JP2024525644A - A novel aerosol-generating substrate containing cumin seeds - Google Patents

Abstract

The aerosol-generating article (1000) (4000a, 4000b) (5000) comprises an aerosol-generating substrate (1020) formed from a homogenized cumin material including cumin seed particles, an aerosol former, and a binder. The aerosol-generating substrate further comprises at least 15 micrograms of procurcumenol per gram of substrate, on a dry weight basis, at least 20 micrograms of cuminaldehyde per gram of substrate, on a dry weight basis, and at least 10 micrograms of isothymol per gram of substrate, on a dry weight basis.

Description

The present invention relates to an aerosol-generating substrate comprising homogenized plant material formed from cumin seed particles, and to an aerosol-generating article incorporating such an aerosol-generating substrate. The present invention further relates to an aerosol derived from an aerosol-generating substrate comprising cumin seed particles.

Aerosol-generating articles are known in the art in which an aerosol-generating substrate, such as a tobacco-containing substrate, is heated rather than combusted. Typically, in such 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 substrate by heat transfer from the heat source and are entrained in the air drawn through the article. Upon cooling, the released compounds condense to form an aerosol.

Some aerosol generating articles include flavorants that are delivered to the consumer during use of the article to provide a different sensory experience to the consumer, e.g., to enhance the flavor of the aerosol. Flavorants may be used to deliver a taste (flavor), an odor (smell), or both taste and odor to a user inhaling the aerosol. It is known to provide heated aerosol generating articles that include flavorants.

It is also known to provide flavorants to conventional combustible cigarettes, which are smoked by lighting the end of the cigarette opposite the mouthpiece so that the tobacco rod burns to generate inhalable smoke. Typically, one or more flavorants are mixed with the tobacco in the tobacco rod to provide additional flavor to the mainstream smoke as the tobacco is burned. Such flavorants may be provided, for example, as essential oils.

Aerosol from conventional cigarettes, which contains numerous components that interact with receptors located in the mouth, provides a sensation of "body," or a relatively strong mouthfeel. "Mouthfeel," as used herein, refers to the physical sensation in the mouth caused by a food, beverage, or aerosol, and is distinct from taste. Mouthfeel, along with taste and odor, is the fundamental sensory attribute that determines the overall flavor of a food or aerosol.

There are challenges in replicating the consumer experience provided by traditional combustible cigarettes with aerosol-generating articles in which the aerosol-generating substrate is heated rather than combusted. This is due in part to the cooler temperatures reached during heating of such aerosol-generating articles, which release a different profile of volatile compounds.

It is desirable to provide novel aerosol-generating substrates for heated aerosol-generating articles that provide aerosols with improved flavor and body. Such aerosol-generating substrates would be particularly desirable if they could provide an aerosol with a sensory experience comparable to that provided by conventional combustible cigarettes. Also, such aerosol-generating substrates would be particularly desirable if they could provide an aerosol with reduced levels of undesirable aerosol compounds compared to existing aerosol-generating substrates, e.g., those that contain only tobacco.

It would be further desirable to provide such an aerosol-generating substrate that can be easily incorporated into an aerosol-generating article and that can be manufactured using existing rapid methods and equipment.

The present disclosure relates to an aerosol-generating article, including an aerosol-generating substrate, the aerosol-generating substrate being formed from homogenized plant material, including cumin seed particles, referred to herein as "homogenized cumin material." The homogenized cumin material may further include an aerosol former. The homogenized cumin material may further include a binder. The aerosol-generating substrate may further include at least about 15 micrograms of procurcumenol per gram of substrate, on a dry weight basis. The aerosol-generating substrate may further include at least about 20 micrograms of cuminaldehyde per gram of substrate, on a dry weight basis. The aerosol-generating substrate may further include at least about 10 micrograms of isothymol per gram of substrate, on a dry weight basis.

According to the present invention, there is provided an aerosol-generating article comprising an aerosol-generating substrate, the aerosol-generating substrate being formed of a homogenized cumin material comprising cumin seed particles. According to the present invention, the homogenized cumin material comprises cumin seed particles, an aerosol former, and a binder. The aerosol-generating substrate further comprises at least about 15 micrograms of procurcumenol per gram of substrate on a dry weight basis, at least about 20 micrograms of cuminaldehyde per gram of substrate on a dry weight basis, and at least about 10 micrograms of isothymol per gram of substrate on a dry weight basis.

Upon heating of the aerosol-generating substrate of the aerosol-generating article of the present invention by Test Method A described below, an aerosol is preferably generated that contains at least about 25 micrograms of procurcumenol per gram of substrate, on a dry weight basis, at least about 2 micrograms of cuminaldehyde per gram of substrate, on a dry weight basis, and at least about 1 microgram of isothymol per gram of substrate, on a dry weight basis.

Preferably, upon heating of the aerosol-generating substrate according to Test Method A, the aerosol generated from the aerosol-generating substrate may comprise procurcumenol in an amount of at least about 0.5 micrograms per aerosol puff. Upon heating of the aerosol-generating substrate according to Test Method A, the aerosol generated from the aerosol-generating substrate may comprise cuminaldehyde in an amount of at least about 0.05 micrograms per aerosol puff. Upon heating of the aerosol-generating substrate according to Test Method A, the aerosol generated from the aerosol-generating substrate may comprise isothymol in an amount of at least 0.01 micrograms per aerosol puff. The aerosol puff has a volume of 55 milliliters when generated by the smoking machine.

According to the present invention, there is provided an aerosol-generating article comprising an aerosol-generating substrate, the aerosol-generating substrate being formed of a homogenized cumin material comprising cumin seed particles. The aerosol-generating substrate comprises at least about 15 micrograms of procurcumenol per gram of substrate, on a dry weight basis; at least about 20 micrograms of cuminaldehyde per gram of substrate, on a dry weight basis; and at least about 10 micrograms of isothymol per gram of substrate, on a dry weight basis.

The present disclosure also relates to an aerosol-generating substrate formed from homogenized plant material including cumin seed particles, referred to herein as "homogenized cumin material." The homogenized cumin material may further include an aerosol former. The homogenized plant material may further include a binder. The aerosol-generating substrate may include at least about 15 micrograms of procurcumenol per gram of substrate on a dry weight basis. The aerosol-generating substrate may include at least about 20 micrograms of cuminaldehyde per gram of substrate on a dry weight basis. The aerosol-generating substrate may include at least about 10 micrograms of isothymol per gram of substrate on a dry weight basis.

According to the present invention, there is provided an aerosol-generating substrate formed of homogenized cumin material, the homogenized cumin material including cumin seed particles, an aerosol former, and a binder. The aerosol-generating substrate further includes at least 15 micrograms of procurcumenol per gram of substrate, on a dry weight basis; at least 20 micrograms of cuminaldehyde per gram of substrate, on a dry weight basis; and at least 10 micrograms of isothymol per gram of substrate, on a dry weight basis.

The present disclosure additionally relates to an aerosol generated upon heating of the aerosol-generating substrate. The aerosol may include procurcumenol in an amount of at least about 0.5 micrograms per aerosol puff. The aerosol may include cuminaldehyde in an amount of at least about 0.05 micrograms per aerosol puff. The aerosol may include isothymol in an amount of at least about 0.01 micrograms per aerosol puff. The aerosol puff has a volume of 55 milliliters when generated by the smoking machine.

The present invention further provides an aerosol produced upon heating of an aerosol-generating substrate, the aerosol comprising procurcumenol in an amount of at least about 0.5 micrograms per aerosol puff, cuminaldehyde in an amount of at least about 0.05 micrograms per aerosol puff, and isothymol in an amount of at least about 0.01 micrograms per aerosol puff, the aerosol puff having a volume of 55 milliliters when generated by a smoking machine.

The invention further provides a method of making an aerosol-generating substrate, comprising forming a slurry comprising cumin seed particles, water, an aerosol former, a binder, and optionally tobacco particles, casting or extruding the slurry into a sheet or strand, and drying the sheet or strand, preferably at a temperature of from 80 degrees Celsius to 160 degrees Celsius. If a sheet of the aerosol-generating substrate is formed, the sheet may optionally be cut into strands or the sheet may be assembled to form a rod. The sheet may optionally be crimped prior to the assembly step.

The following references to the aerosol-generating substrates and aerosols of the present invention are considered to be applicable to all aspects of the present invention unless otherwise indicated.

As used herein, the term "aerosol-generating article" refers to an article for generating an aerosol, where the article comprises an aerosol-generating substrate that is suitable and intended to be heated or burned to release volatile compounds capable of forming an aerosol. A conventional cigarette is ignited when a user applies a flame to one end of the cigarette and draws air through the other end. Localized heat provided by the flame and the oxygen in the air drawn through the cigarette ignites the end of the cigarette, and the resulting combustion produces inhalable smoke. In contrast, in a "heated aerosol-generating article," the aerosol is generated by heating the aerosol-generating substrate, rather than by burning the aerosol-generating substrate. Known heated aerosol-generating articles include, for example, electrically heated aerosol-generating articles and aerosol-generating articles in which the aerosol is generated by the transfer of heat from a combustible fuel element or heat source to a physically separated aerosol-generating substrate.

Also known are aerosol-generating articles adapted for use in aerosol-generating systems that supply aerosol formers to the aerosol-generating article. In such systems, the aerosol-generating substrate within the aerosol-generating article contains substantially less aerosol formers relative to the aerosol-generating substrate that carries and provides substantially all of the aerosol formers used to form the aerosol during operation.

As used herein, the term "aerosol-generating substrate" refers to a substrate capable of producing, upon heating, volatile compounds capable of forming an aerosol. The aerosol generated from an aerosol-generating substrate may or may not be visible to the human eye and may include vapor (e.g., gaseous particles of a substance that is normally a liquid or solid at room temperature), as well as gas and liquid droplets of condensed vapor.

As used herein, the term "homogenized plant material" encompasses any plant material formed by agglomeration of plant particles. For example, a sheet or web of homogenized plant material for an aerosol-generating substrate of the present invention may be formed by agglomerating particles of plant material obtained by grinding, crushing, or comminuting cumin plant material and, optionally, tobacco material such as tobacco blades or tobacco stems. The homogenized plant material may be produced by casting, extrusion, a papermaking process, or any other suitable process known in the art.

As used herein, the term "homogenized cumin material" refers to homogenized plant material that includes cumin seed particles, optionally in combination with tobacco particles. The term "homogenized tobacco material" refers to homogenized plant material that includes tobacco particles but does not include cumin seed particles, and is therefore not in accordance with the present invention.

As used herein, the term "cumin seed particles" encompasses particles derived from the dried seeds of cumin (Cuminum cyminum), an herbaceous plant in the Apiaceae family that is native to Southwest Asia and the Middle East. Cumin seeds are commonly used as a spice to impart a distinctive flavor to cooking.

In contrast, cumin seed oil is a distillate extracted from the seeds of the cumin plant. The main flavor compounds found in cumin seed essential oil include cuminaldehyde and cymene.

The present invention provides an aerosol-generating article incorporating an aerosol-generating substrate formed of homogenized plant material including cumin seed particles, referred to herein as homogenized cumin material. The present invention also provides an aerosol derived from such an aerosol-generating substrate. The inventors of the present invention have found that by incorporating cumin seed particles into an aerosol-generating substrate, it is advantageously possible to generate an aerosol that provides a novel sensory experience. Such an aerosol may provide a unique flavor and provide an enhanced level of body.

Furthermore, the inventors have found that it is possible to produce an aerosol having an advantageously improved cumin aroma and flavor, as compared to aerosols produced by the addition of cumin additives such as cumin seed oil. Cumin seed oil (Chemical Abstracts Service Registration No. 8014-13-9) is obtained by steam distillation from the seeds of the cumin plant and has a different flavorant composition than cumin seed particles, which is believed to result from the distillation process, which may selectively remove or retain certain flavorants. Cuminaldehyde is the major component of cumin seed oil.

Furthermore, in certain aerosol-generating substrates provided herein, cumin seed particles are incorporated at a level sufficient to provide a desirable cumin flavor, while maintaining sufficient tobacco material to provide a desirable level of nicotine to the consumer.

Furthermore, it has been surprisingly found that the inclusion of cumin seed particles in the aerosol-generating substrate provides a significant reduction in certain undesirable aerosol compounds as compared to aerosols generated from an aerosol-generating substrate comprising 100 percent tobacco particles, but without cumin seed particles. In particular, as described below, it has been surprisingly found that the inclusion of cumin seed particles in the aerosol-generating substrate provides a significant reduction in phenols as compared to aerosols generated from an aerosol-generating substrate comprising 100 percent tobacco particles, but without cumin seed particles. Moreover, it has been found that this reduction is greater than would be proportionally expected as a result of the reduction in tobacco particles.

The presence of cumin seeds in homogenized plant material (such as cast leaves) can be reliably identified by DNA barcoding. Methods for performing DNA barcoding based on the nuclear genes ITS2, rbcL and matK lineages, and the plastid intergenic spacer trnH-psbA are known in the art and can be used (Chen S, Yao H, Han J, Liu C, Song J, et al. (2010) Validation of the ITS2 Region as a Novel DNA Barcode for Identifying Medicinal Plant Species. PLoSONE 5(1):e8613; Hollingsworth PM, Graham SW, Little DP (2011) Choosing and Using a Plant DNA. Barcode. PLoS ONE 6(5):e19254).

The inventors have carried out a complex analysis and characterization of the aerosols generated from the aerosol-generating substrate of the present invention incorporating cumin seed particles and a mixture of cumin and tobacco particles, and a comparison of these aerosols with aerosols generated from existing aerosol-generating substrates formed from tobacco material without cumin seed particles. Based on this, the inventors have been able to identify a group of "signature compounds" present in the aerosols, which are compounds originating from cumin seed particles. Thus, detection of these characteristic compounds in aerosols in a specific range of weight percentages can be used to identify aerosols originating from aerosol-generating substrates containing cumin seed particles. These characteristic compounds are notably absent in aerosols generated from tobacco material. Moreover, the proportions of the characteristic compounds in the aerosols and the ratios of the characteristic compounds to each other clearly indicate the use of cumin plant material, and not cumin oil. Similarly, the presence of these characteristic compounds in a specific percentage in the aerosol-generating substrate indicates the inclusion of cumin seed particles in the substrate.

In particular, the defined levels of the characteristic compounds in the substrate and aerosol are specific to the cumin seed particles present in the homogenized cumin material. The level of each of the characteristic compounds depends on the way in which the cumin seed particles were processed during the manufacture of the homogenized cumin material. The levels also depend on the composition of the homogenized cumin material and may be influenced in particular by the levels of other components in the homogenized cumin material. The level of the characteristic compounds in the homogenized cumin material may differ from the level of the same compounds in the starting cumin material. It may also differ from the level of the characteristic compounds in a material that contains cumin seed particles but is not according to the invention as defined herein.

To perform aerosol characterization, the inventors used complementary non-targeted differential screening (NTDS) using liquid chromatography coupled to a high-resolution accurate mass spectrometer (LC-HRAM-MS) in parallel with two-dimensional gas chromatography coupled to a time-of-flight mass spectrometer (GCxGC-TOFMS).

Non-targeted screening (NTS) is an important method for characterizing the chemical composition of complex matrices, either by matching the features of unknown detected compounds to spectral databases (suspect screening [SSA]) or by elucidating unknown structures in the absence of prior knowledge matches using primary fragmentation (MS/MS) derived information, e.g., matching in silico predicted fragments from compound databases (non-targeted analysis [NTA]). NTS allows for simultaneous measurements and the ability to semi-quantitate a large number of small molecules from a sample using an unbiased approach.

As mentioned above, non-targeted differential screening (NTDS) can be performed when focusing on the comparison of two or more aerosol samples to assess in an uncontrolled way significant differences in the chemical composition between the samples or when group-related prior knowledge is available between the sample groups. Complementary differential screening using liquid chromatography coupled to a high-resolution accurate mass spectrometer (LC-HRAM-MS) in parallel with two-dimensional gas chromatography coupled to a time-of-flight mass spectrometer (GCxGC-TOFMS) is applied to ensure comprehensive analytical coverage to identify the most relevant differences in aerosol composition between an aerosol originating from an article containing 100% by weight of cumin seeds as particulate plant material and an aerosol originating from an article containing 100% by weight of tobacco as particulate plant material.

Aerosols were generated and collected using the apparatus and methods described in detail below.

LC-HRAM-MS analysis was performed using a Thermo QExactive™ high-resolution mass spectrometer in both full scan and data-dependent modes. Thus, three different methods were applied to cover a wide range of materials with different ionization properties and compound classes. Samples were analyzed using Heated Electrospray Ionization (HESI) in positive and negative modes, and RP Chromatography with Atmospheric Pressure Chemical Ionization (APCI) in positive mode. Methods are described in: Arndt, D. et al, "In depth characterization of chemical differences between heat-not-burn tobacco products and cigarettes using LC-HRAM-MS-based non-targeted differential screening" (DOI: 10.13140/RG.2.2.11752.16643); et al, "Comprehensive chemical characterization of complex matrices through integration of multiple analytical modes and databases for LC-HRAM-MS-based non-targeted screening" (DOI: 10.13140/RG.2.2.12701.61927), and "Buchholz, C. et al, "Increasing confidence for compound identification by fragmentation database and in silico fragmentation comparison with LC-HRAM-MS-based non-targeted screening of complex matrices" (DOI:10.13140/RG.2.2.17944.49927) (all from the 66th ASMS Conference on Mass Spectrometry and Allied Topics, San Diego, USA (2018)). The method is described in: Arndt, D. et al., "A complex matrix characterization approach, applied This is further described in "A novel method for the identification of cigarette smoke that integrates multiple analytical methods and compound identification strategies for non-targeted liquid chromatography with high-resolution mass spectrometry" (DOI: 10.1002/rcm.8571).

gCxGC-TOFMS analyses were performed in three different ways for non-polar, polar, or highly volatile compounds in aerosols using an Agilent gC Model 6890A or 7890A instrument equipped with an automatic liquid injector (Model 7683B) and a thermal modulator coupled to a LECO Pegasus 4D™ mass spectrometer. The method is as follows: Almstetter et al., "Non-targeted screening using C×GC-TOFMS for in-depth chemical characterization of aerosol from a heat-not-burn tobacco product" (DOI: 10.13140/RG.2.2.36010.31688/1), and Almstetter et al., "Non-targeted differential screening of complex matrices using C×GC-TOFMS for comprehensive "Characterization of the chemical composition and determination of significant differences" (DOI: 10.13140/RG.2.2.32692.55680) (66th and 64th ASMS Conferences on Mass Spectrometry and Allied Topics, San Diego, USA, respectively).

Results from the analytical methods provided information on the main compounds responsible for the differences in the aerosols generated by these articles. The focus of the non-targeted differential screening using both analytical platforms LC-HRAM-MS and GCxGC-TOFMS was on compounds that were present in greater amounts in the aerosols of samples of aerosol-generating substrates according to the invention containing 100 percent cumin seed particles versus a comparison sample of aerosol-generating substrates containing 100 percent tobacco particles. The NTDS method is described in the literature listed above.

Based on this information, the inventors were able to identify certain compounds within the aerosol that could be considered "signature compounds" derived from the cumin seed particles in the substrate. Signature compounds derived from cumin seeds include, but are not limited to, the following: procurcumenol (3-hydroxy-3,8-dimethyl-5-(propan-2-ylidene)-1,2,3,3a,4,5,6,8a-octahydroazulen-6-one), chemical formula: _{C15H22O2 ,} CAS Registry Number _{21698-40-8); cuminaldehyde, (4-isopropylbenzaldehyde), chemical formula: C10H12O ,} CAS Registry Number _122-03-2 ); and isothymol (5-isopropyl-2-methylphenol), also known as carvacrol, chemical formula: _C10H14O , CAS Registry Number _499-75-2 ).

For purposes of the present invention, targeted screening may be performed on a sample of the aerosol-generating substrate to identify the presence and amount of each of the characteristic compounds in the substrate. Such targeted screening methods are described below. As described, the characteristic compounds may be detected and measured both in the aerosol-generating substrate and in the aerosol derived from the aerosol-generating substrate.

