Delivery systems and compositions comprised therein

Abstract

To provide a non-combustible aerosol delivery system comprising a tobacco flavour composition comprising volatile and semi-volatile tobacco flavour compounds.SOLUTION: A non-combustible aerosol provision system comprising a concentrated tobacco flavour composition, the concentrated tobacco flavour composition comprising at least one volatile tobacco flavour compound having a boiling point below 200 °C at atmospheric pressure and at least one semi-volatile tobacco flavour compound having a boiling point between 200 and 250 °C at atmospheric pressure.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0001] The present invention relates to a delivery system comprising a tobacco flavor composition comprising volatile and semi-volatile tobacco flavor ingredients. The present invention also relates to aerosol-forming materials, consumables, and uses of the tobacco flavor composition.

[0002] Many delivery systems use tobacco or tobacco extracts to provide flavors as well as to deliver other tobacco components, including nicotine.

[0003] There is a need in the art for compositions suitable for addition to delivery systems that impart desirable sensory characteristics. In particular, it is desirable to provide enhanced tobacco characteristics, including tobacco flavors and aromas.

[0004] According to a first aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided a non-burning aerosol delivery system comprising a concentrated tobacco flavor composition, the concentrated tobacco flavor composition comprising at least one volatile tobacco flavor compound having a boiling point below 200°C at atmospheric pressure and at least one semi-volatile tobacco flavor compound having a boiling point between 200°C and 250°C at atmospheric pressure.

[0005] In some embodiments, the aerosol delivery system is a tobacco heating product that includes an aerosol-forming material that is heated to volatilize components.

[0006] In some embodiments, the aerosol delivery system is a hybrid product that includes an aerosol-generating material that is heated to volatilize components, and a liquid that is heated to form a vapor.

[0007] In some embodiments, the aerosol-forming material comprises a tobacco flavoring composition.

[0008] In some embodiments, the liquid comprises a tobacco flavoring composition.

[0009] In some embodiments, the liquid is a nicotine-free liquid.

[0010] According to a second aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided an aerosol-generating material for use in a non-combustible aerosol delivery system, the aerosol-generating material comprising a concentrated tobacco flavor composition including at least one volatile tobacco flavor compound having a boiling point below 200°C at atmospheric pressure and at least one semi-volatile tobacco flavor compound having a boiling point between 200°C and 250°C at atmospheric pressure.

[0011] In some embodiments of any aspect, the tobacco flavor composition comprises a tobacco extract and a solvent, wherein the tobacco extract is prepared by molecular distillation and high vacuum fractionation, and the extract comprises concentrated volatile tobacco flavor compounds including a first fraction of tobacco compounds having a boiling point below 200°C at atmospheric pressure and a second fraction of tobacco compounds having a boiling point between 200°C and 250°C at atmospheric pressure.

[0012] In some embodiments, the tobacco extract contains a higher concentration of volatile flavor and aroma compounds compared to tobacco extracts prepared by conventional aqueous extraction processes.

[0013] In some embodiments, the extract is diluted about 100 to about 1000 times to prepare a 1% w / w to 0.1% w / w solution.

[0014] In some embodiments, a volume of the diluted extract is applied to the tobacco material to achieve a final extract concentration in the tobacco material of 0.01 to 0.1% by dry weight.

[0015] In some embodiments, the extract contains about 1% to about 20% nicotine before dilution.

[0016] In some embodiments, the solvent-diluted extract contains about 0.1% to about 0.001% w / w nicotine.

[0017] In some embodiments, the extract contains about 5×10 -5~Approx. 5×10 -4 Contains % TSNAs.

[0018] In some embodiments, the solvent-diluted extract comprises about 1 x 10 -10 ~Approx. 1×10 -8 Contains %w / w TSNAs.

[0019] In some embodiments, the fragrance composition comprises a solvent optionally selected from the group consisting of propylene glycol, glycerin, vegetable glycerin, triacetin, and ethanol.

[0020] According to a third aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided a consumable for a non-flammable aerosol delivery system, comprising an aerosol-generating material according to the first aspect.

[0021] According to a fourth aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided a use of a concentrated tobacco flavor composition comprising at least one volatile tobacco flavor component having a boiling point below 200°C at atmospheric pressure and at least one semi-volatile tobacco flavor component having a boiling point between 200 and 250°C at atmospheric pressure, for providing a long-lasting flavor from a non-combustible aerosol delivery system.

