WO2025029845A1

WO2025029845A1 - Wrapper for smoking and vaping articles containing botanical material

Info

Publication number: WO2025029845A1
Application number: PCT/US2024/040262
Authority: WO
Inventors: Hugues ALVAREZ; Doriane BIGOT
Original assignee: Mativ Holdings Inc
Current assignee: Mativ Holdings Inc
Priority date: 2023-07-31
Filing date: 2024-07-31
Publication date: 2025-02-06
Anticipated expiration: 2026-01-31

Abstract

Wrapping materials are disclosed made from web fibers in combination with a botanical material, such as a cannabis material. The botanical material can be extracted or can be a raw material. At least some of the botanical pieces have a relatively large size creating a wrapping material with a natural appearance and/or increased surface roughness. The wrapping materials are particularly well suited for make-your-own aerosol producing articles.

Description

WRAPPER FOR SMOKING AND VAPING ARTICLES CONTAINING BOTANICAL MATERIAL

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

[0001] The present application is related and has right of priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 63/516,588 filed on July 31 , 2023, which is incorporated by reference in its entireties for all purposes.

BACKGROUND

[0002] Smoking and vaping articles typically include a filler surrounded by a wrapper. The wrapper has traditionally been made from cellulosic pulp fibers. The wrapper plays an important role during the smoking and vaping experience. For smoking articles, the wrapper, for instance, can influence the burning characteristics of the smoking article, the amount of air that is combined with the mainstream smoke during puffing, and the taste characteristics of the smoking article. For vaping articles, the wrapper plays an important role in the security of the experience, because it prevents the burning of vaping sticks. Although wrappers made from pulp fibers have enjoyed tremendous success in smoking and vaping articles containing tobacco fillers, consumers are seeking alternative wrappers when conventional and non-conventional fillers are incorporated into the smoking and vaping article.

[0003] For instance, recently, popularity has grown in the use of smokable or vaping fillers made from botanicals. These smokable or vaping fillers can contain or not contain nicotine. Many of these smoking articles are not mass produced causing consumers to rely on “make-your-own” wrappers for constructing the smoking articles. Many of these wrappers are produced in a cast process.

[0004] When constructing smoking or vaping articles containing botanicals, or other non-tobacco materials, consumers tend to prefer an outer wrapper that has a more natural look as opposed to using conventional cigarette papers. In addition, many consumers desire a wrapper that can add to the overall taste and aroma of a smoking article while avoiding a “papery” taste.

[0005] In view of the above, a need currently exists for a wrapping material that has a more natural look and feel. A need also exists for an outer wrapper capable of incorporating botanical components into the wrapper that can not only improve the appearance of the wrapper but can also add to the overall flavor and aroma of the smoking or vaping article. A need also exists for a wrapper composition that is capable of not only being used to produce make-your-own wrappers but also capable of being fed through conventional cigarette and heat non burn stick making machines to produce a conventional cigarette and/or a heat non burn stick.

SUMMARY

[0006] In general, the present disclosure is directed to a wrapping material for aerosol producing articles, such as smoking and vaping articles. The wrapping material of the present disclosure contains web fibers in combination with botanical materials, such as cannabis materials or the like. The botanical materials, such as the cannabis materials, can be in the form of particles in which at least some of the particles have a relatively large size. Thus, once incorporated into the wrapping material, the relatively large pieces of botanical material produce a wrapping material having a more natural appearance. In addition, the particles can increase the surface roughness of the wrapping material, which is desired especially at lower basis weights and for make your own wrappers. The composition used to produce wrapping materials in accordance with the present disclosure is also versatile. For instance, wrapping materials can be made in accordance with the present disclosure having a relatively low basis weight well suited for make-your- own papers and can be produced at higher basis weights that, in one embodiment, are suitable for feeding into conventional cigarette and Heat non Burn stick making machines.

[0007] In one aspect, for instance, the present disclosure is directed to a wrapping material comprising a web containing web fibers, such as cellulosic fibers. The web fibers can comprise pulp fibers, such as delignified cellulosic fibers including wood pulp fibers. In one aspect, the web fibers comprise hemp fibers. The wrapping material further contains at least one botanical material, such as a cannabis material. The botanical material, such as cannabis material, can be an extracted botanical material or can be a non-extracted botanical material. The botanical material can include botanical leaves, botanical stems (also referred to as hurds), botanical buds, botanical flowers, residues from botanical extraction, or mixtures thereof. In one aspect, for instance, the botanical material can primarily comprise botanical leaves. Botanical leaves can be present in the botanical material, for instance, in an amount greater than about 50% by weight, such as in an amount greater than about 60% by weight, such as in an amount greater than about 70% by weight, such as in an amount greater than about 80% by weight. The botanical material or cannabis material is present in the web in an amount up to about 50% by weight, such as up to about 40% by weight, such as up to about 35% by weight. In accordance with the present disclosure, the botanical or cannabis material is in the form of particles wherein at least some of the particles contained in the web have a largest dimension of greater than about 0.2 mm, such as greater than about 0.55 mm, such as greater than about 0.6 mm, such as greater than about 0.7 mm, such as greater than about 0.8 mm, such as greater than about 1 mm, such as greater than about 1.2 mm, such as greater than about 1 .5 mm, such as greater than about 1 .7 mm, and less than about 4 mm, such as less than about 2.5 mm.

[0008] The relatively large pieces of botanical material, such as cannabis material, produce a wrapping material having not only a natural appearance but also a desired surface roughness. In addition, the cannabis material can display a green color that may be preferred by users. The color and shade of the product, however, can depend on the botanical material incorporated into the wrapper. The relatively large botanical or cannabis material pieces can be present in the web at a density of at least about four particles per 256 mm².

[0009] In one aspect, the botanical or cannabis material is contained in the web in an amount less than about 40% by weight, such as in an amount less than about 30% by weight, such as in an amount less than about 25% by weight, and in an amount greater than about 3% by weight, such as in an amount greater than about 5% by weight, such as in an amount greater than about 10% by weight, such as in an amount greater than about 15% by weight. The web fibers are generally present in an amount greater than the botanical or cannabis materials. For instance, the web fibers are generally present in the web in an amount greater than about 50% by weight, such as in an amount greater than about 60% by weight, such as in an amount greater than about 70% by weight, such as in an amount greater than about 75% by weight, such as in an amount greater than about 80% by weight, such as in an amount greater than about 85% by weight, such as in an amount greater than about 90% by weight. In one aspect, the web fibers are hemp fibers such that all of the fibers and botanical material contained in the web comprise materials derived from hemp and/or cannabis. Alternatively, the web fibers can comprise wood pulp fibers, which can be bleached or nonbleached.

[0010] The basis weight of the wrapping materials can be from about 10 gsm to about 120 gsm, such as from about 14 gsm to about 100 gsm, including all increments of 1 gsm therebetween. For instance, in one aspect, the wrapping material can be designed for smoking articles and have a basis weight of greater than about 16 gsm, such as greater than about 18 gsm, such as greater than about 20 gsm, such as greater than about 24 gsm, such as greater than about 28 gsm, such as greater than about 30 gsm and less than about 40 gsm, such as less than about 30 gsm, such as less than about 22 gsm. In another aspect, the wrapping material can be designed for heat non burn or vaping sticks and have a basis weight of greater than about 30 gsm, such as greater than about 35 gsm, such as greater than about 40 gsm, such as greater than about 45 gsm, such as greater than about 50 gsm, such as greater than about 55 gsm and less than about 100 gsm, such as less than about 90 gsm, such as less than about 80 gsm, such as less than about 70 gsm, such as less than about 60 gsm, such as less than about 55 gsm.

[0011] The wrapping material may optionally contain a filler, such as calcium carbonate, magnesium oxide, talc, kaolin, or mixtures thereof.

[0012] Various different components can be incorporated into the wrapping material to further enhance the natural look of the material. For instance, in one embodiment, the web fibers can comprise unbleached fibers. In addition, a dye can be incorporated into the web that produces any desired shade or color.

[0013] In one aspect, the web can further comprise an adhesive. The adhesive can be combined with the plant material during formation of the web, can be impregnated into the web using, for instance, a size press, and/or can be coated onto the web using, for instance, a printing device. In one aspect, the adhesive can comprise a gum, such as guar gum or Arabic gum. Other adhesives that may be used include an alginate, a cellulose derivative, a starch, mixtures thereof, or the like.

[0014] In one aspect, the wrapping can comprise a flame retardant filler present in the base web of wrapping material such as clay particles, other silicate particles, metal hydroxide particles, or mixtures thereof.

