Bulk Solid Reconstituted Plant Composition for Devices That Heat Tobacco Without Burning It

Abstract

The invention relates to a bulk solid reconstituted plant composition, the volume of which is suitable for devices that heat tobacco without burning it, said bulk solid composition comprising a plant extract, refined plant fibres and an aerosol-generating agent.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The invention is in the field of devices that heat tobacco without burning it and the subject of said invention is a bulk solid reconstituted plant composition, the volume of which is suitable for said heating devices.

CONTEXT OF THE INVENTION

[0002] A large number of devices that heat tobacco without burning it have been developed in order to avoid the formation of the harmful constituents during tobacco combustion. By way of example, mention may be made of the application published under number WO 2013/178769. In such devices, hot air passes through a tobacco stick comprising an aerosol-generating agent in order to generate an aerosol. The aerosol generated replaces the cigarette smoke and comprises the tobacco aromas. This thus allows the smoker to inhale the tobacco aromas while at the same time very significantly reducing their exposure to the harmful constituents.

[0003] Reconstituted tobacco is more suitable for these heating devices than natural tobacco since, unlike natural tobacco, it can easily absorb and release the aerosol-generating agent and thus easily generate an aerosol having satisfactory organoleptic properties for the user.

[0004] The tobacco sticks intended for the device that heats tobacco without burning it comprise an envelope (paper, tobacco, aluminium, etc.) surrounding leaves of reconstituted tobacco that have been cut up. The production of these tobacco sticks is thus lengthy and restricted since it requires numerous steps.

[0005] Furthermore, these sticks can be difficult to introduce into and to extract from a device that heats tobacco without burning it. This is because these sticks can crumble, or even disintegrate, when they are handled by a user and when they are heated in the device. This difficult use can provoke a certain amount of frustration in the user of the device.

[0006] There is thus a need for tobacco sticks that are simple to produce and simple to use.

[0007] It may also be advantageous to deliver to the user of these heating devices aromas that are different from those of tobacco.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0008] The inventors have developed a bulk solid reconstituted plant composition comprising: [0009] a plant extract, [0010] refined plant fibres, and [0011] an aerosol-generating agent, and the density of which is from 200 mgcm.sup.-3 to 550 mgcm.sup.-3.

[0012] Advantageously, the bulk solid composition of the invention is cohesive and allows the heated air to pass through its volume.

[0013] Since the bulk solid composition of the invention is cohesive, it does not crumble and does not disintegrate, and can be used directly as such. It can thus be used very simply by the user of a device that heats tobacco without burning it.

[0014] Without wishing to be bound by any theory, the inventors are of the opinion that the refined plant fibres create a network of cohesive channels within the bulk solid composition so that the heated air passes through the volume of the bulk solid composition of the invention.

[0015] On contact with the heated air passing through the volume of the bulk solid mass, an aerosol comprising plant aromas is advantageously generated by virtue of the plant extract and of the aerosol-generating agent of the bulk solid composition. By changing the bulk solid composition, the user can simply vary the aromas of the aerosol generated by the bulk solid composition.

[0016] Furthermore, the plant extract and the aerosol-generating agent are uniformly distributed in the bulk solid reconstituted plant composition according to the invention.

[0017] For the purposes of the present application, the term "bulk solid composition" denotes a solid composition, the format of which is a volume, i.e. the format of which is in three dimensions. For the purposes of the present application, a sheet is a format which is not a volume since it is a format that is in two dimensions.

[0018] Typically, the format of the bulk solid composition can be a cone, a prism, a pyramid, a cylinder or a ball. Typically, the format of the bulk solid composition may be a cylinder or a prism chosen from a cube, a rectangular parallelepiped, a right prism with a triangular base or a regular triangular prism.