[0022] Embodiments of the present invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0023] [Figure 1] 1 is a schematic cross-sectional view of a tobacco heating product for heating an aerosol-forming material to volatilize at least one component of the aerosol-forming material. [Figure 2] FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of a hybrid device for heating an aerosol-forming material to volatilize at least one component of the aerosol-forming material. Detailed Description

[0024] A first aspect of the present invention provides a non-combustible aerosol delivery system comprising a concentrated tobacco flavor composition comprising at least one volatile tobacco flavor compound or ingredient having a boiling point below 200°C at atmospheric pressure and at least one semi-volatile tobacco flavor compound or ingredient having a boiling point between 200°C and 250°C at atmospheric pressure.

[0025] In some embodiments, the tobacco flavoring composition is a liquid.

[0026] If the tobacco flavor composition is extracted from the tobacco material, the extract will likely need to be diluted before being incorporated into the aerosol delivery system, as the flavor would be too strong or overpowering in the aerosol produced, since the extraction process effectively selects and concentrates these desirable tobacco components.

[0027] The diluted extract will contain at least one volatile tobacco flavor compound having a boiling point at atmospheric pressure below 200° C. and at least one semi-volatile tobacco flavor compound having a boiling point at atmospheric pressure between 200 and 250° C. Even when diluted, the tobacco flavor composition can be described as concentrated relative to the presence of these flavor compounds in tobacco.

[0028] In some embodiments, the tobacco flavoring composition is included in an aerosol-forming material, for example, the composition can be applied to or incorporated into the aerosol-forming material.

[0029] The boiling points of the tobacco flavor compounds are selected to provide a tobacco flavor composition that is compatible with the temperature to which the composition will be heated by the delivery system. Upon heating by the delivery system, the temperature of the composition will rise to within a predetermined target temperature range, and the composition will contain volatile and semi-volatile tobacco compounds, including flavor compounds, that will be gradually released as the temperature of the composition rises and then reaches and remains within the target temperature range. Such compositions will provide longer-lasting flavor development and improved puff-to-puff flavor consistency.

[0030] For example, when a tobacco flavor composition is heated by a delivery system, the volatile tobacco compounds with lower boiling points are released first, followed by the semi-volatile tobacco compounds with higher boiling points. The less volatile compounds typically volatilize or distill toward the end of heating. It is important to have both the volatile and semi-volatile tobacco compounds to avoid releasing all of the flavoring too quickly when the composition is heated to a certain temperature.

[0031] This is in contrast to conventional tobacco extracts, which typically contain only highly volatile flavor compounds. When such extracts are used in tobacco heating products, the highly volatile flavor compounds tend to be released rapidly as soon as heating begins, resulting in very short-lived flavor delivery.

[0032] For use in a delivery system, the components of the tobacco flavor composition do not necessarily need to be heated to their boiling point in order to volatilize, rather, some compounds will volatilize at low temperatures as a result of the presence of solvents such as, for example, water, propylene glycol, etc.

[0033] Furthermore, the rate at which the tobacco flavor composition is heated and the temperature to which it is heated will also be affected by the composition of the aerosol-forming material. For example, when a concentrated tobacco flavor composition is included with a carrier material, such as tobacco material, the characteristics of the carrier material, such as the amount and density, will also affect the heating of the flavor composition and the release of volatile and semi-volatile compounds.

[0034] In some embodiments, the delivery system heats the aerosol-forming material, including the tobacco flavor composition, to a predetermined target temperature range of about 240 to about 250° C. The composition therefore includes tobacco flavor compounds having boiling points in the range of about 240 to about 250° C. As explained elsewhere, similar to that found with nicotine, some of these tobacco flavor compounds will begin to volatilize or distill from the aerosol-forming material below their boiling point.

[0035] Tobacco Flavoring Compounds Cured tobacco contains hundreds of volatile, semi-volatile, and non-volatile compounds or constituents. Most of the desirable flavor / aroma compounds (volatile / semi-volatile substances) are believed to be produced by the oxidative and chemical breakdown of terpenoids and carotenoids during the curing and curing process.

[0036] In some embodiments, compounds included in tobacco flavoring compositions may include lactones, such as beta-damascenone and beta-ionone; carboxylic acids, such as acetic acid, 2-methylbutyric acid, and 3-methylbutyric acid; phenols, such as 2-methoxyphenol and eugenol; pyrazines, such as 2-ethyl-3,5-dimethylpyrazine; and alcohols, such as furaneol and geraniol.

[0037] In some embodiments, the components of the tobacco flavor compositions discussed herein are extracted from cured tobacco.

