U.S. patent application number 17/436846 was filed with the patent office on 2022-04-28 for tobacco processing method.
The applicant listed for this patent is NICOVENTURES TRADING LIMITED. Invention is credited to David BISHOP, Tomas ESSEN, Dominic Conrad WOODCOCK.
Application Number | 20220125097 17/436846 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | |
Filed Date | 2022-04-28 |
United States Patent
Application |
20220125097 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
ESSEN; Tomas ; et
al. |
April 28, 2022 |
TOBACCO PROCESSING METHOD
Abstract
A method of processing pH-treated tobacco material comprising
contacting at least one pH-treated tobacco material with an
effective amount of one or more gases, wherein the one or more
gases reduce the pH of the pH-treated tobacco material, and wherein
the reduction in pH of the pH-treated tobacco material is
reversible. Also provided are methods of storing pH-treated tobacco
and the use of a gas to improve the shelf-life or bulk storage time
of pH-treated tobacco material.
Inventors: |
ESSEN; Tomas; (London,
GB) ; BISHOP; David; (London, GB) ; WOODCOCK;
Dominic Conrad; (London, GB) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
NICOVENTURES TRADING LIMITED |
London |
|
GB |
|
|
Appl. No.: |
17/436846 |
Filed: |
February 14, 2020 |
PCT Filed: |
February 14, 2020 |
PCT NO: |
PCT/GB2020/050355 |
371 Date: |
September 7, 2021 |
International
Class: |
A24B 15/28 20060101
A24B015/28; A24B 3/18 20060101 A24B003/18 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Mar 7, 2019 |
GB |
1903083.2 |
Claims
1. A method of processing pH-treated tobacco material comprising:
contacting at least one pH-treated tobacco material with an
effective amount of one or more gases, wherein the one or more
gases comprises carbon dioxide, wherein the one or more gases
reduce the pH of the pH-treated tobacco material from an initial pH
to a lower pH, and wherein the reduction in pH of the pH-treated
tobacco material is reversible, such that the pH of the tobacco
material is at least partially restored to the initial pH on
removal of the one or more gases.
2. The method of claim 1, wherein at least 20% by volume of the one
or more gases is carbon dioxide.
3. The method of claim 1, wherein from about 25% to about 100% by
volume of the one or more gases is carbon dioxide.
4. The method of claim 1, wherein from about 50% to about 100% by
volume of the one or more gases is carbon dioxide.
5. The method of claim 1, wherein the one or more gases consists
essentially of carbon dioxide.
6. The method of claim 1, wherein the initial pH of the at least
one pH-treated tobacco material is greater than 7.
7. The method of claim 1, wherein the initial pH of the at least
one pH-treated tobacco material is from about 8 to about 10.
8. The method of claim 1, wherein the lower pH of the at least one
pH-treated tobacco material is less than about 7.
9. A tobacco material obtained by the method of claim 1.
10. A method of storing pH-treated tobacco material, the method
comprising: i. placing pH-treated tobacco material in a storage
container; and either ii. sealing the storage container; and iii.
processing the pH-treated tobacco material according to the method
of claim 1; or ii. processing the pH-treated tobacco material
according to the method of claim 1; and iii. sealing the storage
container.
11. A method of storing pH-treated tobacco material, the method
comprising: i. processing pH-treated tobacco material according to
the method of claim 1; ii. placing the tobacco material obtained
from processing step (i) in a storage container; and iii. sealing
the storage container.
12. The method of claim 10, wherein the storage container is a
sealed container suitable for bulk storage of the pH-treated
tobacco material, or a sealed packaging element suitable for
individual storage of the pH-treated tobacco material.
13. A storage container comprising tobacco material obtained by the
method of claim 10, wherein the pH of the tobacco material
increases upon exposure to normal atmospheric conditions.
14. Use of carbon dioxide to improve the shelf-life or bulk storage
time of pH-treated tobacco material, wherein the pH-treated tobacco
material is stored in contact with carbon dioxide.
15. The method of claim 6, wherein the lower pH of the at least one
pH-treated tobacco material is less than about 7.
16. The method of claim 7, wherein the lower pH of the at least one
pH-treated tobacco material is less than about 7.
17. The method of claim 11, wherein the storage container is a
sealed container suitable for bulk storage of the pH-treated
tobacco material, or a sealed packaging element suitable for
individual storage of the pH-treated tobacco material.
18. A storage container comprising tobacco material obtained by the
method of claim 11, wherein the pH of the tobacco material
increases upon exposure to normal atmospheric conditions.
19. A storage container comprising tobacco material obtained by the
method of claim 12, wherein the pH of the tobacco material
increases upon exposure to normal atmospheric conditions.
20. A method of storing pH-treated tobacco material, the method
comprising: contacting at least one pH-treated tobacco material
with an effective amount of one or more gases to provide a
pH-treated tobacco material having a reduced pH, wherein the one or
more gases comprises carbon dioxide, wherein the one or more gases
reduce the pH of the pH-treated tobacco material from an initial pH
above about 7 to the reduced pH below about 7; and storing the
pH-treated tobacco material having the reduced pH in a sealed
storage container; wherein the reduction in pH of the pH-treated
tobacco material is reversible, such that the pH of the tobacco
material is at least partially restored to a restored pH above
about 7 upon removal from the sealed storage container.
Description
[0001] The present application is a National Phase entry of PCT
Application No. PCT/GB2020/050355, filed Feb. 14, 2020 which claims
priority from GB Patent Application No. 1903083.2 filed Mar. 7,
2019, each of which is hereby fully incorporated herein by
reference.
TECHNICAL FIELD
[0002] The present disclosure relates to a method of processing
pH-treated tobacco material, for example pH-treated tobacco
granules or particles used in tobacco industry products. In
addition the present disclosure relates to a pH-treated tobacco
material obtained from said method, as well as a method of storing
pH-treated tobacco material, and a storage container obtained from
said method.
BACKGROUND
[0003] Tobacco industry products include smoking articles such as
cigarettes, cigars and the like, which burn tobacco during use, as
well as alternatives that release compounds from smokeable material
without combusting. Examples of such products are tobacco heating
devices or products which release compounds by heating, instead of
burning. Tobacco industry products also include electronic aerosol
provision systems which generally contain a cartomizer with a
reservoir of a liquid formulation, and/or a substrate material such
as a tobacco-based product, from which aerosol or vapor is
generated for inhalation by a user, for example through heat
vaporization. Generally nicotine and often flavorants or flavor
agents are present in the liquid of the reservoir and/or the
substrate material. However in some countries, local regulations or
other reasons such as sensory or otherwise mean that nicotine can
only be present in the substrate material.
[0004] Thus in these countries, an aerosol provision system will
typically comprise a cartomizer with an aerosol or vapor generating
element (a vaporizer), e.g. a heater, arranged to aerosolize a
portion of precursor material to generate aerosol in an aerosol
generation chamber, and a substrate material containing nicotine.
