KR20240089550A - Aerosol-generating article comprising a cavity having germinating plant seeds - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention relates to an aerosol-generating article comprising a cavity and one or more plant seeds arranged within the cavity. The present invention also relates to aerosol generating systems. The invention further relates to a method for manufacturing an aerosol-generating article.

Description

Aerosol-generating article comprising a cavity having germinating plant seeds

This disclosure relates to aerosol-generating articles. The present disclosure further relates to aerosol generating systems. The present disclosure further relates to methods for making aerosol-generating articles.

It is known to provide aerosol generating devices for generating inhalable vapors. Such devices can heat the aerosol-forming substrate to a temperature at which one or more components of the aerosol-forming substrate volatilize without combusting the aerosol-forming substrate. An aerosol-forming substrate can form part of an aerosol-generating article. The aerosol-forming substrate may further include a filter element. An aerosol-generating system may include an aerosol-generating device and an aerosol-generating article.

When an aerosol-generating article is consumed, a new aerosol-generating article must be inserted into the aerosol-generating device. Typically, spent aerosol-generating articles are disposed of in trash cans. Accumulated amounts of discarded aerosol-generating items can impact ecosystems.

It would be desirable to provide aerosol-generating articles that reduce the environmental impact after use. It would be more desirable to provide aerosol-generating articles that contribute to the sustainable development of the environment. It would be further desirable to provide aerosol-generating articles that are easy to manufacture. It would be further desirable to provide aerosol-generating articles with low manufacturing costs.

According to one embodiment of the present invention, an aerosol-generating article is provided. Aerosol-generating articles may contain cavities. One or more plant seeds may be arranged within the cavity.

According to one embodiment of the present invention, an aerosol-generating article is provided comprising a cavity and one or more plant seeds arranged within the cavity.

Accordingly, an aerosol-generating article can be provided that reduces environmental impact after use. Aerosol-generating articles that contribute to the sustainable development of the environment can be provided. Aerosol-generating articles that are easy to manufacture can be provided. Aerosol-generating articles with low manufacturing costs can be provided.

One or more of the plant seeds arranged within the cavity can germinate. One or more plant seeds arranged within the cavity can germinate. That is, one or more plant seeds arranged within the cavity may be viable. That is, one or more plant seeds arranged within the cavity may be alive. Generally, if a seed is viable, it is alive and can germinate and grow.

A plurality of plant seeds may be arranged within the cavity. At least 30%, preferably at least 40%, more preferably at least 50%, more preferably at least 60%, more preferably at least 70%, more preferably at least 80% of the plurality of plant seeds arranged in the cavity %, more preferably at least 85%, more preferably at least 90%, more preferably at least 95%.

One or more of the plant seeds arranged within the cavity may be untreated seeds. One or more plant seeds arranged within the cavity may be untreated seeds.

One or more of the plant seeds arranged within the cavity may be clean seeds. One or more plant seeds arranged within the cavity may be clean seeds.

The aerosol-generating article may include a first element and a second element separated from and arranged spaced apart from the first element. The cavity may extend along the entire distance between the first and second elements. During the manufacture of the article, the cavity can conveniently be formed by an empty space created by providing a distance between the first and second elements. Plant seeds containing aerosol-generating articles that are particularly easy to manufacture may be provided. In particular, plant seeds containing aerosol-generating articles with low manufacturing costs can be provided.

The first element may be positioned upstream of the cavity. The first element may be a filter element. The first element may include an aerosol-forming substrate. The first element may be a cigarette plug.

The second element may be located downstream of the cavity. The second element may be a filter element. The second element may be a mouthpiece filter.

One or both of the first and second elements may be filled with cylindrical plugs. One or both of the first and second elements may be filled with cylindrical filter plugs. Both the first and second elements may be cylindrical filter plugs uniformly filled with filter material.

One or both of the first and second elements may include biodegradable materials. The biodegradable material may be selected from one or more of PLA (polylactic acid), cotton, cellulose acetate, linen fiber, viscose, and jute. Cellulose acetate can advantageously biodegrade rapidly when placed in soil.

Some or all elements of the article comprising filter material may include PLA as the sole filter material.

The length of each of the first element, second element and cavity along the longitudinal direction of the article may be 2 mm to 7 mm, preferably 3 mm to 6 mm, more preferably 4 mm to 5 mm.

The length of the cavity along the longitudinal direction of the article may be at least 2 mm, preferably at least 3 mm, more preferably at least 4 mm, more preferably at least 5 mm. The length of the cavity along the length of the article may be about 4 mm. The length of the cavity along the length of the article may be about 5 mm. The length of the cavity along the longitudinal direction of the article may be between 8% and 14% of the total length of the aerosol-generating article, preferably about 11% of the total length of the aerosol-generating article.

