TW201936068A - A substitute smoking consumable - Google Patents

Abstract

The present disclosure relates to a heat not burn (HNB) consumable comprising a plant product, wherein the plant product is formed into a planar slab such that the consumable has a substantially rectangular transverse cross section. The plant product may be contained within a rigid/semi-rigid housing which may be made of moulded pulp material.

Description

Alternative smoking consumables

The present disclosure relates to consumables for smoking alternatives. In particular (but not exclusive), it relates to heat not burn consumables containing tobacco. The present disclosure also relates to a thermal incombustible system including consumables and heating elements, and means for housing the system.

It is generally believed that a "smoking" action on tobacco exposes smokers to potentially harmful substances. It is generally believed that a large amount of potentially harmful substances are produced by the heat generated by the combustion and/or internal combustion of tobacco and the components of the tobacco smoke itself which are burnt to the tobacco.

The burning of organic materials such as tobacco is known to produce tar and other potentially harmful by-products. Various smoking alternatives have been proposed to avoid tobacco smoke.

This alternative device can form part of a nicotine replacement therapy aimed at people who want to quit smoking and overcome their dependence on nicotine.

Alternative devices may include an electronic system that allows the user to simulate smoking behavior by creating an aerosol that is drawn into the lungs (inhalation) and then exhaled. Inhaled aerosols typically carry nicotine and/or flavorings without (or reducing) the odor and health risks associated with traditional smoking.

In general, alternative devices and systems are intended to provide an alternative to smoking rituals while providing users with similar experience and satisfaction with traditional smoking and tobacco products.

In the past few years, the popularity and use of smoking alternatives has grown rapidly. Although initially marketed as a habitual smoker who wants to quit smoking, consumers are increasingly considering smoking alternatives as the desired lifestyle accessory.

There are many different types of alternative systems, each using a smoking alternative. An alternative approach corresponds to the way the alternative system operates for the user.

An alternative to the system is the so-called "hot incombustible (HNB)" practice in which tobacco (whether tobacco or reconstituted) is heated or warmed to release steam. The vapor may contain nicotine and/or a fragrance. In the HNB practice, the intent is to keep the tobacco from burning and not undergoing internal combustion.

In general, the HNB system includes heating devices and consumables. Consumables include tobacco materials. The consumable is configured to engage the heating device. During use, heat is applied to the tobacco material from the heating element of the heating device. Air flow through the tobacco material causes moisture in the tobacco material to be released as steam. Thus, a first vapor, such as polyethylene glycol (PG) or vegetable glycerol (VG), can be formed from the carrier in the tobacco material. In addition, volatile compounds can also be released from the tobacco as a second vapor. The vapor released from the tobacco is entrained in the gas stream drawn through the tobacco.

As the steam passes through the device (entrained in the gas stream) from the inlet to the mouthpiece (outlet), the steam cools and condenses to form an aerosol for inhalation by the user. Aerosols contain volatile compounds.

In HNB systems, in contrast to burning tobacco materials, heating is believed to result in fewer or smaller amounts of more harmful compounds that would normally be produced during smoking. Thus, HNB practices can reduce the odor and/or health risks that may result from the combustion, internal combustion and pyrolytic degradation of tobacco.

The first prior embodiment of the HNB approach is the IQOS ^(TM) device from Philip Morris Ltd. The IQOS ^(TM) device uses consumable components, including reconstituted tobacco contained in metal foil and paper packaging. The consumable element is a cylindrical rod-like element that is similar in design to a conventional cigarette inserted into a heater device. The heater device has a thermally conductive heating vane that penetrates the reconstituted tobacco of the consumable element when the consumable element is inserted into the heating device. Activation of the heating device heats the heating element, which in turn heats the tobacco in the consumable element. Heating the tobacco causes the tobacco to release nicotine vapor and flavor, and the user can inhale the nicotine vapor and flavor through the mouthpiece by inhalation.

A second embodiment of the conventional method is American HNB Glo ^TM device is called from the British Tobacco. Glo ^TM also includes a rod-shaped appearance similar to a conventional cigarette consumables. The consumable component comprises reconstituted tobacco in a paper package that is heated in a heating device. When the consumable element is placed in the heating device, the tobacco is surrounded by the heating element. Activation of the heating device heats the heating element, which in turn heats the tobacco in the consumable element. Heating the tobacco causes the tobacco to release nicotine vapor and flavor, and the user can inhale the nicotine vapor and flavor through the consumable component by inhalation. When heated by the heating device, the tobacco is configured to generate steam upon heating rather than generating steam upon combustion (as in conventional cigarettes). Tobacco may contain high levels of aerosol formers (carriers) such as vegetable glycerol ("VG") or propylene glycol ("PG").

Glo ^TM IQOS ^TM and common means is uneven and incomplete tobacco heating, or may be some areas of tobacco combustion.

Neither device can hide the residue remaining in the consumables after heating, which is aesthetically unpleasant and poses a risk of contamination during the removal of consumables from the device.

In addition, the aerosol former can be leached from the consumables in a satin and/or wet paper package, which is aesthetically unattractive and can result in the transfer of aerosol formers to contaminate the user.

Aspects and specific embodiments of the present disclosure have been devised in view of the foregoing.

In a first aspect, a hot non-combustible (HNB) consumable is provided, comprising a plant product, wherein the plant product is formed into a planar sheet such that the consumable has a substantially rectangular cross section.

By providing the plant product as a flat sheet (having a substantially rectangular cross section) rather than a cylindrical rod (having a substantially circular cross section), the exposed surface area of the plant product in contact with the heating element is greater, thereby allowing the heating element to be removed from the heating element Faster and more uniform heat transfer to plant products. In this way, heating of the plant product can be achieved using a lower temperature (e.g., about 250 °C) heating element, which reduces the chance of burning the plant product.

The planar plate preferably has a greater width and length than the depth. The length and width may be equal, but preferably the length is greater than the width such that the planar plate is a rectangular plate, i.e. having a substantially rectangular upper and lower surface. The length of the flat plate can be between 10 and 20 mm, for example between 10 and 15 mm. The width of the flat plate can be between 7 and 18 mm, for example between 8 and 14 mm or between 10 and 12 mm. The depth of the planar plate can be between 1 and 8 mm, for example between 2 and 7 mm, for example about 2 mm or about 6 mm.

A substantially rectangular cross section is defined by a face having edges defining a width and a depth, i.e., the term "cross section" is used to mean a section of a consumable that is orthogonal to the longitudinal axis/length of the flat panel/consumable product. The planar plates have opposite longitudinal end faces, each of which includes a cross section.

The flat sheet of the plant product can be formulated with an electronic liquid throughout the selected or selected portion. For example, a planar plate may be formulated with an electronic liquid at or near the heated surface (eg, the upper and lower surfaces of the planar plate), adjacent to the heating element in use. The electronic liquid may contain an aerosol forming agent such as polyethylene glycol (PG) and/or vegetable glycerin (VG). Electronic liquids may contain fragrances.

The planar panels of the vegetable product can include a hydrophobic or liquid impermeable outer coating (e.g., at least on the upper and lower surfaces) to prevent leakage or transfer of the electronic liquid from the plant product.

Consumables can also include filters generally known in the art. The filter can also be formed as a planar plate having a substantially rectangular cross section. The filter preferably has a greater width and length than the depth. The length and width may be equal, but preferably the width is greater than the length. Filters typically have a shorter length than flat panels of plant products. The depth of the filter can be between 4 and 8 mm, for example between 5 and 7 mm, for example about 6 mm. The width of the filter can be between 7 and 18 mm, for example between 8 and 14 mm or between 10 and 12 mm.

The filter has a first longitudinal end face that faces and may abut a second longitudinal end face of the planar sheet of plant product.

The filter may be a rectangular plate, that is, the filter may have a substantially rectangular upper surface and a lower surface. In other embodiments, the filter can have a second longitudinal end face (opposite the first longitudinal end face) and the second longitudinal end face includes a curved/rounded (eg, semi-circular) surface.

In some embodiments, the filter can include at least one liquid release member as described below.

Accordingly, a thermally non-combustible (HNB) consumable is provided comprising a plant product and a filter, wherein the filter comprises at least one liquid release member.

The liquid release member can comprise an aerosol forming agent such as vegetable glycerin and/or propylene glycol. By accommodating the aerosol-forming agent within the liquid-releasing member, the liquid-releasing member is configured to release a liquid (e.g., an aerosol-forming agent) upon use, preventing liquid from escaping from the consumable to contaminate the user. Alternatively, the liquid release member can be a convenient means of introducing an electronic liquid into the plant product during manufacture.

The plant product and/or filter can be as described above, and the liquid release member can be positioned adjacent to the filter (eg, at the first longitudinal end face of the filter) adjacent to the plant product such that the liquid can penetrate the plant product upon release .

The liquid release member can include an envelope for containing the liquid. The envelope can be rigid and breakable under pressure (eg, when in contact with a heating element). Alternatively, the envelope can be melted upon heating.