As a user inhales on the system or device and electrical power is
supplied to the heater, air is drawn into the device through inlet
holes and into the aerosol generation chamber where the air mixes
with the aerosolized precursor material. There is then typically a
flow path connecting the aerosol generation chamber and an opening
in the mouthpiece of the device via the substrate material
containing nicotine, so that incoming air drawn through the aerosol
generation chamber continues along the flow path via the substrate
material, so as to carry aerosol out through the mouthpiece opening
for inhalation by the user. The substrate material is often heated
by the aerosol or vapor generating element and/or by the aerosol
itself, so as to extract nicotine into the aerosol inhaled by the
user.
SUMMARY
[0005] According to some embodiments described herein, there is
provided a method of processing pH-treated tobacco material
comprising contacting at least one pH-treated tobacco material with
an effective amount of one or more gases, wherein the one or more
gases reduce the pH of the pH-treated tobacco material, and wherein
the reduction in pH of the pH-treated tobacco material is
reversible.
[0006] The one or more gases may comprise carbon dioxide. For
example, at least about 20% by volume of the one or more gases may
be carbon dioxide. In one embodiment from about 25% to about 100%
by volume of the one or more gases may be carbon dioxide. In
another embodiment from about 50% to about 100% by volume of the
one or more gases may be carbon dioxide. In another embodiment the
one or more gases consist essentially of carbon dioxide, where the
expression "consist essentially of" has its normal meaning in the
art of including further components which do not materially affect
the essential characteristics of the gases.
[0007] The initial pH of the at least one pH-treated tobacco
material may be greater than 7, for example from about 8 to about
10. The pH of the pH-treated tobacco material is reduced by the one
or more gases, this reduction may be to a pH value of less than 7,
for example from about 5 to about 6.5. The skilled person will
appreciate, however, that any reduction in pH will be advantageous
and the present disclosure is not limited to a specific reduction
from the initial pH.
[0008] Also provided is a tobacco material obtained by the
processing method described herein.
[0009] In addition, there is provided a method of storing
pH-treated tobacco material. The method can comprise (i) placing
pH-treated tobacco material in a storage container; and either (ii)
sealing the storage container and (iii) processing the pH-treated
tobacco material according to the processing method described
herein, or (ii) processing the pH-treated tobacco material
according to the method described herein, and (iii) sealing the
storage container.
[0010] Alternatively, the method can comprise (i) processing
pH-treated tobacco material according to the method described
herein, (ii) placing the tobacco material obtained from processing
step (i) in a storage container, and (iii) sealing the storage
container.
[0011] The storage container may be a sealed container suitable for
bulk storage of the pH-treated tobacco material, or a sealed
packaging element suitable for individual storage of the pH-treated
tobacco material. The terms "bulk storage" and "individual storage"
are discussed further herein.
[0012] Also provided is a storage container comprising tobacco
material obtained by the storage method described herein, wherein
the pH of the tobacco material increases upon exposure to normal
atmospheric conditions.
[0013] Finally, there is provided the use of carbon dioxide to
improve the shelf-life or bulk storage time of pH-treated tobacco
material.
[0014] These embodiments are set out in the appended independent
and dependent claims. It will be appreciated that features of the
dependent claims may be combined with each other and with features
of the independent claims in combinations other than those
explicitly set out in the claims. Furthermore, the approaches
described herein are not restricted to specific embodiments such as
those set out below, but include and contemplate any appropriate
combinations of features presented herein. For example, a
processing method, tobacco material obtained therefrom, a storage
method and/or a storage container obtained therefrom may be
provided in accordance with approaches described herein which
includes any one or more of the various features described below as
appropriate.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0015] Embodiments of the disclosure will now be described, by way
of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in
which:
[0016] FIG. 1 is a highly schematic cross-section of a storage
container 1 in accordance with certain embodiments of the
disclosure. As is discussed in more detail below, FIG. 1 shows a
sealed storage container 1 comprising pH-treated tobacco material 2
and one or more gases 3 which consist essentially of carbon
dioxide. It will be appreciated by the person skilled in the art
that FIG. 1 is not drawn to scale.
[0017] FIGS. 2 to 4 are flow-charts showing the key steps of the
storage method according to certain embodiments of the
disclosure.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0018] Aspects and features of certain examples and embodiments are
discussed and described herein. Some aspects and features of
certain examples and embodiments may be implemented conventionally
and these are not discussed or described in detail in the interests
of brevity. It will thus be appreciated that aspects and features
of apparatus and methods discussed herein which are not described
in detail may be implemented in accordance with any conventional
techniques for implementing such aspects and features.
[0019] The present disclosure provides a method of processing
pH-treated tobacco material, a tobacco material obtained by said
processing method, a method of storing pH-treated tobacco material,
a storage container comprising tobacco material obtained by said
storage method, and the use of carbon dioxide. These aspects of the
present disclosure are surprisingly able to improve the shelf-life
or bulk storage time of pH-treated tobacco material, for example,
pH-treated tobacco granules or particles used in tobacco industry
products.
[0020] As used herein, the term "tobacco industry product" is
intended to include:
[0021] combustible smoking articles, such as cigarettes,
cigarillos, cigars, and tobacco for pipes or for roll-your-own or
for make-your-own cigarettes (whether based on tobacco, tobacco
derivatives, expanded tobacco, reconstituted tobacco, tobacco
substitutes or other smokeable material);
[0022] non-combustible aerosol provision systems, such as heating
devices that release compounds from aerosolizable materials without
burning the aerosolizable materials, such as electronic cigarettes,
tobacco heating products, and hybrid systems to generate aerosol
using a combination of aerosolizable materials;
[0023] articles comprising aerosolizable material and configured to
be used within one of these non-combustible aerosol provision
systems; and
[0024] aerosol-free stimulant delivery articles, such as lozenges,
gums, patches, articles comprising inhalable powders, and smokeless
tobacco products such as snus and snuff, wherein the stimulant may
or may not comprise nicotine.
[0025] As is common in the art, the terms "vapor" and "aerosol" and
related terms such as "vaporize", "volatilize" and "aerosolize" may
be used interchangeably. Aerosol provision systems or devices may
therefore be referred to herein as "vapor provision systems or
devices", "aerosol delivery systems or devices", "electronic vapor
provision systems or devices", "electronic aerosol provision
systems or devices", or "e-cigarettes or electronic cigarettes".
These terms may be used interchangeably and are intended to refer
to non-combustible aerosol provision systems or devices such as a
heating device that releases compounds from aerosolizable
material(s), e.g. tobacco material, without burning the
aerosolizable material(s). The non-combustible aerosol provision
system can include electronic cigarettes or e-cigarettes that
create aerosol from aerosol precursor materials by heating or other
techniques such as vibration; and hybrid systems that provide
aerosol via a combination of aerosol precursor materials and solid
substrate materials, for example hybrid systems containing liquid
or gel precursor materials and a solid substrate material.
