WO2025176686A1

WO2025176686A1 - Paper sheet comprising stabilized nicotine

Info

Publication number: WO2025176686A1
Application number: PCT/EP2025/054368
Authority: WO
Inventors: Nathalie DUROT; Stéphane DEJOIE; Olivier BRENNER
Original assignee: Swm Holdco Luxembourg
Current assignee: Swm Holdco Luxembourg
Priority date: 2024-02-19
Filing date: 2025-02-18
Publication date: 2025-08-28
Anticipated expiration: 2026-08-19
Also published as: FR3159395A1

Abstract

The present invention relates to a paper sheet comprising nicotine stabilized thanks to the pH of the paper sheet.

Description

PAPER SHEET COMPRISING STABILIZED NICOTINE

Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure belongs to the field of devices for heating tobacco without burning it and has as its subject a paper sheet comprising stabilized nicotine.

Backg ound Art

[0002] In recent years a large number of devices have been developed to provide nicotine to a user while avoiding the formation of harmful constituents during tobacco combustion. Such devices are, for example, e-cigarette and devices for heating tobacco without burning it.

[0003] E-cigarettes generate a nicotine-containing aerosol by heating a solution of nicotine/nicotine salt and aerosol-generating agent contained in a cartridge of said e-cigarette. The solution may also comprise flavors. E-cigarettes offer a wide range of strengths and tastes by modulating the nicotine salt concentration and varying the nature and quantity of flavors. However, it can be difficult to introduce the solution into the cartridge and the cartridge can leak during use. Nonetheless the user can get his/her hands dirty but it is also known that nicotine passes the skin barrier quickly and easily, posing a safety problem. In addition, children can accidentally ingest e-liquid and suffer oral nicotine poisoning.

[0004] Devices for heating tobacco without burning it are an alternative to the E-cigarette. WO 2016/026810 and WO 2016/207407 describe such heating devices. Tobacco sticks are placed into these heating devices, the tobacco is then heated by the heating device without being burnt, which leads to the formation of an aerosol when the user sucks in air through the device. The generated aerosol has advantageous organoleptic properties when it is inhaled by the user.

[0005] It may be advantageous to offer to the manufacturers of these heating devices paper sheets that provide nicotine and generate an aerosol having neutral taste and flavor or paper sheets that provide nicotine and can be easily customized to generate an aerosol on demand. To solve this technical problem, the inventors tried to add nicotine in neutral form to paper sheets. However, they noticed that the nicotine added to the paper sheets may be released during the manufacturing and mainly during the storage of the paper sheets and of the consumables for heating device comprising these paper sheets. The aerosols generated from these paper sheets comprise nicotine in neutral form but are not satisfactory since their amount of nicotine is too low and the physiological effect by the consumer of the neutral form of nicotine is too slow. Moreover, the aerosols may also be too harsh.

[0006] To solve this second technical problem, the inventors tried to stabilize the nicotine by adding an acid to form a salt of nicotine. However, they noticed that the aerosols generated from the paper sheets comprising a salt of nicotine may still be unsatisfactory since, under certain circumstances:

- they comprise an amount of nicotine that is still lower than targeted,

- they are still too harsh, and/or

- they have an unpleasant acidic taste. Technical problem

[0007] There is therefore a need for a paper sheet comprising nicotine that generates an aerosol which is satisfactory to the user.

[0008] It is thus to the credit of the inventors to have found that it is possible to meet this need by means of a paper sheet comprising a salt of nicotine and having a specific range of pH.

Summary

[0009] It is proposed a paper sheet comprising:

- a fibrous support comprising cellulose-based plant fibers,

- an aerosol-generating agent, and

- nicotine, a salt of nicotine or mixtures thereof, characterized in that the total content by weight of solids of the cellulose-based plant fibers included in the paper sheet is from 22% to 94%, in particular from 22% to 93%, in particular from 35% to 85%, more particularly from 40% to 83%, and the paper sheet has a pH from 4.9 to 7.0, in particular from 5.0 to 6.0, for instance from 5.5 to 6.0 or from 5.0 to 5.5.

[0010] Advantageously, in these ranges of pH, the paper sheet of the present invention generates an aerosol providing nicotine in a satisfactory manner and having no unpleasant harshness and acidic taste, i.e. an aerosol which is satisfactory to the user.

