Aerosol Generating Article Comprising a Plurality of Coatings and Associated Aerosol Generating Assembly

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

The present application is a national phase entry under 35 U.S.C. § 371 of International Application No. PCT/EP 2023/077583, filed Oct. 5, 2023, published in English, which claims priority to European Application No. 22199780.2, filed Oct. 5, 2022.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention concerns an aerosol generating article.

Particularly, the aerosol generating article according to the invention is configured to operate with an aerosol generating device, also known as a heat-not-burn device or HNB device. Such type of aerosol generating devices is adapted to heat, rather than burn, an aerosol generating substrate comprised in the article.

The invention also concerns an aerosol generating assembly comprising such an article and such a device.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The popularity and use of reduced-risk or modified-risk devices (also known as vaporisers or aerosol generating devices) has grown rapidly in the past few years as an aid to assist habitual smokers wishing to quit smoking traditional tobacco products such as cigarettes, cigars, cigarillos, and rolling tobacco. Various devices and systems are available that heat or warm vaporizable substances as opposed to burning tobacco in conventional tobacco products.

A commonly available reduced-risk or modified-risk device is the heated substrate aerosol generation device or heat-not-burn device, also known as HNB device. Devices of this type generate aerosol or vapour by heating an aerosol generating substrate that typically comprises moist leaf tobacco or other suitable vaporizable material to a temperature typically in the range 150° C. to 350° C. Heating an aerosol generating substrate, but not combusting or burning it, releases aerosol that comprises the components sought by the user but not the toxic and carcinogenic by-products of combustion and burning. Furthermore, the aerosol produced by heating the tobacco or other vaporizable material does not typically comprise the burnt or bitter taste resulting from combustion and burning that can be unpleasant for the user and so the substrate does not therefore require the sugars and other additives that are typically added to such materials to make the smoke and/or vapour more palatable for the user.

Some aerosol generating devices and/or articles provide additional information for the user relative for the example to the operation of the device, the health of the device and other features useful for the user while using the device together with the article. For this purpose, such type of devices and/or articles can for example comprise one or several sensors or other type of electronic means for monitoring the operation of the device and providing relative information or other type of useful information for the user. It is clear that these electronic means make the structure of the device/article more complex, its housing more cumbersome and increases its cost.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

One of the aims of the present invention is to provide an aerosol generating article able to provide useful information to the user, without using special electronic means.

For this purpose, the invention concerns an aerosol generating article configured to operate with an aerosol generating device and comprising a wrapper;

• • the wrapper comprising a plurality of coatings comprising thermochromic components able to change their appearance at different triggering temperatures;
  • each coating presenting a message appearing/disappearing above the corresponding triggering temperature.

Thanks to these features, it is possible to configure the thermochromic components to make appear/disappear different messages to the user before, during and/or after a vaping session. These messages can present useful information for the user and their appearing/disappearing can be triggered by different temperatures under which the article is placed during the vaping session.

According to some embodiments, at least one message, advantageously each message, is relative to the operation of the aerosol generating device.

Thanks to these features, it is possible for the user to monitor the operation of the device and particularly, its heating profile which can be traced by different messages appearing/disappearing on the wrapper due to the plurality of coatings formed with different thermochromic components.

According to some embodiments, at least one message shows that the aerosol generating device is defective.

Thanks to these features, it is possible to detect easily a failure of the device.

According to some embodiments, said message showing that the aerosol generating device is defective, appears when the temperature of the wrapper exceeds the corresponding triggering temperature, said triggering temperature being greater than the or each other triggering temperature.

Thanks to these features, it is possible to detect a failure of the device consisting in overheating of the aerosol generating article. In this case, the triggering temperature of the corresponding component can be higher than a temperature of normal operation of the heater according to its heating profile, i.e. setpoint temperature of the heater according to the heating profile. The setpoint temperature can be chosen as the maximal temperature according to the heating profile. For example, the device can be configured to a setpoint temperature around 260° C. corresponding to the maximal temperature according to its heating profile, whereas the triggering temperature of the corresponding component can for example be comprised between 280° C. and 320° C., and for example advantageously equal to 300° C. Thus, if the heater achieves this temperature, the corresponding component will become a message indicating the device's overheating.

