WO2024165874A1

WO2024165874A1 - Component

Info

Publication number: WO2024165874A1
Application number: PCT/GB2024/050374
Authority: WO
Inventors: Rosie DURMAN; Andrei GRISHCHENKO
Original assignee: Nicoventures Trading Ltd
Current assignee: Nicoventures Trading Ltd
Priority date: 2023-02-10
Filing date: 2024-02-12
Publication date: 2024-08-15
Anticipated expiration: 2025-08-10
Also published as: EP4661702A1; TW202527844A; GB202301907D0; CN121057513A

Abstract

The present disclosure relates to a component for use in a delivery system. The component comprises a body of material and an aerosol-modifying agent release component comprising an aerosol-modifying agent. The aerosol-modifying agent release component is embedded within the body of material. The component further comprises a first sheet of material, forming at least a part of the body of material and surrounding the aerosol-modifying agent release component, and a second sheet of material surrounding the first sheet of material. At least a portion of the first sheet of material has a lower absorbency than the second sheet of material. Another component for use in a delivery system, a delivery system, and methods of manufacturing a component for use in a delivery system are also disclosed.

Description

Component

Technical Field

The present invention relates to a component for use in a delivery system. A delivery system and a method of manufacturing a component for use in a delivery system is also disclosed.

Background

Aerosol-modifying agent release components, such as flavour capsules, are often deployed within components for use in a delivery system. The aerosol-modifying agent release components are configured to release an aerosol-modifying agent to impart a characteristic on the aerosol generated by the delivery system.

Summary According to an aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided a component for use in a delivery system, the component comprising: a body of material; and an aerosolmodifying agent release component comprising an aerosol-modifying agent, the aerosol-modifying agent release component being embedded within the body of material; a first sheet of material forming at least a part of said body of material and surrounding the aerosol-modifying agent release component; and a second sheet material surrounding the first sheet of material, wherein at least a portion of the first sheet of material has a lower absorbency than the second sheet of material.

The first sheet of material may form said body of material and the second sheet of material may be a plug wrap surrounding the body of material.

The first sheet of material and the second sheet of material may form said body of material. The first sheet material may have an FAU5 of less than 60 g/ m².

The first sheet material may have an FAU5 of less than 50 g/m², 40 g/m², 30 g/m², 20 g/m², 10 g/m² or 5 g/m². The difference in mean contact angle for the first sheet of material may be less than The difference in mean contact angle for the first sheet of material may be less than 30° or less than 20°. The first sheet of material may be a non-woven sheet of material.

The first sheet of material maybe a sheet of paper material.

The second sheet of material may be a non-woven sheet of material.

The second sheet of material may be a sheet of paper material.

The first sheet of material may be treated with a coating. The coating may be one of either silicone, starch, glassine, clay, silica, alginate or guar.

The thickness of the first sheet of material may be between 70 pm and 90 pm.

The thickness of the second sheet of material may be between 70 pm and 350 pm.

The first sheet of material and/or the second sheet of material maybe biodegradable.

The first sheet of material and/or the second sheet of material maybe crimped sheets of material.

The body of material may be wrapped in a plug wrap.

The plug wrap may be treated with one of either silicone, starch, glassine, clay, silica, alginate or guar.

According to another aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided a component for use in a delivery system, the component comprising: a body of material wrapped in a plug wrap; and an aerosol-modifying agent release component comprising an aerosolmodifying agent, the aerosol-modifying agent release component being embedded within the body of material; wherein the body of material comprises: a sheet of material surrounding the aerosol-modifying agent release component, wherein at least a portion of the sheet of material is treated such that the portion of the sheet of material has a lower absorbency than prior to said treatment of the sheet of material.

Treatment of the sheet of material may comprise treatment of a surface of the sheet of material facing the aerosol-modifying agent release component.

The sheet of material may have an FAU5 of less than 60 g/m².

The sheet of material may have an FAU5 of less than 50 g/m², 40 g/m², 30 g/m², 20 g/m², 10 g/m² or 5 g/m².

The difference in mean contact angle for the sheet of material maybe less than 40°.

The difference in mean contact angle for the sheet of material may be less than 30° or less than 20°.

The sheet of material may be a non-woven sheet of material.

The sheet of material may be a sheet of paper material.

