KR20210134750A - Tobacco processing method - Google Patents

Abstract

The present disclosure provides a method of processing a pH-treated tobacco material comprising contacting at least one pH-treated tobacco material with an effective amount of one or more gases, wherein the one or more gases are pH-treated tobacco material and the pH decrease of the pH-treated tobacco material is reversible. Also provided are methods of storing pH-treated tobacco and use of the gas to improve the shelf life or mass storage time of pH-treated tobacco material.

Description

Tobacco processing method

The present disclosure relates to a method of processing pH-treated tobacco material, for example, pH-treated tobacco granules or particles used in tobacco industry products. The present disclosure also relates to a method for storing pH-treated tobacco material obtained from the method, as well as a pH-treated tobacco material, and a storage container obtained from the method.

Tobacco industry products include smoking articles such as cigarettes, cigars, etc. that burn tobacco during use, as well as alternatives that release compounds from smokeable materials without combustion. Examples of such products are tobacco heating devices or products that release compounds by heating instead of burning. Tobacco industry products also generally include cartomizers having reservoirs of liquid formulations, and/or substrate materials, such as tobacco-based products, in which an aerosol or vapor is generated, for example, through thermal vaporization, for inhalation by a user. Electronic aerosol supply systems comprising Generally nicotine and often flavorants or flavoring agents are present in the liquid of the reservoir and/or base material. However, in some countries local regulations, or other reasons, such as sensory or other reasons, indicate that nicotine may only be present in the base material.

Thus, in these countries, the aerosol supply system is typically an aerosol or vapor generating element (vaporizer), eg a cato having a heater, arranged to aerosolize a portion of the precursor material to generate an aerosol in the aerosol generating chamber. base material containing mizer, and nicotine. As the user inhales the system or device and power is supplied to the heater, air is drawn into the device through inlets and enters the aerosol generating chamber to mix the air with the aerosolized precursor material. Thereafter, there is typically a flow path connecting the aerosol generating chamber and an opening in the mouthpiece of the device through the nicotine-containing substrate material so that air drawn through the aerosol generating chamber continues to flow along the flow path through the substrate material. Preferably, the aerosol is expelled through the mouthpiece opening for inhalation by the user. The substrate material is often heated by the aerosol or vapor generating element and/or the aerosol itself to extract nicotine into the aerosol inhaled by the user.

summary

According to some embodiments described herein, there is provided a method of processing a pH-treated tobacco material comprising contacting at least one pH-treated tobacco material with an effective amount of one or more gases, wherein the one or more gases They reduce the pH of the pH-treated tobacco material, and the decrease in the pH of the pH-treated tobacco material is reversible.

The one or more gases may include carbon dioxide. For example, at least about 20% by volume of the one or more gases may be carbon dioxide. In one embodiment, from about 25% to about 100% by volume of the one or more gases may be carbon dioxide. In other embodiments, from about 50% to about 100% by volume of the one or more gases may be carbon dioxide. In another embodiment, the one or more gases consist essentially of carbon dioxide, wherein the expression “consist essentially of” does not materially affect the essential properties of the gases in the art. It has a general meaning including additional ingredients.

The initial pH of the at least one pH-treated tobacco material may be greater than 7, for example from about 8 to about 10. The pH of the pH-treated tobacco material is reduced by one or more gases, and this reduction may be to a pH value of less than 7, for example from about 5 to about 6.5. However, one of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that any decrease in pH would be beneficial and this disclosure is not limited to a specific decrease in initial pH.

Also provided is a tobacco material obtained by the processing method described herein.

Also provided is a method of storing pH-treated tobacco material. The method comprises the steps of (i) placing a pH-treated tobacco material into a storage container; and (ii) sealing the storage container, and (iii) processing the pH-treated tobacco material according to the processing method described herein, or (ii) the pH-treated tobacco material according to the method described herein. processing, and (iii) sealing the storage container.

Alternatively, the method comprises the steps of (i) processing the pH-treated tobacco material according to the method described herein, (ii) placing the tobacco material obtained from the processing step (i) into a storage container, and (iii) ) sealing the storage container.

The storage container may be a sealed container suitable for bulk storage of pH-treated tobacco material, or a sealed packaging element suitable for individual storage of pH-treated tobacco material. The terms “mass storage” and “individual storage” are further discussed herein.

Also provided is a storage container comprising tobacco material obtained by a storage method described herein, wherein the pH of the tobacco material increases when exposed to normal atmospheric conditions.

Finally, the use of carbon dioxide for improving the shelf life or mass storage time of a pH-treated tobacco material is provided.

Such embodiments are set forth in the appended independent and dependent claims. It will be understood that the features of the dependent claims may be combined with each other and with the features of the independent claims in combinations other than those expressly recited in the claims. In addition, the approaches described herein encompass and contemplate any suitable combinations of features presented herein without limitation to specific embodiments such as those set forth below. For example, a processing method, tobacco material obtained therefrom, storage method and/or storage container obtained therefrom may optionally be subject to the approaches described herein including any one or more of the various features described below. may be provided accordingly.

Embodiments of the present disclosure will now be described by way of example only with reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein:
1 is a highly schematic cross-sectional view of a storage container 1 according to certain embodiments of the present disclosure. As will be discussed in more detail below, FIG. 1 shows a sealed storage container 1 comprising a pH-treated tobacco material 2 and one or more gases 3 consisting essentially of carbon dioxide. Those skilled in the art will understand that FIG. 1 is not drawn to scale.
2-4 are flow charts illustrating the main steps of a storage method according to certain embodiments of the present disclosure.

details

Aspects and features of specific examples and embodiments are discussed and described herein. Some aspects and features of the specific examples and embodiments may be implemented routinely and these have not been discussed or described in detail for the sake of brevity. Accordingly, it will be understood that aspects and features of the apparatus and methods discussed herein that are not described in detail may be implemented in accordance with any prior art for implementing such aspects and features.

