Surface treatment of tobacco materials

Abstract

The present invention relates to an aerosol-generating product for use in an aerosol-generating article. The aerosol-generating product is disposed in a filter section of the aerosol-generating article and interacts with a vapour flow generated in the aerosol-generating section of the article. The generated vapour flows from the heated aerosol-generating section to the filter section along a flow path. The aerosol-generating product comprises at least one wick for modifying the characteristics of the vapour. The aerosol-generating product further comprises at least a first flavour layer and a second flavour layer coated on a common wick. The first layer and the second layer are sequentially dissolvable by moisture contained in the vapour flow, thereby modifying the vapour with a first flavourant and a second flavourant. The present invention also relates to a method for producing such an aerosol-generating product.

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to an aerosol-generating product comprising at least a first and a second flavour layer coated on a common core, the first and second layers being sequentially dissolvable by moisture contained in a vapour stream, thereby successively amending the vapour with a first and a second flavourant. The present invention also relates to a method of making such an aerosol-generating product. [Background technology]

[0002] The taste of a normal smoking article containing a smokable substance such as tobacco can be modified by flavorants such as additives that enhance the vapor during a smoking session. This can be achieved through various flavoring devices that enhance the taste of the smoking article. There are known multi-stage flavoring delivery systems in which the user can achieve vapor enhancement by activating different flavorants, as described, for example, in US Pat. No. 1,089,3700. Such delivery systems mainly include at least a first encapsulated flavoring that can be released by pressure and a second encapsulated flavoring that is heat-sensitive. The capsule mainly includes a liquid or gel-based flavoring composition that can be released during a smoking session. However, there is a risk of cross-contamination of different flavors, and if, for example, a pressure-sensitive capsule is pressed too early, the user may experience an unpleasant taste as a result. Therefore, the user must intuitively find the moment to stop flavoring the vapor with the first flavoring substance in order to crush the second capsule.

[0003] There are also aerosol-generating articles that contain two or more different flavorant-release additives with different flavorant-release temperatures, which are placed at different locations within the electrically heated cigarette that reach different temperatures from each other. However, here too there is a risk of cross-contamination. Furthermore, the proper positioning of the different flavorant-release additives complicates the manufacture of the article. Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide an aerosol-generating product that reduces or prevents cross-contamination of several flavors during a smoking session. Preferably, such an aerosol-generating product comprises a self-regulating flavor delivery of different flavorants. Furthermore, it is also an object of the present invention to provide a method for producing said aerosol-generating product. [Means for solving the problem]

[0005] The above requirements are met by the subject matter of claim 1. Preferred embodiments are the subject matter of the dependent claims.

[0006] An aerosol-generating product for use in an aerosol-generating article, the aerosol-generating product being arranged in a filter section of the aerosol-generating article so as to interact with the vapor flow generated in the aerosol-generating section of the article. Preferably, the aerosol-generating article is selected from the group of consumable products such as cigarettes or heating articles. Thus, the aerosol-generating section may comprise a tobacco substrate such as tobacco leaf, reconstituted tobacco or other heatable or combustible products containing at least nicotine. During heating, the aerosol-generating section of the article generates an inhalable aerosol, vapor or smoke containing at least a residual amount of moisture. In the following, only vapor is mentioned. However, this is not intended to be limiting and serves only to simplify matters.

[0007] Vapor generated within the aerosol-generation section of the article flows along a flow path from the heated aerosol-generation section to the filter section during use of the aerosol-generating article. The filter section may be divided into at least two compartments. Preferably, at least one compartment in the filter section comprises a fibrous filter material such as cellulose acetate or paper fibers. Also preferably, another compartment in the filter section comprises a cavity that may be filled with filtering granules such as charcoal granules.

[0008] During use, it is contemplated that the vapour passes through further sections of the article. Thus, the aerosol-generating article may further comprise a cooling section through which the vapour travels from the heated aerosol-generation section to the filter section and ultimately into the consumer's mouth. For example, the cooling section may be formed of a hollow tube, a tube comprising a cooling substrate (e.g. polylactic acid) or a hollow filter segment, or a combination thereof.

