U.S. patent application number 16/611869 was filed with the patent office on 2021-05-27 for homogenised botanical material comprising a basic ph modifier.
This patent application is currently assigned to Philip Morris Products S.A.. The applicant listed for this patent is Philip Morris Products S.A.. Invention is credited to Anu AJITHKUMAR, Corinne DEFOREL, Gerhard LANG.
Application Number | 20210153541 16/611869 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 1000005445387 |
Filed Date | 2021-05-27 |
United States Patent
Application |
20210153541 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
AJITHKUMAR; Anu ; et
al. |
May 27, 2021 |
HOMOGENISED BOTANICAL MATERIAL COMPRISING A BASIC PH MODIFIER
Abstract
A homogenised botanical material is provided, including a
particulate plant material, a content of which is greater than or
equal to about 60% by weight, on a dry weight basis; an aerosol
former; and a basic pH modifier having a solubility in water of
less than or equal to about 0.1 g/100 mL water at 20.degree. C. and
1 atm, the basic pH modifier including one or more basic inorganic
salts selected from the group consisting of: alkaline earth metal
hydrogen carbonates, alkaline earth metal hydroxides, and alkaline
earth metal phosphates.
Inventors: |
AJITHKUMAR; Anu; (Neuchatel,
CH) ; DEFOREL; Corinne; (Formangueires, CH) ;
LANG; Gerhard; (Murten, CH) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Philip Morris Products S.A. |
Neuchatel |
|
CH |
|
|
Assignee: |
Philip Morris Products S.A.
Neuchatel
CH
|
Family ID: |
1000005445387 |
Appl. No.: |
16/611869 |
Filed: |
May 22, 2018 |
PCT Filed: |
May 22, 2018 |
PCT NO: |
PCT/EP2018/063403 |
371 Date: |
November 8, 2019 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A24B 15/165 20130101;
A24B 15/12 20130101; A24C 5/01 20200101; A24B 15/42 20130101; A24D
1/22 20200101; A24B 3/14 20130101; A24D 1/20 20200101 |
International
Class: |
A24B 15/12 20060101
A24B015/12; A24B 15/16 20060101 A24B015/16; A24B 15/42 20060101
A24B015/42; A24B 3/14 20060101 A24B003/14; A24D 1/20 20060101
A24D001/20; A24D 1/22 20060101 A24D001/22; A24C 5/01 20060101
A24C005/01 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
May 24, 2017 |
EP |
17172907.2 |
Claims
1.-14. (canceled)
15. A homogenised botanical material, comprising: a particulate
plant material, a content of which is greater than or equal to
about 60% by weight, on a dry weight basis; an aerosol former; and
a basic pH modifier having a solubility in water of less than or
equal to about 0.1 g/100 mL water at 20.degree. C. and 1 atm, the
basic pH modifier comprising one or more basic inorganic salts
selected from the group consisting of: alkaline earth metal
hydrogen carbonates, alkaline earth metal hydroxides, and alkaline
earth metal phosphates.
16. The homogenised botanical material according to claim 15,
wherein the basic pH modifier further comprises one or more basic
inorganic salts selected from the group consisting of: magnesium
hydrogen carbonate, magnesium hydroxide, magnesium phosphate, and
calcium phosphate.
17. The homogenised botanical material according to claim 15,
wherein the homogenised botanical material has a pH greater than or
equal to about 5.5.
18. The homogenised botanical material according to claim 15,
wherein the homogenised botanical material has a pH less than or
equal to about 8.0.
19. The homogenised botanical material according to claim 15,
wherein the homogenised botanical material has a pH of between
about 6.0 and about 7.5.
20. The homogenised botanical material according to claim 15,
wherein the homogenised botanical material has an aerosol former
content of between about 5% and about 25% by weight on a dry weight
basis.
21. The homogenised botanical material according to claim 15,
further comprising a lipid having a melting point of between about
50.degree. C. and about 150.degree. C.
22. The homogenised botanical material according to claim 15,
wherein the homogenised botanical material is a homogenised tobacco
material and the particulate plant material is tobacco.
23. A sheet of homogenised botanical material, comprising a
homogenised botanical material according to claim 15.
24. An aerosol-generating rod, comprising a gathered sheet of the
homogenised botanical material according to claim 23 circumscribed
by a wrapper.
25. An aerosol-generating article for an electrically-operated
aerosol-generating system, the aerosol-generating article
comprising an aerosol-generating rod according to claim 24.
26. An aerosol-generating article, comprising a combustible heat
source and an aerosol-generating rod according to claim 24 disposed
downstream of the combustible heat source.
27. A method of making a cast sheet of homogenised botanical
material, comprising the steps of: combining particulate plant
material, an aerosol former, and a basic pH modifier having a
solubility in water of less about 0.1 g/100 mL water at 20.degree.
C. and 1 atm to form a slurry, the basic pH modifier comprising one
or more basic inorganic salts selected from the group consisting
of: alkaline earth metal hydrogen carbonates, alkaline earth metal
hydroxides, and alkaline earth metal phosphates; casting the slurry
onto a support surface; drying the cast slurry to form the cast
sheet of homogenised botanical material, wherein a particulate
plant content of the cast sheet of homogenised botanical material
is greater than or equal to about 60% by weight on a dry weight
basis; and removing the cast sheet of homogenised botanical
material from the support surface.
28. The method according to claim 27, further comprising the steps
of: gathering the cast sheet of homogenised botanical material
transversely relative to a longitudinal axis thereof;
circumscribing the gathered cast sheet of homogenised botanical
material with a wrapper to form a rod; and severing the rod into a
plurality of discrete aerosol-generating rods.
Description
[0001] The present invention relates to homogenised botanical
material. The present invention also relates to aerosol-generating
rods comprising gathered sheets of homogenised botanical material
and aerosol-generating articles comprising such rods. In
particular, the present invention relates to heated
aerosol-generating articles comprising aerosol-generating rods
comprising gathered cast sheets of homogenised botanical
material.
[0002] Homogenised tobacco material is frequently used in the
production of tobacco products. Such homogenised tobacco material
is typically manufactured from parts of the tobacco plant that are
less suited for the production of cut filler, like, for example,
tobacco stems or tobacco dust.
[0003] A number of reconstitution processes for producing
homogenised tobacco materials are known in the art. These include,
but are not limited to: paper-making processes of the type
described in, for example, U.S. Pat. No. 3,860,012; casting or
`cast leaf` processes of the type described in, for example, U.S.
Pat. No. 5,724,998; dough reconstitution processes of the type
described in, for example, U.S. Pat. No. 3,894,544; and extrusion
processes of the type described in, for example, in GB 983,928
A.