The present disclosure provides a method for processing a pH-treated tobacco material, a tobacco material obtained by the processing method, a method for storing a pH-treated tobacco material, a storage container comprising the tobacco material obtained by the storage method, and carbon dioxide. These aspects of the present disclosure can surprisingly improve the shelf life or mass storage time of pH-treated tobacco materials, eg, pH-treated tobacco granules or particles used in tobacco industry products.

As used herein, the term “tobacco industry product” includes:

Combustible smoking articles, such as cigarettes, cigarillos, cigars, and tobacco for pipe or roll-your-own or make-your-own cigarettes (tobacco, whether based on tobacco derivatives, puffed tobacco, reconstituted tobacco, tobacco substitutes or other smokeable materials);

heating devices that release compounds from aerosolizable materials without burning them, such as electronic cigarettes, tobacco heating products and hybrid systems for generating an aerosol using a combination of aerosolizable materials; non-combustible aerosol delivery systems such as;

articles comprising an aerosolizable material and configured for use in one of such non-combustible aerosol supply systems; and

Aerosol-free stimulant delivery articles, such as lozenges, gums, patches, articles including inhalable powders, and smokeless tobacco products, such as snus and snuff, wherein the stimulant is nicotine. may or may not be included).

As is customary in the art, the terms "vapor" and "aerosol" and related terms such as "vaporize", "volatilize" and "aerosolize" may be used interchangeably. Accordingly, aerosol supply systems or devices are referred to herein as “vapor supply systems or devices”, “aerosol delivery systems or devices”, “electronic vapor supply systems or devices”, “electronic aerosol supply systems or device” "," or "e-cigarettes or electronic cigarettes." These terms may be used interchangeably and are non-combustible aerosol delivery systems, such as heating devices, that release compounds without burning the aerosolizable material(s) from the aerosolizable material(s), eg, tobacco material. Or to refer to devices. The non-combustible aerosol supply system includes electronic cigarettes or e-cigarettes that generate an aerosol from aerosol precursor materials by heating or other techniques such as vibration; and hybrid systems that supply an aerosol via a combination of aerosol precursor materials and solid substrate materials, eg, hybrid systems containing liquid or gel precursor materials and a solid substrate material.

In reaching the present disclosure, the inventors have found that tobacco industry products containing pH-treated tobacco material often do not provide a satisfactory experience to users when stored for a significant period of time prior to use of the pH-treated tobacco material. recognized that This was observed when pH-treated cigarettes were stored in bulk or in individual compartments, and was particularly prevalent after cigarettes were stored in individual compartments, and the unsatisfactory user experience was primarily due to a decrease in the amount of available nicotine.

As is known in the art, nicotine has two basic nitrogens and can exist in an unprotonated, mono-protonated or di-protonated form. The protonated forms are not volatile, whereas the unprotonated forms are highly volatile and can easily enter the gas phase at 25°C with a vapor pressure of 5.5 Pa. Accordingly, to promote nicotine release, tobacco material is generally pH treated prior to use in tobacco industry products. The pH treatment deprotonates nicotine by increasing the pH of the tobacco material from an acidic pH (e.g. 5.5) to an alkaline pH (e.g. 9.5) and converts it into its volatile free base form as shown below. Switches:

However, the inventors have realized that pH treatment and deprotonation of nicotine causes significant nicotine stability problems when storing pH-treated tobacco materials for long periods of time. Although the availability of nicotine from tobacco materials was improved, pH treatment simultaneously reduced the shelf life of cigarettes due to the volatility of free base nicotine.

Accordingly, there is a need to improve the nicotine stability of the pH-treated tobacco material, and in particular to increase the shelf life and mass storage time of the pH-treated tobacco material. The present disclosure addresses these needs while improving product performance and user experience by contacting a pH-treated tobacco material with an effective amount of one or more gases to reversibly reduce the pH of the pH-treated tobacco material. Especially since the reversible nature of the method allows the methods described herein to be integrated into existing tobacco processing and treatment techniques, and also to be applied for bulk storage and individual (eg blisters, etc.) storage of pH-treated tobacco materials. It is advantageous.

Without wishing to be bound by any one theory, the inventors believe that the reversible decrease in pH by one or more gases is caused by the reversible formation of a weak acid from the gas(es) and water. When the gas(s) used in the method comprises carbon dioxide, it is believed that the carbon dioxide reacts with the pH-treated tobacco material and/or water present in the atmosphere to form carbonic acid, thereby lowering the pH and protonating the nicotine. . When exposed to normal environmental or normal atmospheric conditions, ie, when tobacco material is released from the storage container, carbonic acid is converted back to carbon dioxide, returning the pH to its previous level and deprotonating the nicotine. The reversible formation of carbonic acid by carbon dioxide can be represented by the following equilibria:

For ease of reference, these and additional features of the present disclosure are now discussed under headings in the appropriate section. However, the teachings under each section are not necessarily limited to the section in which they are found.

tobacco material

The present disclosure relates to pH-treated tobacco materials. The terms “pH-treated tobacco material”, “pH-treated tobacco substrate” or “pH-treated tobacco” are used interchangeably herein and are pH-treated tobacco, ie known in the art and , refers to tobacco that has undergone pH treatment as described herein. As discussed further below, pH treatment increases the pH of the tobacco. However, the identity of the tobacco material is not limited.

Tobacco material prior to pH treatment is referred to as "tobacco material", "tobacco starting material" or "starting tobacco material".

Tobacco is a starting material can be any type or grade of tobacco, Nikko tiahna (Nicotiana) any portion of any of the members of the genus, such as for example comprise the leaves or the stem and its reproduction material. Tobacco starting material is, in one embodiment, Nikko tiahna other stems from bakum (Nicotiana tabacum) species.

The tobacco starting material may be derived from one type of tobacco or more than one type of tobacco. As is known in the art, the latter may be referred to as a blend. Examples of tobacco types that may be used include, but are not limited to, Virginia, Burley, Oriental and Rustica cigarettes. The tobacco starting material may also include tobacco of a particular grade or quality. For example, the tobacco starting material may include high, medium and/or low grade tobacco.

The tobacco starting material may be subjected to known practices such as drying and curing. In one embodiment, the tobacco starting material is cured prior to any pH-treatment.