[0011] The structure of nicotine is such that it comprises two nitrogen atoms that are capable of accepting protons from an acid and, accordingly, nicotine can be present in neutral form (the nonprotonated form), monoprotonated form, and/or diprotonated form. Without wishing to be bound to any theory, the inventors are of the opinion that these results may be explained by:

- the monoprotonated form of nicotine being the main form of nicotine in the paper sheet of the present invention having the pH from 4.9 to 7.0, in particular from 5.0 to 6.0, for instance from 5.5 to 6.0 or from 5.0 to 5.5. The monoprotonated form of nicotine is stable during the manufacture and the storage of the paper sheet of the present invention. Moreover, the monoprotonated form of nicotine is efficiently released in the aerosol during the use of the paper sheet of the present invention in a heating device and is known to have a physiological absorption profile comparable to a classical cigarette,

- the increase of the proportion of the neutral form of nicotine in a paper sheet having a pH above 7. The neutral form is volatile and thus is easily released during the manufacturing and mainly during the storage of said paper sheet and of the consumables for heating device comprising said paper sheet. Moreover, the neutral form gives more irritation and has a slower physiological effect than the monoprotonated form.

[0012] Moreover, the aerosol generated from a paper sheet having a pH below 4.9 has an unpleasant, harsh and pungent taste and may even have deleterious physiological effects in certain cases due to the increase of the amount of an organic acid in said paper sheet.

[0013] Moreover, the amount of aerosol generated from the paper sheet of the present invention is satisfactory thanks to the aerosol-generating agent. [0014] Furthermore, since the paper sheet of the present invention is a solid, it does not have the disadvantages of the solution contained in a cartridge of an e-cigarette. In particular, the nicotine of the paper sheet of the present invention cannot spill on the skin of the user so that said nicotine does not pass the skin barrier and thus does not pose the safety problem posed by the nicotine an e-cigarette.

[0015] In another aspect, it is proposed a process for producing a paper sheet as defined above, comprising the following steps: a) forming a solution comprising:

- the aerosol-generating agent, and

- the nicotine, the salt of nicotine or mixtures thereof, b) bringing the solution into contact with a base web produced from cellulose-based plant fibers to obtain a wet paper sheet, and c) drying the wet paper sheet to produce the paper sheet.

Description of Embodiments

[0016] It is proposed a paper sheet comprising:

- a fibrous support comprising cellulose-based plant fibers,

- an aerosol-generating agent, and

[0017] The pH of the paper sheet of the present invention is measured as follows:

- grinding the paper sheet to obtain particles below 1 mm,

- weighing 5.0 +/- 0.1 mg of grounded paper sheet and mixing with 100.0 +/- 0.1 g of deionized water, the resistivity of the deionized water being below 18.2 Megohm/cm,

- stirring magnetically the sample in water during 15 min at a temperature of 20°C,

- measuring the pH.

[0018] For the purposes of the present application, the term "fibrous support" denotes a base web made of cellulose-based plant fibers, in particular refined cellulose-based plant fibers. The base web is typically obtained by a papermaking process.

[0019] For the purposes of the present application, the term “cellulose-based plant fibers” denotes fibers obtained by means of a chemical or mechanical or thermomechanical pulping process, such as wood fibers, hemp fibers, or annual plants fibers such as flax fibers for example, in particular wood fibers. A mixture of these cellulose-based plant fibers may also be used.

[0020] The cellulose-based plant fibers confer the mechanical strength properties to the paper sheet. [0021] Wood fibers may be hardwood pulp, bleached hardwood pulp, softwood pulp, bleached softwood pulp, softwood fluff pulp, lyocell fibers (cellulose fibers which are ground and dissolved in N- methylmorpholine N-oxide monohydrate for the purpose of obtaining fibers with a cross section of variable shape (round, oval, cross-shaped, circular, lamellar cross section) with calibrated length and mass per unit length, which the person skilled in the art can choose depending on their needs), viscose fibers (fibers obtained by dissolving cellulose by means of modification of its hydroxyl groups by carbon disulfide (CS2) and then precipitating it in the presence of sulfuric acid (H2SO4) for the purpose of obtaining fibers with a cross section of variable shape (round, oval, cross-shaped, circular, lamellar cross section) with calibrated length and mass per unit length, which the person skilled in the art can choose depending on their needs) or mixtures thereof, in particular bleached softwood pulp, softwood pulp, softwood fluff pulp, lyocell fibers, viscose fibers or mixtures thereof, more particularly softwood pulp, bleached softwood pulp, or mixtures thereof.

[0022] For the purposes of the present application, the term “refined cellulose-based plant fibers” denotes cellulose-based plant fibers which have undergone a refining step enabling fibrillation and/or cutting of the cellulose-based plant fibers. The refining step is conventionally carried out in a papermaking process, such as the papermaking process producing reconstituted papermaking tobacco.