[0019] The bulk solid composition according to the invention can have a density, the minimum value D.sub.min of which is chosen from the values 200 mgcm.sup.-3, 210 mgcm.sup.-3, 215 mgcm.sup.-3, 220 mgcm.sup.-3, 225 mgcm.sup.-3, 230 mgcm.sup.-3, 235 mgcm.sup.-3, 240 mgcm.sup.-3, 245 mgcm.sup.-3 and the maximum value D.sub.max of which is chosen from the values 250 mgcm.sup.-3, 275 mgcm.sup.-3, 300 mgcm.sup.-3, 325 mgcm.sup.-3, 350 mgcm.sup.-3, 375 mgcm.sup.-3, 400 mgcm.sup.-3, 425 mgcm.sup.-3, 475 mgcm.sup.-3, 500 mgcm.sup.-3, 525 mgcm.sup.-, 550 mgcm.sup.-3.

[0020] According to one embodiment, the bulk solid composition of the invention can have a density of 200 mgcm.sup.-3 to 250 mgcm.sup.-3, in particular of 220 mgcm.sup.-3 to 240 mgcm.sup.-3, most particularly of 230 mgcm.sup.-3 to 235 mgcm.sup.-3.

[0021] The density of the bulk solid composition of the invention depends partly on the content by weight of dry matter of refined plant fibres contained in the bulk solid composition.

[0022] Let S.sub.pf be the percentage by weight of dry matter of the refined plant fibres within the bulk solid composition, S.sub.pfmin.ltoreq.S.sub.pf.ltoreq.S.sub.pfmax, the S.sub.pfmin and S.sub.pfmax percentages are chosen independently of one another, S.sub.pfmin being chosen from the values 15%, 20%, 25%, 30%, 35%, 40%, 45% and 50%, and S.sub.pfmax being chosen from the values 50%, 55%, 60%, 65%, 70%, 75%, 80% and 85%.

[0023] Typically, the percentage by weight of dry matter of the refined plant fibres within the bulk solid composition is from 15% to 85%, in particular from 25% to 75%, more particularly from 50% to 60%.

[0024] The plant fibres of the bulk solid composition according to the invention are refined. They thus have a Schopper-Riegler (SR) degree, the minimum value SR.sub.min of which is chosen from the values 20.degree., 30.degree., 35.degree., 40.degree., 45.degree., 50.degree., 55.degree. and the maximum value SR.sub.max of which is chosen from the values 60.degree., 65.degree., 70.degree., 75.degree., 80.degree., 85.degree., 90.degree..

[0025] According to one embodiment, the refined plant fibres can have a Schopper-Riegler (SR) degree of 20.degree. to 90.degree., in particular of 40.degree. to 70.degree., more particularly of 55.degree. to 65.degree..

[0026] Advantageously, the volume of aerosol generated by the heating of the bulk solid composition having refined plant fibres which exhibit an SR degree within these value ranges is satisfactory and can have pleasant organoleptic properties for the user. Furthermore, the format of the bulk solid composition can be preserved so that the bulk solid composition can be easily handled. The bulk solid composition having refined plant fibres which exhibit an SR degree within these value ranges does not provoke any frustration in the user of the heating device.

[0027] For the purposes of the present invention, "plant extract" denotes all of the water-soluble products of the plant. Advantageously, the plant extract comprises the compounds which confer organoleptic properties and/or therapeutic properties on the aerosol formed by heating the bulk solid composition.

[0028] The intensity of the organoleptic properties and/or the efficacy of the therapeutic properties of the aerosol formed by heating the bulk solid composition can depend on the content by weight of dry matter of the plant extract contained in the bulk solid composition of the present invention.

[0029] Let S.sub.P be the percentage by weight of dry matter of the plant extract within the bulk solid composition, S.sub.Pmin.ltoreq.S.sub.P.ltoreq.S.sub.Pmax, the S.sub.Pmin and S.sub.Pmax percentages are chosen independently of one another, S.sub.Pmin being chosen from the values 5%, 10%, 15%, 20%, 25%, 30% and S.sub.Pmax being chosen from the values 30%, 35%, 40%, 45%, 50%, 55%, 60%, 65%, 70% and 75%.

[0030] Typically, the percentage by weight of dry matter of the plant extract within the bulk solid composition is from 5% to 75%, in particular from 15% to 60%, more particularly from 25% to 30%.