As defined above, the aerosol-generating article of the present invention comprises an aerosol-generating substrate formed from homogenized plant material including cumin seed particles. As a result of the inclusion of cumin seed particles, the aerosol-generating substrate comprises a specific proportion of cumin seed "characteristic compounds," as described above. In particular, the aerosol-generating substrate preferably comprises, on a dry weight basis, at least 15 micrograms of procurcumenol per gram substrate, at least 20 micrograms of cuminaldehyde per gram substrate, and at least 10 micrograms of isothymol per gram substrate.

By defining the aerosol-generating substrate for a desired level of the characteristic compound, it is possible to ensure consistency between products despite potential differences in the levels of the characteristic compound in the raw materials. This advantageously allows for more effective control of product quality.

The aerosol-generating substrate preferably contains at least about 100 micrograms of procurcumenol per gram of substrate, and more preferably at least about 200 micrograms of procurcumenol per gram of substrate, on a dry weight basis. Alternatively or additionally, the aerosol-generating substrate preferably contains no more than about 1800 micrograms of procurcumenol per gram of substrate, more preferably no more than about 1500 micrograms of procurcumenol per gram of substrate, and more preferably no more than about 1000 micrograms of procurcumenol per gram of substrate, on a dry weight basis.

For example, the aerosol-generating substrate may contain, on a dry weight basis, from about 15 micrograms to about 1800 micrograms of procurcumenol per gram of substrate, or from about 100 micrograms to about 1500 micrograms of procurcumenol per gram of substrate, or from about 200 micrograms to about 1000 micrograms of procurcumenol per gram of substrate.

In certain particularly preferred embodiments, the aerosol-generating substrate may contain from about 100 micrograms to about 300 micrograms of procurcumenol per gram of aerosol-generating substrate, and more preferably from about 200 micrograms to about 250 micrograms of procurcumenol per gram of aerosol-generating substrate. For example, the level of procurcumenol may be within these ranges for a preferred embodiment of the invention in which the aerosol-generating substrate comprises about 10 weight percent cumin seed particles on a dry weight basis.

The aerosol-generating substrate preferably contains at least about 100 micrograms of cuminaldehyde per gram of substrate, and more preferably at least about 250 micrograms of cuminaldehyde per gram of substrate, on a dry weight basis. Alternatively or additionally, the aerosol-generating substrate preferably contains no more than about 2500 micrograms of cuminaldehyde per gram of substrate, and more preferably no more than about 1500 micrograms of cuminaldehyde per gram of substrate, and more preferably no more than about 1000 micrograms of cuminaldehyde per gram of substrate, on a dry weight basis.

For example, the aerosol-generating substrate may contain, on a dry weight basis, from about 20 micrograms to about 2500 micrograms of cuminaldehyde per gram of substrate, or from about 100 micrograms to about 1500 micrograms of cuminaldehyde per gram of substrate, or from about 250 micrograms to about 1000 micrograms of cuminaldehyde per gram of substrate.

In certain particularly preferred embodiments, the aerosol-generating substrate may contain from about 250 micrograms to about 400 micrograms of cuminaldehyde per gram of aerosol-generating substrate, and more preferably from about 300 micrograms to about 350 micrograms of cuminaldehyde per gram of aerosol-generating substrate. For example, the level of cuminaldehyde may be within these ranges for a preferred embodiment of the invention in which the aerosol-generating substrate contains about 10 weight percent cumin seed particles on a dry weight basis.

Preferably, the aerosol-generating substrate comprises at least about 50 micrograms of isothymol per gram of substrate, and more preferably at least about 100 micrograms of isothymol per gram of substrate, on a dry weight basis. Alternatively or additionally, the aerosol-generating substrate comprises no more than about 1200 micrograms of isothymol per gram of substrate, and more preferably no more than about 1000 micrograms of isothymol per gram of substrate, and more preferably no more than about 750 micrograms of isothymol per gram of substrate, on a dry weight basis.

For example, the aerosol-generating substrate may contain, on a dry weight basis, from about 10 micrograms to about 1200 micrograms of isothymol per gram of substrate, or from about 50 micrograms to about 1000 micrograms of isothymol per gram of substrate, or from about 100 micrograms to about 750 micrograms of isothymol per gram of substrate.

In certain particularly preferred embodiments, the aerosol-generating substrate may contain from about 50 micrograms to about 200 micrograms of isothymol per gram of aerosol-generating substrate, and more preferably from about 100 micrograms to about 150 micrograms of isothymol per gram of aerosol-generating substrate. For example, the level of isothymol may be within these ranges for a preferred embodiment of the invention in which the aerosol-generating substrate comprises about 10 weight percent cumin seed particles on a dry weight basis.

The ratio of the characteristic compounds in the aerosol-generating substrate is preferably such that the amount of cuminaldehyde per gram of substrate is at least equal to the amount of procurcumenol per gram of substrate, and more preferably is at least 1.25 times the amount of procurcumenol per gram of substrate.

The ratio of the characteristic compounds in the aerosol-generating substrate is preferably such that the amount of procurcumenol per gram of substrate is at least equal to the amount of isothymol per gram of substrate, and more preferably is at least 1.5 times the amount of isothymol per gram of substrate.

These ratios of procurcumenol to cuminaldehyde and isothymol are characteristic of the inclusion of cumin seed particles in the aerosol-generating substrate.

As defined above, the present invention also provides an aerosol-generating article comprising an aerosol-generating substrate formed from homogenized plant material containing cumin seed particles, the aerosol being generated upon heating of the aerosol-generating substrate, the aerosol comprising the "characteristic compounds" of cumin seeds.

For purposes of the present invention, the aerosol-generating substrate is heated in accordance with "Test Method A." In Test Method A, an aerosol-generating article incorporating the aerosol-generating substrate is heated in a Tobacco Heating System 2.2 Holder (THS2.2 Holder) under Health Canada's mechanical smoking regime. For purposes of conducting Test Method A, the aerosol-generating substrate is provided in an aerosol-generating article that is compatible with a THS2.2 Holder.

The Tobacco Heating System 2.2 Holder (THS2.2 Holder) corresponds to the commercially available iQOS device (Philip Morris Products SA, Switzerland) described in Smith et al., 2016, Regul. Toxicol. Pharmacol. 81(S2)S82-S92. Aerosol-generating articles for use with the iQOS device are also commercially available.

The Health Canada smoking regimen is a well-defined and accepted smoking protocol as defined in Health Canada 2000-Tobacco Products Information Regulations SOR/2000-273, Schedule 2 published by the Canadian Ministry of Justice. The test method is described in ISO/TR 19478-1:2014. In the Health Canada smoking test, aerosol is collected from a sample aerosol-generating substrate over 12 puffs with a puff volume of 55 millimeters, a puff duration of 2 seconds, and a 30 second interval between puffs, with all ventilation shut off, if any.

Therefore, in the context of the present invention, the expression "involving heating of an aerosol-generating substrate according to Test Method A" means involving heating of an aerosol-generating substrate in a THS2.2 holder under the Health Canada mechanical smoking regime, as defined in Health Canada 2000-Tobacco Products Information Regulations SOR/2000-273, Schedule 2 published by the Canadian Department of Justice, which test method is described in ISO/TR 19478-1:2014.

For analytical purposes, the aerosol generated from the heating of the aerosol-generating substrate is trapped using an appropriate device, depending on the analytical method used. In a preferred method for generating samples for analysis by LC-HRAM-MS, the particle phase is trapped using a calibrated 44 mm Cambridge glass fiber filter pad (compliant with ISO 3308) and a filter holder (compliant with ISO 4387 and ISO 3308). The remaining gas phase is collected downstream from the filter pad using two successive microimpingers (20 mL) each containing methanol and an internal standard (ISTD) solution (10 mL), and maintained at -60 degrees Celsius using a mixture of dry ice and isopropanol. The trapped particle and gas phases are then recombined and extracted from the microimpingers with methanol by shaking the sample, stirring for 5 minutes and centrifuging (4500 g, 5 minutes, 10 degrees Celsius). The resulting extract is diluted with methanol and mixed in an Eppendorf ThermoMixer (5 degrees Celsius, 2000 rpm). Test samples from the extract are analyzed by LC-HRAM-MS in a combination of full scan and data-dependent fragmentation modes to identify characteristic compounds. For the purposes of this invention, LC-HRAM-MS analysis is suitable for the identification and quantification of procurcumenol.

Samples for analysis by GCxGC-TOFMS can be generated in a similar manner, but for GCxGC-TOFMS analysis, different solvents are appropriate for the extraction and analysis of polar, non-polar, and volatile compounds separated from the bulk aerosol.

For non-polar and polar compounds, the whole aerosol is collected using a calibrated 44 mm Cambridge glass fiber filter pad (compliant with ISO 3308) and filter holder (compliant with ISO 4387 and ISO 3308) followed by two microimpingers connected in series and sealed. Each microimpinger (20 mL) contains 10 mL of dichloromethane/methanol (80:20 v/v) containing internal standard (ISTD) and retention index marker (RIM) compounds. The microimpingers are maintained at -80 degrees Celsius using a mixture of dry ice and isopropanol. For analysis of non-polar compounds, the particulate phase of the whole aerosol is extracted from the glass fiber filter pad using the contents of the microimpinger. Water is added to an aliquot (10 mL) of the resulting extract and the sample is shaken and centrifuged as described above. The dichloromethane layer is separated, dried over sodium sulfate, and analyzed by GCxGC-TOFMS in full scan mode. For the analysis of polar compounds, the remaining aqueous layer from the non-polar sample preparation described above is used. ISTD and RIM compounds are added to the aqueous layer, which is then directly analyzed by GCxGC-TOFMS in full scan mode.

For volatile compounds, the entire aerosol is collected using two serially connected and sealed microimpingers (20 mL) filled with 10 mL of N,N-dimethylformamide containing ISTD and RIM compounds, respectively. The microimpingers are maintained at -50 to -60 degrees Celsius using a mixture of dry ice and isopropanol. After collection, the contents of the two microimpingers are combined and analyzed by GCxGC-TOFMS in full scan mode.

For the purposes of this invention, GCxGC-TOFMS analysis is suitable for identifying and quantifying cuminaldehyde and isothymol.

The aerosol generated upon heating of the aerosol-generating substrate of the present invention according to Test Method A is preferably characterized by the amounts and ratios of the characteristic compounds procurcumenol, cuminaldehyde and isothymol, as defined above.

In an aerosol-generating article comprising the aerosol-generating substrate described above, heating of the aerosol-generating substrate by Test Method A preferably generates an aerosol comprising at least 25 micrograms of procurcumenol per gram of substrate, on a dry weight basis, at least 2 micrograms of cuminaldehyde per gram of substrate, on a dry weight basis, and at least 1 microgram of isothymol per gram of substrate, on a dry weight basis. The ranges define the amount of each of the characteristic compounds in the generated aerosol per gram of aerosol-generating substrate (also referred to herein as "substrate"). This is equal to the total amount of the characteristic compounds measured in the aerosol collected during Test Method A divided by the dry weight of the aerosol-generating substrate before heating.

Heating the aerosol-generating substrate according to Test Method A preferably generates an aerosol containing at least about 100 micrograms of procurcumenol per gram of substrate, on a dry weight basis. More preferably, the aerosol generated from the aerosol-generating substrate according to the present invention contains at least about 250 micrograms of procurcumenol per gram of substrate, on a dry weight basis.

Alternatively or additionally, the aerosol generated from the aerosol-generating substrate preferably comprises, on a dry weight basis, up to about 3500 micrograms of procurcumenol per gram of substrate. More preferably, the aerosol generated from the aerosol-generating substrate comprises, on a dry weight basis, up to about 2500 micrograms of procurcumenol per gram of substrate. More preferably, the aerosol generated from the aerosol-generating substrate comprises, on a dry weight basis, up to about 1000 micrograms of procurcumenol per gram of substrate.

Heating the aerosol-generating substrate by Test Method A preferably generates an aerosol containing at least about 50 micrograms of cuminaldehyde per gram of substrate, on a dry weight basis. More preferably, the aerosol generated from the aerosol-generating substrate of the present invention contains at least about 100 micrograms of cuminaldehyde per gram of substrate, on a dry weight basis.

Alternatively or additionally, the aerosol generated from the aerosol-generating substrate preferably comprises, on a dry weight basis, up to about 500 micrograms of cuminaldehyde per gram of substrate. More preferably, the aerosol generated from the aerosol-generating substrate comprises, on a dry weight basis, up to about 350 micrograms of cuminaldehyde per gram of substrate. More preferably, the aerosol generated from the aerosol-generating substrate comprises, on a dry weight basis, up to about 250 micrograms of cuminaldehyde per gram of substrate.

Heating the aerosol-generating substrate according to Test Method A preferably generates an aerosol containing at least about 10 micrograms of isothymol per gram of substrate, on a dry weight basis. More preferably, the aerosol generated from the aerosol-generating substrate according to the present invention contains at least about 25 micrograms of isothymol per gram of substrate, on a dry weight basis.

Alternatively or additionally, the aerosol generated from the aerosol-generating substrate preferably comprises, on a dry weight basis, up to about 200 micrograms of isothymol per gram of substrate. More preferably, the aerosol generated from the aerosol-generating substrate comprises, on a dry weight basis, up to about 150 micrograms of isothymol per gram of substrate. Even more preferably, the aerosol generated from the aerosol-generating substrate comprises, on a dry weight basis, up to about 100 micrograms of isothymol per gram of substrate.

Preferably, the aerosol generated from the aerosol-generating substrate according to the present invention during Test Method A further comprises at least about 0.1 micrograms of nicotine per gram of substrate, more preferably at least about 1 microgram of nicotine per gram of substrate, more preferably at least about 2 micrograms of nicotine per gram of substrate, on a dry weight basis. Preferably, the aerosol comprises at most about 10 micrograms of nicotine per gram of substrate, more preferably at most about 7.5 micrograms of nicotine per gram of substrate, more preferably at most about 4 micrograms of nicotine per gram of substrate, on a dry weight basis. For example, the aerosol may comprise from about 0.1 micrograms to about 10 micrograms of nicotine per gram of substrate, or from about 1 micrograms to about 7.5 micrograms of nicotine per gram of substrate, or from about 2 micrograms to about 4 micrograms of nicotine per gram of substrate, on a dry weight basis. In some embodiments of the invention, the aerosol may contain zero micrograms of nicotine.

Various methods known in the art can be applied to measure the amount of nicotine in the aerosol.

Alternatively, or additionally, the aerosol generated from an aerosol-generating substrate according to the present invention during Test Method A may optionally further comprise at least about 20 milligrams of cannabinoid compound per gram of substrate, more preferably at least about 50 milligrams of cannabinoid compound per gram of substrate, more preferably at least about 100 milligrams of cannabinoid compound per gram of substrate, on a dry weight basis. Preferably, the aerosol comprises at most about 250 milligrams of cannabinoid compound per gram of substrate, more preferably at most about 200 milligrams of cannabinoid compound per gram of substrate, and more preferably at most about 150 milligrams of cannabinoid compound per gram of substrate, on a dry weight basis. For example, the aerosol may contain, on a dry weight basis, about 20 milligrams to about 250 milligrams of cannabinoid compound per gram of substrate, or about 50 milligrams to about 200 milligrams of cannabinoid compound per gram of substrate, or about 100 milligrams to about 150 milligrams of cannabinoid compound per gram of substrate. In some embodiments of the invention, the aerosol may contain zero micrograms of cannabinoid compound.

The cannabinoid compound is preferably selected from CBD and THC. More preferably, the cannabinoid compound is CBD.

Various methods known in the art can be applied to measure the amount of cannabinoid compounds in the aerosol.

Carbon monoxide may also be present in the aerosol generated from an aerosol-generating substrate according to the present invention during Test Method A and may be measured and used to further characterize the aerosol. Oxides of nitrogen, such as nitric oxide and nitrogen dioxide, may also be present in the aerosol and may be measured and used to further characterize the aerosol.

According to the present invention, the aerosol generated from the aerosol-generating substrate during Test Method A preferably has an amount of procurcumenol per gram of substrate that is at least 5 times the amount of cuminaldehyde per gram of substrate. Thus, the ratio of procurcumenol to cuminaldehyde is at least 5:1. More preferably, the amount of procurcumenol in the aerosol generated from the aerosol-generating substrate during Test Method A is at least 7.5 times the amount of cuminaldehyde per gram of substrate, such that the ratio of procurcumenol to cuminaldehyde is at least 7.5:1.

According to the present invention, the aerosol generated from the aerosol-generating substrate during Test Method A preferably has an amount of procurcumenol per gram of substrate that is at least 15 times the amount of isothymol per gram of substrate. Thus, the ratio of procurcumenol to isothymol is at least 15:1. More preferably, the amount of procurcumenol in the aerosol generated from the aerosol-generating substrate during Test Method A is at least 20 times the amount of isothymol per gram of substrate, such that the ratio of procurcumenol to isothymol is at least 20:1.

Defined ratios of procurcumenol to cuminaldehyde and isothymol characterize aerosols derived from cumin seed particles. In contrast, in aerosols generated from cumin oil, the ratios of procurcumenol to cuminaldehyde and isothymol can vary significantly.

The aerosol generated from an aerosol-generating substrate according to the present invention during Test Method A may further comprise at least about 5 milligrams of aerosol former per gram of aerosol-generating substrate, or at least about 10 milligrams of aerosol per gram of substrate, or at least about 15 milligrams of aerosol former per gram of substrate. Alternatively or additionally, the aerosol may comprise up to about 30 milligrams of aerosol former per gram of substrate, or up to about 25 milligrams of aerosol former per gram of substrate, or up to about 20 milligrams of aerosol former per gram of substrate. For example, the aerosol may comprise from about 5 milligrams to about 30 milligrams of aerosol former per gram of substrate, or from about 10 milligrams to about 25 milligrams of aerosol former per gram of substrate, or from about 15 milligrams to about 20 milligrams of aerosol former per gram of substrate. In alternative embodiments, the aerosol may contain less than 5 milligrams of aerosol former per gram of substrate. This may be appropriate, for example, when the aerosol former is provided separately within the aerosol-generating article or device.

Suitable aerosol formers for use in the present invention are described below.

Various methods known in the art can be applied to measure the amount of aerosol formers in an aerosol.

As mentioned above, the presence of characteristic compounds in the aerosol in defined amounts and ratios indicates the inclusion of cumin seed particles in the homogenized plant material forming the aerosol-generating substrate.

The aerosol-generating substrate according to the present invention preferably comprises a homogenized cumin material comprising at least about 0.5 weight percent cumin seed particles on a dry weight basis. Preferably, the homogenized cumin material comprises at least about 0.75 weight percent cumin seed particles, more preferably at least about 1.5 weight percent cumin seed particles, more preferably at least about 2.5 weight percent cumin seed particles, more preferably at least about 3 weight percent cumin seed particles, more preferably at least about 4 weight percent cumin seed particles, more preferably at least about 5 weight percent cumin seed particles, more preferably at least about 6 weight percent cumin seed particles, more preferably at least about 7 weight percent cumin seed particles, more preferably at least about 8 weight percent cumin seed particles, more preferably at least 9 weight percent cumin seed particles, more preferably at least 10 weight percent cumin seed particles on a dry weight basis.

In certain embodiments of the invention, the plant particles forming the homogenized cumin material may comprise at least 98 percent by weight cumin seed particles, or at least 95 percent by weight cumin seed particles, or at least 90 percent by weight cumin seed particles, based on the dry weight of the plant particles. Thus, in such embodiments, the aerosol-generating substrate comprises cumin seed particles and is substantially free of other plant particles. For example, the plant particles forming the homogenized cumin material may comprise about 100 percent by weight cumin seed particles.

In an alternative embodiment of the present invention, the homogenized cumin material may include cumin seed particles in combination with at least one of tobacco particles or cannabis particles, as described below.

In the following description of the invention, the term "particulate plant material" is used collectively to refer to the particles of plant material used to form the homogenized plant material. The particulate plant material may consist essentially of cumin seed particles, or may be a mixture of cumin seed particles with tobacco particles, cannabis particles, or both tobacco particles and cannabis particles.

The homogenized cumin material may include, on a dry weight basis, up to about 100 weight percent cumin seed particles. Preferably, the homogenized cumin material includes, on a dry weight basis, up to about 90 weight percent cumin seed particles, more preferably up to about 80 weight percent cumin seed particles, more preferably up to about 70 weight percent cumin seed particles, more preferably up to about 60 weight percent cumin seed particles, and more preferably up to about 50 weight percent cumin seed particles.