[0023] For the purposes of the present application, the term “aerosol-generating agent” denotes a compound which allows the formation of an aerosol when it is heated.

[0024] For the purposes of the present application, “salt of nicotine” denotes a form of nicotine characterized by the interaction between nicotine in monoprotonated form or diprotonated form and an organic acid in carboxylate form.

[0025] In the paper sheet of the present invention, the salt of nicotine may be formed in-situ or ex-situ by the reaction between the nicotine and an organic acid. The skilled person knows that this reaction is an equilibrium. Therefore, nicotine and organic acid may be present with the salt of nicotine formed in- situ or ex-situ.

[0026] Alternatively, the salt of nicotine may be purchased as such and added to the paper sheet of the present invention.

[0027] The paper sheet of the present invention may comprise an organic acid.

Advantageously, the pH of the paper sheet from 4.9 to 7.0, in particular from 5.0 to 6.0, for instance from 5.5 to 6.0 or from 5.0 to 5.5, may be obtained thanks to this organic acid.

Moreover, the monoprotonated form of nicotine present in the paper sheet of the present invention may result from the formation of a salt of nicotine by a reaction between the nicotine and the organic acid.

[0028] The pH of the paper sheet of the present invention may depend on the pKa of the organic acid.

[0029] Typically, the organic acid may have: a pKa of less than or equal to 5, in particular less than 4, more particularly less than 3, and a vapor pressure at 25°C from 10^-10 to 20 mmHg, in particular from 10^-8 to 10 mmHg, more particularly from 10 ⁸ to 1 mmHg, a boiling point above or equal to 300°C or both.

[0030] Advantageously, the organic acid having such pKa and such vapor pressure and/or such boiling point: - favors the formation of the salt of nicotine in the paper sheet of the present invention with a low quantity of organic acid,

- limits the transfer of the organic acid in the aerosol generated by the paper sheet of the present invention thereby limiting the acidic taste of said aerosol, and

- limits the loss of acid during the manufacture of the paper sheet of the present invention.

[0031] The organic acid may have several pKas. For example, a dicarboxylic acid has 2 pKas. In this case, the lowest pKa of this organic acid may be less than or equal to 5, in particular less than 4, more particularly less than 3.

[0032] The organic acid may be alginic acid, aspartic acid, benzoic acid, citric acid, fumaric acid, glutamic acid, glycolic acid, lactic acid, levulinic acid, malic acid, pectic acid, pyruvic acid, salicylic acid, tartaric acid, glucuronic acid, galacturonic acid, myristic acid or mixtures thereof, in particular benzoic acid, citric acid, fumaric acid, glycolic acid, lactic acid, levulinic acid, malic acid, pyruvic acid, salicylic acid or mixtures thereof, more particularly benzoic acid, citric acid, malic acid, lactic acid, levulinic acid, salicylic acid or mixtures thereof.

[0033] Advantageously, the organic acids of this list are mostly natural based products, thereby improving the naturality of the paper sheet of the present invention.

[0034] The molar ratio of nicotine:organic acid may be from 1 :0.1 to 1 :10, in particular from 1 :0.4 to 1 :5, more particularly from 1 :0.5 to 1 :3. Advantageously, the paper sheet comprising the molar ratio in such ranges may have a pH in the above-mentioned ranges.

[0035] The total content by weight of solids of nicotine in the paper sheet may be from 0.1 % to 8%, in particular from 0.5% to 5%, more particularly from 0.75% to 3%.

[0036] Advantageously, the paper sheet comprising the nicotine in such ranges generates an aerosol which enables the user to get a nicotine experience similar to the experience provided by the aerosol generated by a classical tobacco heating device and by a smoke generated by a combusted tobacco product.

[0037] Let SAG be the total content by weight of solids of the aerosol-generating agent included in the paper sheet of the present invention. SAG may be from 6% to 70%, in particular from 10% to 65%, more particularly from 15% to 42%.

[0038] The volume of the aerosol generated from a paper sheet having an SAG lower than the ranges mentioned above is too low to be pleasant. This aerosol is also not tasteful.

[0039] The aerosol-generating agent may be a polyol, a non-polyol or mixtures thereof. Typically, an aerosol generating agent that is a polyol may be glycerol, propylene glycol, sorbitol, triethylene glycol or mixtures thereof. An aerosol generating agent that is a non-polyol may be glyceryl diacetate, glyceryl triacetate, triethyl citrate, isopropyl myristate or mixtures thereof.

[0040] The aerosol-generating agent may preferably be glycerol, propylene glycol, or mixtures of glycerol and propylene glycol, glycerol being preferred.

[0041] The fibers of the fibrous support may consist of cellulose-based plant fibers.