Advantageously, the heating profile has his maximal temperature at the beginning of the vaping session to ensure good sensory on first puff. By choosing the setpoint temperature as the maximal temperature of the heating profile, it is possible to ensure that overheating is detected early in the session before a damage or failure occurs.

In other embodiments, a setpoint temperature can for example be chosen as the minimal, an average or an optimal temperature of the heating profile.

According to some embodiments, at least one message shows that the aerosol generating device is defective when it appears without at least one other message.

According to some embodiments, said message showing that the aerosol generating device is defective when it appears without at least one other message, appears when the temperature of the wrapper exceeds the corresponding triggering temperature, said triggering temperature being less than the or each other triggering temperature.

According to some embodiments, at least one message shows that the aerosol generating device operates normally.

Thanks to these features, it is possible to detect when the device does not heat sufficiently the aerosol generating article. For example, the wrapper can be provided with a first component having a first triggering temperature which is below a setpoint temperature of the heater according to its heating profile and a second component having a second triggering temperature which is close to this setpoint temperature. Thus, when after a vaping session, the messages corresponding to both components appear, the device is considered to operate normally. When only the message corresponding to the first component appears, it means that the heater has not achieved its setpoint temperature and the device is defective. The first triggering temperature can for example be comprised between 160° C. and 200° C., and advantageously equal to 180° C. The second triggering temperature can be slightly below the setpoint temperature and for example be equal to 240° C. As in the previous case, the setpoint temperature can for example be chosen as the maximal, minimal, an average or an optimal temperature of the heating profile.

According to some embodiments, the wrapper comprises at least three coatings comprising different thermochromic components able to change their appearance at different triggering temperatures;

• • at least two triggering temperatures being less than a setpoint temperature of a heater of the aerosol generating device according to its heating profile, and at least one triggering temperature being greater than said setpoint temperature.

Thanks to these features, it is possible to detect both failures of the aerosol generating device mentioned above, i.e. under-heating and overheating of the aerosol generating article.

According to some embodiments, at least one message corresponds to:

• • a manufacturer's logo disappearing above the corresponding triggering temperature;
  • a recycling method of the article appearing above the corresponding triggering temperature;
  • a message appearing when the aerosol generating article is ready for generating vapor;
  • a message showing an optimal temperature for each puff during a same vaping session.

Thanks to these features, it is possible to provide the user with information which is not directly related to the heath's of the device but rather to using the aerosol generating article before and/or during and/or after a vaping session. For example, the disappearing of the manufacturer's logo can prevent the manufacturer against a negative image when the aerosol generating article is not recycled by the user in a right way. Another type of message can appear when the article is pre-heated and is ready for using. This message can for example be seen by the user from a window provided on the aerosol generating device, for example on a mouthpiece of this device. Still another type of message can change its appearance each time when the aerosol generating article is cooled further to a puff and reheated by the heater to be ready for another puff. Thus, the user can observe for example through the window formed on the mouthpiece the optimal moment for getting the following puff.

According to some embodiments, at least one thermochromic component is able to reversibly change its appearance.

Thanks to these features, the reversibly changeable components are specially advantageous when for example a same message should appear after several temperature changes. For example, a message can be initially presented on the wrapper, then it disappears when the article is heated and then, it appears again when the wrapper is cooled. A reversibly changeable component can for example be used to show the optimal moment of the next puff after at least one initial puff.

According to some embodiments, the triggering temperature of at least one thermochromic component is at most 10%, advantageously 5%, lower than a setpoint temperature of a heater of the aerosol generating device according to its heating profile.

In other words, in this case, the corresponding triggering temperature remains slightly below the setpoint temperature of the heater according to its heating profile. Thanks to these features, it is possible to detect that the aerosol generating device has correctly been heated even if the temperature of the heater has not achieved the setpoint temperature further to calibration imprecisions, external factors (like cold weather for example), etc.

According to some embodiments, at least one coating presents a message invisible above a temperature value and another coating presents a message visible above the same temperature value.