[0009] The aerosol-generating product includes at least one wick that modifies the vapor characteristics. It is contemplated that the wick is selected from a group of organic or non-organic materials suitable for use in aerosol-generating articles, such as granules having a solid or liquid structure. The granules may be made of tobacco material, flavor capsules, charcoal, or a combination of at least the aforementioned materials.

[0010] According to one aspect of the invention, an aerosol-generating product includes at least a first and a second flavor layer coated on a common core, the first and second layers being sequentially dissolvable by moisture contained in a vapor stream, thereby modifying the vapor with a first flavorant and a second flavorant.

[0011] It is also conceivable to coat the core with more than two flavor layers, for example three or four layers with different flavorants. However, the more layers with different flavorants are used, the longer the consumer can enjoy the continuous change in taste. This change in taste during one smoking session provides a smoking experience that continues to be enjoyable. Due to the sequential dissolution of the flavor layers, the risk of cross-contamination of some flavorants is safely reduced or prevented.

[0012] In a preferred embodiment, the aerosol-generating product is completely encapsulated or coated with the dissolvable layer, which has the advantage that it does not matter how the product is inserted into the article, since the coated area can interact with the vapor flow in either case.

[0013] The dissolvable flavor layer may include an aerosolizable carrier material or humectant selected from the group of water soluble materials selected from the group of glycerol (glycerin), glycol ethers such as polyethylene glycol, 1,3-butanediol, sorbitol, esters of polyhydric alcohols, triethyl citrate (TEC), triacetin, and combinations thereof. Aerosolizable carriers generally vaporize when heated at temperatures below about 350° C.

[0014] Alternatively or additionally, the flavor layer may comprise sugar solutions, colorants, flavoring agents and / or sweeteners, making it possible to provide the aerosol-generating product with several flavors in the same smoking session, such as double apple, coffee, lemon, menthol, peppermint, vanilla, black tea, etc. Furthermore, the dissolvable layer may comprise tobacco particles and / or nicotine additives, which may significantly improve the taste of the tobacco or the nicotine content of the inhalable vapor.

[0015] According to another embodiment, the first and second flavor layers are separated by a protective layer, thereby preventing flavor cross-contamination between the flavor layers. Preferably, the protective layer comprises a binder material with a neutral flavor or low intensity flavor that is dissolvable by the moisture contained in the steam. Applying a protective layer between the first and second layers is particularly advantageous for separating particularly strong flavors, such as, for example, peppermint or coffee.

[0016] Additionally or alternatively, the aerosol-generating product may include two or more protective layers applied successively between flavor layers. Thus, it is possible to sequentially coat the core with a first flavor layer, a first protective layer, a second flavor layer, a second protective layer, and a third flavor layer. This allows the several flavorants to be appropriately separated from one another.

[0017] According to another embodiment, the protective layer is a sugar-based or starch layer. Protective layers containing sugar and / or starch preferably further contain colorants or other non-perfuming additives. Such non-perfuming additives are preferably selected from the group of moisturizing agents with hydrophilic properties, such as glycerin or sorbitol.

[0018] According to another embodiment, the protective layer is flavorless. The protective layer is preferably odorless and tasteless, so that it does not change the characteristics of the vapor during dissolution. Therefore, the consumer can preferably enjoy the flavorless vapor generated for a short period of time before the second flavorant appears. This can provide a smooth transition between several flavorants, so that the consumer can slowly get used to the new taste experience during the smoking session, without being annoyed by a sudden change in taste.

[0019] According to another embodiment, each coating layer has a thickness of 10 microns to 1000 microns. It is also conceivable that the protective layer has a thickness less than the flavor layer. In this case, the flavor layer may have a thickness in the range of 100 microns to 900 microns, preferably 500 microns to 1000 microns. Preferably, the protective layer has a thickness in the range of 10 microns to 100 microns, preferably 30 microns to 80 microns.