[0042] Alternatively, the fibrous support may further comprise plant fibers. [0043] The plant fibers may be for example of one same plant or of several plants.

[0044] Typically, the total content by weight of solids of the plant fibers included in the paper sheet may be less than 72%, in particular from 3% to 60%, more particularly from 5% to 55%, the remaining fibers of the paper sheet being the cellulose-based plant fibers.

[0045] The plant of the plant fibers may be chosen from food plants, aromatic plants, fragrant plants, medicinal plants, plants of the family Cannabaceae and mixtures thereof.

[0046] Advantageously, mixing plants to obtain the plant fibers makes it possible to adjust the mechanical properties of the paper sheet and/or the organoleptic or chemical properties of the aerosol.

[0047] Typically, the food plants are garlic, cardamom, coffee, ginger, lemon verbena, licorice, papaya, stevia, tea, cacao tree, chamomile, mate, rooibos, anise such as star anise (or badian) and green anise, or mixtures thereof, fennel, citronella, angelica, caper, turmeric, Chinese mahogany and tsao-ko.

[0048] Typically, the aromatic plants are basil, turmeric, clove, laurel, oregano, mint, rosemary, sage, thyme.

[0049] Typically, the fragrant plants are lavender, marigolds, rose, eucalyptus, sweet flag.

[0050] Typically, the medicinal plants are 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. Typically, the medicinal plants listed are ginkgo biloba, ginseng, sour cherry, peppermint, sweet mint, willow and red vine.

[0051] If the plant is a medicinal plant, the aerosol generated by heating the paper sheet may also have therapeutic properties so that the paper sheet can be used for a therapeutic treatment.

[0052] Typically, eucalyptus is among the medicinal plants known to comprise compounds which have therapeutic properties.

[0053] Typically, the plant fibers of the paper sheet of the present invention may be derived from various plant parts, the plant parts being parts of the plant itself or the result of the processing of various plant parts. Typically, the plant parts may be whole parts of the plant or debris originating from threshing or mixing and shredding the plant parts. The plant parts may also be by-products of extraction.

[0054] Typically, the plant parts may be the aerial plant parts, such as the flower bud, the branch bark, the stem bark, the leaves, the flower, the fruit and its peduncle, the seed, the petal, the flower head, or the underground parts, for example the bulb, the roots, the root bark, the rhizome, or mixtures thereof. The plant part may also be the result of the mechanical, chemical or mechanical-chemical processing of one or more plant parts, such as for example the shell protecting the cacao bean resulting from the bean dehulling process.

[0055] Among the food plants, the angelica fruit, the angelica bud, the angelica root, the caper bud, the turmeric root, the turmeric stem, the Chinese mahogany bud, the tsao-ko fruit, the garlic bulb, the coffee cherry, the star anise fruit, the rhizome of ginger, the licorice root, the needle, leaf and stem of rooibos, and the leaves of stevia, papaya or tea may for example be selected as parts. [0056] Among the aromatic plants, clove flower buds (the cloves), basil, laurel and sage leaves, mint, oregano, rosemary and thyme leaves and flower head, or the turmeric rhizome may for example be selected as parts.

[0057] Typically, among the fragrant plants, the lavender flower and flower head, the sweet flag rhizome, rose hip or the rose flower bud and petals may be selected.

[0058] Among the medicinal plants listed in the French pharmacopeia, gingko leaf, the underground part of ginseng, the peduncle of the sour cherry fruit (cherry stalk), the leaves and flower head of peppermint, the stem bark and the leaves of willow, or the leaves of red vine may for example be selected.

[0059] The plant may be tobacco, eucalyptus, angelica, anise such as star anise, green anise or mixtures thereof, hemp, cardamom, cocoa, cannabis, hop, dill, raspberry, bay laurel, nettle, pin, tendu, grape, fennel, lemongrass, lemon verbena, peppermint, spearmint, rooibos, chamomile, flax, ginger, ginkgo biloba, hazel, hibiscus, laurel, licorice, marigolds, matcha, star anis, yerba mate, mate, orange skin, papaya, rose, sage, tea such as green tea or black tea, thyme, clove, cinnamon, coffee, basil, bay leaves, cardamom, coriander, cumin, nutmeg, oregano, paprika, rosemary, saffron, lavender, lemon peel, mint, juniper, elderflower, vanilla, Wintergreen, beefsteak plant, sorrel, curcuma, turmeric, sandalwood, cilantro, bergamot, orange blossom, myrtle, blackcurrant, valerian, pimento, mace, damien, marjoram, olive, lemon balm, lemon basil, chive, carvi, verbena, tarragon, geranium, mulberry, ginseng, theanine, theacrine, maca, ashwagandha, damiana, guarana, chlorophyll, baobab, stevia or mixtures thereof, in particular anise such as star anise, green anise or mixtures thereof, cardamom, cinnamon, eucalyptus, fennel, ginger, star anis, yerba mate, ginkgo biloba, mint, peppermint, laurel, cocoa, lemon balm, lemon verbena, myrtle, lavender, hazel, licorice, marigolds, papaya, rooibos, rosemary, sage, sorrel, stevia, tea such as green tea or black tea or mixtures thereof, more particularly, star anis, yerba mate, ginkgo biloba, mint, laurel, eucalyptus, cocoa, lemon balm, lemon verbena, myrtle, lavender, hazel, green anise, sage, rooibos, tea such as green tea or black tea or mixtures thereof, even more particularly mint or rooibos.