[0026] In arriving at the present disclosure, the inventors
recognized that a tobacco industry product containing pH-treated
tobacco material often fails to provide a satisfactory experience
to a user when the pH-treated tobacco material has been stored for
a significant period of time prior to use. This was observed when
the pH-treated tobacco was stored in bulk or in individual
compartments, but was particularly prevalent after storage of the
tobacco in individual compartments, and the unsatisfactory user
experience was primarily due to a reduction in the amount of
nicotine available.
[0027] As is known in the art, nicotine has two basic nitrogens and
can exist in a un-protonated, a mono-protonated or a di-protonated
form. The protonated forms are not volatile, whilst the
un-protonated form is highly volatile and is readily able to enter
the gas phase with a vapor pressure at 25.degree. C. of 5.5 Pa. To
promote the release of nicotine, tobacco material is therefore
generally pH treated before being used in tobacco industry
products. The pH treatment raises the pH of the tobacco material
from an acidic pH (e.g. 5.5) to an alkaline pH (e.g. 9.5) thereby
deprotonating the nicotine and converting it into its volatile,
free base form as shown below:
##STR00001##
[0028] The inventors realized, however, that the pH treatment and
deprotonation of nicotine was causing significant nicotine
stability issues when storing the pH-treated tobacco material for a
length of time. Although the availability of nicotine from the
tobacco material was improved, pH treatment simultaneously reduced
the shelf-life of the tobacco due to the volatility of the
free-base nicotine.
[0029] Accordingly there is a desire for nicotine stability of a
pH-treated tobacco material to be improved, and in particular for
the shelf-life and bulk storage time of a pH-treated tobacco
material to be increased. The present disclosure addresses these
needs whilst improving product performance and user experience by
contacting pH-treated tobacco material with an effective amount of
one or more gases so as to reversibly reduce the pH of the
pH-treated tobacco material. The reversible nature of the present
method is particularly advantageous because it allows the methods
described herein to be incorporated into existing tobacco
processing and treatment technology, and also to be applied to bulk
storage and individual (e.g. blister or the like) storage of a
pH-treated tobacco material.
[0030] Without wishing to be bound by any one theory, the inventors
believe that the reversible reduction in pH by the one or more
gases is caused by the reversible formation of a weak acid from the
gas(es) and water. When the gas(es) used in the present method
includes carbon dioxide, the carbon dioxide is believed to react
with water present in the pH-treated tobacco material and/or
atmosphere so as to form carbonic acid, lowering the pH and
protonating nicotine. On exposure to the normal environment or
normal atmospheric conditions, i.e. release of the tobacco material
from the storage container, the carbonic acid converts back to
carbon dioxide, returning the pH towards its previous level, and
deprotonating nicotine. The reversible formation of carbonic acid
by carbon dioxide can be represented by the following
equilibria:
CO.sub.2(aq)+H.sub.2OH.sub.2CO.sub.3(aq)
H.sub.2CO.sub.3(aq)H.sup.+(aq)+HCO.sub.3.sup.-(aq)
HCO.sub.3.sup.-(aq)H.sup.+(aq)+CO.sub.3.sup.2-(aq)
[0031] For ease of reference, these and further features of the
present disclosure are now discussed under appropriate section
headings. However, the teachings under each section are not
necessarily limited to the section in which they are found.
Tobacco Material
[0032] The present disclosure concerns a pH-treated tobacco
material. The terms "pH-treated tobacco material", "pH-treated
tobacco substrate" or "pH-treated tobacco" are used interchangeably
herein and refer to pH-treated tobacco, i.e. tobacco that has been
subject to a pH treatment as is known in the art and described
herein. As discussed further below, pH treatment increases the pH
of the tobacco. The identity of the tobacco material is not,
however, limited.
[0033] The tobacco material before pH treatment is referred to as
"tobacco material", "tobacco starting material" or "starting
tobacco material".
[0034] The tobacco starting material can be any type or grade of
tobacco and includes any part, such as for example, the leaves or
stems, of any member of the genus Nicotiana and reconstituted
materials thereof. The tobacco starting material is, in one
embodiment, from the species Nicotiana tabacum.
[0035] The tobacco starting material may be from one variety of
tobacco or from more than one variety of tobacco. As is known in
the art, the latter can be referred to as a blend. Examples of
tobacco varieties which may be used include, but are not limited
to, Virginia, Burley, Oriental and Rustica tobaccos. The tobacco
starting material may also comprise tobacco of a certain grade or
quality. For example, the tobacco starting material may comprise
tobacco of high, medium and/or low grade.
[0036] The tobacco starting material may be subjected to known
practices such as drying and curing. In one embodiment the tobacco
starting material is cured prior to any pH-treatment.
[0037] The tobacco starting material can also be in any suitable
form. The tobacco starting material can be solid, liquid or gel. In
one embodiment the tobacco starting material is a solid or a gel.
In one embodiment the tobacco starting material is a solid. In
another embodiment the tobacco starting material is in the form of
a gel. In one embodiment the tobacco starting material is a solid
and selected from cut-rag, ground tobacco or baled leaf.
[0038] In one embodiment the tobacco starting material is a solid
and either prior, at the same time as, or after pH treatment is
processed into the form of particles, beads, granules, extrudates
or the like, by any method known in the art, e.g. dry or wet
granulation, chopping, shredding, cutting, crushing, milling,
grinding, extruding or a combination thereof. Smaller tobacco
particles, beads, granules, extrudates, or the like have a greater
surface area to volume ratio and so are known to exhibit enhanced
release of volatile components compared to particles of larger
sizes. This is described, for example, in WO2019016535.
[0039] In one embodiment the tobacco starting material is
pre-treated or pre-processed into particles, beads, granules or
extrudates of the desired size, and then subjected to pH treatment.
For example, the tobacco starting material may be ground into
particles and then pH-treated as shown in FIG. 1 of
WO2019016535.
[0040] In another embodiment the tobacco starting material is
pre-processed or pre-treated into particles, beads, granules,
extrudates or the like at the same time as pH treatment. The shape
and/or size of the tobacco particles are not limited in the context
of the present disclosure. The skilled person will be aware of
suitable particle sizes and shapes.
[0041] The tobacco starting material used in the present disclosure
will include nicotine. The nicotine may be inherently present in
the tobacco starting material and/or it may be added thereto. If
any nicotine is added to the tobacco starting material, this will
typically take place after pH treatment. Nicotine may also be added
before pH treatment if so desired.