[0020] According to another embodiment, the multiple cores are formed of granules of tobacco substrate and / or charcoal arranged in the filter section or the cavity section or the heated aerosol-generation section. Preferably, the cavity section is a cooling section or part of a cooling section of the aerosol-generating article. Also preferably, the cooling or cavity section is connected to the filter section and the aerosol-generation section. Alternatively or additionally, the cavity section may be a section of the filter section. In this case, it is conceivable that the cavity is surrounded by at least two further filter sections or connected to the aerosol-generation section of the article.

[0021] The plurality of wicks may include at least one capsule filled with a flavor liquid and at least one wick having a solid structure. The capsule may include a liquid tobacco substrate. Such a tobacco substrate preferably includes tobacco particles and / or other organic flavor enhancers. Preferably, the wick having the tobacco substrate is disposed in a filter section of the aerosol-generating article. Also preferably, the wick having the solid structure is disposed in a cavity section of the aerosol-generating device.

[0022] The combination of the coated capsule and charcoal with at least two flavor layers may provide the option of enhancing the vapor with a second flavoring at the consumer's choice. Thus, at least one flavoring layer or protective layer coated on the solid core, preferably charcoal, may be dissolvable by the liquid contained in the capsule. In this case, it is considered that at least one flavoring layer is dissolvable by the vapor. After dissolving the flavoring layer, the consumer may preferably activate the capsule by applying pressure to the capsule to dissolve the protective layer. After dissolving the protective layer, the second flavoring layer may interact with the vapor and amend the vapor with another flavoring. This combination assumes that the capsule preferably has a predefined release direction. Also preferably, the release direction of the capsule is opposite to the vapor flow and / or extends along the flow path.

[0023] Multiple charcoals as multiple wicks may be included in the aerosol-generation section of the article. In this case, the flavor layer and / or protective layer may include materials that interact with the uncooled vapor stream. However, it has been found that a heated flavor layer that interacts with the vapor in the aerosol-generation section releases a more intense aroma.

[0024] According to another embodiment, the plurality of wicks comprises an aerosol-forming agent, the aerosol-forming agent comprising at least one of the following components: water, monohydric alcohol, polyhydric alcohol, sugar alcohol, sugar and / or polyhydric alcohol ester. The aerosol-forming agent is preferably selected from aerosol-forming agents commonly used in the tobacco industry, such as glycerol (glycerin), propylene glycol, 1,3-butanediol, esters of polyhydric alcohols, triethyl citrate (TEC), triacetin and combinations thereof. The plurality of wicks or at least one wick of the aerosol-generating product preferably comprises an aerosol-forming agent in an amount in the range of 5% to 25% by weight, in the range of 10% to 20% by weight, and preferably in the range of 12% to 18% by weight, based on the dry weight of the aerosol-generating product.

[0025] According to another embodiment, the cores comprise a binder such as a thickener, a starch or a cellulose derivative or a combination thereof. Preferably, the binder is selected from the group consisting of alginic acid, pectin, starch (and derivatives), cellulose (and derivatives), a thickener, silica or a silicone compound and a combination thereof. Preferably, the binder is selected from the group consisting of guar gum, acacia gum, carboxymethylcellulose (CMC), hydroxypropylcellulose (HPMC), hydroxyethylcellulose, gellan gum. Preferably, the cores or at least one core of the aerosol-generating product comprises a binder in an amount ranging from 3% to 30% by weight, preferably from 8% to 20% by weight, also preferably from 10% to 15% by weight, based on the dry weight of the aerosol-generating product.

[0026] According to another embodiment, the core or each of the cores has a maximum dimension or diameter of 100 to 1000 microns. In particular, the cores may have a uniform size. Preferably, the core, as comprising the liquid-filled capsule, has a volume in the range of 0.3 ml to 0.8 ml, preferably 0.4 ml to 0.6 ml. The capsule preferably has a maximum diameter of at least 3 mm.

[0027] According to another embodiment, the core comprises an agglomerated tobacco powder (D50) having a median particle size of 50 microns or less, preferably 30 microns or less. Preferably, the core is coated with a flavour layer comprising tobacco powder. Tobacco particles having such a small median particle size provide a large surface area when contacted by passing steam, which allows for the transfer of molecules from the particle to the steam stream, at least during dissolution of the flavour layer. Particle diameters of ≦30 μm have been found to allow the transfer of multiple flavour molecules, which contribute to a sufficient tobacco flavour. Nicotine can also pass from the tobacco particles to the steam. Since nicotine has a flavour and is a typical component of tobacco, the term "flavor molecules" can also include nicotine.