Consumables (according to any particular embodiment herein) can include a spacer, such as a paper septum between the filter and the plant product. The spacer may also be formed as a planar plate having a substantially rectangular cross section. The spacer preferably has a greater width and length than the depth. The length and width may be equal, but preferably the width is greater than the length such that the planar plate is a rectangular plate, i.e. having a substantially rectangular upper and lower surface. The spacers typically have a shorter length than the planar panels of the plant product and a longer length than the filter. The depth of the spacer may be between 4 and 8 mm, for example between 5 and 7 mm, for example about 6 mm. The width of the spacer may be between 7 and 18 mm, for example between 8 and 14 mm or between 10 and 12 mm.

In some embodiments, the consumable includes a single plant product flat panel. In this case, the depth of the planar plate is preferably between 5 and 7 mm, for example about 6 mm.

In some embodiments of these specific embodiments, the planar sheet of the plant product may have a single heated surface (one of the upper and lower surfaces) for contacting a heating element (eg, a planar heating element), or there may be a relative An upper heated surface and a lower heated surface, each surface for contacting one of two heating elements (eg, planar heating elements). The plant product is then heated from the upper heated surface and/or the lower heated surface from the outside to the inside.

In other embodiments including a single planar panel, the plant product is heated from the inside out (toward the upper and lower surfaces). To achieve this object, a thermally non-combustible (HNB) consumable comprising a plant product is provided, wherein the plant product is formed as a rectangular parallelepiped brick having a hollow core (ie, the planar panel is a hollow rectangular brick).

In use, the hollow core houses the heating element (ie by inserting the heating element into the hollow core), the heating element can contact the surface defining the recess, allowing for faster and more uniform heat transfer from the heating element to the plant product . In this way, heating of the plant product can be achieved using a lower temperature (e.g., about 250 °C) heating element, which reduces the chance of burning the plant product.

As mentioned above, the cuboid bricks preferably have a greater width and length than the depth. The length and width may be equal, but preferably the length is greater than the width such that the cuboid brick has a substantially rectangular upper and lower surface. The depth of the cuboid brick can be between 4 and 8 mm, for example between 5 and 7 mm, for example about 6 mm. The length of the cuboid brick can be between 10 and 20 mm, for example between 10 and 15 mm. The width of the cuboid brick can be between 7 and 18 mm, for example between 8 and 14 mm or between 10 and 12 mm.

The cuboid brick has an upper outer surface and a lower outer surface that are spaced apart by opposing lateral outer surfaces. At least one of the upper/lower/lateral outer surfaces is at least partially coated with a hydrophobic/liquid impermeable coating.

The hollow core is defined by a rectangular parallelepiped recess extending in a longitudinal direction from a first longitudinal end face of the rectangular brick. The rectangular parallelepiped recess extends from the first longitudinal end face to the opposite second longitudinal end face.

The cuboid recess is defined by upper and lower inner surfaces and opposing inner lateral surfaces. The depth of the cuboid recess may be between 0.5 and 2 mm, for example about 1 mm. The width of the cuboid recess may be between 7 and 14 mm, for example between 7 and 12 mm or between 8 and 10 mm, for example about 8 mm. The length of the cuboid recess may be between 10 and 20 mm, for example between 10 and 15 mm.

The plant product at or near one or more of the upper/lower/lateral inner surfaces defining the cuboid recess may be formulated with an electronic liquid, as previously described.

The rectangular brick can be formed by extrusion.

In other embodiments, the consumable includes a plurality of plant product flat panels, such as two plant product panels. In the case of the presence of two plant product flat panels, the depth of each planar panel is preferably between 1 and 8 mm, for example between 2 and 5 mm, for example about 2 mm.

Accordingly, the present disclosure also provides a thermal non-combustible (HNB) consumable comprising a plant product, wherein the plant product is formed as two planar panels, the two planar panels being aligned and spaced apart from each other to define a planar recess therebetween such that the consumable has A substantially rectangular cross section.

The heating element can be inserted into the planar recess for releasable accommodation in the recess. In this way, heat can be transferred to the plant product quickly and evenly via the surface defining the planar recess.

Each planar panel can be as described above. The consumable may further comprise a filter and/or a spacer as described above, each plant product flat panel having a second longitudinal end face facing the filter/spacer.

In these particular embodiments, the planar panels of the plant product will each have an inner heating surface and an opposite outer surface that face the planar recess.

As noted above, plant products at or near the inner surface on one or both of the plant product flat sheets can be formulated with an electronic liquid.

The hydrophobic/liquid impermeable coating can be disposed on the outer surface of one or both of the planar panels of the plant product.

The two planar panels are preferably vertically and horizontally aligned. The planar recess is also vertically and horizontally aligned with the planar plate.

It should be understood that in all of the above specific embodiments, there is a fixed depth of plant product between the heated surface (e.g., the upper and lower surfaces or the surface defining the cuboid/planar recess) and the opposing surface.

Thus in a second aspect, there is provided a thermally non-combustible (HNB) consumable comprising a plant product, wherein the plant product comprises a substantially planar first heating surface and an opposite second surface, the first surface being planarly heated in use An element wherein the depth of the plant product between the first surface and the second surface is substantially fixed in the transverse (width) direction.

By providing the plant product with a substantially planar heated surface (for thermal contact with the heating element), the plant product has a greater exposed surface area to contact the heating element, allowing for faster heating. The fixed depth of the plant product between the surfaces results in a more uniform heat transfer from the heating element to the plant product. In this way, heating of the plant product can be achieved using a lower temperature (e.g., about 250 °C) heating element, which reduces the chance of burning the plant product.

In known cylindrical consumable products, the depth of the plant product varies in the transverse direction and has a greater depth at the axial center.

The depth of the plant product between the first and second surfaces may be between 1 and 8 mm, such as between 2 and 7 mm, such as about 2 mm or about 6 mm.

As described above for the first aspect, the plant product can be formed into at least one planar panel or rectangular parallelepiped brick.

The consumable may further comprise a filter and/or a spacer as described above for the first aspect.

In some embodiments of the first/second aspect, the surface defining the cuboid or planar recess may be lined with a thermally conductive material. For example, the surface defining the recess may be covered by at least 50% or 60%, and preferably at least 70% or 80% or 90%. The recess can be completely lined with a thermally conductive material.

Accordingly, a thermally non-combustible (HNB) consumable is provided, comprising a plant product, wherein the plant product comprises a recess for receiving a heating element, wherein the recess is lined with a thermally conductive material.

The surface defining the recess may be covered by at least 50% or 60%, and preferably at least 70% or 80% or 90%. The recess can be completely lined with a thermally conductive material.

The thermally conductive material can be provided as a foil that can be textured, such as a dimple.

A plant product (eg, a flat panel/cubular brick) can include at least one channel extending from either or both of the first and/or second longitudinal end faces of the plant product into the plant product. The thermally conductive material can extend into at least one of the channels. For example, the thermally conductive material may extend from the recess to the at least one channel on the first/second longitudinal end face of the plant product. This helps to increase the heat transfer from the heating elements within the recess to the plant product.

The consumable may comprise another layer of thermoplastic material or another thermoplastic material on the outer surface of the plant product opposite the recess.

The thermally conductive material may be selected from the group consisting of carbon or a metal/metal alloy (such as aluminum); brass; copper; gold; steel; silver; an alloy of one or more of the foregoing; or a mixture of two or more of the foregoing. .

The consumable of the first or second aspect may further comprise a wrapper (eg, a paper or cardboard wrapper) that surrounds the upper/lower/outer surface of the planar panel of the plant product (and filters/spacers that may be present) And lateral edges.

In a particular embodiment in which the plant product has at least one passage extending from the second longitudinal end face of the plant product into the plant product (as described above), the wrapper (eg, cardboard wrapper) may comprise a lateral extension, a lateral extension Extending to cover a portion of the second longitudinal end face of the planar panel/cubic brick. The lateral extension can then include an inwardly depending axial extension that extends inwardly into at least one of the channels in the plant product.

Consumables of any of the above embodiments may be contained within a housing, such as a housing as described below.

Thus in a third aspect, a hot non-combustible (HNB) consumable is provided, comprising a plant product, wherein the plant product is at least partially (preferably completely) enclosed in a self-supporting housing.

Paper packaging provided on prior art consumables is relatively thin and fragile. Although the plant products are physically contained before and after the use of the consumables, they do not effectively contain the residues in the used consumables, and handling the used consumables can result in the transfer of the residues to the user. By providing a more robust (self-supporting) housing, the consumable becomes more similar to a crucible or "box" that effectively contains residue after use to protect the user from contamination.

The term "self-supporting" is intended to mean a casing that does not bend or bend under its own weight.

Preferably, the housing is rigid or semi-rigid, that is, the housing is not easily bent.

At least a portion of the housing, preferably the entire housing, has a wall thickness of 0.8 to 8.0 mm, such as 1.5 to 5.0 mm.

The housing may have an inner surface facing the plant product, wherein the inner surface has a texture, for example the inner surface may have a mesh texture.