The tobacco starting material may also be in any suitable form. The tobacco starting material may be a solid, liquid or gel. In one embodiment, the tobacco starting material is a solid or a gel. In one embodiment, the tobacco starting material is a solid. In another embodiment, the tobacco starting material is in the form of a gel. In one embodiment, the tobacco starting material is a solid and is selected from cut filler, ground tobacco or baled leaf.

In one embodiment, the tobacco starting material is solid and prior to, concurrent with or after pH treatment, any method known in the art, for example dry or wet granulation, chopping, shredding, cutting It is processed in the form of particles, beads, granules, extrudates, etc. by cutting, crushing, milling, grinding, extrusion or a combination thereof. Smaller tobacco particles, beads, granules, extrudates, etc. are known to have a greater surface area to volume ratio and thus exhibit improved release of volatile components compared to particles of larger sizes. This is described, for example, in WO2019016535.

In one embodiment, the tobacco starting material is pretreated or preprocessed into particles, beads, granules or extrudates of the desired size and then subjected to pH treatment. For example, the tobacco starting material may be ground into particles and then pH-treated as shown in FIG. 1 of WO2019016535.

In another embodiment, the tobacco starting material is preprocessed or pretreated into particles, beads, granules, extrudates, etc. concurrently with the pH treatment. The shape and/or size of the tobacco particles is not limited in the context of the present disclosure. One skilled in the art will know suitable particle sizes and shapes.

The tobacco starting material used in the present disclosure will comprise nicotine. The nicotine may be natively present in and/or added to the tobacco starting material. If any nicotine is added to the tobacco starting material, this will typically occur after pH treatment. Nicotine may also be added prior to pH treatment if desired.

The nicotine content of the tobacco starting material is not limited and depends on the desired dose when the nicotine is aerosolized and inhaled by the user. Generally, the nicotine content is from about 0.2% to about 6% by weight on a dry weight basis relative to the total weight of the tobacco starting material. All weight percent values for nicotine amounts are on a dry weight basis.

In one embodiment the nicotine is present in an amount of about 6% by weight or less, based on the total weight of the tobacco starting material. In one embodiment the nicotine is present in an amount from about 0.4 to about 6 weight percent based on the total weight of the tobacco starting material. In one embodiment the nicotine is present in an amount from about 0.8 to about 6 weight percent based on the total weight of the tobacco starting material. In one embodiment the nicotine is present in an amount from about 1 to about 6 weight percent based on the total weight of the tobacco starting material. In one embodiment the nicotine is present in an amount from about 1.8 to about 6 weight percent based on the total weight of the tobacco starting material.

In one embodiment the nicotine is present in an amount of about 5% by weight or less, based on the total weight of the tobacco starting material. In one embodiment the nicotine is present in an amount from about 0.4 to about 5 weight percent based on the total weight of the tobacco starting material. In one embodiment the nicotine is present in an amount from about 0.8 to about 5 weight percent based on the total weight of the tobacco starting material. In one embodiment the nicotine is present in an amount from about 1 to about 5 weight percent based on the total weight of the tobacco starting material. In one embodiment the nicotine is present in an amount from about 1.8 to about 5 weight percent based on the total weight of the tobacco starting material.

In one embodiment the nicotine is present in an amount of about 4% by weight or less, based on the total weight of the tobacco starting material. In one embodiment the nicotine is present in an amount from about 0.4 to about 4 weight percent based on the total weight of the tobacco starting material. In one embodiment the nicotine is present in an amount from about 0.8 to about 4 weight percent based on the total weight of the tobacco starting material. In one embodiment the nicotine is present in an amount from about 1 to about 4 weight percent based on the total weight of the tobacco starting material. In one embodiment the nicotine is present in an amount from about 1.8 to about 4 weight percent based on the total weight of the tobacco starting material.

In one embodiment the nicotine is present in an amount of about 3% by weight or less, based on the total weight of the tobacco starting material. In one embodiment the nicotine is present in an amount from about 0.4 to about 3 weight percent based on the total weight of the tobacco starting material. In one embodiment the nicotine is present in an amount of from about 0.8 to about 3 weight percent based on the total weight of the tobacco starting material. In one embodiment the nicotine is present in an amount from about 1 to about 3 weight percent based on the total weight of the tobacco starting material. In one embodiment the nicotine is present in an amount from about 1.8 to about 3 weight percent based on the total weight of the tobacco starting material.

In one embodiment the nicotine is present in an amount of about 1.9% by weight or less, based on the total weight of the tobacco starting material. In one embodiment the nicotine is present in an amount of about 1.8% by weight or less, based on the total weight of the tobacco starting material. In one embodiment the nicotine is present in an amount from about 0.4 to about 1.9 weight percent based on the total weight of the tobacco starting material. In one embodiment the nicotine is present in an amount from about 0.4 to about 1.8 weight percent based on the total weight of the tobacco starting material. In one embodiment the nicotine is present in an amount from about 0.5 to about 1.9 weight percent based on the total weight of the tobacco starting material. In one embodiment the nicotine is present in an amount from about 0.5 to about 1.8 weight percent based on the total weight of the tobacco starting material. In one embodiment the nicotine is present in an amount from about 0.8 to about 1.9 weight percent based on the total weight of the tobacco starting material. In one embodiment the nicotine is present in an amount from about 0.8 to about 1.8 weight percent based on the total weight of the tobacco starting material. In one embodiment the nicotine is present in an amount from about 1 to about 1.9 weight percent based on the total weight of the tobacco starting material. In one embodiment the nicotine is present in an amount from about 1 to about 1.8 weight percent based on the total weight of the tobacco starting material.