[0004] Known casting or `cast leaf` processes typically comprise
the steps of: combining particulate tobacco and a binder to form a
slurry; casting the slurry onto a support surface; drying the cast
slurry to form a sheet of homogenised tobacco material and removing
the sheet of homogenised tobacco material from the support surface.
The sheet of homogenised tobacco material may be cut or shredded
prior to being used in the production of tobacco products.
[0005] Nicotine may be partially lost during production of
homogenised tobacco materials using such known reconstitution
processes. In particular, nicotine may be lost during drying of
homogenised tobacco materials produced using such known
reconstitution processes. For example, in known casting or `cast
leaf` processes, nicotine may be lost during the step of drying the
cast slurry to form a sheet of homogenised tobacco material.
[0006] WO 2012/164009 A2 discloses rods comprising gathered cast
sheets of homogenised tobacco material for use as
aerosol-generating substrates in heated aerosol-generating
articles.
[0007] In heated aerosol-generating articles comprising an
aerosol-generating substrate, an inhalable aerosol is formed by
heating the aerosol-generating substrate to a relatively low
temperature, for example a temperature of about 350.degree. C. In
order for a satisfactory aerosol to be generated upon heating the
aerosol-generating substrate to such a relatively low temperature,
homogenised botanical materials for use in aerosol-generating
substrates in heated aerosol-generating articles typically have a
relatively high aerosol former content.
[0008] It would be desirable to enhance the release of active
substances from homogenised botanical materials upon heating. In
particular, it would be desirable to increase the transfer yield of
an active substance to an inhalable aerosol produced by heating an
aerosol-generating substrate comprising homogenised botanical
material in a heated aerosol-generating article, wherein the
transfer yield of active substance is defined as (amount of active
substance delivered in the aerosol upon heating)/(amount of active
substance in the homogenised botanical material in the
aerosol-generating substrate of the aerosol-generating article
before heating).
[0009] It would be particularly desirable to enhance the release of
nicotine from homogenised tobacco material upon heating. In
particular, it would be desirable to increase the transfer yield of
nicotine to an inhalable aerosol produced by heating an
aerosol-generating substrate comprising homogenised tobacco
material in a heated aerosol-generating article, wherein the
transfer yield of nicotine is defined as (amount of nicotine
delivered in the aerosol upon heating)/(amount of nicotine in the
homogenised tobacco material in the aerosol-generating substrate of
the aerosol-generating article before heating).
[0010] Upon heating of homogenised tobacco material, nicotine
migrates from within the homogenised tobacco material to the
surface thereof in order to be released. Migration of nicotine
within homogenised tobacco material is limited by diffusion.
Therefore, one way to enhance the release of nicotine would be to
increase the temperature to which the homogenised tobacco material
is heated, thereby improving diffusion. However, this may
disadvantageously result in the formation and evolution of
potentially undesirable compounds. Increasing the temperature to
which an aerosol-generating substrate comprising homogenised
tobacco material in a heated aerosol-generating article is heated
may also adversely affect physical properties of the generated
aerosol, for example the temperature of the aerosol or droplet or
particle size of the aerosol.
[0011] Therefore, it would be desirable to enhance the release of
nicotine from homogenised tobacco material upon heating to a
relatively low temperature. In particular, it would be desirable to
increase the transfer yield of nicotine to an inhalable aerosol
produced by heating an aerosol-generating substrate comprising
homogenised tobacco material in a heated aerosol-generating article
to a relatively low temperature.
[0012] It would also be desirable to enhance the release of active
substances from other homogenised botanical materials upon heating
to a relatively low temperature.
[0013] According to the invention there is provided homogenised
botanical material comprising plant material, an aerosol former and
a basic pH modifier having a solubility in water of less than or
equal to about 0.1 g/100 mL water at 20.degree. C. and 1 atm.
[0014] According to a preferred embodiment of the invention there
is provided a sheet of homogenised botanical material comprising
plant material, an aerosol former and a basic pH modifier having a
solubility in water of less than or equal to about 0.1 g/100 mL
water at 20.degree. C. and 1 atm.
[0015] According to a particularly preferred embodiment of the
invention there is provided a cast sheet of homogenised botanical
material comprising plant material, an aerosol former and a basic
pH modifier having a solubility in water of less than or equal to
about 0.1 g/100 mL water at 20.degree. C. and 1 atm.
[0016] According to the invention there is also provided an
aerosol-generating article comprising an aerosol-generating
substrate comprising homogenised botanical material according to
the invention.
[0017] According a preferred embodiment of the invention there is
provided a heated aerosol-generating article comprising an
aerosol-generating substrate comprising homogenised botanical
material according to the invention.
[0018] According to the invention there is also provided an
aerosol-generating rod comprising a gathered sheet of homogenised
botanical material according to the invention circumscribed by a
wrapper.
[0019] According to the invention there is also provided an
aerosol-generating article comprising an aerosol-generating rod
according to the invention.
[0020] According a preferred embodiment of the invention there is
provided a heated aerosol-generating article comprising an
aerosol-generating rod according to the invention.
[0021] According to the invention there is further provided a
method of making a cast sheet of homogenised botanical material
comprising the steps of: combining plant material, an aerosol
former and a basic pH modifier having a solubility in water of less
about 0.1 g/100 mL water at 20.degree. C. and 1 atm to form a
slurry; casting the slurry onto a support surface; drying the cast
slurry to form a cast sheet of homogenised botanical material; and
removing the cast sheet of homogenised botanical material from the
support surface.
[0022] Preferably, the homogenised botanical material is an
alkaloid-containing material. Preferably, the homogenised botanical
material comprises alkaloid-containing plant material. As used
herein with reference to the invention, the term
"alkaloid-containing material" denotes a material that contains one
or more alkaloids.
[0023] Alkaloids are a class of naturally occurring
nitrogen-containing organic compounds. Alkaloids are found mostly
in plants, but are also found in bacteria, fungi and animals.
[0024] Examples of alkaloids include, but are not limited to,
caffeine, nicotine, theobromine, atropine and tubocurarine. A
preferred alkaloid is nicotine, which may be found in tobacco.
[0025] Preferably, the homogenised botanical material is a
homogenised tobacco material and the plant material is tobacco.
[0026] As used herein with reference to the invention, the term
"homogenised botanical material" denotes a material formed by
agglomerating particulate plant material.
[0027] As used herein with reference to the invention, the term
"homogenised tobacco material" denotes a material formed by
agglomerating particulate tobacco.
[0028] As used herein with reference to the invention, the term
"sheet" denotes a laminar element having a width and length
substantially greater than the thickness thereof.