The plant product can be as described above for the first/second aspect. The consumable may further comprise a filter and/or a spacer as described above for the first aspect.

The housing may be formed from a biodegradable material such as corn starch, bamboo, wood, palm, sugar cane, carton or cardboard, recycled or recyclable (thermoplastic) polymeric material.

Thus, in some embodiments, the present disclosure provides a thermally non-combustible (HNB) consumable comprising a plant product, wherein the plant product is at least partially (preferably integrally) enclosed in a housing, at least a portion of the housing ( Preferably, the whole is made of a molded pulp material, such as a natural fiber pulp material.

This provides a biodegradable, compostable and environmentally friendly housing. The housing may be as described above, for example the housing may be self-supporting and may have a wall thickness of 1.5 to 5.0 mm.

The housing may be formed at least in part from molded tobacco cellulose pulp, wood pulp, bamboo pulp, palm syrup, or bagasse pulp. Bagasse pulp is the best.

The plant product can be as described above for the first/second aspect. The consumable may further comprise a filter and/or a spacer as described above for the first aspect.

In some embodiments, the present disclosure provides a thermally non-combustible (HNB) consumable comprising a plant product, wherein the plant product is enclosed in a housing at least in part, preferably entirely, wherein the housing has a substantially rectangular shape Cross section.

Preferably, the body of the housing is a hollow rectangular parallelepiped defining a rectangular parallelepiped recess. The plant product can be as described above, and the cuboid recess is sized to accommodate a cuboid brick or one or more planar panels of the plant product.

The housing can have a first longitudinal end face that is at least partially open. Or as described below, the first longitudinal end face may comprise a surface that is at least partially invisible to the plant product.

The housing can have opposing second longitudinal end walls. The second longitudinal end wall can include at least one outlet/flute hole. The second longitudinal end wall can include a curved/rounded (eg, semi-circular) end wall.

The body of the housing includes upper and lower walls separated by opposing lateral sidewalls. At least one (and optionally two) of the opposing lateral sidewalls may include a longitudinally extending joint such that the housing may open to expose the rectangular parallelepiped recess.

The second longitudinal end surface/wall may also include a joint.

For example, both the opposing lateral side wall and the second longitudinal end wall may include respective joints such that the housing may be divided into two opposing portions to allow for the presence of the plant product (and filters/spacers that may be present) Easy to insert during manufacturing.

Alternatively, one of the opposing lateral side walls and the second longitudinal end wall may comprise a joint and the other opposing lateral side wall may comprise a longitudinally extending hinge portion such that the housing may surround the hinge portion by two opposing portions It turns to open along the joint. Where the consumable comprises two planar panels, each planar panel may be mounted (eg, glued) into a corresponding portion (eg, a half) of the housing such that when the two opposing portions are brought together, the planar panels are spaced apart from each other Open to define a planar recess therebetween (as described above).

The housing may be as described above, for example the housing may be self-supporting and/or the housing may be formed from a biodegradable (e.g., molded pulp) material.

The consumable may further comprise a filter and/or a spacer as described above for the first aspect.

As mentioned above, the second longitudinal end of the housing comprises a second longitudinal end wall. The filter is typically placed adjacent, for example the second longitudinal end face of the filter abuts the longitudinal end wall of the housing. Thus, the second longitudinal end wall hides the filter and is invisible to the user.

Accordingly, there is provided a thermally non-combustible (HNB) consumable comprising a plant product and a filter, wherein the consumable further comprises a housing having a first longitudinal end face and a second longitudinal end face, wherein the second longitudinal end face comprises a second longitudinal end wall, The second longitudinal end wall allows the user to see the filter at least partially (preferably completely).

By hiding the filter, the user does not become exposed to residues remaining in the filter/consumable product after use, thereby improving the aesthetic appeal of the consumable after use and avoiding the transfer of residue to the user.

Similarly, as also described above, the opposing first longitudinal end face can include a surface that is at least partially invisible to the plant product. As also described below, in order for the plant product to be at least partially invisible, the first longitudinal end face of the housing may additionally (or alternatively) comprise a pierceable or peelable film, such as a metal foil or plastic film. The membrane may be mounted on the entirety of the open first longitudinal end face of the housing or the membrane may be mounted on the first longitudinal end wall of the aperture.

The film seals the first longitudinal end face prior to use and is pierced to mount the consumable on the heating element.

The second longitudinal end face can be as described above. In this regard, the second longitudinal end wall can include at least one outlet/fluout hole. The second longitudinal end wall can include a curved/rounded (eg, semi-circular) end wall.

The housing may be as described above, for example the housing may be self-supporting, and/or the housing may be formed from a biodegradable (e.g., molded pulp) material, and/or the housing may have the shape described above.

The plant product and filter (and spacers that may be present) may be as described above for the first/second aspect.

Although the second longitudinal end wall may include one or more outlet/flute holes, this outlet/fluout hole/these/tobacco hole are typically small enough to be compared to prior art consumables (where the filter The end face is completely exposed) and the visual inspection of the filter is significantly hindered. Thus, although the second longitudinal wall may be discontinuous, the second longitudinal wall preferably covers (eg, covers or abuts) at least 20% of the surface area of the second longitudinal end surface of the filter (eg, at least 30 or 40%, Preferably at least 50%), such as at least 70% (such as at least 80% or 90%).

As mentioned above, the housing can have an open first longitudinal end face.

Alternatively, a thermally non-combustible (HNB) consumable comprising a plant product is provided, wherein the consumable further comprises a housing having a first longitudinal end face, wherein the first longitudinal end surface comprises a surface that allows the user to at least partially look at least prior to use No plant products are seen.

The first longitudinal end face of the housing can include a first longitudinal end wall that at least partially covers (eg, abuts) a longitudinal end face of the plant product. The first longitudinal end wall can include a bore into which the heating element can be inserted.

The first longitudinal end wall may be a peripheral wall, ie the first longitudinal end wall may extend only around one or more edges of the first longitudinal end face of the housing. For example, the first longitudinal end wall can extend around all of the edges to form a frame defining the aperture (the heating element can be inserted into the aperture). When the plant product is formed into a rectangular parallelepiped brick, the size of the hole can be set to match the size of the rectangular parallelepiped recess.

In other embodiments, the first longitudinal end wall of the housing can extend along the upper and lower edges to form a track defining a hole therebetween. When the plant product is formed into two flat sheets, the size of the holes can be set to match the size of the planar recess.

In a particular embodiment in which the plant product comprises at least one passage extending from the first longitudinal end face of the plant product to the plant product (as described above), the first longitudinal end wall may comprise an axially extending portion extending inwardly, axially The extension extends inwardly into at least one channel in the plant product.

In some embodiments, the first longitudinal end face of the housing may additionally or alternatively be provided with a pierceable or peelable film, such as a metal foil or plastic film.

The membrane may be mounted on the entirety of the open first longitudinal end face of the housing or the membrane may be mounted on the first longitudinal end wall of the aperture.

The film seals the first longitudinal end face prior to use and is pierced to mount the consumable on the heating element.

The housing may be as described above, for example the housing may be self-supporting, and/or the housing may be formed from a biodegradable (eg, molded pulp) material, and/or the housing may have the above-described shape, and Or the housing may have a second longitudinal end face adapted to conceal the filter.

The plant product (and filters/spacers that may be present) may be as described above for the first/second aspect.

In any of the above aspects, the plant product can be derived or obtained from at least one plant from which the active substance can be atomized into a flow of breathable fluid for inhalation by a user. Suitable plant products include Amaranthus dubius, Arctostaphylos uva-ursi (Bearberry), Argemone mexicana, Amica, Artemisia vulgaris, Yellow Tees, Galea zacatechichi, Canavalia maritima (Baybean), Cecropia mexicana (Guamura), Cestrum noctumum, Cynoglossum virginianum (wild comfrey) ), Cytisus scoparius, Damiana, Entada rheedii, Eschscholzia califomica (California Poppy), Fittonia albivenis, Hippobroma longiflora, Humulus japonica (Japanese Hops), Humulus lupulus (Hops), Lactuca virosa (Lettuce Opium), Laggera alata, Leonotis leonurus, Leonurus Cardiac (Motherwort), Leonurus sibiricus (Honeyweed), Lobelia cardinalis, Lobelia inflata (Indian-tobacco), Lobelia siphilitica, Nepeta cataria (Catnip), Nicotiana species (Tobacco), Nymphaea alba (White Lily), Nymphaea caerulea (Blue Lily) , Opium poppy, Passiflora incamata (Passionflower), Pedicularis densiflora (Indian Warrior), Pedicularis groenlandica (Elephant's Head), Salvia divinorum , Salvia dorrii (Tobacco Sage), Salvia species (Sage), Scutellaria galericulata, Scutellaria lateriflora, Scutellaria nana, Scutellaria species (Skullcap), Sida acuta (Wireweed), Sida rhombifolia, Silene capensis, Syzygium aromaticum (Clove), Tagetes lucida ( Mexican Tarragon), Tarchonanthus camphoratus, Tumera diffusa (Damiana), Verbascum (Mullein), Zamia latifolia (Maconha Brava), and any combination, functional equivalent, and/or synthetic substitute of the foregoing.

