NL2022211B1

NL2022211B1 - A hollow rod made from a homogenized tobacco material.

Info

Publication number: NL2022211B1
Application number: NL2022211A
Authority: NL
Inventors: Albert Jakob Spaans Erik
Original assignee: B V Deli Htl Tabak Mij
Priority date: 2018-12-14
Filing date: 2018-12-14
Publication date: 2020-07-03
Also published as: WO2020122711A1; EP3893678B1; EP3893678A1

Abstract

The present invention relates to a hollow rod made from a homogenized tobacco material, said material is self-extinguishing, said rod being made from at least one foil of a homogenized tobacco material, said hollow rod being a self-supporting structure. In a preferred embodiment the inner space of said hollow rod does not contain anyone of tobacco, a tobacco substitute, an aerosol generating substance, or a combination thereof.

Description

Title: A hollow rod made from a homogenized tobacco material.

The present invention relates to a hollow rod made from a homogenized tobacco material. The homogenized tobacco material is self-extinguishing, wherein such a rod is made from at least one foil of a homogenized tobacco material, said homogenized tobacco material having a very low free burning rate.

The homogenized tobacco as mentioned here is also known as a heat- not-burn tobacco product (HNB). Such a HNB is heated to a lower temperature than when a conventional cigarette is burned. The resulting aerosol contains nicotine and other constituents. These HNB products may match some of the behavioral aspects of smoking.

Such products, also known as heated tobacco products, are on consumption only heated rather than burned as with conventional tobacco products The heating process generates a flavorful nicotine-containing vapor. And since the tobacco product does not burn, the levels of harmful smoke constituents seem to be significantly reduced compared to cigarette smoke. At this moment several heated tobacco products and devices are available in the market, for example IQOS (trademark), Glo (trademark) and TEEPS (trademark). In these systems called the tobacco product is heated just enough to release a flavorful nicotine-containing vapor but without burning the tobacco. The tobacco in a cigarette burns at temperatures in excess of 600°C, generating smoke that contains harmful chemical components. But HNB devices heat tobacco products to much lower temperatures, up to 350°C, without combustion, fire, ash, or smoke. Because the tobacco is heated and not burned, the levels of harmful chemicals are significantly reduced compared to cigarette smoke.

The systems IQOS and Glo are a tobacco heating system with two main components a heated tobacco product and a heating device. To use such a system, a consumer inserts the tobacco product into the heating device, which contains an electronically controlled heater. The consumer pushes a button to turn on the heater, and then draws on the heated tobacco unit to product to inhale the aerosol which is released by the heating device.

The heated tobacco product contains a processed tobacco material designed for heating, not for smoking. The tobacco material is made from tobacco plant material, e.g. leaves, which may be processed in the form of reconstituted tobacco.

The TEEPS system also releases flavors and nicotine without combustion, but it heats the tobacco with an alternative heat source. This product has a pressed carbon heat-source that is separate from the tobacco and provides an effective and controlled temperature transfer to create a nicotine-containing vapor.

The carbon heat source is ignited. This lights the carbon heat source, which supplies the energy used to heat, not burn, the tobacco. Once the carbon heat source is lit, heat is transferred to a tobacco plug, designed for heating and not for smoking and prevents tobacco from burning.

There are a number of prior art documents disclosing aerosol-generating devices for consuming or smoking heated smoking articles. Such devices include, for example, electrically heated aerosol- generating devices in which an aerosol is generated by the transfer of heat from one or more electrical heating elements of the aerosol-generating device to the aerosol-forming substrate of a heated smoking article. One advantage of such electrical smoking systems is that they significantly reduce sidestream smoke, while permitting a user to selectively suspend and reinitiate smoking.

EP 1 059 854 relates to an article for delivering an aerosol to a user, comprising: an open ended tube defining an air passageway between a heat receiving end and a mouth end thereof, the tube being resistant to burning upon application of a source of heat, a substrate which is disposed across the cross-sectional area of the tube and containing an aerosol forming component, wherein a continuous air gap of sufficient length is present to prevent combustion of the substrate when a heat source is employed adjacent to a heat receiving end.