[0028] According to another embodiment, the core is a capsule comprising a frangible shell and an internal flavour liquid, which modifies the vapour with a third flavourant. Preferably, the shell of the capsule is pressure sensitive and / or has a predefined release direction. Also preferably, the capsule can be placed in a filter section of an aerosol-generating article and / or is in fluid connection with the core coated with a further aerosol-generating product or flavour layer. It is envisaged that at least one flavour layer and / or protective layer coated on the core is dissolvable by the internal flavour liquid contained in the capsule.

[0029] Additionally or alternatively, the internal flavor liquid of the capsule may interact with the flavor layer and / or the protective layer adjacent to the core on which the protective layer is coated. In this case, it is conceivable that the flavorless protective layer may be enriched with a third flavorant. Thus, the consumer can enjoy a first flavor immediately after heating the aerosol generation section and generating steam, and as the steam flows along the flow path, the steam preferably dissolves the first layer. Once the first flavor layer has dissolved, the consumer can activate the capsule to dissolve the protective layer and / or enrich the protective layer with a third flavorant. After the protective layer has dissolved, the consumer can enjoy a second flavor, and the second flavor layer interacts with the steam.

[0030] The object is also achieved by a method of manufacturing an aerosol-generating product for use in an aerosol-generating article as described above. The aerosol-generating product is arranged in a filter section or a cooling section of the aerosol-generating article and may interact with the vapour flow generated in the aerosol-generating section of the article. The generated vapour flows along a flow path from the heated aerosol-generating section to the filter section. The aerosol-generating product comprises at least one wick for modifying the properties of the vapour. According to the invention, the method is characterised by successively coating the wick or wicks with a first and a second flavour layer by spraying a first flavourant and a second flavourant onto the wick. It is conceivable to coat the wick with the flavour layer and / or the protective layer by glazing.

[0031] Preferably, the core or cores are provided by a manufacturing process common in the tobacco industry. It is therefore conceivable that the core or cores are manufactured according to their structure. In the case of a capsule containing an internal liquid, preferably a flavour liquid, a frangible shell is preferably provided before the shell can be filled with the internal liquid. It is conceivable that the manufacturing process of the capsule comprises a sealing step.

[0032] Alternatively or additionally, the charcoal-containing wick can be produced in a separate manufacturing step by forming the charcoal to a diameter of 100-1000 microns. Also preferably, the method can include a mixing step, in which several materials such as humectants, binders, flavour barrier materials, flavourants or carrier materials are mixed to prepare a flavour and / or protection mixture. Preferably, the flavour and / or protection mixture forms the flavour and / or protection layer of the aerosol-generating product.

[0033] It is contemplated that the flavour layer and / or protective layer are applied to the cores by passing sequentially through application areas of the manufacturing machine one after the other as separate application steps or stages of the coating process. Preferably, the manufacturing machine is divided into at least two different application areas, for example an application area for applying a first flavour layer and another application area for applying a second flavour layer to coat the cores. It is contemplated that the manufacturing machine further includes an application area for applying a protective layer to the cores.

[0034] According to another embodiment, the method comprises sequentially coating the core or cores with a first flavorant to provide a first flavor layer, coating with a flavor barrier material to provide a protective layer, and coating with a second flavorant to provide a second flavor layer. Preferably, the flavor barrier material is tasteless, flavorless, and / or comprises a neutral flavor binding material. The flavor barrier material may be dissolvable by moisture contained in the steam or by an internal liquid contained in the capsule.

[0035] According to another embodiment, the method comprises coating the core or cores in a rotating cylinder. Preferably, the production machine comprises a rotating cylinder with several application sections separated from one another. Also preferably, each application section coats the core with one flavor or protective layer. It is envisaged that each flavor and / or protective layer undergoes an air flow process in the rotating cylinder to avoid cross contamination in the different application sections.