[0031] To determine S.sub.P, use may be made of the following method:

[0032] The bulk solid composition to be analysed is ground in order to achieve a particle size of less than or equal to 1 mm. The ground bulk solid composition is then mixed with boiling water for 45 minutes in order to extract all of the plant extract. S.sub.P is calculated by the difference between the weight of dry matter of the sample of bulk solid composition to be analysed and the weight of dry matter of the fibrous residue after extraction.

[0033] 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, for example on contact with hot air.

[0034] Typically, the aerosol-generating agent may be a polyol, a non-polyol or a mixture thereof. Typically, a generating agent which is a polyol may be sorbitol, glycerol, propylene glycol, triethylene glycol or a mixture thereof. Typically, a generating agent which is a non-polyol may be lactic acid, glyceryl diacetate, glyceryl triacetate, triethyl citrate or isopropyl myristate, or a mixture thereof.

[0035] According to one embodiment, the aerosol-generating agent is glycerol, propylene glycol, or a mixture of glycerol and propylene glycol, glycerol being preferred.

[0036] Let S.sub.AG be the percentage by weight of dry matter of the aerosol-generating agent within the bulk solid composition, S.sub.AGmin.ltoreq.S.sub.AG.ltoreq.S.sub.AGmax, the S.sub.AGmin and S.sub.AGmax percentages are chosen independently of one another, S.sub.AGmin being chosen from the values 5%, 10%, 15%, 20%, 25% and 30% and S.sub.AGmax being chosen from the values 30%, 35%, 40%, 45%, 50%.

[0037] Typically, the percentage by weight of dry matter of the aerosol-generating agent within the bulk solid composition is from 5% to 50%, in particular from 10% to 40%, more particularly from 12% to 30%.

[0038] Advantageously, the volume of aerosol generated by heating the bulk solid composition having an S.sub.AG within these value ranges is satisfactory. Thus, the bulk solid composition does not provoke any frustration in the user of the heating device.

[0039] According to one particular embodiment, S.sub.pf is from 25% to 75%, S.sub.P is from 15% to 60%, and S.sub.AG is from 12% to 30%, the sum of S.sub.pf, S.sub.P and S.sub.AG being greater than 75%, in particular greater than 90%, more particularly greater than 99%.

[0040] Typically, the bulk solid composition of the invention can have a residual water content of 5% to 30%, in particular of 7.5% to 25%, typically of 10% to 20%.

[0041] Advantageously, such a residual water content makes it possible to avoid the phenomenon of burning of the mouth and/or throat (said phenomenon being known as hot puff) caused by inhaling a hot aerosol loaded with water.

[0042] The refined plant fibres and the plant extract can be obtained from a plant chosen from spore-producing plants, seed-producing plants or a mixture thereof. In particular, the plant may be a plant chosen from the tobacco plant, food plants, aromatic plants, fragrant plants, medicinal plants and a mixture thereof, most particularly the plant may be the tobacco plant.

[0043] Advantageously, a plant extract obtained from a mixture of plants makes it possible to offer a broad panel of organoleptic properties. A mixture of plants also makes it possible to counteract the unpleasant organoleptic properties of a plant, for example a medicinal plant, with the pleasant organoleptic properties of another plant, for example the tobacco plant, an aromatic plant or a fragrant plant.

[0044] Advantageously, mixing plants to obtain refined plant fibres makes it possible to adapt certain properties of the bulk solid composition of the invention, such as, for example, the density or the volume.

[0045] When the plant is the tobacco plant, then the refined tobacco fibres and the tobacco extract can be obtained from any tobacco plant or tobacco type, for example Virginia tobacco, Burley tobacco, air-cured tobacco, dark air-cured tobacco, Orient tobacco, sun-cured tobacco, fire-cured tobacco or a mixture thereof.

[0046] Typically, the food plants are garlic, coffee, ginger, liquorice, rooibos, Stevia rebaudiana, tea, cocoa tree, camomile, mate.

[0047] Typically, the aromatic plants are basil, turmeric, clove, laurel, oregano, mint, rosemary, sage, thyme.

[0048] Typically, the fragrant plants are lavender, rose, eucalyptus.