The internal diameter of the cavity along the transverse direction of the article may be at least 2 mm, preferably at least 3 mm, more preferably at least 4 mm, more preferably at least 5 mm, more preferably at least 6 mm, more preferably at least 7 mm. The internal diameter of the cavity along the transverse direction of the article may be approximately 7 mm.

The volume of the cavity may be 10 mm3 to 1000 mm3, preferably 50 mm3 to 500 mm3, more preferably 150 mm3 to 250 mm3, and more preferably the cavity volume is about 200 mm3.

The seeds are 1% to 99% of the total volume of the cavity, preferably 10% to 90%, more preferably 20% to 80%, more preferably 40% to 60%, more preferably 45% to 55%. % can be filled. Seeds can fill approximately 50% of the total volume of the cavity.

The cavity is 1% to 99%, preferably 10% to 90%, more preferably 20% to 80%, more preferably 40% to 60%, more preferably 45% to 45% of the total fill capacity of the cavity. It can be filled with seeds up to 55%. The cavity may be filled with seeds for approximately 50% of the total filling capacity of the cavity. 'Total filling capacity of a cavity' refers to the maximum number of plant seeds that fit within the cavity. When the total filling capacity of the cavity is reached, no additional seeds will fit within the cavity, although there may still be some empty space left between the seeds.

A cavity can be defined as the interior space of a hollow tubular element.

Hollow tubular elements can be made of cellulose acetate, PLA, cardboard, or wrapping paper.

The thickness of the wall surface of the hollow tubular element may be between 0.05 mm and 2 mm, preferably between 0.15 mm and 0.25 mm or between 0.5 mm and 1.5 mm.

The thickness of the hollow tubular element may be between 0.5 mm and 2 mm, preferably between 0.5 mm and 1.5 mm, and optionally the hollow tubular element may be formed of PLA.

The thickness of the hollow tubular element may be between 0.05 mm and 0.25 mm, preferably about 0.2 mm, and optionally the hollow tubular element may be formed of wrapping paper.

The length of the hollow tubular element along the longitudinal direction of the article may be at least 2 mm, preferably at least 3 mm, more preferably at least 4 mm, more preferably at least 5 mm. The length of the hollow tubular element along the length of the article may be about 4 mm. The length of the hollow tubular element along the length of the article may be about 5 mm. The length of the hollow tubular element along the longitudinal direction of the article may be between 8% and 14% of the total length of the aerosol-generating article, preferably about 11% of the total length of the aerosol-generating article.

The aerosol-generating article may include one or more ventilation holes. The ventilation holes may be arranged in the form of one or more rows of ventilation holes. Each row of ventilation holes may be arranged circumferentially around the aerosol-generating article with a cross-section substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the aerosol-generating article.

One or more ventilation holes may be provided at the same longitudinal location of the article as the cavity holding the plant seeds. This can advantageously improve the exposure of plant seeds to one or both air and moisture. This can advantageously promote germination of plant seeds.

One or more ventilation holes may be provided at a longitudinal location of the article upstream of the cavity holding the plant seeds. This can enhance the dilution of hot airflow with cooler ambient air before the airflow reaches the plant seeds within the cavity. This can reduce the temperature of the airflow when it reaches the plant seeds. This can advantageously help reduce or prevent thermal degradation of plant seeds.

All of the one or more ventilation holes of the article may be provided at a longitudinal location of the aerosol-generating article upstream of the cavity holding the plant seeds. All of the one or more ventilation holes in the article may be provided at a longitudinal location of the aerosol-generating article upstream of all seeds.

One or more ventilation holes may be provided at a longitudinal location of the article downstream of the cavity holding the plant seeds.

The hollow tubular element may include one or more ventilation holes. The ventilation holes may be arranged in the form of one or more rows of ventilation holes. Each row of ventilation holes may be arranged circumferentially around the hollow tubular element with a cross-section substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the hollow tubular element.

Aerosol-generating articles according to the invention may have a ventilation level of at least 5%, preferably at least 10%, more preferably at least 15%, more preferably at least 20%, more preferably at least 25%.

The term “ventilation level” is used throughout this specification to refer to the volume ratio between the airflow entering the aerosol-generating article through the ventilation zone (ventilation airflow) and the sum of the aerosol airflow and the ventilation airflow. The greater the ventilation level, the higher the dilution of the aerosol flow delivered to the consumer. The aerosol-generating article preferably has a ventilation level of at least 25%, more preferably at least 30%, even more preferably at least 40%, and even more preferably at least 50%.

