STABLE WRAPPER FOR AEROSOL GENERATING ARTICLE

Abstract

A wrapper used in aerosol generating articles. The wrapper has a high water contact angle and may be utilized with an aerosol generating substrate. An aerosol generating article includes an aerosol generating substrate, and a wrapper disposed about the aerosol generating substrate. The wrapper includes a paper layer having a water contact angle of at least 30 degrees.

Claims

1-15. (canceled)

16. An aerosol generating article comprising: an aerosol generating substrate comprising nicotine and comprising at least 10% by weight of an aerosol former; and a wrapper disposed about the aerosol generating substrate, the wrapper comprises a paper layer having a water contact angle of at least 30 degrees.

17. The aerosol generating article according to claim 16, wherein the paper layer has a water contact angle of at least 40 degrees or a water contact angle of at least 45 degrees.

18. The aerosol generating article according to claim 16, wherein the paper layer has a grammage in a range from about 25 gsm to about 45 gsm, and a thickness in a range from about 35 micrometers to about 50 micrometers.

19. The aerosol generating article according to claim 16, wherein the paper layer comprises PVOH or silicon.

20. The aerosol generating article according to claim 16, wherein the paper layer comprises a surface treatment comprising PVOH or silicon.

21. The aerosol generating article according to claim 16, wherein the paper layer comprises PVOH.

22. The aerosol generating article according to claim 16, wherein the paper layer comprises silicon.

23. The aerosol generating article according to claim 16, wherein the aerosol generating substrate comprises a gel composition.

24. The aerosol generating article according to claim 23, wherein the gel composition comprises a majority of glycerine.

25. The aerosol generating article according to claim 24, wherein the gel composition comprises xanthan gum.

26. The aerosol generating article according to claim 16, wherein the aerosol generating substrate comprises homogenized tobacco material.

27. The aerosol generating article according to claim 26, wherein the homogenized tobacco material comprises tobacco material, from about 1% to about 5% of a binder, and from about 5% to about 30% of an aerosol-former, in dry weight basis.

28. The aerosol generating article according to claim 16, wherein the aerosol generating substrate comprises a metallic induction heating element.

29. The aerosol generating article according to claim 16, wherein the aerosol generating substrate comprises a plurality of metallic induction heating elements.

30. The aerosol generating article according to claim 16, wherein the paper layer is in direct contact with the aerosol generating substrate.

Description

[0117] The words “preferred” and “preferably” refer to embodiments of the invention that may afford certain benefits under certain circumstances. However, other embodiments may also be preferred under the same or other circumstances. Furthermore, the recitation of one or more preferred embodiments does not imply that other embodiments are not useful, and is not intended to exclude other embodiments from the scope of the disclosure, including the claims.

[0118] FIG. 1 is a schematic cross-sectional diagram of an aerosol generating article.

[0119] FIG. 2 is a schematic cross-sectional diagram of another aerosol generating article.

[0120] FIG. 3 is a schematic cross-sectional diagram of another aerosol generating article.

[0121] FIG. 4 is a schematic cross-sectional diagram of another aerosol generating article.

[0122] FIG. 5 and FIG. 6 are schematic cross-sectional diagrams of an aerosol generating system.

[0123] The aerosol generating articles depicted in FIGS. 1-4 illustrate one or more embodiments of aerosol generating articles or components of aerosol generating articles described above. The schematic drawings are not necessarily to scale and are presented for purposes of illustration and not limitation. The drawings depict one or more aspects described in this disclosure. However, it will be understood that other aspects not depicted in the drawings fall within the scope and spirit of this disclosure.

[0124] The aerosol generating article 10, of FIG. 1, illustrates an aerosol-generating substrate 12 including a tobacco plug, a hollow cellulose acetate tube 14, a polylactic acid filter segment 16 and a mouthpiece segment 18 formed of cellulose acetate material. These four elements are individually wrapped with a paper layer. In particular, the aerosol-generating substrate 12 is wrapped with a first paper layer 50, as described herein. These four elements are arranged in end-to-end, longitudinal alignment.

[0125] The aerosol-generating substrate 12, hollow cellulose acetate tube 14, a polylactic acid filter segment 16 are joined together and circumscribed by a second paper layer 20 to form an intermediate article. The mouthpiece segment 18 is joined to the intermediate article with tipping paper 25 to form the aerosol generating article 10. The first paper layer 50 and the second paper layer 20 may cooperate to form the wrapper as described herein.

[0126] The aerosol generating article 10 has a mouth end 22 and an upstream, distal end 24 located at the opposite end of the article to the mouth end 22. The aerosol generating article 10 shown in FIG. 1 is particularly suitable for use with an electrically operated aerosol generating device comprising a heater for heating the aerosol-generating substrate 12.

