RU2730722C1 - Components releasing tobacco components - Google Patents

Abstract

FIELD: tobacco industry.

SUBSTANCE: invention relates to a component releasing tobacco components for placement in an aerosol delivery device, wherein a component releasing tobacco components, has an agglomerated structure obtained from an initial composition which contains tobacco particles, wherein the pH of the starting composition is adjusted to the pH of the base.

EFFECT: technical result consists in ensuring the release of tobacco components.

34 cl, 13 dwg

Description

The technical field to which the invention relates

The invention relates to components that release tobacco constituents and which are arranged to be arranged in an aerosol delivery device, such as a device for heating smoking material to vaporize at least one component of smoking material, wherein the tobacco constituent release component comprises tobacco particles , possibly in an agromed structure. The invention also relates to a device containing tobacco constituent-releasing components and methods for making tobacco constituent-releasing components.

State of the art

In smoking articles such as cigarettes, cigars, and the like, tobacco is burned in use to create tobacco smoke. Attempts have been made to offer alternatives to these products by creating products in which the substances are released without burning. Examples of such products are so-called “heat but not burn” products or tobacco-heating devices or products in which substances are released by heating the material rather than burning it.

It is also known to incorporate aromas into smoking articles in order to add specific desired aromas to an aerosol generated by the smoking article. This can be achieved in a variety of ways, including through the use of breakable capsules that contain fragranced formulations.

Disclosure of invention

A first aspect of the invention is a tobacco constituent-releasing component for placement in an aerosol delivery device, wherein the tobacco constituent-releasing component has an agglomerated structure derived from a starting composition containing tobacco particles, the pH of the starting composition being adjusted to pH of the base.

In some embodiments, the pH is increased by adding one or more bases or a base buffer system.

Alternatively, there is provided a tobacco constituent-releasing component for positioning in an aerosol delivery device, wherein the tobacco constituent-releasing component comprises tobacco particles and one or more base or base buffer system, such that the tobacco constituent-releasing component , has a base pH.

In some embodiments, one or more bases are selected from the group consisting of hydroxides, carbonates, and bicarbonates. In some embodiments, one or more bases are selected from the group consisting of potassium hydroxide, sodium hydroxide, sodium carbonate, and sodium bicarbonate.

In some embodiments, the starting composition has a pH of at least 7.5.

In some embodiments, the tobacco has an average particle diameter of no more than 3 mm, no more than 1 mm, no more than 0.5 mm, or no more than 0.3 mm.

In some embodiments, one or more aerosol-forming substances are present. In some embodiments, the aerosol forming agent is selected from the group consisting of glycerol, propylene glycol, or glycerol triacetate.

In some embodiments, one or more binders are present. In some embodiments of the invention, one or more binders are selected from the group consisting of: thermo-reversible gelling agents such as gelatin; starches; polysaccharides; pectins; cellulose; cellulose derivatives such as carboxymethyl cellulose; and alginates.

In some embodiments, one or more flavor-modifying substances are present.

In some embodiments, the starting composition is granular or spherical in order to obtain an agglomerated structure.

In some embodiments of the invention, the original composition is extruded to produce an agglomerated structure.

In some embodiments, the components are in the form of granules.

In some embodiments, the components have an elongated or rod shape.

In some embodiments, the components have a cross-sectional shape that increases the surface area of the component releasing the tobacco constituents.

A second aspect of the present invention is an aerosol delivery device which contains a component that releases constituents of tobacco, which is the first aspect of the invention.

In some embodiments, the device is a tobacco heating product that contains a tobacco segment that is to be heated to vaporize the constituents, and optionally contains a filter or filter element.

In some embodiments, the device is a hybrid product that contains a tobacco segment to be heated to vaporize the constituents and a liquid to be heated to produce steam, and optionally contains a filter or filter element.

In some embodiments, the tobacco constituent-releasing component is located in a filter or filter element of the device. In some embodiments, one or more of the tobacco constituent-releasing components are surrounded by filter material in the filter or filter element. In other embodiments of the invention, one or more tobacco constituent-releasing components are located in the cavity of the multi-segment filter.

In some embodiments, one or more of the tobacco constituent-releasing components are located in the tobacco segment. In some embodiments, the tobacco segment is composed of one or more components that release tobacco constituents.

In some embodiments, the device is a hybrid product that contains a tobacco segment to be heated to vaporize the constituents and a liquid to be heated to produce steam, with one or more tobacco constituent-releasing components located in the tobacco segment, while the tobacco segment is heated with steam. In some embodiments, the liquid is a liquid that does not contain nicotine. In some embodiments, the device comprises means for heating the liquid to generate steam, but does not contain a separate means for heating the smokable material.

A third aspect of the invention is a method for manufacturing a component releasing tobacco constituents, comprising: preparing a precursor composition that contains tobacco particles; adjust the pH of the original composition to the pH of the base; and processing said starting composition to obtain an agglomerated structure.

In some embodiments, the starting composition is granular or spherical in order to obtain an agglomerated structure.

In some embodiments of the invention, the original composition is extruded to produce an agglomerated structure. In some embodiments, the extruded agglomerate is cooled during extrusion or after extrusion. In some embodiments of the invention, extrusion creates internal channels in the extruded agglomerate.

A fourth aspect of the invention is a device for heating smokable material in order to vaporize at least one component of smokable material and a nicotine-free liquid to be heated to generate steam, wherein the smokable material contains tobacco particles having a base pH and the smokable the material is heated with steam.

In some embodiments, the device comprises means for heating the liquid to generate steam, but does not contain a separate means for heating the smokable material.

In some embodiments, the pH is increased by adding one or more bases or a base buffer system.

In some embodiments, the tobacco particles have a pH of at least 7.5.

In some embodiments, the tobacco has an average particle diameter of no more than 3 mm, no more than 1 mm, no more than 0.5 mm, or no more than 0.3 mm.

Brief Description of Drawings

Next, by way of example only, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

in fig. 1 is a view showing a flow diagram of a process in accordance with the present invention;

in fig. 2a, 2b and 2c are views showing examples of nozzle structures for forming extruded agglomerates that contain internal channels, and FIG. 2d and 2e are views showing how such nozzles can be used to shape extruded agglomerates;

in fig. 3 are views showing some extruded agglomerates, showing cross-sectional geometries with internal channels;

in fig. 4a is a view showing an example of a die that is used to make extrusion pellets, and FIG. 4b is a view showing how such a matrix can be used to shape extruded agglomerates;

in fig. 5 is a schematic view showing several extruded pellets;

in fig. 6 is a schematic cross-sectional view of a tobacco heating product that is configured to heat a smoking material to vaporize at least one component of the smoking material, said product comprising a tobacco constituent-releasing component;

in fig. 7 is a schematic view of a hybrid device that is configured to heat smokable material to vaporize at least one component of the smokable material, said device comprising a component releasing tobacco constituents;

in fig. 8 is a schematic cross-sectional view of an example of a cartridge that contains a plurality of components releasing tobacco constituents.

