U.S. patent application number 14/888311 was filed with the patent office on 2016-03-03 for vaporisable material.
This patent application is currently assigned to JT INTERNATIONAL SA. The applicant listed for this patent is JT INTERNATIONAL SA. Invention is credited to Geoff Banks, Kelly Crawford, Ugurhan Yilmaz.
Application Number | 20160058066 14/888311 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 48190385 |
Filed Date | 2016-03-03 |
United States Patent
Application |
20160058066 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Banks; Geoff ; et
al. |
March 3, 2016 |
VAPORISABLE MATERIAL
Abstract
A vaporisable material for use in a vapour-generating device
comprising tobacco having a moisture content of from about 3 to 5
wt %, and further comprising a humectant in an amount of at least
20 wt % is disclosed. The invention also relates to use of the
vaporisable material in a vapour-generating device, and to a sealed
package containing the vaporisable material and a device containing
the sealed package of vaporisable material.
Inventors: |
Banks; Geoff; (Ballymena,
GB) ; Crawford; Kelly; (Ballymena, GB) ;
Yilmaz; Ugurhan; (Konz, DE) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
JT INTERNATIONAL SA |
Geneva 26 |
|
CH |
|
|
Assignee: |
JT INTERNATIONAL SA
Geneva, 26
CH
|
Family ID: |
48190385 |
Appl. No.: |
14/888311 |
Filed: |
May 2, 2014 |
PCT Filed: |
May 2, 2014 |
PCT NO: |
PCT/EP2014/058989 |
371 Date: |
October 30, 2015 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
131/329 ;
131/352 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A24D 1/14 20130101; A24B
15/167 20161101; A61M 2205/3653 20130101; A24B 15/10 20130101; A61M
15/0041 20140204; A24B 15/16 20130101; A61M 15/0021 20140204; A61M
15/0028 20130101; A61M 2205/584 20130101; A61M 15/0035 20140204;
A61M 11/047 20140204; A24F 23/00 20130101; A24B 13/00 20130101;
A61M 11/041 20130101; A61M 2205/125 20130101; A61M 11/048 20140204;
A61M 2205/8206 20130101; A61M 15/06 20130101; A61M 2205/0266
20130101; A24F 47/004 20130101 |
International
Class: |
A24B 13/00 20060101
A24B013/00; A24F 47/00 20060101 A24F047/00; A24F 23/00 20060101
A24F023/00 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
May 2, 2013 |
EP |
13166239.7 |
Claims
1. A vaporisable material for use in a vapour-generating device,
comprising tobacco having a moisture content of from about 3 to 5
wt %, and further comprising a humectant in an amount of at least
20 wt %.
2. A vaporisable material according to claim 1, wherein the
humectant is propylene glycol.
3. A vaporisable material according to claim 1, wherein the
humectant is present in an amount from about 20 to 60 wt %.
4. A sealed package containing the vaporisable material as defined
in claim 1.
5. Use of the vaporisable material as defined in claim 1 in a
vapour-generating device.
6. A vapour-generating device comprising the vaporisable material
as defined in claim 1.
7. A vapour-generating device comprising a vaporisable material,
wherein the vaporisable material is contained in a sealed package
according to claim 4.
8. A vapour-generating device according to claim 6, wherein the
device is capable of maintaining the moisture content of the
tobacco component of the vaporisable material within the range of
from about 3 to 5 wt %, preferably at about 4 wt %.
9. A vapour-generating device according to claim 6, wherein the
device is a tobacco heating device.
10. A vapour-generating device according to claim 8, wherein the
device is a tobacco heating device.
Description
[0001] The present invention relates to vaporisable material for
use in a vapour-generating device. Devices which heat rather than
burn vaporisable material, such as those containing tobacco, to
create a vapour for inhalation are becoming popular. They generally
comprise a heat source powered by gas or electricity and a chamber
for receiving vaporisable material containing a vapour-generating
product. In use the material is inserted into the device and heated
by the heat source to generate a vapour for inhalation. An example
of such a device can be found in PCT publication WO
2009/079641.
[0002] Such devices and the material for use in them have become
popular because they can provide a user with an experience very
similar to smoking the vaporisable material without the burning of
plant material such as tobacco.
[0003] However, such devices are not always popular with consumers
because they produce inconsistent levels of vapour and are often
unreliable in terms of the length of use of the vaporisable
material, as well as providing inconsistent and unreliable
flavour/taste delivery to a user.
[0004] The present invention seeks to provide vaporisable material
for use in the vapour-generating device, that material providing a
far higher degree of consistency and quality of flavour to an end
user.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0005] According to a first aspect, the present invention provides
a vaporisable material for use in a vapour-generating device,
comprising tobacco having a moisture content of from about 3 to 5
wt %, and further comprising a humectant in an amount of at least
20 wt %.