In one embodiment the nicotine is present in an amount of less than about 1.9% by weight based on the total weight of the tobacco starting material. In one embodiment the nicotine is present in an amount of less than about 1.8% by weight based on the total weight of the tobacco starting material. In one embodiment the nicotine is present in an amount of from about 0.4 to less than about 1.9 weight percent based on the total weight of the tobacco starting material. In one embodiment the nicotine is present in an amount of from about 0.4 to less than about 1.8 weight percent based on the total weight of the tobacco starting material. In one embodiment the nicotine is present in an amount from about 0.5 to less than about 1.9 weight percent based on the total weight of the tobacco starting material. In one embodiment the nicotine is present in an amount of from about 0.5 to less than about 1.8 weight percent based on the total weight of the tobacco starting material. In one embodiment the nicotine is present in an amount of from about 0.8 to less than about 1.9 weight percent based on the total weight of the tobacco starting material. In one embodiment the nicotine is present in an amount from about 0.8 to less than about 1.8 weight percent based on the total weight of the tobacco starting material. In one embodiment the nicotine is present in an amount of from about 1 to less than about 1.9 weight percent based on the total weight of the tobacco starting material. In one embodiment the nicotine is present in an amount of from about 1 to less than about 1.8 weight percent based on the total weight of the tobacco starting material.

Depending on the application, the tobacco starting material or the pH-treated tobacco material may comprise one or more additional ingredients. Such additional ingredients may be conventional in that they are typically included in tobacco material or pH-treated tobacco material for tobacco industry products. In one embodiment, the one or more additional ingredients include an active agent other than nicotine. The active agent may be a compound that has a biological effect on the user upon inhalation, and may be selected, for example, from botanicals of synthetic or natural origin or mixtures thereof.

An active agent may be a physiologically active material, which is a material intended to achieve or enhance a physiological response. The active substance may be selected, for example, from functional foods, nootropics, psychotropic drugs. The active substances may occur naturally or may be obtained synthetically. The active substance may include, for example, nicotine, caffeine, taurine, thein, vitamins such as B6 or B12 or C, melatonin, cannabinoids, or constituents, derivatives or combinations thereof. The active substance may include one or more components, derivatives or extracts of tobacco, cannabis or other plants.

In some embodiments, the active substance comprises nicotine. In some embodiments, the active substance comprises caffeine, melatonin or vitamin B12.

As mentioned herein, an active substance may include or be derived from one or more plants or components, derivatives or extracts thereof. As used herein, the term "plant" includes extracts, leaves, bark, fibers, stems, roots, seeds, flowers, fruits, pollen, barks, husks, etc. It includes, but is not limited to, any material derived from plants. Alternatively, the material may comprise an active compound naturally present in plants, obtained synthetically. The material may be in the form of a liquid, gas, solid, powder, dust, pulverized particles, granules, granules, pieces, strips, sheets, and the like. Exemplary plants include tobacco, eucalyptus, star anise, hemp, cocoa, cannabis, fennel, lemongrass, peppermint, spearmint, rooibos, chamomile, flax , ginger, ginkgo, hazelnut, hibiscus, laurel, licorice, matcha, mate, orange peel, papaya, rose, sage, tea such as green or black tea, thyme, clove, cinnamon, coffee, aniseed (anise), basil, bay leaf, cardamom, coriander, cumin, nutmeg, oregano, paprika, rosemary, saffron, lavender, lemon peel, mint, juniper, elder Elderflower, vanilla, wintergreen, beefsteak plant, turmeric, turmeric, sandalwood, coriander leaves, bergamot, orange flower, myrtle, cassis cassis), valerian, pimento, mace, damien, marjoram, olive, lemon balm, lemon basil, chive, carvi, verbena , tarragon, geranium, mulberry, ginseng, theanine, theacrine, maca, ashwagandha, damiana, guarana, chlorophyll, baobab (baobab) or any combination thereof. The mint may be selected from the following mint varieties: Mentha arvensis, Mentha cv, Mentha niliaca, Mentha piperita, Mentha piperita citrata cv, Mentha piperita cv, Mentha spicata crispa, Mentha cordifolia, Mentha longifolia, Mentha suaveolens variegata, Mentha pulegium Mentha spicata cv and Mentha suaveolens.

In some embodiments, the active substance comprises or is derived from one or more plants or components, derivatives or extracts thereof, wherein the plant is a tobacco.

In some embodiments, the active substance comprises or is derived from one or more plants or components, derivatives or extracts thereof, the plant being selected from eucalyptus, octagonal, cocoa and hemp.

In some embodiments, the active substance comprises or is derived from one or more plants or components, derivatives or extracts thereof, wherein the plant is selected from rooibos and fennel.

In addition, one or more additional ingredients may include one or more flavors or flavoring agents. Such flavors or flavoring agents are known in the art and may be natively present in the tobacco starting material or may be added to the tobacco starting material or pH-treated tobacco material. As used herein, the terms “flavour” and “flavoring agent” refer to ingredients that can be used to create a desired taste, aroma, or other somatosensory sensation in a product for adult consumers, where local regulations permit. do.

They may include naturally occurring flavoring ingredients, plants, extracts of plants, synthetically obtained ingredients, or combinations thereof. For example, such flavors or flavoring agents include licorice, hydrangea, Japanese white bark magnolia leaf, chamomile, fenugreek, cloves, menthol, Japanese mint, Aniseed, cinnamon, herb, cypress, cherry, berry, peach, apple, spearmint, peppermint, lavender, cardamom, celery, cascarilla, Drambuie, bourbon, Scotch, whiskey, nutmeg, sandalwood, bergamot, geranium, honey essence, rose oil, vanilla, lemon oil, orange oil , cassia, caraway, cognac, jasmine, ylang-ylang, sage, fennel, bell pepper, ginger, anise, cilantro, coffee, flavor enhancers ( flavor enhancers), bitterness receptor site blockers, sensorial receptor site activators or stimulators, sugars and/or sugar substitutes (e.g. sucralose ), acesulfame potassium, aspartame, saccharine, cyclamates, lactose, sucrose, glucose, fructose, sorbitol (sorbitol or mannitol) and other additives such as charcoal, chlorophyll, minerals, botanicals or breath freshening agents. .

The flavor(s) or flavoring agent(s) may be artificial, synthetic or natural ingredients or blends thereof, and may be in any suitable form, eg, an oil, liquid, or powder, or liquid, such as an oil, powder. It may be solid or gaseous. It will be understood by those skilled in the art that the flavor(s) or flavoring agent(s) may be a multi-component flavor or flavoring agent or a single-component flavor or flavoring agent.