Implementation of the invention

The invention relates to components that release constituents of tobacco and that are made from tobacco particles. These components are capable of releasing constituents of tobacco, including flavors and nicotine, for example, when heated.

At least some of the released constituents are directly derived from the tobacco particles that are used to form the constituents. In some embodiments, additional release materials may be added to these components. These additional materials, for example, can also contain tobacco constituents that are added to supply constituents obtained directly from the tobacco particles. Alternatively or in addition, these additional materials added to the release components may not be derived from tobacco. For example, in some embodiments, the components may also contain and release other flavors, including flavors that are not derived from tobacco.

In some embodiments, the tobacco constituent-releasing components are agglomerated structures. This means that they are a mass or a cluster formed by sintering or gluing together a plurality of particles. Particles that are constituents include tobacco particles. In some embodiments, the implementation of the invention may also contain particles of other materials.

PH adjustment

In some embodiments of the invention, the agglomerated structures are formed from a starting composition that contains tobacco particles, the pH of the starting composition being adjusted to that of the base. For example, the pH can be adjusted to a value that is at least about 7.5. The pH can be adjusted by adding one or more bases. Alternatively, the pH can be adjusted by using a buffer solution.

In some embodiments, the tobacco constituent release component comprises tobacco particles and one or more bases or base buffering system such that the tobacco constituent release component has a base pH. For example, the pH can be at least about 7.5.

The purpose of adjusting the pH of the tobacco particles and / or the original composition is to obtain the tobacco constituents in chemical form, which means that they are easily released from the release component and / or they readily pass into the aerosol generated by the smoking article. Adjusting the pH of tobacco alters the natural balance of those acid-base reactions that bind certain classes of chemicals in tobacco. For example, in a natural tobacco leaf, nicotine tends to bind to organic acids that are present in the leaf, and therefore nicotine is more stable and less likely to evaporate when heated slightly. Increasing the pH of the leaf reduces the natural binding of nicotine to acids. Such unbound "free" nicotine is more prone to vaporization. The same principle applies to other chemical equilibria in tobacco.

In some embodiments, the pH of the starting composition is adjusted to a value of at least about 7.5, at least about 8, at least about 8.5, at least about 9, at least about 9.5, or at least about 10. In some embodiments, the pH is adjusted to a value that does not exceed about 14, does not exceed about 13.5, does not exceed about 13, does not exceed about 12.5, does not exceed about 12, does not exceed about 11.5, less than about 11, less than about 10.5, or less than about 10. In some embodiments, the pH of the starting composition is adjusted to be from about 8 to about 10, or from about 8, 5 to about 9.5.

In some embodiments, the pH of the tobacco constituent-releasing component is at least about 7.5, at least about 8.5, at least about 9, at least about 9.5, or at least about 10. In some embodiments, the pH does not exceed about 14, does not exceed about 13.5, does not exceed about 13, does not exceed about 12.5, does not exceed about 12, does not exceed about 11.5, does not exceed about 11, does not exceed about 10.5, or does not exceed about 10. In some embodiments, the pH of the tobacco constituent-releasing component is adjusted to be from about 8 to about 10, or from about 8.5 to about 9, five.

In some embodiments, the pH is adjusted to be about 7.5 to about 10, or about 8 to about 9, or about 8.5, about 9, about 9.5, or about 10.

In some embodiments, the base used to adjust the pH is hydroxide or carbonate. The hydroxides used can be monoacid bases, dicacid bases or tricacid bases. Suitable bases are, for example, potassium hydroxide, calcium hydroxide, silver hydroxide, ammonium hydroxide, magnesium hydroxide, sodium carbonate, sodium bicarbonate (also known as sodium bicarbonate) and potassium carbonate.

The base can be added to the original composition in the form of a liquid, such as an aqueous or non-aqueous solution or suspension, or in a solid form, such as a powder.

The original composition contains a mixture of tobacco particles and a pH regulator. In embodiments with dry tobacco particles and a pH adjuster, for example, when the base is in dry powder form, the pH of the original formulation will be adjusted (relative to the pH of the tobacco particles without a pH adjuster) when water is added to the formulation.

As used herein, the pH of the original formulation for the tobacco constituent-releasing component refers to the pH after addition of water to the formulation or component while the formulation or component is dry.

In some embodiments, the buffer system used to adjust the pH is a mixture of a weak base and a conjugated acid. Suitable buffering systems are, for example, systems in which the pH is at least about 7.5, at least about 8, at least about 8.5, or at least about 9. In some embodiments, the pH of the buffer system is about 8 to about 10, or about 8.5 to about 9.5. Suitable buffer systems are, for example, systems based on ammonia, carbonates or hydroxides with suitable counterions. An example of a specific buffer system is a mixture of ammonia and ammonium chloride.

Tobacco particles

The tobacco particles present in the original composition are small enough to ensure that a plurality of such particles can be agglomerated to form components that release the constituents of the tobacco and which are the desired size based on their intended use.

Smaller tobacco particles have a higher surface area to volume ratio and therefore may have a greater release capacity of the constituent parts of the tobacco than larger particles.

In addition, the size of the tobacco particles (and the size of other particles in the original composition) will affect the porosity and density of the agglomerated structures and components that release the constituents of the tobacco. Thus, the size of the tobacco particles can be selected to obtain a more porous agglomerated structure, which will affect the release of the constituent parts of the tobacco. Thus, the particle size of the tobacco is another factor that can be adjusted to influence the release of the constituent parts of the tobacco, in particular in the case where the agglomerated structure is obtained by granulation as opposed to extrusion.

The preferred particle size of the tobacco particles may also depend on the method used to form the agglomerated structures. For example, extrusion processes can be sensitive to the particle size of the composition to be extruded. More specifically, in some embodiments, when the parent composition is extruded to form an agglomerated structure, it may be desirable that the particles in the parent composition, including tobacco particles, have an average particle size that is no greater than about 3 mm, no greater than about 1 mm, does not exceed about 0.5 mm, or have an average size that does not exceed about 0.3 mm, as measured by sieving.