[0029] As used herein with reference to the invention, the term
"rod" is used to describe a generally cylindrical element of
substantially circular, oval or elliptical cross-section.
[0030] As used herein with reference to the invention, the term
"gathered" denotes that the sheet is convoluted, folded, or
otherwise compressed or constricted substantially transversely to
the cylindrical axis of the rod.
[0031] As used herein with reference to the invention, the term
"aerosol-generating substrate" denotes a substrate that is capable
of releasing volatile compounds that can form an aerosol upon
heating of the substrate.
[0032] As used herein with reference to the invention, the term
"heated aerosol-generating article" is intended to be synonymous
with the terms "non-combustible aerosol-generating article" and
"`heat-not-burn` aerosol-generating article" and denotes an
aerosol-generating article comprising an aerosol-generating
substrate that releases volatile compounds that can form an aerosol
upon heating of the aerosol-generating substrate and without
combustion of the aerosol-generating substrate.
[0033] Inclusion of a basic pH modifier in the homogenised
botanical material increases the pH of the homogenised botanical
material. Where the homogenised botanical material is a homogenised
tobacco material and the plant material is tobacco, inclusion of a
basic pH modifier in the homogenised botanical material
advantageously enhances the release of nicotine from the
homogenised tobacco material upon heating compared to a homogenised
tobacco material that does not include a basic pH modifier. In
particular, inclusion of a basic pH modifier in the homogenised
tobacco material advantageously increases the transfer yield of
nicotine to an inhalable aerosol produced by heating an
aerosol-generating substrate comprising the homogenised tobacco
material in a heated aerosol-generating article compared to a
homogenised tobacco material that does not include a basic pH
modifier.
[0034] Where the homogenised botanical material is a homogenised
tobacco material and the plant material is tobacco, inclusion of a
basic pH modifier having a solubility in water of less than or
equal to about 0.1 g/100 mL water at 20.degree. C. and 1 atm in the
homogenised tobacco material also advantageously results in lower
losses of nicotine during production of the homogenised tobacco
material compared to a homogenised tobacco material including a
basic pH modifier having a higher solubility in water.
[0035] Use of a homogenised botanical material comprising plant
material, an aerosol former and a basic pH modifier having a
solubility in water of less than or equal to about 0.1 g/100 mL
water at 20.degree. C. and 1 atm, as described herein, in an
aerosol-generating substrate in a heated aerosol-generating article
may thereby allow equivalent nicotine or aerosol yields to be
obtained upon heating of the aerosol-generating substrate to a
lower temperature compared to the use of a homogenised botanical
material that does not comprise a basic pH modifier having a
solubility in water of less than or equal to about 0.1 g/100 mL
water at 20.degree. C. and 1 atm. This may provide a number of
advantages. For example, heating the aerosol-generating substrate
to a lower temperature may advantageously reduce the formation and
evolution of potentially undesirable aerosol constituents from the
homogenised botanical material. As a further example, where the
heated aerosol-generating article is used in an
electrically-operated aerosol-generating system, heating the
aerosol-generating substrate to a lower temperature may
advantageously allow for longer periods of operation of the
electrically-operated aerosol-generating system without the need
for recharging of a battery in the electrically-operated
aerosol-generating system or may advantageously reduce the time
required to recharge the battery in the electrically-operated
aerosol-generating system. As yet a further example, where the
heated aerosol-generating article is used in an
electrically-operated aerosol-generating system, heating the
aerosol-generating substrate to a lower temperature may
advantageously allow for use of a smaller battery in the
electrically-operated aerosol-generating system thereby
advantageously resulting in the electrically-operated
aerosol-generating system having a lower weight and smaller
dimensions.
[0036] The basic pH modifier may have a solubility in water of less
than or equal to about 0.05 g/100 mL water at 20.degree. C. and 1
atm or less than or equal to about 0.001 g/100 mL water at
20.degree. C. and 1 atm.
[0037] The basic pH modifier may advantageously comprise one or
more basic inorganic salts selected from the group consisting of
alkaline earth metal carbonates, alkaline earth metal hydrogen
carbonates, alkaline earth metal hydroxides, alkaline earth metal
phosphates and alkaline earth metal monohydrogen phosphates.
[0038] Suitable basic pH modifiers include, but are not limited to,
magnesium carbonate, calcium carbonate, magnesium hydrogen
carbonate, magnesium hydroxide, magnesium phosphate, calcium
phosphate and calcium monohydrogen phosphate.
[0039] Advantageously, the homogenised botanical material has a pH
greater than or equal to about 5.5.
[0040] More advantageously, the homogenised botanical material has
a pH greater than or equal to about 6.0.
[0041] The homogenised botanical material may have a pH of greater
than or equal to about 6.5.
[0042] Advantageously, the homogenised botanical material has a pH
less than or equal to about 8.0.
[0043] More advantageously, the homogenised botanical material has
a pH less than or equal to about 7.5.
[0044] The homogenised botanical material may have a pH of less
than or equal to about 7.0.
[0045] The homogenised botanical material may have a pH of between
about 5.5 and about 8.0, between about 5.5 and about 7.5 or between
about 5.5 and about 7.0.
[0046] The homogenised botanical material may have a pH of between
about 6.0 and about 8.0, between about 6.0 and about 7.5 or between
about 6.0 and about 7.0.
[0047] The homogenised botanical material may have a pH of between
about 6.5 and about 8.0, between about 6.5 and about 7.5 or between
about 6.5 and about 7.0.
[0048] The pH of the homogenised botanical material is measured by
dispersing a 0.5 g sample of the homogenised botanical material in
5 g of water, agitating the dispersion and then measuring the pH of
the dispersion using a pH electrode.
[0049] The homogenised botanical material may have a basic pH
modifier content of less than or equal to about 10% by weight on a
dry weight basis or less than or equal to about 5% on a dry weight
basis.
[0050] The homogenised botanical material may have a plant material
content of less than or equal to about 90% by weight on a dry
weight basis.
[0051] The homogenised botanical material may have a plant material
content of less than or equal to about 85% by weight on a dry
weight basis or less than or equal to about 80% by weight on a dry
weight basis.
[0052] The homogenised botanical material may advantageously have a
plant material content of greater than or equal to about 60% by
weight on a dry weight basis.
[0053] The homogenised botanical material may have a plant material
content of greater than or equal to about 65% by weight on a dry
weight basis or greater than or equal to about 70% by weight on a
dry weight basis.
[0054] The homogenised botanical material may have a plant material
content of between about 60% and about 90% by weight on a dry
weight basis, between about 60% and about 85% by weight on a dry
weight basis or between about 60% and about 80% by weight on a dry
weight basis.