In some embodiments, the flavor comprises menthol, spearmint and/or peppermint. In some embodiments, the flavor includes flavoring ingredients of cucumber, blueberry, citrus and/or redberry. In some embodiments, the flavor comprises eugenol. In some embodiments, the flavor comprises flavor ingredients extracted from tobacco. In some embodiments, the flavor comprises flavor ingredients extracted from cannabis.

In some embodiments, a flavor may include a sensory agent intended to achieve a somatosensory sensation that is normally chemically evoked and perceived by stimulation of the fifth cranial nerve (trigeminal nerve) in addition to or in lieu of the aroma or taste nerve. and may include agents that provide a heating, cooling, tingling, and numbing effect. A suitable warming agent may be, but is not limited to, vanillyl ethyl ether, and a suitable thermostatic agent may be, but is not limited to, eucalyptol, WS-3.

With respect to the flavor(s) inherently present in the tobacco starting material, the release of the flavor(s) to the user from the pH-treated tobacco material may be enhanced by further treatment. Those skilled in the art are aware of suitable treatments and will understand that such treatments may take place before, during or after pH treatment of the tobacco starting material.

In one embodiment, the pH-treated tobacco material has not undergone any further treatment.

In one embodiment, the tobacco starting material or pH-treated tobacco material does not contain any added acid(s). In one embodiment, the tobacco starting material or pH-treated tobacco material is any selected from the group consisting of benzoic acid, levulinic acid, malic acid, maleic acid, fumaric acid, citric acid, lactic acid, acetic acid, succinic acid, and mixtures thereof. Contains no added organic acids.

pH-treated tobacco material

As discussed above, the terms “pH-treated tobacco material”, “pH-treated tobacco substrate” and “pH-treated tobacco” are used herein to refer to tobacco starting material that has been treated to increase pH. are used interchangeably in The level of increase is not limited as it will depend on the initial pH of the tobacco starting material, which depends on a number of factors including, for example, the tobacco type, the pH treating agent, and the relative amounts of the tobacco starting material and the pH treating agent.

The pH-treated tobacco material may be in any form, for example a solid, liquid or gel. In one embodiment, the pH-treated tobacco material is a solid or a gel. In another embodiment the pH-treated tobacco material is a solid. In another embodiment the pH-treated tobacco material is a gel. The form of the tobacco material has been discussed in detail above (including the formation of particles, granules, beads and extrudates by methods known in the art and discussed in WO2019016535), one of ordinary skill in the art would know that the form of the tobacco starting material has a pH - will be understood to determine the shape of the treated tobacco material.

In one embodiment, the pH treatment changes the pH of the tobacco starting material from an acidic pH (less than 7) to an alkaline pH (above 7). In another embodiment, the pH treatment alters the pH such that the nicotine present in the tobacco starting material is deprotonated. One skilled in the art will be aware of suitable techniques for detecting nicotine protonation and/or deprotonation level(s), for example ¹ H NMR spectroscopy, and thus will be able to easily monitor and control the pH treatment.

The normal, unadjusted pH of cured tobacco is generally slightly acidic and generally ranges from about 4.5 to about 6.5, and is often about 5, for example 5.5. The pH treatment will then increase the pH to a basic pH greater than 7. Thus, in one embodiment, the pH treatment changes the pH of the tobacco starting material from a pH ranging from about 4 to less than 7 to a pH greater than 7. In another embodiment the pH treatment changes the pH of the tobacco starting material from a pH ranging from about 5 to less than 7 to a pH greater than 7.

As is known in the art, the pH of tobacco is measured using CORESTA recommended method number 69, "Determination of pH of Tobacco and Tobacco Products" (2017). This recommended method is applicable to the measurement of the pH of tobacco and tobacco products in the range of 4 to 10, and involves preparing an aqueous extract of a tobacco or tobacco product sample and measuring its pH using an electrode. CORESTA Recommended Method No. 69, “Determination of pH of Tobacco and Tobacco Products” (2017) is incorporated herein by reference.

Consider now the pH of the pH-treated tobacco material in more detail and note that these pH values can be combined with the above disclosure of the pH of the tobacco starting material: in one embodiment the pH-treated tobacco material is between about 7 and It has a pH of about 14. In another embodiment the pH-treated tobacco material has a pH of about 7 to about 13. In another embodiment the pH-treated tobacco material has a pH of about 7 to about 12. In another embodiment the pH-treated tobacco material has a pH of about 7 to about 11. In another embodiment the pH-treated tobacco material has a pH of about 7 to about 10.

In one embodiment the pH-treated tobacco material has a pH greater than about 8. In another embodiment the pH-treated tobacco material has a pH of about 8 to about 14. In another embodiment the pH-treated tobacco material has a pH of about 8 to about 13. In another embodiment the pH-treated tobacco material has a pH of about 8 to about 12. In another embodiment the pH-treated tobacco material has a pH of about 8 to about 11. In another embodiment the pH-treated tobacco material has a pH of about 8 to about 10.

In one embodiment the pH-treated tobacco material has a pH of about 9.5.

In another embodiment the pH-treated tobacco material has a pH of about 8.5.

Any pH treatment known in the art can be used to prepare the pH-treated tobacco material for the present disclosure, and those skilled in the art will know suitable treatment methods. The pH treatment may include, for example, applying a basic solution to the tobacco starting material. Such methods are described in WO2015025158 and incorporated herein by reference. The basic solution may be an aqueous sodium carbonate solution or any other suitable basic solution, such as sodium hydroxide or sodium phosphate.

As discussed above, there may be pre-processing or pre-treatment of the tobacco starting material into a form with reduced particle size prior to the pH treatment and as described in WO2019016535. After pH treatment, the tobacco material can be dried to a specific moisture content. Such drying methods are known in the art with desirable moisture contents, which typically depend on the application of the tobacco material.

Alternatively, after pH treatment, the tobacco material may be left to cool for a period of time without external application such as cooling.