The sheet of material may be treated with a coating.

The coating may be one of either silicone, starch, glassine, clay, silica, alginate or guar. The sheet of material may be biodegradable.

The sheet of material may be a crimped sheet of material.

The plug wrap may be coated with one of either silicone, starch, glassine, clay, silica, alginate or guar.

According to another aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided a delivery system comprising a component according to the present disclosure. According to another aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided a method of manufacturing a component for use in a delivery system, the method comprising: forming a body of material, at least a portion of said body of material being formed from a first sheet of material; embedding an aerosol-modifying agent release component comprising an aerosol-modifying agent within the body of material so that the aerosol-modifying agent release component is surrounded by the first sheet of material; and surrounding the first sheet of material in a second sheet of material; wherein at least a portion of the first sheet of material has a lower absorbency than the second sheet of material.

The method may comprise forming the body of material from the first sheet of material, and the second sheet of material may be plug wrap surrounding the body of material.

The method may comprise forming the body of material from the first sheet of material and the second sheet of material. According to another aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided a method of manufacturing a component for use in a delivery system, the method comprising: forming a body of material from a sheet of material; and embedding an aerosolmodifying agent release component comprising an aerosol-modifying agent within the body of material so that the aerosol-modifying agent release component is surrounded by the sheet of material; wherein at least a portion of the sheet of material is treated such that the portion of the sheet of material has a lower absorbency than prior to said treatment of the sheet of material.

Brief Description of the Drawings Embodiments of the invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

Figure 1 illustrates a side-on cross-sectional view of a delivery system according to embodiments of the invention; Figure 1A illustrates a side-on cross sectional view of an alternative delivery system according to embodiments of the invention

Figure 2 illustrates a cross-sectional view of an embodiment of the delivery system illustrated in Figure 1 along the line A- A;

Figure 3 illustrates a cross-sectional view of another embodiment of the delivery system illustrated in Figure 1 along the line A- A; Figure 4 is a data table displaying the results of a Medium-Chain Triglycerides absorbency test;

Figure 5 is a data table displaying the results of a contact angle test;

Figure 6 is a data table displaying the results of a water absorption test; Figure 7 is a data table displaying the results of an oil droplet absorption test;

Figure 8 illustrates method steps of a method of manufacturing a component for use in a delivery system according to an embodiment of the invention; and

Figure 9 illustrates method steps of a method of manufacturing a component for use in a delivery system according to another embodiment of the invention.

Detailed Description

As used herein, the term “delivery system” is intended to encompass systems that deliver at least one 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); and 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.

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 of at least one substance 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), although it is noted that the presence of nicotine in the aerosol-generating material is not a requirement.

In some embodiments, the non-combustible aerosol provision system is an aerosol- generating material heating system, also known as a heat-not-burn system. An example of such a system is a tobacco heating 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 and may or may not contain nicotine. 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 or a non-tobacco product.

Typically, the non-combustible aerosol provision system may comprise a non- combustible aerosol provision device and a consumable for use with the non- combustible aerosol provision device. In some embodiments, the disclosure relates to consumables comprising aerosolgenerating 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, the non-combustible aerosol provision system, such as a non- combustible aerosol provision device thereof, may comprise a power source and a controller. The power source may, for example, 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 to a heat transfer material in proximity to the exothermic power source.

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.

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 material 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 a binder, such as a gelling agent, and an aerosol former. Optionally, a substance to be delivered and/or filler may also be present. Optionally, a solvent, such as water, is also present and one or more other components of the aerosol-generating material may or may not be soluble in the solvent. In some embodiments, the aerosol-generating material is substantially free from botanical material. In particular, in some embodiments, the aerosol-generating material is substantially tobacco free.

The aerosol-generating material may comprise or be in the form of an aerosol- generating film. The aerosol-generating film may comprise a binder, such as a gelling agent, and an aerosol former. Optionally, a substance to be delivered and/or filler may also be present. The aerosol-generating film may be substantially free from botanical material. In particular, in some embodiments, the aerosol-generating material is substantially tobacco free. The aerosol-generating film may have a thickness of about 0.015 mm to about 1 mm.

For example, the thickness maybe in the range of about 0.05 mm, 0.1 mm or 0.15 mm to about 0.5 mm or 0.3 mm.