Thanks to these features, different combinations of appearing/disappearing messages can be achieved before and/or during and/or after a vaping session. For example, a first component can form a first message visible only before the vaping session, i.e. before the wrapper has achieved a first triggering temperature. This message can for example correspond to the manufacturer's logo. A second component can form a second message visible only after the vaping session, i.e. after the wrapper has achieved a second triggering temperature. This message can for example correspond to the recycling method associated to the article. Thus, the user can see the first message before the vaping session and the second message after the vaping session. Of course, other examples are still possible.

The present invention also relates to an aerosol generating assembly, comprising:

• • an aerosol generating article as defined above; and
  • an aerosol generating device configured to operate with the aerosol generating article.

According to some embodiments, the aerosol generating device comprises a mouthpiece configured to receive at least partially the aerosol generating article, the mouthpiece defining a window designed to face at least one message on the wrapper of the aerosol generating article.

Thanks to these features, different messages appearing/disappearing during the vaping session can be observed by the user during vaping. Advantageously, at least one of these messages can indicate the optimal moment for the next puff as explained above.

According to some embodiments, at least one message on the wrapper of the aerosol generating article is intended to be aligned with the window when the aerosol generating article is correctly inserted in the mouthpiece.

Thanks to these features, the user can control a correct insertion of the article in the device.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The invention and its advantages will be better understood upon reading the following description, which is given solely by way of non-limiting example and which is made with reference to the appended drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an aerosol generating assembly comprising an aerosol generating device and an aerosol generating article;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the aerosol generating article of FIG. 1, the aerosol generating article comprising a wrapper;

FIG. 3 is a schematic view illustrating different thermochromic components on a face of the aerosol generating article of FIG. 2, the aerosol generating article being according to a first embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 4 is a schematic view illustrating different thermochromic components on a face of the aerosol generating article of FIG. 2, the aerosol generating article being according to a second embodiment of the invention; and

FIG. 5 is a schematic view illustrating different thermochromic components on a face of the aerosol generating article of FIG. 2, the aerosol generating article being according to a third embodiment of the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Before describing the invention, it is to be understood that it is not limited to the details of construction set forth in the following description. It will be apparent to those skilled in the art having the benefit of the present disclosure that the invention is capable of other embodiments and of being practiced or being carried out in various ways.

As used herein, the term “aerosol generating device” or “device” may include a vaping device to deliver an aerosol to a user, including an aerosol for vaping, by means of a heater element explained in further detail below. The device may be portable. “Portable” may refer to the device being for use when held by a user. The device may be adapted to generate a variable amount of aerosol, e.g. by activating the heater element for a variable amount of time (as opposed to a metered dose of aerosol), which can be controlled by a trigger. The trigger may be user activated, such as a vaping button and/or inhalation sensor. The inhalation sensor may be sensitive to the strength of inhalation as well as the duration of inhalation to enable a variable amount of vapour to be provided (so as to mimic the effect of smoking a conventional combustible smoking article such as a cigarette, cigar or pipe, etc.). The device may include a temperature regulation control to drive the temperature of the heater and/or the heated aerosol generating substance (aerosol pre-cursor) to a specified target temperature and thereafter to maintain the temperature at the target temperature that enables efficient generation of aerosol.

As used herein, the term “aerosol” may include a suspension of vaporizable material as one or more of: solid particles; liquid droplets; gas. Said suspension may be in a gas including air. Aerosol herein may generally refer to/include a vapour. Aerosol may include one or more components of the vaporizable material.

As used herein, the term “vaporizable material” or “precursor” may refer to a smokable material which may for example comprise nicotine or tobacco and an aerosol former. Tobacco may take the form of various materials such as shredded tobacco, granulated tobacco, tobacco leaf and/or reconstituted tobacco. Suitable aerosol formers include: a polyol such as sorbitol, glycerol, and glycols like propylene glycol or triethylene glycol; a non-polyol such as monohydric alcohols, acids such as lactic acid, glycerol derivatives, esters such as triacetin, triethylene glycol diacetate, triethyl citrate, glycerin or vegetable glycerin. In some embodiments, the aerosol generating agent may be glycerol, propylene glycol, or a mixture of glycerol and propylene glycol. The substrate may also comprise at least one of a gelling agent, a binding agent, a stabilizing agent, and a humectant.