Aerosol-generating articles according to the invention can have ventilation levels of up to 90%. Preferably, the aerosol-generating article according to the invention has a ventilation level of less than or equal to 80%, more preferably less than or equal to 70%, and even more preferably less than or equal to 60%.

Aerosol-generating articles according to the invention may have a ventilation level of 25% to 90%, preferably 30% to 80%, more preferably 40% to 70%, even more preferably 50% to 60%. .

The aerosol-generating article may include one or more ventilation openings at a longitudinal location of the article upstream of the cavity holding the plant seeds, wherein the level of ventilation of the article is determined by a longitudinal location of the article upstream of the cavity holding the plant seeds. It may be provided by one or more ventilation holes in the.

The cavity may be defined as the interior space of the first hollow tubular element, and the article may include at least one additional hollow tubular element. One or more or each of the first and additional hollow tubular elements may be a hollow acetate tube (HAT) or a fine hollow acetate tube (FHAT). These hollow acetate tubes are cylindrical components made of cellulose acetate and provided with a centrally arranged axial hole. The dimensions of the hollow acetate tube, such as its outer diameter or hole diameter, can vary and be designed according to the needs of each product.

The cavity contains 2 to 1000 plant seeds, preferably 10 to 500 plant seeds, more preferably 50 to 200 plant seeds, more preferably 75 to 125 plant seeds, more preferably 85 to 115 plants. Seeds, more preferably 90 to 110 plant seeds, more preferably 95 to 105 plant seeds.

The one or more plant seeds may include one or more of basil seeds and cattail seeds.

Aerosol-generating articles can be comprised of substantially biodegradable materials. The biodegradable material may be selected from one or more of PLA, cotton, cellulose acetate, linen fiber, viscose, and jute.

The aerosol-generating article may be a HNB (“heated non-combustible”) article.

The aerosol-generating article may comprise an aerosol-forming substrate having an aerosol-forming agent content of at least 5% by weight of the total weight of the aerosol-forming substrate.

The total length of the aerosol-forming substrate of the aerosol-generating article may be between 9 mm and 15 mm, preferably about 12 mm. The total length of the aerosol-generating article may be between 40 mm and 50 mm, preferably about 45 mm. The length of the aerosol-forming substrate along the longitudinal direction of the article may be 24% to 30% of the total length of the aerosol-generating article, preferably about 27% of the total length of the aerosol-generating article.

The aerosol-generating article may include a susceptor material configured to be heated by an inductor coil of the aerosol-generating device.

The present invention also relates to aerosol generating systems. The aerosol-generating system includes an aerosol-generating article as described herein. The aerosol generating system further includes an aerosol generating device. The aerosol-generating device includes a heating chamber for insertion of at least a distal portion of the aerosol-generating article and an electric heating element for heating the heating chamber.

The invention further relates to a method for manufacturing an aerosol-generating article. The method includes providing a first element adjacent a second element on a conveyor belt. The method includes creating a cavity between the first element and the second element. The method includes inserting one or more plant seeds into the cavity by a seed inserter. The method includes surrounding the first element, the second element, and the cavity with an external wrapper. The first element and the second element may be filter plugs.

The cavity can be created by separating the first element from the second element by a spacer wheel. The seed inserter may be cone-shaped.

The method may include loading a combiner with different preformed elements of an aerosol-forming article, and combining these elements to provide an aerosol-generating article.

The method may include preforming a filter element having a cavity with a seed. Accordingly, a hopper can be loaded with a long mouthpiece filter rod, which is then cut into smaller mouthpiece filter plugs. Smaller plugs may have a length of 10 mm. Subsequently, each smaller plug can be cut in half to form two final plugs, for example each 5 mm long. The spacer wheel can then create a cavity between the two final plugs on the perforated belt converging towards the final combination zone. On a perforated belt carrying the plugs, a seed inserter can insert one or more seeds before the two final plugs with seed-filled cavities between them are wrapped by a plug wrapper to form a filter element.

The filter elements can then be combined with other preformed elements to form the final aerosol-generating article.

The invention also relates to aerosol-generating articles comprising plant seeds, preferably HNB aerosol-generating articles comprising plant seeds.