[0015] The web can be treated with an aerosol delivery composition. The aerosol delivery composition can contain an aerosol delivery agent. In one aspect, the aerosol delivery agent comprises a humectant. The humectant may comprise, for instance, a glycerol and can be present in the web in an amount from about 1% to about 5% by weight, such as in amount of from about 1% by weight to about 3% by weight. In one embodiment, the aerosol delivery agent is an extract derived from an extracted botanical material, such as an extracted cannabis material. In one aspect, the aerosol delivery agent can comprise tetrahydrocannabinol, a cannabidiol, or mixtures thereof.

[0016] The present disclosure is also directed to a booklet of wrapping materials comprising a stack of individual sheets of wrapping material as described above. The wrapping material can include an adhesive that is present between adjacent sheets of wrapping material for affixing the individual sheets together in a releasable manner. The adhesive, for instance, can comprise a gum that has been applied to the wrapping material.

[0017] Other features and aspects of the present disclosure are discussed in greater detail below.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0018] A full and enabling disclosure of the present disclosure is set forth more particularly in the remainder of the specification, including reference to the accompanying figures, in which:

Fig. 1 is a perspective view of one embodiment of a smoking article incorporating the wrapper of the present disclosure;

Fig. 2 is an exploded view of the smoking article illustrated in Fig. 1;

Fig. 3A illustrates an article according to the present disclosure;

Fig. 3B illustrates a single piece of the article of Fig. 3a;

Fig. 4 illustrates one embodiment of a wrapping material made in accordance with the present disclosure; Fig. 5 illustrates a particle size measurement of the wrapping material shown in Figure 4;

Fig. 6 illustrates a particle size measurement of the wrapping material shown in Figure 4;

Fig. 7 illustrates a particle size measurement of the wrapping material shown in Figure 4;

Fig. 8 illustrates a particle size measurement of the wrapping material shown in Figure 4; and

Fig. 9 illustrates a particle size measurement of the wrapping material shown in Figure 4;

[0019] Repeat use of reference characters in the present specification and drawings is intended to represent the same or analogous features or elements of the present invention.

DEFINITIONS

[0020] As used herein, the term “aerosol” may generally refer to a colloid of fine solid particles or liquid droplets in air or another gas. Examples of aerosols may include clouds, haze, and smoke, including the smoke from an ignited filler.

[0021] As used herein, the term “botanical” refers to any plant material, including plant material in its natural form and plant material derived from natural plant materials (e.g., plant materials subjected to extraction, heat treatment, fermentation, or other treatment processes capable of altering the chemical nature of the material). For the purposes of the present disclosure, a “botanical” includes but is not limited to herbal materials, which refer to seed-producing plants that do not develop persistent woody tissue and are often valued for their medicinal or sensory characteristics (e.g., teas or tisanes). Reference to botanical does not include tobacco materials but does include cannabis, hemp materials, and flowering plants.

[0022] Botanicals include a plant chosen from spore-producing plants, seedproducing plants or a mixture thereof. In particular, the plant may be a plant chosen from the food plants, aromatic plants, fragrant plants, medicinal plants, plants of the family Cannabaceae, or a mixture thereof.

[0023] Examples of food plants include garlic, coffee, ginger, licorice, rooibos, Stevia rebaudiana, tea, cacao tree, chamomile, mate, star anise, fennel, citronella. [0024] Examples of aromatic plants include basil, turmeric, clove, laurel, oregano, mint, rosemary, sage, thyme.

[0025] Examples of fragrant plants are lavender, rose, eucalyptus.

[0026] Examples of medicinal plants include those indicated in the document, list A of traditionally used medicinal plants (French pharmacopeia January 2016, published by the Agence Nationale de Securite du Medicament (ANSM) [French National Agency for Drug and Health Product Safety] or plants known to comprise compounds which have therapeutic properties. Medicinal plants include ginkgo, ginseng, sour cherry, peppermint, willow and red vine.

[0027] The botanical materials used may comprise, without limitation, any of the compounds and sources set forth herein, including mixtures thereof.

[0028] Exemplary botanical materials include without limitation acai berry, alfalfa, allspice, annatto seed, apricot oil, basil, bee balm, wild bergamot, black pepper, blueberries, borage seed oil, bugleweed, cacao, calamus root, catnip, catuaba, cayenne pepper, chaga mushroom, chervil, cinnamon, dark chocolate, potato peel, grape seed, ginseng, gingko biloba, Saint John's Wort, saw palmetto, green tea, black tea, black cohosh, cayenne, chamomile, cloves, cocoa powder, cranberry, dandelion, grapefruit, honeybush, echinacea, garlic, evening primrose, feverfew, ginger, goldenseal, hawthorn, hibiscus flower, jiaogulan, kava, lavender, licorice, marjoram, milk thistle, mints (menthe), oolong tea, beet root, orange, oregano, papaya, pennyroyal, peppermint, red clover, rooibos (red or green), rosehip, rosemary, sage, clary sage, savory, spearmint, spirulina, slippery elm bark, sorghum bran hi-tannin, sorghum grain hi-tannin, sumac bran, comfrey leaf and root, goji berries, gutu kola, thyme, turmeric, uva ursi, valerian, wild yam root, Wintergreen, yacon root, yellow dock, yerba mate, yerba santa, bacopa monniera, withania somnifera, and silybum marianum.

[0029] As used herein, “cannabis” is a botanical and may refer to any variety of the Cannabis plant, such as Cannabis sativa or Cannabis indica, for instance.

More particularly, the present disclosure may refer to leaves, stems, seeds and flowers or any other part of the Cannabis plant, as cannabis. Nonetheless, cannabis, as referred to herein, includes cannabis that contains average or high levels of THC and/or CBD (usually known as marijuana), hemp, which may contain low, or very low, levels of THC, industrial hemp, which may refer to a cannabis plant that contains less than 0.3% THC, or combinations thereof.

[0030] As used herein, an “aerosol generating material” is meant to include both a combustible material that undergoes combustion in a smoking article and to an aerosol-forming material that is heated but not combusted to form an inhalable aerosol. Combustible smoking articles can include cigarettes, cigarillos and cigars, pre-rolled cones etc. In a cigarette, the aerosol generating material is generally surrounded by a wrapping material to form a smokable rod, but may also be included in the wrapping material itself. Aerosol generating devices for generating an aerosol include, for instance, devices in which an aerosol is generated by electrical heating or by the transfer of heat from a combustible fuel element or heat source to heat but not burn the aerosol generating material, which releases volatile compounds. As the released compounds cool, they condense to form an aerosol that is inhaled by the consumer.

[0031] As used herein, an “aerosol producing article” is meant to include all products that contain an aerosol generating material and/or produce an inhalable aerosol.

[0032] As used herein, “extracted plant (e.g. botanical or cannabis) material or extracted plant (e.g. botanical or cannabis) fibers” refers to plant fibers that have been subjected to an extraction process in which the plant material has been contacted with an aqueous solution to remove greater than 50%, such as greater than 75% of the water soluble components contained in the plant material. The extraction process is different from a delignification process and from a bleaching treatment.

[0033] As used herein, “extracted byproducts” refers to botanical (such as cannabis) biomass that has been subjected to an extraction process for removing selected components, such as cannabinoids, without removing a substantial amount of water soluble components. The extracted byproducts can be referred to as biomass resulting from an extraction process where the extractant is a solvent, such as ethanol, a supercritical fluid such as carbon dioxide, a lipid such as a vegetable oil, or the like. Extracted byproducts, in accordance with the present disclosure, can be subjected to a second extraction process for removing water soluble components during the process of making a botanical material. Extracted byproducts well suited for use in the present disclosure include those that contain water soluble components in an amount greater than about 8% by weight, such as in an amount greater than about 12% by weight, such as in an amount greater than about 18% by weight, such as in an amount greater than about 24% by weight.

[0034] As used herein, “delignified” cellulosic fibers refers to fibers that have been subjected to a pulping or delignification process by which the cellulose fibers are separated from the plant material through chemical means, mechanical means, or through a combination of chemical and mechanical means.

[0035] As used herein, the term “refine” is used to mean that the plant material is subjected to a mechanical treatment that modifies the particle and/or fibers size distribution of the material. Refining can be accomplished using a conical refiner or a disks refiner or a Valley beater. The mechanical process can exert an abrasive and bruising action on the plant material such that the fibers are defibrillated. Refining is a different process than delignification and pulping. The degree of refining of fibers can be measured by the freeness value.

[0036] As used herein, the “amount of water soluble extracts” present in a substrate or plant material or in an aerosol-generating material is determined by taking 5 grams of a sample in boiling distilled water for 30 minutes to obtain an extract containing water soluble components. The weight of dry matter of the extract that is soluble in the solvent is calculated by the difference between the dry weight of the sample and the dry weight of the sample after extraction. The difference in dry weight is then used to determine the percentage of water soluble extracts in the sample.