[0127] The aerosol generating article 100, of FIG. 2, comprises four elements arranged in coaxial alignment: at the distal end 103 an end plug 600 of high Resistance to Draw (RTD), a first paper layer 500 which circumscribes an aerosol generating substrate 124, a fluid guide 400 and a mouthpiece 170 at the proximal end 101. These four elements are arranged sequentially and are circumscribed by a second paper layer 110 to form the aerosol generating article 100. The aerosol generating article 100 has a proximal or mouth end 101, and a distal end 103 located at the opposite end of the aerosol generating article 100 from the proximal end 101. The first paper layer 500 and the second paper layer 110 cooperate to form the wrapper, as described herein.

[0128] The aerosol generating article 100, of FIG. 3, illustrates, a cut away view, of an example of an aerosol generating article 100 that is suitable for induction heating as well as for heating with a blade like heating element.

[0129] The aerosol generating article 100 comprises a mouthpiece 170 at the proximal end 101, a fluid guide 400, a cavity 700, a first paper layer 500 which circumscribes an aerosol generating substrate 124 and an end plug 600 in the order proximal to distal. In this example the aerosol generating substrate 124 comprises a gel and a susceptor (not shown). The susceptor in this example is a single aluminium strip centrally located along the longitudinal axis of the aerosol generating substrate 124. On insertion of the distal end 103 of the aerosol generating article 100 into an aerosol generating device 200 (see FIG. 6) such that the portion of the aerosol generating article 100 is positioned to be in proximity to the induction heating elements 230 (see FIG. 5) of the aerosol generating device 200 (see FIG. 6). Electromagnetic radiation produced by the induction heating elements 230 is absorbed by the susceptor and aid heating of the aerosol generating substrate 124 in the first paper layer 500, in turn aiding the release of material from the aerosol generating substrate 124, for example nicotine entrained into the passing aerosol when a negative pressure is applied at the proximal end 101 of the aerosol generating article 100. Fluid, for example air, enters the outer longitudinal passageways 831 via apertures (not shown) to transfer to the cavity 700 and then to the aerosol generating substrate 124 where the fluid mixes with the aerosol generating substrate 124 and is entrained with nicotine before returning to the cavity and then via the inner longitudinal passageway (not shown) of the fluid guide 400 before exiting at the proximal end 101.

[0130] In this example a first paper layer 500 circumscribes an aerosol generating substrate 124 and the first paper layer 500 is circumscribed by a second paper layer 110. The first paper layer 500 and the second paper layer 110 form the wrapper, as described herein. The aerosol generating substrate 124 may include a gel composition.

[0131] This aerosol generating article 100 illustrated in FIG. 2 and FIG. 3 may be used with the aerosol generating device 200 as illustrated in FIG. 5 and FIG. 6.

[0132] The aerosol generating article 10, of FIG. 4, illustrates an aerosol-generating substrate 12, a hollow cellulose acetate tube 14, a hollow tubular segment 16 and a mouthpiece segment 18. The aerosol-generating substrate 12 is wrapped with a first paper layer 50, as described herein. These four elements are arranged in end-to-end, longitudinal alignment and are circumscribed by a second paper layer 20 to form the aerosol-generating article 10. The first paper layer 50 and the second paper layer 20 may cooperate to form the wrapper as described herein.

[0133] The aerosol generating article 10 has a mouth end 22 and an upstream, distal end 24 located at the opposite end of the article to the mouth end 22. The aerosol generating article 10 shown in FIG. 4 is particularly suitable for use with an electrically operated aerosol generating device comprising a heater for heating the aerosol-generating substrate 12.

[0134] The aerosol generating substrate 12 has a length of about 12 millimetres and a diameter of about 7 millimetres. The aerosol generating substrate 12 is cylindrical in shape and has a substantially circular cross-section. The aerosol generating substrate 12 comprises a gathered sheet of homogenised tobacco material. The sheet of homogenised tobacco material comprises 10 percent by weight on a dry basis of glycerine. The hollow cellulose acetate tube 14 has a length of about 8 millimetres and a thickness of 1 millimetre. The mouthpiece segment 18 comprises a plug of cellulose acetate tow of 8 denier per filament and has a length of about 7 millimetres.

[0135] The hollow tubular segment 14 is provided as a cylindrical tube having a length of about 18 millimetres and a thickness of the tube wall is about 100 micrometres. The aerosol generating article 10 comprises a ventilation zone 26 provided at about 5 millimetres from an upstream end of the mouthpiece segment 18. Thus, the ventilation zone 26 is at about 12 millimetres from the downstream end of the aerosol generating article, and about 13 millimetres from the upstream end of the hollow tubular segment. Thus, the ventilation zone 26 is at about 21 millimetres from a downstream end of the aerosol generating substrate 12.