For example, the homogenized cumin material may contain, on a dry weight basis, about 0.5 weight percent to about 100 weight percent cumin seed particles, or about 5 weight percent to about 90 weight percent cumin seed particles, or about 10 weight percent to about 80 weight percent cumin seed particles, or about 15 weight percent to about 70 weight percent cumin seed particles, or about 20 weight percent to about 60 weight percent cumin seed particles, or about 30 weight percent to about 50 weight percent cumin seed particles.

In certain particularly preferred embodiments of the present invention, the homogenized cumin material comprises, on a dry weight basis, about 10 weight percent to about 15 weight percent cumin seed particles. For example, in one particularly preferred embodiment of the present invention, the homogenized cumin material comprises, on a dry weight basis, about 10 weight percent cumin seed particles.

As discussed above, the inventors have identified a number of "signature compounds" that are characteristic of the cumin plant and thus indicative of the presence of cumin seed particles within the aerosol-generating substrate.

The amount of the characteristic compounds present in pure cumin seed particles is expected to differ from the amount present in the aerosol-generating substrate. The substrate fabrication process, including hydration in a slurry or suspension and drying at elevated temperatures, as well as the presence of other components such as aerosol formers, will differentially modify the amount of each of the characteristic compounds. The integrity of the cumin seed particles and the stability of the compounds under temperature and manipulation during manufacture will also affect the final amount of the compounds present in the substrate. Thus, it is contemplated that the ratio of the characteristic compounds to each other may differ after the cumin seed particles are incorporated into substrates of various physical forms, e.g., sheets, strands, and granules.

The presence of cumin in the aerosol-generating substrate and the proportion of cumin provided in the aerosol-generating substrate can be determined by measuring the amount of the characteristic compound in the substrate and comparing this to the corresponding amount of the characteristic compound in the pure cumin material. The presence and amount of the characteristic compound can be performed using any suitable technique that would be known to one of skill in the art.

In a suitable technique, a sample of 250 milligrams of aerosol-generating substrate is mixed with 5 milliliters of methanol and extracted by shaking, stirring for 5 minutes and centrifugation (4500 g, 5 minutes, 10 degrees Celsius). An aliquot of the extract (300 microliters) is transferred to a silanized chromatography vial and diluted with methanol (600 microliters) and an internal standard (ISTD) solution (100 microliters). The vial is closed and mixed for 5 minutes using an Eppendorf ThermoMixer (5 degrees Celsius, 2000 rpm). Samples from the resulting extract are analyzed by LC-HRAM-MS in a combination of full scan and data-dependent fragmentation modes for identification of characteristic compounds.

In some embodiments, the homogenized cumin material further comprises up to about 75 weight percent tobacco particles on a dry weight basis.

For example, the homogenized cumin material preferably contains about 10 weight percent to about 75 weight percent tobacco particles, more preferably about 15 weight percent to about 70 weight percent tobacco particles, more preferably about 20 weight percent to about 65 weight percent tobacco particles, more preferably about 25 weight percent to about 60 weight percent tobacco particles, and even more preferably about 30 weight percent to about 70 weight percent tobacco particles, on a dry weight basis.

In some preferred embodiments, the homogenized cumin material comprises, on a dry weight basis, about 5 weight percent to about 20 weight percent cumin seed particles and about 55 weight percent to about 70 weight percent tobacco particles.

The weight ratio of cumin seed particles to tobacco particles in the particulate plant material forming the homogenized cumin material may vary depending on the desired flavor characteristics and composition of the aerosol. Preferably, the homogenized cumin material comprises a weight ratio of cumin seed particles to tobacco particles of 1:4 or less, meaning that the cumin seed particles make up 20 percent or less of the total particulate plant material. More preferably, the homogenized cumin material comprises a weight ratio of cumin seed particles to tobacco particles of 1:5 or less, and more preferably 1:6 or less.

For example, in a first preferred embodiment, the weight ratio of cumin seed particles to tobacco particles is 1:4. A ratio of 1:4 corresponds to a particulate plant material consisting of about 20 weight percent cumin seed particles and about 80 weight percent tobacco particles. For a homogenized cumin material formed with about 75 weight percent particulate plant material, this corresponds to about 15 weight percent cumin seed particles and about 60 weight percent tobacco particles in the homogenized cumin material on a dry weight basis.

In another embodiment, the homogenized cumin material comprises a weight ratio of cumin seed particles to tobacco particles of 1:9. In yet another embodiment, the homogenized cumin material comprises a weight ratio of cumin seed particles to tobacco particles of 1:30.

For purposes of the present invention, the term "tobacco particles" refers to particles of any plant member of the Nicotiana species. The term "tobacco particles" encompasses ground or powdered tobacco lamina, ground or powdered tobacco stems, tobacco dust, tobacco fines, and other particulate tobacco by-products formed during tobacco processing, handling, and shipping. In preferred embodiments, the tobacco particles are substantially entirely derived from tobacco lamina. In contrast, isolated nicotine and nicotine salts, although compounds derived from tobacco, are not considered tobacco particles for purposes of the present invention and are not included in the percentage of particulate plant material.

The tobacco particles may be prepared from one or more varieties of tobacco plants. Any type of tobacco may be used in the blend. Examples of types of tobacco that may be used include, but are not limited to, sun-cured, flue-cured, Burley, Maryland, Orient, Virginia, and other specialty tobaccos.

Flame-curing is a tobacco drying method used especially with Virginia tobacco. During the flue-curing process, heated air is circulated through tightly packed tobacco. During the first stage, the tobacco leaves turn yellow and wither. During the second stage, the leaf lamina dries completely. During the third stage, the leaf stem dries completely.

Burley tobacco plays an important role in many tobacco blends. It has a unique flavor and aroma, and the ability to absorb large amounts of casing.

Orient is a type of tobacco with small leaves and high aromatic qualities. However, Orient tobacco has a milder flavor than, for example, Burley. Therefore, Orient tobacco is generally used in relatively small proportions in tobacco blends.

Kasturi, Madura and Jatim are subtypes of sun-cured tobacco that may be used. Preferably, Kasturi and flue-cured tobacco are used in a blend to produce tobacco particles. Thus, the tobacco particles in the particulate plant material may comprise a blend of Kasturi and flue-cured tobacco.

The tobacco particles may have a nicotine content of at least about 2.5 weight percent on a dry weight basis. More preferably, the tobacco particles may have a nicotine content of at least about 3 weight percent on a dry weight basis, even more preferably at least about 3.2 weight percent, even more preferably at least about 3.5 weight percent, and most preferably at least about 4 weight percent. When the aerosol-generating substrate includes tobacco particles in combination with cumin seed particles, the tobacco having a high nicotine content preferably maintains a similar level of nicotine to a typical aerosol-generating substrate without cumin seed particles, since the total amount of nicotine would otherwise be reduced due to the replacement of the tobacco particles with cumin seed particles.

Alternatively, the tobacco particles may have a nicotine content of less than about 2.5 weight percent, based on dry weight. For example, the tobacco particles may have a nicotine content of less than about 2 weight percent, less than about 1.5 weight percent, or less than about 1 weight percent. In some embodiments, the tobacco particles may have a nicotine level of substantially zero.

As a result of the inclusion of tobacco particles, the aerosol-generating substrates of such embodiments and the aerosols generated therefrom contain a particular proportion of "characteristic compounds" of tobacco. Characteristic compounds generated from tobacco include, but are not limited to, anatabine, cotinine, and damascenone.

Nicotine may optionally be incorporated into the aerosol-generating substrate, which for purposes of the present invention is considered a non-tobacco material. The nicotine may comprise one or more nicotine salts selected from the list consisting of nicotine lactate, nicotine citrate, nicotine pyruvate, nicotine bitartrate, nicotine benzoate, nicotine pectinate, nicotine alginate, and nicotine salicylate. The nicotine may be incorporated in addition to low-nicotine content tobacco, or nicotine may be incorporated into an aerosol-generating substrate having reduced or zero tobacco content.

In a particular embodiment of the invention, the aerosol-generating substrate comprises a homogenized cumin material formed from a particulate plant material consisting solely of cumin seed particles, having nicotine, such as a nicotine salt, incorporated into the aerosol-generating substrate.

The aerosol-generating substrate preferably comprises at least about 0.1 mg of nicotine per gram of substrate on a dry weight basis. More preferably, the aerosol-generating substrate comprises at least about 0.5 mg of nicotine per gram of substrate on a dry weight basis, more preferably at least about 1 mg of nicotine per gram of substrate, more preferably at least about 1.5 mg of nicotine per gram of substrate, more preferably at least about 2 mg of nicotine per gram of substrate, more preferably at least about 3 mg of nicotine per gram of substrate, more preferably at least about 4 mg of nicotine per gram of substrate, more preferably at least about 5 mg of nicotine per gram of substrate.

The aerosol-generating substrate preferably contains, on a dry weight basis, up to about 50 mg of nicotine per gram of substrate. More preferably, the aerosol-generating substrate contains, on a dry weight basis, up to about 45 mg of nicotine per gram of substrate, more preferably up to about 40 mg of nicotine per gram of substrate, more preferably up to about 35 mg of nicotine per gram of substrate, more preferably up to about 30 mg of nicotine per gram of substrate, more preferably up to about 25 mg of nicotine per gram of substrate, more preferably up to about 20 mg of nicotine per gram of substrate.

For example, the aerosol-generating substrate may contain, on a dry weight basis, from about 0.1 mg to about 50 mg of nicotine per gram of substrate, or from about 0.5 mg to about 45 mg of nicotine per gram of substrate, or from about 1 mg to about 40 mg of nicotine per gram of substrate, or from about 2 mg to about 35 mg of nicotine per gram of substrate, or from about 5 mg to about 30 mg of nicotine per gram of substrate, or from about 10 mg to about 25 mg of nicotine per gram of substrate, or from about 15 mg to about 20 mg of nicotine per gram of substrate. In certain preferred embodiments of the present invention, the aerosol-generating substrate contains, on a dry weight basis, from about 1 mg to about 20 mg of nicotine per gram of substrate.

The defined range of nicotine content for the aerosol-generating substrate includes all forms of nicotine that may be present in the aerosol-generating substrate, including nicotine inherently present in the tobacco material, as well as nicotine optionally added separately to the aerosol-generating substrate, for example in the form of a nicotine salt.

In some embodiments, the aerosol-generating substrate contains substantially zero nicotine.

As an alternative or in addition to including tobacco particles in the homogenized cumin material of the aerosol-generating substrate according to the present invention, the homogenized cumin material may include up to 75 weight percent cannabis particles on a dry weight basis. The term "cannabis particles" refers to particles of the cannabis plant, such as Cannabis sativa, Cannabis indica, and Cannabis ruderalis.

For example, the particulate plant material may contain, on a dry weight basis, from about 40 weight percent to about 75 weight percent cannabis particles, more preferably from about 45 weight percent to about 60 weight percent tobacco particles, and more preferably from about 50 weight percent to about 65 weight percent tobacco particles.

One or more cannabinoid compounds may optionally be incorporated into the aerosol-generating substrate, which is considered a non-cannabis material for purposes of the present invention. As used herein with respect to the present invention, the term "cannabinoid compounds" describes any one of a class of naturally occurring compounds found in parts of the cannabis plant, namely Cannabis sativa, Cannabis indica, and Cannabis ruderalis. Cannabinoid compounds are particularly concentrated in the female flower heads, which are commonly sold as cannabis oil. Naturally occurring cannabinoid compounds in the cannabis plant include tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) and cannabidiol (CBD). In the context of the present invention, the term "cannabinoid compounds" is used to describe both naturally occurring and synthetically produced cannabinoid compounds.

For example, the aerosol-generating substrate may include a cannabinoid compound selected from the group consisting of tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), tetrahydrocannabinolic acid (THCA), cannabidiol (CBD), cannabidiol acid (CBDA), cannabinol (CBN), cannabigerol (CBG), cannabigerol monomethyl ether (CBGM), cannabivarin (CBV), cannabidivarin (CBDV), tetrahydrocannabivarin (THCV), cannabichromene (CBC), cannabicyclol (CBL), cannabichromevarin (CBCV), cannabigerovarin (CBGV), cannabielsoin (CBE), cannabicitran (CBT), and combinations thereof.

The homogenized cumin material may further comprise a proportion of other plant flavour particles in addition to the cumin seed particles or a combination of cumin seed particles and at least one of tobacco particles and cannabis particles ("particulate plant material").

For purposes of the present invention, the term "other botanical flavour particles" refers to particles of non-cumin, non-tobacco, and non-cannabis plant material capable of generating one or more flavourings upon heating. This term is considered to exclude particles of inert plant material, such as cellulose, that do not contribute to the sensory output of the aerosol-generating substrate. The particles may be derived from ground or powdered leaf laminae, fruits, petioles, stems, roots, seeds, buds or skins from other plants. Suitable botanical flavour particles for inclusion in aerosol-generating substrates according to the present invention are known to those skilled in the art and include, but are not limited to, clove particles, tea particles, bamboo particles, industrial hemp particles and combinations thereof.

The composition of the homogenized cumin material may advantageously be adjusted by blending desired amounts and types of different plant particles. This allows an aerosol-generating substrate to be formed from a single homogenized cumin material, if desired, without the need for combining or mixing different blends, as is the case, for example, in the manufacture of conventional cut fillers. Thus, manufacture of the aerosol-generating substrate may potentially be simplified.

The particulate plant material used in the aerosol-generating substrate of the present invention may be adapted to provide a desired particle size distribution. The particle size distribution herein is stated as a D value, whereby the D value refers to the percentage of the number of particles having a diameter equal to or less than the given D value. For example, in a D95 particle size distribution, 95 percent of the number of particles have a diameter equal to or less than the given D95 value, and 5 percent of the number of particles have a diameter greater than the given D95 value. Similarly, in a D5 particle size distribution, 5 percent of the number of particles have a diameter equal to or less than the D5 value, and 95 percent of the number of particles have a diameter greater than the given D5 value. Thus, in combination, the D5 and D95 values provide an indication of the particle size distribution of the particulate plant material.

The particulate plant material may have a D95 value of 50 microns or more to a D95 value of 400 microns or less. This means that the particulate plant material may be of a distribution represented by any D95 value within a given range, i.e., the D95 may be 50 microns, or the D95 may be 55 microns, etc., up to a D95 of 400 microns. By providing a D95 value within this range, the inclusion of relatively large plant particles within the homogenized cumin material is avoided. This is desirable because aerosol generation from such large plant particles is likely to be relatively inefficient. Furthermore, the inclusion of large plant particles in the homogenized cumin material may adversely affect the consistency of the material.

The particulate plant material may preferably have a D95 value of about 50 microns or more to about 350 microns or less, more preferably a D95 value of about 75 microns or more to about 300 microns or less. Both the particulate cumin material and the particulate tobacco material may have a D95 value of about 50 microns or more to about 400 microns or less, preferably a D95 value of 75 microns or more to about 350 microns or less, more preferably a D95 value of about 100 microns or more to about 300 microns or less.

The particulate plant material may preferably have a D5 value of about 10 microns or more to about 50 microns or less, and more preferably a D5 value of about 20 microns or more to about 40 microns or less. By providing a D5 value within this range, the inclusion of very small dust particles in the homogenized cumin material is avoided, which may be desirable from a manufacturing standpoint.

In some embodiments, the particulate plant material containing cumin seed particles may be purposely ground to form particles having a desired particle size distribution. The use of purposely ground plant material advantageously improves the homogeneity of the particulate plant material and the consistency of the homogenized cumin material.

The diameter of 100 percent of the particulate plant material may be about 300 microns or less, more preferably about 275 microns or less. The diameter of 100 percent of the particulate cumin material and 100 percent of the particulate tobacco material may be about 300 microns or less, more preferably about 275 microns or less. The particle size range of the cumin seed particles allows them to be combined with tobacco particles in existing cast leaf processes.

The homogenized cumin material preferably comprises, on a dry weight basis, at least about 55 weight percent particulate plant material, including cumin seed particles as described above, more preferably at least about 60 weight percent particulate plant material, more preferably at least about 65 weight percent particulate plant material. The homogenized cumin material preferably comprises, on a dry weight basis, no more than about 95 weight percent particulate plant material, more preferably no more than about 90 weight percent particulate plant material, and even more preferably no more than about 85 weight percent particulate plant material. For example, the homogenized cumin material may comprise, on a dry weight basis, from about 55 weight percent to about 95 weight percent particulate plant material, or from about 60 weight percent to about 90 weight percent particulate plant material, or from about 65 weight percent to about 85 weight percent particulate plant material. In one particularly preferred embodiment, the homogenized cumin material comprises, on a dry weight basis, about 75 weight percent particulate plant material.

The particulate plant material is therefore typically combined with one or more other ingredients to form a homogenized cumin material.

As defined above, the homogenized cumin material further includes an aerosol former. Upon volatilization, the aerosol former can carry other vaporized compounds that are released from the aerosol-generating substrate upon heating, such as nicotine and flavorants in the aerosol. Aerosolization of a particular compound from an aerosol-generating substrate is not determined solely by its boiling point. The amount of compound that is aerosolized can be influenced by the physical form of the substrate, as well as by other components that are also present in the substrate. The stability of the compound under the temperature and time frame of aerosolization also impacts the amount of compound present in the aerosol.

Suitable aerosol formers for inclusion within the homogenized cumin material 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 homogenized cumin material may include a single aerosol former or a combination of two or more aerosol formers.

The homogenized cumin material preferably has an aerosol former content of about 5% to about 30% by weight on a dry weight basis, such as about 10% to about 25% by weight on a dry weight basis, or about 15% to about 20% by weight on a dry weight basis.

For example, if the substrate is intended for use in an aerosol generating article for an electrically operated aerosol generating system having a heating element, it may preferably include an aerosol former content of about 5 weight percent to about 30 weight percent on a dry weight basis. If the substrate is intended for use in an aerosol generating article for an electrically operated aerosol generating system having a heating element, it is preferred that the aerosol former is glycerol.

In other embodiments, the homogenized cumin material may have an aerosol former content of about 1 percent to about 5 percent by weight on a dry weight basis. For example, if the substrate is intended for use in an aerosol-generating article in which the aerosol former is held in a reservoir separate from the substrate, the substrate may have an aerosol former content of greater than 1 percent and less than about 5 percent. In such embodiments, the aerosol former volatilizes upon heating and the aerosol former stream contacts the aerosol-generating substrate to incorporate flavors from the aerosol-generating substrate in the aerosol.

The aerosol former may act as a wetting agent on the aerosol-generating substrate.

Alternatively, or additionally, the homogenized cumin material may further comprise an acid. The acid may comprise a carboxylic acid. The carboxylic acid may comprise a ketone group. Preferably, the carboxylic acid may comprise a ketone group having less than about 10 carbon atoms, such as levulinic acid or lactic acid, or less than about 6 carbon atoms or less than about 4 carbonate atoms. The inclusion of an acid may be particularly advantageous when the aerosol-generating substrate is in the form of a gel, as described below.

As defined above, the homogenized cumin material further comprises a binder for modifying the mechanical properties of the particulate plant material, wherein the binder is included in the homogenized cumin material during manufacture as described herein. Suitable exogenous binders known to those skilled in the art are known in the art and include, but are not limited to, gums such as guar gum, xanthan gum, gum arabic and locust bean gum, cellulosic binders such as hydroxypropyl cellulose, carboxymethyl cellulose, hydroxyethyl cellulose, methyl cellulose and ethyl cellulose, polysaccharides such as starch, organic acids such as alginic acid, sodium alginate, conjugate base salts of organic acids such as agar and pectin, and combinations thereof. Preferably, the binder comprises guar gum.

The binder is preferably present in an amount of about 1% to about 10% by weight based on the dry weight of the homogenized cumin material, and preferably in an amount of about 2% to about 5% by weight based on the dry weight of the homogenized cumin material.

In addition, the homogenized cumin material may optionally further include one or more lipids to enhance the diffusion rate of the volatile components (e.g., aerosol formers, (E)-anethole, and nicotine), which lipids are included in the homogenized cumin material during manufacture as described herein. Suitable lipids for inclusion in the homogenized plant material include, but are not limited to, medium chain triglycerides, cocoa butter, palm oil, palm kernel oil, mango oil, shea butter, soybean oil, cottonseed oil, coconut oil, hydrogenated coconut oil, candelilla wax, carnauba wax, shellac, sunflower wax, sunflower oil, rice bran, and Revel A, and combinations thereof.