In some embodiments, it may be desirable for the tobacco particles in the starting composition and / or in the tobacco constituent-releasing component to have an average size that does not exceed about 3 mm, does not exceed about 1 mm, does not exceed about 0.5 mm , or had an average size that does not exceed about 0.3 mm as measured by sieving. In some embodiments, the average particle size ranges from about 0.1 mm to about 3 mm, from about 0.1 mm to about 1 mm, from about 0.1 mm to about 0.5 mm, from about 0, 1 mm to about 0.4 mm, or in the range from about 0.2 mm to about 0.3 mm. In some embodiments, at least about 90% of the particles of the original composition will have a particle size that ranges from about 0.1 mm to about 3 mm, or from about 0.1 mm to about 1 mm, or from about 0 , 1 mm to about 0.5 mm. In some embodiments, at least about 90% of the tobacco particles of the original composition will have a particle size that ranges from about 0.1 mm to about 3 mm, or from about 0.1 mm to about 1 mm, or from about 0.1mm to 0.5mm. In some embodiments, no particles of the starting composition will have a particle size greater than 5 mm, greater than 4 mm, greater than 2 mm, greater than 1.5 mm, or greater than about 1 mm.

Particles of the desired size can be obtained by grinding, crushing, cutting, or breaking the tobacco material. Suitable equipment for creating such tobacco particles are, for example, grinders, cutters, or shredders such as hammer mills, roller grinders, or other types of commercially available shredding equipment. The particle size of the tobacco is selected so as to obtain particles that can be easily prepared from different types of tobacco material, which can be formed into agglomerated structures using the processes described herein and which have the properties described herein and which provide a source of constituents tobacco that can be easily released.

Without wishing to be bound by any particular theory, it is believed that grinding tobacco to obtain tobacco particles improves the release of tobacco constituents containing volatile aromas and aroma constituents, as well as nicotine. We believe that increasing the surface area of the tobacco particles will also help the volatilization. Smaller tobacco particles also increase the uniformity of agglomerated structures that are made from tobacco particles and other components.

The tobacco material used to obtain the tobacco particles can be any type of tobacco and any part of the tobacco plant, including the tobacco leaf, stem, stem, veins, residues and waste, or mixtures of two or more of these parts. Suitable tobacco materials are the following types: Virginia or fired tobacco, Burley tobacco, Oriental tobacco, or blends of tobacco materials that may contain the elements listed above. The tobacco can be blasted, such as dry ice blasted (DIET) tobacco, or otherwise processed. In some embodiments, the tobacco material may be reconstituted tobacco material. The tobacco may or may not be pretreated and, for example, can be hard stems (SS), shredded dried stems (SDS), steamed stems (STS), or any combination of the above. The tobacco material can be fermented, dried, not dried, calcined, or otherwise pretreated.

Additional components of the original composition

Components that release tobacco constituents and have an agglomerated structure are obtained from a starting composition that contains tobacco particles.

In some embodiments, the starting composition and / or the component releasing the constituent parts of the tobacco does not contain a binder or binder additive. In other embodiments of the invention, the starting composition contains a binder or a binder additive. The binder may be selected to aid in the formation of an agglomerated structure by promoting adhesion of the tobacco particles to each other and to other components in the composition. Suitable binders are, for example, thermoreversible gelling agents such as gelatin, starches, polysaccharides, pectins, alginates, wood pulp, celluloses and cellulose derivatives such as carboxymethyl cellulose.

In some embodiments, the starting composition and / or the component releasing the tobacco constituents further comprises a diluent. The diluent can be in solid or liquid form. In some embodiments, the diluent is inert or substantially inert.

In some embodiments of the invention, the agglomerated structure made from the original composition may have an increased surface area due to the incorporation of an inert filling material into the particles of the original composition. Suitable inert aggregates can be porous or non-porous.

In some embodiments, the precursor composition and / or component releasing the tobacco constituents further comprises at least one aerosol forming agent, which may be, for example, a polyol aerosol generating agent or a non-polyol aerosol generating agent, preferably a non-polyolic aerosol generating agent. It can be solid or liquid at room temperature, but it is preferred that it is liquid at room temperature. Suitable polyols are sorbitol, glycerin and glycols such as propylene glycol or triethylene glycol. Suitable non-polyols are monohydric alcohols, high boiling hydrocarbons, acids such as lactic acid, and esters such as diacetin, triacetin, triethyl citrate or isopropyl myristate. A combination of aerosol-forming substances, in equal or different proportions, can be used. Glycerin and propylene glycol are particularly preferred.

In some embodiments, the starting composition and / or components that release the constituent parts of the tobacco may contain a flavor modifying agent to alter the flavor provided by the tobacco particles or to add flavor. In some embodiments of the invention, the original composition may contain a flavor-modifying agent. Alternatively or in addition, a flavor-modifying agent may be added or used in the agglomerated structure. Fragrance modifiers are, for example, packaging materials, as well as “fragrance” and “fragrance” materials that, where permitted by local legislation, can be used to create the desired flavor or aroma in an adult product. They can be extracts (for example, licorice, hydrangea, white-stemmed Japanese magnolia leaf, chamomile, fenugreek, cloves, menthol, Japanese mint, aniseed, cinnamon, herbs, wintergren, cherry, berry, peach, apple, Drambuey, bourbon, Scottish whiskey, whiskey, mint, peppermint, lavender, cardamom, celery, cascarilla, nutmeg, sandalwood, bergamot, geranium, honey extract, rose oil, vanilla, lemon oil, orange oil, acacia, cumin, cognac, jasmine, ylang lang, sage, fennel, clove, ginger, anise, coriander, coffee or peppermint oil from any plant of the mint variety), odor improvers, blockers of the active center of bitterness receptors, stimulants and activators of active centers of sensory receptors, sugar and / or sugar substitutes (such as sucralose, acesulfame potassium, aspartame, saccharin, cyclamates, lactose, sucrose, glucose, fructose, sorbitol, or mannitol) and other additives such as activated carbon, chlorophyll, minerals, plants or breath fresheners. They can be imitations, artificial or natural ingredients, or mixtures. They can be in any suitable form, for example in the form of an oil, liquid, gel, wax, or powder.

In some embodiments, the starting composition and / or the component releasing the constituent parts of the tobacco further comprises a preservative. Suitable preservatives are well known to those skilled in the art, and suitable preservatives are, for example, those that can be safely used in products that produce respirable aerosols. Examples of preservatives that can be used are: propylene glycol, carvacrol, thymol, L-menthol, 1,8-cineole, phenoxyethanol, phytocide, sorbic acid and its salts, sodium hydroximethylglycinate, ethylhexylglycerol, parabens and vitamins such as vitamin E or vitamin C.

In some embodiments, neither the parent formulation nor the tobacco constituent-release component contains gelling agents.

Form of agglomerated structures

In some embodiments, the components that release the constituent parts of the tobacco are in a particular shape, being small, discrete particles. In most embodiments of the invention, a plurality of particles will be located in the device to obtain the desired effect on the aerosol of the device.