[0037] As used herein, “make your own” wrappers, which also encompasses “roll your own” wrappers, include individual wrappers, booklets, gummed rolls, tubes, and cones. As used herein, surface “roughness” of wrapping materials are measured with a portable surface roughness tester SURFTEST SJ-210 from Mitutoyo. The measurements are performed according to equipment protocol from the manufacturer. Two roughness parameters can be measured including: Ra - arithmetic mean surface roughness; and Rt - total high of roughness profile.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION [0038] It is to be understood by one of ordinary skill in the art that the present discussion is a description of exemplary embodiments only and is not intended as limiting the broader aspects of the present disclosure.

[0039] In general, the present disclosure is directed to a wrapping material that is formed at least in part from non-tobacco botanical materials. In one aspect, for instance, the wrapping material can be formed from cannabis materials (which includes hemp), flowers such as rose, tea materials or the like. The wrapping material of the present disclosure is formed in a manner that produces a wrapper with a natural look and optionally enhanced surface roughness. More particularly, relatively large pieces of botanical material, such as cannabis materials, are blended with web fibers to produce a wrapping material in which the relatively large pieces of botanical material are visible from the surface of the wrapping material. The relatively large pieces of botanical material, such as cannabis materials, can create a desirable speckled appearance and may also produce a higher roughness that may make the wrapping material less slippery, especially when used in make-your-own applications. The relatively large pieces of plant material, in one aspect, can also have any suitable color that presents an overall consumer desired appearance. In addition, the relatively large pieces of botanical material, such as cannabis materials, can improve the overall taste and aroma of aerosol producing articles made from the wrapping material. The articles, for instance, can comprise any suitable aerosol generating product, such as smoking articles or heat non burn articles.

[0040] In addition to having a natural appearance, higher roughness, and an enhanced flavor, the wrapping material of the present disclosure can also be produced with sufficient strength needed to handle and convert the material on high speed processing machines. The wrapping materials are capable of being subjected to any suitable converting process. Such processes include impregnation, coating, gumming, printing, calendaring, filigreeing, slitting, splitting, perforating, lamination and interleaving individual sheets. When produced at higher basis weights, the wrapping materials of the present disclosure also have sufficient strength for being fed into conventional cigarette and stick making machines for producing smoking articles and heat non burn sticks. [0041] According to the present disclosure, the elongation or stretch of the wrapping material in the machine direction can be measured according to ISO 1924- 2 (2008). The wrapping material of the present disclosure can display an elongation in the machine direction of at least 1 %, such as at least 1.1%, such as at least 1 .2% such as at least 1.3%, such as at least 1.4%, and less than about 2.5%, such as less than about 2.0%, such as less than about 1.9%.

[0042] The wrapping material of the present disclosure is primarily made from web fibers, such as cellulosic pulp fibers, combined with pieces of botanical material. The botanical material can be extracted botanical material or can be non-extracted botanical material (e.g. “raw” botanical material). The botanical material can comprise cannabis materials in one application. In addition to or instead of cannabis materials, the botanical material can comprise other botanical materials. In one aspect, the botanical material comprises cannabis materials combined with tobacco materials and/or other botanical materials.

[0043] The botanical materials, such as the cannabis materials, tea materials, flowering plants such as rose, or the like, are added to the wrapping material in relatively minor amounts while, in one aspect, creating a significant impact not only on the appearance and texture of the wrapping material but also on the taste and smell.

[0044] When producing the wrapping material from cannabis materials, the type of cannabis materials incorporated into the wrapping paper can vary. Cannabis materials for use in the present disclosure are obtained from a Cannabis plant, and thus, may be referred to as cannabis. Cannabis materials for use in the present disclosure may include all parts of the plant such as hurds, fibers, buds, flowers, leaves, seeds and optionally stalk components, or may comprise residues from cannabis extraction. Furthermore, as will be discussed herein, some or all of the THC, CBD, or other soluble components may be extracted from the cannabis during the formation of the web, and the soluble portion that contains for example, THC or CBD, may be re-applied to the web or discarded.

[0045] In one embodiment, the cannabis components are obtained from cannabis plants that have a relatively low THC content. For instance, the amount of THC in the cannabis components can be less than about 1 % by weight THC, such as less than about 0.3% by weight THC, such as less than about 0.2% by weight THC, such as less than about 0.1 % by weight THC. In other embodiments the cannabis material can be made from plants containing higher amounts of THC, such as from the species Cannabis Indica.

[0046] The botanical material of the present disclosure can be produced from various parts of the botanical plant, including the stalks or hurds, fibers, leaves, seeds, flowers, and buds. These different parts of the plant can be combined in different ratios and amounts depending upon the particular application and the desired result. Although the botanical material can be made exclusively from botanical leaves and stems or can be made exclusively from botanical buds and flowers, in one embodiment, the material is made from a mixture of leaves and hurds combined with buds and/or flowers. For example, in one embodiment, the weight ratio between the leaves and hurds and the buds and/or flowers is from about 1 :8 to about 8:1 , such as from about 1 :5 to about 5:1 , such as from about 1 :4 to about 4:1 , such as from about 2:1 to about 1 :2. In one embodiment, the ratio can be about 1 :1.

[0047] In one embodiment, the botanical material may contain primarily botanical leaves, which may provide the greatest visual effect. For instance, the botanical material may comprise greater than 50% by weight, such as greater than about 60% by weight, such as greater than about 70% by weight, such as greater than about 80% by weight, such as greater than about 90% by weight botanical leaves.

[0048] Alternatively, the botanical material may contain buds and/or flowers in an amount greater than about 10% by weight, such as in an amount greater than about 20% by weight, such as in an amount greater than about 30% by weight, such as in an amount greater than about 40% by weight, such as in an amount greater than about 50% by weight, such as in an amount greater than about 60% by weight, and generally in an amount of up to 100% by weight. Stems, seeds and buds may be contained in the botanical material in an amount less than about 80% by weight, such as less than about 60% by weight, such as less than about 40% by weight, such as in an amount less than 20% by weight, such as in an amount less than about 10% by weight.

[0049] In one aspect, at least a portion of the botanical materials collected for producing the wrapper are botanical extracted byproducts. Botanical extracted byproducts include botanical biomass that has already been subjected to a first extraction process for removing desired components from the plant, but without removing substantial amounts of the water soluble components. For example, the botanical extracted byproducts can be the biomass that remains after one or more cannabinoids have been extracted from a cannabis plant material, such as THC and/or CBD. These types of extraction processes can use different solvents and supercritical fluids. For example, in one embodiment, the extracted byproducts result from a cannabis extraction process in which the botanical material or cannabis material is combined with a solvent. The solvent, for instance, can be an alcohol, such as ethanol, an organic ester, a petroleum derived hydrocarbon such as toluene or trimethylpentane, or a lipid, such as a vegetable oil. Examples of vegetable oils include safflower oil, coconut oil, and the like. In an alternative embodiment, during the extraction process, the botanical material or cannabis plant material can be contacted with a supercritical fluid, such as carbon dioxide. In general, the extraction process includes cutting the botanical material to a desired size and then contacting the material with an extractant, such as a solvent or a supercritical fluid. The material can be heated during contact with the solvent. When contacted with a supercritical fluid, for instance, the temperature can be from about 31 °C to about 80°C and the pressure can be from about 75 bar to about 500 bar.

[0050] Using extracted byproducts as a portion of the botanical materials can provide various advantages. For instance, the botanical extracted byproducts may produce a milder aerosol and may be in a form that is easier to handle than the virgin botanical materials. In order to produce a botanical material, the botanical extracted byproducts can optionally undergo a second extraction process for removing the water soluble components. The botanical extracted byproducts, for instance, may contain water soluble components in an amount greater than about 8% by weight, such as in an amount greater than about 12% by weight, such as in an amount greater than about 18% by weight, such as in an amount greater than about 24% by weight, such as in an amount greater than about 28% by weight, and generally in an amount less than about 60% by weight, such as in an amount less than about 50% by weight, such as in an amount less than about 35% by weight. [0051] In forming wrapping materials according to the present disclosure, suitable botanical materials are first collected, comminuted to a controlled median particle size, optionally extracted, and fed through a web forming process. The botanical materials used to produce the wrapper can vary depending upon the particular application. In one embodiment, the botanical materials comprise cannabis materials as described above. In other embodiments, however, the botanical materials can comprise other botanical materials alone or in combination with cannabis. Botanicals include herbal plants and trees, and various other botanical plants and trees, but excludes tobacco materials. A botanical can include a plant chosen from spore-producing plants, seed-producing plants or a mixture thereof. In particular, the plant may be a plant chosen from the food plants, aromatic plants, fragrant plants, medicinal plants, plants of the family Cannabaceae, or a mixture thereof.