Alternatively, or in addition, the homogenized cumin material may further comprise a pH adjuster.

Alternatively or additionally, the homogenized cumin material may further include reinforcing fibers to alter the mechanical properties of the homogenized cumin material, where the reinforcing fibers are included in the homogenized cumin material during the manufacture described herein. Suitable exogenous fibers for inclusion in the homogenized cumin material are known in the art and include fibers formed from non-tobacco and non-cumin materials, including, but not limited to, cellulose fibers, soft wood fibers, hard wood fibers, jute fibers, and combinations thereof. Exogenous fibers derived from tobacco and/or cumin may also be added. Any fibers added to the homogenized cumin material are not considered to form part of the "particulate plant material" as defined above. Prior to inclusion in the homogenized cumin material, the fibers may be treated by any suitable process known in the art, including, but not limited to, mechanical pulping, refining, chemical pulping, bleaching, sulfate pulping, and combinations thereof. Typically, the fibers have a length greater than their width.

Suitable fibers are typically greater than 400 micrometers and have a length of 4 mm or less, preferably in the range of 0.7 mm to 4 mm. The fibers are preferably present in an amount of at least about 2 weight percent, based on the dry weight of the substrate. The amount of fiber in the homogenized cumin material may depend on the type of material, particularly the method used to produce the homogenized cumin material. In some embodiments, the fibers may be present in an amount of about 2 weight percent to about 15 weight percent, most preferably about 4 weight percent, based on the dry weight of the substrate. For example, this level of fiber may be present where the homogenized plant material is in the form of cast leaves. In other embodiments, the fibers may be present in an amount of at least about 30 weight percent, or at least about 40 weight percent. For example, this higher level of fiber is likely to be provided where the homogenized cumin material is cumin paper formed in a papermaking process.

In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the homogenized cumin material comprises cumin seed particles, about 5 weight percent to about 30 weight percent of an aerosol former, and about 1 weight percent to about 10 weight percent of a binder, on a dry weight basis. In such an embodiment, the homogenized cumin material preferably further comprises about 2 weight percent to about 15 weight percent of fiber. Particularly preferably, the binder is guar gum.

The homogenized plant material of the aerosol-generating substrate according to the invention may comprise a single type of homogenized plant material, or two or more types of homogenized plant material having mutually different compositions or morphologies. For example, in one embodiment, the aerosol-generating substrate comprises cumin seed particles and tobacco particles or cannabis particles contained within the same sheet of homogenized plant material. However, in other embodiments, the aerosol-generating substrate may comprise tobacco particles or cannabis particles, and cumin seed particles within mutually different sheets.

The homogenized cumin material is preferably in the form of a solid or gel. However, in some embodiments, the homogenized material may be in the form of a solid that is not a gel. The homogenized material is preferably not in the form of a membrane.

The homogenized plant material may be provided in any suitable form. For example, the homogenized cumin material may be in the form of one or more sheets. As used herein with respect to the present invention, the term "sheet" describes a layered element having a width and length substantially greater than its thickness.

Alternatively, or in addition, the homogenized cumin material may be in the form of a plurality of pellets or granules.

Alternatively, or in addition, the homogenized cumin material may be in a form that can be filled into a cartridge or shisha consumable, or used in a shisha device. The invention includes a cartridge or shisha device that includes the homogenized cumin material.

Alternatively, or additionally, the homogenized cumin material may be in the form of multiple strands, strips, or pieces. As used herein, the term "strand" describes an elongated element of material having a width and length substantially greater than its width and thickness. The term "strand" should be considered to encompass strips, pieces, and any other homogenized cumin material having a similar form. Strands of homogenized cumin material may be formed from a sheet of homogenized cumin material, for example, by cutting or shredding, or by other methods, such as extrusion methods.

In some embodiments, the strands may be formed in situ within the aerosol-generating substrate as a result of splitting or breaking apart of a sheet of homogenized cumin material during formation of the aerosol-generating substrate, e.g., as a result of crimping. The strands of homogenized cumin material within the aerosol-generating substrate may be separated from one another. Alternatively, each strand of homogenized cumin material within the aerosol-generating substrate may be at least partially connected to one or more adjacent strands along the length of the strand. For example, adjacent strands may be connected by one or more fibers. This may occur, for example, when strands are formed due to splitting of a sheet of homogenized cumin material during manufacture of the aerosol-generating substrate, as described above.

The aerosol-generating substrate is preferably in the form of one or more sheets of homogenized cumin material. In various embodiments of the present invention, the one or more sheets of homogenized cumin material may be produced by a casting process. In various embodiments of the present invention, the one or more sheets of homogenized cumin material may be produced by a papermaking process. The one or more sheets described herein may each individually have a thickness of from 100 micrometers to 600 micrometers, preferably from 150 micrometers to 300 micrometers, and most preferably from 200 micrometers to 250 micrometers. Individual thickness refers to the thickness of an individual sheet, and combined thickness refers to the total thickness of all sheets that make up the aerosol-generating substrate. For example, if the aerosol-generating substrate is formed from two individual sheets, the combined thickness is the thickness of the two individual sheets, or the sum of the measured thicknesses of the two sheets, and the two sheets are stacked within the aerosol-generating substrate.

One or more of the sheets described herein may each individually have a basis weight of from about 100 g/m ² to about 300 g/m ² .

One or more of the sheets described herein may each individually have a density of from about 0.3 g/cm ³ to about 1.3 g/cm ³ , and preferably have a density of from about 0.7 g/cm ³ to about 1.0 g/cm ³ .

The term "tensile strength" is used throughout this specification to indicate a measurement of the force required to stretch a sheet of homogenized cumin material to breakage. More specifically, tensile strength is the maximum pulling force per unit width that the sheet material will withstand before breaking, measured in the machine direction or cross direction of the sheet material. It is expressed in units of Newtons per meter of material (N/m). Tests for measuring the tensile strength of sheet materials are well known. A suitable test is described in the 2014 edition of International Standard ISO 1924-2, entitled "Paper and paperboard-Test methods for tensile properties-Part 2: Constant rate of extension method".

The materials and equipment required to perform the test in accordance with ISO 1924-2 are a general purpose tensile/compression testing machine (Instron 5566, or equivalent), a 100 Newton tensile load cell (Instron, or equivalent), two pneumatically actuated grips, a steel gauge block 180±0.25 mm long (approximately 10 mm wide, approximately 3 mm thick), a double blade strip cutter (size 15±0.05 x approximately 250 mm, Adamel Lhomargy, or equivalent), a scalpel, computer operated acquisition software (Merlin, or equivalent), and compressed air.

Samples are prepared by first conditioning a sheet of homogenized cumin material at 22±2 degrees Celsius and 60±5% relative humidity for at least 24 hours prior to testing. The samples are then cut into approximately 250 x 15±0.1 millimeters in either the machine or cross direction with a double-blade strip cutter. The ends of the test pieces should be neatly cut so that no more than three test specimens are cut at the same time.

The tension/compression test apparatus is set up by installing a 100 Newton tension load cell, powering on the universal tension/compression tester and computer, selecting a predefined measurement method in the software, and setting the test speed to 8 millimeters/minute. The tension load cell is then calibrated and pneumatically actuated grips are attached. The test distance between the pneumatically actuated grips is adjusted to 180 ± 0.5 millimeters by a steel gauge block, and the distance and force are set to zero.

The test specimen is then placed straight and centered between the grips, avoiding finger contact with the area to be tested. The upper grip is closed and the paper strip is suspended in the open lower grip. The force is set to zero. The paper strip is gently pulled down and then the lower grip is closed, the initial force should be between 0.05 and 0.20 Newtons. While the upper grip is moving upwards, a gradually increasing force is applied until the test specimen breaks. The same procedure is repeated with the remaining test specimens. The result is valid when the test specimen breaks when the grips are moved apart a distance of more than 10 millimeters. If not, the result is rejected and additional measurements are performed.

If the available test specimens of homogenized cumin material are smaller than the samples described in the test according to ISO 1924-2, as described above, the test can be easily scaled down to accommodate the available size of the test specimen.

One or more sheets of homogenized cumin material described herein may each individually have a tensile strength at the peak in the tolerance direction of 50 N/m to 400 N/m, or preferably 150 N/m to 350 N/m. Given that sheet thickness affects tensile strength, and that batches of sheets may exhibit thickness variations, it may be desirable to normalize values to a particular sheet thickness.

One or more of the sheets described herein may each individually have a tensile strength of 100 N/m to 800 N/m, or preferably 280 N/m to 620 N/m at the machine direction peak, normalized to a sheet thickness of 215 μm. The machine direction refers to the direction in which the sheet material is wound onto or unwound from the bobbin and fed into the machine, and the tolerance direction is perpendicular to the machine direction. These values of tensile strength make the sheets and methods described herein particularly suitable for subsequent operations involving mechanical stress.

Providing a sheet having the levels of thickness, basis weight, and tensile strength defined above advantageously optimizes the machinability of the sheet to form an aerosol-generating substrate and ensures that damage, such as tearing, to the sheet is avoided during high speed processing of the sheet.

In embodiments of the invention in which the aerosol-generating substrate comprises one or more sheets of homogenized cumin material, the sheets are preferably in the form of an assembly of one or more sheets. As used herein, the term "assembly" means that the sheets of homogenized cumin material are spiraled, folded, or otherwise compressed or contracted in a direction substantially transverse to the cylindrical axis of the plug or rod. The step of "assembling" the sheets may be carried out by any suitable means that provides the required transverse compression of the sheets.

As used herein, the term "longitudinal" refers to a direction corresponding to the main longitudinal axis of the aerosol-generating article extending between the upstream and downstream ends of the aerosol-generating article. In use, air is drawn through the aerosol-generating article in the longitudinal direction. The term "transverse" refers to a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal axis. As used herein, the term "length" refers to the dimension of a component in the longitudinal direction and the term "width" refers to the dimension of a component in the transverse direction. For example, for a plug or rod having a circular cross-section, the maximum width corresponds to the diameter of the circle.

As used herein, the term "plug" refers to a generally cylindrical element having a substantially polygonal, circular, oval, or elliptical cross section. As used herein, the term "rod" refers to a generally cylindrical element having a substantially polygonal cross section, and preferably a circular, oval, or elliptical cross section. A rod may have a length equal to or greater than the length of a plug. Typically, a rod has a length greater than the length of a plug. A rod may comprise one or more plugs, preferably aligned longitudinally.

As used herein, the terms "upstream" and "downstream" describe the relative location of an element (or portion of an element) of an aerosol-generating article with respect to the direction in which aerosol is transported through the aerosol-generating article during use. The downstream end of the airflow path is the end at which aerosol is delivered to a user of the article.

One or more sheets of homogenized cumin material may be assembled transversely to their longitudinal axis and surrounded by a wrapper to form a continuous rod or plug. The continuous rod may be separated into a plurality of individual rods or plugs. The wrapper may be a paper wrapper or a non-paper wrapper, as described in more detail below.

Alternatively, one or more sheets of homogenized cumin material may be cut into strands, as mentioned above. In such an embodiment, the aerosol-generating substrate comprises a plurality of strands of homogenized cumin material. The strands may be used to form plugs. Typically, the width of such strands is at least about 0.2 mm, or at least about 0.5 mm. Preferably, the width of such strands is about 5 mm, or about 4 mm, or about 3 mm, or about 1.5 mm or less. For example, the width of the strands may be about 0.25 mm to about 5 mm, or about 0.25 mm to about 3 mm, or about 0.5 mm to about 1.5 mm.

The length of the strands is preferably greater than about 5 mm, for example, about 5 mm to about 20 mm, or about 8 mm to about 15 mm, or about 12 mm. The strands preferably have substantially the same length as one another. The length of the strands may be determined by the manufacturing process whereby the rod is cut into shorter plugs, the length of the strands corresponding to the length of the plugs. The strands are fragile and may break, especially during transitions. In such cases, the length of some of the strands may be shorter than the length of the plugs.

The plurality of strands preferably extend substantially longitudinally along the length of the aerosol-generating substrate, aligned with the longitudinal axis. Thus, the plurality of strands are preferably aligned substantially parallel to one another. The plurality of longitudinal strands of aerosol-generating material are preferably substantially non-coiled.

The homogenized cumin material strands preferably each have a mass-to-surface area ratio of at least about 0.02 milligrams per square millimeter, more preferably at least about 0.05 milligrams per square millimeter. The homogenized cumin material strands preferably each have a mass-to-surface area ratio of not more than about 0.2 milligrams per square millimeter, more preferably not more than about 0.15 milligrams per square millimeter. The mass-to-surface area ratio is calculated by dividing the mass of the homogenized cumin material strands in milligrams by the geometric surface area of the homogenized cumin material strands in square millimeters.

The one or more sheets of homogenized cumin material may be textured by crimping, embossing, or perforation. The one or more sheets may be textured before being assembled or before being cut into strands. The one or more sheets of homogenized cumin material are preferably crimped prior to assembly so that the homogenized cumin material may be in the form of a crimped sheet, more preferably in the form of a collection of crimped sheets. As used herein, the term "crimped sheet" means a sheet having a plurality of substantially parallel ridges or corrugations that are generally aligned along the longitudinal axis of the article.

In one embodiment, the aerosol-generating substrate may be in the form of a single plug of aerosol-generating substrate. The plug of aerosol-generating substrate may preferably comprise a plurality of strands of homogenized cumin material. Most preferably, the plug of aerosol-generating substrate may comprise one or more sheets of homogenized cumin material. The one or more sheets of homogenized cumin material may preferably be crimped to have a plurality of ridges or corrugations substantially parallel to the cylindrical axis of the plug. This process advantageously facilitates assembling the crimped sheets of homogenized cumin material to form a plug. Preferably, the one or more sheets of homogenized cumin material may be assembled. Of course, the crimped sheets of homogenized cumin material may alternatively or additionally have a plurality of substantially parallel ridges or corrugations that are at an acute or obtuse angle to the cylindrical axis of the plug. The sheets may be crimped to an extent that the integrity of the sheet is interrupted at the plurality of parallel ridges or corrugations, causing separation of the material and resulting in the formation of pieces, strands or strips of homogenized cumin material.

In another embodiment of the aerosol-generating substrate, the homogenized plant material includes a first plug including a first homogenized plant material and a second plug including a second homogenized plant material, where the first homogenized plant material and the second homogenized plant material include different levels of cumin seed particles and tobacco particles. For example, the first homogenized plant material may include about 50 weight percent to about 75 weight percent cumin seed particles on a dry weight basis, and the second homogenized plant material includes about 50 weight percent to about 75 weight percent tobacco particles on a dry weight basis. Overall, according to the present invention, the homogenized plant material in the aerosol-generating substrate preferably includes at least 0.5 weight percent cumin seed particles and up to 74.5 weight percent tobacco particles on a dry weight basis.

In such an arrangement, the first homogenized plant material preferably comprises a first particulate plant material having a higher proportion of cumin seed particles than the second homogenized plant material. The second homogenized plant material may be a homogenized tobacco material having substantially no cumin seed particles.

Preferably, the first homogenized plant material may be in the form of one or more sheets and the second homogenized plant material may be in the form of one or more sheets.

Optionally, the aerosol-generating substrate may include one or more plugs. Preferably, the substrate may include a first plug and a second plug, and the first homogenized plant material may be located within the first plug and the second homogenized plant material may be located within the second plug.

Two or more plugs may extend end-to-end and be assembled in abutting relationship to form a rod. Two plugs may be positioned longitudinally with a gap between them, thereby creating a cavity within the rod. The plugs may be in any suitable arrangement within the rod.

For example, in a preferred arrangement, a downstream plug containing a major proportion of cumin seed particles may abut an upstream plug containing a major proportion of tobacco particles to form a rod. Alternative configurations are also envisioned in which the upstream and downstream positions of each plug are altered relative to one another. Alternative configurations are also envisioned in which a third homogenized plant material contains different proportions of cumin seed particles and tobacco particles to form a third plug. If more than one plug is provided, the homogenized plant material may be provided in the same form in each plug or in different forms in each plug, i.e., aggregated or chopped. One or more plugs may optionally be individually or together wrapped in a thermally conductive sheet material, as described below.

The first plug may include one or more sheets of the first homogenized plant material, and the second plug may include one or more sheets of the second homogenized plant material. The combined length of the plugs may be about 10 mm to about 40 mm, preferably about 10 to about 15 mm, more preferably about 12 mm. The first plug and the second plug may have the same length or different lengths. If the first plug and the second plug have the same length, the length of each plug may preferably be about 6 mm to about 20 mm. The second plug may preferably be longer than the first plug to provide a desired ratio of tobacco particles to cumin seed particles in the substrate. Generally, the substrate may preferably include, on a dry weight basis, 0 to 75 weight percent tobacco particles and 2.5 to 75 weight percent cumin seed particles. The second plug is preferably at least 40 to 50 percent longer than the first plug.

When the first homogenized plant material and the second homogenized plant material are in the form of one or more sheets, the one or more sheets of the first homogenized plant material and the second homogenized plant material may preferably be an aggregate of sheets. The one or more sheets of the first homogenized plant material and the second homogenized plant material may preferably be a crimped sheet. Of course, all other physical properties described with respect to the embodiment in which a single homogenized plant material is present are equally applicable to the embodiment in which a first homogenized plant material and a second homogenized plant material are present. Furthermore, of course, the description of additives (e.g., binders, lipids, fibers, aerosol formers, humectants, plasticizers, flavors, fillers, aqueous and non-aqueous solvents, and combinations thereof) with respect to the embodiment in which a single homogenized plant material is present are equally applicable to the embodiment in which a first homogenized plant material and a second homogenized plant material are present.

In yet another embodiment of the aerosol-generating substrate, the first homogenized plant material is in the form of a first sheet and the second homogenized plant material is in the form of a second sheet, the second sheet at least partially overlying the first sheet.

The first sheet may be a textured sheet and the second sheet may be a non-textured sheet.

Both the first and second sheets may be textured sheets.

The first sheet may be a textured sheet that is textured in a different manner than the second sheet. For example, the first sheet may be crimped and the second sheet perforated. Alternatively, the first sheet may be perforated and the second sheet crimped.

Both the first and second sheets may be morphologically different crimped sheets from one another. For example, the second sheet may be crimped with a different number of crimps per sheet unit width compared to the first sheet.

The sheets may be assembled to form a plug. The sheets that are assembled to form a plug may have different physical dimensions. The width and thickness of the sheets may vary.

It may be desirable to assemble two sheets, each having a different thickness, or each having a different width. This may change the physical properties of the plug. This may facilitate the formation of a blended plug of aerosol-generating substrate from sheets of different chemical composition.

The first sheet may have a first thickness and the second sheet may have a second thickness that is a multiple of the first thickness, for example, the second sheet may have a thickness that is two or three times the first thickness.

The first sheet may have a first width and the second sheet may have a second width different from the first width.

The first sheet and the second sheet may be disposed in an overlapping relationship prior to being assembled together or at the time they are assembled together. The sheets may have the same width and thickness. The sheets may have different thicknesses. The sheets may have different widths. The sheets may be textured differently.

If it is desired that both the first and second sheets are textured, the sheets may be textured simultaneously before being assembled. For example, the sheets may be placed in overlapping relationship and passed through a texturing means such as a pair of crimping rollers. A suitable apparatus and process for simultaneous crimping is described with reference to FIG. 2 of WO-A-2013/178766. In a preferred embodiment, a second sheet of the second homogenized plant material is placed on top of the first sheet of the first homogenized plant material, and the combined sheets are assembled to form a plug of aerosol-generating substrate. Optionally, the sheets may be crimped together prior to assembly to facilitate assembly.

Alternatively, each sheet may be textured separately and then assembled together into a plug. For example, if the two sheets have different thicknesses, it may be desirable to crinkle the first sheet differently relative to the second sheet.