[0055] The homogenised botanical material may have a plant material
content of between about 65% and about 90% by weight on a dry
weight basis, between about 65% and about 85% by weight on a dry
weight basis or between about 65% and about 80% by weight on a dry
weight basis.
[0056] The homogenised botanical material may have a plant material
content of between about 70% and about 90% by weight on a dry
weight basis, between about 70% and about 85% by weight on a dry
weight basis or between about 70% and about 80% by weight on a dry
weight basis.
[0057] Where the homogenised botanical material is a homogenised
tobacco material and the plant material is tobacco, the homogenised
tobacco material may have a tobacco content of less than or equal
to about 90% by weight on a dry weight basis.
[0058] The homogenised tobacco material may have a tobacco content
of less than or equal to about 85% by weight on a dry weight basis
or less than or equal to about 80% by weight on a dry weight
basis.
[0059] The homogenised tobacco material may have a tobacco content
of greater than or equal to about 60% by weight on a dry weight
basis.
[0060] The homogenised tobacco material may have a tobacco content
of greater than or equal to about 65% by weight on a dry weight
basis or greater than or equal to about 70% by weight on a dry
weight basis.
[0061] The homogenised tobacco material may have a tobacco content
of between about 60% and about 90% by weight on a dry weight basis,
between about 60% and about 85% by weight on a dry weight basis or
between about 60% and about 80% by weight on a dry weight
basis.
[0062] The homogenised tobacco material may have a tobacco content
of between about 65% and about 90% by weight on a dry weight basis,
between about 65% and about 85% by weight on a dry weight basis or
between about 65% and about 80% by weight on a dry weight
basis.
[0063] The homogenised tobacco material may have a tobacco content
of between about 70% and about 90% by weight on a dry weight basis,
between about 70% and about 85% by weight on a dry weight basis or
between about 70% and about 80% by weight on a dry weight
basis.
[0064] The homogenised botanical material may be advantageously
used as an aerosol-forming substrate in an aerosol-generating
article.
[0065] The homogenised botanical material may be particularly
advantageously be used as an aerosol-forming substrate in a heated
aerosol-generating article.
[0066] The aerosol-generating substrate may comprise greater than
or equal to about 30% by weight of the homogenised botanical
material based on the total weight of the aerosol-generating
substrate.
[0067] Advantageously, the aerosol-generating substrate comprises
greater than or equal to about 40% by weight of the homogenised
botanical material based on the total weight of the
aerosol-generating substrate More advantageously, the
aerosol-generating substrate comprises greater than or equal to
about 50% by weight of the homogenised botanical material based on
the total weight of the aerosol-generating substrate
[0068] The aerosol-generating substrate may comprise greater than
or equal to about 60% by weight of the homogenised botanical
material based on the total weight of the aerosol-generating
substrate, greater than or equal to about 70% by weight of the
homogenised botanical material based on the total weight of the
aerosol-generating substrate, greater than or equal to about 80% by
weight of the homogenised botanical material based on the total
weight of the aerosol-generating substrate or greater than or equal
to about 90% by weight of the homogenised botanical material based
on the total weight of the aerosol-generating substrate.
[0069] Heated aerosol-generating articles comprising an
aerosol-generating substrate comprising a homogenised tobacco
material typically have a lower total nicotine content than
conventional lit-end cigarettes.
[0070] Where the homogenised botanical material is a homogenised
tobacco material and the plant material is tobacco, the heated
aerosol-generating article may advantageously have a total nicotine
content of less than or equal to about 10 mg.
[0071] The heated aerosol-generating article may have a total
nicotine content of less than or equal to about 8 mg, less than or
equal to about 6 mg or less than or equal to about 4 mg.
[0072] Homogenised botanical material according to the invention
may be formed by agglomerating particulate plant material obtained
by grinding or otherwise comminuting one or both of plant leaf
lamina and plant leaf stems.
[0073] Where the homogenised botanical material is a homogenised
tobacco material and the plant material is tobacco, homogenised
tobacco material according to the invention may comprise one or
more of tobacco dust, tobacco fines and other particulate tobacco
by-products formed during the treating, handling and shipping of
tobacco.
[0074] Advantageously, the homogenised tobacco material comprises
tobacco powder.
[0075] More advantageously, the homogenised tobacco material
comprises tobacco powder having an average particle size of between
about 0.03 mm and about 0.12 mm.
[0076] For example, the homogenised tobacco material may comprise
tobacco powder having an average particle size of between about
0.05 mm and about 0.10 mm.
[0077] It is believed that grinding or otherwise comminuting
tobacco to produce tobacco powder having an average particle size
of between about 0.03 mm and about 0.12 mm can open the tobacco
cell structure. This may advantageously improve aerosolisation of
volatile components, such as nicotine, from the tobacco.
[0078] The homogenised botanical material comprises an aerosol
former.
[0079] The aerosol former may be any suitable known compound or
mixture of compounds that, in use, facilitates formation of a dense
and stable aerosol and is substantially resistant to thermal
degradation at the operating temperature of a heated
aerosol-generating article comprising an aerosol-generating
substrate comprising the homogenised botanical material.
[0080] The aerosol former may help to convey other components of
the homogenised botanical material in an aerosol when the
homogenised botanical material is heated above the vaporisation
temperature of the aerosol former. For example, where the
homogenised botanical material is a homogenised tobacco material
and the plant material is tobacco, the aerosol former may help to
convey other components of the homogenised tobacco material, such
as nicotine and flavours, in an aerosol when the homogenised
tobacco material is heated above the vaporisation temperature of
the aerosol former.
[0081] The aerosol former may also help to maintain a desired level
of moisture in the homogenised botanical material. For example, the
aerosol former may be a hygroscopic material that functions as a
humectant.
[0082] Suitable aerosol formers are known in the art and include,
but are not limited to: monohydric alcohols, such as menthol;
polyhydric alcohols, such as triethylene glycol, tetraethylene
glycol, 1,3-butanediol, erythritol, propylene glycol and glycerol;
esters of polyhydric alcohols, such as glycerol mono-, di- or
triacetate and; aliphatic esters of mono-, di- or polycarboxylic
acids, such as diethyl suberate, dimethyl dodecanedioate, dimethyl
tetradecanedioate, ethyl laurate, lauryl acetate and triethyl
citrate; benzyl benzoate; benzyl phenyl acetate; ethyl vanillate;
lauric acid; myristic acid; propylene carbonate; and
tributyrin.
[0083] The homogenised botanical material may advantageously have
an aerosol former content of greater than or equal to about 5% by
weight on a dry weight basis.
[0084] The homogenised botanical material may have an aerosol
former content of greater than or equal to about 10% by weight on a
dry weight basis or greater than or equal to about 15% by weight on
a dry weight basis.