[0060] The plant may be rooibos.

[0061] For example, the plant may be star anis, yerba mate, ginkgo biloba, mint, laurel, eucalyptus, cocoa, lemon balm, lemon verbena, myrtle, lavender, hazel, green anise, sage, rooibos, tea such as green tea or black tea or mixtures thereof and the organic acid may be benzoic acid, levulinic acid, salicylic acid, lactic acid, malic acid, citric acid or mixtures thereof, in particular salicylic acid, malic acid or mixtures thereof.

[0062] For example, the plant may be star anis, yerba mate, ginkgo biloba, mint, laurel, eucalyptus, cocoa, lemon balm, lemon verbena, myrtle, lavender, hazel, green anise, sage, rooibos, tea such as green tea or black tea or mixtures thereof and the pH of the paper sheet of the present invention may be from 4.9 to 6.0.

[0063] For example, the plant may be star anis, yerba mate, ginkgo biloba, mint, laurel, eucalyptus, cocoa, lemon balm, lemon verbena, myrtle, lavender, hazel, green anise, sage, rooibos, tea such as green tea or black tea or mixtures thereof, the pH of the paper sheet of the present invention may be from 4.9 to 6.0, and the organic acid may be benzoic acid, levulinic acid, salicylic acid, lactic acid, malic acid, citric acid or mixtures thereof, in particular salicylic acid, malic acid or mixtures thereof, more particularly salicylic acid.

[0064] For example, the plant may be mint, in particular sweet mint, and the organic acid may benzoic acid, levulinic acid, salicylic acid, lactic acid, malic acid, citric acid or mixtures thereof, in particular salicylic acid, malic acid or mixtures thereof, more particularly salicylic acid.

[0065] For example, the plant may be mint, in particular sweet mint, and the pH of the paper sheet of the present invention may be from 4.9 to 7.0, in particular from 5.0 to 6.0, for instance from 5.5 to 6.0 or from 5.0 to 5.5.

[0066] For example, the plant may be mint, in particular sweet mint, the pH of the paper sheet of the present invention may be from 4.9 to 7.0, in particular from 5.0 to 6.0, for instance from 5.5 to 6.0 or from 5.0 to 5.5, and the organic acid may be benzoic acid, levulinic acid, salicylic acid, lactic acid, malic acid, citric acid or mixtures thereof, in particular salicylic acid, malic acid or mixtures thereof, more particularly salicylic acid.

[0067] For example, the plant may be rooibos and the organic acid may benzoic acid, levulinic acid, salicylic acid, lactic acid, malic acid, citric acid or mixtures thereof, in particular salicylic acid, malic acid or mixtures thereof, more particularly salicylic acid.

[0068] For example, the plant may be rooibos and the pH of the paper sheet of the present invention may be from 4.9 to 7.0, in particular from 4.9 to 6.0.

[0069] For example, the plant may be rooibos, the pH of the paper sheet of the present invention may be from 4.9 to 7.0, in particular from 4.9 to 6.0, and the organic acid may be benzoic acid, levulinic acid, salicylic acid, lactic acid, malic acid, citric acid or mixtures thereof, in particular salicylic acid, malic acid or mixtures thereof, more particularly salicylic acid.

[0070] Typically, the paper sheet may have a basis weight of lower than 300 g/m², in particular from 15 g/m² to 200 g/m², more particularly from 30 g/m² to 150 g/m².

[0071] To determine the basis weight of the paper sheet, the following method may be used: a sample of 0.25 m² is cut out with a template (dimensions: 57.5 x 43.5 cm) at approximately 15 cm from the edge of the paper sheet to be analyzed. The sample is then folded in four and placed on a hotplate so as to be dried thereon in order to remove the water without removing the aerosol-generating agent. The dried sample is then weighed to determine the basis weight of the paper sheet.