In some embodiments, the plant product can be reconstituted tobacco.

The term "active substance" as used herein denotes a chemically and/or physiologically active substance or a combination or mixture of such chemical and/or physiological substances intended to be atomized and which is breathable when the user inhales an aerosol. The fluid flow can provide entertainment and/or efficacy to the user. Suitable chemical and/or physiologically active substances include: nicotine, cocaine, caffeine, opium and opiates, norephedrine and cathinone, kava lactone, mysticin, beta-carboline alkaloids, salvinorin A And any combination, functional equivalent, and/or synthetic substitute of the foregoing.

Consumables of any of the first to third aspects can be coupled to heating elements in a thermal incombustible (HNB) system.

The fourth aspect therefore provides a thermal non-combustible (HNB) system comprising: the thermally non-combustible consumable of any one or more of the foregoing first to third aspects; and at least one heating element, wherein the consumable The heating element can be engaged such that the heating element faces (eg, abuts (directly or indirectly) or covers) the heated surface of the consumable.

In some embodiments, the plant product is a planar panel having an upper surface and a lower surface, and the at least one heating element is a first heating element facing/adjacent to the upper or lower surface.

The system can include a second heating element that faces/adjoins/covers the other of the upper and lower surfaces when engaging the consumable.

As discussed further below, this or each heating element can form part of a heating device for use with consumables. The consumables can be (releasably) engaged with this or each heating element of the device to thereby heat the heating element or each heating element. Once consumed, the consumables can be released from the heating element or each heating element, and additional consumables can then (releasably) engage (releasably) with the heating element or each heating element of the device for heating.

In some embodiments, wherein the plant product is formed as two planar panels that are aligned with one another and spaced apart to define a planar recess therebetween, at least one heating element being a core heating element, and the core heating element It is accommodated/can be accommodated in a planar recess.

In other specific embodiments in which the plant product is formed as a rectangular parallelepiped brick having a hollow core, the at least one heating element is a core heating element, wherein the core heating element is received/can be received in the rectangular parallelepiped recess.

Where the consumable comprises a housing as described above in the third aspect, at least one heating element (which may be a first, second or core heating element as described above) is at least when the consumable is engaged Partially (and optionally completely) is enclosed within the housing.

At least one/first/second/core heating element is received/can be received in the housing through the first longitudinal end face of the housing. In the case where there is an end wall defining a hole at the first longitudinal end face of the housing as described above, the at least one/first/second/core heating element is accommodated/can be received in the housing through the hole. In the presence of a film that seals the first longitudinal end face or aperture of the housing, the film is removed or pierced to allow insertion of at least one/first/second/core heating element into the housing.

The at least one heating element (e.g., the first/second/core heating element) is preferably a planar heating element, i.e. having at least one (preferably two) opposing planar surfaces.

At least one heating element (eg, the first/second/core heating element) may be formed as a planar heating plate. The planar heating plate can have a greater width and length than the depth. The length and width may be equal, but preferably the length is greater than the width such that the planar heating plate is a rectangular plate, i.e. having a substantially rectangular upper planar surface and a lower planar surface. The length of the planar heating plate can be between 10 and 20 mm, for example between 10 and 15 mm. The width of the flat plate can be between 7 and 14 mm, for example between 7 and 12 mm or between 7 and 10 mm, for example about 8 mm. The depth of the planar heating plate can be between 0.5 and 2 mm, for example about 1 mm.

At least one heating element (eg, the first/second/core heating element) can be a ceramic heating element.

In a fifth aspect, the present disclosure provides a thermally non-combustible (HNB) device comprising: a thermal non-combustible system as in the fourth aspect; and a device housing, wherein the device housing is at least partially (preferably intact) Closing at least one (first/second/core) heating element.

Consumables (as illustrated for the first, second or third aspects) can be inserted into the device housing to engage (ie, release the joint) at least one/first/second/core heating element. In the case where the consumable includes a housing as described above in the third aspect, the consumable is inserted and the second longitudinal end wall of the housing protrudes from the device housing.

There is also provided a thermal non-combustible (HNB) device comprising: a device housing; and at least one heating element, the at least one heating element being received within a chamber at a first longitudinal end of the device housing, the device housing having a first longitudinal end face a first longitudinal end face defining a bore in communication with the chamber, wherein the device further comprises a sealing plate movable from the first position to the second position, wherein the hole is open in the first position and the hole is at least partially in the second position The ground is sealed by a sealing plate.

The sealing plate is slidable from the first position (eg, slid in the axial direction) to the second position.

In the first position, the sealing plate forms the base of the chamber and the at least one heating element extends through the sealing plate towards the aperture. The sealing plate can be an apertured plate such that when the sealing plate is moved from the first position to the second position, at least one heating element passes through the aperture.

The device housing can include at least one channel, and the sealing plate can include at least one lateral tab that extends from the sealing plate through the channel to rest outside of the device housing. The device housing can include two opposing channels, and the sealing plate can include two opposing lateral tabs. Lateral tabs can be used to manually move the sealing plate between the first and second positions.

The device housing can have a substantially rectangular cross section.

The device is adapted to receive a consumable (as described in the first, second or third aspect) and can be inserted into the device housing to interact with the at least one heating element (which may be the first/second/core heating as described above) Component) joint. In the case where the consumable includes a housing as described above in the third aspect, the consumable is inserted and the second longitudinal end wall of the housing protrudes from the device housing.

When the sealing plate is in the first position of the sealing plate, the consumable is inserted. After use, the sealing plate moves to a second position of the sealing plate that forces the consumables away from the chamber and ultimately blocks the holes at the first longitudinal end face of the device housing, thereby preventing the user from contacting the hot heating element .

The apparatus can further include a PCB coupled to the heating element for controlling the temperature of the heating element. The device may further comprise a battery, such as a recyclable battery, such as a 2000 mAh battery.

The present disclosure includes combinations of the described aspects and preferred features, unless such combinations are not explicitly or explicitly avoided.

Aspects and specific embodiments of the present disclosure will now be discussed with reference to the drawings. Other aspects and specific embodiments will be apparent to those skilled in the art.

Figure 1 shows a perspective view of a first embodiment of a thermally non-combustible (HNB) consumable 1 comprising a flat panel 2 of reconstituted tobacco such that the consumable has a substantially rectangular cross section.

By providing the reconstituted tobacco as a flat sheet (having a substantially rectangular cross section) rather than a cylindrical rod (having a substantially circular cross section), the exposed surface area of the reconstituted tobacco in contact with the heating element is greater, thereby allowing the heating element to be removed from the heating element. Faster and more uniform heat transfer to reconstituted tobacco. In this manner, heating of the reconstituted tobacco can be achieved using a lower temperature (e.g., about 250 °C) heating element, which reduces the chance of reconstituted tobacco combustion.

The planar panel 2 has a substantially rectangular upper surface 3 having a length of about 12 mm, a width of about 8 mm, and a depth of about 6 mm.

The consumable also includes a filter 4. The filter is also formed as a planar plate having a substantially rectangular cross section. The filter typically has a width of about 8 mm, a depth of about 6 mm, and a length of about 3 mm.

The filter has a first longitudinal end face 5 facing the second longitudinal end face 6 of the flat panel 2 of the reconstituted tobacco.

Consumable 1 also includes a paper spacer 7 placed between the filter 4 and the plant product 2. The spacer typically has a width of about 8 mm, a depth of about 6 mm, and a length of about 5 mm.

Consumable 1 also includes a paper package 8 that is shown open in Figure 1, but will be wrapped to completely enclose the upper surface of the consumable and the opposing lateral faces.

The consumable 1 of Figure 1 can be heated using a first heating element adjacent the upper surface 3 and/or a second heating element adjacent the lower surface.

The planar panel 2 is then heated and heated from the outer surface and/or the lower surface from the outside to the inside.

Figure 2 shows a portion of the extruded tobacco brick 9 reconstituted with tobacco. The cuboid brick has an upper outer surface 3' and a lower outer surface (not visible), the upper outer surface 3' and the lower outer surface being spaced apart by opposing lateral outer surfaces 15 (only one visible). These outer surfaces are coated with a hydrophobic/liquid impermeable coating.

The cuboid bricks typically have a length of about 12 mm, a depth of about 6 mm, and a width of about 10 mm.

The cuboid brick 9 has a hollow core defined by a rectangular parallelepiped recess 10 which extends in the longitudinal direction from a first longitudinal end face 11 of the cuboid brick 9 to an opposite second longitudinal end face 12.

The cuboid recess 10 is defined by upper and lower inner surfaces 13a, 13b and opposing inner lateral surfaces 14a, 14b. The rectangular parallelepiped recess has a depth of about 1 mm, a width of about 8 mm, and a length of about 12 mm.