US 5,016,656 relates to cigarette comprising a tube of tobacco material having a circumferential wall fabricated of a tobacco material formed with longitudinally extending grooves and ridges in its outside peripheral surface and longitudinally extending grooves and ridges formed in its inside peripheral surface, a wrapper of combustible material circumscribing the outside peripheral surface of the tobacco tube in contact with the ridges of the tobacco tube, a smoke filter rod coaxially located with the tobacco tube at one end thereof, and tipping material circumferentially overlapping the wrapped tobacco tube at the end thereof adjacent the filter rod.

WO 2011/101164 relates to smoking articles in which tobacco is heated rather than combusted. The aim of such heated smoking articles is to reduce known harmful smoke constituents produced by the combustion and pyrolytic degradation oftobacco in conventional cigarettes. Typically in heated smoking articles, an aerosol is generated by the transfer of heat from a heat source, for example a chemical, electrical or combustible heat source, to a physically separate aerosol-generating substrate, which may be located within, around or downstream of the heat source. This WO document discloses a strand of homogenized tobacco material comprising at least one aerosol former having a mass to surface area ratio of at least 0.09 mg/mm?, an aerosol former content of between about 12% and about 25% by weight and having a density of between 1100 mg/cm? and about 1450 mg/cm?. US 5,271,419 relates to cigarettes which burn tobacco, and in particular to cigarettes, which when smoked, generate low amounts of sidestream "tar" and sustain smolder at least during FTC (Federal Trade Commission) smoking conditions a cigarette comprising a smokable rod including smokable material contained in first and second circumscribing outer wrapping materials; the first wrapping material circumscribing the smokable filler material, and the second wrapping material circumscribing and overwrapping the first wrapping material; the first wrapping material including a salt additive and tobacco material, and the second wrapping material (i) including a cellulosic base web and inorganic filler material.

EP 1 234 514 relates to a wrapper for a smoking article to create a reduced ignition propensity (IP) smoking article and to a smoking article having the ability to freeburn in a static state and reduced IP. Such a smoking article having reduced ignition propensity comprises a tobacco column and a wrapper surrounding the tobacco column and having a base permeability, the wrapper comprising: an untreated area and at least one discrete area treated with a composition to reduce the base permeability so that as a coal of a burning tobacco fire cone advances by the treated area, the smoking article self-extinguishes if placed on a surface, the composition comprising: a permeability reducing substance; a burn rate retarding substance; and a burn rate accelerating substance. The product disclosed in this document has a reduced ignition propensity, but it is still free burning, i.e. the product will not be self-extinguishing.

WO 2018/033477 relates to wrapper for a heated aerosol-generating article comprising an aerosol-forming tobacco substrate, the wrapper comprising a metal- based sulphide scavenger compound, wherein the metal-based sulphide scavenger compound is a metal salt and wherein the metal-based scavenger compound is basedon a transition metal. This WO document describes an aerosol generating article surrounded by a wrapper, comprising salts acting as a sulphide scavenger. EP 2 071 965 relates to a smoking article, comprising a tobacco rod and a wrapper, wherein the wrapper, i.e. a cigarette paper, includes at least one zone treated with an inorganic salt providing reduced ignition propensity, wherein the inorganic salt comprises at least one substance selected from the group consisting of magnesium chloride, aluminum sulfate, alum, sodium tetraborate, hydrated magnesium chloride, hydrated aluminum sulfate, hydrated alum, hydrated sodium tetraborate, sodium chloride.

WO 2015/146583 relates to a combustion type smoking article provided with a rod-shaped combustion part with a lighting end formed on a tip side and a filter part connected to the combustion part on a base end side. The combustion part includes a tobacco sheet formed so as to follow along the longitudinal direction from the lighting end to the base end side and a winding paper disposed so as to cover at least part of the tobacco sheet. A heat resistant filter having heat resistance at least on the connection end side that is connected with the combustion part is disposed in the filter part.

US 5,690,127 relates to a hollow cigarette comprising a combustible rod comprised of tobacco particles and a binder, the rod having opposite ends, wherein one of the opposite ends is intended to be lit, wherein the rod has an annular wall defining a hollow passage extending therethrough to allow air to enter the one end and air and smoke pass freely through the hollow passage and out the opposite end, wherein the lit end burns in the shape of an inverted, concave fire cone, thereby creating a high temperature at the entrance to the hollow passage, such that incomplete combustion products are re-burned as they enter the hollow passage, thereby enhancing the combustion process. Such a cigarette further comprises a wrapping paper disposed about and contacting the rod and forming an outer surface of the cigarette.

