AEROSOL-GENERATING ARTICLE WITH AN AVERSIVE FLAVOURANT IN A REMOVABLE WRAPPER

Abstract

There is provided an aerosol-generating article (100). The aerosol-generating article (100) comprises an aerosol-generating rod. The aerosol-generating rod comprises an aerosol-generating substrate (12) configured to be heated during use of the aerosol-generating article (100). The aerosol-generating article (100) further comprises a removable wrapper (80), the removable wrapper (80) circumscribing at least a portion of the aerosol-generating rod. The removable wrapper (80) is configured to be removed prior to heating the aerosol-generating substrate (12). The removable wrapper (80) comprises at least one flavourant comprising an aversive agent.

Description

The present invention relates to an aerosol-generating article comprising an aerosol-generating substrate and adapted to produce an inhalable aerosol upon heating. In particular, the present invention relates to an aerosol-generating article comprising a flavourant, such as an aversive agent, a desirable flavour-containing material, or both an aversive agent and a desirable flavour-containing material.

Aerosol-generating articles in which an aerosol-generating substrate, such as a tobacco-containing substrate, is heated rather than combusted, are known in the art. Typically, in such heated smoking articles an aerosol is generated by the transfer of heat from a heat source to a physically separate aerosol-generating substrate or material, which may be located in contact with, within, around, or downstream of the heat source. During use of the aerosol-generating article, volatile compounds are released from the aerosol-generating substrate by heat transfer from the heat source and are entrained in air drawn through the aerosol-generating article. As the released compounds cool, they condense to form an aerosol.

WO 2016/156209 A1 describes an aerosol-generating article comprising an aerosol-generating substrate and a mouthpiece in axial alignment with each other. The mouthpiece comprises a mouthpiece wrapper circumscribing one or more mouthpiece segments. A tipping wrapper is wrapped around the mouthpiece and at least a portion of the aerosol generating substrate. The tipping wrapper comprises a removable tipping wrapper portion which overlies a portion of the mouthpiece wrapper. The aerosol generating article further comprises at least one flavourant provided between the removable tipping wrapper portion and the underlying mouthpiece wrapper portion. The flavourant is a material that can be used to deliver at least one of a gustatory sensation and an olfactory sensation to a consumer during regular use of the aerosol-generating article. For example, the consumer can choose to remove the removable tipping wrapper portion before using the aerosol generating article to provide a flavoured smoking experience.

A number of prior art documents disclose aerosol-generating devices for consuming aerosol-generating 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 heater elements of the aerosol-generating device to the aerosol-generating substrate of a heated aerosol-generating article. For example, electrically heated aerosol-generating devices have been proposed that comprise an internal heater blade which is adapted to be inserted into the aerosol-generating substrate. As an alternative, inductively heatable aerosol-generating articles comprising an aerosol-generating substrate and a susceptor arranged within the aerosol-generating substrate have been proposed by WO 2015/176898.

A need is generally felt to deter and prevent dangerous behaviours, such as for example accidental ingestion of objects, including aerosol-generating articles and their components, particularly by children. Risks associated with one such behaviour may be increased for an aerosol-generating article comprising hard parts, as may be the case of a susceptor element embedded within the aerosol-generating substrate.

Use of compounds having an unpleasant, for example bitter, taste as aversive agents is known. By way of example, denatonium benzoate has been proposed as a deterrent to the accidental ingestion of toxic substances, such as liquid detergents, by children. For use in that context, denatonium benzoate has been chosen among other candidate compounds based on its existing uses in alcohol as a denaturant and in thumb-sucking and nail-biting deterrent products.

It has also been proposed to exploit the unpleasant, bitter flavour associated with certain aversive agents to encourage consumers to quit smoking. For example, WO 2019/056029 A1 discloses a smoking cessation attachment which may be fitted onto a circumferential surface of a cigarette and brought into contact with a consumer's lips during use of the cigarette. The attachment contains a bitter substance, which may be absorbed through the consumer's lips or oral mucosa or both. This causes a change in taste during the normal use of the cigarette.

The smoke cessation attachment disclosed by WO 2019/056029 A1 aims at making the intended use of a cigarette highly unpleasant for the consumer. In contrast to that, in the context of the present disclosure a need is felt to deter and prevent incorrect uses of an aerosol-generating article (such as, for example, ingesting or chewing on the aerosol-generating article), whilst at the same time aiming to ensure that the normal, intended use of the aerosol-generating article is substantially unaffected.

In practice, the technical solution disclosed by WO 2019/056029 A1 effectively relies on direct contact between the attachment and the consumer's lips to intentionally deliver to the consumer the bitter substance during normal use of the cigarette and trigger an unpleasant sensorial response. In diametrically opposite fashion, in the present context it is desirable that contact between the aerosol-generating article and the consumer's lips and oral mucosa during normal use of the aerosol-generating article is not associated with any kind of strong, unpleasant taste response, which certain compounds used as aversive agents may elicit even at high dilutions.

Further, it must be borne in mind that an aversive agent may have a less than desirable impact on the quality of the aerosol delivered to the consumer, particularly if even trace amounts of the aversive agent may be volatilised into the aerosol upon heating the aerosol-generating substrate and be thus delivered to the consumer. It is therefore beneficial to ensure that the adverse agent is not present when it is not desired by the user.

Additionally, a need is generally felt to be able to easily modify the flavour of an aerosol-generating article, for example via the use of a flavourant. Flavoured aerosol-generating articles are generally known in the art. Ease of modification may particularly be beneficial during product development, for example. The minimum number of changes to the aerosol-generating article are desired when modifying the flavour of the aerosol-generating article.

Therefore, it would be desirable to provide a new and improved aerosol-generating article adapted to deter ingestion of the aerosol-generating article or of components of the aerosol-generating article, while at the same time providing for ease of modification of the flavour of an aerosol-generating article, but ensuring that both or either of these features are provided only when necessary, and are not present when they are not desired by the user.

The present disclosure relates to an aerosol-generating article, particularly for generating an inhalable aerosol upon heating.

The aerosol-generating article may comprise an aerosol-generating rod. The aerosol-generating rod may comprise an aerosol-generating substrate. The aerosol-generating substrate may be configured to be heated during use of the aerosol-generating article

The aerosol-generating article may comprise a removable wrapper. The removable wrapper may circumscribe at least a portion of the aerosol-generating rod.

Advantageously, a removable wrapper offers extra mechanical protection to the integrity of the aerosol-generating rod, and keeps the original factory conditions of the aerosol-generating rod for a longer time period.

The removable wrapper may be configured to be removed prior to heating the aerosol-generating substrate.

The removable wrapper may comprise at least one flavourant.

Advantageously, a flavourant may be in place when necessary, but also may be removed by the user prior to use of the aerosol-generating article if necessary. Additionally, such an arrangement allows for straightforward modification of the flavourant during product development, without the need to completely change the underlying aerosol-generating rod.

With reference to the present invention, the term “aerosol-generating rod” is used herein to denote all components of the aerosol-generating article not including the removable wrapper. The aerosol-generating rod may comprise an aerosol-generating substrate and further components as disclosed below.

The removable wrapper may comprise an outer layer and an inner layer. The inner layer may be positioned between an outer surface of the aerosol-generating rod and the outer layer when the removable wrapper is circumscribing at least a portion of the aerosol-generating rod.

The at least one flavourant may comprise an aversive agent. Advantageously, when the removable wrapper is configured to be removed prior to heating the aerosol-generating substrate, the aversive agent is removed from the article along with the removable wrapper prior to use, such that the outer surface of the aerosol-generating rod becomes exposed, but may prevent inadvertent ingestion of the article should the aerosol-generating article including the removable wrapper be placed in the mouth.

The outer layer may comprise the aversive agent. The aversive agent may be advantageously on the outer surface of the article, as the adverse agent may act faster to prevent inadvertent ingestion of article should the aerosol-generating article be placed in the mouth

The outer layer may be between 5 micrometres and 25 micrometres thick. The outer layer may be between 5 micrometres and 15 micrometres thick. The outer layer may comprise a cellulose-based thin film or a polymer-based thin film.

The inner layer may comprise an adhesive. The adhesive may form an adhesive layer over the extent of the inner layer. Advantageously, this may ensure that the removable wrapper is not inadvertently removed prior to its intended removal time. For example, the removable wrapper is secured to the aerosol-generating rod and will not accidentally slide off.

The inner layer may be between 5 micrometres and 25 micrometres thick. The inner layer may be between 5 micrometres and 15 micrometres thick. The inner layer may comprise an acrylic-based adhesive or a UV acrylate-based adhesive.

In some embodiments, the aerosol-generating article may comprise at least one further flavourant.

The at least one further flavourant may comprise a desirable flavour-containing material. Advantageously, the flavour-containing material may add flavour to the aerosol-generating rod, such that the user may experience the flavour when the aerosol-generating substrate is heated.

The term “flavour-containing material” is used herein to describe a compound or material which may provide a taste to the user when in the mouth of the user, or which may impart a taste or a flavour onto a further surface which contacts the flavour-containing material.

The term “desirable flavour-containing material” is used herein to describe a flavour-containing material which provides the user with a desirable, intended or positive taste or flavour when in the mouth of the user, or which may impart a desirable, positive, or intended taste or flavour onto a further surface which contacts the flavour-containing material. With reference to the present invention, the term “desirable flavour-containing material” may be interchangeably used with the term “non-aversive flavour-containing material”, as the flavour-containing material does not create an aversive taste or flavour, and is not intended to deter or limit ingestion of the aerosol-generating article or of components thereof.