The reconstituted tobacco at or near one or more of the upper/lower/lateral inner surfaces 13a, 13b, 14a, 14c defining the cuboid recess 10 may be doped with an e-liquid, which may be An aerosol forming agent such as polyethylene glycol (PG) and/or plant glycerin (VG) is included.

As can be seen in Figures 5a-5b, the cuboid brick 9 can be inserted and bonded into a substantially rigid self-supporting housing 16 to form a consumable 1' having about 2 formed from molded bagasse slurry. A wall of uniform thickness of mm. The housing 16 has a textured (e.g., meshed) inner surface 17 that faces the reconstituted tobacco. The outer surface 18 of the housing 16 (visible in Figure 3) is substantially smooth.

As also shown in FIG. 3, the body of the housing 16 is a hollow rectangular parallelepiped defining a rectangular parallelepiped recess 20 sized to receive the rectangular brick 9 of the reconstituted tobacco.

The housing 16 has an open first longitudinal end face 19, the first longitudinal end face 19 having a rectangular cross section. The housing 16 has a rounded opposite second longitudinal end wall 21 having at least one mouthpiece aperture (not visible).

The consumable 1' has a filter 4' having a rounded second longitudinal end face for abutment with the inner surface of the second longitudinal end wall 21 of the housing 16.

The second longitudinal end wall 21 at least partially (and preferably completely) prevents the user from seeing the filter 4'.

By hiding the filter 4', the user does not be exposed to the residue remaining in the filter 4'/consumable product 1' after use, thereby improving the aesthetic appeal of the consumable after use and avoiding residue User transfer.

The body of the housing 16 includes an upper wall 22 and a lower wall 23 separated by opposing lateral side walls 24. One of the opposing lateral sidewalls 24 includes a longitudinally extending joint 25, and the second longitudinal end wall 21 further includes an engagement portion such that the housing can be opened to expose the rectangular parallelepiped recess, as shown in Figures 5a-5c.

The other opposing side wall 24' includes a longitudinally extending hinge portion 26 such that the housing can be opened along the joint by pivoting of the upper wall 22 and the lower wall 23 about the hinge portion 26.

In this manner, the cuboid brick 9 and the filter 4' can be assembled (and glued) into the open housing 16, and then the housing is closed (by pivoting about the hinge portion 26, as shown in Figure 5c). The joint can be sealed, for example, with glue.

The closed casing 16 has the shape shown in Fig. 3, and with such a casing 16, the consumable 1' becomes more similar to a crucible or "pod" which effectively contains residues after use to protect the use. Protected from pollution.

Figures 6a-6b show another embodiment in which the consumable 1" comprises two planar panels 2', 2" of reconstituted tobacco, each planar panel having a depth of about 2 mm, a length of about 12 mm and about 10 mm width.

The two planar panels 2', 2" are vertically and horizontally aligned and spaced apart from each other to define a planar recess 27 (visible in Figure 7). The housing is as previously described and is formed by pivoting along the hinge portion 26. Prior to closing the housing by the planar recess 27, the two planar plates 2', 2" are glued into the respective halves of the housing (see Figure 6b). As described above, the tobacco at or near the inner surface (facing the planar recess 27) on one or both of the flat plates 2', 2" is formulated with an electronic liquid. The joint around the casing is sealed with glue.

Figure 12 shows a variant (a flat panel is omitted from the view), wherein the filter 4' (shown in cross section) comprises a liquid release member 41 comprising an aerosol former at the first longitudinal end face (such as plant glycerin and / or propylene glycol). The release member 41 is configured to release aerosol formation during manufacture (eg, by providing a collapsible envelope) or during use (eg, by providing an envelope that is fragile when heated adjacent to the heating element 28 or melted during heating) The agent allows the aerosol former to penetrate the plant product after release.

A closed housing 16 can be seen in FIG. 7 in which a planar ceramic heating element 28 is inserted into the planar recess 27. Figure 8 shows a longitudinal cross-sectional view of the housing 16 of the cuboid brick 9 comprising the reconstituted tobacco.

It can be seen that when inserted into the recess 27, the heating element 28 can contact the surface of the cuboid recess 10 or the planar recess 27, allowing for faster heating. It can also be seen that in all embodiments, the depth of the reconstituted tobacco between the heated surface and the opposing surface is substantially fixed in the width direction, which results in a more uniform heat transfer from the heating element 28 to the reconstituted tobacco. In this manner, heating of the tobacco can be achieved using a lower temperature (e.g., about 250 °C) heating element 28, which reduces the chance of burning the plant product.

Figures 13 and 14 show a further embodiment in which the planar recess 27 or the cuboid recess 10 is completely lined with a thermally conductive material, such as aluminum foil 47. The aluminum foil is completely lining the recesses 10, 27 and covering the plant product, and the plant product may be in the form of two planar panels 2, 2' (as shown in Figure 11) or may be a rectangular brick 9 (as shown in Figure 12).

In the particular embodiment illustrated in Figure 13, the opposing outer surfaces of the planar panels 2', 2" are further lined with a dimple foil 42 (which is liquid impermeable). The vegetable product and foil layers 47, 42 are packaged in cardboard. The article 43 is encapsulated, although the cardboard package 43 may also be formed from a molded pulp, such as a molded bagasse slurry.

The heating element 28 is housed within the planar recess 27 and the aluminum foil 47 enhances heat transfer to the plant product. The dimple foil 42 forms a liquid impermeable barrier to prevent any electronic liquid formulated into the plant product from penetrating into the cardboard package for increasing the flow of air through the consumable when the user inhales.

In Fig. 14, the aluminum foil 47 is completely lined with the rectangular parallelepiped recess 10 and then extends over the second longitudinal end face 12 of the rectangular parallelepiped brick and axially into the passages 44a, 44b formed in the second longitudinal end face 12. Therefore, the aluminum foil partially covers the second longitudinal end face 12 of the rectangular brick.

The cuboid bricks 9 and foil layers 47, 42 are encapsulated with a cardboard wrapper 43, although the carton wrapper 43 may also be formed from a molded pulp, such as a molded bagasse slurry. The package includes a lateral extension 45 that extends to cover a portion of the second longitudinal end face 19 of the rectangular brick 9. The lateral extension 45 includes an inwardly depending axial extension 46 that extends inwardly into the channels 44a, 44b in the plant product adjacent the aluminum foil 47.

The heating element 28 is housed within the cuboid recess 10 and the aluminum foil 47 enhances heat transfer to the plant product.

A further embodiment of a consumable 1"' is shown in Figure 4, wherein the housing 16 and the filter 4' are as previously described. The reconstituted tobacco is formed as a single planar panel 2 having a substantially rectangular upper surface 3, a length of about 12 mm, a width of about 8 mm, and a depth of about 6 mm.

The first longitudinal end face 19 of the housing 16 is provided with a pierceable or peelable film such as a metal foil or plastic film 29. Such a film can be provided in any of the foregoing specific embodiments and is used to at least partially obscure the reconstituted tobacco prior to use by the user. When the consumable 1"' is used, the film can be removed or pierced to insert the heating element 28.

For this particular embodiment, the heating element may be a heating blade that pierces the planar panel 2.

FIG. 9 shows a thermal incombustible (HNB) device 30 including a heating element 28 mounted on and controlled by a PCB 31 that is connected to a battery 32 that is housed within an electrical bushing 33. The electrical bushing 33 and the heating element 28 are correspondingly housed again within the device housing 34 (and completely enclosed by the device housing 34). The device housing 34 has a chamber 35 at a first longitudinal end of the device housing 34 that has an aperture at a first longitudinal end face of the device housing 34 and houses a heating element 28.

The consumable 1'/1" can be inserted into the chamber 35 within the device housing 34 such that the heating element 28 is received in the housing 16 via the first longitudinal end face 19 of the housing 16 (e.g., the planar recess 26 in the reconstituted tobacco) Or within the cuboid recess 10. The second longitudinal end wall 21 of the housing 16 projects from the device housing.

The device further includes a sealing plate 36 movable from the first position (shown in Figure 10) (which is axially slidable), wherein the aperture at the first longitudinal end face of the device housing 34 is toward the second position (as in Figure 11 An opening is shown in which the aperture is at least partially sealed by the sealing plate 36.

In the first position, the sealing plate 36 forms the base of the chamber 35 through which the heating element 28 extends towards the aperture. The sealing plate 36 has a slit 37 such that when the sealing plate 36 is moved from the first position to the second position, the heating element 28 passes through the slit.

The device housing 34 has two opposing channels 38, 38' and the sealing plate 36 includes two opposing lateral tabs 39, 39' extending from the sealing plate 36 through the passages 38, 38' To be parked on the outside of the device housing 34. Lateral tabs 39, 39' can be used to manually move the sealing plate 36 between the first and second positions.

When the sealing plate 36 is in the first position of the sealing plate 36, the consumable 1'/1" is inserted. The heating element 28 is located in the rectangular recess 10 or the planar recess 27, and the user is caused, for example, by being located on the device housing 34. The actuator button activates the heating element. The device housing may also include an indicator showing when the heating element 28 has reached the correct temperature (250 ° C).