Compared to flammable aerosol-generating articles, HNB articles may generally include less total mass of filter material, which may reduce the environmental impact of the article and/or promote biodegradability of the article. These effects can be synergistically enhanced when using HNB articles with plant seeds, preferably with plant seeds in a cavity. High temperatures can have adverse effects on plant seeds. HNB articles can operate at lower temperatures compared to combustible articles. Accordingly, an article can be provided that provides milder conditions for plant seeds. HNB articles can operate in wetter conditions compared to combustible articles. This can advantageously promote germination of plant seeds after the HNB article has been used.

The aerosol-generating article may comprise a hollow mouthpiece tube, such as a spirally wound paper tube, at the proximal end of the article. Adjacent to the mouthpiece tube, the article may comprise a filter element, preferably the filter element comprising a first filter plug and a second filter plug, the second filter plug comprising the first filter plug and the second filter. The filter element is arranged spaced apart from the first filter plug to form a cavity between the plugs, the filter element comprising one or more plant seeds arranged within the cavity. Adjacent to the filter element, the article may comprise a hollow tube, for example a spirally wound paper tube. The hollow tube may include one, two or more rows of ventilation holes, each row arranged circumferentially around the hollow tube with a cross-section substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the article. The article may include a portion of an aerosol-forming substrate at its distal end. One or more outer wrappers may be provided surrounding at least a portion of the aerosol-generating article.

The aerosol-generating article may comprise a hollow mouthpiece tube, such as a spirally wound paper tube, at the proximal end of the article. Adjacent to the mouthpiece tube, the article may include a filter plug. Adjacent to the filter plug, the article may comprise a hollow tube, for example a spirally wound paper tube. The hollow tube may include one, two or more rows of ventilation holes, each row arranged circumferentially around the hollow tube with a cross-section substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the article. At least one plant seed can be arranged within the interior cavity of the hollow tube. The article may include a portion of an aerosol-forming substrate at its distal end. One or more outer wrappers may be provided surrounding at least a portion of the aerosol-generating article.

The invention also relates to a filter element for an aerosol-generating article comprising a first filter plug and a second filter plug, wherein the second filter plug forms a cavity between the first filter plug and the second filter plug. It is separated from the filter plug and arranged to be spaced apart from the first filter plug. The filter element further includes one or more plant seeds arranged within the cavity.

As used herein, the term “aerosol-forming substrate” refers to a substrate capable of releasing volatile compounds that can form an aerosol. Volatile compounds can be released by heating or burning the aerosol-forming substrate. As an alternative to heating or combustion, in some cases volatile compounds can be released by chemical reactions or by mechanical stimulation such as ultrasound. The aerosol-forming substrate may be solid or liquid, or may include both solid and liquid components. An aerosol-forming substrate can be part of an aerosol-generating article.

As used herein, the term “aerosol-generating article” refers to an article comprising an aerosol-forming substrate capable of releasing volatile compounds capable of forming an aerosol. Aerosol-generating items may be disposable. Aerosol-generating articles comprising an aerosol-forming substrate, including tobacco, may be referred to herein as tobacco sticks.

As used herein, the term “aerosol-generating device” refers to a device that generates an aerosol by interacting with an aerosol-forming substrate. The aerosol-generating device may interact with one or both of an aerosol-generating article comprising an aerosol-forming substrate and a cartridge comprising an aerosol-forming substrate. In some examples, an aerosol-generating device can heat an aerosol-forming substrate to facilitate release of volatile compounds from the substrate. Electrically operated aerosol-generating devices may include a nebulizer, such as an electric heater, that heats an aerosol-forming substrate to form an aerosol.

As used herein, the term “aerosol-generating system” refers to a combination of an aerosol-generating device and an aerosol-forming substrate. When an aerosol-forming substrate forms part of an aerosol-generating article, an aerosol-generating system refers to a combination of an aerosol-generating device and an aerosol-generating article. In an aerosol-generating system, an aerosol-forming substrate and an aerosol-generating device cooperate to generate an aerosol.

Preferably, the aerosol-forming substrate comprises plant material and an aerosol-forming agent. Preferably, the plant material is a plant material containing alkaloids, more preferably a plant material containing nicotine, and even more preferably a tobacco-containing material.

Preferably, the aerosol-forming substrate comprises at least 70% by weight plant material, more preferably at least 90% by weight plant material on a dry weight basis. Preferably, the aerosol-forming substrate comprises less than 95% by weight of plant material on a dry weight basis, such as 90 to 95% by weight of plant material on a dry weight basis.

Preferably, the aerosol-forming substrate comprises at least 5% by weight of aerosol former, more preferably at least 10% by weight of aerosol former, on a dry weight basis. Preferably, the aerosol-forming substrate comprises less than 30% by weight of aerosol former on a dry weight basis, such as 5 to 30% by weight of aerosol former on a dry weight basis.