The desirable flavour-containing material may be configured to be tasted by the user during normal use of the aerosol-generating article.

The desirable flavour-containing material may comprise one or more flavour compounds for providing a desired flavour upon heating of the aerosol-generating rod. Suitable flavourants for use in the flavour delivery material of the present invention would be well known to the skilled person. The flavourant may include one or more natural flavourants, one or more synthetic flavourants, or a combination of natural and synthetic flavourants. Suitable flavourants include, but are not limited to, natural or synthetic menthol, mint flavour such as peppermint flavour or spearmint flavour, coffee flavour, spice flavours (such as cinnamon, clove and ginger), cocoa flavour, vanilla flavour, fruit flavours, chocolate flavour, liquorice flavour, citrus flavour, gamma octalactone, vanillin, ethyl vanillin, breath freshener flavours, methyl salicylate, linalool, bergamot oil, geranium oil, lemon oil, ginger oil, and tobacco flavour, tea flavour, wine flavour, berry flavour, eucalyptus, geranium, eugenol, agave, juniper, anethole and linalool.

In some embodiments, the inner layer of the removable wrapper may comprise the desirable flavour-containing material in a desirable flavour-containing material layer.

The desirable flavour-containing material layer may be at least partially positioned between the adhesive layer and the aerosol-generating rod when the removable wrapper is circumscribing at least a portion of the aerosol-generating rod. The flavour-containing material layer may not extend between the entirety of the adhesive layer and the aerosol-generating rod when the removable wrapper is circumscribing at least a portion of the aerosol-generating rod. In other words, the adhesive layer may be at least partially in direct contact with the aerosol-generating rod when the removable wrapper is circumscribing at least a portion of the aerosol-generating rod. Advantageously, this ensures that the adhesive may be more securely attached to the aerosol-generating rod, as it is not fully covered by the flavour-containing material layer.

In certain embodiments, the desirable flavour-containing material layer may be provided on an inner surface of the inner layer of the removable wrapper. Thus, the desirable flavour-containing material layer may advantageously contact the outer surface of the aerosol-generating rod. The desirable flavour-containing material layer may extend parallel to the longitudinal axis of the aerosol-generating rod when the removable wrapper is circumscribing at least a portion of the aerosol-generating rod.

Where the inner layer comprises an adhesive forming an adhesive layer over the extent of the inner layer, the flavour-containing material layer may be at least partially positioned on the adhesive layer. As an alternative, the flavour-containing material may be provided with the adhesive in a single layer extending over the inner surface of the inner wrapper.

As such, the desirable flavour-containing material may be configured to impart a taste or flavour onto the outer surface of the aerosol-generating rod prior to removal of the removable wrapper. Advantageously, the taste or flavour can then be experienced by the user through the usage of the aerosol-generating rod after the removable wrapper is removed.

In particular, the desirable flavour-containing material may impart flavour onto the aerosol-generating rod, such that the desirable flavour-containing material may impart flavour onto aerosol generated during use of the aerosol-generating article upon heating the aerosol-generating substrate.

The desirable flavour-containing material may impart flavour onto a mouthpiece portion of the aerosol-generating rod, such that the user experiences the flavour via direct contact of the user's mouth or lips to the mouthpiece portion.

The desirable flavour-containing material layer may extend substantially the entire length of the aerosol-generating rod, parallel to the longitudinal axis of the aerosol-generating rod, when the removable wrapper is circumscribing at least a portion of the aerosol-generating rod. Advantageously, the desirable flavour-containing material layer is therefore located along the length of the aerosol-generating rod such that the flavour is experienced by the user through the usage of the aerosol-generating rod both via direct contact of the user's mouth or lips to the mouthpiece portion and by the desirable flavour-containing material imparting flavour onto aerosol generated during use of the aerosol-generating article upon heating the aerosol-generating substrate.

The desirable flavour-containing material may comprise at least one of a micro-powder and a micro-encapsulated flavour, the micro-powder and the micro-encapsulated flavour contained in an acrylic-based compound.

The removable wrapper may comprise an impermeable core layer. The impermeable core layer may be impermeable to the at least one flavourant.

The impermeable core layer may be positioned between the outer surface of the aerosol-generating rod and the outer layer when the removable wrapper is circumscribing at least a portion of the aerosol-generating rod. Advantageously, an aversive agent provided in the outer layer may therefore be prevented from migrating to the aerosol-generating rod.

The inner layer may be positioned between the outer surface of the aerosol-generating rod and the impermeable core layer when the removable wrapper is circumscribing at least a portion of the aerosol-generating rod. The impermeable core layer may be positioned between the inner layer and the outer layer. Advantageously, a desirable flavour-containing material provided in the inner layer may therefore be prevented from migrating to the outside of the removable wrapper.

The impermeable core layer may be between 5 micrometres and 45 micrometres thick. The impermeable core layer may be between 5 micrometres and 25 micrometres thick. The impermeable core layer may comprise at least one of; polyethylene (PE), polyethylene terephthalate (PET); biaxially oriented polyester films; polyvinylchloride (PVC) films.

The removable wrapper may circumscribe the entire length of the aerosol-generating rod. Advantageously, the entire length of the aerosol-generating article therefore comprises flavourant. Therefore, any portion of the aerosol-generating rod tasted by the user once the removable wrapper has been removed, will comprise some aversive agent, if present, and/or desirable flavour-containing material, if present.

The removable wrapper may be configured to be peeled off the aerosol-generating rod prior to heating the aerosol-generating substrate. The aerosol-generating rod may be a cylindrical aerosol-generating rod.

The aerosol-generating substrate further may comprise a susceptor element. The aerosol-generating substrate may be configured to be inductively heated. The aerosol-generating substrate may be configured to be resistively heated.

The removable wrapper may circumscribe at least a portion of the aerosol-generating substrate. The removable wrapper may circumscribe the entire length of aerosol-generating substrate. In particular, this may be advantageous when the removable wrapper comprises at least one aversive agent, as the risk of inadvertent ingestion of the aerosol-generating substrate may be reduced.

In some embodiments, the aerosol-generating substrate may be in the form of an aerosol-generating stick. The aerosol-generating stick may comprise the susceptor element, wherein the susceptor element is thermally coupled with the aerosol-generating substrate. In more detail, this may be achieved by having the susceptor element extend longitudinally within the aerosol-generating stick and be embedded within the aerosol-generating substrate.

By way of example, the aerosol-generating stick may comprise a sheet of homogenised tobacco material gathered to form a stick extending along a longitudinal axis of the aerosol-generating article. The susceptor element may be embedded within the gathered sheet of homogenised tobacco material. As an alternative, the aerosol-generating stick may comprise a cut filler obtained by cutting tobacco leaf material or a reconstituted or homogenised tobacco material. The susceptor element may be embedded within the cut filler, for example such as to be surrounded by cut filler.

The aerosol-generating substrate preferably comprises one or more aerosol formers. Upon volatilisation, an aerosol former can convey other vaporised compounds released from the first aerosol-generating substrate upon heating, such as for example nicotine and flavourants, in an aerosol. Suitable aerosol formers for inclusion in the aerosol-generating substrate are known in the art and include, but are not limited to: polyhydric alcohols, such as triethylene glycol, propylene glycol, 1,3-butanediol and glycerol; esters of polyhydric alcohols, such as glycerol mono-, di- or triacetate; and aliphatic esters of mono-, di- or polycarboxylic acids, such as dimethyl dodecanedioate and dimethyl tetradecanedioate.

The aerosol-generating substrate may have an aerosol former content of between about 5 percent and about 30 percent by weight on a dry weight basis.

Preferably, the aerosol-generating substrate has an aerosol former content of at least about 10 percent by weight on a dry weight basis, more preferably at least about 15 percent by weight on a dry weight basis.

The aerosol-generating substrate has preferably an aerosol former content of less than or equal to about 25 percent by weight on a dry weight basis, more preferably less than or equal to about 20 percent by weight on a dry weight basis.

In some embodiments, the aerosol-generating substrate has an aerosol former content from 5 percent to 25 percent by weight on a dry weight basis, preferably from 10 percent to 25 percent by weight on a dry weight basis, more preferably from 15 percent to 25 percent by weight on a dry weight basis. In other embodiments, the aerosol-generating substrate has an aerosol former content from 5 percent to 20 percent by weight on a dry weight basis, preferably from 10 percent to 20 percent by weight on a dry weight basis, more preferably from 15 percent to 20 percent by weight on a dry weight basis.

These relatively high levels of aerosol former are particularly suitable for an aerosol-generating substrate that is intended to be heated at a temperature of less than 275 degrees Celsius.

The aversive agent may have a bitter taste or flavour. The aversive agent may be a pungent agent or a bittering agent.

The term “aversive agent” is used herein to describe a compound which may be added to a product with the intent of deterring or limiting its ingestion. The chemical properties of an aversive agent determine the types of products the aversive agent can be added to. In particular, the chemical properties of an aversive agent determine the types of adhesive the aversive agent can be added to. For example, chemical stability and solubility may have an impact on the compatibility of an aversive agent with a given type of product. Examples of aversive agents include pungent agents (also referred to as irritants) and bittering agents.

The term “pungent agents” is used herein to describe a group of compounds that produce a sharp biting taste and a burning sensation when topically applied to mucosal and skin surfaces. Common pungent agents include, but are not limited to, capsaicin (red chile peppers), piperine (black pepper), allyl isothiocyanate (mustard oil), resiniferatoxin.