[0036] According to another embodiment, the cylinder is rotated at 4-7 RPM and / or the coating is applied at a temperature of 40-50° C. Preferably, the mixture is applied at a relative humidity of at least 60% in the rotating cylinder to avoid rupture of the flavor and / or protective layer during the application process.

[0037] Preferably, the mixture may include tobacco powder. Also preferably, the wick or wicks have a size in the range of 100 μm to 1000 μm. This particle size allows for adequate airflow circulation for the application process using a rotating cylinder.

[0038] As used herein, the term "vapor" may include a suspension of precursor as one or more of solid particles, liquid droplets, gas, smoke. The suspension may be in the form of an aerosol that includes small droplets and substrate.

[0039] Further advantages, objects and features of the present invention will be explained, by way of example only, in the following description with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which similar components in different embodiments may bear the same reference signs, and in which: [Brief description of the drawings]

[0040] [Figure 1] 1 is a schematic cross-sectional side view of an aerosol-generating article including an aerosol-generating product in a filter section. FIG. [Figure 1a] FIG. 2 is a schematic cross-sectional side view of a two-compartment filter section that constitutes an aerosol-generating product. [Diagram 2] 1 is a schematic cross-sectional side view of an aerosol generating product having a solid wick. [Diagram 3] 1 is a schematic cross-sectional side view of an aerosol generating product having a liquid wick. [Figure 4] 1 is a schematic cross-sectional side view of an aerosol-generating article including an aerosol-generating product in a filter section and a cooling section. FIG. [Diagram 5] 1 is a schematic cross-sectional side view of an aerosol-generating article including an aerosol-generating product in an aerosol-generating section. [Figure 6] 1 is a flow chart of a method of producing an aerosol-generating product having two coating steps. [Figure 7] 1 is a flow chart of a method for producing an aerosol-generating product having three coating steps. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0041] FIG. 1 shows a schematic cross-sectional side view of an aerosol-generating article 2 including an aerosol-generating product 1 in a filter section 3 .

[0042] The aerosol-generating article may be a "heated" aerosol-generating article comprising a tobacco-based aerosol-forming substrate in an aerosol-generation section that is heated to a temperature below the combustion of the substrate (particularly tobacco) to form a vapor. Heating may be performed by an electrically heated device or, less preferably, by a combustible carbon source located adjacent to the aerosol-generation section. The heating device may include a heating chamber configured to receive at least the aerosol-generation section of the aerosol-generating article. The heating chamber may be heated by an external heater (e.g., a thin film, a heating coil, etc.) or a heating blade or pin insertable into the aerosol-generating article, or may be heated by induction, such as by one or more heating susceptors inserted into the aerosol-generation section.

[0043] The aerosol-generating article 2 shown, when viewed from the mouth end to the tip, comprises a filter section 3, a cooling section 16 and an aerosol-generation section 4. The aerosol-generation section 4 preferably comprises a substance that generates an inhalable vapour which flows from the aerosol-generation section 4 along a flow path fp to the filter section 3 of the article 2 when a user inhales air at the mouth end. The vapour flow vf generated thereby thus interacts with the aerosol-generating product 1.

[0044] The illustrated aerosol-generating product 1 preferably includes a plurality of p wicks 5 comprising a solid material having hydrophilic properties. Such material may include charcoal or a mixture of charcoal with tobacco particles and a binder, or a mixture of agglomerated tobacco particles and a binder (as shown in FIG. 2). However, the plurality of p wicks 5 are coated with at least two dissolvable flavor layers that interact with the vapor flow vf and enhance the vapor with flavor.

[0045] The aerosol-generating product 1 is placed in the filter section 3 of the article 2. The filter section 3 shown includes a filter section 18 containing a filter material and a cavity filter section 17. The cavity filter section 17 is preferably surrounded by the filter section 18. It is conceivable, but not required, that the cavity filter section 17 is entirely filled with the multiple p of coated wicks 5. The cavity may be divided by filter plugs (not shown) at both ends of the filter section 18. Alternatively, the multiple p of coated wicks 5 may be incorporated into the filter material of the filter section (e.g., filter tow) without the need to form any cavity to encase the entire aerosol-generating product 1. However, the vapor flow vf passes through all sections 4, 16, 3 of the article 2 before entering the consumer's mouth.