In some particularly preferred embodiments, the aerosol-forming substrate comprises plant material and an aerosol former, the substrate having an aerosol former content of 5% to 30% by weight on a dry weight basis. The plant material is preferably a plant material containing alkaloids, more preferably a plant material containing nicotine, and even more preferably a tobacco-containing material. Alkaloids are a class of naturally occurring nitrogen-containing organic compounds. Alkaloids are mostly found in plants, but are also found in bacteria, fungi, and animals. Examples of alkaloids include, but are not limited to, caffeine, nicotine, theobromine, atropine, and tubocurarine. The preferred alkaloid is nicotine, which can be found in tobacco.

The aerosol-forming substrate may include nicotine. The aerosol-forming substrate may comprise tobacco, for example, a tobacco-containing material containing volatile tobacco flavor compounds that are released from the aerosol-forming substrate upon heating. In a preferred embodiment the aerosol-forming substrate may comprise homogenized tobacco material, for example cast leaf tobacco. Aerosol-forming substrates can include both solid and liquid components. The aerosol-forming substrate may include a tobacco-containing material containing volatile tobacco flavor compounds that are released from the substrate when heated. Aerosol-forming substrates may include non-tobacco materials. The aerosol-forming substrate may further include an aerosol-forming agent. Examples of suitable aerosol formers are glycerin and propylene glycol.

As used herein, the term 'tobacco material' includes, but is not limited to, tobacco leaves, tobacco stalks, tobacco stems, tobacco stalks, tobacco powder, puffed tobacco, reconstituted tobacco materials and homogenized tobacco materials. Used to describe any material containing tobacco.

As used herein, the term 'homogenized tobacco material' is used to describe a material formed by agglomerating particulate tobacco.

As used herein, the term "castleaf" refers to a slurry containing plant particles (e.g., in the form of clove particles, or a mixture of tobacco particles and clove particles) and a binder (e.g., guar gum) on a conveyor such as a belt conveyor. Refers to a sheet product formed by a casting process, which is based on casting on a supporting surface, drying the slurry, and removing the dried sheet from the supporting surface. Examples of casting or cast leaf processes are described, for example, in US-A-5,724,998 for making cast leaf cigarettes. In the cast leaf process, particulate plant material is mixed with liquid ingredients, typically water, to form a slurry. Other added ingredients in the slurry may include fibers, binders, and aerosol formers. Particulate plant material can clump up in the presence of binders. The slurry is cast onto a support surface and dried to form a sheet of homogenized plant material.

As used herein, the term “flavor” refers to a composition that has organoleptic properties that provide a sensory experience to the user, for example, to enhance the flavor of an aerosol. Flavorants may be used to impart a gustatory sensation (taste), an olfactory sensation (smell), or both taste and olfactory sensations to the user, for example, when inhaling an aerosol.

As used herein, the term “tubular segment” is used to refer to an elongated element that defines a lumen or airflow passage along its longitudinal axis. In particular, the term "tubular" is used herein to include tubular elements having a substantially cylindrical cross-section and defining at least one airflow passageway establishing unobstructed fluid communication between the upstream end of the tubular element and the downstream end of the tubular element. do. However, it will be appreciated that alternative geometries of the tubular elements may be possible.

As used herein, the terms "upstream" and "front", and "downstream" and "backward" refer to a component of an aerosol-generating article with respect to the direction in which air flows through the aerosol-generating article during use of the aerosol-generating article; Or, it is used to describe the relative position of part of a component. An aerosol-generating article according to the present invention includes a proximal end through which an aerosol exits the article when in use. The proximal end of the aerosol-generating article may also be referred to as the mouth end or downstream end. The mouse extremity is downstream of the distal extremity. The distal end of the aerosol-generating article may be referred to as the upstream end. Components or portions of components of an aerosol-generating article may be described as being upstream or downstream of each other based on their relative positions between the proximal end of the aerosol-generating article and the distal end of the aerosol-generating article. The front of the component or part of the aerosol-generating article is the portion at the end closest to the upstream end of the aerosol-generating article. The rear of the component or part of the aerosol-generating article is the portion at the end closest to the downstream end of the aerosol-generating article.

A non-exhaustive list of non-limiting examples is provided below. Any one or more features of these embodiments may be combined with any one or more features of other embodiments, implementations, or aspects described herein.

Example A: An aerosol-generating article comprising a cavity and one or more plant seeds arranged within the cavity.

Example B: For example A,

first element; and

An aerosol-generating article comprising a second element separated from the first element and arranged spaced apart from the first element, wherein the cavity extends along the entire distance between the first element and the second element.