The term “bittering agents” is used herein to describe a group of chemically dissimilar compounds that have a common trait of imparting a bitter taste to substances. Compounds considered to be bittering agents include, but are not limited to, denatonium benzoate, columbin, amarogentin, quassin, absinthin, quinine hydrochloride.

The “bitterness value” of a given substance, such as a bittering agent, can be determined in accordance with a standardised procedure described in the European Pharmacopoeia (European Pharmacopoeia. Volume 1: General part of monograph groups, 5^th edition, basic work. Stuttgart 2005, ISBN 3-7692-3638-6, 2.8.15 Bitterwert, p. 278). In more detail, the “bitterness value” can be determined as the reciprocal of the dilution of a compound, a liquid or an extract that still has a bitter taste. The bitterness value of a given substance is effectively determined by comparing the threshold bitter concentration of an extract of the substance with that of a dilute solution of quinine hydrochloride.

The bitterness value of quinine hydrochloride is set at 200,000. This means that 1 gram of quinine hydrochloride makes 200,000 grams of water taste bitter.

In order to assess the bitterness value of a given test compound, stock and diluted quinine hydrochloride solutions at increasing concentrations of quinine hydrochloride are prepared as reference solutions. In parallel, stock and diluted solutions of the test compound at increasing concentrations of the given compound are also prepared.

A test panel is assembled. To correct for individual differences in tasting bitterness among members of the test panel, a correction factor may be determined for each panel member based on their response to tasting the quinine hydrochloride reference solutions.

Before each tasting, a test panel member rinses their mouth with drinking water. The highest dilution still having a bitter taste is determined by taking 10 millilitres of the most diluted solution into the mouth and passing it from side to side over the back of the tongue for 30 seconds. If the solution is found not to be bitter, the test panel member spits it out and waits for one minute before rinsing their mouth again with drinking water. After 10 minutes, the next dilution in order of increasing concentration is tasted.

For each test panel member, the highest dilution at which the test compound continues to cause a bitter taste sensation after 30 seconds is taken as their individual threshold bitter concentration. The bitterness value of the test compound results from calculating an average of the individual threshold bitter concentrations of all the test panel members.

The aversive agent may comprise a pungent agent or a bittering agent or both.

In preferred embodiments, the aversive agent is a bittering agent.

The aversive agent may have a bitter value of at least 10,000. The aversive agent may, in particular, have a bitterness value of at least 500,000. Preferably, the aversive agent has a bitterness value of at least 1,000,000. More preferably, the aversive agent has a bitterness value of at least 2,500,000. Even more preferably, the aversive agent has a bitterness value of at least 5,000,000.

In particularly preferred embodiments, the aversive agent has a bitterness value of at least 10,000,000. More preferably, the aversive agent has a bitterness value of at least 25,000,000. Even more preferably, the aversive agent has a bitterness value of at least 50,000,000.

Denatonium benzoate is generally considered to be the most bitter compound known, its bitterness value being estimated at over 100,000,000.

The following Table lists some known bittering agents with the respective bitterness values.

TABLE 1
		Bitterness
Compound	Origin	value
Denatonium	Synthetic	>100,000,000
benzoate
Columbin	Calumba (Jateorhiza palmata)	60,000,000
Amarogentin	Gentian root (Gentiana lutea)	58,000,000
Quassin	Bark and wood of Amargo	13,000,000
	(Quassia Amara)
Absinthin	Wormwood (Artemisia absinthium)	3,000,000
Quinine	Bark of cinchona tree	200,000
hydrochloride	(Cinchona officinalis)

In some embodiments, the aversive agent is selected from the group consisting of denatonium benzoate, columbin, amarogentin, quassin, absinthin, quinine hydrochloride, and combinations thereof. For example, denatonium benzoate is commercially available under the trade name Bitrex®.

The aversive agent may comprise at least one of 11β,13-dihydrolactucin, lactucin, 8-deoxy-lactucin, dihydro-8-deoxylactucin, dihydrolactucopicrin, lactucopicrin, lactuside C (jaquinellin glucoside) and dihydro-lactucopicrin oxalate, most preferably guaianolides lactucin, and 8-deoxy-lactucin. Advantageously, the aversive agent may be derived from a by-product of the industrial processing of chicory. The aversive agent may therefore be easily sourced and inexpensive to produce.

The aversive agent may have a boiling point above 450 degrees Celsius. Advantageously, the aversive agent may therefore be less volatile, so the aversive agent can easily be extracted from water-based waste by allowing the water evaporate.

In an aerosol-generating article in accordance with the present invention, the aversive agent may be provided in a concentration of at least 1 part per million relative to the overall weight of the aerosol-generating article. Preferably, the aversive agent is provided in a concentration of at least 2 parts per million relative to the overall weight of the aerosol-generating article. More preferably, the aversive agent is provided in a concentration of at least 5 parts per million relative to the overall weight of the aerosol-generating article.

In preferred embodiments, the aversive agent is provided in a concentration of at least 10 parts per million relative to the overall weight of the aerosol-generating article. Preferably, the aversive agent is provided in a concentration of at least 25 parts per million relative to the overall weight of the aerosol-generating article. More preferably, the aversive agent is provided in a concentration of at least 50 parts per million relative to the overall weight of the aerosol-generating article.

In an aerosol-generating article in accordance with the present invention, the aversive agent may be provided in a concentration of less than or equal to 250 parts per million relative to the overall weight of the aerosol-generating article. Preferably, the aversive agent may be provided in a concentration of less than or equal to 200 parts per million relative to the overall weight of the aerosol-generating article. More preferably, the aversive agent may be provided in a concentration of less than or equal to 150 parts per million relative to the overall weight of the aerosol-generating article.

In some embodiments, the aversive agent may be provided in a concentration of from 2 parts per million to 250 parts per million relative to the overall weight of the aerosol-generating article, preferably from 5 parts per million to 250 parts per million relative to the overall weight of the aerosol-generating article, more preferably from 10 parts per million to 250 parts per million relative to the overall weight of the aerosol-generating article, even more preferably from 25 parts per million to 250 parts per million relative to the overall weight of the aerosol-generating article, most preferably from 50 parts per million to 250 parts per million relative to the overall weight of the aerosol-generating article.

In other embodiments, the aversive agent may be provided in a concentration of from 2 parts per million to 200 parts per million relative to the overall weight of the aerosol-generating article, preferably from 5 parts per million to 200 parts per million relative to the overall weight of the aerosol-generating article, more preferably from 10 parts per million to 200 parts per million relative to the overall weight of the aerosol-generating article, even more preferably from 25 parts per million to 200 parts per million relative to the overall weight of the aerosol-generating article, most preferably from 50 parts per million to 200 parts per million relative to the overall weight of the aerosol-generating article.

In further embodiments, the aversive agent may be provided in a concentration of from 2 parts per million to 100 parts per million relative to the overall weight of the aerosol-generating article, preferably from 5 parts per million to 100 parts per million relative to the overall weight of the aerosol-generating article, more preferably from 10 parts per million to 100 parts per million relative to the overall weight of the aerosol-generating article, even more preferably from 25 parts per million to 100 parts per million relative to the overall weight of the aerosol-generating article, most preferably from 50 parts per million to 100 parts per million relative to the overall weight of the aerosol-generating article.

In an aerosol-generating article in accordance with the present invention, an overall amount of the aversive agent may be at least 0.5 micrograms. Preferably, an overall amount of the aversive agent is at least 0.75 micrograms. More preferably, an overall amount of the aversive agent is at least 1.0 micrograms. Even more preferably, an overall amount of the aversive agent is at least 1.5 micrograms. In particularly preferred embodiments, an overall amount of the aversive agent is at least 2 micrograms, preferably at least 2.5 micrograms, more preferably at least 2.7 micrograms.

In an aerosol-generating article in accordance with the present invention, an overall amount of the aversive agent may be less than or equal to 50 micrograms. Preferably, an overall amount of the aversive agent is less than or equal to 45 micrograms. More preferably, an overall amount of the aversive agent is less than or equal to 40 micrograms. Even more preferably, an overall amount of the aversive agent is less than or equal to 35 micrograms. In particularly preferred embodiments, an overall amount of the aversive agent is less than or equal to 30 micrograms, preferably less than or equal to 28 micrograms, more preferably less than or equal to 27 micrograms.

In some embodiments, an overall amount of the aversive agent in the aerosol-generating article is from 0.5 micrograms to 50 micrograms, preferably from 0.75 micrograms to 50 micrograms, more preferably from 1.0 micrograms to 50 micrograms, even more preferably from 1.5 micrograms to 50 micrograms, and particularly preferably from 2.0 micrograms to 50 micrograms or 2.5 micrograms to 50 micrograms or 2.7 micrograms to 50 micrograms.

In other embodiments, an overall amount of the aversive agent in the aerosol-generating article is from 0.5 micrograms to 45 micrograms, preferably from 0.75 micrograms to 45 micrograms, more preferably from 1.0 micrograms to 45 micrograms, even more preferably from 1.5 micrograms to 45 micrograms, and particularly preferably from 2.0 micrograms to 45 micrograms or 2.5 micrograms to 45 micrograms or 2.7 micrograms to 45 micrograms.