[0042] The nicotine content of the tobacco starting material is not
limited and depends on the desired dosage when the nicotine is
aerosolized and inhaled by a user. Generally the nicotine content
is between about 0.2 wt % and about 6 wt %, on a dry weight basis
relative to the total weight of the tobacco starting material. All
of the wt % values for the amount of nicotine are on a dry weight
basis.
[0043] In one embodiment nicotine is present in an amount of no
greater than about 6 wt % based on the total weight of the tobacco
starting material. In one embodiment nicotine is present in an
amount of from about 0.4 to about 6 wt % based on the total weight
of the tobacco starting material. In one embodiment nicotine is
present in an amount of from about 0.8 to about 6 wt % based on the
total weight of the tobacco starting material. In one embodiment
nicotine is present in an amount of from about 1 to about 6 wt %
based on the total weight of the tobacco starting material. In one
embodiment nicotine is present in an amount of from about 1.8 to
about 6 wt % based on the total weight of the tobacco starting
material.
[0044] In one embodiment nicotine is present in an amount of no
greater than about 5 wt % based on the total weight of the tobacco
starting material. In one embodiment nicotine is present in an
amount of from about 0.4 to about 5 wt % based on the total weight
of the tobacco starting material. In one embodiment nicotine is
present in an amount of from about 0.8 to about 5 wt % based on the
total weight of the tobacco starting material. In one embodiment
nicotine is present in an amount of from about 1 to about 5 wt %
based on the total weight of the tobacco starting material. In one
embodiment nicotine is present in an amount of from about 1.8 to
about 5 wt % based on the total weight of the tobacco starting
material.
[0045] In one embodiment nicotine is present in an amount of no
greater than about 4 wt % based on the total weight of the tobacco
starting material. In one embodiment nicotine is present in an
amount of from about 0.4 to about 4 wt % based on the total weight
of the tobacco starting material. In one embodiment nicotine is
present in an amount of from about 0.8 to about 4 wt % based on the
total weight of the tobacco starting material. In one embodiment
nicotine is present in an amount of from about 1 to about 4 wt %
based on the total weight of the tobacco starting material. In one
embodiment nicotine is present in an amount of from about 1.8 to
about 4 wt % based on the total weight of the tobacco starting
material.
[0046] In one embodiment nicotine is present in an amount of no
greater than about 3 wt % based on the total weight of the tobacco
starting material. In one embodiment nicotine is present in an
amount of from about 0.4 to about 3 wt % based on the total weight
of the tobacco starting material. In one embodiment nicotine is
present in an amount of from about 0.8 to about 3 wt % based on the
total weight of the tobacco starting material. In one embodiment
nicotine is present in an amount of from about 1 to about 3 wt %
based on the total weight of the tobacco starting material. In one
embodiment nicotine is present in an amount of from about 1.8 to
about 3 wt % based on the total weight of the tobacco starting
material.
[0047] In one embodiment nicotine is present in an amount of no
greater than about 1.9 wt % based on the total weight of the
tobacco starting material. In one embodiment nicotine is present in
an amount of no greater than about 1.8 wt % based on the total
weight of the tobacco starting material. In one embodiment nicotine
is present in an amount of from about 0.4 to about 1.9 wt % based
on the total weight of the tobacco starting material. In one
embodiment nicotine is present in an amount of from about 0.4 to
about 1.8 wt % based on the total weight of the tobacco starting
material. In one embodiment nicotine is present in an amount of
from about 0.5 to about 1.9 wt % based on the total weight of the
tobacco starting material. In one embodiment nicotine is present in
an amount of from about 0.5 to about 1.8 wt % based on the total
weight of the tobacco starting material. In one embodiment nicotine
is present in an amount of from about 0.8 to about 1.9 wt % based
on the total weight of the tobacco starting material. In one
embodiment nicotine is present in an amount of from about 0.8 to
about 1.8 wt % based on the total weight of the tobacco starting
material. In one embodiment nicotine is present in an amount of
from about 1 to about 1.9 wt % based on the total weight of the
tobacco starting material. In one embodiment nicotine is present in
an amount of from about 1 to about 1.8 wt % based on the total
weight of the tobacco starting material.
[0048] In one embodiment nicotine is present in an amount of less
than about 1.9 wt % based on the total weight of the tobacco
starting material. In one embodiment nicotine is present in an
amount of less than about 1.8 wt % based on the total weight of the
tobacco starting material. In one embodiment nicotine is present in
an amount of from about 0.4 to less than about 1.9 wt % based on
the total weight of the tobacco starting material. In one
embodiment nicotine is present in an amount of from about 0.4 to
less than about 1.8 wt % based on the total weight of the tobacco
starting material. In one embodiment nicotine is present in an
amount of from about 0.5 to less than about 1.9 wt % based on the
total weight of the tobacco starting material. In one embodiment
nicotine is present in an amount of from about 0.5 to less than
about 1.8 wt % based on the total weight of the tobacco starting
material. In one embodiment nicotine is present in an amount of
from about 0.8 to less than about 1.9 wt % based on the total
weight of the tobacco starting material. In one embodiment nicotine
is present in an amount of from about 0.8 to less than about 1.8 wt
% based on the total weight of the tobacco starting material. In
one embodiment nicotine is present in an amount of from about 1 to
less than about 1.9 wt % based on the total weight of the tobacco
starting material. In one embodiment nicotine is present in an
amount of from about 1 to less than about 1.8 wt % based on the
total weight of the tobacco starting material.
[0049] Depending on the application, the tobacco starting material
or pH-treated tobacco material can include one or more further
components. Such further components may be conventional in the
sense that they are typically included in tobacco material or
pH-treated tobacco material for tobacco industry products. In one
embodiment the one or more further components include an active
agent other than nicotine. This active agent can be a compound
which has a biological effect on a user when inhaled, and may, for
example, may be selected from botanicals or mixtures thereof, which
are synthetic or natural in origin.
[0050] The active agent may be a physiologically active material,
which is a material intended to achieve or enhance a physiological
response. The active substance may for example be selected from
nutraceuticals, nootropics and psychoactives. The active substance
may be naturally occurring or synthetically obtained. The active
substance may comprise for example nicotine, caffeine, taurine,
theine, vitamins such as B6 or B12 or C, melatonin, cannabinoids,
or constituents, derivatives, or combinations thereof. The active
substance may comprise one or more constituents, derivatives or
extracts of tobacco, cannabis or another botanical.
[0051] In some embodiments, the active substance comprises
nicotine. In some embodiments, the active substance comprises
caffeine, melatonin or vitamin B12.