Example C: The aerosol-generating article of Example B, wherein the first element is located upstream of the cavity, and the first element is a filter element.

Example D: The aerosol-generating article of Example B, wherein the first element is located upstream of the cavity, and the first element comprises an aerosol-forming substrate.

Example E: An aerosol-generating article according to any of Examples B-D, wherein the second element is located downstream of the cavity, and the second element is a filter element, preferably a mouthpiece filter.

Example F: According to any of the previous examples, wherein the length of the cavity along the longitudinal direction of the article is at least 2 mm, preferably at least 3 mm, more preferably at least 4 mm, more preferably at least 5 mm, and further Preferably, the length of the cavity along the length of the article is about 5 mm.

Example G: according to any of the previous examples, wherein the internal diameter of the cavity along the transverse direction of the article is at least 2 mm, preferably at least 3 mm, more preferably at least 4 mm, more preferably at least 5 mm, further An aerosol-generating article, preferably at least 6 mm, more preferably at least 7 mm, and even more preferably the internal diameter of the cavity along the transverse direction of the article is about 7 mm.

Example H: According to any of the previous examples, the volume of the cavity is 10 mm3 to 1000 mm3, preferably 50 mm3 to 500 mm3, more preferably 100 mm3 to 400 mm3, more preferably 150 mm3 to 150 mm3. 250 mm3, and more preferably the volume of the cavity is about 200 mm3.

Example I: An aerosol-generating article according to any of the previous examples, wherein the cavity is defined as an interior space of a hollow tubular element.

Example J: The aerosol-generating article of Example I, wherein the hollow tubular element is made of cellulose acetate, PLA, cardboard, or wrapping paper.

Example K: An aerosol-generating article according to Example I or J, wherein the wall thickness of the hollow tubular element is 0.05 mm to 2 mm, preferably 0.15 mm to 0.25 mm or 0.5 mm to 1.5 mm.

Example L: The aerosol-generating article of either Example I or K, wherein the hollow tubular element includes one or more ventilation holes.

Example M: According to any of the previous examples, wherein the cavity holds from 2 to 1000 plant seeds, preferably from 10 to 500 plant seeds, more preferably from 50 to 200 plant seeds, more preferably from 75 to 75 plant seeds. An aerosol-generating article comprising 125 plant seeds, more preferably 90 to 110 plant seeds.

Example N: The aerosol-generating article according to any of Examples B-M, wherein both the first and second elements are in the form of filled cylindrical plugs.

Example O: The aerosol-generating article of Example N, wherein both the first and second elements are uniformly filled with filter material.

Example P: The aerosol-generating article of any of the previous examples, wherein the one or more plant seeds comprise one or more of basil seeds and catgrass seeds.

Example Q: The method according to any one of examples B to P, wherein one or both of the first and second elements comprise a biodegradable material, preferably the biodegradable material is selected from PLA and cotton. , aerosol-generating articles.

Embodiment R: The method according to any one of embodiments B to Q, wherein the length of each of the first element, the second element and the cavity along the longitudinal direction of the article is 2 mm to 7 mm, preferably 3 mm to 6 mm, further An aerosol-generating article, preferably 4 mm to 5 mm.

Example S: The aerosol-generating article of any of the previous examples, wherein the aerosol-generating article is comprised substantially of biodegradable materials.

Example T: The aerosol-generating article of any of the previous examples, wherein the aerosol-generating article is a HNB article.

Example U: The aerosol-generating article of Example T, comprising an aerosol-forming substrate having an aerosol former content of at least 5% by weight of the total weight of the aerosol-forming substrate.

Example V: The aerosol-generating article of Example U, wherein the total length of the aerosol-forming substrate is between 9 mm and 15 mm, preferably about 12 mm.

Example W: An aerosol-generating system comprising:

An aerosol-generating article according to any of the preceding embodiments; and

An aerosol-generating system comprising an aerosol-generating device comprising a heating chamber for insertion of at least a distal portion of the aerosol-generating article and an electric heating element for heating the heating chamber.

Example X: A method for making an aerosol-generating article comprising:

providing a first element adjacent a second element on a conveyor belt;

creating a cavity between the first element and the second element;

inserting one or more plant seeds into the cavity by a seed inserter; and

Surrounding the first element, the second element, and the cavity with an external wrapper.

Example Y: For example X,

The method of claim 1 , wherein the cavity is created by separating the first element from the second element by a spacer wheel.

Example Z: For Example X or Example Y,

The first element and the second element are a filter plug-in, method.