It will be understood that all other physical properties described with respect to the embodiment in which a single homogenized plant material is present are equally applicable to the embodiment in which a first homogenized plant material and a second homogenized plant material are present. Additionally, it will be understood that the descriptions of additives (e.g., binders, lipids, fibers, aerosol formers, humectants, plasticizers, flavors, fillers, aqueous and non-aqueous solvents, and combinations thereof) with respect to the embodiment in which a single homogenized plant material is present are equally applicable to the embodiment in which a first homogenized plant material and a second homogenized plant material are present.

The homogenized plant material used in the aerosol-generating substrate according to the present invention may be produced by a variety of methods, including papermaking, casting, dough reconstitution, extrusion or any other suitable process.

The homogenized cumin material is preferably in the form of "cast leaf". The term "cast leaf" refers to a sheet product made by a casting process based on casting a slurry containing plant particles (e.g. cumin seed particles or a mixture of tobacco particles and cumin seed particles) and a binder (e.g. guar gum, etc.) onto a support surface (e.g. a belt conveyor), drying the slurry, and removing the dried sheet from the support surface. An example of a casting or cast leaf process is described, for example, in US Pat. No. A-5,724,998 for the production of cast leaf tobacco. In the cast leaf process, particulate plant material is mixed with a liquid component, typically water, to form a slurry. Other added components in the slurry may include fibers, binders, and aerosol formers. The particulate plant material may be agglomerated in the presence of a binder. The slurry is cast onto a support surface and dried to form a sheet of homogenized cumin material.

In certain preferred embodiments, the homogenized cumin material used in the articles according to the invention is produced by casting. Homogenized cumin material made by a casting process typically comprises agglomerated particulate plant material.

In the cast leaf process, virtually all of the soluble fraction is retained within the plant material, advantageously preserving most of the flavor. Additionally, the energy-intensive papermaking process is avoided.

In one preferred embodiment of the present invention, a mixture is formed that includes particulate plant material, water, a binder, and an aerosol former to form a homogenized cumin material. A sheet is formed from the mixture, and the sheet is then dried. The mixture is preferably an aqueous mixture. As used herein, "dry mass" refers to the weight of the particulate non-water component relative to the sum of the weights of all non-water components in the mixture, expressed as a percentage. The composition of an aqueous mixture may be referred to by "dry mass percentage," which refers to the weight of the non-water component relative to the weight of the entire aqueous mixture, expressed as a percentage.

The mixture may be a slurry. As used herein, a "slurry" is a homogenized aqueous mixture having a relatively low dry mass. As used in the methods herein, a slurry may preferably have a dry mass of 5 percent to 60 percent.

Alternatively, the mixture may be a dough. As used herein, a "dough" is an aqueous mixture having a relatively high dry mass. As used in the methods herein, a dough may preferably have a dry mass of at least 60 percent, more preferably at least 70 percent.

Slurries and lumps containing more than 30 percent dry mass may be preferred in certain embodiments of the method of the present invention.

The step of mixing the particulate plant material, water, and other optional components may be carried out by any suitable means. For low viscosity mixtures, i.e. some slurries, mixing is preferably carried out using a high energy mixer or a high shear mixer. Such mixing breaks down and uniformly disperses the various phases of the mixture. For higher viscosity mixtures, i.e. some lumps, a kneading process may be used to uniformly distribute the various phases of the mixture.

The method according to the invention may further comprise a step of vibrating the mixture to disperse the various components. Vibrating the mixture, i.e. for example vibrating the tank or silo in which the homogenized mixture is present, may help homogenize the mixture, especially if it is a low-viscosity mixture, i.e. some slurry. If not only mixing but also vibration is performed, shorter mixing times may be required to homogenize the mixture to the optimal target value for casting.

If the mixture is a slurry, the web of homogenized cumin material is preferably formed by a casting process that includes casting the slurry onto a support surface, such as a belt conveyor. The method of making homogenized cumin material includes drying the cast web to form a sheet. The cast web may be dried at room temperature or at an ambient temperature of at least about 60 degrees Celsius, more preferably at least about 80 degrees Celsius, for a suitable length of time. The cast web is preferably dried at an ambient temperature of no more than 200 degrees Celsius, more preferably no more than about 160 degrees Celsius. For example, the cast web may be dried at a temperature of about 60 degrees Celsius to about 200 degrees Celsius, or about 80 degrees Celsius to about 160 degrees Celsius. The moisture content of the sheet after drying is preferably about 5 percent to about 15 percent based on the total weight of the sheet. The sheet may then be removed from the support surface after drying. The cast sheet has tensile strength such that it can be mechanically manipulated and wound on or unwound from a bobbin without breaking or deforming.

If the mixture is a dough, the dough may be extruded in the form of a sheet, strand, or strip prior to the step of drying the extruded mixture. Preferably, the dough may be extruded in the form of a sheet. The extruded mixture may be dried at room temperature or at a temperature of at least about 60 degrees Celsius, more preferably at least about 80 degrees Celsius, for a suitable length of time. The extruded mixture is preferably dried at an ambient temperature of not more than 200 degrees Celsius, more preferably not more than about 160 degrees Celsius. For example, the extruded mixture may be dried at a temperature of about 60 degrees Celsius to about 200 degrees Celsius, or about 80 degrees Celsius to about 160 degrees Celsius. The moisture content of the extruded mixture after drying is preferably about 5 percent to about 15 percent based on the total weight of the sheet. As a result of the significantly lower moisture content relative to a web formed from a slurry, a sheet formed from the dough requires a shorter drying time and/or a lower drying temperature.

After drying the sheet, the method may optionally include coating a nicotine salt onto the sheet, preferably together with an aerosol former, as described in the disclosure of WO-A-2015/082652.

After the sheet has dried, the method according to the invention may optionally include cutting the sheet into strands, pieces, or strips for formation of an aerosol-generating substrate, as described above. The strands, pieces, or strips may be brought together using suitable means to form a rod of the aerosol-generating substrate. In the formed rod of the aerosol-generating substrate, the strands, pieces, or strips may be substantially aligned, for example, along the longitudinal axis of the rod. Alternatively, the strands, pieces, or strips may be randomly oriented within the rod.

The method according to the present invention may optionally further comprise, after the drying step, winding the sheet onto a bobbin.

The present invention further provides an alternative papermaking method for producing a sheet of homogenized plant material in the form of plant "paper." Plant paper refers to a reconstituted plant sheet formed by a process of extracting the plant material with a solvent to produce an extract of soluble plant compounds and an insoluble residue of fibrous plant material, and recombining the extract with the insoluble residue. The extract may optionally be concentrated or further processed before being recombined with the insoluble residue. The insoluble residue may optionally be purified and combined with additional plant fiber before being recombined with the extract. In the method according to the present invention, the plant material will include tobacco particles, optionally combined with cumin particles.

More specifically, the method of producing plant paper includes a first step of mixing plant material with water to form a dilute suspension. The dilute suspension contains primarily discrete cellulose fibers. The suspension has a lower viscosity and a higher water content than the slurries produced in the casting process. This first step may optionally involve steeping in the presence of an alkali, such as sodium hydroxide, and optionally the application of heat.

The method further includes a second step of separating the suspension into an insoluble portion containing the insoluble residue of the fibrous plant material and a liquid or aqueous portion containing the soluble plant compounds. Water remaining in the insoluble residue of the fibrous plant material may be drained through a screen acting as a sieve so that a web of randomly woven fibers may be laid down. Water may be further removed from this web by pressing with rollers, possibly assisted by suction or vacuum.

After the aqueous portion and water are removed, the insoluble residue is formed into a sheet. Preferably, a generally flat, uniform sheet of plant fiber is formed.

The method preferably further comprises concentrating the extract of soluble plant compounds removed from the sheet and adding the concentrated extract to the sheet of insoluble residue of fibrous plant material to form a sheet of homogenized plant material. Alternatively, or additionally, soluble plant material or concentrated plant material from another process can be added to the sheet. The extract or concentrated extract may be from another variety of the same species of plant, or from another species of plant.

This process has been used with tobacco to make reconstituted tobacco products, also known as tobacco paper, as described in US Pat. No. A-3,860,012. The same process may be used with one or more plants to produce paper-like sheet materials, such as sheets of cumin paper.

In certain preferred embodiments, the homogenized plant material used in the articles according to the invention is produced by the paper-making process defined above. In such embodiments, the homogenized cumin material is in the form of cumin paper.

Homogenized tobacco material or homogenized cumin material produced by such processes is called tobacco paper or cumin paper. Homogenized plant material produced by papermaking processes is distinguishable by the presence of multiple fibers throughout the material visible to the eye or under an optical microscope, especially when the paper is moistened with water. In contrast, homogenized plant material produced by casting processes contains fewer fibers than paper and tends to separate into a slurry when moistened. Mixed tobacco cumin paper refers to homogenized plant material produced by such processes using a mixture of tobacco and cumin materials.

In embodiments in which the aerosol-generating substrate comprises a combination of cumin seed particles and tobacco particles, the aerosol-generating substrate may comprise one or more sheets of cumin paper and one or more sheets of tobacco paper. The sheets of cumin paper and tobacco paper may be interleaved or stacked with one another before being assembled to form a rod. Optionally, the sheets may be crimped. Alternatively, the sheets of cumin paper and tobacco paper may be cut into strands, strips, or pieces and then combined to form a rod. The relative amounts of tobacco and cumin in the aerosol-generating substrate may be adjusted by varying the number of tobacco and cumin sheets, respectively, or the amount of cumin and tobacco strands, strips, or pieces, respectively, within the rod.

For example, the number or amount of tobacco and cumin sheets or strands may be adjusted to provide a cumin to tobacco ratio of about 1:4, or about 1:9, or about 1:30.

Other known processes which may be applied to the production of homogenized plant material are, for example, the dough reconstitution process of the type described in US-A-3,894,544, and the extrusion process of the type described in GB-A-983,928. In general, the density of homogenized plant material produced by the extrusion and dough reconstitution processes is greater than the density of homogenized plant material produced by the casting process.

In an alternative embodiment of the present invention, the homogenized cumin material is in the form of a gel composition formed of cumin seed particles, an aerosol former, and a binder.

Preferably, when the homogenized cumin material is in the form of a gel composition containing cumin seed particles, the binder comprises a cellulose ether, such as carboxymethyl cellulose. The binder may be present in an amount of about 1 weight percent to about 5 weight percent, based on the total weight of the gel. For example, the gel composition may comprise 1.5 weight percent to 3.5 weight percent carboxymethyl sodium cellulose.

The gel composition preferably comprises at least about 60 weight percent of an aerosol former, such as glycerin, based on the total weight of the gel. For example, the gel composition may comprise 65 weight percent to 85 weight percent glycerin.

Optionally, the gel composition may further include an acid, such as lactic acid. The acid may be present in an amount of up to about 6 weight percent, based on the total weight of the gel composition. Optionally, the gel composition may include up to about 5 weight percent nicotine, based on the total weight of the gel composition. Optionally, the gel composition includes about 10 weight percent to about 30 weight percent water, based on the total weight of the gel composition.

In embodiments in which the homogenized cumin material is in the form of a gel composition, the aerosol-generating substrate preferably comprises a porous medium loaded with the gel composition. The term "porous" is used herein to refer to a material that provides a plurality of pores or openings that permit the passage of air through the material.

The porous medium may be any suitable porous material capable of holding or retaining the gel composition. Ideally, the porous medium may allow the gel composition to move therein. In certain embodiments, the porous medium comprises natural materials, synthetic, or semi-synthetic, or a combination thereof. In certain embodiments, the porous medium comprises a sheet material, a foam, or a fiber, e.g., loose fiber, or a combination thereof. In certain embodiments, the porous medium comprises a woven, non-woven, or extruded material, or a combination thereof. The porous medium preferably comprises cotton, paper, viscose, PLA, or cellulose acetate, or a combination thereof. The porous medium preferably comprises a sheet material, e.g., cotton or cellulose acetate. In a particularly preferred embodiment, the porous medium comprises a sheet made from cotton fibers.

The porous media used in the present invention may be crimped or chopped. In a preferred embodiment, the porous media is crimped. In an alternative embodiment, the porous media comprises chopped porous media. The crimping or chopping process can be before or after loading the gel composition.

Preferably, when the homogenized cumin material is in the form of a gel composition loaded onto a porous medium, the aerosol-generating substrate comprises an elongated susceptor element extending longitudinally through or adjacent to the porous medium.

The aerosol-generating substrate of the aerosol-generating article according to the present invention preferably comprises at least about 150 mg of homogenized cumin material, more preferably at least about 175 mg of homogenized cumin material, more preferably at least about 200 mg of homogenized cumin material.

The aerosol-generating article according to the invention comprises a rod comprising an aerosol-generating substrate in one or more plugs. The rod of aerosol-generating substrate may have a length of about 5 mm to about 120 mm. For example, the rod preferably has a length of about 10 to about 45 mm, more preferably about 10 mm to 15 mm, and most preferably about 12 mm. In alternative embodiments, the rod preferably has a length of about 30 mm to about 45 mm, or about 33 mm to about 41 mm. When the rod is formed from a single plug of aerosol-generating substrate, the plug has the same length as the rod.

The rods of the aerosol-generating substrate may have an outer diameter of about 5 mm to about 10 mm depending on their intended use. For example, in some embodiments, the rods may have an outer diameter of about 5.5 mm to about 8 mm, or about 6.5 mm to about 8 mm. The "outer diameter" of the rod of the aerosol-generating substrate corresponds to the diameter of the rod including any wrapper.

The rod of aerosol-generating substrate of the aerosol-generating article according to the invention is preferably surrounded along at least a portion of its length by one or more wrappers. The one or more wrappers may comprise a paper wrapper or a non-paper wrapper, or both. Suitable paper wrappers for use in certain embodiments of the invention are known in the art and include, but are not limited to, cigarette paper and filter plug wrap. Suitable non-paper wrappers for use in certain embodiments of the invention are known in the art and include, but are not limited to, sheets of homogenized tobacco material. Homogenized tobacco wrappers are particularly suitable for use in embodiments in which the aerosol-generating substrate comprises one or more sheets of homogenized cumin material formed from particulate plant material, the particulate plant material containing cumin seed particles in combination with a low weight percentage of tobacco particles, such as 20 weight percent to 0 weight percent tobacco particles, on a dry weight basis.

In certain embodiments of the invention, the aerosol-generating substrate is surrounded along at least a portion of its length by a thermally conductive sheet material, such as, for example, a metal foil, such as aluminum foil, or metalized paper. The metal foil or metalized paper serves the purpose of rapidly conducting heat throughout the aerosol-generating substrate. In addition, the metal foil or metalized paper may function to prevent ignition of the aerosol-generating substrate if a consumer attempts to ignite it. Furthermore, during use, the metal foil or metalized paper may prevent odors generated with heating of the outer wrapper from entering the aerosol generated from the aerosol-generating substrate. For example, this may be problematic for aerosol-generating articles having an aerosol-generating substrate that is externally heated during use to generate an aerosol. Alternatively, or additionally, a metalized wrapper may be used to facilitate detection or recognition of the aerosol-generating article when inserted into an aerosol-generating device during use. The metal foil or metalized paper may include metal particles, such as iron particles.

The one or more wrappers surrounding the aerosol-generating substrate preferably have a total thickness of about 0.1 mm to about 0.9 mm.

The inner diameter of the rod of the aerosol-generating substrate is preferably from about 3 mm to about 9.5 mm, more preferably from about 4 mm to about 7.5 mm, more preferably from about 5 mm to about 7.5 mm. "Inner diameter" corresponds to the diameter of the rod of the aerosol-generating substrate, not including the thickness of the wrapper, but measured with the wrapper still in place. Aerosol-generating articles according to the present invention also include, but are not limited to, cartridges or shisha consumables.

The aerosol-generating article according to the invention may optionally include a support element comprising at least one hollow tube immediately downstream of the aerosol-generating substrate. One function of the tube is to position the aerosol-generating substrate toward the distal end of the aerosol-generating article so that it can be contacted by the heating element. The tube acts to prevent the aerosol-generating substrate from being forced along the aerosol-generating article toward other downstream elements when the heating element is inserted into the aerosol-generating substrate. The tube also acts as a spacer element to separate the downstream elements from the aerosol-generating substrate. The tube may be made of any material such as cellulose acetate, polymer, cardboard, or paper.

Alternatively or additionally, the aerosol-generating article according to the invention optionally comprises an aerosol cooling element downstream of the aerosol-generating substrate and immediately downstream of the hollow tube forming the support element. In use, the aerosol formed by the volatile compounds released from the aerosol-generating substrate passes through and is cooled by the aerosol cooling element before being inhaled by the user. The low temperature allows the vapor to condense into an aerosol. The aerosol cooling element may be a hollow tube, such as a hollow cellulose acetate tube or a cardboard tube, which may be similar to the support element immediately downstream of the aerosol-generating substrate. The aerosol cooling element may be a hollow tube with an equal outer diameter but a smaller or larger inner diameter than the hollow tube forming the support element. In one embodiment, the aerosol cooling element rolled in paper comprises one or more longitudinal channels made of any suitable material, such as metal foil, foil-laminated paper, polymeric sheets, preferably made of synthetic polymers, and substantially non-porous paper or cardboard. In some embodiments, the paper-wrapped aerosol cooling element may include one or more sheets made of a material selected from the group consisting of polyethylene (PE), polypropylene (PP), polyvinyl chloride (PVC), polyethylene terephthalate (PET), polylactic acid (PLA), cellulose acetate (CA), paper laminated with a polymeric sheet, and aluminum foil. Alternatively, the aerosol cooling element may be made of woven or non-woven filaments of a material selected from the group consisting of polyethylene (PE), polypropylene (PP), polyvinyl chloride (PVC), polyethylene terephthalate (PET), polylactic acid (PLA), and cellulose acetate (CA). In a preferred embodiment, the aerosol cooling element is an assembly of crimped sheets of polylactic acid wrapped in filter paper. In another preferred embodiment, the aerosol cooling element includes longitudinal channels and is made of woven filaments of a synthetic polymer, such as polylactic acid filaments wrapped in paper.

One or more additional hollow tubes may be provided downstream of the aerosol cooling element.

The aerosol-generating article according to the invention may further comprise a filter or mouthpiece downstream of the aerosol-generating substrate and, if present, the support element and the aerosol cooling element. The filter may comprise one or more filtration materials for removing particulate components, gaseous components, or combinations thereof. Suitable filtration materials are known in the art and include, but are not limited to, fibrous filtration materials such as cellulose acetate tow and paper, adsorbents such as activated alumina, zeolites, molecular sieves, and silica gel, biodegradable polymers including polylactic acid (PLA), Matabi®, hydrophobic viscose fibers, and bioplastics, and combinations thereof. The filter may be located at the downstream end of the aerosol-generating article. The filter may be a cellulose acetate filter plug. In one embodiment, the filter is about 7 mm long, but may have a length of about 5 mm to about 10 mm.

An aerosol-generating article according to the invention may include an oral end cavity at the downstream end of the article. The oral end cavity may be defined by one or more wrappers extending downstream from the filter or mouthpiece. Alternatively, the oral end cavity may be defined by a separate tubular element provided at the downstream end of the aerosol-generating article.

The aerosol-generating article according to the present invention preferably further comprises a ventilation zone provided at a location along the aerosol-generating article. For example, the aerosol-generating article may be provided at a location along a hollow tube provided downstream of the aerosol-generating substrate.

The aerosol-generating article according to the invention may optionally further comprise an upstream element at the upstream end of the aerosol-generating substrate. The upstream element may be a porous plug element, such as a plug of a fibrous filtration material, such as cellulose acetate.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the aerosol-generating article comprises an aerosol-generating substrate, at least one hollow tube downstream of the aerosol-generating substrate, and a filter downstream of the at least one hollow tube. Optionally, the aerosol-generating article further comprises an oral end cavity at the downstream end of the filter. A ventilation zone is preferably provided at a location along the at least one hollow tube.

In a particularly preferred embodiment having this arrangement, the aerosol-generating article includes an aerosol-generating substrate, an upstream element at the upstream end of the aerosol-generating substrate, a support element downstream of the aerosol-generating substrate, an aerosol cooling element downstream of the support element, and a filter downstream of the aerosol cooling element. Both the support element and the aerosol cooling element are preferably in the form of hollow tubes. The aerosol-generating substrate preferably includes an elongated susceptor element extending longitudinally through the substrate.