[0052] Food plants include garlic, coffee, ginger, licorice, rooibos, Stevia rebaudiana, tea (e.g. tea leaves), cacao tree, chamomile, mate, star anise, fennel, citronella. Aromatic plants include basil, turmeric, clove, laurel, oregano, mint, rosemary, sage, thyme. Fragrant plants include lavender, rose, or eucalyptus. When using fragrant plants, the flowers such as rose petals can be incorporated into the wrapping material. Medicinal plants include ginkgo, ginseng, sour cherry, peppermint, willow and red vine.

[0053] Botanical plant extracts can also be incorporated into the wrapping material. Advantageously, a plant extract obtained from a plant mixture makes it possible to offer a broad panel of organoleptic properties and/or therapeutic properties. A plant mixture also makes it possible to counteract the unpleasant organoleptic properties of a plant of the mixture, for example a medicinal plant, with the pleasant organoleptic properties of another plant of the mixture, for example the tobacco plant, an aromatic plant, or a fragrant plant.

[0054] The botanical materials can also be optionally combined with various tobacco materials. The tobacco materials can be contained, for instance, in the wrapping material in an amount generally less than about 30% by weight, such as in an amount less than about 20% by weight, such as in an amount less than about 10% by weight. In one embodiment, however, the wrapping material of the present disclosure is tobacco-free. [0055] The botanical material, which can comprise cannabis materials, can be contained in the wrapping material or web in an amount from about 0.5% by weight to about 50% by weight including all increments of 1 % by weight therebetween. In one aspect, however, the web or wrapping material contains relatively low amounts of the botanical material or cannabis material. For instance, the botanical material or cannabis material can be present in the web in an amount less than about about 40% by weight, such as in an amount less than about 35% by weight, such as in an amount less than about 30% by weight, such as in an amount less than about 25% by weight, such as in an amount less than about 20% by weight, such as in an amount less than about 15% by weight, such as in an amount less than about 10% by weight. The botanical material or cannabis material can be present in the web in an amount greater than about 3% by weight, such as in an amount greater than about 5% by weight, such as in an amount greater than about 7% by weight, such as in an amount greater than about 10% by weight, such as in an amount greater than about 12% by weight, such as in an amount greater than about 15% by weight.

[0056] Once the botanical material or cannabis material is collected, if needed, the botanical material can be subjected to a cutting or refining process for producing not only the desired average particle size but also for producing a desired particle size distribution. Alternatively, the botanical materials can be used in an as-is state.

[0057] In one aspect, in order to produce a botanical material or cannabis material having a desired particle size distribution, the botanical materials prior to being incorporated into the web can be subjected to a refining operation, beating operation, or the like. For instance, the botanical material or cannabis material can be fed through any suitable refining device, such as a conical refiner or a disk refiner. Other refining devices that may be used include a beater, such as a Valley beater. Refining the botanical material, for instance, may produce a botanical material stock having a more uniform particle size.

[0058] As described above, at least some of the botanical material or cannabis material has a relatively large particle size. For instance, at least some of the plant particles or cannabis particles have a largest dimension of greater than about 0.2 mm, such as greater than about 0.3 mm, such as greater than about 0.4 mm, such as greater than about 0.55 mm when incorporated into the web. For instance, at least some of the plant particles have a largest dimension of greater than about 0.6 mm, such as greater than about 0.7 mm, such as greater than about 0.8 mm, such as greater than about 1 mm, such as greater than about 1.2 mm, such as greater than about 1.5 mm, such as greater than about 1.7 mm. The particles generally have a largest dimension of less than about 4 mm, such as less than about 2.5 mm. The amount of particles having a size as described above (e.g. largest dimension of greater than about 0.2 mm, such as greater than about about 0.55 mm) can be greater than about 5% by weight, such as greater than about 10% by weight, such as greater than about 15% by weight, such as greater than about 20% by weight, such as greater than about 25% by weight, such as greater than about 30% by weight, such as greater than about 40% by weight, such as greater than about 50% by weight, such as greater than about 60% by weight, such as greater than about 70% by weight, such as greater than about 80% by weight based on the weight of the cannabis materials.

[0059] The relatively large particles having a largest dimension of about 0.2 mm or greater, such as about 0.55 mm or greater, refers to the particle size of the cannabis material within the web after formation. Thus, particle size as described above is determined using the web or wrapping material and not determined while the particles are in a free flowing state. Consequently, measuring the largest dimension of a particle of botanical material in accordance with the present disclosure is done using optical microscopy. More particularly, the largest dimension of a particle is measured using a Binocular HIIVITZ - LUSIS HC-50MU microscope at x40 magnification. The size of particles are determined via Panasis software V2.5.31.

[0060] The botanical material such as cannabis material incorporated into the wrapping material can be fed into the process as a raw material or can be subjected to an extraction process for removing water soluble components.

[0061] In one embodiment, the extraction process may include placing the botanical materials in water and allowing the water soluble portions to be extracted into the water. In an alternative embodiment, various solvents that are water- miscible, such as alcohols (e.g., ethanol), and/or suitable oils and fats, can be combined with water to form an aqueous solvent. For example, suitable oils and fats may be those in which THC and/or CBD are soluble, in order to extract THC and/or CBD from cannabis materials during the extraction phase. The water content of the aqueous solvent can, in some instances, be greater than 50 wt. % of the solvent, and particularly greater than 90 wt. % of the solvent. Deionized water, distilled water or tap water may be employed. The amount of the solvent in the suspension can vary widely but is generally added in an amount from about 50 wt.% to about 99 wt.%, in some embodiments from about 60 wt.% to about 95 wt.%, and in some embodiments, from about 75 wt.% to about 90 wt.% of the suspension. However, the amount of solvent can vary with the nature of the solvent and the temperature at which the extraction is to be carried out. In one embodiment, the solvent may be heated. While a variety of solutions may be used, the extraction solution can be selected so as to be effective for removing soluble compounds while leaving the botanical materials unharmed. In one embodiment, for instance, the extraction solution may be a hot aqueous solution that may be made entirely from water.

[0062] The botanical materials in solvent may optionally be agitated by stirring, shaking or otherwise mixing the mixture in order to increase the rate of solubilization. Typically, the process is carried out for about 10 minutes to about 6 hours. Process temperatures may range from about 10°C to about 100°C., such as from about 40°C to about 80°C.

[0063] After the botanical materials are soaked and optionally agitated, the insoluble portion of the botanical materials can be separated from the soluble portion of the botanical materials using a press or a centrifuge or otherwise separated from the solvent which now contains the soluble portion of the botanical materials. Once the soluble fraction is separated from the insoluble fraction, the soluble fraction can be discarded or further processed, such as by being concentrated. The soluble fraction can be concentrated using any known type of concentrator, such as a vacuum evaporator. In one embodiment of the present disclosure, the soluble fraction can be highly concentrated. In one embodiment, for instance, the soluble fraction can be evaporated so as to have a final brix or dry matter of from about 10% to about 60%, such as from about 20% to about 40%, such as from about 25% to about 35%. [0064] In producing webs according to the present disclosure, the botanical material or cannabis material is combined with web fibers. The web fibers may comprise pulp fibers, such as delignified cellulosic fibers.

[0065] Cellulosic fibers that may be used include wood pulp fibers such as softwood fibers or hardwood fibers, flax fibers, abaca fibers, bamboo fibers, coconut fibers, cotton fibers, kapok fibers, ramie fibers, jute fibers, other bast fibers, or mixtures thereof. In one particular embodiment, the web contains hemp pulp fibers alone or in combination with other fibers such as softwood fibers or flax fibers, or the like.

[0066] The web fibers can have an average fiber length of generally greater than about 0.5 mm, such as greater than about 1 mm, such as greater than about 1 .5 mm, such as greater than about 1 .8 mm, and generally less than about 4 mm, such as less than about 3 mm, such as less than about 2.5 mm.