[0072] According to one embodiment, the paper sheet may comprise:

- a fibrous support comprising cellulose-based plant fibers, in particular consisting of cellulose- based plant fibers,

- an aerosol-generating agent, and

- nicotine, a salt of nicotine or mixtures thereof, characterized in that the total content by weight of solids of the cellulose-based plant fibers included in the paper sheet is from 30% to 90%, in particular from 70% to 85%, the paper sheet comprises an organic acid, in particular malic acid, and the paper sheet has a pH from 4.9 to 7.0, in particular from 5.0 to 5.5.

[0073] It is also proposed a process for producing a paper sheet as defined above, comprising the following steps: a) forming a solution comprising:

- the aerosol-generating agent, and

[0074] The cellulose-based plant fibers, the aerosol-generating agent, the nicotine and the salt of nicotine are as defined above in relation with the paper sheet of the present invention.

[0075] The base web may be produced by passing the cellulose-based plant fibers through a papermaking machine. Therefore, the paper sheet of the invention may be a paper sheet obtainable by a papermaking process.

[0076] The solution formed during step a) and involved in step b) may comprise an organic acid as defined above in relation with the paper sheet of the present invention.

[0077] In the solution formed during step a) and involved in step b), the molar ratio of nicotine:organic acid may be from 1 :0.1 to 1 :10, in particular from 1 :0.4 to 1 :5, more particularly from 1 :0.5 to 1 :3.

[0078] The pH of the solution formed during step a) and involved in step b) may be acidic, in particular from 3.5 to 6.0, more particularly from 4.3. to 5.2.

Advantageously, a solution having a pH in these ranges may enable the production of the paper sheet of the present invention.

[0079] The pH of the solution mainly depends on the amount of organic acid, nicotine and/or salt of nicotine in said solution. The skilled person knows how to adjust the amount of organic acid, nicotine and/or salt of nicotine in the solution so that said solution has a pH in the above range.

[0080] The inventors noticed that the pH and the buffer power of the base web may depend on the type of fibers. The pH of the solution may thus be adapted to the pH and the buffer power of the base web to enable the production of the paper sheet of the present invention.

[0081] The pH of the solution is determined using a pH electrode. The pH of the base web is determined by the method described above determining the pH of the paper sheet of the present invention.

[0082] The paper sheet produced by the process of the present invention, and thus the base web of step b), may further comprise plant fibers. The plant fibers are as defined above in relation with the paper sheet of the present invention.

Accordingly, a mixture of cellulose-based plant fibers and plant fibers may be passed through a papermaking machine so as to produce the base web, said base web being involved in step b).

[0083] The plant fibers may be obtained in accordance with the following steps: d) mixing one or more plant parts with a solvent in order to extract the plant extract from the plant fibers, and e) separating the plant extract from the plant fibers.

[0084] The plant fibers are therefore typically obtained by means of a dissociation process. During step d), one or more plant parts are mixed with a solvent, for example in a digester, in order to extract the plant extract from the plant fibers. During step e), the plant extract is separated from the plant fibers, for example by passing through a screw press, in order to isolate and obtain, on the one hand, the plant fibers and, on the other hand, the plant extract.

[0085] For the purposes of the present application, the term “plant extract” denotes all of the solventsoluble products of the plant.

[0086] Typically, the solvent may be an apolar solvent, an aprotic polar solvent, a protic polar solvent, or a mixture thereof, in particular the solvent may be methanol, dichloromethane, ethanol, acetone, butanol, water, supercritical CO2 or a mixture thereof, more particularly the solvent is ethanol, acetone, water or a mixture thereof.

[0087] The solvent may be an aqueous solvent, most particularly the solvent is water.

[0088] The skilled person knows how to adapt the temperature of the solvent during step d) to the plant, to the plant part and to the plant parts to be treated. Typically, the temperature of the solvent during the treatment of a root or of a bark will be higher than the temperature of the solvent during the treatment of a leaf or a petal.

[0089] Typically, the temperature of the solvent during step d) may be from 10°C to 100°C, in particular from 30°C to 90°C, more particularly from 40°C to 80°C.

[0090] Typically, the plant fibers may be refined in a refiner to produce the base web.

[0091] Typically, the plant fibers may originate from various plants.

[0092] The fibers of each plant can be obtained separately according to the dissociation process described above. They can subsequently be mixed such that this mixture of fibers from various plants passes through the papermaking machine so as to constitute the fibrous support.

