AEROSOL-GENERATING FILM

Abstract

An aerosol-generating film having a tobacco content of less than 1 percent by weight is provided, the aerosol-generating film including: a cellulose based film-forming agent; a non-cellulose based thickening agent; water; nicotine; and a polyhydric alcohol, a content of cellulose based film-forming agent being at least about 14 wt percent weight and less than or equal to about 26 wt percent, and a content of water being less than about 30 wt percent and a content of polyhydric alcohol is at least about 30 wt percent.

Claims

1.-17. (canceled)

18. An aerosol-generating film having a tobacco content of less than 1 percent by weight, the aerosol-generating film comprising: a cellulose based film-forming agent; a non-cellulose based thickening agent; water; nicotine; and a polyhydric alcohol, wherein a content of cellulose based film-forming agent is at least about 14 wt percent weight and less than or equal to about 26 wt percent, and wherein a content of water is less than about 30 wt percent and a content of polyhydric alcohol is at least about 30 wt percent.

19. The aerosol-generating film according to claim 18, wherein the content of polyhydric alcohol is at least about 40 wt percent.

20. The aerosol-generating film according to claim 18, wherein the cellulose based film-forming agent is selected from the group consisting of hydroxypropyl methylcellulose (HPMC), methylcellulose (MC), ethylcellyulose (EC), and combinations thereof.

21. The aerosol-generating film according to claim 18, wherein a content of non-cellulose based thickening agent is from about 1 wt percent to about 10 wt percent.

22. The aerosol-generating film according to claim 18, wherein the non-cellulose based thickening agent is selected from the group consisting of agar, xanthan gum, alginate, and combinations thereof.

23. The aerosol-generating film according to claim 18, further comprising at least 3 wt percent of the non-cellulose based thickening agent.

24. The aerosol-generating film according to claim 18, wherein the polyhydric alcohol is selected from the group consisting of glycerin, propylene glycol, and combinations thereof.

25. The aerosol-generating film according to claim 18, further comprising a cannabinoid compound.

26. The aerosol-generating film according to claim 18, further comprising a non-tobacco plant material or a plant extract.

27. The aerosol-generating film according to claim 18, further comprising an acid.

28. The aerosol-generating film according to claim 27, wherein the acid is lactic acid or levulinic acid.

29. The aerosol-generating film according to claim 18, further comprising a flavorant.

30. The aerosol-generating film according to claim 18, consisting of: from about 14 wt percent to about 26 wt percent hydroxypropyl methylcellulose (HPMC), from about 3 wt percent to about 6 wt percent agar, from about 0.5 wt percent to about 4 wt percent nicotine, from about 0.25 wt percent to about 3 wt percent of an acid, from about 44 wt percent to about 60 wt percent glycerin, from 0 wt percent to about 2 wt percent of a flavorant, and balance water.

31. The aerosol-generating film according to claim 18, wherein the aerosol-generating film has a thickness of less than about 1 millimeter.

32. The aerosol-generating film according to claim 18, wherein the aerosol-generating film has a thickness of at least about 0.1 millimeter.

33. An aerosol-generating article for generating an inhalable aerosol upon heating, the aerosol-generating article comprising an aerosol-generating substrate comprising an aerosol-generating film according to claim 18.

Description

EXAMPLES

[0131] Table 1 below describes the composition of aerosol-generating films, along with the formulation of film-forming compositions from which the aerosol-generating films are obtained.

TABLE-US-00001 TABLE 1 Film-forming Aerosol-generating Example composition (w/w) film composition (w/w) 1 4.41% HPMC 19.27% HPMC 1.10% Agar 4.8% Agar 0.33% Nicotine 1.44% Nicotine 11% Glycerin 48% Glycerin 0.47% Levulinic acid 2.07% Levulinic acid 82.69% Water 24.42% Water 2 6.03% HPMC 20.38% HPMC 1.51% Agar 5.09% Agar 0.5% Nicotine 1.70% Nicotine 15.07% Glycerin 50.94% Glycerin 0.56% Levulinic acid 1.89% Levulinic acid 76.34% Water 20% Water 3 7.75% HPMC 11.04% HPMC 2.33% Agar 3.31% Agar 1.47% Nicotine 2.10% Nicotine 46.51% Glycerin 66.22% Glycerin 1.64% Levulinic acid 2.33% Levulinic acid 40.30% Water 15% Water

[0132] Aerosol-generating films are manufactured based on the compositions in Table 1. To this purpose, the HPMC and agar are mixed in glycerin using agitation until dissolution. Water, nicotine and levulinic acid are then added under agitation until dissolution. A layer of the film-forming composition thus obtained is formed on a plane surface and left to solidify. The layer of film-forming composition is formed with a thickness of about 210 micrometres. The layer of film-forming composition thus formed is heated to about 140 degrees Celsius for about 8 minutes.

[0133] The aerosol-generating film obtained after drying is solid. In other words, the aerosol-generating film has a stable size and shape and does not flow. The term “stable” is used herein to indicate that the aerosol-generating films in accordance with the invention substantially maintains its shape and mass when exposed to a variety of environmental conditions. As such, it substantially does not release or absorb water when exposed to standard temperature and pressure while varying the relative humidity from about 10 percent to about 60 percent.

[0134] This is particularly advantageous as it ensures that films in accordance with the present invention do not release a liquid phase during storage or transportation, for example, from the manufacturing facility to a point of sale.

[0135] The aerosol-generating films prepared as described above are heated to a temperature from about 180 degrees Celsius to about 250 degrees Celsius to simulate the conditions of use in an aerosol-generating device. The nicotine, glycerin and water contained in the film evaporate. The nicotine and glycerin condense to form an inhalable aerosol. The aerosol-generating film shrinks slightly and its volume is reduced. However, the film remains solid and maintains its film form. It appears to harden slightly and to take on a darker, brownish colour.