As used herein, the term “wider” applied in relation with two surfaces is used to compare dimensions of these surfaces in a transversal direction, i.e. direction perpendicular to the extension direction of these surfaces. When at least one of the surfaces has a non-plane shape, said dimension is measured according to a plane passing through at least two points limiting the surface according to the transversal direction.

General Description

FIG. 1 shows an aerosol generating assembly 10 comprising an aerosol generating device 11 and an aerosol generating article 12. The aerosol generating device 11 is designed to operate with the aerosol generating article 12 which is shown in more detail in FIG. 2.

Referring to FIG. 1, the aerosol generating device 11 comprises a device body 15 extending along a device axis Y. The device body 15 comprises a mouthpiece 16 and a housing 17 arranged successively along the device axis Y. According to the example of FIG. 1, the mouthpiece 16 and the housing 17 form two different pieces. Particularly, according to this example, the mouthpiece 16 is designed to be fixed on or be received in an insertion opening formed at one of the ends of the housing 17. In this case, the consumable article 12 can be inserted inside the device 11 when the mouthpiece 16 is removed from the housing 17. According to another example (not-shown), the mouthpiece 16 and the housing 17 form one unique piece. In this case, the consumable article 12 can be inserted inside the device 11 through for example a flow outlet. According to both examples, the mouthpiece 16 defines a through hole adapted to receive at least partially the aerosol generating article 12. Particularly, the through hole can be adapted to receive at least a filter/cooler portion of the aerosol generating article 12, explained in further detail below. According to still another embodiment (not-shown), no mouthpiece 16 is provided with the aerosol generating device 11. In this case, the filter/cooler portion of the consumable article 12 can form a mouth end designed to be in contact with the user's lips and/or mouth while a vaping session.

The housing 17 delimits an internal space of the device 11 receiving various elements designed to carry out different functionalities of the device 11. This internal space may for example receive a battery for powering the device 11, a control module for controlling the operation of the device 11, etc.

The housing 17 further delimits a receiving cavity (not-shown) configured to receive the aerosol generating article 12. In particular, the receiving cavity presents an opening through which the aerosol generating article 12 may be inserted. The receiving cavity is further designed to heat the aerosol generating article 12 using an appropriate heater. The receiving cavity may be for example arranged in the extension of the through hole of the mouthpiece 16, according to the device axis Y. The receiving cavity is delimited by walls presenting a sensibly parallelepipedic shape, complementary to the shape of the aerosol generating article 12.

The heater may for example be a resistive heater designed to heat the aerosol generating article 12 while being at least partially in contact with a surface of this article 12 or facing this surface. According to an example, at least a part the heater can penetrates the aerosol generating article 12 to heat it inside. According to another embodiment, the heater can be a magnetic heater designed to create a magnetic field around at least a part of the aerosol generating article 12. In this case, the aerosol generating article 12 can comprise a susceptor in its internal part which is able to heat vaporizable material further to magnetic interaction with the heater of the device 11.

In any case, the heater is configured to heat the vaporizable material according to a heating profile. This heating profile comprises a setpoint temperature which corresponds to an optimal temperature for heating the vaporizable material during normal utilization of the device 11. For example, such a setpoint temperature can be comprised between 240° C. and 280° C., and for example substantially equal to 260° C. According to other embodiments, a setpoint temperature corresponds to the minimal, maximal or an average temperature of the heating profile.

In reference to FIG. 2, the aerosol generating article 12 is for example a flat-shaped cuboid extending along an article axis X between an inlet end 18 and an outlet end 19, and having external dimensions L×W×H. The aerosol generating article 12 is adapted to conduct an airflow from the inlet end 18 to the outlet end 19. In a typical example, the length L of the article 12 according to the article axis X equals substantially to 25-35 mm, for example 33 mm while its width W is comprised between 8 and 15 mm, for example substantially equal to 12 mm and height H is comprised between 0.8 and 2 mm, for example is substantially equal to 1,2 mm. According to different examples, the values L, W and H can be selected within a range of +/−40%, for example. In the example shown in FIG. 2, the aerosol generating article 12 forms two opposite wide walls 22A, 22B and two opposite narrow walls 23A, 23B. Each wide wall 22A, 22B is perpendicular to each narrow wall 23A, 23B. Each wide wall 22A, 22B is for example at least 2 times, advantageously at least 5 times and preferably at least 10 times wider than each narrow wall 23A, 23B.