[0049] Typically, the medicinal plants are those indicated in the document, list A of traditionally used medicinal plants (French Pharmacopoeia 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 chemical compounds which have therapeutic properties. Typically, the medicinal plants listed are ginkgo, ginseng, sour cherry, peppermint, willow and red vine. The plants known to comprise chemical compounds having therapeutic properties are, for example, eucalyptus, plants of the family Cannabaceae.

[0050] If the plant is a medicinal plant, the bulk solid composition of the present invention has therapeutic properties. The aerosol generated by heating the bulk solid composition can also have therapeutic properties so that the bulk solid composition can be used for a therapeutic treatment.

[0051] Typically, the refined plant fibres and the plant extract of the bulk solid composition of the present invention may be derived from various plant parts, the plant parts being plant parts themselves or the result of processing of various plant parts. Typically, the parts of the plant may be whole parts of the plant or debris originating from threshing or mixing and shredding the plant parts.

[0052] Typically, the refined plant fibres may be obtained from one plant and the plant extract may be obtained from another plant. Indeed, the fibres of one plant may not exhibit mechanical properties which allow the formation of the bulk solid composition, nevertheless the extract of this plant may confer on the aerosol desired organoleptic properties and/or desired therapeutic properties. Conversely, the fibres of one plant may have mechanical properties which allow the formation of the bulk solid composition, but the extract of this plant may not confer on the aerosol desired organoleptic properties and/or desired therapeutic properties.

[0053] Typically, the plant parts can be selected from the plant parts richest in aromatic chemical compounds responsible for the organoleptic properties. Typically, these parts may be the whole plant, 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 a mixture thereof. The plant part may also be the result of mechanical, chemical or mechanical-chemical processing of one or more plant parts, such as for example the shell protecting the cocoa bean resulting from the bean dehulling process.

[0054] Typically, the tobacco plant parts may be the parts richest in aromatic chemical compounds responsible for the organoleptic properties of the aerosol. Typically, the tobacco plant parts may be the parenchyma (lamina) optionally with added stems of the tobacco plant. Typically, the tobacco plant parts may be the leaves of the tobacco plant or the debris originating from threshing or mixing and shredding the leaves and ribs of the tobacco plant into scaferlati (cut tobacco).

[0055] Among the food plants, the garlic bulb, the coffee cherry, the rhizome of ginger, the liquorice root and the leaves of rooibos, Stevia rebaudiana, 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 rhizome of turmeric may for example be selected as parts.

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

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

[0059] Typically, the bulk solid composition may also comprise refined cellulose-based plant fibres.

[0060] Cellulose-based plant fibres are fibres obtained by means of a chemical or mechanical or thermomechanical cooking process, such as wood pulp, hemp, or annual plants such as flax for example. A mixture of these cellulose-based plant fibres may also be used.

[0061] Advantageously, these refined cellulose-based plant fibres can improve the cohesive properties of the bulk solid composition, in particular when the percentage by weight of dry matter of the refined plant fibres of the bulk solid composition, S.sub.pf, is low.

[0062] Typically, the bulk solid composition according to the present invention may also comprise an essential oil. Advantageously, the essential oil may offer a broad panel of organoleptic properties. The essential oil may also make it possible to counteract the unpleasant organoleptic properties of a plant, for example a medicinal plant, by means of the pleasant organoleptic properties of said essential oil.

[0063] According to one embodiment, the bulk solid composition may comprise at least one open-ended hole. This open-ended hole may facilitate the passage of the heated air through the bulk solid composition.

[0064] The bulk solid composition of the present invention may be produced according to a process comprising the following steps: [0065] a) mixing refined plant fibres with a plant extract and an aerosol-generating agent so as to obtain a solid composition, [0066] b) moulding the composition so as to obtain a moulded solid composition, and [0067] c) drying the moulded solid composition so as to produce the bulk solid reconstituted plant composition.

[0068] Contrary to the process for producing tobacco sticks intended for devices that heat tobacco without burning it, this process does not require steps of producing the wrap, of cutting up the leaves of reconstituted tobacco and of filling the wrap. It is thus simple to carry out. It is also very fast.