The user then places the second longitudinal end wall 21 of the consumable 1'/1" into its mouth and draws on the consumable to inhale the aerosol containing nicotine.

After use, the sealing plate 36 is moved to a second position of the sealing plate 36 which forces the consumable 1'/1" away from the chamber 35 and ultimately blocks the aperture at the first longitudinal end face of the device housing 34, Thereby the user is prevented from contacting the hot heating element 28.

The device 30 can also include a cap 40 (e.g., a magnetic cap) for sealing the aperture at the first longitudinal end face of the device housing, such as when the device is not in use for an extended period of time. The cap 40 can have a recess on its underside such that the hole can be sealed in place with the consumable 1', 1'.

Although the present invention has been described in connection with the exemplary embodiments described above, many modifications and variations will be apparent to those skilled in the art. Accordingly, the exemplary embodiments of the invention described above are considered as illustrative and not restrictive. Various changes may be made to the specific embodiments described without departing from the scope of the invention.

Throughout the specification, unless the context requires otherwise, the word "comprising" or variations such as "including" or "having" will be understood to implicitly include the integer or step or integer or step. Group, but does not exclude any other integers or groups of steps or integers or steps.

The following numbered paragraphs (paragraph n) contain statements of a broad combination of the technical features of the invention disclosed herein:

A heat non-combustible (HNB) consumable comprising a plant product, wherein the plant product is formed into a flat sheet such that the consumable has a substantially rectangular cross section.

2. A heat incombustible (HNB) system comprising:
A heat non-combustible consumable as described in paragraph 1; and a first heating element, wherein the planar plate has an upper surface and a lower surface and is engageable with the first heating element such that the first heating element faces or abuts the upper or lower surface.

3. The system of paragraph 2, wherein the first heating element is planar and covers the upper or lower surface.

4. The system of paragraph 2 or 3, further comprising a second heating element facing/adjacent to the other of the upper surface and the lower surface.

5. The system of paragraph 4, wherein the second heating element is planar and covers the other of the upper surface and the lower surface.

6. The system of any of the preceding clauses, wherein the first heating element and/or the second heating element are ceramic heating elements.

7. A heat incombustible (HNB) device comprising:
The thermal non-combustible system of any of paragraphs 2 to 6, and the device housing, wherein the device housing at least partially encloses the first heating element/second heating element.

8. A heat-non-combustible (HNB) consumable comprising a plant product, wherein the plant product is formed as two planar panels, the two planar panels being aligned and spaced apart from one another to define a planar recess therebetween such that the consumable has a substantially rectangular cross-section section.

9. A consumable according to paragraph 8, wherein each planar panel has an inner heating surface facing the planar recess, and one or both of the inner heating surfaces are at least partially formulated with an electronic liquid.

10. A heat incombustible (HNB) system comprising:
A thermally non-combustible consumable as described in paragraph 8 or 9; and a core heating element, wherein the core heating element is received in the planar recess.

11. The system of paragraph 10, wherein the core heating element is formed as a plate.

12. The system of paragraph 10 or 11, wherein the core heating element is a ceramic heating element.

13. A heat incombustible (HNB) device comprising:
The thermal non-combustible system of any of clauses 10 to 12; and the device housing, wherein the device housing at least partially encloses the core heating element.

14. A heat non-combustible (HNB) consumable comprising a plant product, wherein the plant product is formed as a cuboid brick having a hollow core.

15. The consumable according to paragraph 14, wherein the hollow core is defined by a rectangular parallelepiped recess extending in a longitudinal direction from a first longitudinal end face of the rectangular brick.

16. The consumable of paragraph 15, wherein the rectangular parallelepiped recess extends from the first longitudinal end face to the opposite second longitudinal end face.

17. A consumable as described in paragraph 15 or 16, wherein the cuboid recess is at least partially lined with a portion of the plant product containing the electronic liquid.

The consumable according to any one of the preceding paragraphs, wherein the cuboid brick has an upper outer surface and a lower outer surface separated by opposite lateral outer surfaces, wherein the upper lateral outer surface and the lower lateral outer surface At least one of the surface and the opposite lateral outer surface is at least partially coated with a hydrophobic or liquid impermeable coating.

19. The consumable according to any one of clauses 14 to 18, wherein the cuboid brick is formed by extrusion.

A heat non-combustible (HNB) system comprising: the thermally non-combustible consumable of any one of paragraphs 14 to 19; and a core heating element, wherein the core heating element is housed in the rectangular parallelepiped recess.

21. The system of paragraph 20, wherein the core heating element is formed as a plate.

22. The system of paragraph 20 or 21 wherein the core heating element is a ceramic heating element.

23. A thermally non-combustible (HNB) device comprising: the thermal non-combustible system of any one of paragraphs 20 to 22; and a device housing, wherein the device housing at least partially encloses the core heating element.

24. A heat non-combustible (HNB) consumable comprising a plant product, wherein the plant product is at least partially enclosed in a self-supporting shell.

25. A consumable as described in paragraph 24, wherein the plant product is completely enclosed within the casing.

26. Consumables as described in paragraph 24 or 25, wherein the casing is rigid or semi-rigid.

27. The consumable according to any one of paragraphs 24 to 26, wherein the wall thickness of the housing is in the range of 0.8 to 5.0 mm.

28. The consumable of paragraph 27, wherein the housing has an inner surface facing the plant product, and wherein the inner surface is textured.

29. Consumables as described in paragraph 28, wherein the inner surface has a grid texture.

The consumable according to any one of paragraphs 27 to 29, wherein the casing is formed of a biodegradable material.

31. A thermally non-combustible (HNB) system comprising: the thermally non-combustible consumable of any one of paragraphs 24 to 30; and at least one heating element, wherein at least one heating element is housed in the housing.

32. A thermally non-combustible (HNB) device comprising: the thermal non-combustible system of paragraph 31; and a device housing, wherein the device housing at least partially encloses the heating element and the structural housing.

33. A heat non-combustible (HNB) consumable comprising a plant product, wherein the plant product is at least partially enclosed in a casing, the casing being at least partially made of a molded pulp material.

34. A consumable as described in paragraph 33, wherein the plant product is completely enclosed within the casing.

35. The consumable of paragraph 33 or 34, wherein the casing is formed at least in part from molded tobacco cellulose pulp, wood pulp, bamboo pulp, palm syrup, or bagasse pulp.

The consumable according to any one of paragraphs 33 to 35, wherein the casing is at least partially made of a molded pulp material and has a thickness in the range of 0.8 to 5.0 mm.

37. The consumable of paragraph 36, wherein the molding slurry material has an inner surface facing the plant product, and wherein the inner surface has a texture.

38. The consumable according to paragraph 37, wherein the inner surface has a grid texture.

A heat non-combustible (HNB) system comprising: the thermally non-combustible consumable of any one of paragraphs 33 to 38; and at least one heating element, wherein at least one heating element is housed in the housing.

40. A thermally non-combustible (HNB) device comprising: the thermal non-combustible system of paragraph 39; and a device housing, wherein the device housing at least partially encloses the heating element and the structural housing.

41. A heat non-combustible (HNB) consumable comprising a plant product, wherein the plant product is at least partially enclosed within a casing, wherein the casing has a substantially rectangular cross section.

42. The consumable of paragraph 41, wherein the body of the housing is a hollow rectangular parallelepiped defining a rectangular parallelepiped recess.

43. The consumable of paragraph 42, wherein the plant product is formed as a hollow cuboid brick or at least one planar panel and is received in a rectangular parallelepiped recess in the body of the housing.

44. The consumable of paragraph 42, wherein the plant product is completely enclosed within the body of the housing.

The consumable of any one of paragraphs 42 to 44, wherein the body of the housing includes an upper wall and a lower wall spaced apart by opposing lateral sidewalls, wherein at least one of the opposing lateral sidewalls A longitudinally extending joint is included such that the housing can be opened to reveal a rectangular parallelepiped recess.

The consumable of any of the preceding paragraphs 41 to 45, wherein the housing has a first longitudinal end face that is at least partially open.

47. The consumable of paragraph 46, wherein the housing has a second longitudinal end wall opposite the first longitudinal end face and the second longitudinal end wall comprises a curved/rounded end wall.

48. The consumable of paragraph 47, wherein the curved/rounded end wall at the second longitudinal end face comprises at least one mouthpiece aperture.

49. The consumable of any of the preceding paragraphs 41 to 48, wherein the housing is rigid or semi-rigid.

The consumable according to any one of paragraphs 41 to 49, wherein the casing is formed of a biodegradable material.

A heat non-combustible (HNB) system comprising: the thermally non-combustible consumable of any one of paragraphs 41 to 50; and at least one heating element, wherein at least one heating element is housed in the housing.

52. A thermally non-combustible (HNB) device comprising: the thermal non-combustible system of paragraph 51; and a device housing, wherein the device housing at least partially encloses the heating element and the structural housing.