[0052] As noted herein, the active substance may comprise or be
derived from one or more botanicals or constituents, derivatives or
extracts thereof. As used herein, the term "botanical" includes any
material derived from plants including, but not limited to,
extracts, leaves, bark, fibres, stems, roots, seeds, flowers,
fruits, pollen, husk, shells or the like. Alternatively, the
material may comprise an active compound naturally existing in a
botanical, obtained synthetically. The material may be in the form
of liquid, gas, solid, powder, dust, crushed particles, granules,
pellets, shreds, strips, sheets, or the like. Example botanicals
are tobacco, eucalyptus, star anise, hemp, cocoa, cannabis, fennel,
lemongrass, peppermint, spearmint, rooibos, chamomile, flax,
ginger, Ginkgo biloba, hazel, hibiscus, laurel, licorice
(liquorice), matcha, mate, orange skin, papaya, rose, sage, tea
such as green tea or black tea, thyme, clove, cinnamon, coffee,
aniseed (anise), basil, bay leaves, cardamom, coriander, cumin,
nutmeg, oregano, paprika, rosemary, saffron, lavender, lemon peel,
mint, juniper, elderflower, vanilla, wintergreen, beefsteak plant,
curcuma, turmeric, sandalwood, cilantro, bergamot, orange blossom,
myrtle, cassis, valerian, pimento, mace, damien, marjoram, olive,
lemon balm, lemon basil, chive, carvi, verbena, tarragon, geranium,
mulberry, ginseng, theanine, theacrine, maca, ashwagandha, damiana,
guarana, chlorophyll, baobab or any combination thereof. The mint
may be chosen from the following mint varieties: Mentha arventis,
Mentha c.v., Mentha niliaca, Mentha piperita, Mentha piperita
citrata c.v., Mentha piperita c.v., Mentha spicata crispa, Mentha
cardifolia, Memtha longifolia, Mentha suaveolens variegata, Mentha
pulegium, Mentha spicata c.v. and Mentha suaveolens.
[0053] In some embodiments, the active substance comprises or is
derived from one or more botanicals or constituents, derivatives or
extracts thereof and the botanical is tobacco.
[0054] In some embodiments, the active substance comprises or
derived from one or more botanicals or constituents, derivatives or
extracts thereof and the botanical is selected from eucalyptus,
star anise, cocoa and hemp.
[0055] In some embodiments, the active substance comprises or
derived from one or more botanicals or constituents, derivatives or
extracts thereof and the botanical is selected from rooibos and
fennel.
[0056] The one or more further components may also include one or
more flavors or flavoring agents. Such flavors or flavoring agents
are known in the art, and may be inherently present in the tobacco
starting material or may be added to the tobacco starting material
or pH-treated tobacco material. As used herein, the terms "flavor"
and "flavorant" refer to materials which, where local regulations
permit, may be used to create a desired taste, aroma or other
somatosensorial sensation in a product for adult consumers.
[0057] They may include naturally occurring flavor materials,
botanicals, extracts of botanicals, synthetically obtained
materials, or combinations thereof. For example, such flavors or
flavoring agents may be selected from the group consisting of
liquorice, hydrangea, Japanese white bark magnolia leaf, chamomile,
fenugreek, clove, menthol, Japanese mint, aniseed, cinnamon, herb,
wintergreen, cherry, berry, peach, apple, spearmint, peppermint,
lavender, cardamom, celery, cascarilla, Drambuie, bourbon, scotch,
whiskey, nutmeg, sandalwood, bergamot, geranium, honey essence,
rose oil, vanilla, lemon oil, orange oil, cassia, caraway, cognac,
jasmine, ylang-ylang, sage, fennel, piment, ginger, anise,
coriander, coffee, flavor enhancers, bitterness receptor site
blockers, sensorial receptor site activators or stimulators, sugars
and/or sugar substitutes (e.g. sucralose, acesulfame potassium,
aspartame, saccharine, cyclamates, lactose, sucrose, glucose,
fructose, sorbitol, or mannitol), and other additives such as
charcoal, chlorophyll, minerals, botanicals, or breath freshening
agents.
[0058] The flavor(s) or flavoring agent(s) may be imitation,
synthetic or natural ingredients or blends thereof, and may be in
any suitable form, for example, oil, liquid, or powder, or liquid
such as an oil, solid such as a powder or gas. It will be
understood by the skilled person that the flavor(s) or flavoring
agent(s) may be a multi-component flavor or flavoring agent or a
single component flavor or flavoring agent.
[0059] In some embodiments, the flavor comprises menthol, spearmint
and/or peppermint. In some embodiments, the flavor comprises flavor
components of cucumber, blueberry, citrus fruits and/or red berry.
In some embodiments, the flavor comprises eugenol. In some
embodiments, the flavor comprises flavor components extracted from
tobacco. In some embodiments, the flavor comprises flavor
components extracted from cannabis.
[0060] In some embodiments, the flavor may comprise a sensate,
which is intended to achieve a somatosensorial sensation which are
usually chemically induced and perceived by the stimulation of the
fifth cranial nerve (trigeminal nerve), in addition to or in place
of aroma or taste nerves, and these may include agents providing
heating, cooling, tingling, numbing effect.
[0061] A suitable heat effect agent may be, but is not limited to,
vanillyl ethyl ether and a suitable cooling agent may be, but not
limited to eucalyptol, WS-3.
[0062] With respect to the flavor(s) inherently present in the
tobacco starting material, their release to a user from the
pH-treated tobacco material may be enhanced by further treatment.
The skilled person will know of suitable treatments and appreciate
that such treatment can take place before, during or after the pH
treatment of the tobacco starting material.
[0063] In one embodiment the pH-treated tobacco material does not
undergo any further treatment.
[0064] In one embodiment the tobacco starting material or
pH-treated tobacco material does not contain any added acid(s). In
one embodiment the tobacco starting material or pH-treated tobacco
material does not contain any added organic acid selected from the
group consisting of benzoic acid, levulinic acid, malic acid,
maleic acid, fumaric acid, citric acid, lactic acid, acetic acid,
succinic acid, and mixtures thereof.
pH-Treated Tobacco Material
[0065] As discussed above, the terms "pH-treated tobacco material",
"pH-treated tobacco substrate" and "pH-treated tobacco" are used
interchangeably herein to refer to a tobacco starting material
which has undergone a treatment so as to increase its pH. The level
of increase is not limited because it will depend on the initial pH
of the tobacco starting material, and this depends on numerous
factors including for example, the type of tobacco, pH treatment
agent and the relative amounts of the tobacco starting material and
pH treatment agent.
[0066] The pH-treated tobacco material may be in any form, e.g.
solid, liquid or gel. In one embodiment the pH-treated tobacco
material is a solid or a gel. In another embodiment the pH-treated
tobacco material is a solid. In another embodiment the pH-treated
tobacco material is a gel. The form of the tobacco material is
discussed in detail above (including the formation of particles,
granules, beads and extrudates by methods known in the art and
discussed in WO2019016535) and the skilled person would understand
that the form of the tobacco starting material dictates the form of
the pH-treated tobacco material.