[0069] Typically, step a) can be carried out by placing the refined plant fibres in a mixer, by adding the plant extract and the aerosol-generating agent, then by mixing the resulting preparation by means of the mixer in order to obtain the solid composition. Advantageously, this allows a uniform distribution of the plant extract and of the aerosol-generating agent in the solid composition.

[0070] Step a) can also be carried out by placing the refined plant fibres in the mixer, then by mixing the fibres in order to obtain a solid precomposition. The plant extract and the aerosol-generating agent are then incorporated into the solid precomposition by impregnation or spraying in order to obtain the solid composition.

[0071] Typically, the moulding step b) uses a mould to mould the solid composition to the shape and to the volume of a lodging of the device that heats tobacco without burning it, intended to put in place and hold the bulk solid composition during the use of the device that heats tobacco without burning it.

[0072] Those skilled in the art will know how to adjust the die of the mould in order to obtain a bulk solid composition, the shape and volume of which are adjusted to the device that heats tobacco without burning it, while taking into account the steps of the process for producing the bulk solid composition, in particular the drying step c) which can have an influence on the shape and the volume of the bulk solid reconstituted plant composition.

[0073] The bulk solid composition of the invention may be able to be obtained by means of a process comprising a moulding step.

[0074] Typically, the drying step c) can be carried out by hot-air drying, by freeze-drying, by deep-freezing, by freezing, in particular by hot-air drying or by freeze-drying.

[0075] Hot-air drying is a simple technique to implement and is well known to those skilled in the art.

[0076] Typically, the hot-air drying can be carried out in a tunnel dryer, a vertical dryer, a fluidized-bed dryer, a pneumatic dryer, in particular in a tunnel dryer.

[0077] Typically, the hot-air drying can be carried out fora period of from 10 min to 120 min, in particular from 20 min to 60 min, most particularly from 25 min to 35 min, the temperature of the hot air being from 50.degree. C. to 200.degree. C., in particular from 75.degree. C. to 150.degree. C., most particularly from 90.degree. C. to 100.degree. C.

[0078] Advantageously, the drying by freeze-drying makes it possible to easily preserve the shape of the moulded solid composition and not to degrade the aromatic chemical compounds or the chemical compounds which have therapeutic properties of the plant.

[0079] According to one embodiment, the refined plant fibres and the plant extract are obtained according to the following steps: [0080] a1) mixing one or more plant parts with a solvent in order to extract the plant extract from the plant fibres, [0081] a2) separating the plant extract from the plant fibres, and [0082] a3) refining the plant fibres.

[0083] The plant extract and the plant fibres are thus typically obtained by means of a dissociation process. During step a1) of this process, one or more plant parts are mixed with the solvent, for example in an extractor, in order to extract the plant extract.

[0084] The plant extract thus corresponds to all of the plant products that are soluble in the solvent and are obtained by means of the dissociation process.

[0085] 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 or a mixture thereof, more particularly the solvent is ethanol, acetone, water or a mixture thereof.

[0086] According to one particular embodiment, the solvent is an aqueous solvent, most particularly the solvent is water.

[0087] Those skilled in the art will know how to adapt the temperature of the solvent during step a1) 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 a bark will be higher than the temperature of the solvent during the treatment of a leaf or of a petal.

[0088] Typically, the temperature of the solvent during step a1) may be from 10.degree. C. to 100.degree. C., in particular from 30.degree. C. to 90.degree. C., more particularly from 50.degree. C. to 80.degree. C.

[0089] According to the embodiment in which the solvent is water and the plant is tobacco, the temperature of the water may typically be from 30.degree. C. to 80.degree. C. Typically, for the treatment of the stems of a tobacco plant, the temperature of the water may be from 50.degree. C. to 80.degree. C. Typically, for the treatment of the parenchyma of a tobacco plant, the temperature of the water may be from 30.degree. C. to 70.degree. C.

[0090] During step a2), the plant extract is then separated from the plant fibres, for example by passing through a screw press or through a centrifuge, in order to isolate and obtain, on the one hand, the plant fibres and, on the other hand, the plant extract.

[0091] Typically, the refining step a3) carried out is that which is commonly used in the tobacco industry. Those skilled in the art will know how to adapt the conditions of step a3) in order to obtain refined plant fibres having an SR degree as described above.