In further embodiments, an overall amount of the aversive agent in the aerosol-generating article is from 0.5 micrograms to 40 micrograms, preferably from 0.75 micrograms to 40 micrograms, more preferably from 1.0 micrograms to 40 micrograms, even more preferably from 1.5 micrograms to 40 micrograms, and particularly preferably from 2.0 micrograms to 40 micrograms or 2.5 micrograms to 40 micrograms or 2.7 micrograms to 40 micrograms.

In yet further embodiments, an overall amount of the aversive agent in the aerosol-generating article is from 0.5 micrograms to 35 micrograms, preferably from 0.75 micrograms to 35 micrograms, more preferably from 1.0 micrograms to 35 micrograms, even more preferably from 1.5 micrograms to 35 micrograms, and particularly preferably from 2.0 micrograms to 35 micrograms or 2.5 micrograms to 35 micrograms or 2.7 micrograms to 35 micrograms.

In another group of embodiments, an overall amount of the aversive agent in the aerosol-generating article is from 0.5 micrograms to 30 micrograms, preferably from 0.75 micrograms to 30 micrograms, more preferably from 1.0 micrograms to 30 micrograms, even more preferably from 1.5 micrograms to 30 micrograms, and particularly preferably from 2.0 micrograms to 30 micrograms or 2.5 micrograms to 30 micrograms or 2.7 micrograms to 30 micrograms.

In a further group of embodiments, an overall amount of the aversive agent in the aerosol-generating article is from 0.5 micrograms to 27 micrograms, preferably from 0.75 micrograms to 27 micrograms, more preferably from 1.0 micrograms to 27 micrograms, even more preferably from 1.5 micrograms to 27 micrograms, and particularly preferably from 2.0 micrograms to 27 micrograms or 2.5 micrograms to 27 micrograms or 2.7 micrograms to 27 micrograms.

The aerosol-generating article may further comprise a downstream section extending from a downstream end of the aerosol-generating substrate to a downstream end of the aerosol-generating article. The downstream section may comprise one or more elements.

The downstream section may comprise a tubular segment comprising a wall and a hollow lumen delimited by the wall and defining an airflow channel extending from an upstream end of the tubular segment to a downstream end of the tubular segment.

The tubular segment may be comprised in one of a support element, an aerosol-cooling element, and a mouthpiece element of the downstream section. Each of these elements are disclosed in more detail below.

The tubular segment of the downstream section may comprise at least one of cellulose acetate fibres, polylactic acid fibres, polyhydroxybutyrate fibres, and polyhydroxyalkanoate fibres. A diameter of the hollow lumen may be at least 45 percent of a total external diameter of the downstream section. The tubular segment further may comprise a tube delimiting the airflow channel. The tube may be a cardboard tube. The aerosol-generating article may further comprise an article wrapper or an outer wrapper circumscribing at least a portion of at least one of the aerosol-generating substrate and the downstream section. The article wrapper may be configured to not be removed prior to heating the aerosol-generating substrate.

In some embodiments, the downstream section may comprise a support element positioned downstream of the aerosol-generating substrate. For example, the support element may be provided immediately downstream of the aerosol-generating substrate, and preferably in abutting arrangement with the aerosol-generating substrate. The support element may for example be in the form of a plug of cellulose acetate. The support element may be hollow. In some embodiments, the support element may be circumscribed by its own plug wrap.

The downstream section may comprise an aerosol-cooling element positioned downstream of the aerosol-generating substrate. The aerosol-cooling element may be provided immediately downstream of the aerosol-generating substrate. Alternatively, another element may be provided between the aerosol-generating substrate and the aerosol-cooling element. For example, a support element as described above may be positioned between the aerosol-generating substrate and the aerosol-cooling element. In such case, all three elements may be arranged in abutting relationship along the longitudinal axis of the aerosol-generating article.

In certain embodiments, an aerosol-cooling element may be provided in the form of a hollow tubular element comprising, and a ventilation zone as described below may be arranged at a location along the hollow tubular element of the aerosol-cooling element, and configured to enable ingress of air from the outer environment when a consumer draws upon the aerosol-generating article. In some embodiments, the aerosol-cooling element may be circumscribed by its own plug wrap. In other embodiments, the aerosol-cooling element and a support element upstream of the aerosol-cooling element may be combined and circumscribed by a single plug wrap.

The downstream section may comprise a mouthpiece element. The mouthpiece element may be positioned at the downstream end of the aerosol-generating article, and therefore not only downstream of the aerosol-generating substrate, but also downstream of any other one of the optional elements of the downstream section. The mouthpiece element extends all the way to the mouth end of the aerosol-generating article.

Preferably, the mouthpiece element comprises at least one mouthpiece filter segment of a fibrous filtration material. Suitable fibrous filtration materials would be known to the skilled person. Particularly preferably, the at least one mouthpiece filter segment comprises a cellulose acetate filter segment formed of cellulose acetate tow.

The removable wrapper may circumscribe at least a portion of the mouthpiece element or the mouthpiece filter segment. The removable wrapper may circumscribe the entire length of the mouthpiece element or the mouthpiece filter segment. In particular, this may be advantageous when the removable wrapper comprises at least one desirable flavour-containing material, as the user may experience the desirable flavour-containing material during normal use of the aerosol-generating rod.

In certain embodiments of the invention, the downstream section may comprise a mouth end cavity at the downstream end, downstream of a mouthpiece filter segment as described above. The mouth end cavity may be defined by a hollow tubular element provided at the downstream end of the mouthpiece. The mouth end cavity may be defined by a mouthpiece wrapper of the mouthpiece element, wherein the mouthpiece wrapper extends in a downstream direction from the mouthpiece element.

The mouthpiece element may optionally comprise an additional flavourant, which may be provided in any suitable form. For example, the mouthpiece element may comprise one or more capsules, beads or granules of a flavourant, or one or more flavour loaded threads or filaments.

Preferably, the mouthpiece element has a low particulate filtration efficiency.

Preferably, the mouthpiece is formed of a segment of a fibrous filtration material.

In some embodiments, the mouthpiece element is circumscribed by its own plug wrap.

In any one of the embodiments described above, the aerosol-generating article may further comprise an outer wrapping paper, the outer wrapping paper including an impermeable coating to prevent aversive agent from migrating to the outer surface of the aerosol-generating article. This is beneficial in that it provides a further barrier layer between the aversive component and the consumer during regular use or any manipulation of the aerosol-generating article. At the same time, the use of a paper wrapper makes it possible for the aversive agent to reach a consumer in case of inadvertent ingestion of the article, and so forth.

In some embodiments, the aerosol-generating article further comprises at least one ventilation zone to allow air to enter the aerosol-generating article. Preferably, the at least one ventilation zone is provided about the downstream section.

The admission of ventilation air into the aerosol-generating article has a plurality of beneficial effects. For example, a flow of ventilation air admitted into the downstream section of the article—that is, admitted into the aerosol-generating article at a location downstream of the aerosol-generating substrate—may rapidly cool down the volatilised species released from the aerosol-generating substrate upon heating. This has been observed to have a favourable impact on nucleation and growth of aerosol particles, such that aerosol delivery to the consumer may be enhanced. At the same time, the temperature of the aerosol delivered to the consumer may be advantageously lowered to a desirable value without the need to include in the downstream section an aerosol-cooling element providing a large specific surface area for heat exchange or a material with a significant heat capacity.

In some embodiments, the ventilation zone may comprise a first row of perforations provided through the article wrapper.

In some embodiments, the aerosol-generating article may further comprise an aerosol-cooling element. Such embodiments are described in more detail below. The ventilation zone may comprise a first row of perforations provided through an aerosol-cooling element.

In further embodiments, the ventilation zone may comprise a first row of perforations provided through the article wrapper and the aerosol-cooling element.

The aerosol-generating article may typically have a ventilation level of at least about 10 percent, preferably at least about 20 percent.

The term “ventilation level” is used throughout the present specification to denote a volume ratio between the airflow admitted into the aerosol-generating article via the ventilation zone (ventilation airflow) and the sum of the aerosol airflow and the ventilation airflow. The greater the ventilation level, the higher the dilution of the flow ultimately delivered to the consumer.

In preferred embodiments, the aerosol-generating article has a ventilation level of at least about 30 percent. More preferably, the aerosol-generating article has a ventilation level of at least about 35 percent. In addition, or as an alternative, the aerosol-generating article preferably has a ventilation level of less than about 60 percent. More preferably, the aerosol-generating article has a ventilation level of less than about 50 percent. In particularly preferred embodiments, the aerosol-generating article has a ventilation level from about 30 percent to about 60 percent. More preferably, the aerosol-generating article has a ventilation level from about 35 percent to about 50 percent. In some particularly preferred embodiments, the aerosol-generating article has a ventilation level of about 40 percent.

Without wishing to be bound by theory, the inventors have found that the temperature drop caused by the admission of cooler, external air into the aerosol-generating article via the ventilation zone may have an advantageous effect on the nucleation and growth of aerosol particles.

The aerosol-generating article may further comprise an upstream section extending from an upstream end of the aerosol-generating substrate to an upstream end of the aerosol-generating article.

The upstream section may comprise a plug of filtration material.

The plug may be porous or substantially air-impermeable. For example, the plug may be made of a filtration material that has been compressed to the point that it is substantially air-impermeable. As an alternative, the plug may be made of an air-impermeable material, such as a silicone polymeric material.

The plug of the upstream section may comprise a filtration material suitable for use in an aerosol-generating article. Preferably, the plug of the upstream section comprises at least one of cellulose acetate fibres, polylactic acid fibres, polyhydroxybutyrate fibres, and polyhydroxyalkanoate fibres.