The aerosol-generating film maybe continuous. For example, the film 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. The aerosol-generating film may be discontinuous. For example, the aerosol-generating film may comprise one or more discrete portions or regions of aerosol-generating material, such as dots, stripes or lines, which may be supported on a support. In such embodiments, the support may be planar or non-planar. The aerosol-generating film may be formed by combining a binder, such as a gelling agent, with a solvent, such as water, an aerosol-former and one or more other components, such as one or more substances to be delivered, to form a slurry and then heating the slurry to volatilise at least some of the solvent to form the aerosolgenerating film.

The slurry maybe heated to remove at least about 60 wt%, 70 wt%, 80 wt%, 85 wt% or 90 wt% of the solvent.

An aerosol-modifying agent is a substance, typically located downstream of the aerosol generation area, that is configured to modify the aerosol generated, for example by changing the taste, flavour, acidity or another characteristic of the aerosol. The aerosolmodifying agent may be provided in an aerosol-modifying agent release component, that is operable to selectively release the aerosol-modifying agent The aerosol-modifying agent may, for example, be an additive or a sorbent. The aerosol-modifying agent may, for example, comprise one or more of a flavourant, a colourant, water, and a carbon adsorbent. The aerosol-modifying agent may, for example, be a solid, a liquid, or a gel. The aerosol-modifying agent maybe in powder, thread or granule form. The aerosol-modifying agent may be free from filtration material.

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, cranberry, 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, celery, 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, cognac, jasmine, 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, carvi, 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.

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 providing 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 eucolyptol, WS-3.

Figure 1 shows an isometric view of a delivery system 1 according to embodiments of the invention. The delivery system 1 comprises an aerosol generating material 2, a component 3 located downstream of the aerosol generating material 2, and a mouth end segment 4 located downstream of the component 3. The component 3 and mouth end segment 4 are axially aligned and wrapped in a wrapper 5 such as a plug wrap. The aerosol generating material 2 is wrapped in a wrapper 6 such as cigarette paper. The wrapped aerosol generating material 2, and wrapped component 3 and mouth end segment 4 are axially aligned and connected by a wrapper 7 such as tipping paper.

The component 3 comprises a body of material 13 and an aerosol-modifying agent release component 8 embedded within the body of material 13. When activated, an aerosol-modifying agent is released from the aerosol-modifying agent release component 8 and is configured to impart a characteristic on the aerosol generated by the aerosol-generating material 2. In some embodiments, the aerosol-modifying agent is in the form of a liquid. For example, the aerosol-modifying agent release component 8 may be a flavour capsule configured to be ruptured by a consumer and to release a flavourant configured to impart a flavour on the aerosol.

The mouth end segment 4 may comprise a solid or tubular structure and may be formed from either woven or non-woven material. Figure 1A shows an isometric view of an alternative embodiment of the delivery system 1 illustrated in Figure 1. Here, the delivery system 1 further comprises a tubular section 14 and an end plug 15. The tubular section 14 is located between the component 3 and the aerosol generating material 2. In some embodiments, the tubular section 14 is formed from spiral winding or longitudinal wrapping of material. For example, the tubular section 14 may be formed from two or three layers of stiff paper, specifically two layers of 82 gsm plug wrap. The end plug 15 is located at a distal end of the delivery system 1 adjacent to the aerosol generating material 2. The end plug 15 maybe formed from either woven or non-woven material. For example, the end plug 15 maybe formed from paper, more specifically, 36 gsm paper. The body of material has a longitudinal axis and comprises one or more sheets extending through the body and having a total width of between about 100mm and about 350mm, for instance when extended. The one or more sheets can be crimped and/or gathered to form said body of material. The one or more sheets can comprise cellulosic material. The one or more sheets can be paper sheets, sheets of tobacco material, sheets of non-tobacco botanical material or combinations thereof. The one or more sheets can have a basis weight of between about 20 and about 80 gsm, or between about 30 and about 50 gsm, or between about 36 and about 45 gsm, or between about 55 and about 75 gsm. The one or more sheets can have an uncrimped thickness of between about 50 pm and about 500pm, between about 50pm and about 350pm, between about 60pm and about 300pm, or between about 60pm and about 160pm. The body of material can have a weight of from about 5 mg to about 15 mg per mm of length of said body, or between about 8 mg and about 12 mg per mm of length of said body, or about 10 mg per mm of length of said body.