According to other embodiments, the aerosol generating article 12 can have any other suitable shape, for example a cylindrical shape having a round or an oval cross-section.

The aerosol generating article 12 comprises a tobacco portion 28 adjacent to the inlet end 18 and a filter/cooling portion 29 adjacent to the outlet end 19 and arranged successively with the tobacco portion 28 along the article axis X. The tobacco portion 28 comprises a vaporizable material as explained above and is designed to be heated directly or indirectly by the heater of the device 11. The filter/cooler portion 29 comprises a filter and/or cooler designed to filter and/or cool the aerosol formed by the vaporizable material before it is inhaled by the user. Thus, the filter/cooling portion 29 is designed to be received at least partially in the through hole formed by the mouthpiece 16. According to another embodiment, the filter/cooler portion 29 forms itself a mouthpiece. In this last case, no additional mouthpiece is necessary on the device 11.

In the example of FIG. 2, the consumable article 12 is wrapped by a common wrapper 21. In other words, in this example, the wrapper 21 is formed from a unique sheet wrapping substantially the whole length of the consumable article 12 around the article axis X. In other examples, the wrapper 21 extends only along a part of the length of the consumable article 12. For example, the wrapper 21 can extend only along the tobacco portion 28 of the consumable article 12. According to another example, the wrapper 21 is formed from two different sheets wrapping separately for example the tobacco substrate and the support structure of the consumable article 12. The wrapper 21 can be made of aluminium and/or paper.

The wrapper 21 is coated with several coatings comprising different thermochromic components able to change their appearance at different triggering temperatures, as it will be explained in further detail in relation with different embodiments of the invention. Particularly, each thermochromic component can change its appearance with the corresponding trigger temperature by changing for example its colour or by becoming transparent after being coloured or by becoming coloured after being transparent. These features of the thermochromic component as well as its triggering temperature depend for example on its chemical composition. For example, at least some thermochromic components can comprise thermochromic dyes, such as Leuco dyes in particular, or thermochromic pigments provided in inks, varnishes or paints. At least some of the thermochromic components can have reversible properties that means that such a thermochromic component is able to return to its initial appearance after having changed it at the corresponding triggering temperature. At least some of the thermochromic components can change at least twice their initial appearance with at least two different triggering temperatures.

The wrapper 21 can further be coated with a non-thermochromic component which can for example be a coloured coating which does not change its appearance with the temperature. Such a coating can form an initial layer of the wrapper 21 designed to receive different thermochromic components. This coating may be formed from any dye used for such types of wrappers 21 for example.

According to the invention, each coating presents a message appearing/disappearing above the corresponding triggering temperature. Different examples of these messages will be explained in reference to the embodiments below. It should however be understood that these embodiments do not limit the scope of invention and can be combined in any suitable manner.

First Embodiment

Referring to FIG. 3, the wrapper 21 comprises, according to a first embodiment, a first coating 51 and a second coating 52 which comprise different thermochromic components. As shown in this Figure, these coatings 51, 52 can be positioned on a same wall of the aerosol generating article 12, for the example on the wide wall 22A. Additionally, in some examples, the same coatings can also be positioned on the opposite wide wall 22B. Advantageously, each of the coatings 51, 52 is positioned on the part of the wrapper 21 which is heated directly or indirectly by the heater. In other words, each of the coatings 51, 52 is positioned on the part of the wrapper 21 facing the tobacco portion 28. Additionally, according to at least some embodiments, the coatings 51, 52 can be at least partially superposed. According to other embodiments, the coatings 51, 52 are separated.

The first and the second coatings 51, 52 define respectively a first and a second triggering temperatures T1, T2, triggering changing of their appearance. This changing can be irreversible. For example, the first coating 51 can be visible below the first triggering temperature T1 and disappear above this temperature T1. On the contrary, the second coating 52 can be invisible below the second triggering temperature T2 and appear above this temperature T2. Both temperatures can be slightly lower than the setpoint temperature of the heater.