[0067] The web or wrapping material can contain the web fibers in an amount from about 40% to about 95% by weight including all increments of 1 % by weight therebetween. In one aspect, the web or wrapping material is made primarily from the web fibers. For instance, the web fibers can be present in the web or wrapping material in an amount greater than about 50% by weight, such as in an amount greater than about 60% by weight, such as in an amount greater than about 70% by weight, such as in an amount greater than about 75% by weight, such as in an amount greater than about 80% by weight, such as in an amount greater than about 85% by weight. The web fibers can be present in the web in an amount less than about 90% by weight, such as in an amount less than about 85% by weight. [0068] In order to form the web or wrapping material, the botanical material or cannabis material is blended with the web fibers and combined with water or an aqueous solution to form a slurry. The web fibers, such as delignified cellulosic fibers, can be combined with the botanical material in forming the slurry. The fiber slurry is then used to form a continuous sheet or web. For example, in one embodiment, the fiber slurry is fed to a papermaking process that can include a forming wire, gravity drain, suction drain, a felt press, and a dryer, such as a Yankee dryer, a drum dryer, or the like. Similarly, in one embodiment, the fiber slurry is formed into a continuous sheet on a Fourdrinier table. [0069] In one embodiment, the fiber slurry is laid onto a porous forming surface and formed into a sheet. Excess water is removed by a gravity drain and/or a suction drain. In addition, various presses can be used to facilitate water removal. The formed sheet can be dried and further treated.

[0070] The basis weight of the formed web can vary depending upon the particular application. The basis weight of the wrapping materials can be from about 14 gsm to about 100 gsm, including all increments of 1 gsm therebetween. [0071] For instance, in one aspect, the wrapping material can be designed for smoking articles and have a basis weight of greater than about 14 gsm, such as greater than about 16 gsm, such as greater than about 18 gsm, such as greater than about 20 gsm, such as greater than about 24 gsm, such as greater than about 28 gsm, such as greater than about 30 gsm and less than about 40 gsm, such as less than about 30 gsm, such as less than about 22 gsm, such as less than about 20 gsm.

[0072] In another aspect, the wrapping material can be designed for heat non burn or vaping sticks and have a basis weight of greater than about 30 gsm, such as greater than about 35 gsm, such as greater than about 40 gsm, such as greater than about 45 gsm, such as greater than about 50 gsm, such as greater than about 55 gsm and less than about 100 gsm, such as less than about 90 gsm, such as less than about 80 gsm, such as less than about 70 gsm, such as less than about 60 gsm, such as less than about 55 gsm.

[0073] In certain embodiments, the basis weight can be from about 30 gsm to about 85 gsm, such as from about 40 gsm to about 80 gsm, such as from about 45 gsm to about 75 gsm. In one aspect, the basis weight can be from about 33 gsm to about 45 gsm. Alternatively, the basis weight can be from about 45 gsm to about 60 gsm. In still another embodiment, the basis weight can be from about 60 gsm to about 85 gsm, such as from about 65 gsm to about 75 gsm. Basis weight can be determined according to the test method ISO 536:2012. The web is conditioned at 23 °C and 50% relative humidity before the measurement is taken.

[0074] The webs or wrapping materials can optionally contain filler particles. The filler can comprise particles incorporated into the web for any desired purpose, such as for facilitating formation of the wrapping material and/or for affecting the appearance or strength of the material. Fillers may include kaolin clay, magnesium oxide, calcium carbonate, or a mixture thereof.

[0075] The amount of filler in the wrapping material according to the invention is from 0% to 40%, preferably from 5% to 20%, even more preferentially from 10% to 20% by weight of the wrapping material.

[0076] In one embodiment, the particle size of the filler may be carefully controlled such that the average particle size of the filler is from about 10 microns or less, such as about 7.5 microns or less, such as from about 5 microns or less, and may also be about 0.1 microns or greater. Of course, in an alternative embodiment, the particle size may be more varied based upon the desired characteristics to be obtained from the filler.

[0077] While the wrapping material according to the present disclosure may naturally or inherently have a desired permeability, in one embodiment, it may be desirable to also perforate the wrapping material after formation. Perforation may be performed as known in the art, and the number and size of the perforations may be selected as needed for the desired application.

[0078] The wrapping material of the present disclosure may be used to produce aerosol producing articles, such as smoking articles or vaping articles, having excellent taste and sensory properties. For instance, the wrapping material of the present disclosure produces a less papery taste than conventional smoking or vaping papers. Instead, a pleasant neutral or distinct, natural cannabis or botanical taste has been observed.

[0079] While the wrapping material may have a suitable taste and burn properties, the wrapping material is also a good carrier for other aerosol delivery agents, such as topical additives which may include flavorings, active ingredients, oils, and extracts. For instance, one example of a topical additive may be the soluble portion of an extracted cannabis material, which may be optionally concentrated, may be re-applied to the wrapping material after formation of the web to impart further taste and smoke characteristics.

[0080] In order to incorporate an aerosol delivery agent into the wrapping material of the present disclosure, in one embodiment, an aerosol delivery composition can be formulated containing one or more aerosol delivery agents that is then applied to the wrapper by spraying, using a size press, printing, or the like. Aerosol delivery compositions that can be applied to the wrapping material of the present disclosure include solutions, suspensions, oils, and the like. Solutions and suspensions, for instance, can be applied to the wrapping material and later dried leaving behind a solid residue within the fiber substrate.

[0081] In one aspect, the aerosol delivery agent can be a humectant. Humectants that can be applied to the wrapping material include a polyol, a nonpolyol, or mixtures thereof. Particular humectants include sorbitol, glycerol, propylene glycol, triethylene glycol, or a mixture thereof. Non-polyol humectants include lactic acid, glyceryl diacetate, glyceryl triacetate, triethyl citrate, isopropyl myristate, or mixtures thereof. One or more humectants can be applied to the wrapping material in an amount generally from about 0.1 % to about 5% by weight, including all increments of 0.5% by weight therebetween. In one embodiment, relatively lower amounts of humectants are incorporated into the wrapping material. In this embodiment, one or more humectants can be present in the wrapping material in an amount greater than about 1% by weight, such as in an amount greater than about 2% by weight, and generally in an amount less than about 4% by weight, such as in an amount less than about 3% by weight.

[0082] In one aspect, an aerosol delivery composition may be obtained by extracting a plant substance from a plant for application to the wrapping material. Additionally or alternatively, the present disclosure may include a step for isolating at least one compound from a plant substance, concentrating a plant substance, or even purifying or eliminating a compound from a plant substance, in order to obtain a modified plant substance to be applied to the wrapping material. While optional, such a process may result in the transformation of an original raw plant substance into a modified plant substance, whether in the form of dry extracts, liquid extract, a liquor or an isolated substance, based upon the desired end properties of the plant substance to be applied to the wrapping material. Of course, while the plant substance may be an original plant substance or a modified plant substance, in one embodiment, the plant substance is applied to the wrapping material without undergoing any further processing after extraction. Furthermore, while the aerosol delivery composition has been described as being extracted from a plant, it should be understood that synthetic or naturally occurring aerosol delivery compositions (e.g. without needing to be extracted) may also be used. [0083] Examples of aerosol delivery agents that may be contained in the aerosol delivery composition include, or may be an extract of, nicotine, sugars, licorice extracts, menthol, honey, coffee extracts, maple syrup, tobacco extracts, botanical extracts, plant extracts, tea extracts, fruit extracts, flavorings such as clove, anise, cinnamon, sandalwood, geranium, rose oil, vanilla, caramel, cocoa, lemon oil, cassia, spearmint, fennel, or ginger, fragrances or aromas such as cocoa, vanilla, and caramel, medicinal plants, vegetables, spices, roots, berries, bar, seeks, essential oils and extracts thereof, such as anise oil, clove oil, carvone and the like, artificial flavoring and fragrance materials such as vanillin, and mixtures thereof. The extracts applied to the wrapping material can be water soluble or water dispersible. Thus, various different carrier liquids can be used to apply the aerosol delivery agents to the wrapping material.

[0084] In one embodiment, the wrapping material of the present disclosure can be used as a carrier for components obtained from cannabis. Cannabis, for instance, has recently been legalized in many states in the United States for both medical and recreational use. In addition, various chemicals and compounds contained in cannabis are becoming more and more popular drugs for pain relief in lieu of conventional pain relief medicines, such as opioids. Cannabis, for instance, contains various cannabinoids that can be used for pain relief. Inhaling an aerosol created by cannabis is the most common and least expensive method for delivering drugs contained in cannabis to a user. Unfortunately, however, merely inhaling aerosol generated from dried cannabis buds or leaves can lead to non- uniform deliveries of the pain relief drugs contained in the plant. Deliveries of the cannabinoids, for instance, can vary dramatically depending upon the particular plant and the particular plant parts being used to generate the aerosol. In addition, cannabinoid deliveries can vary dramatically based upon other factors such as the packing density of the material, the particular type of aerosol-generating device or smoking article used to produce an aerosol, and the like. In addition, aerosols created from cannabis plant can contain irritants and produce a relatively harsh aerosol or smoke. For instance, the aerosol generated from the wrapping material of the present disclosure is non-irritating, and has a neutral taste. Cannabinoids that can be incorporated into the wrapping material of the present disclosure include cannabidiol (CBD) and tetrahydrocannabinol (THC). THC contained in cannabis acts on specific receptors in the brain which lead to a feeling of euphoria and a relaxed state. CBD, on the other hand, also interacts with pain receptors in the brain but does not create the same euphoric feeling caused by THC. In accordance with the present disclosure, in one embodiment, THC can be applied to the wrapping material of the present disclosure, CBD can be applied to the wrapping material or, alternatively, both THC and CBD can be applied to the wrapping material.