The plug of the upstream section may have a length of at least 2 millimetres. Preferably, the plug of the upstream section has a length of at least 3 millimetres. More preferably, the plug of the upstream section has a length of at least 4 millimetres. Even more preferably, the plug of the upstream section has a length of at least 5 millimetres.

The plug of the upstream section may have a length of less than or equal to 15 millimetres. Preferably, the plug of the upstream section has a length of less than or equal to 12 millimetres. More preferably, the plug of the upstream section has a length of less than or equal to 10 millimetres. Even more preferably, the plug of the upstream section has a length of less than or equal to 7 millimetres.

In some embodiments, the plug of the upstream section has a length of from 2 millimetres to 12 millimetres, preferably from 3 millimetres to 12 millimetres, more preferably from 4 millimetres to 12 millimetres, even more preferably from 5 millimetres to 12 millimetres. In other embodiments, the plug of the upstream section has a length of from 2 millimetres to 10 millimetres, preferably from 3 millimetres to 10 millimetres, more preferably from 4 millimetres to 10 millimetres, even more preferably from 5 millimetres to 10 millimetres. In further embodiments, the plug of the upstream section has a length of from 2 millimetres to 7 millimetres, preferably from 3 millimetres to 7 millimetres, more preferably from 4 millimetres to 7 millimetres, even more preferably from 5 millimetres to 7 millimetres.

The plug of the upstream section may have an external diameter substantially equal to an external diameter of the upstream section of the aerosol-generating article. In turn, the external diameter of the upstream section of the aerosol-generating article may be substantially equal to an external diameter of the aerosol-generating article.

The plug of the upstream section may have an external diameter of at least 4 millimetres. Preferably, the plug of the upstream section has an external diameter of at least 5 millimetres. The plug may have an external diameter of less than or equal to 9 millimetres. Preferably, the plug of the upstream section has an external diameter of less than or equal to 8 millimetres.

In some embodiments, the plug of the upstream section has an external diameter of from 4 millimetres to 9 millimetres, preferably from 5 millimetres to 9 millimetres. In other embodiments, the plug of the upstream section has an external diameter of from 4 millimetres to 8 millimetres, preferably from 5 millimetres to 8 millimetres.

A resistance to draw (RTD) of the plug of the upstream section will depend on several parameters, including the porosity of the material of which the plug is made and the geometry of the plug (e.g. cross-sectional area, length). The plug of filtration material may have a resistance to draw (RTD) of at least 50 millimetres H2O. As will be discussed in more detail below, in certain embodiments the plug may be provided in the form of a hollow body and define an internal airflow channel that extends through the plug from an upstream end of the plug to a downstream end of the plug. In such embodiments, an RTD of the plug will generally very low—if not null—as airflow through the plug will occur primarily—if not entirely—through the internal airflow channel.

By contrast, in other embodiments wherein the plug is a solid (that is, not hollow) body, such as for example a solid plug made of a porous material, then an RTD of the plug may generally be higher and may vary more significantly with the length of the plug and the porosity of the material of which the plug is made. This is because airflow will occur generally across the whole cross-section of the plug rather than along a preferential pathway.

In certain embodiments, the plug of the upstream section comprises cellulose acetate. Preferably, the plug of the upstream section comprises cellulose acetate that has been crimped, fluffed, and has had plasticiser applied on it. In other embodiments, the cellulose acetate may be at least partly replaced by other fibres suitable for use in an aerosol-generating article, such as PHA-PBA fibres, PLA fibres, etc.

In certain embodiments, the upstream section further comprises a predefined airflow channel extending through the plug from an upstream end of the plug to a downstream end of the plug. For example, the plug of the upstream section may be a hollow tubular plug. Additionally, the upstream section may comprise a hollow tubular element coupled with the hollow tubular plug, the hollow tubular element defining the airflow channel. In some embodiments, the hollow tubular element may be provided in the form of a cardboard tube.

In embodiments wherein the plug of the upstream section comprises a predefined airflow channel extending through the plug of from an upstream end of the plug to a downstream end of the plug, a resistance to draw (RTD) of the plug of filtration material is negligible or substantially null. From a practical viewpoint, control over the resistance to draw of one such hollow plug may be achieved by adjusting an equivalent diameter of the predefined airflow channel.

The resistance to draw (RTD) of an aerosol-generating article or of a component thereof, such as a plug of filtration material, may be assessed as the negative pressure that has to be applied to a downstream end of the article or component in order to sustain a steady volumetric flow of air of 17.5 ml/s through the article or component. The skilled person may find further details about the measurement method, test conditions, and so forth in ISO 6565:2015 (2015).

The aerosol-generating article may comprise an airflow pathway through which air may enter the aerosol-generating article, pass through the aerosol-generating substrate, and exit the aerosol-generating article. For example, air may exit the aerosol-generating article through the downstream section of the aerosol-generating article, if one such downstream section is present.

The aversive agent may be provided at a location within the aerosol-generating article such that direct contact between the aversive agent and the consumer's lips or oral mucosa during the normal, intended use of the aerosol-generating article may be substantially prevented.

The aversive agent may be provided at a location within the aerosol-generating article such that direct contact between the aversive agent and the consumer's fingers during the normal, intended use of the aerosol-generating article may be substantially prevented.

Further, the aversive agent may be provided at a location within the aerosol-generating article such that the aversive agent is not directly exposed to the airflow pathway, such that the aversive agent may be substantially prevented from directly entering the airflow pathway.

As the removable wrapper is removed prior to normal use of the aerosol-generating article, the aversive agent is not in the mainstream airflow pathway. Thus, it will be appreciated that the present invention effectively provides an aerosol-generating article wherein the aversive agent is provided at a location such that the aversive agent is not directly exposed to the airflow pathway.

Additionally, in such embodiments where the article is heated by a heater element arranged within the aerosol-generating substrate, the aversive agent is not provided at a location within the aerosol-generating article to which heat should be supplied during normal use. This reduces the amount of the aversive agent entering the mainstream airflow pathway.

At the same time, by arranging the aversive agent in the removable wrapper, accidental ingestion of the aerosol-generating article can be efficiently prevented. This is because the aversive agent will be released rapidly if the aerosol-generating article is chewed upon. Such deterrent effect is particularly beneficial in those embodiments wherein a susceptor element is embedded within the aerosol-generating substrate.

As described briefly above, the present invention provides an aerosol-generating article for generating an inhalable aerosol upon heating.

The term “aerosol-generating article” is used herein to denote an article wherein an aerosol-generating substrate is heated to produce and deliver an inhalable aerosol to a consumer. As used herein, the term “aerosol-generating substrate” denotes a substrate capable of releasing volatile compounds upon heating to generate an aerosol.

A conventional cigarette is lit when a user applies a flame to one end of the cigarette and draws air through the other end. The localised heat provided by the flame and the oxygen in the air drawn through the cigarette causes the end of the cigarette to ignite, and the resulting combustion generates an inhalable smoke. By contrast, in heated aerosol-generating articles, an aerosol is generated by heating a flavour generating substrate, such as tobacco, without combustion of the flavour generating substrate. Known heated aerosol-generating articles include, for example, electrically heated aerosol generating-articles and aerosol-generating articles in which an aerosol is generated by the transfer of heat from a heat source to a physically separate aerosol forming material.

Aerosol-generating articles according to the invention find particular application in aerosol-generating systems comprising an aerosol-generating device having a heating chamber into which the aerosol-generating article is received such that heat can be supplied to the aerosol-generating substrate. This may be achieved by providing one or more heating elements arranged about the periphery of the heating chamber, the one or more heating elements being heated resistively or inductively. Alternatively, this may also be achieved by way of a resistively heated blade-shaped component of the aerosol-generating device, which is inserted into the aerosol-generating substrate when the aerosol-generating article is inserted into the heating chamber.

According to yet another alternative, a susceptor element may be provided within the aerosol-generating substrate, and the aerosol-generating device may have an inductor for producing an alternating or fluctuating electromagnetic field. When the aerosol-generating article engages with the aerosol-generating device, the fluctuating electromagnetic field produced by the inductor induces a current in the susceptor element, causing the susceptor element to heat up. The electrically-operated aerosol-generating device may be capable of generating a fluctuating electromagnetic field having a magnetic field strength (H-field strength) of between 1 and 5 kilo amperes per metre (kA m), preferably between 2 and 3 kA/m, for example about 2.5 kA/m.

The aerosol-generating article may be in the form of a rod. As used herein with reference to the present invention, the term “rod” is used to denote a generally cylindrical element of substantially circular, oval or elliptical cross-section.

As used herein, the term “longitudinal” refers to the direction corresponding to the main longitudinal axis of the aerosol-generating article, which extends between the upstream and downstream ends of the aerosol-generating article. As used herein, the terms “upstream” and “downstream” describe the relative positions of elements, or portions of elements, of the aerosol-generating article in relation to the direction in which the aerosol is transported through the aerosol-generating article during use.

During use, air is drawn through the aerosol-generating article in the longitudinal direction. The term “transverse” refers to the direction that is perpendicular to the longitudinal axis. Any reference to the “cross-section” of the aerosol-generating article or a component of the aerosol-generating article refers to the transverse cross-section unless stated otherwise.

The term “length” denotes the dimension of a component of the aerosol-generating article in the longitudinal direction. For example, it may be used to denote the dimension of the aerosol-generating substrate or of the upstream section in the longitudinal direction.