[0046] Figure 1a shows a schematic side cross-sectional view of a filter section 3 having two compartments 17, 18 that make up an aerosol-generating product 1. In particular, Figure 1a shows another embodiment of the filter section 3 of the article 2 shown in Figure 1. Preferably, however, the cavity filter compartment 17 is the first compartment of the filter section 3 through which the vapour flow vf passes. Also preferably, the filter compartment 18 is the second compartment of the filter section 3 through which the vapour flow vf passes until it enters the mouth of a consumer (not shown).

[0047] Preferably, the cavity filter section 17 and the filter section 18 are arranged one after the other. Preferably, the cavity is formed by at least one wrapper 19 that also encases the filter section 17. The filter section 3 may be formed of two monoacetate segments spaced apart from each other and both wrapped with at least one common wrapper 19 to form the cavity. In the illustrated embodiment, the filter section 18 contains a first aerosol-generating product 1 that includes a liquid-filled wick 5. Preferably, the wick 5 is a capsule 5a that is coated with at least one flavor and / or protective layer 6, 7, 8 (shown in FIG. 3). Also preferably, the capsule 5a is pressure sensitive and extrudes the liquid 15 (shown in FIG. 3) into the flow path fp.

[0048] The cavity filter section 17 shown comprises a second aerosol-generating product 1. Preferably, the second aerosol-generating product 1 comprises a plurality of solid cores 5. Also preferably, the core comprises charcoal and / or agglomerated tobacco powder coated with at least one flavour and / or protective layer 6, 7, 8 (shown in Figure 2).

[0049] Preferably, the first aerosol-generating product 1 is releasable towards the second aerosol-generating product 1. Also preferably, the second aerosol-generating product comprises a wick 5 coated with a flavour and / or protective layer 6, 7, 8 that is dissolvable by the internal flavour liquid 15 of the first aerosol-generating product 1.

[0050] 2 shows a schematic cross-sectional side view of an aerosol-generating product 1 having a solid wick 5. Preferably, the wick 5 is charcoal at least partially coated on its surface s1. Alternatively or in addition to charcoal, the wick comprises tobacco powder 13, an aerosol-forming agent and a binder material uniformly distributed throughout the wick 5.

[0051] The core 5 shown has a circular shape circumferentially coated with several flavour and / or protective layers 6, 7, 8. In particular, the shape of the aerosol-generating product 1 resembles a granule with an average size of at least 1000 μm. Preferably, a first flavour layer 6 is applied to the surface s1 of the core 5 to entirely cover the core. The first flavour layer 6 is preferably covered with a protective layer 8. And finally, the protective layer 8 is covered with a second flavour layer 7.

[0052] Preferably, the first flavour layer 6 has a first thickness t1 of at least 50 μm, preferably 100 μm. The thickness t1 of the first flavour layer 6 may vary depending on the coating method used to coat at least the core 5 with flavourant. It is envisaged that by spraying, uniform thicknesses t1, t2, t3 are achieved for the flavour layer and / or protective layer 6, 7, 8. Furthermore, the second flavour layer 8 may have a similar or different thickness t2. Preferably, the first and second layers 6, 8 are separated by a protective layer 8 having a thickness t3 in the range of 30 μm to 70 μm, preferably 70 μm to 120 μm. In the illustrated embodiment, the flavour layer and the protective layer 6, 7, 8 have similar thicknesses t1, t2, t3.

[0053] 3 shows a schematic side cross-sectional view of an aerosol-generating product 1 formed as a unitary capsule with a liquid wick 5. The aerosol-generating product 1 described preferably has an oval shape as a conventional capsule of a smoking article. The wick 5 is preferably a capsule 5a comprising a frangible shell 14 and an inner flavour liquid 15. The flavour liquid 15 may comprise an aerosol-forming agent 11, a binder 12, tobacco powder 13 or other additives and flavourants.