In some embodiments, the particle-shaped tobacco constituents release components have an average size (as measured by sieving) of about 0.5 mm to about 4 mm. In some embodiments, it may be preferred that the average granule size is from about 0.7 mm to about 3 mm. In the case, for example, where the granules are to be distributed over the filter media of the filter element (as in a Dalmatian style filter element), it may be preferred that the granules have an average size of about 0.3 mm to about 1 mm. In the case, for example, where granules are to be added to a cavity, such as a cavity in a filter, it may be preferred that the granules have an average size of about 0.5 mm to about 4 mm.

In other embodiments of the invention, the tobacco constituent-releasing components are monolithic and are large articles. In most embodiments of the invention, one monolithic component will be located in the device to obtain the desired effect on the aerosol of the device.

In some embodiments, the monolithic components are approximately spherical or cylindrical in shape. Their diameter can be from about 4 mm to about 10 mm. In some embodiments, this diameter can be from about 5 mm to about 8 mm. The cylindrical components can additionally be from about 5 mm to about 80 mm in length, from about 15 mm to about 50 mm, or from about 20 mm to about 30 mm.

Formation of agglomerated structures

FIG. 1 is a flow chart illustrating key steps in the processes of the present invention. The tobacco starting material, which may be pretreated, is ground to the desired particle size. The pH is adjusted either by adding one or more bases or by adding a buffer solution to the tobacco particles. Any additional components can be added to the tobacco material. These additional components can be in liquid or solid form. It is preferred that the additional solid components are in the form of particles or powder. Additional components can be added before, during or after the pH adjustment step. Next, the agglomerated structure is obtained from the resulting initial composition by gluing the pH-adjusted tobacco particles and, if desired, other components, in order to obtain a multi-particle entity.

In some embodiments of the invention, water may be added to the original composition as a processing aid. For example, the presence of water can help dissolve components of the original formulation, such as the pH adjusting agent and sugars, and / or this can aid binding or improve agglomeration.

In some embodiments of the invention, the agglomerated structure can be obtained from the original composition using a process that contains one or more steps selected from the group consisting of the following: granulation, extrusion and spheronization.

Granulation

Granulating the parent composition involves bonding or fusing particles of the parent composition to form large multiparticulate entities, which are referred to herein as agglomerated structures. The multiparticulate entities obtained by granulation are called granules, and they can have various geometric shapes, including, for example, generally having the shape of spheres, cylinders, and the like.

In one embodiment of the invention, the granulation step is wet granulation. In wet granulation, granules are prepared by adding granulating liquid to a layer of powder. Shaking in the system, together with moistening the components in the original composition, leads to aggregation of particles in order to obtain moist granules. The granulating liquid can be removed, at least partially, by drying to obtain dry granules. The granulating liquid can be water-based or solvent-based. Suitable granulating liquids are, for example, water, glycerin, ethanol and isopropyl alcohol, alone or in combination. In some embodiments of the invention, the granulation liquid contains an aerosol forming agent such as glycerin or one of the other agents described above and / or a binder or binder. In some embodiments, no water is added to the original formulation to aid in granulation.

In another embodiment of the invention, the granulation step used is dry granulation. In dry granulation, granules are obtained without the use of a granulating liquid. This type of process has the advantage that it does not expose the original composition to moisture and thus the pellets do not need to be heat treated to dry them. Forming granules by dry granulation involves compressing and compacting the original formulation, usually at high pressure.

Extrusion

Extrusion of the feedstock comprises feeding the feedstock through an orifice to produce an extruded agglomerate. The process by which pressure and shear forces are applied to the original composition results in agglomerated structures.

Extrusion can be performed using one of the main classes of extruders: screw, screen and drum, roll, ram and pin extruders. A single screw extruder or a twin screw extruder can be used. The production of components releasing tobacco constituents by extrusion has the advantage that this treatment includes mixing, conditioning, homogenizing and casting the original composition.

In some embodiments, during extrusion, the free flowing precursor composition is subjected to increased pressure and temperature and is pushed through an opening, such as a shaping nozzle or die, to form an extruded agglomerate. In some embodiments, the extruded agglomerate has a rod-like shape and / or may be cut into segments of the desired length when exiting the hole. The extruded agglomerate like a rod can then be cut into segments of the desired length.

In some embodiments, the starting composition, which contains tobacco particles, is subjected to temperatures in the extruder that range from about 40 ° C to about 150 ° C, or from about 80 ° C to about 130 ° C, or from about 60 ° C to about 95 ° C. In some embodiments of the invention, including those using dual extrusion, the original composition in the extruder is exposed to temperatures that range from about 70 ° C to about 95 ° C. In some embodiments of the invention, including those using single extrusion, the original composition in the extruder is exposed to temperatures that range from about 60 ° C to about 80 ° C. The composition can be subjected to pressures (directly to the die or nozzle) that range from about 2 bar to about 100 bar, or from about 5 bar to about 60 bar, depending on the design of the die or nozzle used.

In some embodiments of the invention, due to the relatively high density of the extruded agglomerate and the relatively open surface of the tobacco particles in said agglomerate, the tobacco constituent release components derived from the extruded agglomerate have good heat transfer and mass transfer properties, which positively affects release constituents of tobacco such as aromas and nicotine.

In some embodiments of the invention, extrusion can be a generally dry process, wherein the starting composition is a dry or substantially dry material that contains tobacco particles as well as other particulate materials, if desired, including for example, a base, a diluent, solid aerosol-forming substances, solid aroma-changing substances, and so on.

In some embodiments, during the extrusion process, liquids may be added to the original composition. For example, water can be added to the original formulation, for example, as a processing aid to aid in dissolving or increasing the solubility of the formulation components, or to aid in binding or agglomeration. Alternatively or additionally, a wetting agent may be added to the original composition.

In some embodiments, the liquid may be an aerosol-forming agent, such as glycerin or other substances described herein. When liquid is added to the original composition in this way, it is applied not only to the surface, but, as a result of the pressure of the extruder and intensive mixing with high shear forces, the extruded agglomerate becomes filled with liquid. When the liquid is an aerosolizing agent, this can result in greater availability of the aerosolizing agent in the agglomerated product to improve the evaporation of flavor components from the tobacco particles and other components of the agglomerated structure, improving the release of the tobacco constituents from the resulting extruded tobacco constituent-releasing constituents.