The body of material can have an average bulk density of between about 0.05 and about 0.5 gms/cm3, between about 0.05 and about 0.35 gms/cm3, between about 0.1 and about 0.3 gms/cm3, between about 0.16 and about 0.25 gms/cm3, or between about 0.2 and about 0.25 gms/cm3.

The plug wrap surrounding the body of material can comprise a basis weight of between about 30 and about 75 gsm, or between about 40 and about 65 gsm. In addition to the aerosol modifying additive release component, which can contain a first aerosol modifying additive, the body of material can also include a second aerosol modifying additive which can comprise at least one additive selected from glycerol, propylene glycol, diethylene glycol, triethylene glycol, tetraethylene glycol, 1,3-butylene glycol, erythritol, meso-Erythritol, ethyl vanillate, ethyl laurate, a diethyl suberate, triethyl citrate (TEC), triacetin, a diacetin mixture, benzyl benzoate, benzyl phenyl acetate, tributyrin, lauryl acetate, lauric acid, myristic acid, propylene carbonate, polyethylene glycol (PEG), tetra(ethylene glycol) diacrylate (TEGDA) or alkyl ketene dimer (AKD). For instance, the second aerosol modifying additive can comprise glycerol and/or triacetin. Said second aerosol modifying additive can comprise between about 7% and about 20% or between about 9% and about 18% by weight of said one of more sheets measured on a dry weight basis.

Said second aerosol modifying additive can be applied to said one or more sheets of material as a liquid having a viscosity between 5 and too centipoise at 25 °C.

Said one or more sheets can have a total width of between about 120mm and about 300mm. At least one of the one of more sheets extending through the body can comprises a crimped sheet material formed having a crimp pattern comprising a series of substantially parallel ridges and grooves, wherein the average spacing between adjacent ridges is greater than about 0.3 mm and/or wherein the average depth or amplitude of said ridges and grooves is between about 0.1mm and about 0.8mm.

Said crimp can be applied using a roller surface with a temperature of greater than 30⁰ C, greater than 40⁰ C or greater than 50⁰ C.

Said one or more sheets can have a permeability, before any treatment, of between about 1,000 and about 50,000 Coresta Units or between about 5,000 and about 50,000 Coresta Units. Said one or more sheets can have a permeability, before any treatment, of between about 1,000 and about 10,000 Coresta Units, in some examples between about 2,000 and about 8,000 Coresta Units. In other examples, said one or more sheets can have a permeability of between about 5,000 and about 12,000 Coresta Units. The component can comprise a circumference in the range of about 16mm to about 25mm. The component can comprise a circumference between about 20 mm and about 23mm. The component can comprise a filter. The closed pressure drop across the component can be between about 0.5 mmWG and about 8.6 mmWG/mm of length of said component, or between about 2 mmWG and about 6 mmWG/mm of length of said component. The tensile strength of the one or more sheets measured according to ISO 1924-2:2008 in the longitudinal (machine) direction of the one or more sheets, can be greater than about 10 N/3omm, and can be between about 20 and about 100 N/3omm, or between about 25 and about 80 N/3omm. The stretch of the one or more sheets measured according to ISO 1924-2:2008 in the longitudinal (machine) direction of the one or more sheets, can be less than 5%, for instance between about 0.5% and about 4%, or between about 0.9% and about 2.5%. The same tensile strength and stretch ranges can also apply to the transverse (cross) direction across the width of the one or more sheets.

The hardness of the component at a longitudinal centre point of the component can be in the range from about 80% to about 95%, or from about 85% to about 95%.

The article can be an article for use in or as a combustible aerosol provision system or a non-combustible aerosol provision system, as described herein. The article can be an article for use in a tobacco heating system.