[0085] The homogenised botanical material may advantageously have
an aerosol former content of less than or equal to about 35% by
weight on a dry weight basis.
[0086] The homogenised botanical material may have an aerosol
former content of less than or equal to about 30% by weight on a
dry weight basis, less than or equal to about 25% by weight on a
dry weight basis or less than or equal to about 20% by weight on a
dry weight basis.
[0087] The homogenised botanical material may have an aerosol
former content of between about 5% and about 35% by weight on a dry
weight basis, between about 5% and about 30% by weight on a dry
weight basis, between about 5% and about 25% by weight on a dry
weight basis or between about 5% and about 20% by weight on a dry
weight basis.
[0088] The homogenised botanical material may have an aerosol
former content of between about 10% and about 35% by weight on a
dry weight basis, between about 10% and about 30% by weight on a
dry weight basis, between about 10% and about 25% by weight on a
dry weight basis or between about 10% and about 20% by weight on a
dry weight basis.
[0089] The homogenised botanical material may have an aerosol
former content of between about 15% and about 35% by weight on a
dry weight basis, between about 15% and about 30% by weight on a
dry weight basis, between about 15% and about 25% by weight on a
dry weight basis or between about 15% and about 20% by weight on a
dry weight basis.
[0090] The homogenised botanical material may advantageously
further comprise a binder.
[0091] The inclusion of a binder may advantageously increase the
strength of the homogenised botanical material. This may
advantageously facilitate manufacture of a sheet of the homogenised
botanical material.
[0092] Inclusion of a binder may advantageously improve the
homogeneity of a sheet of the homogenised botanical material
compared to a sheet in which no binder is included.
[0093] Suitable binders are known in the art and include, but are
not limited to: alginates; celluloses, such as methyl cellulose,
ethyl cellulose, ethyl hydroxyethyl cellulose and carboxymethyl
cellulose; dextrans; gums; gum derivatives, such as hydroxyethyl
guar gum, hydroxypropyl guar gum, hydroxyethyl locust bean gum and
hydroxypropyl locust bean gum; pectins, such as fruit pectins,
citrus pectins and tobacco pectins; starches, such as modified or
derivatised starches; pullulan; and konjac flour.
[0094] The homogenised botanical material may comprise a gum
binder.
[0095] Advantageously, the homogenised botanical material may
comprise a natural gum binder.
[0096] More advantageously, the homogenised botanical material may
comprise one or more natural gum binders selected from the group
consisting of gum arabic, guar gum, locust bean gum, tamarind gum
and xanthan gum.
[0097] The homogenised botanical material may comprise two or more
different binders.
[0098] Advantageously, the homogenised botanical material may have
a binder content of greater than or equal to about 1% by weight on
a dry weight basis.
[0099] The homogenised botanical material may have a binder content
of greater than or equal to about 2% by weight on a dry weight
basis.
[0100] Advantageously, the homogenised botanical material may a
have a binder content of less than or equal to about 10% by weight
on a dry weight basis.
[0101] The homogenised botanical material may have a binder content
of less than or equal to about 8% by weight on a dry weight basis,
less than or equal to about 6% by weight on a dry weight basis or
less than or equal to about 4% by weight on a dry weight basis.
[0102] The homogenised botanical material may have a binder content
of between about 1% and about 10% by weight on a dry weight basis,
between about 1% and about 8% by weight on a dry weight basis,
between about 1% and about 6% by weight on a dry weight basis or
between about 1% and about 4% by weight on a dry weight basis.
[0103] The homogenised botanical material may have a binder content
of between about 2% and about 10% by weight on a dry weight basis,
between about 2% and about 8% by weight on a dry weight basis,
between about 2% and about 6% by weight on a dry weight basis or
between about 2% and about 4% by weight on a dry weight basis.
[0104] The homogenised botanical material may advantageously
further comprise a lipid.
[0105] Inclusion of a lipid may advantageously enhance diffusivity
of volatile components within the homogenised botanical material
and hence transfer of volatile components from the homogenised
botanical material to an aerosol upon heating of the homogenised
botanical material to a temperature above the melting point of the
lipid compared to a homogenised botanical material in which no
lipid is included.
[0106] The lipid may advantageously have a melting point of between
about 50.degree. C. and about 150.degree. C.
[0107] The lipid may be a wax.
[0108] The lipid may be a natural wax of vegetable origin.
[0109] The homogenised botanical material may comprise one or more
waxes selected from the group consisting of candelilla wax,
carnauba wax, shellac, sunflower wax, rice bran wax and Revel
A.
[0110] Advantageously, the lipid is selected from the group
consisting of: fully saturated triglycerides, such as fully
hydrogenated vegetable oils; saturated fatty acids, such as
palmitic acid; alkali metal salts of saturated fatty acids, such as
sodium stearate; and alkaline earth metal salts of saturated fatty
acids.
[0111] The homogenised botanical material may comprise two or more
different lipids having the same or different melting points.
[0112] Advantageously, the homogenised botanical material may have
a lipid content of greater than or equal to about 1% by weight on a
dry weight basis.
[0113] The homogenised botanical material may have a lipid content
of greater than or equal to 2% by weight on a dry weight basis.
[0114] Advantageously, the homogenised botanical material may a
have a lipid content of less than or equal to about 10% by weight
on a dry weight basis.
[0115] The homogenised botanical material may have a lipid content
of less than or equal to about 8% by weight on a dry weight basis
or less than about or equal to about 6% by weight on a dry weight
basis.
[0116] The homogenised botanical material may have a lipid content
of between about 1% and about 10% by weight on a dry weight basis,
between about 1% and about 8% by weight on a dry weight basis or
between about 1% and about 6% by weight on a dry weight basis.
[0117] The homogenised botanical material may have a lipid content
of between about 2% and about 10% by weight on a dry weight basis,
between about 2% and about 8% by weight on a dry weight basis or
between about 2% and about 6% by weight on a dry weight basis.
[0118] The homogenised botanical material may advantageously
further comprise cellulose fibres.
[0119] The inclusion of cellulose fibres may advantageously
increase the tensile strength of the homogenised botanical
material. This may advantageously facilitate manufacture of a sheet
of the homogenised botanical material.
[0120] The homogenised botanical material may comprise one or both
of tobacco cellulose fibres or non-tobacco cellulose fibres.
[0121] Suitable non-tobacco cellulose fibres for inclusion in the
homogenised botanical material are known in the art and include,
but are not limited to: hardwood fibres; softwood fibres; jute
fibres; and flax fibres.