[0067] In one embodiment the pH treatment modifies the pH of the
tobacco starting material from an acidic pH (less than 7) to an
alkaline pH (greater than 7). In another embodiment the pH
treatment modifies the pH so that the nicotine present in the
tobacco starting material is deprotonated. The skilled person will
know of suitable techniques to detect the nicotine protonation
and/or deprotonation level(s), e.g. .sup.1H NMR spectroscopy, and
thus be able to readily monitor and control the pH treatment.
[0068] Generally the normal, unadjusted pH of cured tobacco is
slightly acidic, usually within the range of about 4.5 to about 6.5
and frequently approximately 5, for example 5.5. A pH treatment
will then increase the pH to a basic pH of greater than 7. Thus in
one embodiment the pH treatment modifies the pH of the tobacco
starting material from a pH in the range of about 4 to less than 7,
to a pH of greater than 7. In another embodiment the pH treatment
modifies the pH of the tobacco starting material from a pH in the
range of about 5 to less than 7, to a pH of greater than 7.
[0069] As is known in the art, the pH of tobacco is measured using
the CORESTA Recommended Method No. 69, "Determination of pH of
Tobacco and Tobacco Products" (2017). This Recommended Method is
applicable for the determination of pH in tobacco and tobacco
products that are in the range 4 to 10, and involves preparing an
aqueous extract of the tobacco or tobacco product sample and its pH
determined using a pH electrode. The CORESTA Recommended Method No.
69, "Determination of pH of Tobacco and Tobacco Products" (2017) is
incorporated herein by reference.
[0070] Considering now the pH of the pH-treated tobacco material in
more detail and noting that these pH values can be combined with
the above disclosure of the pH of the tobacco starting material: in
one embodiment the pH-treated tobacco material has a pH of about 7
to about 14. In another embodiment the pH-treated tobacco material
has a pH of about 7 to about 13. In another embodiment the
pH-treated tobacco material has a pH of about 7 to about 12. In
another embodiment the pH-treated tobacco material has a pH of
about 7 to about 11. In another embodiment the pH-treated tobacco
material has a pH of about 7 to about 10.
[0071] In one embodiment the pH-treated tobacco material has a pH
of greater than about 8. In another embodiment the pH-treated
tobacco material has a pH of about 8 to about 14. In another
embodiment the pH-treated tobacco material has a pH of about 8 to
about 13. In another embodiment the pH-treated tobacco material has
a pH of about 8 to about 12. In another embodiment the pH-treated
tobacco material has a pH of about 8 to about 11. In another
embodiment the pH-treated tobacco material has a pH of about 8 to
about 10.
[0072] In one embodiment the pH-treated tobacco material has a pH
of about 9.5.
[0073] In another embodiment the pH-treated tobacco material has a
pH of about 8.5.
[0074] Any pH treatment known in the art may be used to prepare the
pH-treated tobacco material for the present disclosure, and the
skilled person will be aware of suitable treatment methods. The pH
treatment can, for example, involve applying a basic solution to
the tobacco starting material. Such a method is described in
WO2015025158 and is incorporated herein by reference. The basic
solution can be an aqueous sodium carbonate solution or any other
suitable basic solution such as sodium hydroxide or sodium
phosphate.
[0075] As discussed above, the pH treatment can also follow
pre-processing or pre-treatment of the tobacco starting material
into a form with reduced particle size as described in
WO2019016535. After pH treatment the tobacco material may be dried
to a particular moisture content. Such drying methods are known in
the art along with desirable moisture contents, the latter
typically depending on the application of the tobacco material.
[0076] Alternatively after pH treatment the tobacco material may be
left to cool for a period of time, without external application of
refrigeration or the like.
Reversible pH Reduction by One or More Gases
[0077] The present disclosure relies on contacting pH-treated
tobacco material as described herein with an effective amount of
one or more gases, wherein the one or more gases reduce the pH of
the pH-treated tobacco material, and wherein the reduction in pH of
the pH-treated tobacco material is reversible.
[0078] By the term "effective amount" is meant an amount of the one
or more gases which is suitable to reduce the pH of the pH-treated
tobacco material from its initial pH to a lower pH. As noted above,
the level of reduction is not crucial because any reduction is
advantageous. In one embodiment the effective amount of one or more
gases is an amount suitable to reduce the initial pH of the
pH-treated tobacco material by at least 0.1 pH. In another
embodiment the reduction is at least 0.3 pH. In another embodiment
the reduction is at least 0.5 pH. In another embodiment the
reduction is at least 1 pH. In one embodiment the reduction is such
that the pH-treated tobacco material has a pH of less than about 7,
i.e. an acidic pH. Using routine techniques, the skilled person
would be able to determine such an amount of the one or more gases
being used.
[0079] The term "reversible" has its normal meaning in the art,
i.e. the reduction in pH caused by the one or more gases can be
readily reversed so as to at least partially restore the pH-treated
tobacco material to its initial pH. For example, if the one or more
gases reduce the pH of the pH-treated tobacco material from about
9.5 to about 5.5, this reduction can be reversed to return the pH
of the pH-treated tobacco material to about 7.5 or about 8.5. In
one embodiment the reversal is at least about 50%, i.e. the
reduction in pH is restored by at least about 50%. In another
embodiment the reversal is at least about 60% or at least about 75%
or at least about 80%. In one embodiment the reversal is at least
about 90% or at least about 95%. In one embodiment the reversal is
about 100%.
[0080] The reversible nature of the pH reduction in the present
disclosure is particularly advantageous because it means that the
nicotine is only converted to its volatile, free base form when the
pH-treated tobacco material is exposed to normal atmospheric
conditions (e.g. air). It also reduces the loss of available
nicotine because the processing method does not have a permanent
impact or effect on the nicotine in the pH-treated material. The
present disclosure can also be readily applied to bulk storage and
individual (e.g. blister, capsule etc.) storage of the pH-treated
tobacco material.
[0081] In one embodiment, the one or more gases comprise carbon
dioxide. In an alternative embodiment, the one or more gases
consist essentially of carbon dioxide. In a further alternative
embodiment, the one or more gases consist of carbon dioxide; i.e.
the gas is carbon dioxide.