The traditionally used tobacco foils are not self-extinguishing. For heat not burn applications it is desirable that the heated aerosol-generating article is not free burning. The article self needs to be self-extinguishing. This self-extinguishing property is to prevent the articles from being smoked in the traditional, burning fashion. An incorrect use of the heated aerosol-generating article is undesired as it would expose consumers to unwanted levels of harmful smoke constituents.

All above mentioned wrappers are meant to surround a column of tobacco or a column of homogenized tobacco material.

In addition, the well-known materials applied for the hollow rod shaped constructions do not contain a complete set of components to be used as a smoking 5 article. In some constructions the inner area of the wrapper needs to be filled with tobacco materials, whereas in other constructions the wrapper comprises two different types of materials, i.e. an outer layer made of tobacco materials for maintaining the dimensional rigid structure of the wrapper itself and an inner layer adjacent to the outer layer for delivering an aerosol component.

An object of the present invention is to provide a hollow rod made of a homogenized tobacco material that is self-extinguishing, e.g. the provision of a hollow rod to be used in a “heat not burn” application.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a hollow rod made of a homogenized tobacco material that is self-extinguishing, wherein the hollow rod as such is dimensional stable to be used in a “heat not burn” application.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a hollow rod made of a homogenized tobacco material that is self-extinguishing, wherein the hollow rod is made of a uniform material, i.e. the rod as such is not composed of different layers having different compositions and functions.

The present invention relates to a hollow rod made from a homogenized tobacco material, said material is self-extinguishing, said rod being made from at least one foil of a homogenized tobacco material.

The present inventor found that by using such a composition a so called self- extinguishing heat not burn tobacco material can be obtained. The use of at least one foil of a homogenized tobacco material having such material has resulted in a hollow rod that is both dimensional stable and self-extinguishing. The present hollow rod as such can be used in a standard smoking device, i.e. an electronic smoking device provided with an internal heating element wherein the hollow rod is positioned such within the smoking device that the outer surface of the hollow rod is in direct contact with the internal heating element thereby electronically heating the outer surface of the hollow rod but not burning the outer surface of the hollow rod.

Furthermore, the present inventors assume that as a result of the surface tension reducing effect a more compact rod is obtained and such a more compact rod is dimensional stable and does not burn easily. The term “dimensional stable” meansthat the hollow rod does not bend or sag when positioned in a free hanging horizontal position. Furthermore, the addition of a burn rate retarding salt has resulted in a further improvement of the self-extinguishing properties of the composition.

The term “homogenized tobacco material” includes tobacco material originating from plant parts of the tobacco plant, such as for example leaves, middle veins of tobacco leaves, i.e. tobacco stems, recycled tobacco fines and "class tobacco". Thus, the present homogenized tobacco material comprises tobacco material originating from plant parts of the tobacco plant, burn rate retarding salt(s), surface tension reducing binder(s) and aerosol former(s). For example, a tobacco blend can be made from the leaves of flue-cured brightleaf, burley tobacco, and oriental tobacco. Other possible components or additives of the present homogenized tobacco material will be mentioned hereafter. Various additives may be combined into a tobacco product mixture, with humectants such as propylene glycol or glycerol, as well as flavoring products and enhancers such as cocoa solids, licorice, tobacco extracts, and various sugars, which are known collectively as "casings".

In an embodiment of the present invention a part or the whole of the tobacco material is replaced by another vegetable material chosen from the group of herbacious plants, like hemp or herbs, or leafs of woody plants, or a combination thereof. Such a product can be identified as a vegetable material which is self- extinguishing. Such a material can be used as the material for manufacturing the present hollow rod or tube.

As discussed above the present hollow rod is a self-supporting structure, i.e. a dimensional stable structure.

The composition of the material of the hollow rod is such that the inner space of said hollow rod does not contain anyone of tobacco, a tobacco substitute, an aerosol generating substance, or a combination thereof. The term “hollow” as used here means “having a hole or empty space inside”. Thus the present hollow tube has an empty space inside, i.e. the tube is hollow across its length, namely the empty space inside extends across its length.