In one particularly preferred embodiment, the aerosol-generating substrate has a length of about 33 mm and an outer diameter of about 5.5 mm to 6.7 mm, the aerosol-generating substrate comprises about 340 mg of homogenized cumin material in the form of a plurality of strands, the homogenized cumin material comprising about 14 weight percent glycerol on a dry weight basis. In this embodiment, the aerosol-generating article has an overall length of about 74 mm and includes a cellulose acetate tow filter having a length of about 10 mm, and an oral end cavity defined by a hollow tube having a length of about 6 to 7 mm. The aerosol-generating article includes a hollow tube downstream of the aerosol-generating substrate, the hollow tube having a length of about 25 mm, and a ventilation zone is provided.

The aerosol-generating article according to the invention may have an overall length of at least about 30 mm, or at least about 40 mm. The overall length of the aerosol-generating article may be less than 90 mm, or less than about 80 mm.

In one embodiment, the aerosol-generating article has an overall length of about 40 mm to about 50 mm, preferably about 45 mm. In another embodiment, the aerosol-generating article has an overall length of about 70 mm to about 90 mm, preferably about 80 mm to about 85 mm. In another embodiment, the aerosol-generating article has an overall length of about 72 mm to about 76 mm, preferably about 74 mm.

The aerosol-generating article may have an outer diameter of about 5 mm to about 8 mm, preferably about 6 mm to about 8 mm. In one embodiment, the aerosol-generating article has an outer diameter of about 7.3 mm.

The aerosol-generating article according to the present invention may further comprise one or more aerosol modification elements. The aerosol modification elements may provide an aerosol modifier. As used herein, the term aerosol modifier is used to describe any substance that, in use, modifies one or more characteristics or properties of the aerosol that passes through the filter. Suitable aerosol modifiers include, but are not limited to, agents that impart a taste or aroma to the aerosol that passes through the filter in use, or agents that remove flavors from the aerosol that passes through the filter in use.

The aerosol modifier may be one or more of water or liquid flavorings. The water or moisture may modify the sensory experience of the user, for example, by moistening the generated aerosol, which may provide a cooling effect to the aerosol and reduce the perception of astringency experienced by the user. The aerosol modifier may be in the form of a flavor delivery element for delivering one or more liquid flavorings. Alternatively, the liquid flavorings may be added directly to the homogenized cumin material, for example, by adding flavorings to a slurry or ingredients during the manufacture of the homogenized cumin material, or by spraying the liquid flavorings onto the surface of the homogenized cumin material.

The one or more liquid flavorants may include any flavor compound or botanical extract suitable for releasably disposing in liquid form within the flavor delivery element to enhance the flavor of the aerosol generated during use of the aerosol generating article. The liquid or solid flavorant may also be disposed directly on the material forming the filter, such as cellulose acetate tow. Suitable flavors or flavorings include, but are not limited to, menthol, mint (such as peppermint and menthol), chocolate, licorice, citrus and other fruit flavors, gamma octalactone, vanillin, ethyl vanillin, breath freshener flavors, spice flavors (such as cinnamon), methyl salicylate, linalool, eugenol, bergamot oil, geranium oil, lemon oil, cannabis oil, and tobacco flavors. Other suitable flavors may include flavor compounds selected from the group consisting of acids, alcohols, esters, aldehydes, ketones, pyrazines, combinations thereof, or blends thereof, and the like.

In certain embodiments of the present invention, the aerosol modifier may be an essential oil derived from one or more plants. For example, a homogenized cumin material may include cumin oil, such as cumin seed essential oil, to further enhance the cumin flavor delivered to the consumer upon heating.

In certain embodiments of the invention, the aerosol-generating substrate may comprise homogenized cumin material comprising a combination of particulate plant material, such as tea particles, and cumin seed oil.

The aerosol modifier may be an adsorbent material, such as activated carbon, that removes certain components of the aerosol passing through the filter and thereby modifies the flavor and aroma of the aerosol.

The one or more aerosol modifying elements may be located downstream of or within the aerosol-generating substrate. The aerosol-generating substrate may include a homogenized cumin material and an aerosol modifying element. In various embodiments, the aerosol modifying element may be located adjacent to the homogenized cumin material or embedded in the homogenized cumin material. Typically, the aerosol modifying element may be located downstream of the aerosol-generating substrate, most typically within an aerosol cooling element, within a filter of the aerosol-generating article, e.g., within a filter plug, or within a cavity, preferably within a cavity between filter plugs. The one or more aerosol modifying elements may be in the form of one or more of threads, capsules, microcapsules, beads, or polymeric matrix materials, or combinations thereof.

When the aerosol modifying element is in the form of a thread, the thread may be formed from paper, such as a filter plug wrap, and the thread may be loaded with at least one aerosol modifier and located within the body of the filter, as described in WO-A-2011/060961. Other materials that can be used to form the thread include cellulose acetate and cotton.

Where the aerosol modifying element is in the form of a capsule, the capsule may be a frangible capsule located within a filter, the inner core of the capsule containing the aerosol modifier that may be released upon rupture of the outer shell of the capsule when the filter is subjected to an external force, as described in WO-A-2007/010407, WO-A-2013/068100 and WO-A-2014/154887. The capsule may be located within a filter plug or within a cavity, preferably within a cavity between filter plugs.

When the aerosol modifying element is in the form of a polymeric matrix material, the polymeric matrix material releases the flavour when the aerosol-generating article is heated, such as when the polymeric matrix is heated above the melting point of the polymeric matrix material, as described in WO-A-2013/034488. Typically, such a polymeric matrix material may be located within beads within the aerosol-generating substrate. Alternatively, or additionally, the flavour may be trapped within a domain of the polymeric matrix material and releasable from the polymeric matrix material upon compression of the polymeric matrix material. Preferably, the flavour is released upon compression of the polymeric matrix material at a force of about 15 Newtons. Such a flavour modifying element may provide a sustained release of the liquid flavour over a force range of at least 5 Newtons, such as 5N to 20N, as described in WO2013/068304. Typically, such a polymeric matrix material may be located within beads within the filter.

The aerosol-generating article may comprise a combustible heat source and an aerosol-generating substrate downstream of the combustible heat source, the aerosol-generating substrate being as described above in relation to the first aspect of the invention.

For example, a substrate as described herein may be used in a heated aerosol-generating article of the type disclosed in WO-A-2009/022232, comprising a combustible carbon-based heat source, an aerosol-generating substrate downstream of the combustible heat source, and a thermally conductive element surrounding and in contact with a rear portion of the combustible carbon-based heat source and an adjacent forward portion of the aerosol-generating substrate. However, it will be appreciated that a substrate as described herein may also be used in heated aerosol-generating articles comprising combustible heat sources having other configurations.

The present invention provides an aerosol generating system comprising an aerosol generating device including a heating element and an aerosol generating article for use in the aerosol generating device, the aerosol generating article including an aerosol generating substrate as described above.

In a preferred embodiment, the aerosol-generating substrate as described herein may be used in a heated aerosol-generating article for use in an electrically operated aerosol generating system in which the aerosol-generating substrate of the heated aerosol-generating article is heated by an electrical heat source.

For example, aerosol-generating substrates as described herein may be used in heated aerosol-generating articles of the type disclosed in EP-A-0 822 760.

The heating element of such an aerosol generating device may be in any suitable form for conducting heat. Heating of the aerosol-generating substrate may be accomplished internally, externally, or both. The heating element may preferably be a heater blade or pin adapted to be inserted into the substrate such that the substrate is heated from the inside. Alternatively, the heating element may partially or completely surround the substrate and heat the substrate circumferentially from the outside.

The aerosol generating system may be an electrically operated aerosol generating system with an induction heating device. The induction heating device typically includes an induction source configured to be coupled to the susceptor, which may be provided external to the aerosol-generating substrate or internal to the aerosol-generating substrate. The induction source generates an alternating electromagnetic field, which induces magnetization or eddy currents in the susceptor. The susceptor may heat as a result of hysteresis losses or induced eddy currents, which heat the susceptor through ohmic or resistive heating.

An electrically operated aerosol generating system with an induction heating device also includes an aerosol-generating article having an aerosol-generating substrate and a susceptor in thermal proximity to the aerosol-generating substrate. Typically, the susceptor is in direct contact with the aerosol-generating substrate and heat is transferred from the susceptor to the aerosol-generating substrate primarily by conduction. Examples of electrically operated aerosol generating systems with an induction heating device and an aerosol-generating article having a susceptor are described in WO-A1-95/27411 and WO-A1-2015/177255.

The susceptor may be a plurality of susceptor particles that may be deposited on or embedded within the aerosol-generating substrate. If the aerosol-generating substrate is in the form of one or more sheets, the susceptor particles may be deposited on or embedded within the one or more sheets. The susceptor particles may, for example, be fixed by the substrate in sheet form and remain in their initial position. The susceptor particles may preferably be uniformly distributed within the homogenized cumin material of the aerosol-generating substrate. Due to the particulate nature of the susceptor, heat is generated according to the distribution of the particles within the homogenized cumin material sheet of the substrate. Alternatively, susceptors in the form of one or more sheets, strips, pieces, or rods may also be used to be placed next to the homogenized cumin material or embedded within the homogenized cumin material. In one embodiment, the aerosol-forming substrate includes one or more susceptor strips. For example, a rod of the aerosol-generating substrate may include an elongated susceptor element extending longitudinally through its substrate. In another embodiment, the susceptor is present in the aerosol generating device.

The susceptor may have a heat loss of greater than 0.05 Joules/kilogram, preferably greater than 0.1 Joules/kilogram. Heat loss is the capacity of the susceptor to transfer heat to the surrounding material. Since the susceptor particles are preferably uniformly distributed within the aerosol-generating substrate, uniform heat loss from the susceptor particles is achieved, thus creating a uniform heat distribution within the aerosol-generating substrate, which may result in a uniform temperature distribution within the aerosol-generating article. It has been found that a specific minimum heat loss of 0.05 Joules/kilogram in the susceptor particles allows the aerosol-generating substrate to be heated to a substantially uniform temperature to provide aerosol generation. In such an embodiment, the average temperature reached within the aerosol-generating substrate is preferably about 200 degrees Celsius to about 240 degrees Celsius.

The reduction of the risk of overheating of the aerosol-generating substrate may be supported by the use of a susceptor material with a Curie temperature, which allows the heating process due to hysteresis losses to reach only up to a certain maximum temperature. The susceptor may have a Curie temperature of about 200 degrees Celsius to about 450 degrees Celsius, preferably about 240 degrees Celsius to about 400 degrees Celsius, for example about 280 degrees Celsius. When the susceptor material reaches its Curie temperature, it changes magnetic properties. At the Curie temperature, the susceptor material changes from a ferromagnetic phase to a paramagnetic phase. At this point, heating based on energy losses due to the orientation of the ferromagnetic regions stops. Thereafter, further heating is mainly based on the formation of eddy currents, such that the heating process is automatically reduced when the Curie temperature of the susceptor material is reached. The susceptor material and its Curie temperature are preferably adapted to the composition of the aerosol-generating substrate in order to achieve optimal temperatures and temperature distribution within the aerosol-generating substrate for optimal aerosol generation.

In some preferred embodiments of the aerosol-generating article according to the invention, the susceptor is made of ferrite. Ferrite is a ferromagnetic material with high magnetic permeability and is particularly suitable as a susceptor material. The main component of ferrite is iron. Other metallic components (e.g. zinc, nickel, manganese) or non-metallic components (e.g. silicon) may be present in various amounts. Ferrite is a relatively inexpensive commercially available material. Ferrite is available in particulate form within the size range of the particles used in the particulate plant material forming the homogenized plant material according to the invention. The particles are preferably fully sintered ferrite powders such as, for example, FP160, FP215, FP350 by PPT (Indiana, USA).

In certain embodiments of the present invention, the aerosol generating system comprises an aerosol-generating article comprising an aerosol-generating substrate as defined above, a source of aerosol former, and a means for vaporizing the aerosol former, preferably a heating element as described above. The source of aerosol former may be a reservoir present on the aerosol generating device, which may be refillable or replaceable. The reservoir is physically separate from the aerosol-generating article, and the generated vapor is directed through the aerosol-generating article. The vapor contacts the aerosol-generating substrate, which releases volatile compounds, such as nicotine and flavorants in the particulate plant material, to form an aerosol. Optionally, to assist in the vaporization of the compounds in the aerosol-generating substrate, the aerosol generating system may further comprise a heating element, preferably coordinated with the aerosol former, for heating the aerosol-generating substrate. However, in certain embodiments, the heating element used to heat the aerosol-generating article is separate from the heater that heats the aerosol former.

The present invention further provides an aerosol produced upon heating of the aerosol-generating substrate as defined above, the aerosol comprising specific amounts and ratios of characteristic compounds derived from cumin seed particles as defined above.

In accordance with the present invention, the aerosol comprises procurcumenol in an amount of at least 0.5 micrograms per aerosol puff, cuminaldehyde in an amount of at least 0.05 micrograms per aerosol puff, and isothymol in an amount of at least 0.01 micrograms per aerosol puff, the aerosol puff having a volume of 55 milliliters when generated by a smoking machine. For purposes of the present invention, a "puff" is defined as the volume of aerosol released from an aerosol-generating substrate upon heating and collected for analysis, and the aerosol puff has a puff volume of 55 milliliters generated by a smoking machine. Thus, any reference herein to an aerosol "puff" is understood to refer to a 55 milliliter puff unless otherwise stated.

The ranges shown define the total amount of each component measured in a 55 milliliter puff of aerosol. The aerosol may be generated from an aerosol-generating substrate using any suitable means and may be trapped and analyzed as described above to identify and measure the amounts of characteristic compounds within the aerosol. For example, a "puff" may correspond to a 55 milliliter puff measured in a smoking machine such as that used in the Health Canada test method described herein.

The aerosol according to the invention preferably comprises at least about 5 micrograms of procurcumenol per aerosol puff, more preferably at least about 10 micrograms of procurcumenol per aerosol puff. Alternatively or additionally, the aerosol generated from the aerosol-generating substrate comprises at most about 60 micrograms of procurcumenol per aerosol puff, preferably at most about 50 micrograms of procurcumenol per aerosol puff, more preferably at most about 40 micrograms of procurcumenol per aerosol puff. For example, the aerosol generated from the aerosol-generating substrate may comprise from about 0.5 micrograms to about 60 micrograms of procurcumenol per aerosol puff, or from about 5 micrograms of procurcumenol per aerosol puff to about 50 micrograms of procurcumenol per aerosol puff, or from about 10 micrograms to about 40 micrograms of procurcumenol per aerosol puff.

The aerosol according to the present invention preferably comprises at least about 0.5 micrograms of cuminaldehyde per aerosol puff, and more preferably at least about 1 microgram of cuminaldehyde per aerosol puff. Alternatively or additionally, the aerosol generated from the aerosol-generating substrate preferably comprises at most about 8 micrograms of cuminaldehyde per aerosol puff, more preferably at most about 6 micrograms of cuminaldehyde per aerosol puff, and even more preferably at most about 4 micrograms of cuminaldehyde per aerosol puff. For example, the aerosol generated from the aerosol-generating substrate may comprise from about 0.05 micrograms to about 8 micrograms of cuminaldehyde per aerosol puff, or from about 0.5 micrograms to about 6 micrograms of cuminaldehyde per aerosol puff, or from about 1 microgram to about 4 micrograms of cuminaldehyde per aerosol puff.

The aerosol according to the invention preferably comprises at least about 0.1 micrograms of isothymol per aerosol puff, and more preferably at least about 0.5 micrograms of isothymol per aerosol puff. Alternatively or additionally, the aerosol generated from the aerosol-generating substrate preferably comprises at most about 3 micrograms of isothymol per aerosol puff, more preferably at most about 2.5 micrograms of isothymol per aerosol puff, and even more preferably at most about 2 micrograms of isothymol per aerosol puff. For example, the aerosol generated from the aerosol-generating substrate may comprise from about 0.01 micrograms to about 3 micrograms of isothymol per aerosol puff, or from about 0.1 micrograms to about 2.5 micrograms of isothymol per aerosol puff, or from about 0.5 micrograms to about 2 micrograms of isothymol per aerosol puff.

According to the invention, the aerosol composition is such that the amount of procurcumenol per aerosol puff is preferably at least 5 times the amount of cuminaldehyde per aerosol puff. Thus, the ratio of procurcumenol to cuminaldehyde in the aerosol is preferably at least about 5:1. Preferably, the aerosol composition is such that the amount of procurcumenol per aerosol puff is at least 7.5 times the amount of cuminaldehyde per aerosol puff.

According to the invention, the aerosol composition is such that the amount of procurcumenol per aerosol puff is preferably at least 15 times the amount of isothymol per aerosol puff. Thus, the ratio of procurcumenol to isothymol in the aerosol is preferably at least about 15:1. Preferably, the aerosol composition is such that the amount of procurcumenol per aerosol puff is at least 20 times the amount of isothymol per aerosol puff.

Defined ratios of procurcumenol to cuminaldehyde and isothymol characterize aerosols derived from cumin seed particles. In contrast, in aerosols generated from cumin essential oil, the ratios of cuminaldehyde to procurcumenol and isothymol can vary significantly.

The aerosol according to the invention preferably further comprises at least about 0.1 milligrams of aerosol former per aerosol puff, more preferably at least about 0.2 milligrams of aerosol per aerosol puff, and even more preferably at least about 0.3 milligrams of aerosol former per aerosol puff. The aerosol preferably comprises at most 0.6 milligrams of aerosol former per aerosol puff, more preferably at most 0.5 milligrams of aerosol former per aerosol puff, and even more preferably at most 0.4 milligrams of aerosol former per aerosol puff. For example, the aerosol may comprise from about 0.1 milligrams to about 0.6 milligrams of aerosol former per aerosol puff, or from about 0.2 milligrams to about 0.5 milligrams of aerosol former per aerosol puff, or from about 0.3 milligrams to about 0.4 milligrams of aerosol former per aerosol puff. These values are based on a smoke volume of 55 milliliters, as defined above.

Suitable aerosol formers for use in the present invention are described above.

The aerosol generated from the aerosol-generating substrate according to the present invention preferably further comprises at least about 2 micrograms of nicotine per aerosol puff, more preferably at least about 20 micrograms of nicotine per aerosol puff, and more preferably at least about 40 micrograms of nicotine per aerosol puff. The aerosol preferably comprises at most about 200 micrograms of nicotine per aerosol puff, more preferably at most about 150 micrograms of nicotine per aerosol puff, and more preferably at most about 75 micrograms of nicotine per aerosol puff. For example, the aerosol may comprise from about 2 micrograms to about 200 micrograms of nicotine per aerosol puff, or from about 20 micrograms to about 150 micrograms of nicotine per aerosol puff, or from about 40 micrograms to about 75 micrograms of nicotine per aerosol puff. These values are based on a puff volume of 55 milliliters, as defined above. In some embodiments of the invention, the aerosol may contain zero micrograms of nicotine.

Alternatively or additionally, the aerosol according to the present invention may optionally further comprise at least about 0.5 milligrams of cannabinoid compound per aerosol puff, more preferably at least about 1 milligram of cannabinoid compound per aerosol puff, and more preferably at least about 2 milligrams of cannabinoid compound per aerosol puff. The aerosol preferably comprises at most about 5 milligrams of cannabinoid compound per aerosol puff, more preferably at most about 4 milligrams of cannabinoid compound per aerosol puff, and more preferably at most about 3 milligrams of cannabinoid compound per aerosol puff. For example, the aerosol may comprise from about 0.5 milligrams to about 5 milligrams of cannabinoid compound per aerosol puff, or from about 1 milligram to about 4 milligrams of cannabinoid compound per aerosol puff, or from about 2 milligrams to about 3 milligrams of cannabinoid compound per aerosol puff. In some embodiments of the present invention, the aerosol may contain zero micrograms of cannabinoid compounds. These values are based on a puff volume of 55 milliliters, as defined above.

The cannabinoid compound is preferably selected from CBD and THC. More preferably, the cannabinoid compound is CBD.

Carbon monoxide may also be present in aerosols according to the invention and may be measured and used to further characterize the aerosol. Oxides of nitrogen, such as nitric oxide and nitrogen dioxide, may also be present in aerosols and may be measured and used to further characterize the aerosol.