[0082] In one embodiment, the one or more gases comprise at least
20% by volume carbon dioxide. In one embodiment, the one or more
gases comprise at least 25% by volume carbon dioxide. In one
embodiment, the one or more gases comprise at least 30% by volume
carbon dioxide. In one embodiment, the one or more gases comprise
at least 35% by volume carbon dioxide. In one embodiment, the one
or more gases comprise at least 40% by volume carbon dioxide. In
one embodiment, the one or more gases comprise at least 45% by
volume carbon dioxide. In one embodiment, the one or more gases
comprise at least 50% by volume carbon dioxide. In one embodiment,
the one or more gases comprise at least 55% by volume carbon
dioxide. In one embodiment, the one or more gases comprise at least
60% by volume carbon dioxide. In one embodiment, the one or more
gases comprise at least 65% by volume carbon dioxide. In one
embodiment, the one or more gases comprise at least 70% by volume
carbon dioxide. In one embodiment, the one or more gases comprise
at least 75% by volume carbon dioxide. In one embodiment, the one
or more gases comprise at least 80% by volume carbon dioxide. In
one embodiment, the one or more gases comprise at least 85% by
volume carbon dioxide. In one embodiment, the one or more gases
comprise at least 90% by volume carbon dioxide. In one embodiment,
the one or more gases comprise at least 95% by volume carbon
dioxide. In one embodiment, the one or more gases comprise at least
97% by volume carbon dioxide. In one embodiment, the one or more
gases comprise at least 99% by volume carbon dioxide.
[0083] In one embodiment, the one or more gases comprise from about
20% to about 100% by volume carbon dioxide. In one embodiment, the
one or more gases comprise from about 25% to about 100% by volume
carbon dioxide. In one embodiment, the one or more gases comprise
from about 30% to about 100% by volume carbon dioxide. In one
embodiment, the one or more gases comprise from about 35% to about
100% by volume carbon dioxide. In one embodiment, the one or more
gases comprise from about 40% to about 100% by volume carbon
dioxide. In one embodiment, the one or more gases comprise from
about 45% to about 100% by volume carbon dioxide. In one
embodiment, the one or more gases comprise from about 50% to about
100% by volume carbon dioxide. In one embodiment, the one or more
gases comprise from about 55% to about 100% by volume carbon
dioxide. In one embodiment, the one or more gases comprise from
about 60 to about 100% by volume carbon dioxide. In one embodiment,
the one or more gases comprise from about 65% to about 100% by
volume carbon dioxide. In one embodiment, the one or more gases
comprise from about 70% to about 100% by volume carbon dioxide. In
one embodiment, the one or more gases comprise from about 75% to
about 100% by volume carbon dioxide. In one embodiment, the one or
more gases comprise from about 80% to about 100% by volume carbon
dioxide.
[0084] In one embodiment, the pH-treated tobacco material has a pH
of greater than 7 and the one or more gases comprise from about 25%
to about 100% by volume carbon dioxide.
[0085] In another embodiment, the pH-treated tobacco material has a
pH of greater than 7 and the one or more gases consist essentially
of carbon dioxide.
[0086] In another embodiment, the pH-treated tobacco material has a
pH of greater than 7 and the one or more gases comprise from about
50% to about 100% by volume carbon dioxide.
[0087] In the same manner as the level of increase caused by the pH
treatment, the reduction in pH by the one or more gases is not
specifically limited. It will depend on the pH of the pH-treated
tobacco material and on the one or more gases being used, amongst
other factors. Given the effect of the reduction in pH--namely the
protonation of nicotine--the pH of the pH-treated tobacco material
is, in one embodiment, reduced to an acidic pH, i.e. a pH of less
than 7.
[0088] In one embodiment the reduction in pH by the one or more
gases is about 0.1 pH. In another embodiment the reduction in pH is
about 0.2 pH. In another embodiment the reduction in pH is about
0.3 pH. In another embodiment the reduction in pH is about 0.4 pH.
In another embodiment the reduction in pH is about 0.5 pH. In
another embodiment the reduction in pH is about 1.0 pH. In another
embodiment the reduction in pH is about 1.5 pH. In another
embodiment the reduction in pH is about 2.0 pH. In another
embodiment the reduction in pH is about 2.5 pH. In another
embodiment the reduction in pH is about 3.0 pH.
[0089] In one embodiment the one or more gases reduce the pH of the
pH-treated tobacco material to less than 7. In one embodiment the
one or more gases reduce the pH of the pH-treated tobacco material
to less than about 6.5. In one embodiment the one or more gases
reduce the pH of the pH-treated tobacco material to less than about
6. In one embodiment the one or more gases reduce the pH of the
pH-treated tobacco material to less than about 5. In one embodiment
the one or more gases reduce the pH of the pH-treated tobacco
material to less than about 4. In one embodiment the pH of the
pH-treated tobacco material is reduced by the one or more gases to
about 5.5.
[0090] The present disclosure also provides a tobacco material
obtained by the method described herein. The tobacco material
obtained by the processing method differs from those of the art at
least by the interaction of the one or more gases (e.g. carbon
dioxide) with the material and the reversible modification of the
pH.
[0091] Without wishing to be bound by theory, the inventors believe
that there is an interaction between the one or more gases and
water present in the pH-treated tobacco material and/or atmosphere
which results in the formation of a weak acid, lowering the pH and
protonating nicotine. This pH modification is, however, reversible
in that on exposure of the tobacco to normal atmospheric
conditions, it returns towards its initial value. The tobacco
material obtained by the processing method is therefore unique at
least due to its "dynamic" pH. At the molecular level the tobacco
material will also differ from known tobacco because of the
interaction of the one or more gas(es) with the tobacco
surface.
Storage Method
[0092] Along with a method for processing a pH-treated tobacco
material, the present disclosure provides a method of storing
pH-treated tobacco material. The method has at least three possible
configurations and the key steps of these configurations are set
out as flow-charts in FIGS. 2, 3 and 4.
[0093] The method may comprise (i) placing the pH-treated tobacco
material in a storage container, (ii) sealing the storage
container, and (iii) processing the pH-treated tobacco material
according to the method described herein. This configuration is
shown in FIG. 2.
[0094] Alternatively the method may comprise (i) placing the
pH-treated tobacco material in a storage container, (ii) processing
the pH-treated tobacco material according to the method described
herein, and (iii) sealing the storage container. This configuration
is shown in FIG. 3.
[0095] In a further alternative, the method may comprise (i)
processing the pH-treated tobacco material according to the method
described herein, (ii) placing the tobacco material obtained from
processing step (i) in a storage container and (iii) sealing the
storage container. This configuration is shown in FIG. 4.
[0096] FIG. 1 is a schematic cross-sectional view of an example
storage container. It includes a storage container 1 comprising
pH-treated tobacco material 2 and one or more gases 3 which consist
essentially of carbon dioxide. As would be understood by the
skilled person, the one or more gases may be as defined above. The
example storage container of FIG. 1 may be prepared by placing
pH-treated tobacco material in the storage container, sealing the
storage and then contacting the pH-treated tobacco material with an
effective amount of one or more gases, wherein the one or more
gases reduce the pH of the pH-treated tobacco material, and wherein
the reduction in pH of the pH-treated tobacco material is
reversible, i.e. processing the pH-treated tobacco material
according to the method described herein (see FIG. 2).