53. A thermally non-combustible (HNB) consumable comprising a plant product and a filter, wherein the consumable further comprises a housing having a first longitudinal end face and a second longitudinal end face, wherein the second longitudinal end face comprises an end wall for use The filter is at least partially invisible.

54. The consumable of paragraph 53, wherein the end wall at the second longitudinal end face at least partially covers the second longitudinal end surface of the filter.

55. The consumable of paragraph 54, wherein the end wall at the second longitudinal end face abuts the second longitudinal end surface of the filter.

56. The consumable of paragraph 54 or 55, wherein the second longitudinal end face of the housing covers or abuts at least 50% of the second longitudinal end face of the filter.

The consumable according to any one of paragraphs 53 to 56, wherein the end wall at the second longitudinal end face of the housing comprises a curved/rounded wall.

58. The consumable of paragraph 57, wherein the filter comprises a second longitudinal end face that is curved/rounded.

The consumable according to any one of the preceding paragraphs, wherein the end wall at the second longitudinal end face comprises at least one mouthpiece hole.

60. The consumable according to paragraphs 53 to 59 above, wherein the housing has a substantially rectangular cross section.

61. The consumable of paragraph 60, wherein the body of the housing is a hollow rectangular parallelepiped defining a rectangular parallelepiped recess.

62. The consumable of paragraph 61, wherein the plant product is formed as a hollow cuboid brick or at least one planar panel and is received in a rectangular parallelepiped recess in the body of the housing.

63. The consumable according to any of the preceding paragraphs, wherein the housing is rigid or semi-rigid.

The consumable according to any one of paragraphs 53 to 63, wherein the casing is formed of a biodegradable material.

65. A heat-non-combustible (HNB) system comprising: the thermally non-combustible consumable of any one of paragraphs 53 to 64; and at least one heating element, wherein at least one of the heating elements is received through the first longitudinal end face In the housing.

66. A thermally non-combustible (HNB) device comprising: the thermal non-combustible system of paragraph 65; and a device housing, wherein the device housing at least partially encloses the heating element and the structural housing.

67. A thermally non-combustible (HNB) consumable comprising a plant product, wherein the consumable further comprises a housing having a first longitudinal end face, wherein the first longitudinal end surface comprises a surface that allows the user to at least partially be invisible at least prior to use Plant products.

68. The consumable of paragraph 67, wherein the first longitudinal end face of the housing comprises an end wall that at least partially covers the longitudinal end face of the plant product.

69. The consumable of paragraph 68, wherein the end wall at the first longitudinal end face of the housing abuts the longitudinal end face of the plant product.

The consumable according to any one of paragraphs 67 to 69, wherein the first longitudinal end face of the housing comprises a pierceable membrane.

71. The consumable of paragraph 70, wherein the pierceable membrane comprises a foil.

The consumable according to any one of the preceding paragraphs, wherein the housing has a substantially rectangular cross section.

73. The consumable of paragraph 72, wherein the body of the housing is a hollow cuboid defining a recess of the cuboid.

74. The consumable of paragraph 73, wherein the plant product is formed as a hollow cuboid brick or at least one planar panel and is received in a rectangular parallelepiped recess in the body of the housing.

The consumable of any of paragraphs 67 to 74, wherein the housing has a second longitudinal end wall opposite the first longitudinal end face and the second longitudinal end wall comprises a curved/rounded end wall.

76. The consumable of paragraph 75, wherein the curved/rounded end wall at the second longitudinal end face comprises at least one mouthpiece aperture.

77. The consumable of any of the preceding paragraphs, wherein the housing is rigid or semi-rigid.

The consumable according to any one of paragraphs 67 to 77, wherein the casing is formed of a biodegradable material.

79. A thermally non-combustible (HNB) system comprising: the thermally non-combustible consumable of any one of paragraphs 67 to 78; and at least one heating element, wherein the at least one heating element is received through the first longitudinal end face In the housing.

80. A thermally non-combustible (HNB) device comprising: the thermal non-combustible system of paragraph 79; and a device housing, wherein the device housing at least partially encloses the heating element and the structural housing.

81. A thermally non-combustible (HNB) consumable comprising a plant product, wherein the plant product comprises a substantially planar first heating surface and an opposite second surface, the first surface facing the planar heating element in use, wherein the first surface is The spacing between the second surfaces is substantially fixed.

82. The consumable of paragraph 81, wherein the plant product is formed into at least one planar panel.

83. The consumable of paragraph 82, wherein the plant product is formed as two planar panels that are aligned with one another and spaced apart to define planar recesses therebetween, each planar panel having a correspondingly facing planar recess The substantially planar first heated surface.

84. The consumable of paragraph 81, wherein the plant product is formed as a rectangular brick having a hollow core defined by a rectangular parallelepiped recess extending in a longitudinal direction from a first longitudinal end surface of the rectangular brick.

85. A thermally non-combustible (HNB) system comprising: the thermally non-combustible consumable of any one of paragraphs 81 to 84; and a planar heating element wherein the planar heating element abuts or faces a substantially planar surface of the plant product The first heated surface.

The system of paragraph 85, wherein the plant product is formed as two planar panels that are aligned with one another and spaced apart to define a planar recess therebetween, and wherein the planar heating element is received in the planar recess .

87. The system of paragraph 85, wherein the plant product is formed as a rectangular parallelepiped brick having a hollow core defined by a rectangular parallelepiped recess, and wherein the planar heating element is received in the rectangular parallelepiped recess.

The system of any one of paragraphs 85 to 87, wherein the planar heating element is a ceramic heating element.

89. A thermal non-combustible (HNB) device comprising: the thermal non-combustible system of any one of paragraphs 85 to 88; and a device housing, wherein the device housing at least partially encloses the core heating element.

90. A thermally non-combustible (HNB) device comprising: a device housing; and at least one heating element, the at least one heating element being received within a chamber at a first longitudinal end of the housing, the device housing having a first longitudinal end face, a first longitudinal end face defining a bore in communication with the chamber, wherein the device further comprises a sealing plate movable from a first position to a second position in which the hole is exposed, and in the second position the hole is at least partially Sealed by a sealing plate.

91. The device of paragraph 90, wherein the sealing plate is slidable from the first position to the second position.

92. The device of paragraph 91, wherein the sealing plate is slidable within the device housing in an axial direction.

93. The device of paragraph 92, wherein in the first position, the sealing plate forms a base of the chamber and the at least one heating element extends from/through the sealing plate toward the aperture.

The device of any one of the preceding paragraphs, wherein the sealing plate is an apertured plate, the at least one heating element passing through the aperture when the sealing plate is moved from the first position to the second position.

95. The device of any of paragraphs 91 to 93, wherein the device housing comprises at least one channel, and wherein the sealing plate comprises at least one lateral tab, the lateral tab extending from the sealing plate through the channel It is parked on the outside of the device housing.

The device of any one of the preceding paragraphs, wherein the first longitudinal end of the device housing is a hollow rectangular parallelepiped, the hollow rectangular parallelepiped defines a rectangular parallelepiped chamber, and the at least one heating element extends into the rectangular parallelepiped chamber in.

97. The device of any of the preceding paragraphs, wherein the device housing has a substantially rectangular cross section.

The device of any of the preceding paragraphs 90 to 97, further comprising a cap for sealing the aperture at the first longitudinal end face of the device housing.

99. A heat non-combustible (HNB) consumable comprising a plant product and a filter, wherein the filter comprises at least one liquid release member.

100. The consumable of paragraph 99, wherein the liquid release member / each liquid release member comprises an aerosol former.

101. The consumable of paragraph 100, wherein the liquid release member / each liquid release member comprises vegetable glycerol or propylene glycol.

The consumable according to any one of the preceding paragraphs, wherein the filter is formed as a flat plate such that the consumable has a substantially rectangular cross section.

103. The consumable of paragraph 102, wherein the plant product is formed as a hollow cuboid brick or at least one planar panel and has at least one second longitudinal end abutting the first longitudinal end of the filter.

104. The consumable of paragraph 103, wherein the liquid release member is positioned adjacent to the abutment of the filter and the plant product.

105. A thermally non-combustible (HNB) system comprising: the thermally non-combustible consumable of any one of paragraphs 99 to 104; and at least one heating element, wherein at least one of the heating elements is in thermal communication with the plant product.

106. A thermally non-combustible (HNB) device comprising: the thermal non-combustible system of paragraph 105; and a device housing, wherein the device housing at least partially encloses the heating element.

107. A heat non-combustible (HNB) consumable comprising a plant product, wherein the plant product comprises a recess for receiving a heating element, wherein the recess is lined with a thermally conductive material.

108. The consumable of paragraph 107, wherein at least 70% of the surface defining the recess is lined with a thermally conductive material.

109. The consumable according to paragraph 108, wherein the recess is completely lined with a thermally conductive material.

The consumable according to any one of the preceding paragraphs, wherein the thermally conductive material is a textured/concave foil.

The consumable of any of the preceding paragraphs 107 to 110, further comprising a packaging layer or shell on the outer surface of the plant product.