[0085] In addition to THC and CBD, various other cannabinoids can also be incorporated into an aerosol delivery composition and applied to the wrapping material in accordance with the present disclosure. For instance, other cannabinoids contained in cannabis include cannabichromene, cannabinol, cannabigerol, tetrahydrocannabivarin, cannabidivarin, cannabidiolic acid, other cannabidiol derivatives, and other tetrahydrocannabinol derivatives. The above cannabinoids can be used singularly or in any combination and applied to the wrapping material.

[0086] The cannabinoids described above can be applied to the wrapping material using various different methods. For instance, in one embodiment, the cannabinoid, such as CBD, can be formulated into a water soluble form or powder that can be applied to the wrapping material as a solution or aqueous suspension. Alternatively, a cannabis oil extract may be obtained from raw cannabis plants. The oil extract may contain THC alone, CBD alone, or a combination of THC and CBD. The oil extract can be applied to the wrapping material so that an aerosol generated by the material contains controlled amounts of the cannabinoids. In addition to containing controlled amounts of the cannabinoids, the wrapping material can also be designed to provide uniform deliveries of the cannabinoids in the aerosol generated from the material.

[0087] Another component that can be added to the wrapping material are various flavorants, especially terpenes. A terpene or a blend of terpenes, for instance, can be used to develop desirable aromas and indicate to the user the quality of the product. One or more terpenes can also improve the sensory reaction to inhaling an aerosol created by the material.

[0088] Various different terpenes can be applied to the wrapping material. Such terpenes include but are not limited to pinene, humulene, b-caryophyllene, isopulegol, guaiol, nerylacetate, neomenthylacetate, limonene, menthone, dihydrojasmone, terpinolene, menthol, phellandrene, terpinene, geranylacetate, ocimene, myrcene, 1 ,4-cineole, 3-carene, linalool, menthofuran, perillyalcohol, pinane, neomenthylaceta, alpha-bisabolol, borneol, camphene, camphor, caryophyllene oxide, alpha-cedrene, beta-eudesmol, fenchol, geraniol, isoborneol, nerol, sabinene, alpha-terpineol, and mixtures thereof.

[0089] In one embodiment, various different terpenes can be blended together in order to mimic the ratios of terpenes found in natural cannabis plants. For instance, from about 2 to about 12 terpenes can be blended together and applied to the botanical material. Each terpene can be applied to the wrapping material in an amount greater than about 0.001 % by weight and generally less than about 2% by weight. For instance, each terpene can be applied in an amount from about 0.01 % by weight to about 1 .5% by weight. For instance, each terpene can be applied in an amount from about 0.1 % to about 1.1 % by weight.

[0090] Exemplary blends of terpenes include alpha-pinene, beta-caryophyllene, and beta-pinene; alpha-humulene, alpha-pinene, beta-caryophyllene, beta-pinene, and guaiol; beta-caryophyllene, beta-pinene, and d-limonene; beta-caryophyllene, beta-pinene, and nerolidol; beta-caryophyllene, beta-pinene, d-limonene, and terpinolene; alpha-bisabolol, alpha-pinene, beta-caryophyllene, beta-myrcene, beta-pinena, and d-limonene; beta-caryophyllene, beta-pinena, and p-cymene; alpha-humulene, beta-caryophyllene, beta-pinene, d-limonene, linalool, and nerolidol; beta-caryophyllene and beta-pinene; beta-caryophyllene, beta-myrcene, and terpinolene; alpha-pinene, beta-caryophyllene, beta-pinene, d-limonene; alpha-humulene, alpha-pinene, beta-caryophyllene, beta-myrcene, beta-pinena, d- limonene, and guaiol.

[0091] The aerosol delivery composition and agent may be contained in the wrapping material in an amount greater than about 0.1 % by weight, such as at least about 1 % or greater, such as at least about 5% or greater, such as at least about 10% or greater, such as at least about 15% or greater, such as at least about 20% or greater, such as at least about 25% or greater, such as at least about 30% or greater, such as at least about 35% or greater, such as 40% or less, or any ranges therebetween. [0092] In addition or instead of an aerosol delivery composition, a gum can also be incorporated into the wrapping material.

[0093] During formation of the fibrous web or after the fibrous web has been formed, one or more gums can be applied to the web, which can also serve as adhesives. In one embodiment, for instance, one or more gums can be applied to the web using, for instance, a size press. The size press can be used to apply one or more gums to the web while the web is still wet or after drying. When applied using a size press, in one embodiment, the one or more gums can become impregnated into the web. In one embodiment, an arabic gum can be applied to the web using a size press.

[0094] In an alternative embodiment, one or more gums can be printed onto the web after the web has been dried. Any suitable printing device can be used to apply the one or more gums to a surface of the web. For instance, the one or more gums can be applied to the web using gravure printing, digital printing, or the like.

[0095] One or more gums can be applied in forming the wrapping material by (1) being combined with the fiber furnish used to form the web; (2) being applied during the papermaking process using, for instance, a size press; and/or (3) being applied to a surface of the dried web using, for instance, printing. One or more gums can be incorporated into the wrapping material using one of the above processes or all three of the above described techniques. In one embodiment, for instance, a gum is added to the fiber furnish to form the web and then applied using a size press. In another embodiment, a gum is applied to the fiber furnish to form the web, a gum is applied using the size press, and then a gum is printed onto a surface of the web.

[0096] In one embodiment, for instance, arabic gum is applied to the web. Other gums well suited for use in producing the wrapping material of the present disclosure include karaya gum, caroubier gum, guar gum, , and the like. In addition, a combination of gums can be used. For instance, arabic gum can be combined with an alginate and/or a starch. An alginate can also be combined with a starch. An alginate is a derivative of an acidic polysaccharide or gum which occurs as the insoluble mixed calcium, sodium, potassium, and magnesium salt in the Phaeophyceae brown seaweeds. Alginates include calcium, sodium, potassium, and/or magnesium salts of high molecular weight polysaccharides composed of varying proportions of D-mannuronic acid and L-guluronic acid. Exemplary alginates include ammonium alginate, potassium alginate, sodium alginate, propylene glycol alginate, and/or mixtures thereof.

[0097] The amount of one or more gums incorporated into the wrapping material can vary depending upon the particular application and the desired result. The amount of gum applied to the web can also depend upon the types of fibers used to form the web and the type of gum used. In general, one or more gums can be incorporated into the wrapping material in an amount greater than about 2% by weight, such as in an amount greater than about 5% by weight, such as in an amount greater than about 10% by weight, such as in an amount greater than about 15% by weight, such as in an amount greater than about 20% by weight, such as in an amount greater than about 25% by weight, and generally in an amount less than about 50% by weight, such as in an amount less than about 45% by weight, such as in an amount less than about 40% by weight, such as in an amount less than about 35% by weight.

[0098] Wrapping materials made according to the present disclosure can be incorporated into all different types of smoking articles and aerosol-generating articles. In addition to ignited products, the wrapping materials can be used in heat non burn products. In heat non burn applications, the wrapping material surrounds a column of an aerosol-generating material that produces a vapor when heated but not ignited.

[0099] For illustrative purposes only, one example of a smoking article is shown in Figs. 1 and 2. As shown, the smoking article 10 includes a smokable column 12. The smoking article 10 may also include a wrapping material 100 that defines an outer circumferential surface 16 when wrapped around the smokable column 12. The article 10 may optionally include a filter 26 that may be enclosed by a tipping paper, however, depending upon the smokable column material, a filter may be optional or omitted.

[00100] The smokable column 12 can be made from any suitable aerosol generating material capable of producing an aerosol when burned. In one embodiment, the smokable column 12 is comprised of cannabis materials. Alternatively, the smokable column 12 can be comprised of tobacco materials alone or in combination with cannabis materials. The smokable column 12 can also comprise a botanical blend alone or combined with cannabis and/or tobacco. In one embodiment, the wrapping material 100 and the smokable column 12 can both be nicotine-free for producing a nicotine-free aerosol generating product. [00101] The smoking article shown in Figs. 1 and 2 generally comprises a cannabis or tobacco cigarette or heat non burn stick. In other embodiments, however, the wrapping material of the present disclosure can be used to produce other cannabis and cannabis products (including heat but not burn products), as well as herbal cigarettes, cigarillos, and little cigars, or pre-rolled cones or even conventional tobacco smoking articles. While not shown, a cigarillo, for example, can include a plastic tip.