In some embodiments of the invention, in terms of filling the extruded agglomerate with the aerosolizing agent, the volumes of the additive that may be located in the tobacco constituent release component may be larger than the volumes for simply applying the aerosolizing agent to the surface of the original composition or extrusion of the agglomerate. In some embodiments, the amount of aerosol-forming agent located in the tobacco constituent-releasing component may be at least about 1% by weight, at least about 1.5% by weight, at least about 2% by weight. at least about 3% by weight, at least about 10% by weight, at least about 15% by weight, or at least about 20% by weight. In some embodiments, the amount of aerosol-forming agent incorporated into the tobacco constituent-releasing component can be up to about 30% by weight and even up to about 40% by weight. Large amounts of aerosolizing agent, such as at least about 10% or at least about 20% by weight, may be advantageous when the tobacco constituent-releasing component is also used to generate an aerosol in addition to releasing the tobacco constituents. Smaller amounts of aerosol-forming agent, such as up to about 5% by weight, may be sufficient when the primary function of the tobacco constituent release component is to release the constituent tobacco constituents or other flavors contained in the constituents into an existing aerosol or stream. air.

The extruded agglomerate is shaped by a nozzle or die through which it is pushed. In some embodiments, the extruded agglomerate is cut into desired lengths. The thus obtained portions can be used as components releasing the constituent parts of the tobacco, or they can be further processed.

In some embodiments, the nozzle or die is shaped to provide solid strands of the extruded agglomerate. For example, the extruded agglomerate may be in the shape of a cylindrical rod. Alternatively, the extruded agglomerate can have a variety of cross-sectional shapes, including oval, polygonal (such as triangular, square, etc.), and star shapes.

In some embodiments, the extruded composition is formed into a desired shape that is selected to improve or aid in flavor release, for example, by providing a shape with a high surface area per unit volume. This large surface area can be located on the outer surface of the extruded agglomerate, for example, by choosing cross-sectional shapes with a large perimeter. Alternatively or in addition, a large surface area can be provided by creating channels in the extruded agglomerate.

In some embodiments, the nozzle is shaped to form internal channels in the extruded agglomerate. These internal channels provide additional surface area and can improve the release of the constituent parts.

Examples of some nozzle designs are shown in FIGS. 2a, 2b and 2c. These nozzles 1 comprise holes 2 through which the composition to be extruded is pushed in order to obtain an extruded agglomerate with a spoked wheel structure. These nozzles are used in the extruder as shown in FIG. 2d and 2e, with arrow A indicating the direction of flow of the extruded material.

FIG. 3 shows a photograph of some extruded agglomerates that are rod-shaped, showing cross-sectional geometries with internal channels. Some of these extruded agglomerates were made using the nozzle designs shown in FIG. 2a, 2b and 2c.

FIG. 4a shows an example of a die that is used to produce pellets by extrusion. This die 3 contains a plurality of holes 4 through which the extruded agglomerates are pushed to form extruded agglomerates which exit the die in the form of a plurality of solid cylindrical rods that are cut at the die to obtain extruded pellets of the desired length. The diameter of the pellets is generally determined by the diameter of the hole 4. Such a die can be used in an extruder and the direction of flow of the extruded material is indicated in FIG. 4b with arrow A, while in FIG. 4b shows a side view of die 3.

FIG. 5 shows a schematic representation of some extruded agglomerates in the form of pellets.

The tobacco constituent release components produced from the shaped portions of the extruded agglomerates have an internal channel structure that has advantageous adjustable ventilation properties and a substantially increased interior surface, resulting in improved heat transfer and mass transfer. As a result, such components are distinguished by better, more uniform flavor release upon evaporation. Moreover, the structure with internal channels has significantly improved strength in both radial and axial directions, which is useful for further processing of the extruded agglomerate, for example, when it is cut into segments.

By using different nozzle designs or dies and / or different process parameters in the extruder, including temperature, pressure and shear forces, extruded agglomerates can be prepared with different physical properties, including different heat transfer properties, gas resistance, and which are capable generate different aerosols and / or with the property of changing aerosols drawn in through the extruded agglomerates.

In some embodiments, the extruded agglomerate is shaped as it exits the extruder. In some embodiments, the extruded agglomerate is cut to an initial length of, for example, 1 meter and allowed to cool before being cut further into desired lengths to obtain tobacco constituent release components and sizes.

In some embodiments, the extruded agglomerate may be cooled immediately prior to exiting the extruder or directly exiting the extruder. In some embodiments, the cooling is intense and includes exposing the extruded agglomerate that has been at an elevated temperature of, for example, from about 30 ° C to about 100 ° C, or from about 40 ° C to about 70 ° C, a cooling agent that will reduce the temperature to values in the range of about 0 ° C to about 70 ° C, about 0 ° C to about 50 ° C, about 5 ° C to about 25 ° C, or about 5 ° C to about 15 ° C. This rapid cooling of the extruded agglomerate can improve the internal and external stability of the extruded sinter. In some embodiments, the nozzle or die is cooled to achieve the specified effect.

In some embodiments, it may be necessary to control the temperature of the feedstock composition during extrusion, including prior to feeding the composition through a nozzle or die. This is especially true when the original formulation contains temperature sensitive components such as aerosol-forming agents such as glycerin. Thus, in some embodiments, extrusion of the precursor composition includes decreasing the temperature of the precursor composition before it reaches the nozzle or die. Such cooling of the starting composition may result in the formation of an extruded agglomerate with beneficial properties, or may improve the filament formation process, for example when channels are to be formed in the extruded agglomerate filament.

In some embodiments of the invention, spheronization is used to further process the extruded segments. These segments are usually cylindrical in shape and, after extrusion, are cut or fractured into equal lengths. Then they are gradually given spherical shapes using spheronization. This shaping is the result of plastic deformation and spheronization results in spherical agglomerated structures, often with substantially the same diameter.

Location in the device

One or more components releasing the tobacco constituents may be disposed in an aerosol delivery device such as a device for heating the smoking material to vaporize at least one component of the smoking material.

As used herein, an aerosol delivery device comprises vapor production devices such as electronic cigarettes, devices for heating smoking material such as tobacco heating devices, and hybrid devices.

As used herein, devices for heating smoking material to vaporize at least one component of smoking material are, but are not limited to, so-called “heat but not burn” goods or tobacco-heating devices or goods in which substances are released by heating the material rather than burning it. Also, such devices are other nicotine delivery products such as aerosol generating devices, including e-cigarettes, and hybrid products in which a liquid, such as a nicotine-containing liquid or a nicotine-free liquid, is heated to form an aerosol and the aerosol is then drawn in. through a smokable material such as a tobacco segment, wherein the aerosol captures tobacco flavors, or where a separate aerosol is produced by heating the smokable material. The above-mentioned device can be equipped with a filter for aerosol drawn in by the user.