Aerosol-modifying agent release components are often used in delivery systems. A consumer is able to activate the aerosol-modifying agent release component 8 so that the aerosol-modifying agent within is released and imparts a characteristic on the aerosol flowing through the delivery system 1. However, there is a tendency for the aerosol-modifying agent to be absorbed by the body of material 13 within which the aerosol-modifying agent release component 8 is embedded. This inhibits the ability of the aerosol-modifying agent to impart said characteristic on the aerosol and therefore the intensity of the desired effect of the aerosol-modifying agent is reduced. Figure 2 shows a cross-sectional view of an embodiment of the delivery system shown in Figure 1 along the line A-A which passes through the component 3. As illustrated in Figure 2, the component 3 comprises a first sheet of material 9, forming at least a part of the body of material 13 and surrounding the aerosol-modifying agent release component 8, and a second sheet of material 10 surrounding the first sheet of material 9. At least a portion of the first sheet of material 9 has a lower absorbency than the second sheet of material 10. In order to reduce the absorbency of the first sheet of material 9, the portion of first sheet of material 9 is treated with a coating. The coating is one of either silicone, starch, glassine, clay, silica, alginate or guar. However, it is to be appreciated that other coating substances may be suitable to obtain the desired function.

In some embodiments, the portion of the first sheet of material which is treated forms more than 40%, 50%, 60%, 70%, 80% or 90% of the first sheet of material.

Alternatively, the entirety of the first sheet of material is treated. Since the first sheet of material 9 surrounding the aerosol-modifying agent release component 8 has a lower absorbency than the second sheet of material 10, once the aerosol-modifying agent release component 8 is activated, the aerosol-modifying agent is less liable to absorption into the body of material 13 9 and therefore produces a stronger effect on the aerosol. In other words, since the absorption of the aerosol- modifying agent into the body of material 13 is reduced, the performance of the aerosolmodifying agent to impart a characteristic on the aerosol is improved.

As shown in Figure 2, the body of material 13 is formed from the first sheet of material 9 and the second sheet of material 10. The body of material 13 is wrapped in plug wrap 5. Alternatively, the body of material 13 is formed from the first sheet of material 9 and the second sheet of material 10 is plug wrap 5.

The first sheet of material 9 is a non-woven sheet of material, such as paper material, having a thickness between 70 pm and 90 pm. The second sheet of material 10 is also a non-woven sheet of material, such as paper material, having a thickness between 70 pm and 350 pm. In some embodiments, the width of the first sheet of material 9 is less than the width of the second sheet of material 10. For example, the width of the first sheet of material 9 is between 120 mm and 180 mm, and the width of the second sheet of material 10 is between 140 mm and 200 mm. Additionally, the grammage of the first and second sheets of material 9, 10 is between 20 gsm and 80 gsm. As illustrated in

Figure 2, the first sheet of material 9 and/ or the second sheet of material 10 are crimped. Additionally, the first sheet of material 9 and/or the second sheet of material 10 are biodegradable. However, it is to be appreciated that in other embodiments the first and second sheets of material 9, 10 may have another configuration. The plug wrap 5 wrapped around the body of material 13 may be treated to reduce its absorbency by treatment with one of either silicone, starch, glassine, clay, silica, alginate or guar. However it is to be appreciated that other coating substances maybe suitable to obtain the desired function. Figure 3 shows a cross-sectional view of another embodiment of the delivery system shown in Figure 1 along the line A-A which passes through the component 3. As illustrated in Figure 3, the body of material 13 comprises a sheet of material 11 surrounding the aerosol-modifying agent release component 8. The body of material 13 is wrapped in plug wrap 5. At least a portion of the sheet of material 11 is treated such that the sheet of material 11 has a lower absorbency than prior to said treatment of the sheet of material 11. As seen in Figure 3, the sheet of material 11 comprises a surface 12 facing the aerosol-modifying agent release component. In particular, the treatment of the sheet of material 11 comprises treatment of the surface 12 of the sheet of material 11 facing the aerosol-modifying agent release component 8. In order to reduce the absorbency of the sheet of material 11, the sheet of material 11 is treated with a coating. The coating is one of either silicone, starch, glassine, clay, silica, alginate or guar.

However it is to be appreciated that other coating substances maybe suitable to obtain the desired function. In some embodiments, the portion of the sheet of material which is treated forms more than 40%, 50%, 60%, 70%, 80% or 90% of the first sheet of material. Alternatively, the entirety of the sheet of material is treated.