[0122] The cellulose fibres may advantageously have an average
fibre length of between about 0.2 mm and about 4.0 mm
[0123] The cellulose fibres may have an average fibre length of
between about 1.0 mm and about 3.0 mm
[0124] The cellulose fibres may be subjected to processes such as
mechanical pulping, chemical pulping, sulphate pulping, refining,
bleaching and combinations thereof.
[0125] The homogenised botanical material may advantageously have a
cellulose fibre content of greater than or equal to about 1% by
weight on a dry weight basis.
[0126] The homogenised botanical material may advantageously have a
cellulose fibre content of greater than or equal to about 2% by
weight on a dry weight basis or greater than or equal to about 3%
by weight on a dry weight basis.
[0127] The homogenised botanical material may advantageously have a
cellulose fibre content of less than or equal to about 15% by
weight on a dry weight basis.
[0128] The homogenised botanical material may have a cellulose
fibre content of less than or equal to about 10% by weight on a dry
weight basis or less than about 5% by weight on a dry weight
basis.
[0129] The homogenised botanical material may have a cellulose
fibre content of between about 1% and about 15% by weight on a dry
weight basis, between about 1% and about 10% by weight on a dry
weight basis or between about 1% and about 5% by weight on a dry
weight basis.
[0130] The homogenised botanical material may have a cellulose
fibre content of between about 2% and about 15% by weight on a dry
weight basis, between about 2% and about 10% by weight on a dry
weight basis or between about 2% and about 5% by weight on a dry
weight basis.
[0131] The homogenised botanical material may have a cellulose
fibre content of between about 3% and about 15% by weight on a dry
weight basis, between about 3% and about 10% by weight on a dry
weight basis or between about 3% and about 5% by weight on a dry
weight basis.
[0132] The homogenised botanical material may further comprise one
or more flavourants.
[0133] As used herein with reference to the invention, the term
"flavourant" denotes an agent that, in use, imparts one or both of
a taste or aroma to an aerosol generated by heating an
aerosol-generating substrate comprising the homogenised botanical
material.
[0134] The homogenised botanical material may further comprise one
or more natural flavourants, one or more artificial flavourants or
a combination of one or more natural flavourants and one or more
artificial flavourants.
[0135] For example, the homogenised botanical material may comprise
one or more flavourants that provide a flavour selected from the
group consisting of menthol, lemon, vanilla, orange, wintergreen,
cherry, and cinnamon.
[0136] The homogenised botanical material may further comprise one
or more chemesthetic agents.
[0137] As used herein with reference to the invention, the term
"chemesthetic agent" denotes an agent that, in use, is perceived in
the oral or olfactory cavities of a user by means other than, or in
addition to, perception via taste receptor or olfactory receptor
cells. Perception of chemesthetic agents is typically via a
`trigeminal response`, either via the trigeminal nerve,
glossopharyngeal nerve, the vagus nerve, or some combination of
these. Typically, chemesthetic agents are perceived as hot, spicy,
cooling, or soothing sensations.
[0138] The homogenised botanical material may comprise one or more
agents that are both a flavourant and a chemesthetic agent. For
example, the homogenised botanical material may comprise menthol or
another flavourant that provides a cooling chemesthetic effect.
[0139] As used herein with reference to the invention, the term
"menthol" denotes the compound 2-isopropyl-5-methylcyclohexanol in
any of its isomeric forms.
[0140] The homogenised botanical material may be made using
suitable known reconstitution processes for producing homogenised
tobacco materials including, but are not limited to, paper-making
processes, casting or `cast leaf` processes, dough reconstitution
processes and extrusion processes.
[0141] Preferably, the homogenised botanical material is made using
a casting process.
[0142] Preferably, the homogenised botanical material is in the
form of a sheet.
[0143] More preferably, the homogenised botanical material is in
the form of a cast sheet.
[0144] Sheets of homogenised botanical material for use in the
invention are preferably formed by a casting process of the type
generally comprising casting a slurry comprising particulate plant
material and one or more binders onto a conveyor belt or other
support surface, drying the cast slurry to form a sheet of
homogenised botanical material and removing the sheet of
homogenised botanical material from the support surface.
[0145] The sheet of homogenised botanical material may
advantageously have a width of at least about 20 mm.
[0146] The sheet of homogenised botanical material may have a width
of greater than or equal to about 40 mm, greater than or equal to
about 60 mm or greater than or equal to about 80 mm.
[0147] The sheet of homogenised botanical material may have a width
of between about 20 mm and about 300 mm, between about 40 mm and
about 300 mm, between about 60 mm and about 300 mm or between about
80 mm and about 300 mm.
[0148] The sheet of homogenised botanical material may
advantageously have a thickness of greater than or equal to about
50 microns.
[0149] The sheet of homogenised botanical material may have a
thickness of greater than or equal to about 75 microns, greater
than or equal to about 100 microns or greater than or equal to
about 125 microns.
[0150] The sheet of homogenised botanical material may have a
thickness of between about 50 microns and about 300 microns,
between about 75 microns and about 300 microns, between about 100
microns and about 300 microns or between about 125 microns and
about 300 microns.
[0151] Advantageously, the sheet of homogenised botanical material
may be textured. This may facilitate gathering of the sheet of
homogenised botanical material to form an aerosol-generating
rod.
[0152] As used herein with reference to the invention, the term
"textured sheet of homogenised botanical material" denotes a sheet
of homogenised botanical material that has been crimped, embossed,
debossed, perforated or otherwise deformed. Textured sheets of
homogenised botanical material may comprise a plurality of
spaced-apart indentations, protrusions, perforations or a
combination thereof.
[0153] More advantageously, the sheet of homogenised botanical
material may be crimped.
[0154] As used herein with reference to the invention, the term
"crimped sheet of homogenised botanical material" is intended to be
synonymous with the term "creped sheet of homogenised botanical
material" and denotes a sheet of homogenised botanical material
having a plurality of substantially parallel ridges or
corrugations.
[0155] Advantageously, the crimped sheet of homogenised botanical
material may have a plurality of ridges or corrugations
substantially parallel to the cylindrical axis of the
aerosol-generating rod. This may advantageously facilitate
gathering of the crimped sheet of homogenised botanical material to
form an aerosol-generating rod.
[0156] The sheet of homogenised botanical material may be textured
using suitable known machinery for texturing filter tow, paper and
other materials.
[0157] The sheet of homogenised botanical material may be crimped
using a crimping unit of the type described in CH-A-691156, which
comprises a pair of rotatable crimping rollers. However, it will be
appreciated that the sheet may be textured using other suitable
machinery and processes that deform or perforate the sheet.