Reversible pH decrease by one or more gases

The present disclosure relies on contacting a pH-treated tobacco material as described herein with an effective amount of one or more gases, wherein the one or more gases reduce the pH of the pH-treated tobacco material and the pH-treated tobacco material The decrease in the pH of the material is reversible.

The term “effective amount” means an amount of one or more gases suitable for reducing the pH of a pH-treated tobacco material from an initial pH to a lower pH. As mentioned above, the level of reduction is not critical as any reduction is beneficial. In one embodiment, the effective amount of one or more gases is an amount suitable to reduce the initial pH of the pH-treated tobacco material by at least 0.1 pH. In another embodiment the reduction is at least 0.3 pH. In another embodiment the reduction is at least 0.5 pH. In another embodiment the reduction is at least 1 pH. In one embodiment the reduction is such that the pH-treated tobacco material has a pH of less than about 7, ie, an acidic pH. Using conventional techniques, one of ordinary skill in the art would be able to determine such amounts of one or more gases used.

The term “reversible” has its general meaning in the art, ie, a decrease in pH caused by one or more gases can be readily converted to restore the pH-treated tobacco material at least partially to its initial pH. For example, if one or more gases reduce the pH of the pH-treated tobacco material from about 9.5 to about 5.5, this reduction can be converted to return the pH of the pH-treated tobacco material to about 7.5 or about 8.5. have. In one embodiment, the conversion is at least about 50%, i.e., the pH decrease is restored by at least about 50%. In other embodiments the conversion is at least about 60% or at least about 75% or at least about 80%. In one embodiment, the conversion is at least about 90% or at least about 95%. In one embodiment the conversion is about 100%.

The reversible nature of the pH reduction in the present disclosure is particularly advantageous because it means that when the pH-treated tobacco material is exposed to normal atmospheric conditions (eg air), nicotine is only converted to its volatile free base form. It also reduces the loss of usable nicotine as the processing method has no permanent impact or effect on the nicotine of the pH-treated material. In addition, the present disclosure is readily applicable to bulk storage and individual (eg, blisters, capsules, etc.) storage of pH-treated tobacco materials.

In one embodiment, the one or more gases comprises carbon dioxide. In an alternative embodiment, the one or more gases consist essentially of carbon dioxide. In a further alternative embodiment, the one or more gases consist of carbon dioxide; That is, the gas is carbon dioxide.

In one embodiment, the one or more gases comprise at least 20% by volume carbon dioxide. In one embodiment, the one or more gases comprise at least 25% by volume carbon dioxide. In one embodiment, the one or more gases comprise at least 30% by volume carbon dioxide. In one embodiment, the one or more gases comprise at least 35% by volume carbon dioxide. In one embodiment, the one or more gases comprise at least 40% by volume carbon dioxide. In one embodiment, the one or more gases comprise at least 45% carbon dioxide by volume. In one embodiment, the one or more gases comprise at least 50% by volume carbon dioxide. In one embodiment, the one or more gases comprise at least 55% carbon dioxide by volume. In one embodiment, the one or more gases comprise at least 60% carbon dioxide by volume. In one embodiment, the one or more gases comprise at least 65% carbon dioxide by volume. In one embodiment, the one or more gases comprise at least 70% carbon dioxide by volume. In one embodiment, the one or more gases comprise at least 75% by volume carbon dioxide. In one embodiment, the one or more gases comprise at least 80% by volume carbon dioxide. In one embodiment, the one or more gases comprise at least 85% by volume carbon dioxide. In one embodiment, the one or more gases comprise at least 90% by volume carbon dioxide. In one embodiment, the one or more gases comprise at least 95% by volume carbon dioxide. In one embodiment, the one or more gases comprise at least 97% by volume carbon dioxide. In one embodiment, the one or more gases comprise at least 99% by volume carbon dioxide.

In one embodiment, the one or more gases comprise from about 20% to about 100% by volume carbon dioxide. In one embodiment, the one or more gases comprise from about 25% to about 100% by volume carbon dioxide. In one embodiment, the one or more gases comprise from about 30% to about 100% by volume carbon dioxide. In one embodiment, the one or more gases comprise from about 35% to about 100% by volume carbon dioxide. In one embodiment, the one or more gases comprise from about 40% to about 100% by volume carbon dioxide. In one embodiment, the one or more gases comprise from about 45% to about 100% by volume carbon dioxide. In one embodiment, the one or more gases comprise from about 50% to about 100% by volume carbon dioxide. In one embodiment, the one or more gases comprise from about 55% to about 100% by volume carbon dioxide. In one embodiment, the one or more gases comprise from about 60 to about 100 volume percent carbon dioxide. In one embodiment, the one or more gases comprise from about 65% to about 100% by volume carbon dioxide. In one embodiment, the one or more gases comprise from about 70% to about 100% by volume carbon dioxide. In one embodiment, the one or more gases comprise from about 75% to about 100% by volume carbon dioxide. In one embodiment, the one or more gases comprise from about 80% to about 100% by volume carbon dioxide.

In one embodiment, the pH-treated tobacco material has a pH greater than 7 and the one or more gases comprise from about 25% to about 100% by volume carbon dioxide.

In another embodiment, the pH-treated tobacco material has a pH greater than 7 and the one or more gases consist essentially of carbon dioxide.

In another embodiment, the pH-treated tobacco material has a pH greater than 7 and the one or more gases comprise from about 50% to about 100% carbon dioxide by volume.

As with the level of increase by pH treatment, the decrease in pH by one or more gases is not particularly limited. This depends, among other factors, on the pH of the pH-treated tobacco material and the one or more gases used. Taking into account the effect of pH reduction (ie protonation of nicotine), the pH of the pH-treated tobacco material is reduced to an acidic pH, ie, a pH of less than 7 in one embodiment.

