the consumer’s lips during use. Transfer of the sensate material to the consumer’s lips during use of the article may modify the organoleptic properties (e.g. taste) of the aerosol generated by the aerosol generating substrate. For example, the sensate material may impart flavour to the aerosol generated by the aerosol generating substrate. The sensate material maybe at least partially soluble in water such that it maybe transferred to the user via the consumer’s saliva.

Advantageously, a relatively low amount of sensate material may be required in order to modify the sensory properties delivered to the consumer during use of the article, although this will, to some extent, depend on the properties of the senate material because the minimum amount that is needed to modify the sensory properties will vary between different sensate materials. This may have the advantage that the addition of the sensate material to the mouthpiece wrapper may not significantly increase the overall weight of the article.

In some embodiments, the system comprises an article as described herein and the aerosol generation device is arranged to receive at least a portion of the article comprising the aerosol-generating material and to heat the portion of the article comprising the aerosol-generating material and generate an aerosol from the aerosol- generating material.

The various embodiments described herein are presented only to assist in understanding and teaching the claimed features. These embodiments are provided as a representative sample of embodiments only, and are not exhaustive and/or exclusive.

It is to be understood that advantages, embodiments, examples, functions, features, structures, and/or other aspects described herein are not to be considered limitations on the scope of the invention as defined by the claims or limitations on equivalents to the claims, and that other embodiments may be utilised and modifications may be made without departing from the scope of the claimed invention. Various embodiments of the invention may suitably comprise, consist of, or consist essen tially of, appropriate combinations of the disclosed elements, components, features, parts, steps, means, etc, other than those specifically described herein . In addition, this disclosure may include other inventions not presently claimed, but which maybe claimed in future.

Claims

1. An aerosol generating material comprising: a fibrous material, nicotine benzoate, and glycerol.

2. The aerosol generating material according to claim 1, wherein the fibrous material comprises a botanical material.

3. The aerosol generating material according to claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the botanical material is selected from the list consisting of fennel, star anise, mint, and rooibos, or mixtures thereof.

4. The aerosol generating material according to claim 3, wherein the botanical material comprises rooibos.

5. The aerosol generating material according to claim 4, wherein the botanical material comprises fennel, star anise or mint, or mixtures thereof.

6. The aerosol generating material according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the nicotine benzoate is included in an amount of from about 2% to about 8% by weight of the aerosol generating material.

7. The aerosol generating material according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the glycerol is included in an amount of from about 10% to about 20%, by weight of the aerosol generating material.

8. The aerosol generating material according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the aerosol generating material comprises a total fibrous material content of between about 70% and about 95% by weight.

9. The aerosol generating material according to any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein the fibrous material comprises a first fibrous material selected from the list consisting of: fennel, star anise, mint, and rooibos or mixtures thereof; and a second fibrous material, wherein the first fibrous material is different to the second fibrous material.

10. The aerosol generating material according to claim 9, wherein the second fibrous material comprises wood fibres and/or wood pulp.

11. The aerosol generating material according to claim 9 or claim 10, wherein the

5 first fibrous material comprises rooibos.

12. The aerosol generating material according to claim 9 or claim 10, wherein the first fibrous material comprises fennel, star anise or mint, or mixtures thereof. 0

13. The aerosol generating material according to any one of claims 1 to 12, wherein the aerosol generating material is in the form of a sheet.

14. The aerosol generating material according to any one of claims lto 13, further comprising an extract derived from a botanical material, wherein the botanical5 material is selected from the list consisting of fennel, anise, mint, and rooibos, and mixtures thereof.

15. The aerosol generating material according to claim 14, wherein the botanical material is rooibos. 0

16. The aerosol generating material according to claim 14, wherein the botanical material is fennel, star anise or mint, or mixtures thereof.

17. The aerosol generating material according to claim 16, wherein the aerosol5 generating material comprises the extract in an amount of from about 5% to about 15% by weight of the aerosol generating material.

18. The aerosol generating material according to any one of claims 1 to 17, further comprising a second nicotine salt selected from the list consisting of: nicotine0 levulinate, nicotine citrate, and nicotine lactate, or mixtures thereof.

19. The aerosol generating material according to any one of claims 1 to 18, wherein the aerosol generating material has a thickness of about 200 um to about 450 pm. b

20. The aerosol generating material according to any one of claims 1 to 19, wherein a ratio of aerosol former to fibrous material is from about 1:7 to about 1:3

21. The aerosol generating material according to any one of claims 1 to 20, wherein the aerosol generating material has a filling value between about 2 cm3/g and about 10 cm3/g.

22. The aerosol generating material according to any one of claims 1 to 21, wherein the aerosol generating material exhibits a bursting strength of between about 5 KPa and about 40 KPa.

23. The aerosol generating material according to any one of claims 1 to 22, wherein the aerosol generating material is free of, or substantially free of, tobacco material.

24. An aerosol generating rod comprising the aerosol generating material according to any one of claims 1 to 23.

25. The aerosol generating rod according to claim 24, wherein the rod is circumscribed by a wrapper.

26. A delivery system comprising the aerosol generating material according to any one of claims 1 to 23 or the aerosol generating rod according to claim 24 or claim 25.

27. A process of preparing an aerosol generating material comprising: extracting and separating a fibrous material into an extract and a fibrous portion; processing the fibrous portion to form a refined pulp; forming the refined pulp into a sheet; impregnating the sheet with nicotine benzoate, glycerol, and the extract; and drying the impregnated sheet to form an aerosol generating material.

28. The process according to claim 27, wherein the fibrous material is a botanical material.

29. The process according to claims 28, wherein the botanical material is selected from the list consisting of: of fennel, star anise, mint, and rooibos, or mixtures thereof.

30. The process according to claim 29, wherein the botanical material is rooibos.

31. The process according to claim 29, wherein the botanical material is selected from fennel, star anise or mint, or mixtures thereof.

32. An aerosol generating material obtained or obtainable by the method of any one of claims 27 to 31.