[0158] A method of making a cast sheet of homogenised botanical
material according to the invention comprises the steps of:
combining plant material, an aerosol former and a basic pH modifier
having a solubility in water of less about 0.1 g/100 mL water at
20.degree. C. and 1 atm to form a slurry; casting the slurry onto a
support surface; drying the cast slurry to form a cast sheet of
homogenised botanical material; and removing the cast sheet of
homogenised botanical material from the support surface.
[0159] The method may advantageously comprise the step of:
combining plant material, an aerosol former and a basic pH modifier
having a solubility in water of less about 0.1 g/100 mL water at
20.degree. C. and 1 atm with water to form an aqueous slurry.
[0160] The method may further comprise combining one or more
additional components, such as binders, lipids, cellulose fibres,
flavourants, chemesthetic agents and combinations thereof, with
plant material, an aerosol former and a basic pH modifier having a
solubility in water of less about 0.1 g/100 mL water at 20.degree.
C. and 1 atm to form a slurry.
[0161] Where the cast sheet of homogenised botanical material
further comprises cellulose fibres, the method may comprise the
step of: combining plant material, an aerosol former, a basic pH
modifier having a solubility in water of less about 0.1 g/100 mL
water at 20.degree. C. and 1 atm and loose cellulose fibres to form
a slurry.
[0162] The combining step may comprise: mixing plant material, an
aerosol former and a basic pH modifier having a solubility in water
of less about 0.1 g/100 mL water at 20.degree. C. and 1 atm and,
where included, one or more additional components to form a
slurry.
[0163] The combining step may be performed using a high energy
mixer or a high shear mixer. Use of a high energy mixer or a high
shear mixer may advantageously break down and distribute the
components forming the slurry evenly within the slurry.
[0164] Where the cast sheet of homogenised botanical material
further comprises a lipid having a melting point of between about
50.degree. C. and about 150.degree. C., the method may further
comprise the steps of: heating the slurry to a temperature above
the melting point of the lipid; and then cooling the slurry to a
temperature below the melting point of the lipid prior to casting
the slurry onto a support surface. This may advantageously help to
distribute the lipid evenly within the homogenised botanical
material.
[0165] The method may further comprise the step of: vibrating the
slurry prior to casting the slurry onto the support surface. For
example, the method may comprise the step of vibrating a tank, silo
or other vessel containing the slurry prior to the casting step.
Vibrating the slurry prior to the casting step may advantageously
help to homogenise the slurry.
[0166] The casting step may comprise casting the slurry onto a
moving support surface such as a moving belt.
[0167] The cast slurry advantageously has a moisture content of
between about 60% and about 80% by weight based on the total weight
of the cast slurry.
[0168] The drying step may comprise drying the cast slurry using
steam and heated air.
[0169] The drying step may advantageously comprise drying the side
of the cast slurry that is in contact with the support with steam
and drying the side of the cast slurry that is not in contact with
the support with heated air.
[0170] The drying step may comprise drying the cast slurry to form
a cast sheet of homogenised botanical material having a moisture
content of between about 7% and about 15% by weight on a dry weight
basis.
[0171] The drying step may advantageously comprise drying the cast
slurry to form a cast sheet of homogenised botanical material
having a moisture content of between about 8% and about 12% by
weight on a dry weight basis.
[0172] The method may further comprise the step of: winding the
cast sheet of homogenised botanical material onto a bobbin after
the step of removing the cast sheet of homogenised botanical
material form the support surface.
[0173] The method may further comprise the steps of: gathering the
cast sheet of homogenised botanical material transversely relative
to a longitudinal axis thereof; circumscribing the gathered cast
sheet of homogenised botanical material with a wrapper to form a
rod; and severing the rod into a plurality of discrete
aerosol-generating rods.
[0174] The method may further comprise the step of: crimping the
cast sheet of homogenised botanical material prior to the gathering
step.
[0175] An aerosol-generating rod comprises a gathered sheet of
homogenised botanical material according to the invention
circumscribed by a wrapper.
[0176] Advantageously, the aerosol-generating rod may comprise a
gathered cast sheet of homogenised botanical material according to
the invention circumscribed by a wrapper.
[0177] The aerosol-generating rod may be produced using
conventional cigarette filter making machinery.
[0178] For example, the aerosol-generating rod comprising a
gathered sheet of homogenised botanical material according to the
invention circumscribed by a wrapper may be produced using
machinery for forming filter rods comprising a gathered crimped
sheet of paper of the type described in CH-A-691156.
[0179] The gathered sheet of homogenised botanical material
advantageously extends along substantially the entire length of the
aerosol-generating rod and across substantially the entire
transverse cross-sectional area of the aerosol-generating rod.
[0180] Advantageously, the aerosol-generating rod may be of
substantially uniform cross-section.
[0181] The aerosol-generating rod may advantageously have a rod
length of between about 5 mm and about 25 mm, between about 5 mm
and about 20 mm or between about 5 mm and about 15 mm.
[0182] As used herein with reference to the invention, the term
"rod length" denotes the maximum dimension in the direction of the
cylindrical axis of the aerosol-generating rod.
[0183] The aerosol-generating rod may advantageously have a rod
diameter of between about 6 mm and about 10 mm, between about 6 mm
and about 9 mm or between about 6 mm and about 8 mm.
[0184] As used herein with reference to the invention, the term
"rod diameter" denotes the maximum dimension in a direction
substantially perpendicular to the cylindrical axis of the
aerosol-generating rod.
[0185] The aerosol-generating rod may comprise a gathered sheet of
homogenised botanical material according to the invention
circumscribed by a porous wrapper.
[0186] The aerosol-generating rod may comprise a gathered sheet of
homogenised botanical material according to the invention
circumscribed by a non-porous wrapper.
[0187] A method of forming the aerosol-generating rod may comprise
the steps of: providing a continuous sheet of homogenised botanical
material according to the invention; gathering the continuous sheet
transversely relative to the longitudinal axis thereof;
circumscribing the gathered continuous sheet with a wrapper to form
a continuous rod; and severing the continuous rod into a plurality
of discrete aerosol-generating rods.
[0188] The aerosol-generating rod may be used as a component of an
aerosol-generating article.
[0189] The aerosol-generating rod may be particularly
advantageously be used in a heated aerosol-generating article.
[0190] An inhalable nicotine-containing aerosol is generated upon
heating of the aerosol-generating rod.
[0191] A number of aerosol-generating articles in which an
aerosol-generating substrate is heated rather than combusted have
been proposed in the art. Typically in heated aerosol-generating
articles, an aerosol is generated by the transfer of heat from a
heat source, for example a chemical, electrical or combustible heat
source, to a physically separate aerosol-generating substrate,
which may be located within, around or downstream of the heat
source.