It is also possible to obtain fibers from various plants together by bringing together one or more parts of the various plants and then subjecting them to the dissociation process described above. The temperature of the water will then be adapted to the plants to be treated and, in particular, to the plant requiring the highest temperature of the water for extracting the extract of this plant. This alternative embodiment is very advantageous since it makes it possible to obtain the fibers of the various plants without carrying out several dissociation processes in parallel.

[0093] The solution may be formed during step a) by mixing in a solvent, in particular water, nicotine, the aerosol-generating agent and the organic acid. Accordingly, the salt of nicotine is formed in-situ in the solution by reaction between the organic acid and the nicotine.

In particular; during this step a):

- the organic acid may be mixed with the nicotine to form a mixture. Indeed, it advantageously favors the formation of the salt of nicotine,

- the aerosol-generating agent may then be added to this mixture to form a second mixture, - the solvent, in particular water, is then added to this second mixture to form the solution.

The solution may be heated, if necessary, between 40°C and 60°C. This heating step favorizes the solubilization of the components in the solution.

[0094] Typically, step b) can be carried out by impregnation or by spraying, in particular by impregnation. Typically, the impregnation can be carried out by means of a size press.

[0095] Typically, the drying step c) can be carried out by infrared ramp, American battery drying drums, hot-air drying in a tunnel drier, a vertical drier, a fluidized-bed drier, a pneumatic drier, in particular in a tunnel drier.

[0096] The paper sheet produced at step c) may be shaped in particulate form, in the form of crimped sheet, in shredded form.

[0097] The paper sheet of the invention may be used in an aerosol generating system.

[0098] Thus, it is also proposed a consumable for an aerosol generating system comprising a paper sheet according to the invention as defined above.

[0099] For the purposes of the present invention, the term "consumable" denotes the paper sheet according to the invention as such, a pouch comprising the paper sheet according to the invention, a capsule comprising the paper sheet according to the invention or a stick for a heating device comprising the paper sheet according to the invention.

[0100] For the purposes of the present application, the expression “aerosol generating system” denotes any device which allows the formation of an aerosol intended to be inhaled by a consumer. The aerosol provides nicotine to the consumer. Moreover, thanks to the aerosol generating system, the formation of harmful constituents during combustion is avoided, thereby very significantly reducing the consumer's exposure to said harmful constituents.

[0101] Typically, an aerosol generating system comprises, in the direction of the air flow, an air inlet, a heating body, a lodging intended to put in place and hold the consumable of the invention, and an air outlet intended to be introduced into the mouth of the user. The air inlet, the heating body, the lodging and the air outlet are typically connected at least fluidically to one another.

[0102] When the aerosol generating system is used, air is sucked into the aerosol generating system via the air inlet by the user; the air sucked in then passes through the heated portion so as to obtain heated air; on contact with the paper sheet of the invention comprising the aerosol-generating agent, held in the lodging, an aerosol is formed and is then inhaled by the user.

[0103] The aerosol generating system can be a device for heating tobacco without burning it (such as IQOS™ or gio™), an herb vaporizer (such as Pax®), an hybrid technology (such as Ploom™ Tech).

[0104] The consumable is adapted to be introduced into a dedicated lodging of the aerosol generating system, and those skilled in the art will know how to adapt the consumable according to the dedicated lodging of the aerosol generating system.

[0105] The paper sheet according to the invention, as consumable, can be shaped so as to be adapted to the dedicated lodging of the aerosol generating system. For example, it may be in particulate form, in the form of crimped sheet, in the form of shredded sheet. [0106] The pouch can be made of paper with an inner volume and the paper sheet according to the invention is contained in the inner volume. In the inner volume, the paper sheet according to the invention may be shaped, in particular in particulate form, in the form of creped sheet, in the form of shredded sheet.

[0107] The paper sheet according to the invention may in particular be in the form of shredded sheet in a stick for an aerosol generating system.

[0108] According to one embodiment, the paper sheet included in the consumable may be able to be obtained by the process according to the invention as defined above.

[0109] It is also proposed a use of a paper sheet according to the invention as defined above or of a consumable according to the invention as defined above in an aerosol generating system.

[0110] The paper sheet according to the invention as defined above may also be used as a wrapper paper.

[0111] It is also proposed a use of a consumable as defined above in an aerosol generating system.

Examples

[0112] Example 1 : Manufacturing of paper sheets.

[0113] Example according to the invention presented in table 1 : an acid is added to the paper sheet.

[0114] The following protocol is used to manufacture the paper sheets according to the invention presented in Table 1 below.

[0115] The cellulose-based plant fibers are passed through a laboratory papermaking machine to obtain a base web. When comprised in the paper sheet, plant fibers such as Roibos fibers or sweet mint fibers are added to the base web.