[0054] The capsule 5a is preferably surrounded by a first and a second flavor layer 6, 7 and a protective layer 8. All layers 6, 7, 8 have thicknesses t1, t2, t3 that may vary depending on different conditions. It is conceivable that the flavor layers 6, 7 have thicknesses t1, t2 that are greater than the thickness t3 of the protective layer 8. This may be advantageous for a rapid degradation of the protective layer 8.

[0055] 4 shows a schematic cross-sectional side view of an aerosol-generating article 2 comprising an aerosol-generating product 1 in a filter section 3 and a cooling section 16. Preferably, the cooling section 16 comprises a tubular element to ensure stability of the article 2. However, the cooling section 16 may also comprise, for example, a hollow paper tube and / or a cavity formed in the wrapper 19, in which the first aerosol-generating product 1 having a plurality of coated cores 5 may be placed, as depicted in FIG. 2. The cooling section 16 is preferably at least partially closed on one side by the aerosol-generation section 4 and on the opposite side by the filter section 3.

[0056] The aerosol-generating article 2 shown further comprises a second aerosol-generating product 1 arranged in the filter section 3. The second aerosol-generating product 1 may comprise a capsule 5a coated with at least one flavour and / or protective layer 6, 8. In particular, the mode of operation is similar to the embodiment shown in Fig. 1a. The difference is that the filter section 3 comprises only one compartment 18 and the first aerosol-generating product 1 is comprised in the cooling section 16 of the article 2. However, the first aerosol-generating product 1 may be wetted with a liquid 15 contained in the second aerosol-generating product 1.

[0057] Preferably, the first and second flavour layers 6, 7 of the first aerosol-generating product 1 are dissolvable by the moisture contained in the vapour stream and are generated by heating the aerosol-generating section to the aerosolisation temperature of the aerosol-forming agents present in the section. Also preferably, the protective layer 8 may be dissolvable by the liquid 15 of the first aerosol-generating product 1.

[0058] FIG. 5 shows a schematic side cross-sectional view of an aerosol-generating article 2 including an aerosol-generating product 1 in an aerosol-generating section 4. The aerosol-generating section 4 may include further materials suitable for generating an inhalable vapor. For example, the aerosol-generating section 4 includes reconstituted tobacco and / or leaf tobacco. Preferably, the reconstituted tobacco is selected from the list of cast tobacco, tobacco paper, laminated tobacco, extruded tobacco, tobacco foam and combinations thereof. The reconstituted tobacco may be formed into sheets, pieces, strips, fragments. It may be blended with tobacco lamina, expanded tobacco and / or cellulose fibers. Preferably, the aerosol-generating product 1 enhances the generated vapor with at least one flavor when the flavor layers 6, 7 of the aerosol-generating product 1 dissolve.

[0059] Figures 6 and 7 show a flow chart of a method 100 for producing an aerosol-generating product 1 using two or three coating steps. Preferably, a wick 5 or a number p of wicks 5 are provided prior to the coating step of the method. As mentioned above, it is contemplated that the wick 5 may have a solid or liquid structure. However, this condition may not affect the method 100.

[0060] Preferably, the method 100 comprises a first coating step 101, in which a first flavorant or a first mixture may be applied to the core 5 to obtain a first flavor layer 6. Then, as a second coating step 102, preferably a second flavorant or a second mixture is applied to the first flavor layer 6 to obtain a second flavor layer 7 (shown in FIG. 6). It is conceivable that a drying step is carried out between the first step 101 and the second step 102 to avoid cross contamination of the flavorants. Alternatively or additionally, the method 100 may comprise a third coating step 103 (shown in FIG. 7).