According to an embodiment of the present invention the hollow rod is made from several foils of a homogenized tobacco material, wherein parts of said foils are superimposed on each other. A benefit of such a construction is that several thin foils can be wrapped together in order to adjust the structural stability of the final article, i.e. the rod. The present inventor found that a more structural hollow rod, ie. adimensional stable, can be obtained when the rod is manufactured from several foils of a homogenized tobacco material. In an embodiment wherein the hollow rod is made from several foils of a homogenized tobacco material, at least two of the foils may have a different composition. This means that the inner layer of the hollow rod has a composition that is different from the composition of the outer layer of the hollow rod. For example, the components of the foils, the thickness of the individual foils, the dimensions of the foils etc may be different. The term “several” foils means that more than one foil is used to form the hollow rod. In another embodiment it is also possible to manufacture the hollow rod from one foil of homogenized tobacco material, wherein a single band of foil is rolled lengthwise, to form a tube. In another embodiment a single band of foil is rolled in a spiraled way to form the hollow rod or tube. According to such an embodiment of the present invention, the rod is made from one single layer of homogenized tobacco material. A benefit of such a construction is that the manufacturing thereof is simplified.

In an embodiment the amount of tobacco material in the present hollow rod is above 0,3 gram, preferably above 0,4 gram, and lower than 1,0 gram, said weight being based on said rod. The present inventors found that such a range of weight has resulted in a smoking behavior, like the number of puffs, and nicotine delivered, that is comparable to a cigarette having a common composition and size. Since the present rod is a hollow rod, the tobacco material is only present in the wall of the hollow rod.

According to another embodiment, the article may be in a form to resemble the size and weight of a cigar. Due to the vast range of different cigars, the present size and weight may range from the size of a regular cigarette up to a diameter of 2 cm’s and a maximum weight of 15 grams.

The homogenized tobacco used for all embodiments typically has a weight of higher than 50 g/m? and lower than 400 g/m? preferably higher than 100 g/m? and lower than 300 g/m?, expressed in weight per unit surface.

In an embodiment the homogenized tobacco material originates from a cast leaf process, i.e. a process for manufacturing cast leaf reconstituted tobacco, which also is known as “slurry sheet”.

The present hollow rod not only acts as a way to prevent normal smoking, but it also contributes to the consumption experience.

The present invention furthermore relates to a hollow rod made from a homogenized tobacco material, wherein said homogenized tobacco material preferably comprises a composition comprising: at least 10 % by weight of a burn rate retarding salt, at least 2 % by weight of a surface tension reducing binder, and at least 5%, preferably at least 10% by weight of an aerosol former, all wt. % being based on the total weight of the composition.

In preferred embodiment the burn rate retarding salt is at least one chosen from the group of chlorides, sulphates, hydroxides, carbonates and phosphates.

In another preferred embodiment the burn rate retarding salt further comprises one or more cations chosen from the group of calcium, sodium, magnesium, aluminum and potassium.

In a preferred embodiment the burn rate retarding salt comprises KCI. In a preferred embodiment the surface tension reducing binder is at least one selected from the group of cellulosic binders consisting of hydroxypropyl cellulose, carboxymethyl cellulose, and its sodium, potassium and ammonium salts, cross-linked carboxymethyl cellulose, and its sodium, potassium and ammonium salts, hydroxyethyl cellulose, ethyl hydroxyethyl cellulose, hydroxypropyl methyl cellulose, methyl cellulose, ethyl cellulose, and mixtures thereof.

In a preferred embodiment the surface tension reducing binder may be seen as a surfactant, consisting of a hydrocarbon chain, which can be branched, linear, or aromatic. There are four types of surfactants with a brief review of each as follows. These classifications are based upon the composition of the polarity of the head group: nonionic, anionic, cationic, and amphoteric. A non-ionic surfactant has no charge groups in its head. The head of an ionic surfactant carries a net charge. If the charge is negative, the surfactant is more specifically called anionic; if the charge is positive, it is called cationic. If a surfactant contains a head with two oppositely charged groups, it is termed zwitterionic.