[0116] The organic acid is mixed with nicotine to form a mixture. Glycerol is then added to this mixture to form a second mixture. Water is added to this second mixture. This final mixture is heated to 48°C and stirred up to complete solubilisation of the solution.

[0117] The solution is added to the base web by impregnation in a size press so as to obtain, after drying, the paper sheet.

[0118] Example not according to the invention presented in table 2: no acid is added to the paper sheet or pH of the paper sheet is too low.

[0119] The following protocol is used to manufacture the paper sheets not according to the invention presented in Table 2 below.

[0120] The cellulose-based plant fibers are passed through a laboratory papermaking machine to obtain a base web. When comprised in the paper sheet, plant fibers such as Roibos fibers or sweet mint fibers are added to the base web.

[0121] Glycerol is mixed with nicotine to form a mixture. Water is added to this mixture. This final mixture is heated to 48°C and stirred up to complete solubilisation to form a solution. [0122] The solution is added to the base web by impregnation in a size press so as to obtain, after drying, the paper sheet.

[0123] Example 2: Determination of nicotine release.

[0124] Example 2A: High temperature ageing. [0125] Paper sheets according to the invention (Table 1 ) and not according to the invention (Table 2) are stored during 1 1 days under the following conditions: 40°C, 60% Relative Humidity.

[0126] The total content by weight of solids of nicotine of these examples is then measured by Gas Chromatography coupled with Flame Ionization Detector (GC-FID). For each paper sheet, the nicotine loss after storage is presented. [0127] The results presented in Table 1 and table 2 demonstrate that the nicotine is effectively stabilized in the paper sheet of the present invention, which maintains a pH between 4.9 and 7. The Nicotine loss after storage of the paper sheet of the present invention are less than 20% and ideally less than 10%.

[0128] In contrast, the results in Table 2 show significant nicotine loss after storage, with more than half of the nicotine lost in all examples except one. Notably, one example in Table 2, with a paper sheet pH of 4.3 is particularly unsatisfactory due to its unpleasant, harsh, and pungent taste, which may also lead to deleterious physiological effects in certain cases, attributed to the increased presence of organic acid in the paper sheet.

[0129] [Table 1]

[0130] [Table 2]

Claims

[Claim 1] A paper sheet comprising:

- a fibrous support comprising cellulose-based plant fibers,

- an aerosol-generating agent, and

- nicotine, a salt of nicotine or mixtures thereof, characterized in that the total content by weight of solids of the cellulose-based plant fibers included in the paper sheet is from 22% to 94%, and the paper sheet has a pH from 4.9 to 7.0.

[Claim 2] Paper sheet according to claim 1 wherein the paper sheet further comprises an organic acid.

[Claim 3] Paper sheet according to claim 2, wherein the organic acid is alginic acid, aspartic acid, benzoic acid, citric acid, fumaric acid, glutamic acid, glycolic acid, lactic acid, levulinic acid, malic acid, pectic acid, pyruvic acid, salicylic acid, tartaric acid, glucuronic acid, galacturonic acid, myristic acid or mixtures thereof.

[Claim 4] Paper sheet according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the total content by weight of solids of nicotine is from 0.1% to 8%.

[Claim 5] Paper sheet according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the total content by weight of solids of aerosol-generating agent is from 6% to 70%.

[Claim 6] Paper sheet according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the fibrous support further comprises plant fibers.

[Claim 7] Paper sheet according to claim 6, wherein the total content by weight of solids of the plant fibers included in the paper sheet is less than 72%.

[Claim 8] Paper sheet according to claim 6 or claim 7, in which the plant of the plant fibers is chosen from food plants, aromatic plants, fragrant plants, medicinal plants, plants of the family Cannabaceae and mixtures thereof.

[Claim 9] Process for producing a paper sheet as defined in any one of claims 1 to 5, comprising the following steps: a) forming a solution comprising:

- the aerosol-generating agent, and

[Claim 10] Process according to claim 9, wherein the solution formed during step a) and involved in step b) further comprises an organic acid.

[Claim 11] Process according to claim 9 or claim 10, wherein the pH of the solution formed during step a) and involved in step b) is acidic.

[Claim 12] Process according to any one of claims 9 to 11 for producing a paper sheet as defined in any one of claims 6 to 8, wherein a mixture of cellulose-based plant fibers and plant fibers is passed through a papermaking machine to produce the base web involved in step b).

[Claim 13] Consumable for an aerosol generating system comprising a paper sheet as defined in any one of claims 1 to 8.

[Claim 14] Use of the consumable as defined in claim 13 in an aerosol generating system.