The component releasing the tobacco constituents can be positioned in the device so that the tobacco constituents that are released are captured by the aerosol generated by the device during use, while changing the properties of the aerosol, for example, due to the presence of tobacco constituents in the aerosol, including aroma tobacco. Additionally or alternatively, the component releasing the tobacco constituents may itself produce an aerosol upon use, said aerosol containing the released tobacco constituents.

In some embodiments, the device may be provided with a filter, with a component releasing tobacco constituents located within the filter. This can be done in addition to or as a substitute for a device that contains other components that release tobacco constituents.

In some embodiments, the filter or filter element may contain filter material that has a filtering effect. A suitable filter material can be, for example, a tow containing or consisting of cellulose acetate, polylactic acid and / or other suitable polymers, or the filter or filter element can comprise a solid material such as plastic with holes,

In some embodiments of the invention in which a plurality of tobacco constituent-releasing components are located in a filter, this may occur in a Dalmatian-style filter section when the tobacco constituent-releasing components are dispersed throughout the fibrous rod of the filter material. Alternatively, the components that release the constituent parts of the tobacco can be located in a cavity in the filter. This cavity, for example, can be a section of a cavity that is located between two (or more) adjacent filter rods, or this cavity can be a pocket that is formed in the filter rod. In such embodiments, the components releasing the constituent parts of the tobacco can be small in size, for example, can be in the form of granules.

In other embodiments, a larger, one component releasing tobacco constituents is disposed in the filter. For example, one component releasing tobacco constituents can be incorporated into a fibrous rod of filter media.

Alternatively, the tobacco constituent-releasing component may be incorporated into a multi-segment filter, with the tobacco constituent-releasing component itself forming one of the filter segments. In such embodiments, the tobacco constituent-releasing component can be of any shape or size, but desirably it is cylindrical and has dimensions that are similar or comparable to the filter segments. In some embodiments of the invention, the tobacco constituent-releasing component may be surrounded by filter material, such as a filter tow layer, to form a filter segment. In other embodiments of the invention, the tobacco constituent-releasing component can be of filter rod dimensions and can be incorporated into a filter with one or more adjacent filter rods. Alternatively, the components releasing the constituent parts of the tobacco can be located in a section of the cavity that is located between two (or more) adjacent filter rods.

In some embodiments, the tobacco constituent-releasing component itself may be a filter element in an aerosol delivery device and is capable of filtering condensates and other particles in the aerosol prior to inhalation of the aerosol by the user.

In accordance with some embodiments of the invention, one or more components releasing tobacco constituents are located in an aerosol delivery device or a device for heating the smoking material to vaporize at least one component of the smoking material, while the tobacco segment is heated but not burned ( that is, in a tobacco-heating product or a so-called “heat but not burn” product). In some of these products, the tobacco segment is heated to produce an aerosol.

One option is to incorporate one or more components into the filter of such products that release constituents of the tobacco. In some embodiments, a plurality of tobacco constituent-releasing components are disposed in a filter for heating the tobacco product. In other embodiments of the invention, a single component is disposed in the filter of the tobacco heating product to release the constituents of the tobacco.

Another option is to locate one or more tobacco constituent-releasing components in the tobacco segment of such products. In some embodiments, one or more tobacco constituent-releasing components may be positioned in the tobacco material to form a tobacco segment. For example, one or more tobacco constituent-releasing components can be dispersed throughout the tobacco material, such as shredded tobacco or reconstituted tobacco, to contribute to the flavor provided by the tobacco. In other embodiments of the invention, the tobacco contained in the tobacco segment of the tobacco-heating product consists of or essentially consists of one or more components that release the constituent parts of the tobacco. In one embodiment of the invention, the tobacco segment heated by the tobacco heating product consists of, or substantially consists of, one or more components that release tobacco constituents. The component releasing the tobacco constituents can be heated directly. When the tobacco segment is a plurality of components that release tobacco constituents, they can be located in a reservoir or cartridge. At least portions of the reservoir or cartridge may be air permeable to allow air to flow over or through the components that release the constituents of the tobacco.

FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view of an example of a tobacco heating product for heating smoking material. The device 11 comprises a heating chamber 14 which, in use, contains the smoking material to be heated and vaporized. In this embodiment, the smokable material is in the form of a monolithic tobacco-constituent-releasing component 13. However, the smokable material can be a plurality of components that release the constituents of the tobacco and which are located in the heating chamber or are provided in a cartridge such as shown in FIG. 8.

The device 11 of FIG. 6 further comprises an electronics / power chamber 16, which, for example, may comprise a control circuitry and / or a power supply (not shown). The electrical control circuit may include a controller, such as a microprocessor element, configured to control heating of the smoking material with a heating element (not shown). In use, the electrical control circuit can receive a signal, for example from a puff-actuated sensor, which responds, for example, to changes in pressure or changes in air flow rate, which occurs when the user starts pulling in with the device 11. Further, the electrical control circuit can operate as follows, to cause heating "on demand" of the smoking material. Various designs of puff-actuated sensor are possible, including, for example, thermistor, electromechanical device, mechanical device, optical device, optomechanical device, microscopic electromechanical systems (MEMS) sensor. Alternatively, the device may include a manually operated switch that a user initiates a puff.

The heating chamber 14 is contained in the housing 12. A support and / or insulating means (not shown) may be present which is disposed between the heating chamber 14 and the housing 12, for example to help insulate the housing 12 from the heat of the heating chamber 14 so that in use the housing 12 does not get hot, or at least too hot to touch.

The housing 12 includes an inlet 15 through which air is drawn into the device. The body 12 also contains an outlet 17 at the mouthpiece 18 of the device 11. Air is drawn into the device 11 through the inlet 15, it moves through the device, capturing the tobacco constituents released by the tobacco constituent 13 release and the resulting aerosol generated by the device 11 exits the device 11 through the outlet 19 and is inhaled by the user.

In accordance with some embodiments of the invention, one or more components releasing the constituent parts of the tobacco are placed in a so-called hybrid article to heat the smoking material in order to vaporize at least one component of the smoking material. In some such products, the tobacco segment is heated to generate an aerosol in addition to heating a liquid, such as a nicotine-containing liquid or a nicotine-free liquid, which is heated by a heat source to form an aerosol or vapor. In some hybrid products, an aerosol or vapor generated from a liquid is drawn through the tobacco segment or over the tobacco segment, thereby capturing the tobacco flavors. In other embodiments, the aerosol or vapor generated from the liquid is not drawn through the tobacco segment or over the tobacco segment.

In hybrid products that include a filter, one option is to arrange the components that release tobacco constituents in the filter of such products, similar to that described for heating tobacco products. In some embodiments, a plurality of tobacco constituent-releasing components are disposed in the filter of the hybrid product. In other embodiments of the invention, a single component releasing tobacco constituents is disposed in the hybrid product filter.