Aerosols according to the present invention containing characteristic compounds from cumin seed particles may be formed from particles having a mass median aerodynamic diameter (MMAD) ranging from about 0.01 to 200 microns, or from about 1 to 100 microns. When the aerosol contains nicotine as described above, the aerosol preferably contains particles having a MMAD ranging from about 0.1 to about 3 microns to optimize delivery of nicotine from the aerosol.

The mass median aerodynamic diameter (MMAD) of an aerosol refers to the particle dynamic diameter at which half of the particulate mass of the aerosol is occupied by particles having an aerodynamic diameter larger than the MMAD and half is occupied by particles having an aerodynamic diameter smaller than the MMAD. The aerodynamic diameter is defined as the diameter of a spherical particle with a density of 1 g/ ^cm3 that has the same settling velocity as the particle being characterized.

The aerodynamic median diameter of the aerosol according to the present invention can be determined according to Schaller et al., "Evaluation of the Tobacco Heating System 2.2., Section 2.8, Part 2: Chemical composition, genotoxicity, cytotoxicity and physical properties of the aerosol," Regul. Toxicol. and Pharmacol., 81 (2016) S27-S47.

As defined above, the present invention further provides an aerosol-generating article comprising an aerosol-generating substrate, the aerosol-generating substrate comprising homogenized cumin material, and upon heating of the aerosol-generating substrate in accordance with Test Method A, an aerosol generated from the aerosol-generating substrate comprises procurcumenol in an amount of at least 0.5 micrograms per aerosol puff, cuminaldehyde in an amount of at least 0.05 micrograms per aerosol puff, and isothymol in an amount of at least 0.01 micrograms per aerosol puff, the aerosol puff having a volume of 55 milliliters when generated by a smoking machine.

For purposes of the present invention, a "puff" is defined as the volume of aerosol emitted from an aerosol-generating substrate upon heating and collected for analysis, with an aerosol puff having a puff volume of 55 milliliters generated by a smoking machine. Thus, any reference herein to an aerosol "puff" is understood to refer to a 55 milliliter puff unless otherwise stated. The ranges indicated define the total amount of each component measured in a 55 milliliter puff of aerosol. The aerosol may be generated from an aerosol-generating substrate using any suitable means, and may be trapped and analyzed as described above to identify and measure the amounts of characteristic compounds within the aerosol. For example, a "puff" may correspond to a 55 milliliter puff measured in a smoking machine, such as that used in the Health Canada test method described herein.

Preferably, the amount of procurcumenol per aerosol puff is at least 5 times the amount of cuminaldehyde per aerosol puff, and more preferably, is at least 7.5 times the amount of cuminaldehyde per aerosol puff.

Preferably, the amount of procurcumenol per aerosol puff is at least 15 times the amount of isothymol per aerosol puff, and more preferably, is at least 20 times the amount of isothymol per aerosol puff.

As defined above, the present invention also provides an aerosol-generating substrate formed from homogenized plant material comprising cumin seed particles, an aerosol former and a binder, the aerosol-generating substrate comprising at least 15 micrograms of procurcumenol per gram of substrate on a dry weight basis, at least 20 micrograms of cuminaldehyde per gram of substrate on a dry weight basis, and at least 10 micrograms of isothymol per gram of substrate on a dry weight basis.

Below 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 1.
1. An aerosol-generating article comprising an aerosol-generating substrate, the aerosol-generating substrate comprising a homogenized cumin material, the homogenized cumin material comprising cumin seed particles, an aerosol former, and a binder, the aerosol-generating substrate comprising:
At least 15 micrograms of procurcumenol per gram of substrate on a dry weight basis;
At least 20 micrograms of cuminaldehyde per gram of substrate on a dry weight basis;
and at least 10 micrograms of isothymol per gram of substrate on a dry weight basis.
Example 2.
2. The aerosol-generating article of example 1, wherein the amount of cuminaldehyde per gram of substrate is at least equal to the amount of procurcumenol per gram of substrate.
Example 3.
3. The aerosol-generating article of any one of Examples 1 to 2, wherein the amount of procurcumenol per gram of substrate is at least equal to the amount of isothymol per gram of substrate.
Example 4.
An aerosol-generating article according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the aerosol-generating substrate comprises, on a dry weight basis, from 15 micrograms to 1800 micrograms of procurcumenol per gram of substrate.
Example 5.
An aerosol-generating article according to any one of Examples 1 to 4, wherein the aerosol-generating substrate comprises, on a dry weight basis, from 20 micrograms to 2500 micrograms of cuminaldehyde per gram of substrate.
Example 6.
An aerosol-generating article according to any one of Examples 1 to 5, wherein the aerosol-generating substrate comprises, on a dry weight basis, from 10 micrograms to 1200 micrograms of isothymol per gram of substrate.
Example 7.
When the aerosol-generating substrate was heated by test method A,
At least 25 micrograms of procurcumenol per gram of substrate on a dry weight basis;
At least 2 micrograms of cuminaldehyde per gram of substrate on a dry weight basis;
An aerosol-generating article according to any one of Examples 1 to 6, wherein an aerosol is generated comprising at least 1 microgram of isothymol per gram of substrate on a dry weight basis.
Example 8.
An aerosol-generating article as described in Example 7, wherein upon heating of the aerosol-generating substrate by Test Method A, an aerosol is generated comprising up to 3500 micrograms of procurcumenol per gram of substrate on a dry weight basis.
Example 9.
An aerosol-generating article as described in Example 7 or 8, wherein heating of the aerosol-generating substrate in accordance with Test Method A generates an aerosol comprising up to 500 micrograms of cuminaldehyde per gram of substrate on a dry weight basis.
Example 10.
10. The aerosol-generating article of Example 7, 8 or 9, wherein heating of the aerosol-generating substrate in accordance with Test Method A generates an aerosol comprising up to 200 micrograms of isothymol per gram of substrate on a dry weight basis.
Example 11.
An aerosol-generating article as described in any one of Examples 7 to 10, wherein upon heating of the aerosol-generating substrate in accordance with Test Method A, an aerosol containing 0 micrograms of nicotine per gram of substrate is generated.
Example 12.
Under the Health Canada mechanical smoking regimen, heating of the aerosol-generating substrate in the THS2.2 holder resulted in:
At least 25 micrograms of procurcumenol per gram of substrate on a dry weight basis;
At least 2 micrograms of cuminaldehyde per gram of substrate on a dry weight basis;
An aerosol-generating article according to any one of Examples 1 to 6, wherein an aerosol is generated comprising at least 1 microgram of isothymol per gram of substrate on a dry weight basis.
Example 13.
An aerosol-generating article according to any one of Examples 1 to 12, wherein the homogenized cumin material comprises at least 2.5 weight percent cumin seed particles on a dry weight basis.
Example 14.
An aerosol-generating article according to any one of Examples 1 to 13, wherein the homogenized cumin material comprises up to 50 weight percent cumin seed particles on a dry weight basis.
Example 15.
The aerosol-generating article of any one of Examples 1-14, wherein the homogenized cumin material further comprises up to about 75 weight percent tobacco particles on a dry weight basis.
Example 16.
16. An aerosol-generating article according to any one of Examples 1 to 15, wherein the homogenized cumin material further comprises tobacco particles, and the weight ratio of cumin seed particles to tobacco particles is 1:4 or less.
Example 17.
17. The aerosol-generating article of example 15 or 16, wherein the homogenized cumin material comprises, on a dry weight basis, 5 weight percent to 20 weight percent cumin seed particles and 55 weight percent to 70 weight percent tobacco particles.
Example 18.
An aerosol-generating article according to any one of Examples 1 to 17, wherein the homogenized cumin material contains substantially zero nicotine.
Example 19.
An aerosol-generating article as described in Examples 1-17, wherein the aerosol-generating substrate further comprises at least 0.1 mg of nicotine per gram of substrate on a dry weight basis.
Example 20.
20. The aerosol-generating article of example 19, wherein the aerosol-generating substrate comprises, on a dry weight basis, from 1 milligram to 20 milligrams of nicotine per gram of substrate.
Example 21.
21. The aerosol-generating article of any one of Examples 1 to 20, wherein the cumin seed particles have a D95 value of about 50 microns or more to about 400 microns or less.
Example 22.
22. The aerosol-generating article of any one of Examples 1 to 21, wherein the cumin seed particles have a D5 value of about 10 microns or more to about 50 microns or less.
Example 23.
An aerosol-generating article as described in any one of Examples 1 to 22, wherein the cumin seed particles are intentionally ground.
Example 24.
An aerosol-generating article according to any one of Examples 1 to 23, wherein 100 percent of the cumin seed particles have a diameter of 300 microns or less.
Example 25.
25. The aerosol-generating article of any one of Examples 1-24, wherein the homogenized cumin material comprises up to 75 percent by weight of particulate plant material, the particulate plant material comprising cumin seed particles.
Example 26.
26. The aerosol-generating article of any one of Examples 1-25, wherein the homogenized cumin material has an aerosol former content of from 5 weight percent to 30 weight percent on a dry weight basis.
Example 27.
27. The aerosol-generating article of any one of Examples 1 to 26, wherein the binder is selected from gums such as guar gum, xanthan gum, gum arabic and locust bean gum, cellulosic binders such as hydroxypropyl cellulose, carboxymethyl cellulose, hydroxyethyl cellulose, methyl cellulose and ethyl cellulose, starches, organic acids such as alginic acid, conjugate base salts of organic acids such as sodium alginate, polysaccharides such as agar, pectin, and combinations thereof.
Example 28.
28. The aerosol-generating article of any one of Examples 1 to 27, wherein the binder comprises guar gum.
Example 29.
An aerosol-generating article according to any one of Examples 1 to 28, wherein the homogenized cumin material comprises, on a dry weight basis, 1 weight percent to 10 weight percent of a binder.
Example 30.
30. The aerosol-generating article of any one of Examples 1 to 29, wherein the homogenized cumin material further comprises fibers.
Example 31.
31. The aerosol-generating article of example 30, wherein the fibers have a length of greater than 400 micrometers.
Example 32.
32. The aerosol-generating article of any one of claims 30 to 31, wherein the fibers are present in an amount of about 2 weight percent to about 15 weight percent, based on the dry weight of the aerosol-generating substrate.
Example 33.
The aerosol-generating article of example 30 or example 31, wherein the fibers are present in an amount of at least 30 weight percent, based on the dry weight of the aerosol-generating substrate.
Example 34.
34. The aerosol-generating article of any one of Examples 1 to 33, wherein the homogenized cumin material comprises cumin seed particles, about 5 weight percent to about 30 weight percent of an aerosol former, and about 1 weight percent to about 10 weight percent of a binder, on a dry weight basis.
Example 35.
35. The aerosol-generating article of example 34, wherein the homogenized cumin material further comprises about 2 percent to about 15 percent by weight of fiber.
Example 36.
36. The aerosol-generating article of example 34 or 35, wherein the binder is guar gum.
Example 37.
The aerosol-generating article of any one of Examples 1 to 36, wherein the homogenized cumin material is in the form of one or more sheets.
Example 38.
38. The aerosol-generating article of example 37, wherein each of the one or more sheets has a thickness of 100 micrometers to 600 micrometers.
Example 39.
39. The aerosol-generating article of example 38, wherein each of the one or more sheets has a grammage of 100 g/m ² to 300 g/m ² .
Example 40.
40. The aerosol-generating article of embodiment 38 or 39, wherein each of the one or more sheets has a density of 0.3 g/m ³ to 1.3 g/m ³ .
Example 41.
41. The aerosol-generating article of any one of claims 38, 39 or 40, wherein each of the one or more sheets has a peak cross-direction tensile strength of from 50 N/m to 400 N/m.
Example 42.
41. The aerosol-generating article of any one of Examples 38 to 40, wherein each of the one or more sheets has a peak machine direction tensile strength of from 100 N/m to 800 N/m.
Example 43.
43. The aerosol-generating article of any one of Examples 38 to 42, wherein the one or more sheets are in the form of one or more sheet assemblies.
Example 44.
An aerosol-generating article as described in any one of Examples 1 to 36, wherein the homogenized cumin material is in the form of a plurality of strands.
Example 45.
45. The aerosol-generating article of example 44, wherein the strands have a width of at least 0.2 mm.
Example 46.
46. The aerosol-generating article of any one of Examples 44 to 45, wherein the plurality of strands are aligned with the longitudinal axis and extend substantially longitudinally along the length of the aerosol-generating substrate.
Example 47.
47. The aerosol-generating article of example 44, 45 or 46, wherein each of the plurality of strands has a mass-to-surface area ratio of at least 0.02 milligrams per square millimeter.
Example 48.
An aerosol-generating article as described in any one of Examples 1 to 47, wherein the homogenized cumin material in the aerosol-generating substrate is in the form of cast leaves.
Example 49.
An aerosol-generating article as described in any one of Examples 1 to 47, wherein the homogenized cumin material in the aerosol-generating substrate is in the form of cumin paper.
Example 50.
When the aerosol-generating substrate is heated by the test method A, the aerosol generated from the aerosol-generating substrate is
procurcumenol in an amount of at least 0.5 micrograms per aerosol puff;
cuminaldehyde in an amount of at least 0.05 micrograms per aerosol puff;
isothymol in an amount of at least 0.01 micrograms per aerosol puff;
An aerosol-generating article described in any one of Examples 1 to 49, wherein the aerosol puff has a volume of 55 milliliters when produced by the smoking machine, the amount of procurcumenol per aerosol puff is at least 5 times the amount of cuminaldehyde per aerosol puff, and the amount of procurcumenol per aerosol puff is at least 15 times the amount of isothymol per aerosol puff.
Example 51.
1. An aerosol-generating article comprising an aerosol-generating substrate, the aerosol-generating substrate comprising a homogenized cumin material comprising cumin seed particles, about 5 weight percent to about 30 weight percent of an aerosol former, and about 1 weight percent to about 10 weight percent of a binder, on a dry weight basis.
Example 52.
52. The aerosol-generating article of example 51, wherein the homogenized cumin material further comprises an essential oil, preferably cumin seed essential oil.
Example 53.
53. The aerosol-generating article of example 51 or 52, wherein the homogenized cumin material further comprises tobacco particles.
Example 54.
54. The aerosol-generating article of any one of Examples 51-53, wherein the homogenized cumin material comprises at least 2.5 weight percent cumin seed particles on a dry weight basis.
Example 55.
1. An aerosol-generating substrate comprising a homogenized cumin material comprising cumin seed particles, an aerosol former, and a binder, the aerosol-generating substrate comprising:
At least 15 micrograms of procurcumenol per gram of substrate on a dry weight basis;
At least 20 micrograms of cuminaldehyde per gram of substrate on a dry weight basis;
and at least 10 micrograms of isothymol per gram of substrate on a dry weight basis.
Example 56.
1. An aerosol generation system comprising:
An aerosol generating device having a heating element;
An aerosol generating system comprising an aerosol generating article according to any one of Examples 1 to 54.
Example 57.
57. The aerosol generating system of Example 56, wherein the heating element is a heater blade adapted to be inserted into the aerosol-generating substrate.
Example 57.
56. An aerosol produced upon heating the aerosol-generating substrate of Example 55, comprising:
procurcumenol in an amount of at least 0.5 micrograms per aerosol puff;
cuminaldehyde in an amount of at least 0.05 micrograms per aerosol puff;
isothymol in an amount of at least 0.01 micrograms per aerosol puff;
An aerosol, wherein the aerosol puff has a volume of 55 milliliters when produced by a smoking machine, the amount of procurcumenol per aerosol puff is at least 5 times the amount of cuminaldehyde per aerosol puff, and the amount of procurcumenol per aerosol puff is at least 15 times the amount of isothymol per aerosol puff.
Example 58.
1. A method of making an aerosol-generating substrate, comprising the steps of:
forming a slurry comprising cumin seed particles, water, an aerosol former, a binder, and optionally tobacco particles;
casting or extruding the slurry in the form of a sheet or strand;
and drying the sheet or strand at 80 degrees Celsius to 160 degrees Celsius.
Example 59.
The method of example 58, wherein the slurry is cast onto a support surface and allowed to dry to form a sheet of cast leaves.
Example 60.
1. A method of making an aerosol-generating substrate, comprising the steps of:
forming a dilute suspension comprising cumin seed particles, water, and optionally tobacco particles;
separating the suspension into an insoluble portion and a liquid extract;
forming the insoluble portion into a sheet;
concentrating the liquid extract and applying the concentrated liquid extract to a sheet to form cumin paper.

Specific embodiments are further described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:

FIG. 1 illustrates a first embodiment of a substrate of an aerosol-generating article as described herein. FIG. 2 illustrates an aerosol generating system comprising an aerosol generating article and an aerosol generating device comprising an electric heating element. FIG. 3 illustrates an aerosol generating system comprising an aerosol generating device that includes an aerosol-generating article and a combustible heating element. 4a and 4b illustrate a second embodiment of the substrate of the aerosol-generating article described herein. Ibid. FIG. 5 illustrates a third embodiment of a substrate for an aerosol-generating article as described herein. Figures 6a, 6b, and 6c are each cross-sectional views of a filter 1050 further including an aerosol modifier element. Figure 6a illustrates an aerosol modifier element in the form of a spherical capsule or bead within a filter plug. FIG. 6b illustrates an aerosol modification element in the form of a thread within a filter plug. FIG. 6c illustrates an aerosol modifying element in the form of a spherical capsule within a cavity in the filter. FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view of a plug of an aerosol-generating substrate 1020 further comprising an elongated susceptor element. FIG. 8 illustrates the experimental setup for collecting aerosol samples that are analyzed to measure characteristic compounds.

1 illustrates a heated aerosol-generating article 1000 that includes a substrate as described herein. The article 1000 includes four elements: an aerosol-generating substrate 1020, a hollow cellulose acetate tube 1030, a spacer element 1040, and a mouthpiece filter 1050. These four elements are arranged in sequential and coaxial alignment and assembled by cigarette paper 1060 to form the aerosol-generating article 1000. The article 1000 has a mouth end 1012 that a user inserts into his or her mouth during use, and a distal end 1013 at the opposite end of the article relative to the mouth end 1012. The embodiment of the aerosol-generating article illustrated in FIG. 1 is particularly suitable for use with an electrically operated aerosol generating device that includes a heater for heating the aerosol-generating substrate.

When assembled, the article 1000 is approximately 45 millimeters in length and has an outer diameter of approximately 7.2 millimeters and an inner diameter of approximately 6.9 millimeters.

The aerosol-generating substrate 1020 includes a plug formed from a sheet of homogenized cumin material containing cumin seed particles, alone or in combination with tobacco particles.

Some examples of suitable homogenized cumin materials for forming the aerosol-generating substrate 1020 are shown in Table 1 below (see Samples B-D). The sheets are assembled, crimped, and rolled into filter paper (not shown) to form plugs. The sheets contain additives including glycerol as an aerosol former.

The aerosol-generating article 1000 as illustrated in FIG. 1 is designed to engage an aerosol-generating device for consumption. Such an aerosol-generating device includes a means for heating the aerosol-generating substrate 1020 to a sufficient temperature to form an aerosol. Typically, the aerosol-generating device may include a heating element surrounding the aerosol-generating article 1000 adjacent the aerosol-generating substrate 1020 or a heating element inserted into the aerosol-generating substrate 1020.

Upon engagement with the aerosol-generating device, the user draws on the mouth end 1012 of the smoking article 1000, and the aerosol-generating substrate 1020 is heated to a temperature of approximately 375 degrees Celsius. At this temperature, volatile compounds are released from the aerosol-generating substrate 1020. These compounds condense to form an aerosol. The aerosol passes through the filter 1050 and is drawn into the user's mouth.

2 illustrates a portion of an electrically operated aerosol generating system 2000 that utilizes a heating blade 2100 to heat the aerosol-generating substrate 1020 of an aerosol-generating article 1000. The heating blade is mounted within an aerosol article receiving chamber of an electrically operated aerosol generating device 2010. The aerosol generating device defines a plurality of air holes 2050 to allow air to flow to the aerosol-generating article 1000. The airflow is indicated by arrows in FIG. 2. The aerosol generating device includes a power source and electronics, which are not shown in FIG. 2. The aerosol-generating article 1000 of FIG. 2 is as described with respect to FIG. 1.