[0006] According to a second aspect, the present invention provides
a sealed package containing vaporisable material according to the
first aspect of the invention.
[0007] According to a third aspect, the present invention is
directed to the use of vaporisable material as defined in the first
aspect of the invention in a vapour-generating device.
[0008] According to a fourth aspect, the present invention provides
a vapour-generating device comprising vaporisable material as
defined according to the first aspect of the invention.
DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0009] FIG. 1 is a side cross-sectional schematic view of a heating
device comprising a capsule according to the present invention;
and
[0010] FIG. 2 is a side cross-sectional view through a plug and
capsule in accordance with the invention.
DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0011] As used herein, the term "moisture content" refers to the
amount of moisture (i.e. water) present in a given material, e.g.
vaporisable material, including plant material such as tobacco.
[0012] As used herein, the term "vaporisable" has its usual meaning
in the art, referring to a material that is capable of being
converted to from a solid or liquid state to a gaseous state upon
heating.
[0013] Moisture content is an important parameter of the chemical
composition of vaporisable materials, and in particular of the
plant material such as tobacco. The moisture content of vaporisable
materials, and the components of vaporisable materials, may affect
various properties of the material, including: [0014] Ease of
particle size reduction, with drier materials being easier to mill
into fine powders; [0015] Texture and density, with wetter
materials being of higher density and more sticky; and [0016]
Efficiency of vapour production upon heating, since the moisture
content affects the time and energy required for the vaporisable
material and/or components thereof to reach the desired
vaporisation temperature.
[0017] In addition, the present inventors have observed that the
mouthpiece portion of a vapour-generating device becomes hot if the
moisture content of the tobacco component of the vaporisable
material is elevated. This is believed to be due to the tendency of
water contained in the vapour to transfer heat from the oven or
heat source to the mouthpiece.
[0018] The inventors have also observed that reducing the moisture
content of the tobacco component of the vaporisable material can
affect the flavour and/or taste of the vaporisable material when it
is inhaled by a user. The flavour and/or taste of tobacco can
become harsh and unpleasant if the moisture content is too low.
[0019] Therefore, the present invention provides a vaporisable
material suitable for use in a vapour-generating device, comprising
tobacco having a moisture content of from about 3 to 5 wt %.
Preferably, the tobacco has a moisture content of about 4 wt %. For
the avoidance of doubt, these wt % values are based on the total
weight of the tobacco component only; these wt % values are not
based on the total weight of the vaporisable material.
[0020] Examples of suitable forms of tobacco include leaf, STEM,
expanded tobacco blend and reconstituted tobacco blend.
[0021] The inventors have also observed that the vaporisable
material of the invention when used in a vapour-generating device
can significantly reduce or avoid noise generation when heated to
produce a vapour.
[0022] It is proposed by the present inventors that since flavour
ratio is defined based on tobacco weight, lower moisture content
results in more perceived flavour levels on the first puff on a
vapour-generating device containing the vaporisable material,
compared to tobacco material having higher moisture levels, due to
less dilution of the vapour in the low moisture-containing
material. Furthermore, higher moisture results in less vapour
volume in the first puffs, which creates a poor first puff
impression and is unsatisfactory for consumers. In addition, the
inventors have found that vaporisable material comprising tobacco
that has a moisture content lower than about 3 wt % has a harsh
taste and is associated with increased irritation when inhaled.
These observations are surprising, since it is unexpected that the
optimum moisture content of the tobacco component of a vaporisable
material should be found to be lower than the optimum moisture
content of a material that is burnt in use (such as a cigarette,
which has an optimum moisture content of about 12.5 wt %).
[0023] As used herein, the term "taste" has its usual meaning, and
refers to the chemical sensation produced when inhaled vapours
produced by heating the vaporisable material of the invention
reacts chemically with taste bud receptors in the mouth of a user.
The sensation of taste can be categorized into five basic tastes:
sweetness; sourness; saltiness; bitterness; and umami. Taste, along
with smell (olfaction) and trigeminal nerve stimulation, determines
perception of flavours. The term "flavour", as used in the context
of the present invention, refers to the sensory impression of
inhaled vapours perceived by a user, and is determined mainly by
the chemical senses of taste and smell.
[0024] The skilled person will be familiar with suitable
methodologies for determining the moisture content of a plant
material, such as tobacco, and will appreciate that different
methodologies are applicable to different materials. For the
avoidance of doubt, a method for determining the moisture content
of tobacco is described as follows:
[0025] A heat source, preferably a halogen lamp, is set to a
temperature of 105.degree. C. and .about.2 g of tobacco sample is
placed in a weighing chamber and heated by the lamp. The weight of
the sample due moisture loss is measured until a constant weight is
reached. The moisture content is calculated by subtracting the
dried sample weight (W.sub.D) from the initial sample weight
(W.sub.I), dividing by the dried sample weight, and multiplying by
100:
W D - W I W D .times. 100 ##EQU00001##
[0026] A vaporisable material according to the invention comprises
tobacco having a moisture content as described herein and also
comprises a humectant.