Features described in relation to one embodiment can be equally applied to other embodiments of the invention.

The present invention will be further explained by way of example only with reference to the accompanying drawings.
Figures 1a and 1b show filter elements for aerosol-generating articles;
Figure 1C shows an aerosol-generating article;
Figures 2A-2D show aerosol-generating articles; and
Figures 3A-3C show aerosol-generating articles.

Figure 1a shows in perspective view a filter element 10 for an aerosol-generating article. Filter element 10 includes a first filter plug 12 and a second filter plug 14 . The second filter plug 14 is arranged separate from and spaced apart from the first filter plug 12 to form a cavity 16 between the first filter plug 12 and the second filter plug 14 . Filter element 10 further comprises a plurality of plant seeds 18 arranged within cavity 16 . Filter element 10 may be wrapped by an optional plug wrapper 20. Accordingly, cavity 16 may be defined by first and second filter plugs 12, 14 and plug wrapper 20. By this arrangement, the plant seeds 18 can be prevented from falling out of the cavity 16.

Figure 1b shows a perspective view of a filter element 10 of an aerosol-generating article. The filter element 10 in FIG. 1B comprises a row of ventilation holes 22 arranged circumferentially around the filter element 10 in a cross-section substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the filter element 10 . Otherwise the filter element 10 in Figure 1b is identical to the filter element 10 in Figure 1a.

Figure 1c shows a perspective view of an aerosol-generating article. The aerosol-generating article includes a filter element 10 as shown in Figure 1A. The aerosol-generating article further comprises a tobacco portion (24). The aerosol-generating article is wrapped by an outer wrapper (26). In an implementation in which the optional plug wrapper 20 shown in FIG. 1A is omitted, the cavity 16 may be defined by the first and second filter plugs 12, 14 and the outer wrapper 26.

Figures 2a-2d show a cross-sectional view of an aerosol-generating article, particularly an HNB article.

The article of Figure 2A is configured as a mouthpiece filter and includes a second filter plug 14 located at the proximal end of the article. A cavity 16 is formed between the second filter plug 14 and the first filter plug 12. Cavity 16 is filled with plant seeds 18. The article further comprises a PLA plug (28), a hollow acetate tube (30), and a portion of an aerosol-forming substrate (24), such as reconstituted tobacco. The article is surrounded by an outer wrapper (26).

The outer diameter of the article may be approximately 7 mm. The total length of the article may be approximately 45 mm. In one embodiment, the first and second filter plugs 12, 14 and cavity 16 each have a length of about 5 mm, the PLA plug 28 has a length of about 10 mm, and the hollow acetate tube 30 has a length of It is about 8 mm, and the length of the portion of smokable material 24 is about 12 mm. In one embodiment, the first and second filter plugs 12, 14 and cavity 16 each have a length of about 4 mm, the PLA plug 28 has a length of about 13 mm, and the hollow acetate tube 30 has a length of It is about 8 mm, and the length of the portion of smokable material 24 is about 12 mm.

The article of FIG. 2B is provided in an outer wrapper 26 and has at least one of ventilation holes 22 arranged circumferentially around the cavity 16 with a cross-section substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the article. It corresponds primarily to the article in Figure 2a, except that it includes heat.

The article of FIG. 2C includes an inner plug wrapper 20 surrounding a filter element formed by first and second filter plugs 12, 14 and a cavity 16. The inner plug wrapper 20 is also surrounded by an outer wrapper 26. Otherwise the article in Figure 2b is identical to the article in Figure 2a.

The article of FIG. 2D is primarily shown in FIG. 2D , except that the article of FIG. 2D includes at least one row of ventilation holes 22 provided in one or both of the inner plug wrapper 20 and the outer wrapper 26. Corresponds to article 2c. At least one row of ventilation holes 22 is arranged circumferentially around the cavity 16 with a cross-section substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the article.

Figures 3a-3c show cross-sectional views of aerosol-generating articles, particularly HNB articles.

The article of Figure 3a includes a mouthpiece filter element 10 structured as a filled filter plug. The article further comprises a PLA plug (28), a hollow acetate tube (30), and a portion of an aerosol-forming substrate (24), such as reconstituted tobacco. The article is surrounded by an outer wrapper (26). The cavity provided within the hollow acetate tube (30) is filled with plant seeds (18).

The outer diameter of the article may be approximately 7 mm. The total length of the article may be approximately 45 mm. In one embodiment, the filter element 10 is about 15 mm long, the PLA plug 28 is about 10 mm long, the hollow acetate tube 30 is about 8 mm long, and the portion of smokable material 24 is about 8 mm long. The length is about 12mm. In one embodiment, the length of the filter element 10 is about 12 mm, the length of the PLA plug 28 is about 13 mm, the length of the hollow acetate tube 30 is about 8 mm, and a portion of the smokable material 24 The length is about 12mm.