In a preferred embodiment the surface tension reducing binder comprises at least one of carboxymethyl cellulose and its sodium, potassium and ammonium salts, cross-linked carboxymethyl cellulose, and its sodium, potassium and ammonium salts.

In a preferred embodiment the composition comprises a combination of KCl and carboxymethyl cellulose.

In a preferred embodiment the amount of KCI is in a range of about 10-40 % by weight and the amount of carboxymethyl cellulose is in a range of 2-20 % by weight.

The present composition comprises at least one aerosol former chosen from the group of polyhydric alcohols consisting of triethylene glycol, 1 ,3-butanediol, propylene glycol and glycerine; esters of polyhydric alcohols, glycerol mono-, di- or triacetate; aliphatic esters of mono-, di- or polycarboxylic acids, dimethyl dodecanedioate and dimethyl tetradecanedioate; and combinations thereof, wherein the at least one aerosol former content is of between about 10% and about 40% by weight.

In an embodiment the composition further comprises at least one flavourant in an amount of about 15% by weight less.

The hollow rod as discussed above may have the dimensions of a conventional commercially available cigarette.

In order to use the present hollow rod as a smoking article the inner area of the hollow rod does not need to be filled with tobacco, a tobacco substitute, an aerosol generating substance or a combination thereof since these components are already present in the material of which the hollow rod has been manufactured.

The present invention also relates to the use of a hollow rod in an electronic smoking device provided with an internal heating element wherein the hollow rod is positioned such within the smoking device that the outer surface of the hollow rod is in direct contact with the internal heating element thereby electronically heating the outer surface of the hollow rod but not burning the outer surface of the hollow rod.

The present invention will be discussed in the Examples.

The method for preparing a slurry can be carried out according to the process mentioned in EP patent 1 489 927 in the name of the present applicant, i.e. such a method comprising the steps of mixing water, fibers, tobacco and one or more binding agents, to form a slurry and subsequently dosing such a slurry on a drying conveyor for forming a base layer and subsequently subjecting the total to a drying treatment.

It is however possible to apply other foil making processes, such as the method for manufacturing a tobacco sheet known from the German Offenlegungsschrift 19949983, wherein a aqueous slurry of tobacco stems is obtained by grinding uncooked stems in presence of a binder, or by using a process of manufacturing a coherent tobacco product wherein a refined pulp of cellulosic fibers is combined withcomminuted tobacco and a water-insoluble cellulose derivative as known from GB 1 203 939. A suitable method for measuring the burning characteristics of reconstituted tobacco is as follows.

Free burning rate: The material to be tested, is cut into a strip of a certain width, typically 20 to 30 mm and length of approximately 25 cm.

Two markers are placed on the strip about 15 cm apart where each marker is at least 3 few cm from the nearest end.

The strip of material is suspended on one end in an enclosed area to shield from ambient air flow.

A transparent cylinder with holes in the bottom to allow air access can be used for this.

A smoldering material is held against the suspended end, to start smoldering over the full width.

Alternatively, a flame can be used.

If the material ignites, a puff of air can be used to extinguish the flames, and start the smoldering.

The time needed for the glowing end to go from the first marker to the second is measured, and the burning speed (mm/sec) is calculated.

If the material extinguishes before the second marker is reached, the burnt length is recorded.

If the material extinguishes before the first marker is reached, the time between start and end of glowing is recorded.

For the purpose of this invention, a material is regarded as self-extinguishing when the time between start and end of glowing is no more than a few seconds.

In that situation the material cannot be used for normal smoking since between puffs the glowing would need to be supported by a flame.

Examples Example 1 A slurry composition consisting of: - Virginia lamina tobacco 55% - MHEC 8000 8,5% - CMC 8,0% - Glycerine 10% - Paper pulp 12,5% - Calcium chloride 10,0% was prepared and deposited on a base plate for forming a base layer and subsequently the total was subjected to a drying treatment.

Such a process can be carried out as a batch process but as a continuous process, i.e. on a drying conveyor for example, as well.

The wrapper thus obtained was self-extinguishing.

Example 2 (not according to the invention)

A slurry composition according to Example 1 was prepared, but the amount of calcium chloride was replaced by a similar amount of magnesium hydroxide.