[0136] FIGS. 5-6 illustrate an example of an aerosol generating article 100 and aerosol generating device 200. The aerosol generating article 100 has a proximal or mouth end 101 and a distal end 103. In FIG. 5, the distal end 103 of the aerosol generating article 100 is received in a receptacle 220 of the aerosol generating device 200. The aerosol generating device 200 includes a housing 210 defining the receptacle 220, which is configured to receive the aerosol generating article 100. The aerosol generating device 200 also includes a heating element 230 that forms a cavity 235 configured to receive the aerosol generating article 100, preferably by interference fit. The heating element 230 may comprise an electrically resistive heating component. In addition, the device 200 includes a power supply 240 and control electronics 250 that cooperate to control heating of heating element 230.

[0137] The heating element 230 may heat the distal end 103 of the aerosol generating article 100. In this example the aerosol generating substrate 124 comprises a gel comprising nicotine. Heating of the aerosol generating article 100 causes the aerosol generating substrate 124 to generate an aerosol containing the nicotine which can transfer out of the aerosol generating article 100 at the proximal end 101. The aerosol generating device 200 comprises a housing 210. FIGS. 5-6 do not show the exact heating mechanism.

[0138] In some examples the heating mechanism could be by conduction heating where the heat is transferred from the heating element 230 of the aerosol generating device 200 to the aerosol generating article 100. This can take place easily when the aerosol generating article 100 is positioned in the receptacle 220 of the aerosol generating device 200 and the distal end 103 (which is preferably the end where the aerosol generating substrate 124 is located) and thus the aerosol generating article 100 is in contact with the heating element 230 of the aerosol generating device 200. In specific examples the heating element comprises a heating blade that protrudes from the aerosol generating device 200 and is suitable for penetrating into the aerosol generating article 100 to make direct contact with the aerosol generating substrate 124.

[0139] In this example the heating mechanism is by induction where the heating element emits radio-magnetic radiation which is absorbed by the tubular element when the aerosol generating article 100 is position in the receptacle 220 of the aerosol generating device 200.

[0140] Once the aerosol generating article 100 is releasably received in the aerosol generating device 200 and on the heating element 230, the aerosol generating device 200 is actuated to heat the aerosol generating substrate 124 to a temperature of approximately 375 degrees Celsius. As a user draws on the mouth end 101 of the aerosol generating article 100, the volatile compounds evolved from the aerosol generating substrate 124 are drawn downstream through the aerosol generating article 100 and condense to form an aerosol that is drawn through the mouthpiece 101 of the aerosol generating article 100 into the user's mouth. The wrapper 500, 110 repels aerosol former and moisture from the aerosol to reduce staining and weakening of the wrapper 500, 110.

[0141] The first paper layer 50, 500 has a water contact angle of at least about 30 degrees. Preferably the first paper layer 50, 500 has a water contact angle of at least about 35 degrees, or at least about 40 degrees.

[0142] Preferably, the first paper layer 50, 500 has a thickness/grammage of about 1.2 micrometers/gsm or less and a water contact angle of at least about 30 degrees. The first paper layer 50, 500 may have a thickness of less than about 50 micrometers, or less than about 40 micrometers. The first paper layer 50, 500 may have a grammage in a range from about 25 gsm to about 45 gsm, or from about 35 gsm to about 40 gsm.

[0143] Preferably, the first paper layer 50, 500 has a water contact angle of at least about 30 degrees and an elongation to break ratio CD/MD of about 2.5 or less. The first paper layer 50, 500 may have an elongation to break ratio CD/MD of about 2.2 or less, or about 2 or less.

[0144] Preferably, the first paper layer 50, 500 has a water contact angle of at least about 30 degrees or greater and a negative result for at least one kit oil sample of method Tappi 559 cm-02 classical method 2002. The first paper layer 50, 500 may have a negative result for at least five kit oil samples, or all ten kit oil samples of method Tappi 559 cm-02 classical method 2002.

[0145] Preferably, the wrapper includes the first paper layer 50, 500 and the second paper layer 20, 110 wherein a first paper layer 50, 500 has a water contact angle of at least about 30 degrees.

[0146] Preferably, the wrapper includes the first paper layer 50, 500 and the second paper layer 20, 110 wherein a first paper layer 50, 500 has a water contact angle of at least about 30 degrees and the wrapper may has a total thickness of less than about 80 micrometers.

[0147] Preferably, the first paper layer 50, 500 comprises PVOH (polyvinyl alcohol) or silicon. The first paper layer 50, 500 may comprise a surface treatment comprising PVOH or silicon. Addition of PVOH (polyvinyl alcohol) or silicon may improve the grease barrier properties of the wrapper.

[0148] Preferably the second paper layer 20, 110 comprises PVOH (polyvinyl alcohol) or silicon. The second paper layer 20, 110 may comprise a surface treatment comprising PVOH or silicon. Addition of PVOH (polyvinyl alcohol) or silicon may improve the grease barrier properties of the wrapper.

[0149] The exemplary embodiments described above are not limiting. Other embodiments consistent with the exemplary embodiments described above will be apparent to those skilled in the art.