[0027] A humectant is a hygroscopic substance that has an affinity
to form hydrogen bonds with molecules of water and is used to
produce a visible exhaled aerosol (i.e. vapour) when the product is
in use. Suitable humectants for inclusion in a vaporisable material
according to the present invention include propylene glycol, also
known as 1,2-propanediol or propane-1,2-diol and having the formula
C.sub.3H.sub.8O.sub.2 or HO--CH.sub.2--CHOH--CH.sub.3, and
glycerol, also known as glycerine and having the formula
C.sub.3H.sub.8O.sub.3. In a preferred embodiment, the humectant is
propylene glycol.
[0028] The vaporisable material of the invention comprises at least
20 wt % of a humectant, and preferably the amount of humectant
present is from 20 to 60 wt %, most preferably about 40 to 50 wt %.
These wt % values are based on the total weight of the vaporisable
material, including the tobacco material and the humectant.
[0029] With the addition of humectants, the moisture content of the
vaporisable material differs from blend to blend, but it is
preferably within the range of 1 to 4 wt %, when the moisture
content of the tobacco component lies in the range from about 3 to
5 wt % and the amount of humectant ranges from about 20 wt % to
about 60 wt %. In general, the overall wt % moisture content of the
vaporisable material comprising tobacco material and humectant will
be lower than the moisture content of the tobacco material alone,
due to humectants having low moisture content.
[0030] As the skilled person in the art will be aware, the moisture
content of a final vaporisable tobacco product may be obtained by
Karl Fischer titration, following extraction of the vaporisable
material in a suitable solvent such as methanol, or by heating the
vaporisable material in a Stromboli sample oven. The Karl Fischer
titration method is described in Fischer, K., Angew. Chem. (1935)
48 (26): 394-396.
[0031] The vaporisable material of the invention is suitable for
use in a vapour-generating device, such as a tobacco-heating
device. An example of such a device can be found in PCT publication
WO 2009/079641.
[0032] In a preferred embodiment, the device is capable of
maintaining the moisture content of the tobacco component of the
vaporisable material within the range of from about 3 to 5 wt %,
and most preferably about 4 wt %.
[0033] The present inventors have observed that when a vaporisable
material as defined herein is inhaled using a vapour-generating
device, higher moisture contents of the material correspond to an
increased harshness in the flavour.
[0034] This is thought to be due to condensed water droplets in the
aerosol evaporating much faster than either propylene or glycol
(i.e. the humectant component of the product). Nicotine present in
the water droplets also evaporates, and the gaseous nicotine causes
increased harshness in the taste/flavour of the inhaled
product.
[0035] The vaporisable material is preferably provided in a sealed
package, which functions as an absolute barrier enabling the
moisture content and flavour to be retained over time. The term
"sealed package" refers to a gas-impermeable container having a
hermetic closure and in the context of the present invention is
preferably a capsule. The sealed package is configured to be made
open ready to release a vapour when heated by a vaporising device.
Ideally, the vaporisable material should be processed and packaged
as quickly as possible to ensure that atmospheric moisture is not
absorbed into the material.
[0036] Referring to FIG. 1, there is shown a tobacco heating device
1 of the type generally described in PCT publication WO
2009/079641. The device has a mouthpiece 10, body 11, heater 12,
heating chamber 13 and a fuel supply 14.
[0037] The device also usually has control components to regulate
the temperature of the device particularly within the heating
chamber to control a container 20 placed within the device in use.
Whilst this example device uses a combustible fuel as a heat
source, it will be appreciated that the device may have another
type of heat source and power supply, such as an electrical heater
and battery, for example.
[0038] In use a capsule 20 is inserted into the heating chamber 13,
and the heater 12 supplied with fuel from the fuel tank 14 to heat
the heating chamber 13, under the control of a user. The capsule 20
contains a plug of vaporisable material comprising tobacco material
having a moisture content of from about 3 to 5 wt %, in accordance
with the present invention. The contents of the capsule are heated
by the heater 12 to create an aerosol vapour based on the contents
of the container, that aerosol then being inhaled by the user via
the mouth piece 10.
[0039] Referring to FIG. 2, a plug of vaporisable material 25
comprising tobacco material having a moisture content of from about
3 to 5 wt % according to the invention is shown. In this example
the plug is provided in a capsule 20. It is possible to provide the
plug in a user-removable wrapper which is taken off prior to
insertion of the plug 25 into the heating chamber 13 of the device
1 or to supply the plug 25 in a dispenser which inserts the plug 25
into the device 1 to avoid handling by a user.
* * * * *