As explained above in relation to the embodiment depicted in Figure 2, since the surface 12 of the sheet of material 11 surrounding the aerosol-modifying agent release component 8 has a lower absorbency than the sheet of material 11, once the aerosolmodifying agent release component 8 is activated, the aerosol-modifying agent is less liable to absorption into the first sheet of material 11 and therefore produces a stronger effect on the aerosol. In other words, since the absorption of the aerosol-modifying agent into the first sheet of material 11 is reduced, the performance of the aerosol- modifying agent to impart a characteristic on the aerosol is improved. The sheet of material 11 is a non-woven sheet of material, such as paper material As illustrated in Figure 3, the sheet of material 11 is crimped. Additionally, the sheet of material 11 is biodegradable. However, it is to be appreciated that in other embodiments the first sheet of material 11 may have another configuration. The plug wrap 5 around the body of material 13 may be treated to reduce its absorbency and/ or permeability by treatment with one of either silicone, starch, glassine, clay, silica, alginate or guar. However it is to be appreciated that other coating substances may be suitable to obtain the desired function. Figure 4 is a data table displaying the results of a Medium-Chain Triglycerides (MCT) absorbency test. The method used is a modified version of the Cobb test in which a conditioned test piece is weighed before and after one side of the piece has been exposed to MCT under specified conditions. Surplus MCT is removed from the surface of the test piece before the final weighing and the MCT absorption per unit area is calculated.

The MCT absorbency tester consists of a device that permits one side of the test piece to be wetted uniformly at the moment the soaking period begins and to allow rapid removal of the MCT at the end of the test period. The apparatus comprises a cylindrical cup or ring with an internal cross-sectional area of 1.0 cm² and 4.0 cm high, clamped to a flat base of a bigger size. On the base plate is a rubber mat, larger than the outside dimensions of the ring, on which the specimen is clamped.

The MCT absorbency test was carried out in the following manner:

• Cut test pieces into squares 7.0 x 7.0 cm and weigh them to the nearest 1.0 mg

• Place the test piece over the rubber mat on the metal plate. After wiping the ring, dry (do not use heat), place it upon the test piece, and fasten it firmly enough in place with a crossbar (or another clamping mechanism) to prevent any leakage between the ring and the test piece

• Using a syringe, pour 25 mL of MCT into the ring as rapidly as possible, thus giving a head of 2.5 cm. Start the stopwatch immediately. After 5 seconds, pour the MCT quickly from the ring, taking great care not to drip any of the MCT upon the outside portion of the test piece • Release the clamping mechanism and swing the crossbar out of the way while holding the ring in position by pressing it down with one hand. Carefully, but quickly, remove the ring and place the test piece with its wetted side up on a sheet of blotting paper resting on a flat rigid surface. Place a second sheet of blotting paper on top of the specimen, and remove the surplus MCT by moving the hand roller once back and once forward over the pad without exerting any additional pressure on the roller

• After removing the surplus MCT, immediately reweigh the test piece to the nearest 1.0 mg

The Flavour Absorbency Unit over 5 seconds (FAU5) can be calculated using the following equation:

In this case the test area is 0.0001 m².

A lower FAU5 is indicative of a material with low absorbency properties. In certain embodiments the FAU5 of the first sheet of material 9 and the sheet of material 11 is less than 60 g/ m², less than 50 g/ m², less than 40 g/ m², less than 30 g/ m², less than 20 g/ m², less than 10 g/m² or less than 5 g/ m².

Figure 5 is a data table displaying the results of a contact angle test. The contact angle measurement was carried out using an OCA 15 Dataphysics goniometer, 25 frames/s were recorded. In each experiment, a drop (7 pL) of the flavor was deposited on the surface of each paper. Contact angles were calculated by using image analysis software with an adjustment of the angle calculation by circular fitting. Measurements of the instantaneous contact angle (o seconds) and at 5 seconds were taken. A low difference in the mean contact angle at o and 5 seconds is indicative of a material with low absorbency properties. In certain embodiments, the difference in mean contact angle at o and 5 seconds for the first sheet of material 9 and the sheet of material 11 is less than 40°, less than 30° or less than 20°. Figure 6 is a data table displaying the results of water absorption (TAPPI 432 method) test. The standard TAPPI 432 procedure was followed with 10 pl of water used due to the high absorbency of the samples. A drop analyser (Attension Theta Optical Tensiometer) was used which both lowers the drop onto the sample and ensures an accurate absorbency time measurement. The sample was recorded with a high framerate camera parallel to the surface of the material. The time to absorb the specified volume was determined by framewise inspection of the video output of the optical tensiometer. This absorption time was defined as the difference between the time at which the liquid drop left the needle and time at which liquid was considered no longer evident on the surface of the paper. Samples were tested at room temperature within a short amount of time of removal from the standard TAPPI atmosphere (< 30 minutes). A lower mean water droplet absorption time is indicative of a material with high absorbency properties. In some embodiments, the mean water droplet absorption time for the first sheet of material 9 and the sheet of material 11 is less than 3 seconds, less than 2 seconds or less than 1 second.