The term “aerosol former” is used herein to describe a compound which, upon volatilisation, can help convey other vaporised compounds released upon heating an aerosol-generating substrate, such as nicotine and flavourants, in an aerosol. Suitable aerosol formers for inclusion in an aerosol-generating substrate are known in the art and include, but are not limited to: polyhydric alcohols, such as triethylene glycol, propylene glycol, 1,3-butanediol and glycerol; esters of polyhydric alcohols, such as glycerol mono-, di- or triacetate; and aliphatic esters of mono-, di- or polycarboxylic acids, such as dimethyl dodecanedioate and dimethyl tetradecanedioate.

The aerosol-generating rod may be configured to be coupled to an aerosol-generating device for heating the aerosol-generating substrate. As described briefly above, an aerosol-generating system in accordance with the present invention comprises a heating device and an aerosol-generating article in line with the foregoing description.

Thus, the present invention also relates to an aerosol-generating system comprising one such heating device, such as an electrically heated aerosol-generating device, and an aerosol-generating article.

Examples of suitable aerosol-generating devices will be known to the person of skill in the art. In general, suitable aerosol-generating devices will comprise a cavity (that is, a heating chamber) for receiving the aerosol-generating article, and one or more heating elements to supply heat to the aerosol-generating substrate.

For example, the one or more heating elements may comprise one or more inductor elements adapted to generate a fluctuating electromagnetic field within the cavity, if the aerosol-generating article comprises a susceptor element embedded within the aerosol-generating substrate.

Alternatively, the one or more heating elements may comprise one or more resistively heatable elements arranged at or about the periphery of the heating chamber at a location facing the aerosol-generating substrate when the aerosol-generating article is received within the heating chamber.

These heating arrangements are such that, during use, heat is supplied selectively to the aerosol-generating substrate, whilst at the same time only negligible amounts of heat—or substantially no heat—are supplied to the upstream section.

Additionally, a suitable aerosol-generating device will typically comprise an electrical power supply connected to the one or more inductor elements or resistively heatable elements; and a control element configured to control the supply of power from the power supply to the one or more inductor elements or resistively heatable elements.

Preferably, the aerosol-generating device is a portable or handheld aerosol-generating device that is comfortable for a user to hold between the fingers of a single hand.

The aerosol-generating device may be substantially cylindrical in shape

The aerosol-generating device may have a length of between approximately 70 millimetres and approximately 120 millimetres.

The power supply may be any suitable power supply, for example a DC voltage source such as a battery. In one embodiment, the power supply is a Lithium-ion battery.

The control element may be a simple switch. Alternatively the control element may be electric circuitry and may comprise one or more microprocessors or microcontrollers.

Features described in relation to one or more aspects may equally be applied to other aspects of the invention. In particular, features described in relation to the aerosol-generating article may be equally applied to the aerosol-generating system.

The invention is defined in the claims. However, below there is provided a non-exhaustive list of non-limiting examples. Any one or more of the features of these examples may be combined with any one or more features of another example, embodiment, or aspect described herein.

• • Example Ex1. An aerosol-generating article comprising:
    • an aerosol-generating rod, the aerosol-generating rod comprising an aerosol-generating substrate configured to be heated during use of the aerosol-generating article, and
    • a removable wrapper, the removable wrapper circumscribing at least a portion of the aerosol-generating rod,
    • wherein the removable wrapper is configured to be removed prior to heating the aerosol-generating substrate, and
    • wherein the removable wrapper comprises at least one flavourant.
  • Example Ex2. An aerosol-generating article according to Example Ex1, wherein the removable wrapper comprises an outer layer and an inner layer, wherein the inner layer is positioned between an outer surface of the aerosol-generating rod and the outer layer when the removable wrapper is circumscribing at least a portion of the aerosol-generating rod.
  • Example Ex3. An aerosol-generating article according to Example Ex2, wherein the at least one flavourant comprises an aversive agent.
  • Example Ex4. An aerosol-generating article according to Example Ex3, wherein the outer layer comprises the aversive agent.
  • Example Ex5. An aerosol-generating article according to Example Ex2 or Ex4, wherein the outer layer is between 5 micrometres and 25 micrometres thick.
  • Example Ex6. An aerosol-generating article according to Example Ex5, wherein the outer layer is between 5 micrometres and 15 micrometres thick.
  • Example Ex7. An aerosol-generating article according to any of Examples Ex2 to Ex6, wherein the outer layer comprises a cellulose-based thin film or a polymer-based thin film.
  • Example Ex8. An aerosol-generating article according to any of Examples Ex2 to Ex7, wherein the inner layer comprises an adhesive.
  • Example Ex9. An aerosol-generating article according to Example Ex8, wherein the adhesive forms an adhesive layer over the extent of the inner layer.
  • Example Ex10. An aerosol-generating article according to any of Examples Ex2 or Ex9, wherein the inner layer is between 5 micrometres and 25 micrometres thick.
  • Example Ex11. An aerosol-generating article according to Example Ex10, wherein the inner layer is between 5 micrometres and 15 micrometres thick.
  • Example Ex12. An aerosol-generating article according to any of Examples Ex2 to Ex11, wherein the inner layer comprises an acrylic-based adhesive or a UV acrylate-based adhesive.
  • Example Ex13. An aerosol-generating article according to any preceding Example, wherein the at least one flavourant comprises a desirable flavour-containing material,
  • Example Ex14. An aerosol-generating article according to Example Ex13, wherein the desirable flavour containing material is configured to be tasted by the user during normal use of the aerosol-generating article.
  • Example Ex15. An aerosol-generating article according to Example Ex13 or Ex14 when dependent on Example Ex2, wherein the inner layer comprises the desirable flavour-containing material in a desirable flavour-containing material layer.
  • Example Ex16. An aerosol-generating article according to Example Ex15 when dependent on Example Ex9, wherein the desirable flavour-containing material layer is at least partially positioned between the adhesive layer and the aerosol-generating rod when the removable wrapper is circumscribing at least a portion of the aerosol-generating rod.
  • Example Ex17. An aerosol-generating article according to any of Examples Ex13 to Ex16, wherein the desirable flavour-containing material layer extends parallel to the longitudinal axis of the aerosol-generating rod when the removable wrapper is circumscribing at least a portion of the aerosol-generating rod.
  • Example Ex18. An aerosol-generating article according to any of Examples Ex13 to Ex17, wherein the desirable flavour-containing material is configured to impart flavour onto the aerosol-generating rod.
  • Example Ex19. An aerosol-generating article according to any of Examples Ex13 to Ex18, wherein the desirable flavour-containing material comprises at least one of a micro-powder and a micro-encapsulated flavour, the micro-powder and the micro-encapsulated flavour contained in an acrylic-based compound.
  • Example Ex20. An aerosol-generating article according to any of Examples Ex2 to Ex19, wherein the removable wrapper further comprises an impermeable core layer
  • Example Ex21. An aerosol-generating article according to Example Ex20, wherein the impermeable core layer is impermeable to the at least one flavourant.
  • Example Ex22. An aerosol-generating article according to Example Ex20 or Ex21, wherein the impermeable core layer is between 5 micrometres and 45 micrometres thick.
  • Example Ex23. An aerosol-generating article according to Example Ex22, wherein the impermeable core layer is between 5 micrometres and 25 micrometres thick.
  • Example Ex24. An aerosol-generating article according to any of Examples Ex20 to Ex23, wherein the impermeable core layer comprises at least one of; polyethylene (PE), polyethylene terephthalate (PET); biaxially oriented polyester films; polyvinylchloride (PVC) films.
  • Example Ex25. An aerosol-generating article according to any of Examples Ex20 to Ex24, wherein the impermeable core layer is positioned between the outer surface of the aerosol-generating rod and the outer layer when the removable wrapper is circumscribing at least a portion of the aerosol-generating rod.
  • Example Ex26. An aerosol-generating article according to any of Examples Ex20 to Ex25, wherein the inner layer is positioned between the outer surface of the aerosol-generating rod and the impermeable core layer when the removable wrapper is circumscribing at least a portion of the aerosol-generating rod.
  • Example Ex27. An aerosol-generating article according to any of Examples Ex20 to Ex26, wherein the impermeable core layer is positioned between the inner layer and the outer layer.
  • Example Ex28. An aerosol-generating article according to any preceding Example, wherein the removable wrapper circumscribes the entire length of the aerosol-generating rod.
  • Example Ex29. An aerosol-generating article according to any preceding Example, wherein the removable wrapper is configured to be peeled off the aerosol-generating rod prior to heating the aerosol-generating substrate.
  • Example Ex30. An aerosol-generating article according to any preceding Example, wherein the aerosol-generating rod is a cylindrical aerosol-generating rod.
  • Example Ex31. An aerosol-generating article according to any preceding Example, wherein the aerosol-generating rod is configured to be coupled to an aerosol-generating device for heating the aerosol-generating substrate.
  • Example Ex32. An aerosol-generating article according to any preceding Example, wherein the aerosol-generating substrate further comprises a susceptor element and the aerosol-generating substrate is configured to be inductively heated.
  • Example Ex33. An aerosol-generating article according to any preceding Example, wherein the aerosol-generating substrate is configured to be resistively heated.
  • Example Ex34. An aerosol-generating article according to any preceding Example when dependent on Example Ex3, wherein the aversive agent has a bitter taste.
  • Example Ex35. An aerosol-generating article according to Example Ex34, wherein the aversive agent has a bitter value of at least 10,000.
  • Example Ex36. An aerosol-generating article according to Example Ex34 or Ex35, wherein the aversive agent comprises at least one of denatonium benzoate (bitrex), columbin, amarogentin, quassin, absinthin, and quinine hydrochloride.
  • Example Ex37. An aerosol-generating article according to Example Ex36, wherein the aversive agent is provided in a concentration of at least 2 parts per million.
  • Example Ex38. An aerosol-generating article according to Example Ex34 or Ex35, wherein the aversive agent comprises at least one of lactucin, lactucopicrin, 8-deoxylactucin, dihydrolactucin, dihydrolactucopicrin, and dihydro-8-deoxylactucin.
  • Example Ex39. An aerosol-generating article according to any of Examples Ex34 to Ex38, wherein the aversive agent has a boing point above 450 degrees Celsius.
  • Example Ex40. An aerosol-generating article according to any preceding Example, further comprising a downstream section extending from a downstream end of the aerosol-generating substrate to a downstream end of the aerosol-generating article.
  • Example Ex41. An aerosol-generating article according to Example Ex40, wherein the downstream section comprises a tubular segment comprising a wall and a hollow lumen delimited by the wall and defining an airflow channel extending from an upstream end of the tubular segment to a downstream end of the tubular segment.
  • Example Ex42. An aerosol-generating article according to Example Ex41, wherein the tubular segment is comprised in one of a support element, an aerosol-cooling element, and a mouthpiece element of the downstream section.
  • Example Ex43. An aerosol-generating article according to Examples Ex41 or Ex42, wherein the tubular segment of the downstream section comprises at least one of cellulose acetate fibres, polylactic acid fibres, polyhydroxybutyrate fibres, and polyhydroxyalkanoate fibres.
  • Example Ex44. An aerosol-generating article according to any one of Examples Ex41 to Ex43, wherein a diameter of the hollow lumen is at least 45 percent of a total external diameter of the downstream section.
  • Example Ex45. An aerosol-generating article according to any one of Ex41 to Ex44, wherein the tubular segment further comprises a tube delimiting the airflow channel.
  • Example Ex46. An aerosol-generating article according to Ex45, wherein the tube is a cardboard tube
  • Example Ex47. An aerosol-generating article according to any one of Examples Ex40 to Ex46, further comprising an article wrapper circumscribing at least a portion of at least one of the aerosol-generating substrate and the downstream section.
  • Example Ex48. An aerosol-generating article according to Example Ex47, wherein the article wrapper is configured to not be removed prior to heating the aerosol-generating substrate.
  • Example Ex49. An aerosol-generating article according to any preceding Example, wherein the aerosol-generating article further comprises an upstream section extending from an upstream end of the aerosol-generating substrate to an upstream end of the aerosol-generating article.
  • Example Ex50. An aerosol-generating article according to Example Ex49, wherein the upstream section comprises a plug of filtration material.
  • Example Ex51. An aerosol-generating article according to Example Ex50, wherein the plug of filtration material of the upstream section comprises at least one of cellulose acetate fibres, polylactic acid fibres, polyhydroxybutyrate fibres, and polyhydroxyalkanoate fibres.
  • Example Ex52. An aerosol-generating article according to Example Ex50 or Ex51, wherein the plug of filtration material has a resistance to draw of at least 50 millimetres H₂O.