[0192] The aerosol-generating rod may be used in a heated
aerosol-generating article comprising a combustible heat source and
an aerosol-generating substrate downstream of the combustible heat
source.
[0193] For example, the aerosol-generating rod may be used in an
aerosol-generating article of the type disclosed in WO 2009/022232
A2 which comprises a combustible carbonaceous heat source, an
aerosol-generating substrate downstream of the combustible heat
source and a heat-conducting element around and in contact with a
rear portion of the combustible carbonaceous heat source and an
adjacent front portion of the aerosol-generating substrate. It will
be appreciated that the aerosol-generating rod may also be used in
heated aerosol-generating articles comprising combustible heat
sources having other constructions.
[0194] The aerosol-generating rod may advantageously be used in a
heated aerosol-generating article for use in an
electrically-operated aerosol-generating system in which the
aerosol-generating substrate of the heated aerosol-generating
article is heated by an electrical heat source.
[0195] For example, the aerosol-generating rod may be used in a
heated aerosol-generating article of the type disclosed in EP 0 822
760 A2.
[0196] A heated aerosol-generating article may comprise an
aerosol-generating rod and one or more other components.
[0197] The one or more other components may include one or more of
a support element, a spacer element, an aerosol-cooling element and
a mouthpiece.
[0198] The aerosol-generating rod and one or more other components
may be assembled within a wrapper of the heated aerosol-generating
article to form an elongate rod having a mouth end and a distal end
upstream from the mouth end. The heated aerosol-generating article
may thus resemble a conventional lit-end cigarette.
EXAMPLE
[0199] Cast sheets of homogenised tobacco material are prepared
having the compositions shown in Table 1, where the values shown
are the percentages by weight on a dry weight basis:
TABLE-US-00001 TABLE 1 Sample 1 Sample 2 Sample 3 Component
(reference) (comparison) (invention) Tobacco powder 75 73.15 72.83
Glycerol (aerosol former) 20 20 20 Guar gum (binder) 3 3 3
Cellulose fibres 2 2 2 Basic pH modifier 0 1.85 2.17 (calcium
(magnesium hydroxide) hydroxide)
[0200] To prepare the cast sheet of homogenised tobacco material of
sample 1, the tobacco powder, glycerol, guar gum and cellulose
fibres are combined with water to produce an aqueous slurry. The
aqueous slurry is cast onto a support surface and then dried to
form the cast sheet of homogenised tobacco material of sample
1.
[0201] To prepare the cast sheets of homogenised tobacco material
of samples 2 and 3, the tobacco powder, glycerol, guar gum,
cellulose fibres and basic pH modifier are combined with water to
produce an aqueous slurry. The aqueous slurry is cast onto a
support surface and then dried to form the cast sheets of
homogenised tobacco material of samples 2 and 3.
[0202] The pH of the aqueous slurries used to form the cast sheets
of homogenised tobacco material of samples 1, 2 and 3 measured
using a pH electrode.
[0203] The pH of the cast sheets of homogenised tobacco material of
samples 1, 2 and 3 is measured by dispersing 5 g of the cast sheet
of homogenised tobacco material in 5 g of water and measuring the
pH of the dispersion using a pH electrode.
[0204] The pH values obtained are shown in Table 2 below.
[0205] The nicotine content of methanoic extracts of samples of the
cast sheets of homogenised tobacco material of samples 1 to 6 is
measured using a gas chromatography flame ionization detector
(GC-FID).
[0206] The cast sheets of homogenised tobacco material of samples
1, 2 and 3 are gathered and circumscribed by a wrapper to form
aerosol-generating rods. Heated aerosol-generating articles for use
in an electrically-operated aerosol-generating system are formed
comprising aerosol-generating substrates comprising the
aerosol-generating rods.
[0207] The nicotine content of aerosols generated by electrically
heating the heated aerosol-generating articles to a maximum
temperature of 350.degree. C. under Health Canada smoking
conditions is determined using GC-FID. The nicotine transfer yields
of the heated aerosol-generating articles are calculated from the
nicotine content of the aerosols, the nicotine content of the cast
sheets of homogenised tobacco material and the quantity of
homogenised tobacco material in the aerosol-generating substrate of
the heated aerosol-generating articles. The nicotine transfer yield
is defined as (amount of nicotine delivered in the aerosol upon
heating)/(amount of nicotine in the gathered cast sheet of
homogenised tobacco material in the aerosol-generating substrate of
the aerosol-generating article before heating). The results are
shown in the Table 2 below:
TABLE-US-00002 TABLE 2 Nicotine loss during pH of preparation of
Increase of cast sheet of pH of cast sheet of nicotine homogenised
aqueous homogenised transfer Sample tobacco material slurry tobacco
material* yield* 1 5.30 5.02 -- -- 2 6.39 7.65 11.1% 15% 3 6.86
6.44 5.7% 17% *relative to sample 1
[0208] As shown in Table 2, inclusion of a basic pH modifier in the
cast sheets of homogenised tobacco material of samples 2 and 3
significantly increases the pH of the cast sheets of homogenised
tobacco material of samples 2 and 3. As shown in Table 2, inclusion
of a basic pH modifier in the cast sheets of homogenised tobacco
material of samples 2 and 3 also advantageously significantly
increases the nicotine transfer yield of the heated
aerosol-generating articles comprising the cast sheets of
homogenised tobacco material of samples 2 and 3 compared to the
heated aerosol-generating article comprising the cast sheet of
homogenised tobacco material of sample 1, which does not include a
basic pH modifier.
[0209] However, as shown in Table 2, inclusion of calcium
hydroxide, which has a solubility in water of about 0.173 g/100 mL
water at 20.degree. C. and 1 atm as the basic pH modifier in the
cast sheet of homogenised tobacco material of sample 2 also
disadvantageously significantly increases the nicotine loss during
preparation of the cast sheet of homogenised tobacco material of
sample 2 compared to the cast sheet of homogenised tobacco material
of sample 1, which does not include a basic pH modifier.
[0210] By contrast, inclusion of magnesium hydroxide, which has a
solubility in water of about 0.00096 g/100 mL water at 20.degree.
C. and 1 atm, as the basic pH modifier in the cast sheet of
homogenised tobacco material of sample 3 advantageously results in
a much smaller increase in the nicotine loss during preparation of
the cast sheet of homogenised tobacco material of sample 2 compared
to the cast sheet of homogenised tobacco material of sample 1,
which does not include a basic pH modifier.
[0211] The specific embodiments described above are intended to
illustrate the invention. However, other embodiments may be made
without departing from the scope of the invention as defined in the
claims and it is to be understood that the specific embodiments
described above are not intended to be limiting.
* * * * *