[0092] Typically, the plant extract may be concentrated before being mixed with the refined plant fibres and with the aerosol-generating agent during step a). A device such as a vacuum evaporation device may be used to concentrate the plant extract.

[0093] Typically, the refined plant fibres may be wet. In order to facilitate the mixing of the refined plant fibres with the plant extract and the aerosol-generating agent during step a) of the production process of the invention, the refined fibres can be dried off before being mixed during step a). This drying off can be carried out for example by pressing or by phase separation.

[0094] Advantageously, the process of the invention makes it possible to produce a bulk solid reconstituted plant composition, the shape and the volume of which are suitable for devices that heat tobacco without burning it, without a subsequent shaping step commonly used in the tobacco industry, such as a cutting step. It is thus simpler to implement and also faster.

[0095] The bulk solid reconstituted plant composition of the invention can be used in a device that heats tobacco without burning it.

[0096] For the purposes of the present invention, the term "device that heats tobacco without burning it" denotes any device which allows the formation of an aerosol intended to be inhaled by a consumer. The aerosol replaces the smoke, thus allowing the smoker to inhale the plant aromas while at the same time very significantly reducing their exposure to the harmful constituents.

[0097] Typically, a device that heats tobacco without burning it comprises, in the direction of the air flow, an air inlet, a heated portion, a lodging intended to put in place and hold the bulk solid reconstituted plant composition of the invention and an air outlet intended to be introduced into the mouth of the user. The air inlet, the heated portion, the lodging and the air outlet are fluidly connected to one another.

[0098] Typically, before the device that heats tobacco without burning it is used, the bulk solid composition is put in place in the lodging by the user. When the device that heats tobacco without burning it is being used, air is sucked by the user into the device that heats tobacco without burning it via the air inlet; the air sucked in then passes through the heated portion so as to obtain heated air; on contact with the bulk solid composition held in the lodging, an aerosol is formed by the heated air and is then inhaled by the user.

[0099] Typically, the device that heats tobacco without burning it also comprises a filter between the lodging intended to put in place and hold the bulk solid composition, and the air outlet. The filter makes it possible to prevent inhalation of particles of the bulk solid composition by the user.

[0100] Since the plant extracts are contained in the aerosol formed, said aerosol thus has organoleptic properties of the plant. If the plant is a medicinal plant, the bulk solid composition of the present invention and thus the aerosol formed can have therapeutic properties.

[0101] Furthermore, when the device that heats tobacco without burning it is being used with the bulk solid composition, there is no combustion of said bulk solid composition. The user can thus benefit from the organoleptic properties of the plant while at the same time very significantly reducing their exposure to the harmful constituents.

EXAMPLES

Exemplified Bulk Solid Compositions According to the Invention

[0102] Three bulk solid compositions, differing by the .degree.SR of the refined fibres, were produced according to the following procedure.

[0103] A mixture of lamina of tobacco of Virginia, Burley, Orient type is brought into contact with water in the laboratory in a water bath at 40.degree. C. with manual stirring for 30 minutes. The tobacco extract is separated from the fibres by mechanical pressing, then vacuum-concentrated down to a solids concentration of 51.5%. Glycerol is added to the soluble aqueous fraction of tobacco.

[0104] The fibres are refined using a beater-refiner. Since the bulk solid compositions differ by virtue of the .degree.SR of the refined fibres, the refining is adjusted to the desired .degree.SR.

[0105] The refined fibres, tobacco extracts and glycerol are mixed manually to obtain a paste. This paste is then shaped in a mould.

[0106] Finally, the bulk solid composition is obtained by drying the paste at 95.degree. C. for 30 minutes.

Comparative Bulk Solid Composition

[0107] A comparative bulk solid composition, the density of which is 620.7 mgcm.sup.-3, was produced according to the same procedure as that described above.

Characteristics of the Bulk Solid Compositions

[0108] Table 1 below lists the characteristics of the four bulk solid compositions.