Examples will now be further described with reference to the figures in which:

FIG. 1 is a schematic cross-sectional illustration of an embodiment of an aerosol-generating article in accordance with the present invention;

FIGS. 2a-2c are schematic perspective illustrations of an embodiment of an aerosol-generating article in accordance with the present invention; and

FIG. 3 is a schematic illustration of a removable wrapper in accordance with a first aspect of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a schematic illustration of a removable wrapper in accordance with a second aspect of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a schematic illustration of a removable wrapper in accordance with a third aspect of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a schematic cross-sectional illustration of an embodiment of an aerosol-generating system in accordance with the present invention;

A cross-sectional schematic of an aerosol-generating article 10 in accordance with the present invention is shown in FIG. 1. The aerosol-generating article 10 shown in FIG. 1 comprises a stick 12 of aerosol-generating substrate and a downstream section 14 at a location downstream of the stick 12 of aerosol-generating substrate.

In more detail, in the embodiment of FIG. 1, the downstream section 14 comprises a mouthpiece element 18 and a hollow section 20. The hollow section 20 comprises an aerosol-cooling element 22. The aerosol-cooling element 22 is positioned immediately downstream of the stick 12 of aerosol-generating substrate. As shown in the drawing of FIG. 1, an upstream end of the aerosol-cooling element 22 abuts a downstream end of the stick 12 of aerosol-generating substrate. The mouthpiece element 18 is positioned immediately downstream of the aerosol-cooling element 22. As shown in the drawing of FIG. 1, an upstream end of the mouthpiece element 18 abuts a downstream end of the aerosol-cooling element 22. The mouthpiece element 18 comprises a plug 24 of low-density filtration material, and a mouthpiece filter wrapping paper 25.

The stick 12 comprises an aerosol-generating substrate in the form of a gathered sheet of homogenised tobacco material. However, other types of tobacco-containing substrate, such as a tobacco cut filler, can replace the gathered sheet of homogenised tobacco material.

The stick 12 and the aerosol-cooling element 22 of aerosol-generating article 10 are circumscribed by an outer wrapper 28. Outer wrapper 28 is held in place on stick 12 and aerosol-cooling element 22 by an anchoring glue (not shown).

The mouthpiece element 18 and part of the aerosol-cooling element 22 are circumscribed by a tipping paper 29. Tipping paper 29 circumscribes a portion of outer wrapper 28. Perforations are provided in the tipping paper 29, and are aligned with perforations in aerosol-cooling element 22, which both comprise ventilation zone 60. In the particular embodiment shown in FIG. 2, the outer wrapper 28 extends to circumscribe the entirety of aerosol-cooling element 22, the stick 12, and the plug 26. The ventilation zone 60 comprises perforations through the tipping paper 29, outer wrapper 28 and aerosol-cooling element 22.

The aerosol-generating article 100 further comprises an upstream section 16 at a location upstream of the stick 12 of aerosol-generating substrate. The upstream section 16 comprises a cylindrical plug 26 of cellulose acetate also circumscribed by the outer wrapper 28. The plug 26 of the upstream section 16 has a length of about 5 millimetres. An RTD (resistance to draw) of the plug 26 is about 50 millimetres H₂O.

The aerosol-generating article 100 further comprises a susceptor element 70 provided within the stick 12 of aerosol-generating substrate. In more detail, the susceptor element 70 is elongate and extends longitudinally within the stick 12, such as to be thermally coupled with the aerosol-generating substrate.

A ventilation zone 60 is provided at a location downstream of the stick 12 of aerosol-generating substrate. The ventilation zone 60 is shown by the dashed line In particular, the aerosol-cooling element 22 comprises the ventilation zone 60, which comprises a plurality of openings formed through a wall of the hollow tubular element. The plurality of openings are also formed through the outer wrapper 28 and the tipping paper 29.

The aerosol-generating article 100 further comprises a removable wrapper 80. The removable wrapper circumscribes the other components of the aerosol-generating article, and is configured to be removed prior to normal use of the aerosol-generating article. These other components of the aerosol-generating article are collectively referred to as the aerosol-generating rod. Because the removable wrapper is configured to be removed prior to normal use of the aerosol-generating article, removable wrapper 80 does not comprise any of the plurality of openings for the ventilation zone 60. The detailed structure of the removable wrapper 80 is shown in FIGS. 3 to 5 and described below.

FIGS. 2a-2c illustrate the process of removing the removable wrapper 80. FIG. 2a shows the aerosol-generating article 100 with the removable wrapper 80 in place prior to removal, entirely circumscribing the aerosol-generating rod. In particular, the removable wrapper 80 is entirely circumscribing the aerosol-generating rod along the longitudinal axis of the aerosol-generating rod. The removable wrapper 80 comprises a tab 81 for the user to grasp with their fingers to peel the removable wrapper 80 from the aerosol-generating rod. The tab 81 does not comprise any adhesive (as described below) therefore providing a suitable region for the user to commence peeling of the removable wrapper 80 from the aerosol-generating rod.

FIG. 2b shows the aerosol-generating article 100 with the removable wrapper 80 partially removed, partially circumscribing the aerosol-generating rod. The outer wrapper 28, the tipping paper 29, and the plurality of openings which comprise the ventilation zone 60 are partially exposed.

FIG. 2c shows the aerosol-generating article 100 with the removable wrapper 80 fully removed. FIG. 2c therefore shows the aerosol-generating rod. The outer wrapper 28, the tipping paper 29, and the plurality of openings which comprise the ventilation zone 60 are fully exposed. The aerosol-generating article is therefore ready for normal use.

In this embodiment, the removable wrapper 80 is peeled off and circumscribes the aerosol-generating rod in a longitudinal sense. However, alternative arrangements are possible whilst falling inside the scope of the present disclosure. For example, the removable wrapper may circumscribe the aerosol-generating rod by being wound in a diagonal sense along the length of the rod. Alternatively, the removable wrapper may be provided as a cover which is pulled off in a longitudinal direction, and both circumscribes the length of the aerosol-generating rod and covers one circular end of the aerosol-generating rod.