In one embodiment, the decrease in pH by one or more gases is about 0.1 pH. In another embodiment the decrease in pH is about 0.2 pH. In another embodiment the decrease in pH is about 0.3 pH. In another embodiment the decrease in pH is about 0.4 pH. In another embodiment the decrease in pH is about 0.5 pH. In another embodiment the decrease in pH is about 1.0 pH. In another embodiment the decrease in pH is about 1.5 pH. In another embodiment the decrease in pH is about 2.0 pH. In another embodiment the decrease in pH is about 2.5 pH. In another embodiment the decrease in pH is about 3.0 pH.

In one embodiment, the one or more gases reduce the pH of the pH-treated tobacco material to less than 7. In one embodiment, the one or more gases reduce the pH of the pH-treated tobacco material to less than about 6.5. In one embodiment, the one or more gases reduce the pH of the pH-treated tobacco material to less than about 6. In one embodiment, the one or more gases reduce the pH of the pH-treated tobacco material to less than about 5. In one embodiment the one or more gases reduce the pH of the pH-treated tobacco material to less than about 4. In one embodiment the pH of the pH-treated tobacco material is reduced to about 5.5 by one or more gases.

The present disclosure also provides a tobacco material obtained by the method described herein. The tobacco material obtained by the processing method differs from materials in the art by at least the interaction of the tobacco material with one or more gases (eg carbon dioxide) and the reversible alteration of the pH.

Without wishing to be bound by theory, the inventors found that an interaction exists between water and one or more gases present in the pH-treated tobacco material and/or the atmosphere, resulting in the formation of a weak acid, which lowers the pH and protonates the nicotine. consider to do However, this pH change is reversible in that the tobacco returns to its initial value upon exposure to normal atmospheric conditions. Thus, the tobacco material obtained by the processing method is specific, at least due to its “dynamic” pH. At the molecular level, tobacco material will also differ from known tobacco due to the interaction of the tobacco surface with one or more gas(es).

How to save

Along with a method of processing pH-treated tobacco material, the present disclosure provides a method of storing pH-treated tobacco material. There are at least three possible configurations for this method, the main steps of which are presented in the flowcharts of FIGS. 2 , 3 and 4 .

The method comprises the steps of (i) placing the pH-treated tobacco material into a storage container, (ii) sealing the storage container, and (iii) processing the pH-treated tobacco material according to the methods described herein. may include This configuration is shown in FIG. 2 .

Alternatively, the method comprises the steps of (i) placing the pH-treated tobacco material into a storage container, (ii) processing the pH-treated tobacco material according to the methods described herein, and (iii) placing the storage container into the storage container. sealing may be included. This configuration is shown in FIG. 3 .

In a further alternative, the method comprises the steps of (i) processing the pH-treated tobacco material according to the method described herein, (ii) placing the tobacco material obtained from processing step (i) into a storage container, and (iii) ) sealing the storage container. This configuration is shown in FIG. 4 .

1 is a schematic cross-sectional view of an exemplary storage container. 1 comprises a storage container 1 comprising a pH-treated tobacco material 2 and one or more gases 3 consisting essentially of carbon dioxide. As will be understood by one of ordinary skill in the art, the one or more gases may be as defined above. The exemplary storage container of FIG. 1 may be made by placing the pH-treated tobacco material into a storage container, sealing the reservoir, and then contacting the pH-treated tobacco material with an effective amount of one or more gases, wherein the one or more gases The gases reduce the pH of the pH-treated tobacco material, and the decrease in the pH of the pH-treated tobacco material is reversible, ie the pH-treated tobacco material is processed according to the method described herein (see FIG. 2 ). Alternatively, the exemplary storage container of FIG. 1 places the pH-treated tobacco material into the storage container, contacting the pH-treated tobacco material with an effective amount of one or more gases, wherein the one or more gases are pH-treated. reducing the pH of the tobacco material, wherein the decrease in the pH of the pH-treated tobacco material is reversible (i.e., the pH-treated tobacco material is processed according to the methods described herein), which can then be prepared by sealing the storage container. There is (Fig. 3). As a further alternative, the exemplary storage container of FIG. 1 may include contacting the pH-treated tobacco material with an effective amount of one or more gases, wherein the one or more gases reduce the pH of the pH-treated tobacco material, and The decrease in pH of the tobacco material is reversible (i.e., processing the pH-treated tobacco material according to the methods described herein), and can be prepared by placing the pH-treated tobacco material into a storage container and sealing the storage container. (Fig. 4).

The present invention further provides a storage container obtained by the above storage method. Although an exemplary storage container is shown in FIG. 1 , one of ordinary skill in the art will understand that the present disclosure is not limited to the specific arrangement shown in FIG. 1 . This figure is provided by way of example only.

A storage container may be a device or container used for mass storage, such as a sealed bag, box, or the like. The storage container may also be a device or container used for the storage of small-scale pH-treated tobacco material, this type of storage referring to the storage of individual portions or consumer portions of tobacco rather than larger quantities stored during shipment, etc. It is referred to herein as "individual storage" as it is intended. In one embodiment, the individual storage is a blister pack, where each blister contains a single dose or portion of tobacco material. In another embodiment, the individual storage is a tobacco pod.

In one embodiment, the storage container is a sealed container. The sealing of the container is not limited and may be accomplished by any method known in the art that results in a hermetic seal. In one embodiment, the storage container is a hermetically sealed container. In another embodiment, the reservoir is a sealed blister of a blister pack or sealed cigarette pod. Further, the sealing may be accomplished by any method known in the art that results in a hermetic seal.

Advantageously, the storage container obtained by the method is used for bulk shipping and storage of pH-treated tobacco material to increase bulk storage time, or used for blister packs, tobacco pods, etc. to pH-treated tobacco material can increase the shelf life of The terms “mass storage time” and “shelf life” are discussed further below.

Shelf life and mass storage time

The present disclosure further provides the use of carbon dioxide to increase the shelf life or mass storage time of pH-treated tobacco materials. The term “mass storage time” means the time during which the pH-treated tobacco material undergoes mass storage or is stored in bulk, for example during shipment. The term “shelf life” refers to the time the pH-treated tobacco material can be used by a user, eg, the time the product is available for purchase and use. Advantageously, the present disclosure provides an improvement in both scenarios.