The resulting wrapper did not show self-extinguishing properties.

Claims

CONCLUSIONS

1. Hollow tube made of a homogenized tobacco material, said material is self-extinguishing, said hollow tube is made of at least one film of a homogenized tobacco material, the interior of said hollow tube not containing tobacco, a tobacco substitute, an aerosol generating substance, or a combination thereof.

Hollow tube according to claim 1, wherein said hollow tube is a self-supporting structure.

Hollow tube according to one or more of the preceding claims, wherein said hollow tube is manufactured from a number of sheets of a homogenized tobacco material, parts of said sheets being superimposed.

The hollow tube according to claim 3, wherein said hollow tube is manufactured from a number of sheets of a homogenized tobacco material, wherein at least two such sheets have a different composition.

Hollow tube according to one or more of claims 1-2, wherein said hollow tube is made from a foil of a homogenized tobacco material, wherein a single strip of foil is rolled in the longitudinal direction to form said hollow tube.

86. Hollow tube according to one or more of the preceding claims, in which the wall thickness of said tube is in the range of 50 - 400 g / m 2. preferably 100-300 g / m 2, expressed in weight per unit area.

A hollow tube according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the amount of tobacco material in said tube is in the range of 0.3-1.0 grams, said weight is based on said tube, said tobacco material is contained in the wall of said hollow tube.

A hollow tube according to any of the preceding claims, wherein said homogenized tobacco material is from a castleaf process.

A hollow tube according to any of the preceding claims, wherein said homogenized tobacco material comprises a composition comprising: at least 10% by weight of a flame retardant salt, at least 2% by weight of a binder that reduces surface tension, and at least 5 wt% of an aerosol former, all wt% based on the total weight of the composition.

A hollow tube according to claim 9, wherein said flame retardant salt is at least one selected from the group of chlorides, sulfates, hydroxides, carbonates and phosphates.

A hollow sleeve according to any of claims 9-10, wherein said flame retardant salt further comprises one or more cations selected from the group consisting of calcium, sodium, magnesium, aluminum and potassium.

A hollow sleeve according to any of claims 9-11, wherein said flame retardant salt comprises KCI.

A hollow sleeve according to any of claims 9-12, wherein said surface tension reducing binder is at least one selected from the group of celulosic binders consisting of hydroxypropyl cellulose, carboxymethyl cellulose, and the sodium, potassium and ammonium salts of these, cross-linked carboxymethyl cellulose, and its sodium, potassium and ammonium salts, hydroxyethyl cellulose, ethyl hydroxyethyl cellulose, hydroxypropylmethyl cellulose, methyl cellulose, ethyl cellulose, and mixtures thereof.

The hollow sleeve according to claim 13, wherein said surface tension reducing binder comprises at least one of carboxymethyl cellulose and its sodium, potassium and ammonium salts, cross-linked carboxymethyl cellulose, and its sodium, potassium and ammonium salts.

A hollow sleeve according to any of claims 9-14, wherein said composition comprises a combination of KCI and carboxymethyl cellulose.

The hollow sleeve of claim 15, wherein said amount of KCI is in a range of about 10-40 wt% and said amount of carboxymethyl cellulose is in a range of 2 - 20 wt%.

A hollow sleeve according to any of claims 9-18, wherein said aerosol former is selected from the group of polyhydric alcohols consisting of triethylene glycol, 1,3-butanediol, propylene glycol and glycerol; esters of polyhydric alcohols, glycerol mono-, di- or triacetate; aliphatic esters of mono-, di- or polycarboxylic acids, dimethyldodecanedioate and dimethyltetradecanedioate, and combinations thereof, the content of said at least one aerosol former being at a level of at most about 40% by weight.

The hollow tube according to any of claims 9-17, wherein said composition further comprises a flavoring agent in an amount of about 15% by weight or less.

The use of a hollow tube according to one or more of the preceding claims in an electronic smoking member, provided with an internal heating element, the hollow tube being positioned within the smoking member in such a way that the outer surface of the hollow tube is in direct contact with the internal heating element to thereby electronically heat the outer surface of the hollow tube, but wherein the outer surface of the hollow tube does not burn.