Figure 7 is a data table displaying the results of an oil droplet absorption test. A method similar to the TAPPI 432 standard was used due to the rapid absorbency of the material. A syringe with a 12-gauge needle was filled with medium chain triglyceride and mounted in the drop analyser (Attension Theta Optical Tensiometer) perpendicular to the surface of the sample. A 10 pl volume drop was formed at the tip of the needle. The medium chain triglyceride droplet was then lowered onto the surface by the machine and the proceeding absorption time by the sample recorded. The time to absorb the specified volume was determined by framewise inspection of the video output of the optical tensiometer. This absorption time was defined as the difference between the time at which the liquid drop left the needle and time at which liquid was considered no longer evident on the surface of the paper. Samples were tested at room temperature within a short amount of time of removal from the standard TAPPI atmosphere (< 30 minutes). A lower mean oil droplet absorption time is indicative of a material with high absorbency properties. In some embodiments, the mean oil droplet absorption time for the first sheet of material 9 and the sheet of material 11 is less than 250 seconds, less than 200 seconds, less than 150 seconds, less than too second, less than 50 seconds, or less than 25 seconds. Figure 8 shows method steps for a method of manufacturing a component 3 for use in a delivery system 1. The method comprises a first step Si of forming a body of material, at least a portion of the body of material being formed from a first sheet of material. The second step S2 of the method comprises embedding an aerosol-modifying agent release component comprising an aerosol-modifying agent within the body of material so that the aerosol-modifying agent release component is surrounded by the first sheet of material. The method further comprises a third step S3 of surrounding the first sheet of material in a second sheet of material. At least a portion of the first sheet of material has a lower absorbency and/or permeability than the second sheet of material.

Alternatively, the entirety of the first sheet of material is treated.

The method may comprise forming the body of material from the first sheet of material, the second sheet of material being a plug wrap surrounding the body of material. Alternatively, the method may comprise forming the body of material from the first sheet of material and the second sheet of material.

Figure 9 shows method steps for a method of manufacturing another component 3 for use in a delivery system 1. The method comprises a first step Si of forming a body of material from a sheet of material. The second step S2 of the method comprises embedding an aerosol-modifying agent release component comprising an aerosolmodifying agent within the body of material so that the aerosol-modifying agent release component is surrounded by the sheet of material. At least a portion of the sheet of material is treated such that the sheet of material has a lower absorbency than prior to said treatment of the sheet of material.

In some embodiments, the portion of the sheet of material which is treated forms more than 40%, 50%, 60%, 70%, 80% or 90% of the first sheet of material. Alternatively, the entirety of the sheet of material is treated.

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 essentially 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 may be claimed in future.

Claims

1. A component for use in a delivery system, the component comprising: a body of material; and an aerosol-modifying agent release component comprising an aerosolmodifying agent, the aerosol-modifying agent release component being embedded within the body of material; a first sheet of material forming at least part of said body of material and surrounding the aerosol-modifying agent release component; and a second sheet material surrounding the first sheet of material, wherein at least a portion of the first sheet of material has a lower absorbency than the second sheet of material.

2. A component according to claim 1, wherein the first sheet of material forms said body of material and the second sheet of material is a plug wrap surrounding the body of material.

3. A component according to claim 1, wherein the first sheet of material and the second sheet of material form said body of material.

4. A component according to any of claims 1 to 3, wherein the first sheet material has anFAUs of less than 60 g/m².

5. A component according to claim 4, wherein the first sheet material has an FAU5 of less than 50 g/ m², 40 g/ m², 30 g/ m², 20 g/ m², 10 g/m² or 5 g/ m².

6. A component according to any of claims 1 to 5, wherein the difference in mean contact angle for the first sheet of material is less than 40°. 7. A component according to claim 6, wherein the difference in mean contact angle for the first sheet of material is less than 30° or less than 20°.