In an alternative configuration shown in FIG. 3, an aerosol generating system is shown with a combustible heating element. While the article 1000 of FIG. 1 is intended to be consumed in conjunction with an aerosol generating device, the article 1001 of FIG. 3 includes a combustible heat source 1080 that may be ignited and transfer heat to the aerosol generating substrate 1020 to form an inhalable aerosol. The combustible heat source 80 is a charcoal element assembled adjacent to the aerosol generating substrate at the distal end 13 of the rod 11. Elements essentially the same as those in FIG. 1 are numbered the same.

Figures 4a and 4b illustrate a second embodiment of a heated aerosol-generating article 4000a, 4000b. The aerosol-generating substrate 4020a, 4020b comprises a first downstream plug 4021 formed from particulate plant material including cumin seed particles and a second upstream plug 4022 formed from particulate plant material including primarily tobacco particles. A suitable homogenized cumin material for use in the first downstream plug is shown in Table 1 below as one of Samples A-C. A suitable homogenized tobacco material for use in the second upstream plug is shown in Table 1 below as Sample D. Sample D includes only tobacco particles and is included for comparison purposes only.

In each plug, the homogenized plant material is in the form of a sheet, which is crimped and rolled into a filter paper (not shown). Both sheets contain additives, including glycerol as an aerosol former. In the embodiment shown in FIG. 4a, the plugs are assembled in an end-to-end abutting relationship to form rods, each about 6 mm long. In a more preferred embodiment (not shown), the second plug is preferably longer than the first plug, for example, preferably 2 mm longer, and more preferably 3 mm longer, such that the second plug is 7 or 7.5 mm long, while the first plug is 5 or 4.5 mm long to provide the desired ratio of tobacco particles to cumin seed particles in the substrate. In FIG. 4b, the cellulose acetate tube support element 1030 is omitted.

Items 4000a, 4000b similar to item 1000 of FIG. 1 are particularly suitable for use in the electrically operated aerosol generating system 2000 with a heater shown in FIG. 2. Elements essentially the same as those in FIG. 1 are numbered the same. It may be envisioned by one skilled in the art that a combustible heat source (not shown) may alternatively be used in the second embodiment in place of an electric heating element in a configuration similar to that including combustible heat source 1080 of item 1001 of FIG. 3.

Figure 5 illustrates a third embodiment of a heated aerosol-generating article 5000. The aerosol-generating substrate 5020 comprises a rod formed from a first sheet of homogenized cumin material formed of particulate plant material including a proportion of cumin seed particles, and a second sheet of homogenized tobacco material including primarily cast leaf tobacco.

A suitable homogenized cumin material for use as the first sheet is shown in Table 1 below as one of Samples A-C. A suitable homogenized tobacco material for use as the second sheet is shown in Table 1 below as Sample D. Sample D contains only tobacco particles and is included for comparison purposes only.

A second sheet is placed on top of the first sheet, and the combined sheets are crimped, assembled, and at least partially wrapped with filter paper (not shown) to form a plug that is a portion of the rod. Both sheets include an additive, including glycerol as an aerosol former. Article 5000, similar to article 1000 of FIG. 1, is particularly suitable for use in electrically operated aerosol generating system 2000 with a heater as shown in FIG. 2. Elements essentially the same as those in FIG. 1 are numbered the same. It may be envisioned by one skilled in the art that a combustible heat source (not shown) may alternatively be used in the third embodiment in place of an electric heating element in a configuration similar to that including combustible heat source 1080 of article 1001 of FIG. 3.

Figures 6a, 6b and 6c are cross-sectional views of a filter 1050 further including an aerosol modifying element. In Figure 6a, filter 1050 further includes an aerosol modifying element in the form of a spherical capsule or bead 605.

In the embodiment of FIG. 6a, capsules or beads 605 are embedded within the filter segment 601 and are surrounded on all sides by filter material 603. In this embodiment, the capsule comprises an outer shell and an inner core, the inner core containing a liquid flavorant. The liquid flavorant is for flavoring the aerosol during use of the aerosol-generating article provided with the filter. The capsule 605 releases at least a portion of the liquid flavorant when the filter is subjected to an external force, for example by squeezing by the consumer. In the illustrated embodiment, the capsule is generally spherical and has a substantially continuous outer shell containing the liquid flavorant.

In the embodiment of FIG. 6b, the filter segment 601 comprises a plug of filter material 603 and a central flavor-bearing thread 607 extending axially through the plug of filter material 603 parallel to the longitudinal axis of the filter 1050. The central flavor-bearing thread 607 is substantially the same length as the plug of filter material 603 such that the ends of the central flavor-bearing thread 607 are visible at the ends of the filter segment 601. In FIG. 6b, the filter material 603 is cellulose acetate tow. The central flavor-bearing thread 607 is formed from twisted filter plug wrap and is loaded with an aerosol modifier.

In the embodiment of FIG. 6c, the filter segment 601 comprises two or more plugs of filter material 603, 603'. The plugs of filter material 603, 603' are formed from cellulose acetate so as to be capable of filtering the aerosol provided by the aerosol-generating article. A wrapper 609 is wrapped around and connects the filter plugs 603, 603'. Inside the cavity 611 is a capsule 605 including an outer shell and an inner core, the inner core containing a liquid flavorant. Alternatively, the capsule is similar to the embodiment of FIG. 6a.

7 is a cross-sectional view of an aerosol-generating substrate 1020 further including an elongated susceptor strip 705. The aerosol-generating substrate 1020 comprises a plug 703 formed from a sheet of homogenized cumin material including tobacco particles and cumin seed particles. The elongated susceptor strip 705 is embedded within the plug 703 and extends longitudinally between the upstream and downstream ends of the plug 703. In use, the elongated susceptor strip 705 heats the homogenized cumin material by induction heating, as described above.

As described above with reference to the figures, different samples of homogenized plant material for use in an aerosol-generating substrate according to the invention may be prepared from an aqueous slurry having the composition shown in Table 1. Sample A contains only cumin seed particles and no tobacco particles according to the invention. Samples B and C contain cumin seed particles and tobacco particles according to the invention. Sample D contains only tobacco particles and is included for comparative purposes only.

The particulate plant material in all samples A-D comprises approximately 75 percent of the homogenized plant material's dry weight, with glycerol, guar gum, and cellulose fiber comprising the remaining approximately 25 percent of the homogenized plant material's dry weight. The samples are prepared from aqueous slurries containing 78-79 kg of water per 100 kg of slurry.

In the tables below, % DWB refers to "dry weight basis", in this case the weight percent calculated relative to the dry weight of the homogenized plant material. Cumin powder may be formed from dried cumin seeds, which may be ground by triple impact milling to a final D95 = 175 microns.

The slurry may be cast onto a glass plate using a casting bar (0.6 mm) and dried in an oven at 140 degrees Celsius for 7 minutes, then in a second oven at 120 degrees Celsius for 30 seconds.

For each of homogenized plant material samples A-D, plugs may be produced from a single continuous sheet of homogenized plant material, each having a width of 100 mm to 125 mm. The individual sheets preferably have a thickness of about 220 micrometers and a basis weight of about 194 g/ ^m2 . The cut width of each sheet is about 80 mm. The sheets may be crimped to a height of 165 micrometers to 170 micrometers and rolled into plugs having a length of about 12 mm and a diameter of about 7 mm and surrounded by a paper wrapper. The weight of the homogenized plant material in each plug is about 188 mg, and the total weight of each plug is about 192.1 mg.

For each plug, an aerosol-generating article having an overall length of about 45 mm may be formed having a structure as shown in FIG. 3, comprising, from the downstream end, a mouth end cellulose acetate filter (about 7 mm long), an aerosol spacer (about 18 mm long) comprising a crimped sheet of polylactic acid polymer, a hollow acetate tube (about 8 mm long), and a plug of aerosol-generating substrate.

For homogenized plant material sample A, in which cumin seed particles comprised 100 percent of the particulate plant material, characteristic compounds were extracted from plugs of homogenized plant material using methanol as detailed above. The extracts were analyzed as described above to confirm the presence of characteristic compounds and to measure the amount of characteristic compounds. The results of this analysis are shown in Table 2 below, where the amounts shown correspond to amounts per aerosol-generating article, with the aerosol-generating substrate of the aerosol-generating article comprising 188 mg of homogenized plant material sample A.

For comparative purposes, the amount of the characteristic compound present in the particulate plant material (cumin seed particles) used to form Sample E is also shown. For the particulate material, the amount shown corresponds to the amount of the characteristic compound in a sample of particulate plant material having a weight corresponding to the total weight of particulate plant material in the aerosol-generating article containing 188 mg of Sample A.

For each of Samples B and C, which contain a proportion of cumin seed particles, the amount of characteristic compounds can be estimated based on the values in Table 2 by assuming that the amount is present in proportion to the weight of the cumin seed particles.

Mainstream aerosols from aerosol-generating articles incorporating aerosol-generating substrates formed from homogenized plant material samples A-D may be generated in accordance with Test Method A, as defined above. For each sample, the aerosol generated may be contained and analyzed.

As detailed above, according to Test Method A, the aerosol-generating article may be tested using a commercially available Philip Morris Products SA IQOS® heat-not-burn device Tobacco Heating System 2.2 Holder (THS2.2 Holder). The aerosol-generating article was heated under the Health Canada mechanical smoking regimen for 30 puffs using a puff volume of 55 ml, a puff duration of 2 seconds, and an interval between puffs of 30 seconds (as described in ISO/TR19478-1:2014).

The aerosol generated during the smoking test is collected on a Cambridge filter pad and extracted with a liquid solvent. Figure 10 shows a suitable apparatus for generating and collecting aerosol from an aerosol-generating article.

The aerosol generating device 111 shown in FIG. 10 is a commercially available tobacco heating device (IQOS). The mainstream aerosol content generated during the Health Canada smoking test detailed above is collected in the aerosol collection chamber 113 on the aerosol collection line 120. The glass fiber filter pad 140 is a 44 mm Cambridge glass fiber filter pad (CFP) conforming to ISO 4387 and ISO 3308.

For LC-HRAM-MS analysis :
The extraction solvent 170, 170a, in this case methanol and internal standard (ISTD) solution, is present in each microimpinger 160, 160a at a volume of 10 mL. The cold baths 161, 161a each contain dry ice-isopropyl ether to maintain the microimpingers 160, 160a, respectively, at approximately -60°C. The gas-vapor phase becomes trapped within the extraction solvent 170, 170a as the aerosol is bubbled through the microimpingers 160, 160a. The combined solutions from the two microimpingers are separated in step 181 as impinger trapped gas-vapor phase solution 180.

The CFP and impinger trapped gas-vapor phase solution 180 are combined in a clean Pyrex® tube in step 190. In step 200, all particulate matter is extracted from the CFP using the impinger trapped gas-vapor phase solution 180 (containing methanol as a solvent) by thorough shaking (to break down the CFP), stirring for 5 minutes, and finally centrifugation (4500 g, 5 minutes, 10° C.). An aliquot (300 μL) of the total reconstituted aerosol extract 220 was transferred to a silanized chromatography vial and diluted with methanol (700 μL) since the extraction solvent 170, 170a already contains the internal standard (ISTD) solution. The vial was closed and mixed for 5 minutes using an Eppendorf ThermoMixer (5° C., 2000 rpm).

For compound identification, aliquots (1.5 μL) of the diluted extract were injected and analyzed by LC-HRAM-MS in both full scan and data-dependent fragmentation modes.

g CxGC-TOFMS analysis:
As mentioned above, when preparing samples for GCxGC-TOFMS experiments, different solvents are appropriate for the extraction and analysis of polar, non-polar, and volatile compounds separated from the whole aerosol. The experimental setup is identical to that described for LC-HRAM-MS sample collection, with the exceptions noted below.

The non-polar and polar extraction solvents 171, 171a are present in a volume of 10 mL and are a mixture of 80:20 v/v dichloromethane and methanol, also containing retention index marker (RIM) compounds and stable isotope labeled internal standards (ISTDs). The cold baths 162, 162a each contain a dry ice-isopropanol mixture to maintain the microimpingers 160, 160a, respectively, at approximately -78°C. The gas-vapor phase is trapped within the extraction solvents 171, 171a as the aerosol is bubbled through the microimpingers 160, 160a. The combined solutions from the two microimpingers are separated in step 182 as impinger trapped gas-vapor phase solution 210.

The non-polar CFPs and impinger trapped gas-vapor phase solution 210 are combined in a clean Pyrex® tube in step 190. In step 200, all particulate matter is extracted from the CFPs using impinger trapped gas-vapor phase solution 210 (containing dichloromethane and methanol as solvents) by thorough shaking (to break down the CFPs), stirring for 5 minutes, and finally centrifugation (4500 g, 5 minutes, 10° C.) to separate the polar and non-polar components of the total aerosol extract 230.

In step 250, a 10 mL aliquot 240 of the entire aerosol extract 230 was removed. In step 260, a 10 mL aliquot of water was added and the entire sample was shaken and centrifuged. The non-polar fraction 270 was separated, dried over sodium sulfate, and analyzed by GCxGC-TOFMS in full scan mode.

Polar ISTD and RIM compounds were added to the polar fraction 280, which was directly analyzed by gCxGC-TOFMS in full scan mode.

Each smoking replicate (n=3) contained 270 of the trapped reconstituted non-polar fraction and 280 of the non-polar fraction for each sample.

The entire volatile component aerosol was trapped using two microimpingers 160, 160a in series. Extraction solvent 172, 172a, in this case N,N-dimethylformamide (DMF) retention index marker (RIM) compound and stable isotope labeled internal standard (ISTD), is present in each microimpinger 160, 160a at a volume of 10 mL. Cold baths 161, 161a each contain dry ice-isopropanol ether to maintain the microimpingers 160, 160a at approximately −60° C., respectively. The gas-vapor phase is trapped within the extraction solvent 170, 170a as the aerosol is bubbled through the microimpingers 160, 160a. The combined solution from the two microimpingers is separated as a volatile-containing phase 211 in step 183. The volatile-containing phase 211 is analyzed separately from the other phases and injected directly into the GCxGC-TOFMS using cool on-column without further preparation.

Table 3 below shows the levels of characteristic compounds from cumin seed particles in aerosols generated from an aerosol-generating article incorporating homogenized plant material sample B, which contains only cumin seed particles. For comparative purposes, Table 3 also shows the levels of characteristic compounds in aerosols generated from an aerosol-generating article incorporating homogenized plant material sample E, which contains only tobacco particles (and is therefore not in accordance with the invention).

Relatively high levels of characteristic compounds were measured in the aerosol generated from Sample A. The ratio of cuminaldehyde to procurcumenol was greater than 1, and the ratio of procurcumenol to isothymol was also greater than 1. Thus, the levels of characteristic compounds indicated the presence of cumin seed particles in the sample. In contrast, the levels of characteristic compounds were found to be zero or near zero for Sample D, which was tobacco only and substantially free of cumin seed particles.

For each of Samples B and C containing cumin seed particles, the amount of characteristic compound in the aerosol can be estimated based on the values in Table 3 by assuming that the amount is present in proportion to the weight of cumin seed particles in the aerosol-generating substrate from which the aerosol was generated.

Table 4 below compares the phenol levels in the aerosol generated from an aerosol-generating article incorporating Sample B (1:10 cumin to tobacco ratio) to the aerosol generated from the tobacco-only Sample D. The reduction shown is the percentage reduction brought about by replacing 10 percent of the tobacco particles in the homogenized material of Sample D with cumin seed particles.

As shown in Table 4, the aerosol generated from Sample B, which contained 10 weight percent cumin seed particles based on the dry weight of the particulate plant material, resulted in reduced levels of phenols when compared to the levels of the same compounds in the aerosol generated from Sample E, which contained 100 weight percent tobacco based on the dry weight of the particulate plant material.

In most cases, the reduction in the levels of these undesirable aerosol compounds is significantly greater than the percentage reduction expected as a result of replacing 20 percent of the tobacco particles with cumin seed particles. Thus, the combination of cumin seed particles with tobacco particles results in an unexpectedly high reduction in the levels of these compounds. Thus, the inclusion of cumin seed particles can reduce the levels of certain undesirable compounds in the aerosol while providing an aerosol with improved sensory properties.

Claims (15)

1. An aerosol-generating article comprising an aerosol-generating substrate, the aerosol-generating substrate comprising a homogenized cumin material, the homogenized cumin material comprising cumin seed particles, an aerosol former, and a binder, the aerosol-generating substrate comprising:
at least 15 micrograms of procurcumenol per gram of said substrate on a dry weight basis;
at least 20 micrograms of cuminaldehyde per gram of said substrate on a dry weight basis;
and at least 10 micrograms of isothymol per gram of said substrate on a dry weight basis. The aerosol-generating article of claim 1, wherein the amount of cuminaldehyde per gram of substrate is at least equal to the amount of procurcumenol per gram of substrate, and the amount of procurcumenol per gram of substrate is at least equal to the amount of isothymol per gram of substrate. The aerosol-generating article according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the aerosol-generating substrate further comprises, on a dry weight basis, 1 milligram to 20 milligrams of nicotine per gram of the substrate. The aerosol-generating article of any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the homogenized cumin material comprises, on a dry weight basis, 5 weight percent to 30 weight percent of an aerosol former and 1 weight percent to 10 weight percent of a binder. The aerosol-generating article according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the binder comprises guar gum. The aerosol-generating article of any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the homogenized cumin material comprises at least 2.5 weight percent of the cumin seed particles on a dry weight basis. The aerosol-generating article according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the homogenized cumin material further comprises tobacco particles, and the weight ratio of the cumin seed particles to the tobacco particles is 1:4 or less. The aerosol-generating article according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the homogenized cumin material in the aerosol-generating substrate is in the form of cast leaves. The aerosol-generating article according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the homogenized cumin material in the aerosol-generating substrate is in the form of cumin paper. When the aerosol-generating substrate is heated by the test method A,
at least 25 micrograms of procurcumenol per gram of said substrate on a dry weight basis;
at least 2 micrograms of cuminaldehyde per gram of said substrate on a dry weight basis;
10. The aerosol-generating article of claim 1, wherein an aerosol is generated comprising at least 1 microgram of isothymol per gram of substrate on a dry weight basis. When the aerosol-generating substrate is heated by the test method A, the aerosol generated from the aerosol-generating substrate is
procurcumenol in an amount of at least 0.5 micrograms per aerosol puff;
cuminaldehyde in an amount of at least 0.05 micrograms per aerosol puff;
isothymol in an amount of at least 0.01 micrograms per aerosol puff;
11. The aerosol-generating article of any one of claims 1 to 10, wherein the aerosol puff has a volume of 55 milliliters when produced by a smoking machine, the amount of procurcumenol per aerosol puff is at least 5 times the amount of cuminaldehyde per aerosol puff, and the amount of procurcumenol per aerosol puff is at least 15 times the amount of isothymol per aerosol puff. 1. An aerosol-generating substrate comprising a homogenized cumin material comprising cumin seed particles, an aerosol former, and a binder, the aerosol-generating substrate comprising:
at least 15 micrograms of procurcumenol per gram of said substrate on a dry weight basis;
at least 20 micrograms of cuminaldehyde per gram of said substrate on a dry weight basis;
and at least 10 micrograms of isothymol per gram of said substrate on a dry weight basis. 1. An aerosol generation system comprising:
An aerosol generating device having a heating element;
An aerosol generating system comprising the aerosol generating article according to any one of claims 1 to 12. An aerosol generated when the aerosol-generating substrate according to claim 12 is heated, the aerosol comprising:
procurcumenol in an amount of at least 0.5 micrograms per aerosol puff;
cuminaldehyde in an amount of at least 0.05 micrograms per aerosol puff;
isothymol in an amount of at least 0.01 micrograms per aerosol puff;
An aerosol, wherein the aerosol puff has a volume of 55 milliliters when produced by a smoking machine, the amount of said procurcumenol per aerosol puff is at least 5 times the amount of said cuminaldehyde per aerosol puff, and the amount of said procurcumenol per aerosol puff is at least 15 times the amount of said isothymol per aerosol puff. 1. A method of making an aerosol-generating substrate, comprising the steps of:
forming a slurry comprising cumin seed particles, water, an aerosol former, a binder, and optionally tobacco particles;
casting or extruding the slurry in the form of a sheet or strand;
and drying said sheet or strand at between 80 and 160 degrees Celsius.

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