FIG. 3 shows a schematic illustration of a removable wrapper 80 in accordance with a first aspect of the present invention. The removable wrapper 80 is shown in an unwound, flat, state. The tab 81 is not shown for convenience.

The removable wrapper 80 comprises an outer layer 82. The outer layer 82 comprises a cellulose or polymer-based thin film. The outer layer 82 is between 5 and 15 micrometres in thickness. The outer layer 82 further comprises at least one chicory bitter substance, such as at least one of lactucin, lactucopicrin, 8-deoxylactucin, dihydrolactucin, dihydrolactucopicrin, and dihydro-8-deoxylactucin. The outer layer may however comprise any other suitable bitter substance

The removable wrapper 80 further comprises an inner layer 84. The removable wrapper 80 further comprises an impermeable core layer 83. The inner layer 84 comprises an acrylic or UV acrylate base peel off adhesive. The inner layer 84 is between 5 and 15 micrometres in thickness. Such adhesives and thicknesses provide a peeling force of between 0.2 and 1.7 Newtons per centimetre between the aerosol-generating rod and the inner layer 84 when peeled at 0.167 millimetres per second at a 45 degree angle. Such adhesives and thicknesses provide a peeling force of between 0.5 and 1.5 Newtons per centimetre between the impermeable core layer 83 and the inner layer 84 when peeled at 0.167 millimetres per second at a 45 degree angle.

The impermeable core layer 83 is arranged, or sandwiched, between the outer layer 82 and the inner layer 84. The impermeable core layer 83 comprises at least one of; polyethylene (PE), polyethylene terephthalate (PET); biaxially oriented polyester films; and polyvinylchloride (PVC) films. The impermeable core layer 83 is between 15 and 25 micrometres in thickness. The impermeable core layer 83 is substantially impermeable to the at least one bitter substance in the outer layer 82, such that the at least one bitter substance does not permeate through to the inner layer 84, and hence onto the aerosol-generating rod, during the normal lifetime of the aerosol-generating article. As such, the aversive agent is separated from an outer surface of the aerosol-generating rod by the impermeable core layer 83. Because of this it is highly unlikely that the consumer's lips or oral mucosa may come into contact with the aversive agent during the normal, intended use of the aerosol-generating article.

FIG. 4 shows a schematic illustration of a removable wrapper 80 in accordance with a second aspect of the present invention. The removable wrapper 80 is similar to that shown in FIG. 3 with respect to the first aspect of the present invention, and so will be described with respect to its differences only.

The inner layer 84 further comprises a desirable flavour-containing material layer 85. The desirable flavour-containing material layer 85 comprises a desirable flavour-containing material. The desirable flavour-containing material layer 85 is located on an inner surface of the inner layer 84 such that the desirable flavour-containing material layer 85 directly contacts the aerosol-generating rod when the removable wrapper 80 is circumscribing the aerosol-generating rod.

The desirable flavour-containing material layer 85 is between 5 and 15 micrometres in thickness. The desirable flavour-containing material layer 85 comprises at least one of a micro-powder and a micro-encapsulated flavour, the micro-powder and/or the micro-encapsulated flavour contained in an acrylic-based compound. Advantageously, the desirable flavour-containing material layer 85 imparts a desirable flavour on the aerosol-generating rod, in particular on the outer wrapper 28 and the tipping paper 29, such that when the removable wrapper 80 is removed by the user, the desirable flavour remains on the aerosol-generating rod, and is experience by the user during normal use of the aerosol-generating article.

The desirable flavour-containing material layer 85 extends in longitudinal strip across the removable wrapper 80. In this embodiment, the removable wrapper 80 is configured to circumscribe the aerosol-generating rod such that the desirable flavour-containing material layer 85 extends in longitudinal strip along the longitudinal axis of the aerosol-generating rod. The desirable flavour-containing material layer 85 therefore imparts a desirable flavour on the entire length of aerosol-generating rod, in particular on the entire length of the outer wrapper 28 and the tipping paper 29. This is advantageous, as the user may experience the desirable taste irrespective of the region of the aerosol-generating rod which is tasted by the user during normal use. Because the desirable flavour-containing material layer 85 extends in longitudinal strip across the inner layer 84, but does not extend across the entirety of the inner layer 84, when the removable wrapper 80 circumscribes an aerosol-generating rod, at least a portion of the adhesive in the inner layer will contact the aerosol-generating rod, hence securing the removable wrapper to the aerosol-generating rod.

FIG. 5 shows a schematic illustration of a removable wrapper 80 in accordance with a third aspect of the present invention. Again, the removable wrapper 80 is similar to that shown in FIGS. 3 and 4 with respect to the first and second aspects of the present invention, and so will be described with respect to its differences only.

In the third aspect, the outer layer 82 does not comprise the chicory bitter substance or any other aversive agent. Therefore, the removable wrapper 80 does not comprise an impermeable core layer 83, as there is no need to prevent permeation of any aversive agent to the inner layer 84.

FIG. 6 illustrates an aerosol-generating system 200 comprising an exemplary aerosol-generating device 1 and the aerosol-generating article 100 of FIG. 2.

The aerosol-generating device 1 comprises a housing (or body) 40. The housing 40 comprises a peripheral wall 42 and an end wall 44. The peripheral wall 40 defines a device cavity for receiving an aerosol-generating article 100. The device cavity is defined by a closed, distal end and an open, mouth end. The mouth end of the device cavity is located at the mouth end of the aerosol-generating device 1. The aerosol-generating article 100 is configured to be received through the mouth end of the device cavity and is configured to abut a closed end of the device cavity.

A device airflow inlet 46 is defined within the end wall 44. Air may be admitted into the upstream section 16 of the aerosol-generating article via the device airflow inlet 46.

The aerosol-generating device 1 further comprises a heater element in the form of an inductor coil 48 adapted to induce a current in the susceptor element 70. When a current is induced in susceptor element 70, the temperature of susceptor element 70 increases, heating the surrounding rod 12. The aerosol-generating device 200 further comprises a power source (not shown) for supplying power to the heater element. A controller (not shown) is also provided to control such supply of power to the heater element. The heater element is configured to controllably heat the aerosol-generating substrate within the rod 12 during use, when the aerosol-generating article 100 is received within the device 1.

For the purpose of the present description and of the appended claims, except where otherwise indicated, all numbers expressing amounts, quantities, percentages, and so forth, are to be understood as being modified in all instances by the term “about”. Also, all ranges include the maximum and minimum points disclosed and include any intermediate ranges therein, which may or may not be specifically enumerated herein. In this context, therefore, a number A is understood as A±5 percent of A. Within this context, a number A may be considered to include numerical values that are within general standard error for the measurement of the property that the number A modifies. The number A, in some instances as used in the appended claims, may deviate by the percentages enumerated above provided that the amount by which A deviates does not materially affect the basic and novel characteristic(s) of the claimed invention. Also, all ranges include the maximum and minimum points disclosed and include any intermediate ranges therein, which may or may not be specifically enumerated herein.

Claims

1. An aerosol-generating article comprising:

an aerosol-generating rod, the aerosol-generating rod comprising an aerosol-generating substrate configured to be heated during use of the aerosol-generating article, and

a removable wrapper, the removable wrapper circumscribing at least a portion of the aerosol-generating rod,

wherein the removable wrapper is configured to be removed prior to heating the aerosol-generating substrate, and

wherein the removable wrapper comprises at least one flavourant comprising an aversive agent.

2. The aerosol-generating article according to claim 1, wherein the removable wrapper comprises an outer layer and an inner layer, wherein the inner layer is positioned between an outer surface of the aerosol-generating rod and the outer layer when the removable wrapper is circumscribing at least a portion of the aerosol-generating rod.

3. The aerosol-generating article according to claim 2, wherein the outer layer comprises the aversive agent.

4. The aerosol-generating article according to claim 2, wherein the inner layer comprises an adhesive.

5. The aerosol-generating article according to claim 1, wherein the aerosol-generating article comprises at least one further flavourant, wherein the at least one further flavourant comprises a desirable flavour-containing material selected from the list consisting of natural or synthetic menthol, mint flavour, spice flavours, cocoa flavour, vanilla flavour, fruit flavours, chocolate flavour.

6. The aerosol-generating article according to claim 5, wherein the desirable flavour containing material is configured to be tasted by the user during normal use of the aerosol-generating article.

7. The aerosol-generating article according to claim 5 when dependent on claim 2, wherein the inner layer comprises the desirable flavour-containing material in a desirable flavour-containing material layer.

8. The aerosol-generating article according to claim 5, wherein the desirable flavour-containing material is configured to impart flavour onto the aerosol-generating rod.

9. The aerosol-generating article according to claim 2, wherein the removable wrapper further comprises an impermeable core layer.

10. The aerosol-generating article according to claim 9, wherein the impermeable core layer is impermeable to the at least one flavourant comprising the aversive agent.

11. The aerosol-generating article according to claim 9, wherein the impermeable core layer is positioned between the outer surface of the aerosol-generating rod and the outer layer when the removable wrapper is circumscribing at least a portion of the aerosol-generating rod.

12. The aerosol-generating article according to claim 11, wherein the impermeable core layer is positioned between the inner layer and the outer layer.

13. The aerosol-generating article according to claim 1, wherein the removable wrapper circumscribes the entire length of the aerosol-generating rod.

14. The aerosol-generating article according to claim 1, wherein the aerosol-generating rod is configured to be coupled to an aerosol-generating device for heating the aerosol-generating substrate.