8. A component according to any preceding claim, wherein the first sheet of material is a non-woven sheet of material.

9. A component according to claim 8, wherein the first sheet of material is a sheet of paper material. to. A component according to any preceding claim, wherein the second sheet of material is a non-woven sheet of material. n. A component according to claim io, wherein the second sheet of material is a sheet of paper material. 12. A component according to any preceding claim, wherein the first sheet of material is treated with a coating.

13. A component according to claim 12, wherein the coating is one of either silicone, starch, glassine, clay, silica, alginate or guar.

14. A component according to any preceding claim, wherein the thickness of the first sheet of material is between 70 pm and 90 pm.

15. A component according to any one of claims 3 to 14, wherein the thickness of the second sheet of material is between 70 pm and 350 pm.

16. A component according to any preceding claim, wherein the first sheet of material and/or the second sheet of material are biodegradable. 17. A component according to any one of claims 3 to 16, wherein the first sheet of material and/or the second sheet of material are crimped sheets of material.

18. A component according to any one of claims 3 to 17, wherein the body of material is wrapped in a plug wrap.

19. A component according to claim 18, wherein the plug wrap is treated with one of either silicone, starch, glassine, clay, silica, alginate or guar.

20. A component for use in a delivery system, the component comprising: a body of material wrapped in a plug wrap; and an aerosol-modifying agent release component comprising an aerosolmodifying agent, the aerosol-modifying agent release component being embedded within the body of material; wherein the body of material comprises: a sheet of material surrounding the aerosol-modifying agent release component, wherein at least a portion of the sheet of material is treated such that the portion of the sheet of material has a lower absorbency than prior to said treatment of the sheet of material.

21. A component according to claim 20, wherein treatment of the sheet of material comprises treatment of a surface of the sheet of material facing the aerosol-modifying agent release component.

22. A component according to claims 20 or 21, wherein the sheet of material has an FAU5 of less than 60 g/m².

23. A component according to claim 22, wherein the sheet of material has an FAU5 of less than 50 g/ m², 40 g/ m², 30 g/ m², 20 g/ m², 10 g/m² or 5 g/ m².

24. A component according to any one of claims 20 to 23, wherein the difference in mean contact angle for the sheet of material is less than 40°.

25. A component according to claim 24, wherein the difference in mean contact angle for the sheet of material is less than 30° or less than 20°. 26. A component according to any preceding claim, wherein the sheet of material is a non-woven sheet of material.

27. A component according to claim 26, wherein the sheet of material is a sheet of paper material.

28. A component according to any preceding claim, wherein the sheet of material is treated with a coating.

29. A component according to claim 28, wherein the coating is one of either silicone, starch, glassine, clay, silica, alginate or guar.

30. A component according to any preceding claim, wherein the sheet of material is biodegradable.

31. A component according to any preceding claim, wherein the sheet of material is a crimped sheet of material.

32. A component according to any preceding claim, wherein the plug wrap is coated with one of either silicone, starch, glassine, clay, silica, alginate or guar. 33. A delivery system comprising a component according to any preceding claim.

34. A method of manufacturing a component for use in a delivery system, the method comprising: forming a body of material, at least a portion of said body of material being formed from a first sheet of material; embedding an aerosol-modifying agent release component comprising an aerosol-modifying agent within the body of material so that the aerosol-modifying agent release component is surrounded by the first sheet of material; and surrounding the first sheet of material in a second sheet of material; wherein at least a portion of the first sheet of material has a lower absorbency than the second sheet of material.

35. A method of manufacturing a component according to claim 34, wherein the method comprises forming the body of material from the first sheet of material, and the second sheet of material is a plug wrap surrounding the body of material.

36. A method of manufacturing a component according to claim 34, wherein the method comprises forming the body of material from the first sheet of material and the second sheet of material.

37. A method of manufacturing a component for use in a delivery system, the method comprising: forming a body of material from a sheet of material; and embedding an aerosol-modifying agent release component comprising an aerosol-modifying agent within the body of material so that the aerosol-modifying agent release component is surrounded by the sheet of material; wherein at least a portion of the sheet of material is treated such that the portion of the sheet of material has a lower absorbency than prior to said treatment of the sheet of material.