Alternatively the example storage container of FIG. 1 may be
prepared by placing pH-treated tobacco material in the storage
container, contacting the pH-treated tobacco material with an
effective amount of one or more gases, wherein the one or more
gases reduce the pH of the pH-treated tobacco material, and wherein
the reduction in pH of the pH-treated tobacco material is
reversible (i.e. processing the pH-treated tobacco material
according to the method described herein), and then sealing the
storage container (FIG. 3). As a further alternative, the example
storage container of FIG. 1 may be prepared by contacting the
pH-treated tobacco material with an effective amount of one or more
gases, wherein the one or more gases reduce the pH of the
pH-treated tobacco material, and wherein the reduction in pH of the
pH-treated tobacco material is reversible (i.e. processing the
pH-treated tobacco material according to the method described
herein), placing the pH-treated tobacco material in the storage
container and sealing the storage container (FIG. 4).
[0097] The present disclosure further provides a storage container
obtained by said storage method. An example storage container is
shown in FIG. 1; although the skilled person will appreciate that
the present disclosure is not limited to the specific arrangement
shown in FIG. 1. This figure is just provided by way of
example.
[0098] The storage container can be an apparatus or a container
used for bulk storage, such as a sealed bag, box or the like. The
storage container can also be an apparatus or container used for
storage of pH-treated tobacco material on a smaller scale, this
type of storage is referred to herein as "individual storage"
because it is intended to refer to storage of consumer portions or
individual portions of tobacco rather than larger quantities stored
during shipment etc. In one embodiment the individual storage is a
blister pack where each blister contains a single dosage or portion
of the tobacco material. In another embodiment the individual
storage is a tobacco pod.
[0099] In one embodiment the storage container is a sealed
container. The sealing of the container is not limited and can be
achieved by any method known in the art which results in an
air-tight seal. In one embodiment the storage container is a
hermetically sealed container. In another embodiment the store is a
sealed blister in a blister pack or a sealed tobacco pod. Again the
sealing can be achieved by any method known in the art which
results in an air-tight seal.
[0100] Advantageously, the storage container obtained by the above
method can be used in the bulk shipment and storage of pH treated
tobacco material to increase bulk storage time, or in blister
packs, tobacco pods or the like to increase shelf-life of
pH-treated tobacco material. The terms "bulk storage time" and
"shelf-life" are discussed further below.
Shelf-life and Bulk Storage Time
[0101] The present disclosure further provides the use of carbon
dioxide to increase the shelf-life or bulk storage time of
pH-treated tobacco material. By the term "bulk storage time" is
meant the time when the pH-treated tobacco material is subject to
bulk storage or stored in bulk, e.g. during shipment. By the term
"shelf-life" is meant the time when the pH-treated tobacco material
is available to a user, e.g. the time when the product is available
for purchase and use. Advantageously the present disclosure
provides an improvement in both scenarios.
[0102] Consequently, the present disclosure also provides an
improvement in supply chain time, i.e. the time from sealing the
blister, capsule, pod or the like at source to the time when the
product is available for purchase.
[0103] An increase or improvement in shelf-life or bulk storage
time can be shown by measuring the blend nicotine and/or aerosol
nicotine over time. Measurement of aerosol nicotine is by methods
known in the art such as the CORESTA Recommended Method Nos. 81
(June 2015) and 84 (June 2017). Measurement of blend nicotine is
also by methods known in the art such as the CORESTA Recommended
Method No. 82 (February 2005).
[0104] CORESTA Recommended Method No. 81 (June 2015) is entitled
"Routine Analytical Machine for E-Cigarette Aerosol Generation and
Collection--Definitions and Standard Conditions", and includes the
requirements needed for generation and collection of e-cigarette
aerosol for analytical testing purposes. CORESTA Recommended Method
No. 84 (June 2017) is entitled "Determination of Glycerin,
Propylene Glycol, Water, and Nicotine in the Aerosol of
E-Cigarettes by Gas Chromatographic Analysis" and refers to the
CORESTA Recommended Method No. 81 (June 2015). CORESTA Recommended
Method No. 84 details how aerosol is generated and collected from
electronic cigarettes by a standard procedure. The collected matter
is then dissolved in a solvent and the glycerin, propylene glycol,
water and nicotine content of this solution are determined by gas
chromatography. Aerosol collected mass may be determined
gravimetrically, and results are expressed as the weight of analyte
collected per device, per weight of collected aerosol, per puff, or
per puff set as warranted. The equipment and reagents for the
analysis, including the gas chromatography analysis, are detailed
in the CORESTA Method.
[0105] CORESTA Recommended Method No. 62 is entitled "Determination
of nicotine in tobacco and tobacco products gas chromatographic
analysis", and describes how the nicotine content of a sample of
tobacco or a tobacco product (referred to herein as "blend
nicotine") is determined by liquid/liquid extraction into an
organic extraction solvent containing an internal standard,
followed by gas chromatographic analysis with flame ionization
detection. Either MTBE or n-hexane may be used as the organic
extraction solvent since no significant difference is seen between
the results obtained by the two different methods. The equipment
and reagents for the analysis are detailed in the CORESTA
Method.
[0106] The blend and/or aerosol nicotine is measured in the present
disclosure according to the above-mentioned CORESTA methods, namely
CORESTA Recommended Method Nos. 81, 84 and 62. These CORESTA
methods are therefore incorporated herein by reference.
[0107] In one embodiment an increase in shelf-life or bulk storage
time can be determined by measuring the blend nicotine or aerosol
nicotine of a pH-treated tobacco material stored under carbon
dioxide, and comparing it with the blend or aerosol nicotine of a
pH-treated tobacco material not stored under carbon dioxide, e.g.
stored in air. To determine whether the storage time or shelf-life
is improved by the use of carbon dioxide according to the present
disclosure, all variables should be kept constant except for the
storage environment. For example, two samples of a pH-treated
tobacco material could be stored under ambient temperature and
pressure for 3 months, one could be stored under air and one could
be stored under carbon dioxide. The blend nicotine and/or aerosol
nicotine could then be measured according to the above-described
CORESTA methods for both samples and their comparison would
demonstrate whether the shelf-life and storage time had been
improved (i.e. increased) by the present disclosure.
[0108] The various embodiments described herein are presented only
to assist in understanding and teaching the claimed features. These
embodiments are provided as a representative sample of embodiments
only, and are not exhaustive and/or exclusive. It is to be
understood that advantages, embodiments, examples, functions,
features, structures, and/or other aspects described herein are not
to be considered limitations on the scope of the disclosure as
defined by the claims or limitations on equivalents to the claims,
and that other embodiments may be utilized and modifications may be
made without departing from the scope of the claimed disclosure.
Various embodiments of the present disclosure may suitably
comprise, consist of, or consist essentially of, appropriate
combinations of the disclosed elements, components, features,
parts, steps, means etc. other than those specifically described
herein. In addition, this disclosure may include other disclosures
not presently claimed, but which may be claimed in future.
* * * * *