FIG. 3 shows in its part A the wide wall 22A for example before the aerosol generating article 12 has been heated by the heater. Thus, only the coating 51 is visible in this case. This coating 51 presents for example a message corresponding to the manufacturer's logo. In its part B, FIG. 3 shows the wide wall 22A for example after the aerosol generating article 12 has been used. This means that in this case, both triggering temperatures T1, T2 have been achieved and both coatings 51, 52 have changed their appearance. The first coating 51 has completely disappeared, whereas the second coating 52 has appeared. In this example, the second coating 52 can indicate the recycling method of the aerosol generating article 12.

Second Embodiment

Referring to FIG. 4, the wrapper 21 comprises, according to a second embodiment, a first coating 61, a second coating 62 and a third coating 63 which comprise different thermochromic components. As in the previous case, these coatings 61 to 63 can be positioned on a same wall of the aerosol generating article 12, for the example on the wide wall 22A. Additionally, each of the coatings 61 to 63 can be positioned on the part of the wrapper 21 which is heated directly or indirectly by the heater. In other words, each of the coatings 61 to 63 can be positioned on the part of the wrapper 21 facing the tobacco portion 28. The coatings 61 to 63 can be at least partially superposed or completely separated as it is the case of FIG. 4.

According to this embodiment, the coatings 61 to 63 are used to monitor the operation of the aerosol generating device 11.

Particularly, the first, the second and the third coatings 61, 62, 63 define respectively a first, a second and a third triggering temperatures T1, T2, T3 triggering changing of their appearance. This changing are for example irreversible. The first triggering temperature T1 can for example be comprised between 160° C. and 200° C., and advantageously equal to 180° C. The second triggering temperature T2 can be slightly lower than the setpoint temperature of the heater and for example be equal to 240° C. The third triggering temperature T3 is higher than the setpoint temperature and can for example be comprised between 280° C. and 320° C. For example, the third triggering temperature T3 can be advantageously equal to 300° C. Additionally, each of the coatings 61 to 63 can be invisible below the corresponding triggering temperature T1 to T3, and visible above this temperature T1 to T3.

Thus, as it is shown in part A of FIG. 4, before using the aerosol generating article 12, none of the coatings 61 to 63 is visible. After using the aerosol generating article 12, the first and second coatings 61, 62 appear when the heater operates normally, i.e. according to its setpoint temperature. This case is shown in part B of FIG. 4, showing messages “low temp” and “good temp” corresponding to these coatings 61, 62. If the heater does not heat sufficiently the aerosol generating article 12 to achieve the setpoint temperature, only the first coating 61 appears as it is shown in part C of FIG. 4. If the heater overheats the aerosol generating article, all three coatings 61 to 63 appear as it shown in part D of FIG. 4. This means that the temperature is too high. In the two last cases, the device 11 or at least the heater can be considered as defective and is needed to be replaced or cleaned or repaired, for example.

Third Embodiment

Referring to FIG. 5, the wrapper 21 comprises, according to a third embodiment, a plurality of coatings comprising different thermochromic components. Among these coatings, only a coating 71 will be explained in further detail in relation with this embodiment. The other coatings can be similar to the coatings explained above.

According to the third embodiment, the coating 71 is positioned on the wrapper 21 so as to face a window 75 formed in the mouthpiece 16 of the aerosol generating device 11, as it is shown in FIG. 1. Thus, the coating 71 can for example be positioned on the part of the wrapper 21 facing the filter/cooler portion 29 of the aerosol generating article 12.

The coating 71 is designed to be visible by the user when the aerosol generating article 12 is received in the device 11. According to different examples, the coating can present a message indicating a correct insertion of the article 12 in the device 11 and disappearing after or during a vaping session. According to another example, the coating 71 can indicate to the user when the article 12 is sufficiently pre-heated and is ready to generate aerosol. According to still another example, the coating 71 can comprise from one or several thermochromic components able to reversibly change their appearance. Thus, the coating 71 may indicate the optimal temperature of the article 12 for each following puff.

Of course, according to some other examples, instead of a unique coating 71, several coatings formed of different thermochromic components may be positioned on the wrapper 21 to face the window 75.