When the smoking article is a so-called hybrid product, another option is to arrange the tobacco constituent-releasing components in the tobacco segment of such products. In some embodiments, one or more tobacco constituent-releasing components may be positioned in the tobacco material to form a tobacco segment. For example, one or more tobacco constituent-releasing components can be dispersed throughout the tobacco material, such as shredded tobacco or reconstituted tobacco, to contribute to the flavor provided by the tobacco. In other embodiments of the invention, the tobacco contained in the tobacco segment of the hybrid product is composed of one or more components that release tobacco constituents. In one embodiment of the invention, the tobacco segment in the hybrid product consists of, or essentially consists of, one or more components that release tobacco constituents.

FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view of an example of a hybrid article for heating smoking material and liquid. The device 21 comprises a housing 22 containing a chamber 24 which, in use, contains the smoking material to be heated and vaporized. In this embodiment, the smokable material is in the form of a monolithic tobacco-constituent-releasing component 23. However, the smokable material can be a plurality of components that release the constituents of the tobacco and which are located in the chamber or provided in such a cartridge as shown in FIG. 8. The housing 22 also contains a liquid reservoir 25 which contains a liquid 26 to be heated to generate steam.

The device 21 further comprises an electronics / power chamber 27, which, for example, may contain an electrical control circuit and / or a power supply (not shown). The electrical control circuit may include a controller, such as a microprocessor element, adapted to control heating of the smoking material and liquid 26 by one or more heating elements (not shown). The electrical control circuit may allow the puff device 21 to be activated to cause heating on demand of the smoking material. Alternatively, device 22 may include a manually operated switch that a user initiates a puff.

The housing 22 also includes an inlet 28 through which air is drawn into the device. The body 22 also contains an outlet 29 at the mouthpiece 30 of the device 21. Air is drawn into the device 21 through the inlet 28, it travels through the device, trapping the vapor created by heating the liquid 26 in the liquid reservoir 25 and the tobacco constituents released by the component 23 releasing the tobacco constituents, and the resulting aerosol generated by the device 21 exits the device 21 through the outlet 29 and is inhaled by the user.

The hybrid device 21 shown schematically in FIG. 7 only represents one possible construction of such a device. The relative positions of the fluid reservoir 25 and the smoking material chamber 24 can be varied, which is also true for the path of air flowing through the device.

In one embodiment of the invention, the liquid reservoir is located upstream of the smokable material to be vaporized. Alternatively, the liquid reservoir can be located downstream of the smoking material to be vaporized. In yet another design, two sources of aerosol in the device may be located next to each other, and so on.

In some embodiments, steam generated by heating a liquid in a liquid reservoir flows over or through a smoking material that contains or consists of one or more components that release tobacco constituents. In some embodiments, the elevated steam temperature releases the tobacco constituents. Alternatively or in addition, the smokable material can be heated optionally with a heating means.

In some embodiments, a hybrid device is provided in which steam generated by heating a liquid heats smokable material to vaporize at least one component of smokable material. In some embodiments, the liquid is a liquid that does not contain nicotine. In other embodiments, the liquid comprises nicotine. When the smokable material is heated with steam to vaporize at least one component of the smokable material, in certain embodiments of the invention, the device does not include a separate means for heating the smokable material. The smokable material may contain or may consist of at least one component releasing constituents of tobacco.

In other embodiments, steam generated by heating the liquid in the liquid reservoir does not flow over or through the smoking material that contains or consists of one or more components that release tobacco constituents. In contrast, this vapor and aerosol generated by heating the smoking material are only mixed after they are formed.

The tobacco heating products and hybrid products described herein may, in some embodiments, comprise tobacco segments in the form of reservoirs or cartridges that contain one or more components that release tobacco constituents. These reservoirs or cartridges can be removable. They can replace both the chamber that contains the smokable material and the smokable material in the device as described above with reference to FIG. 6 and 7, and in alternative embodiments of the invention.

FIG. 8 shows a cartridge 31 for a tobacco segment, which includes a housing 32 defining a cavity in which one or more components releasing tobacco constituents according to the invention (not shown) are located. The housing 32, for example, may be made of molded plastic or the like. To allow air to be drawn through the device to pass into the cartridge 31 and over or through one or more of the components releasing the tobacco constituent parts from the cartridge 31, vents 33 are provided in the body 32 of the cartridge 31. In some embodiments, the cartridge 32 may further contain heating means, which can be heated by a suitable means, for the purpose of heating one or more components that release tobacco constituents contained therein.

Hybrid product

A device is proposed for heating a smoking material in order to vaporize at least one component of a smoking material and a nicotine-free liquid that is to be heated to generate steam, wherein the smoking material contains tobacco particles with a base pH, and the smoking material is heated with using steam. This device is a so-called hybrid device.

In some embodiments, the device comprises means for heating the liquid to generate steam, but does not include a separate means for heating the smokable material. Thus, heating to vaporize at least one component of the smokable material is carried out with steam generated by heating a nicotine-free liquid (e-liquid, as such a liquid is often called in such devices).

The pH of the tobacco particles is adjusted. This can be achieved by adding a pH adjuster to tobacco particles or a composition that contains tobacco particles. For example, the pH can be increased by adding one or more bases or a base buffer system. Any of the bases or buffer systems that are mentioned herein may be suitable. Moreover, the pH can be adjusted to any value or range of pH mentioned herein.

In some embodiments of the invention, the average particle diameter of the tobacco particles is no more than 3 mm, no more than 1 mm, no more than 0.5 mm, or no more than 0.3 mm when measured by sieving. Again, the particle size can be as described above.

A smokable material that contains tobacco particles may contain other materials.

In some embodiments, the smokable material contains no binders or binders. In other embodiments of the invention, the smokable material contains a binder or a binder additive. Suitable binders are, for example, thermoreversible gelling agents such as gelatin, starches, polysaccharides, pectins, alginates, wood pulp, celluloses and cellulose derivatives such as carboxymethyl cellulose.

In some embodiments, the smokable material further comprises a diluent. The diluent can be in solid or liquid form. In some embodiments, the diluent is inert or substantially inert.

In some embodiments, the smokable material further comprises at least one aerosol-generating agent, which may be, for example, a polyol aerosol generating agent or a non-polyol aerosol generating agent, preferably a non-polyol aerosol generating agent. It can be solid or liquid at room temperature, but it is preferred that it is liquid at room temperature. Suitable polyols are sorbitol, glycerin and glycols such as propylene glycol or triethylene glycol. Suitable non-polyols are monohydric alcohols, high boiling hydrocarbons, acids such as lactic acid, and esters such as diacetin, triacetin, triethyl citrate or isopropyl myristate. A combination of aerosol-forming substances, in equal or different proportions, can be used. In some embodiments, glycerol and propylene glycol are particularly preferred.