[00102] As shown in Figs. 1 and 2, due to the relatively large particles of botanical material or cannabis material, the wrapping material 100 has a speckled appearance. The relatively large plant particles 102, for instance, can have a particle size such that the largest dimension is greater than about 0.2 mm, such as greater than about 0.55, such as greater than about 0.6 mm, such as greater than about 0.7 mm, such as greater than about 0.8 mm, such as greater than about 1 mm, such as greater than about 1.2 mm, such as greater than about 1.5 mm, such as greater than about 1 .7 mm, and less than about 4 mm, such as less than about 2.5 mm. The relatively large plant or cannabis particles not only produce a unique and distinctive appearance but also increase the surface roughness of the paper, which is especially desirable at lower basis weights. The larger size particles also create a more natural appearance. The wrapping materials in accordance with the present disclosure can have an Ra surface roughness of greater than about 2 pm, such as greater than about 2.2 pm, such as greater than about 2.4 pm, such as greater than about 2.6 pm, such as greater than about 2.8 pm, such as greater than about 3 pm, such as greater than about 3.2 pm, such as greater than about 3.4 pm, such as greater than about 3.6 pm, and less than about 4 pm. The wrapping materials can have an Rt surface roughness of greater than about 14 pm, such as greater than about 16 pm, such as greater than about 18 pm, and less than about 30 pm.

[00103] The density of the relatively large particles can depend upon the amount of botanical material or cannabis material incorporated into the web and the desired result. In one aspect, for instance, the relatively large plant particles or cannabis particles have a density of at least 4 particles per 256 mm², such as at least about 6 particles per 256 mm², such as at least about 8 particles per 256 mm², such as at least about 10 particles per 256 mm², such as at least about 12 particles per 256 mm² and less than about 70 particles per 256 mm², such as less than about 50 particles per 256 mm².

[00104] Notwithstanding the articles that may utilize a wrapping material 100 according to the present disclosure, Fig. 3a shows an embodiment of the present disclosure wherein the wrapping material 100 is formulated as a booklet of individual wrapping materials 100 affixed to one or more adjacent wrapping materials 100 via a natural, or at least smokable or edible, adhesive 104. Similar to Figs. 1 and 2, the wrapping materials 100 as shown in Figs. 3a and 3b also include relatively large plant particles or cannabis particles 112 that create a speckled appearance. The adhesive 104 can comprise a gum incorporated into the wrapping material according to the present disclosure. Alternatively, the adhesive 104 can comprise the gum combined with other materials for improving the adhesive properties.

[00105] As shown in Fig. 3b, in one embodiment, the adhesive 104 may only be located on a portion of the wrapping material 100, such as on an edge 106 thereof. Additionally or alternatively, the adhesive may only be located on a first side 108, which is opposite a second side 110. In such an embodiment, the first side 108 of a first wrapping material 100 may have an adhesive 104 located thereon, and may be oriented so as to be placed in contact with a second side 110 of an adjacent piece of wrapping material 100. As such, each piece of wrapping material 100 may have adhesive on a single side, so as to adhere to an immediately adjacent piece of wrapping material 100 or to a backing material 112. However, it should be understood that, in an alternative embodiment, the adhesive 104 may be located on both sides, 108 and 110, or on one or more portions of either side 108 and 110. [00106] Regardless of the manner in which the adhesive is applied, the adhesive may be selected to be “releasable” and then “resealable” in that the adhesive may serve to releasably affix a piece of wrapping material 100 to an adjacent piece of wrapping material 100, until such a time as a user wishes to remove a piece of wrapping material 100 from an adjacent piece of wrapping material. At such a point, the adhesive 104 may retain its adherence properties, and may serve to adhere to a portion of the wrapping material 100 to which the adhesive 104 has been applied, such as, for example, referring to Fig. 2, the adhesive 104 may adhere a first edge 114, or an area of the wrapping material adjacent to the first edge 114, of the wrapping material 100 to a second edge 116, or area of the wrapping material adjacent to the second edge 116, when forming a smokable article. Of course, the adhesive 104 may also be used to attach the wrapping material 100 to a second piece of wrapping material 100, or to any portion on either side of the wrapping material 100 to which the adhesive 104 has been applied. For instance, an embodiment where an adhesive 104 may be utilized or desired, is for hand-rolled smoking articles.

[00107] While additives may not be necessary in the wrapping material, as the wrapping material according to the present disclosure naturally has good manufacturing properties (e.g. tensile strength) and sensory properties, generally, a wrapping material according to the present disclosure may include one or more additives. Additives may be used for manufacturing wrapping papers so as to develop or give the wrapping material new properties, for instance chemical, optical, sensory or mechanical properties such as tear strength or folding resistance. In one embodiment, an additive may be burn control additives, wet strength agents, oil-barrier and fat-barrier agents, antiblocking agents, dry strength agents, preservatives, softeners, wetting agents or lattices.

[00108] Burn control agents can be applied to wrappers for smoking articles. The burn control agent, for instance, may comprise a salt of a carboxylic acid. For example, the burn control agent may comprise an alkali metal salt of a carboxylic acid, an alkaline earth metal salt of a carboxylic acid, or mixtures thereof. Examples of burn control agents that may be used include a salt of acetic acid, citric acid, malic acid, lactic acid, tartaric acid, carbonic acid, formic acid, propionic acid, glycolic acid, fumaric acid, oxalic acid, malonic acid, succinic acid, nitric acid, phosphoric acid, or mixtures thereof. Particular burn controlling agents that may be used include potassium citrate, sodium citrate, potassium succinate, sodium succinate, or mixtures thereof. When present, the burn control agent can be applied to the wrapping material generally in an amount greater than about 0.1 % by weight, such as in an amount greater than about 0.5% by weight, such as in an amount greater than about 1 % by weight and generally less than about 5% by weight, such as less than about 4% by weight, such as less than about 3% by weight, such as less than about 2% by weight.

[00109] When producing wrappers for heat non burn applications, the wrapper can include flame retardant additives and can be combined with a metal foil, such as aluminum foil.

[00110] A wet strength agent may reduce the potential for degradation of the wrapping material if the latter is placed in contact with a liquid, such as water. Typically, the wet strength agent may be chosen from polyamides, such as epichlorohydrin resin, a polyamine-epichlorohydrin resin, a poly(aminoamide)- epichlorohydrin resin, a urea-formaldehyde resin, a melamine-formaldehyde resin; an alkyl-ketene dimer; alkylsuccinic anhydride; a polyvinylamine; an oxidized polysaccharide. Typically, the amount of wet strength agent is from 0.1 % to 30%, preferably from 1 % to 15%, even more preferentially from 5% to 10% by dry weight of the wrapping material.

[00111] An oil-barrier and fat-barrier agent may reduce the absorption of fats by the paper. Typically, the oil-barrier and fat-barrier agent may be chosen from polysaccharides as starch, alginate, carboxymethylcellulose, and the like.

[00112] An antiblocking agent may limit the adhesion of a material to the paper. Typically, the antiblocking agent may be chosen from polysaccharides as starch, alginate, carboxymethylcellulose, and the like.

[00113] A dry strength agent may increase the resistance of the wrapping material if the latter is subjected to large mechanical stresses. The dry strength agent may be chosen from starches and modified gums, cellulose polymers, synthetic polymers, for instance carboxymethylcellulose and polyacrylamides. Typically, the amount of dry strength agent is from 0.1 % to 15%, preferably from 1 % to 10%, even more preferentially from 1 % to 5% by dry weight of the wrapping material.

[00114] In one aspect, a softener may improve the softness of the wrapping material. Typically, a softener is a fatty acid, a siloxane compound, a silicone compound, an aminosilicone compound, an extract of aloe vera, an extract of sweet almond, an extract of camomile, a quaternary ammonium compound. Typically, the amount of softener is from 0.1% to 30%, preferably from 1% to 15%, even more preferentially from 5% to 10% by dry weight of the wrapping material. [00115] The finished web or wrapper is dried and wound into rolls. For instance, in one embodiment, the dried sheet is wound into bobbins having a desired width. The width can be the width of the paper machine. In one aspect, the width can be from about 15 mm to about 500 mm, such as from about 20 mm to about 300 mm. [00116] In one embodiment, the wrapping material of the present disclosure can be cut into individual sheets and sold in a package to consumers in order to produce make-your-own products.