The consumable according to any one of the preceding paragraphs, wherein the plant product comprises extending from the one or both of the first and/or second longitudinal end faces of the plant product to the plant product At least one of the channels, and wherein the thermally conductive material extends from the recess to the at least one channel on the first/second longitudinal end face of the plant product.

113. The consumable of paragraph 112, further comprising a packaging layer or shell on an outer surface of the plant product, and wherein the packaging layer/housing comprises a lateral extension, the lateral extension extending to cover the first aspect of the plant product A portion of the two longitudinal end faces, the lateral extension portion includes an axially extending portion that depends inwardly, the axially extending portion extending inwardly into at least one of the second longitudinal end faces of the plant product.

The consumable according to any one of paragraphs 107 to 113, wherein the plant product is formed as a rectangular parallelepiped brick having a hollow core defined by a rectangular parallelepiped recess, wherein the rectangular parallelepiped recess is lined with a thermally conductive material.

The consumable according to any one of paragraphs 107 to 113, wherein the plant product is formed as two planar plates, the two planar plates being aligned with each other and spaced apart from each other to define a planar recess therebetween, wherein the plane The recess is lined with a thermally conductive material.

116. A thermally non-combustible (HNB) system comprising: the thermally non-combustible consumable of any one of the preceding paragraphs 107 to 115; and a core heating element, wherein the core heating element is received in the recess.

117. The system of paragraph 116, wherein the core heating element is formed as a plate.

118. The system of paragraph 116 or 117, wherein the core heating element is a ceramic heating element.

119. A thermal non-combustible (HNB) device comprising: the thermal non-combustible system of any one of paragraphs 116 to 118; and a device housing, wherein the device housing at least partially encloses the core heating element.

1‧‧‧Heat incombustible (HNB) consumables

1’‧‧‧Consumables

1”‧‧‧Consumables

1”’‧‧‧Consumables

2‧‧‧flat board

2’‧‧‧flat board

2"‧‧‧flat board

3‧‧‧ upper surface

3'‧‧‧Upper surface

4‧‧‧Filter

4'‧‧‧Filter

5‧‧‧First longitudinal end face

6‧‧‧second longitudinal end face

7‧‧‧ spacers

8‧‧‧paper packaging

9‧‧‧Cuboid brick

10‧‧‧Rectangle recess

11‧‧‧First longitudinal end face

12‧‧‧ second longitudinal end face

13a‧‧‧ Upper inner surface

13b‧‧‧ lower inner surface

14a‧‧‧ lateral surface

14b‧‧‧ internal lateral surface

15‧‧‧lateral outer surface

16‧‧‧Self-supporting housing

17‧‧‧ inner surface

18‧‧‧ outer surface

19‧‧‧First longitudinal end face

20‧‧‧Rectangle recess

21‧‧‧Second longitudinal end wall

22‧‧‧Upper wall

23‧‧‧ Lower wall

24‧‧‧lateral side wall

25‧‧‧ joints

26‧‧‧ Hinge section

27‧‧‧ Plane recess

28‧‧‧heating elements

29‧‧‧Metal foil or plastic film

30‧‧‧Heat incombustible (HNB) device

31‧‧‧PCB

32‧‧‧Battery

33‧‧‧Electrical casing

34‧‧‧ device housing

35‧‧‧ chamber

36‧‧‧ Sealing plate

37‧‧‧slit

38‧‧‧ passage

38’‧‧‧ channel

39‧‧‧lateral tabs

39’‧‧‧lateral tabs

40‧‧‧Cap

41‧‧‧ release member

42‧‧‧Foil layer

43‧‧‧Cardboard packaging

44a‧‧‧ channel

44b‧‧‧ channel

45‧‧‧Horizontal extension

46‧‧‧Axial extension

47‧‧‧Foil layer

For a better understanding of the present disclosure and the further features of the present invention, reference will now be

Figure 1 shows a first embodiment of a consumable comprising a flat panel of a plant product;

Figure 2 shows a cuboid brick of a plant product; Figure 3 shows the housing of the consumable;

Figure 4 shows a second embodiment of a consumable comprising a flat panel of a plant product;

Figures 5a-5c illustrate a third embodiment of a consumable;

Figures 6a and 6b show a fourth embodiment of a consumable;

Figure 7 shows a fourth embodiment in which a core heating element is inserted;

Figure 8 shows a transverse cross-sectional view of a third embodiment in which a core heating element is inserted;

9-11 illustrate a device in accordance with a particular embodiment; FIG. 12 illustrates a fifth embodiment of a consumable;

Figure 13 is a longitudinal cross-sectional view showing a sixth embodiment of the consumable; and

Figure 14 shows a longitudinal cross-sectional view of a seventh embodiment of the consumable.

Domestic deposit information (please note in the order of the depository, date, number)
no

Foreign deposit information (please note in the order of country, organization, date, number)
no

Claims (26)

A heat non-combustible (HNB) consumable comprising a plant product, wherein the plant product is formed into a planar sheet such that the consumable has a substantially rectangular cross section. A heat incombustible (HNB) system comprising: a heat non-combustible consumable as described in claim 1; a first heating element, Wherein the planar plate has an upper surface and a lower surface and is engageable with the first heating element such that the first heating element faces or abuts the upper surface or the lower surface. A heat incombustible (HNB) device comprising: a heat non-combustible system as claimed in claim 2; a device housing, Wherein the device housing at least partially encloses the first heating element. The consumable of claim 1 wherein the plant product is formed as two planar panels that are aligned and spaced apart from one another to define a planar recess therebetween such that the consumable has a substantially rectangular cross-section. section. The consumable of claim 1, wherein the plant product is formed as a rectangular brick having a hollow core. A thermally non-combustible (HNB) consumable comprising a plant product, wherein the plant product comprises a recess for receiving a heating element, wherein the recess is lined with a thermally conductive material. The consumable of claim 6, wherein the plant product comprises at least one channel extending from either or both of the first and/or second longitudinal end faces of the plant product to the plant product, and Wherein the thermally conductive material extends from the recess to the at least one channel on the first/second longitudinal end face of the plant product. The consumable of claim 7, further comprising a packaging layer or casing on the outer surface of the plant product, and wherein the packaging layer/housing includes a lateral extension that extends to cover a portion of the second longitudinal end surface of the plant product, the lateral extension comprising an inwardly depending axially extending portion extending inwardly to the at least one passage in the second longitudinal end surface of the plant product in. A heat incombustible (HNB) system comprising: a thermally non-combustible consumable as described in any one of claims 4 to 8; a core heating element, Wherein the core heating element is housed in the recess/hollow core. A heat incombustible (HNB) device comprising: a thermal non-combustible system as claimed in claim 9; a device housing, Wherein the device housing at least partially encloses the core heating element. A heat non-combustible (HNB) consumable comprising a plant product, wherein the plant product is at least partially enclosed in a self-supporting housing. The consumable of claim 11, wherein the housing is rigid or semi-rigid. The consumable of claim 11 or 12, wherein the housing is formed from a biodegradable material. The consumable of claim 13, wherein the housing is at least partially formed from a molding slurry material. The consumable of claim 13, wherein the casing is formed at least in part from molded tobacco cellulose pulp, wood pulp, bamboo pulp, palm syrup, or bagasse pulp. The consumable of claim 11, wherein the housing has a substantially rectangular cross section. A heat-non-combustible (HNB) consumable comprising a plant product and a filter, wherein the consumable further comprises a casing having a first longitudinal end face and a second longitudinal end face, wherein the second longitudinal end face comprises an end wall The end wall allows a user to at least partially see the filter. The consumable of claim 17, wherein the end wall at the second longitudinal end face comprises at least one mouthpiece aperture. A heat non-combustible (HNB) consumable comprising a plant product, wherein the consumable further comprises a casing having a first longitudinal end face, wherein the first longitudinal end face comprises a surface that allows a user to at least use The plant product was previously invisible at least in part. The consumable of claim 19, wherein the first longitudinal end face of the housing comprises a pierceable membrane. The consumable of claim 20, wherein the pierceable film comprises a foil. A heat incombustible (HNB) system comprising: The heat-non-combustible consumable of any one of claims 11 to 21; At least one heating element, Wherein the at least one heating element is housed in the housing. A heat incombustible (HNB) device comprising: a heat non-combustible system as claimed in claim 22; a device housing, Wherein the device housing at least partially encloses the heating element and the structural housing. A heat incombustible (HNB) device comprising: a device housing; At least one heating element housed in a chamber at a first longitudinal end of the housing, the device housing having a first longitudinal end face defining a communication with the chamber a hole, Wherein the apparatus further includes a sealing plate movable from a first position to a second position in which the aperture is exposed, wherein the aperture is at least partially covered by the sealing plate in the second position seal. A heat-non-combustible (HNB) consumable comprising a plant product and a filter, wherein the filter comprises at least one liquid release member. The consumable of claim 25, wherein the liquid release member / each liquid release member comprises an aerosol former.