In some embodiments, the smokable material may contain a flavor-modifying agent to alter the flavor provided by the tobacco particles or to add flavor. Suitable flavor-modifying agents are described in detail above.

In some embodiments, the smokable material comprises a preservative as described above. In other embodiments of the invention, the smokable material does not contain any preservatives.

In some embodiments, the smokable material comprises tobacco particles in the form of one or more agglomerated structures, as detailed above. If desired, such agglomerated structures can be extruded.

To reflect various issues and advance the state of the art, this invention is shown by illustrating various embodiments of the invention in which the claimed invention (s) may be implemented and in which excellent tobacco constituent-releasing components and smoking articles are provided. The advantages and features of the present invention are contained only in the presented embodiments of the invention, but their list is not exhaustive and / or only possible. They are shown only to aid in understanding and studying the stated characteristics. It is clear that the advantages, embodiments, examples, functions, features, structures and / or other aspects of the invention are not limitations of the invention as defined by the claims, or limitations of the equivalents of the claims, and that other embodiments of the invention may be used without departing from various modifications may be proposed outside the scope and / or spirit of the present invention. Various embodiments of the invention may contain, consist of, or essentially consist of various combinations of the described elements, components, features, parts, steps, methods, and so on. In addition, this invention includes other inventions that are not currently claimed, but which may be claimed in the future.

Claims (34)

1. Component releasing tobacco constituents to be positioned in an aerosol delivery device, wherein the constituent releasing tobacco constituent has an agglomerated structure derived from a starting composition containing tobacco particles, the pH of the starting composition being adjusted to that of the base ... 2. The component of claim 1, wherein the pH is increased by the addition of one or more bases or a base buffer system. 3. A tobacco constituent-releasing component to be disposed in an aerosol delivery device, wherein the tobacco constituent-releasing component comprises tobacco particles and one or more base or base buffer system, such that the tobacco constituent-releasing component has an index the pH of the base, and the original composition is subjected to extrusion in order to obtain an agglomerated structure. 4. Component according to claim 3, wherein one or more of the bases are selected from the group consisting of hydroxides, carbonates, and bicarbonates. 5. Component according to any one of paragraphs. 2-4, in which one or more bases are selected from the group consisting of potassium hydroxide, sodium hydroxide, sodium carbonate, and sodium bicarbonate. 6. Component according to any one of paragraphs. 1-5, wherein the starting composition has a pH of at least about 7.5. 7. Component according to any one of paragraphs. 1-6, in which the average diameter of the tobacco particles does not exceed 3 mm, does not exceed 1 mm, does not exceed 0.5 mm, or does not exceed 0.3 mm. 8. Component according to any one of paragraphs. 1-7, which additionally contains one or more aerosol-forming substances. 9. The component of claim 8, wherein the aerosol-forming agent is selected from the group consisting of glycerin, propylene glycol, or glycerol triacetate. 10. Component according to any one of paragraphs. 1-9, which additionally contains one or more binders. 11. A component according to claim 10, in which one or more binders are selected from the group consisting of the following: thermo-reversible gelling agents such as gelatin; starches; polysaccharides; pectins; cellulose; cellulose derivatives such as carboxymethyl cellulose; and alginates. 12. Component according to any one of paragraphs. 1-11, which additionally contains one or more flavor-modifying substances. 13. Component according to any one of paragraphs. 1-12, which is in the form of granules. 14. Component according to any one of paragraphs. 1-12, which has an elongated or rod shape. 15. Component according to any one of paragraphs. 1-14, which has a cross-sectional shape that increases the surface area of the tobacco constituent-releasing component. 16. The device for providing aerosol, which contains a component that releases the constituent parts of the tobacco, according to any one of claims. 1-15. 17. The apparatus of claim 16, wherein said apparatus is a tobacco heating product that contains a tobacco segment to be heated to vaporize the constituents, and which optionally contains a filter or filter element. 18. The device of claim 16, wherein said device is a hybrid product that contains a tobacco segment to be heated to vaporize the constituents and a liquid to be heated to produce steam, and which optionally contains a filter or filter element. 19. Device according to any one of paragraphs. 16-18, wherein the component releasing the tobacco constituents is located in a filter or filter element of the device. 20. The apparatus of claim 19, wherein one or more of the tobacco constituent-releasing components are surrounded by filter material in a filter or filter element. 21. The apparatus of claim 19, wherein one or more tobacco constituent-releasing components are disposed in a cavity of a multi-segment filter. 22. Device according to any one of paragraphs. 17-18, in which one or more components releasing the constituent parts of the tobacco are located in the tobacco segment. 23. The apparatus of claim 22, wherein the tobacco segment is composed of one or more tobacco constituent release components. 24. A device according to claim 16, wherein said device is a hybrid product that contains a tobacco segment that is to be heated to vaporize the constituent parts, and a liquid that is to be heated in order to generate steam, wherein one or more components that release the constituents portions of the tobacco are located in the tobacco segment, and the tobacco segment is heated with steam. 25. The apparatus of claim 24, wherein the liquid is a nicotine-free liquid. 26. Device according to any one of paragraphs. 24-25, wherein said device comprises means for heating the liquid to generate steam, but does not contain a separate means for heating the tobacco segment. 27. A method of manufacturing a component releasing constituent parts of tobacco, including the following steps, which are: preparing a starting composition that contains particles of tobacco; adjust the pH of the original composition to the pH of the base; and subjecting the original composition to extrusion to obtain an agglomerated structure. 28. The method of claim 27, wherein the extruded agglomerate is cooled during extrusion or after extrusion. 29. The method according to any of paragraphs. 27-28, in which the extrusion creates internal channels in the extruded agglomerate. 30. A device for heating a smoking material to vaporize at least one component of a smoking material and a nicotine-free liquid to be heated to generate steam, wherein the smoking material contains tobacco particles having a base pH, and the smoking material is heated using steam. 31. The apparatus of claim 30, which comprises means for heating the liquid to generate steam, but does not contain a separate means for heating the smokable material. 32. Device according to any one of paragraphs. 30-31, in which the pH is increased by the addition of one or more bases or a base buffer system. 33. Device according to any one of paragraphs. 30-32, in which the pH of the tobacco particles is at least 7.5. 34. Device according to any one of paragraphs. 30-33, in which the average diameter of the tobacco particles does not exceed 3 mm, does not exceed 1 mm, does not exceed 0.5 mm, or does not exceed 0.3 mm.

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