TABLE-US-00001 TABLE 1 Com- Com- Com- position position position Comparative 1 2 3 composition Density (mg cm.sup.-3) 234.5 234.5 243.5 620.7 Tobacco extract 28.4 28.4 28.4 49.9 content (%) Glycerol content 17.9 17.9 17.9 32.1 (%) Fibre content 53.7 53.7 53.7 18.0 SR degree 52 42 60 52

Smoking Test for the Four Bulk Solid Compositions Exemplified

[0109] Because of their format, the bulk solid compositions 1 to 3 and the comparative bulk solid composition are easily introduced into the heating lodging of the Pax heating system of the company Ploom Inc/Pax Labs Inc. After the test, the four bulk solid compositions are easily extracted from the heating lodging.

[0110] During the 9 puffs, the volume of aerosol generated by the bulk solid compositions 1 to 3 is judged to be satisfactory. Furthermore, the organoleptic properties of the aerosol generated by composition 3 are the most satisfactory for the user.

[0111] The volume of aerosol generated by the comparative bulk solid composition is not judged to be satisfactory since it is too small. After the test, it was opened up into two pieces and it was noted that its centre was not heated. This demonstrated that the heated air was not able to pass through the comparative bulk solid composition.

Claims

1. Bulk solid reconstituted plant composition comprising: a plant extract, refined plant fibres, and an aerosol-generating agent, and the density of which is from 200 mgcm.sup.-3 to 550 mgcm.sup.-3.

2. Bulk solid composition according to claim 1, in which the plant fibres are refined and have an SR degree of 20.degree. to 90.degree..

3. Bulk solid composition according to claim 1, in which the aerosol-generating agent is sorbitol, glycerol, propylene glycol, triethylene glycol, lactic acid, glyceryl diacetate, glyceryl triacetate, triethyl citrate or isopropyl myristate, or a mixture thereof.

4. Bulk solid composition according to claim 1, in which the aerosol-generating agent represents from 5% to 50% by weight of dry matter of the bulk solid composition.

5. Bulk solid composition according to claim 1, in which the plant is chosen from spore-producing plants, seed-producing plants and a mixture thereof.

6. Bulk solid composition according to claim 1, in which the plant extract represents from 5% to 75% by weight of dry matter of the bulk solid composition.

7. Bulk solid composition according to claim 1, in which the refined plant fibres represent from 15% to 85% by weight of dry matter of the bulk solid composition.

8. Process for producing a bulk solid reconstituted plant composition as defined in claim 1, comprising the following steps: a) mixing refined plant fibres with a plant extract and an aerosol-generating agent so as to obtain a solid composition, b) moulding the composition so as to obtain a moulded solid composition, and c) drying the moulded solid composition so as to produce the bulk solid reconstituted plant composition.

9. Process according to claim 8, in which the drying step c) is carried out by hot-air drying, by freeze-drying, by deep-freezing, or by freezing.

10. Process according to claim 8, in which the refined plant fibres and the plant extract are obtained according to the following steps: a1) mixing one or more plant parts with a solvent in order to extract a plant extract from the plant fibres, a2) separating the plant extract from the plant fibres, and a3) refining the plant fibres.

11. Process according to claim 10, in which the solvent is an aqueous solvent.

12. Process according to claim 10, in which the temperature of the solvent during step a1) is from 10.degree. C. to 100.degree. C.

13. A method of generating an aerosol by placing the bulk solid reconstituted plant composition as defined in claim 1, in a device that heats the bulk solid reconstituted pland composition without burning it.

14. Bulk solid composition according to claim 1, in which the plant fibres are refined and have an SR degree of 40.degree. to 70.degree..

15. Bulk solid composition according to claim 1, in which the plant is chosen from tobacco plants, food plants, aromatic plants, fragrant plants, medicinal plants, or mixtures thereof.

16. Bulk solid composition according to claim 1, in which the plant extract represents from 15% to 60% by weight of dry matter of the bulk solid composition.

17. Bulk solid composition according to claim 1, in which the refined plant fibres represent form 25% to 75% by weight of dry matter of the bulk solid composition.

18. Bulk solid composition according to claim 1, in which the plant fibres are refined and have an SR degree of 55.degree. to 65.degree..

19. Bulk solid composition according to claim 1, in which the plant is tobacco plant.