[00117] The present disclosure may be better understood with reference to the following examples.

Example No. 1

[00118] Various wrapping materials were made in accordance with the present disclosure. The samples contained the following components:

[00119] The hemp biomass identified above in the table comprised of leaves, flowers, seeds, and stems. The hemp pieces or raw material in Sample Nos 1 and 2 were subjected to an extraction process to remove water soluble components prior to forming the wrapper. The hemp pieces or raw material in Sample Nos 3, 4, 5, and 6 were not subjected to an extraction process.

[00120] The cannabis material was fed to a refiner in order to produce a relatively large but uniform particle size. The largest particle size within the cannabis material was approximately 2.5 mm (largest dimension).

[00121] The cannabis material was then combined with the wood or hemp pulp and blended with water to form an aqueous suspension that was then formed into a paper or wrapper material.

[00122] The samples above had a natural appearance. The large pieces of cannabis material created a speckled appearance on the surface of the paper. The paper was found to have sufficient strength for use in constructing smoking articles. The hemp material also increased the roughness of the paper.

[00123] Figure 4 illustrates a 16 mm x 16 mm area (256 mm²) of Sample No. 1. The 16 mm x 16 mm area was subjected to microscopic analysis in accordance with the present disclosure to determine the largest dimension of cannabis pieces contained in the wrapper. Figures 5 through 9 illustrate the results of the analysis. As shown, the wrapping material contained cannabis pieces that had a largest dimension of greater than 0.2 mm, such as greater than about 0.55 mm. More particularly, the following results were obtained:

Figure No. Largest Dimension of Pieces (mm)

5 0.815

6 0.629, 0.564, 1.301

7 0.587, 0.783

8 0.756, 1.770

9 0.838, 1.709

Example No. 2

[00124] Further wrapping materials were made in accordance with the present disclosure on a commercial paper machine. The samples contained the following components:

[00125] The raw hemp leaves used had a particle size distribution such that about 19.5% by weight of the particles had a size less than 500 microns, 56% by weight of the particles had a size of from 500 microns to 1 .25 mm, 22% by weight of the particles had a size of from 1 .25 mm to 1 .8 mm, 1 % by weight of the particles had a size of from 1 .8 mm to 2.24 mm, less than 1 % by weight of the particles had a size of from 2.24 mm to 2.5 mm, and less than 1 % by weight of the particles had a size of from 2.5 mm to 2.8 mm.

[00126] The three samples were tested for various properties and the following results were obtained (each sample was tested multiple times):

Sample No. 7 (9 specimens tested)

Sample No. 8 (3 specimens tested)

Sample No. 9 (2 specimens tested)

[00127] Sample Nos. 7, 8 and 9 all displayed excellent characteristics including strength. The papers were capable of being rolled into bobbins and slit. The papers were also well suited for being fed to a gumming machine for applying a gum and for being fed through a filagree process for applying a design.

[00128] These and other modifications and variations to the present invention may be practiced by those of ordinary skill in the art, without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention, which is more particularly set forth in the appended claims. In addition, it should be understood that aspects of the various embodiments may be interchanged both in whole or in part. Furthermore, those of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that the foregoing description is by way of example only and is not intended to limit the invention so further described in such appended claims.

Claims

What Is Claimed:

1 . A wrapping material for an aerosol producing article comprising: a web comprising web fibers, the web fibers comprising cellulosic pulp fibers; and a botanical material, the botanical material being present in the web in an amount up to about 50% by weight, the botanical material being in the form of particles, at least some of the particles contained in the web having a largest dimension of greater than about 0.2 mm, such as greater than about 0.55 mm.

2. A wrapping material as defined in claim 1 , wherein the botanical material comprises a cannabis material comprising cannabis leaves, cannabis stems, cannabis buds, cannabis flowers, or mixtures thereof.

3. A wrapping material as defined in claim 1 or 2, wherein at least some of the botanical particles contained in the web have a largest dimension of greater than about 0.6 mm, such as greater than about 0.7 mm, such as greater than about 0.8 mm, such as greater than about 1 mm, such as greater than about 1.2 mm, such as greater than about 1 .5 mm, and less than about 4 mm, such as less than about 2.5 mm.

4. A wrapping material as defined in any of the preceding claims, wherein the botanical particles contained in the web have a largest dimension of greater than about 0.55 mm and are contained in the web at a density of at least 4 particles per 256 mm².

5. A wrapping material as defined in any of the preceding claims, wherein the botanical material is present in the web in an amount less than about 40%, such as less than about 30% by weight, such as in an amount less than about 25% by weight, and in an amount greater than about 3% by weight, such as in an amount greater than about 5% by weight, such as in an amount greater than about 10% by weight, such as in an amount greater than about 15% by weight.

6. A wrapping material as defined in any of the preceding claims, wherein the web fibers are present in the web in an amount greater than about 50% by weight, such as in an amount greater than about 60% by weight, such as in an amount greater than about 70% by weight, such as in an amount greater than about 80% by weight, such as in an amount greater than about 85% by weight, such as in an amount greater than about 90% by weight,.

7. A wrapping material as defined in any of the preceding claims, wherein the web has a basis weight of less than about 40 gsm, such as less than about 30 gsm.

8. A wrapping material as defined in any of claims 1-6, wherein the web has a basis weight of from about 30 gsm to about 100 gsm.

9. A wrapping material as defined in claim 7 or 8, wherein the web contains a filler in an amount from about 5% by weight to about 30% by weight.

10. A wrapping material as defined in claim 7 or 8, wherein the web does not contain any fillers.

11. A wrapping material as defined in any of the preceding claims, wherein the wrapping material displays a surface roughness Ra of from about 2 pm to about 4 pm and displays a surface roughness Rt of from about 14 pm to about 30 pm.

12. A wrapping material as defined in claim 2, wherein the cannabis material comprises cannabis leaves in an amount greater than about 50% by weight, such as in an amount greater than about 60% by weight, such as in an amount greater than about 70% by weight.

13. A wrapping material as defined in any of the preceding claims, wherein the botanical particles have a largest dimension of greater than about 0.55 mm and are visible in the web.

14. A wrapping material as defined in any of the preceding claims, wherein the botanical material comprises extracted botanical material.

15. A wrapping material as defined in any of claims 1-13, wherein the botanical material comprises non-extracted botanical material.

16. A wrapping material as defined in any of the preceding claims, wherein the web fibers comprise unbleached fibers.

17. A wrapping material as defined in any of the preceding claims, wherein the web further contains a dye.

18. A wrapping material as defined in any of the preceding claims, wherein the web further comprises an adhesive.

19. A wrapping material as defined in claim 18, wherein the adhesive comprises guar gum, arabic gum, alginate, a cellulose derivative, or mixtures thereof.

20. A wrapping material as defined in claim 18 or 19, wherein the gum has been applied to a first side of the web or applied to a first side of the web and to an opposite second side of the web.

21 . A wrapping material as defined in claim 1 , wherein the web fibers comprise delignified cellulosic fibers.

22. A wrapping material as defined in claim 1 , wherein the web fibers comprise hemp pulp fibers.

23. A wrapping material as defined in any of the preceding claims, further comprising an aerosol delivery composition, the aerosol delivery composition containing an aerosol delivery agent.

24. A wrapping material as defined in claim 23, wherein the aerosol delivery agent comprises tetrahydrocannabinol, a cannabidiol or mixtures thereof.

25. A wrapping material as defined in claim 23, wherein the aerosol delivery agent comprises an extract derived from the cannabis material.

26. A wrapping material as defined in claim 18, wherein the adhesive has been printed onto a first side of the web.

27. A wrapping material as defined in any of claims 1-26, wherein the web comprises at least two different botanical materials.

28. A wrapping material as defined in claim 1 , 3, 4, or 5, wherein the botanical material comprises a food plant, an aromatic plant, a fragrant plant, a medicinal plant, a plant of the family Cannabaceae, or a mixture thereof.

29. A wrapping material as defined in claim 1 , 3, 4, or 5, wherein the botanical material comprises tea leaves, rose petals, or mixtures thereof.

30. A booklet of wrapping materials comprising: a stack of individual sheets of a wrapping material as defined in any of the preceding claims and wherein an adhesive is present between adjacent sheets of wrapping material for affixing the individual sheets together in a releasable manner.

31 . A booklet as defined in claim 30, wherein the adhesive comprises a gum.

32. A smoking article comprising a wrapping material as defined in any of claims 1 through 29, the wrapping material surrounding a column of a smokable filler.

33. A heat non burn stick comprising a wrapping material as defined in any of claims 1 through 29, the wrapping material surrounding a column of an aerosol generating material.