[0061] Preferably, all steps 102, 102, 103 are carried out sequentially under a relative humidity of at least 60% and an ambient temperature of at least 40° C. Also preferably, a rotating cylinder is used to apply the flavour and / or protective layers 6, 7, 8 to the core 5. [Explanation of symbols]

[0062] 1. Aerosol-generating products 2. Aerosol-generating items 3. Filter Section 4. Aerosol Generation Section 5 core 5a Capsule 6. First flavor layer 7. The second flavor layer 8 Protective layer 9 Granules 10 Charcoal 11 Aerosol forming agents 12 Binder 13 Tobacco Powder 14 Breakable Shell 15 Internal flavor liquid 16 Cooling section / cavity section 17 Cavity Filter Section 18 Filter Pane 19 Packaging materials p Multiple cores vf Steam flow fp flow path s1 Core surface t1 Thickness of the first layer t2 second layer thickness t3 Thickness of the third layer 100 Method for manufacturing an aerosol-generating product 101 First coating process 102 First coating process 103 First coating process

Claims

1. An aerosol generating product (1) for use in an aerosol generating article (2), the aerosol generating product (1) being arranged in a filter section (3) of the aerosol generating article (2) so as to interact with a vapor flow (vf) capable of being generated within an aerosol generating section (4) of the article, the generated vapor flowing from the heated aerosol generating section (4) to the filter section (3) along a flow path (fp) during use of the aerosol generating article (2), the aerosol generating product (1) comprising at least one core (5) for modifying the properties of the vapor. In the aerosol generating product (1), it further comprises at least a first flavor layer (6) and a second flavor layer (7) coated on the common core (5), the first layer (6) and the second layer (7) being sequentially soluble by moisture contained in the vapor flow (vf), thereby modifying the vapor with a first flavoring and a second flavoring, the first flavor layer (6) and the second flavor layer (7) are separated by a protective layer (8), thereby preventing flavor cross-contamination between the flavor layers, and the protective layer (8) is characterized by having no flavor. An aerosol generating product (1).

2. The aerosol generating product (1) according to claim 1, wherein the protective layer (8) is a sugar-based or starch layer.

3. The aerosol generating product (1) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein each coating layer (6, 7, 8) has a thickness of 10 microns to 1000 microns.

4. The aerosol generating product (1) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the plurality of cores (p) are formed of tobacco substrate granules (9) and / or charcoal (10) arranged in the filter section (3) or a cavity section (16) or a heated aerosol generating section (4).

5. The aerosol generating product (1) according to claim 4, wherein the plurality of cores (p) contain an aerosol forming agent (11), and the aerosol forming agent (11) contains at least one of the following components: water, a monohydric alcohol, a polyhydric alcohol, a sugar alcohol, a sugar, and / or a polyhydric alcohol ester.

6. The aerosol generating product (1) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the plurality of cores (p) contain a binder (12) such as a thickening agent, starch, or a cellulose derivative.

7. The aerosol generating product (1) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein each of said core (5) or said plurality of cores (p) has a maximum dimension or diameter of 100 to 1000 microns.

8. The aerosol generating product (1) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein said core (5) contains agglomerated tobacco powder (13) having a median particle size (D50) of 50 microns or less, preferably 30 microns or less.

9. The aerosol generating product (1) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein said core (5) is a capsule (5a) containing a frangible shell (14) and an internal flavor liquid (15), and said liquid (15) modifies said vapor with a third flavorant.

10. A method (100) for manufacturing an aerosol generating product (1) for use in an aerosol generating article (2), wherein said aerosol generating product (1) is arranged in a filter section (3) of said aerosol generating article (2) so as to interact with a vapor flow (vf) generated within an aerosol generating section (4) of said article (2), and said generated vapor flows from said heated aerosol generating section (4) to said filter section (3) along a flow path (fp), and said aerosol generating product (1) includes at least one core (5) for modifying the properties of said vapor, and said method (100) comprises: sequentially coating said at least one core (5) and optionally one or more further cores (p) with a first flavorant to provide a first flavor layer, coating with a flavor barrier material to provide a protective layer, and coating with a second flavorant to provide a second flavor layer (101, 102, 103) by spraying said first flavorant and said second flavorant onto said core (5) to continuously coat said at least one core (5) and optionally one or more further cores (p) with said first flavor layer (6) and said second flavor layer (7) (101, 102) characterized by a method (100).

11. The method according to claim 10, characterized by coating said core or said plurality of cores within a rotating cylinder.

12. The method according to claim 11, wherein said cylinder is rotated at 4 to 7 RPM and / or the coating is applied at a temperature of 40 to 50 °C.

Images