The article of FIG. 3B is primarily an article of FIG. 3B , except that the article of FIG. 3B includes at least one row of ventilation holes 22 provided within one or both of the hollow acetate tube 30 and the outer wrapper 26. Corresponds to the article in Figure 3a. At least one row of ventilation holes 22 is arranged circumferentially around the cavity 16 with a cross-section substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the article.

The article of FIG. 3C includes first and second filter plugs 12, 14, a cavity 16 filled with plant seeds 18, a fine hollow acetate tube 32, a hollow acetate tube 30, and a smokable material ( 24), and a front plug 34. The front plug 34 may be a filter plug. The article is surrounded by an outer wrapper (26). Optionally, at least one row of ventilation holes (not shown) may be provided within the outer wrapper 26 and arranged circumferentially around the cavity 16 with a cross-section substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the article.

The outer diameter of the article may be approximately 7 mm. The total length of the article may be approximately 45 mm. In one embodiment, the first and second filter plugs 12, 14 and cavity 16 each have a length of about 4 mm, the fine hollow acetate tube 32 has a length of about 8 mm, and the hollow acetate tube 30 The length of the smokable material 24 is about 12 mm, the length of the front plug 34 is about 5 mm.

Claims (15)

An aerosol-generating article comprising a cavity and one or more germinating plant seeds arranged within the cavity. According to paragraph 1,
first element; and
An aerosol-generating article comprising a second element separated from the first element and arranged spaced apart from the first element, wherein the cavity extends along the entire distance between the first element and the second element. 3. An aerosol-generating article according to claim 2, wherein the first element is located upstream of the cavity and the first element is a filter element. 3. An aerosol-generating article according to claim 2, wherein the first element is located upstream of the cavity, and the first element comprises an aerosol-forming substrate. 5. An aerosol-generating article according to any one of claims 2 to 4, wherein the second element is located downstream of the cavity, and the second element is a filter element, preferably a mouthpiece filter. 6. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the inner diameter of the cavity along the transverse direction of the article is at least 2 mm, preferably at least 3 mm, more preferably at least 4 mm, more preferably at least 5 mm, further. An aerosol-generating article, preferably at least 6 mm, more preferably at least 7 mm, and even more preferably the internal diameter of the cavity along the transverse direction of the article is about 7 mm. 7. The aerosol-generating device according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the cavity is defined as an interior space of a hollow tubular element, preferably the hollow tubular element is made of cellulose acetate, PLA, cardboard or wrapping paper. article. 8. An aerosol-generating article according to claim 7, wherein the hollow tubular element comprises one or more ventilation holes. 9. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein the cavity holds between 2 and 1000 plant seeds, preferably between 10 and 500 plant seeds, more preferably between 50 and 200 plant seeds, more preferably between 75 and 75 plant seeds. An aerosol-generating article comprising from 125 to 125 plant seeds, more preferably from 90 to 110 plant seeds. 10. The method according to any one of claims 2 to 9, wherein both the first and second elements are in the form of filled cylindrical plugs, preferably both the first and second elements are uniformly filled with filter material. Filled cylindrical filter plug-in, aerosol-generating article. 11. An aerosol-generating article according to any preceding claim, wherein the one or more plant seeds comprise one or more of basil seeds and cattail seeds. 12. An aerosol-generating article according to any one of claims 1 to 11, wherein the aerosol-generating article consists substantially of a biodegradable material, preferably the biodegradable material is selected from PLA and cotton. 13. The aerosol-forming article according to any one of claims 1 to 12, comprising an aerosol-forming substrate having an aerosol former content of at least 5% by weight of the total weight of the aerosol-forming substrate, preferably wherein the aerosol-generating article is a HNB article. Phosphorus, aerosol-generating articles. An aerosol generating system, comprising:
An aerosol-generating article according to any one of claims 1 to 13; and
An aerosol-generating system comprising an aerosol-generating device comprising a heating chamber for insertion of at least a distal portion of the aerosol-generating article and an electric heating element for heating the heating chamber. A method for manufacturing an aerosol-generating article, comprising:
providing a first element adjacent a second element on a conveyor belt;
creating a cavity between the first element and the second element;
inserting one or more plant seeds capable of germinating into the cavity by a seed inserter; and
Surrounding the first element, the second element, and the cavity with an external wrapper.