Consequently, the present disclosure also provides an improvement in supply chain time, i.e., from sealing blisters, capsules, pods, etc. at the source to time available for purchase of the product.

An increase or improvement in shelf life or mass storage time can be ascertained by measuring the blend nicotine and/or aerosol nicotine over time. The measurement of aerosol nicotine is performed by methods known in the art, such as CORESTA recommended method numbers 81 (June 2015) and 84 (June 2017). Measurement of blend nicotine is also performed by methods known in the art, such as CORESTA Recommended Method No. 82 (February 2005).

CORESTA Recommended Method No. 81 (June 2015) is entitled "Routine Analytical Machine for E-Cigarette Aerosol Generation and Collection - Definitions and Standard Conditions" and requires requirements for generating and collecting e-Cigarette aerosols for analytical testing applications. include things CORESTA Recommended Method No. 84 (June 2017) is entitled “Determination of Glycerin, Propylene Glycol, Water, and Nicotine in the Aerosol of E-Cigarettes by Gas Chromatographic Analysis” and CORESTA Recommended Method No. 81 (June 2015) month) is cited. CORESTA Recommended Method No. 84 details how aerosols are generated and collected from electronic cigarettes according to standard procedures. Then, the collected mass is dissolved in a solvent, and the glycerin, propylene glycol, water and nicotine contents of the solution are measured by gas chromatography. Aerosol collection mass can be determined gravimetrically, with results expressed as weight of analyte collected per device, per collected aerosol, per puff, or per guaranteed set of puffs. Equipment and reagents for analysis, including gas chromatography analysis, are described in detail in the CORESTA method.

CORESTA recommended method number 62 is entitled "Determination of nicotine in tobacco and tobacco products gas chromatographic analysis", wherein the nicotine content of a tobacco or tobacco product sample (referred to herein as "blend nicotine") is an organic containing standard. A method as determined by liquid/liquid extraction with an extraction solvent followed by gas chromatography analysis with flame ionization detection is described. MTBE or n-hexane can be used as organic extraction solvents because no significant difference is seen between the results obtained by the two different methods. Equipment and reagents for the assay are detailed in the CORESTA method.

Blend and/or aerosol nicotine is measured in the present disclosure according to the aforementioned CORESTA methods, ie CORESTA recommended method numbers 81, 84 and 62. Accordingly, these CORESTA methods are incorporated herein by reference.

In one embodiment the increase in shelf life or mass storage time is measured by measuring blend nicotine or aerosol nicotine of pH-treated tobacco material stored under carbon dioxide and comparing it to pH-treated tobacco not stored under carbon dioxide, e.g., stored in air. It can be determined by comparing the blend of materials or aerosol nicotine. In order to determine whether storage time or shelf life is improved by the use of carbon dioxide according to the present invention, all variables except the storage environment must be kept constant. For example, two samples of pH-treated tobacco material can be stored for 3 months at ambient temperature and pressure, one in air and the other under carbon dioxide. Thereafter, blend nicotine and/or aerosol nicotine can be measured according to the CORESTA methods described above for both samples, a comparison of which shows whether shelf life and storage time are improved (i.e. increased) by the present disclosure. will prove whether

The various embodiments described herein are provided solely to aid in understanding and teaching the claimed features. These embodiments are provided only as representative samples of the embodiments, and are not exhaustive and/or exclusive. Advantages, embodiments, examples, functions, features, structures, and/or other aspects described herein are limitations on the scope of the disclosure as defined by the claims, or equivalents of the claims. It is not to be considered as limitations on the subject matter, and it is to be understood that other embodiments may be utilized and changes may be made without departing from the scope of the claimed disclosure. Various embodiments of the present disclosure may suitably include, consist of, or include various combinations of the disclosed elements, components, features, parts, steps, means, etc. in addition to those specifically described herein. , and may be constituted by making them essential elements. In addition, this disclosure may include other disclosures not currently claimed, but may be claimed in the future.

Claims (15)

A method of processing a pH-treated tobacco material comprising contacting at least one pH-treated tobacco material with an effective amount of one or more gases, wherein the one or more gases reduce the pH of the pH-treated tobacco material. and wherein the decrease in pH of the pH-treated tobacco material is reversible. The method of claim 1 , wherein the one or more gases comprise carbon dioxide. 3. The method of claim 2, wherein at least 20% by volume of said one or more gases is carbon dioxide. 4. The method of claim 2 or 3, wherein from about 25% to about 100% by volume of said one or more gases is carbon dioxide. 4. The method of claim 2 or 3, wherein from about 50% to about 100% by volume of said one or more gases is carbon dioxide. 3. A method according to claim 1 or 2, wherein said one or more gases consist essentially of carbon dioxide. 7. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the initial pH of said at least one pH-treated tobacco material is greater than 7. 8. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the initial pH of the at least one pH-treated tobacco material is from about 8 to about 10. The method of claim 1 , wherein the pH of the at least one pH-treated tobacco material is reduced to less than about 7 by the one or more gases. Tobacco material obtained by the method of any one of claims 1 to 9. A method for storing pH-treated tobacco material, said method comprising:
i. placing the pH-treated tobacco material into a storage container;
ii. sealing the storage container; and
iii. processing said pH-treated tobacco material according to the method of any one of claims 1 to 9; or
ii. processing said pH-treated tobacco material according to the method of any one of claims 1 to 9; and
iii. sealing the storage container. A method for storing pH-treated tobacco material, said method comprising:
i. processing the pH-treated tobacco material according to the method of any one of claims 1 to 9;
ii. placing the tobacco material obtained from the processing step (i) into a storage container; and
iii. sealing the storage container. 13. A sealed packaging element according to claim 11 or 12, wherein said storage container is a sealed container suitable for bulk storage of said pH-treated tobacco material, or a sealed packaging element suitable for individual storage of said pH-treated tobacco material. how to be. A storage container comprising tobacco material obtained by the method of any one of claims 11 to 13, wherein the pH of the tobacco material increases when exposed to normal atmospheric conditions. Use of carbon dioxide to improve the shelf life or mass storage time of pH-treated tobacco materials.

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