[0038] Extraction Process Many techniques have been developed to isolate volatile flavor compounds from tobacco, including distillation techniques such as short-path distillation, simultaneous distillation extraction, cold-finger molecular distillation, and reduced-pressure steam distillation. However, these techniques tend to result in low recovery rates of less volatile flavor compounds. Extraction techniques, such as solid-phase microextraction and hollow-fiber liquid-phase microextraction, have also been developed and used as rapid and convenient methods for isolating volatile flavor compounds. However, they also extract compounds with high boiling points, such as tobacco leaf pigments and polymeric compounds.

[0039] In the present invention, compounds with high boiling points (e.g., 200-300°C) are selectively extracted and isolated, while the extraction and isolation of undesirable non-volatile substances, such as fatty acids, amino acids, sugars, and polyphenols, is minimized.

[0040] This provides compositions with the advantageous properties disclosed herein compared to conventional extracts, which often lack both volatile and semi-volatile compounds.

[0041] In some embodiments, the tobacco flavor composition is a tobacco extract prepared from tobacco material by solvent extraction and molecular distillation, the extract comprising concentrated volatile and semi-volatile tobacco flavor compounds including a first fraction of volatile tobacco compounds having a boiling point at atmospheric pressure of less than 200° C. and a second fraction of semi-volatile tobacco components having a boiling point at atmospheric pressure of 200-250° C. In some embodiments, the extract is diluted with a solvent prior to use.

[0042] In some embodiments, tobacco extracts are prepared from tobacco starting materials and involve conventional solvent extraction followed by molecular distillation under high vacuum conditions. Performing the extraction process under high vacuum conditions means that high-boiling point compounds can be isolated while minimizing the time the tobacco material is exposed to high temperatures. The high vacuum reduces the natural boiling points of desired components of the tobacco material, allowing the compounds to be isolated at low temperatures.

[0043] Conventional solvent extraction processes for tobacco materials often involve an aqueous extraction step in which the tobacco material is contacted with an aqueous solution, leaving water-insoluble components in the tobacco material while water-soluble tobacco components are extracted with a liquid component. The liquid extract is separated from the solid extracted tobacco material and may undergo further processing, such as vacuum concentration.

[0044] Aqueous extraction processes can be used on ground tobacco and / or at elevated temperatures to enhance extraction of water-soluble components. Other solvents can also be included in the aqueous solution to maximize extraction of compounds with different polarities.

[0045] These conventional extraction processes have the drawback of not being able to efficiently extract desirable volatile flavor and aroma compounds. In fact, many desirable flavor and aroma compounds are not water-soluble. Furthermore, the extracts produced are dilute and typically require concentration before use. This concentration step often involves heating, which can result in further loss of volatile compounds, especially highly volatile flavor and aroma compounds.

[0046] In contrast, the use of molecular distillation results in a highly concentrated extract that is enriched in volatile tobacco compounds (i.e., those with a boiling point below 200°C at atmospheric pressure) and semi-volatile compounds (i.e., containing a first fraction of tobacco compounds with a boiling point between 200 and 250°C at atmospheric pressure).

[0047] The highly desirable volatile flavor and aroma compounds contained in the extract are tobacco components that have boiling points at atmospheric pressure below 250° C. As a result, when incorporated into a delivery system, the system will release these desirable compounds in a highly controlled, consistent, and predictable manner, particularly in contrast to conventional tobacco extracts.

[0048] The extract contains such high concentrations of highly desirable volatile and semi-volatile flavor and aroma compounds that it must be included in the delivery system in a diluted form, and therefore the amount of undesirable tobacco components, such as nicotine and tobacco-specific nitrosamines, included in the delivery system is actually reduced as a result of diluting the extract.

[0049] In some embodiments, the tobacco flavor composition has a nicotine concentration range of about 0.001% to about 0.1% w / w. In some embodiments, the tobacco flavor composition has a tobacco specific nitrosamine (TSNA) concentration range of about 1×10 -10 ~Approx. 1×10 -8 %w / w.

[0050] Extraction solvent Solvents suitable for use in extracting the compositions disclosed herein can include non-polar, volatile solvents such as petroleum ether / hexane, selected to be efficient at extracting non-polar flavor compounds from tobacco and sufficiently volatile to allow complete removal (under vacuum) of the solvent prior to fractionation.

[0051] Dilution Solvent Highly concentrated tobacco flavor compositions need to be diluted with one or more solvents. The flavor compositions are insoluble or only slightly soluble in water. Therefore, suitable solvents for diluting the compositions include polyols and glycols. In some embodiments, the solvent is selected from the group consisting of propylene glycol, glycerin, vegetable glycerin, triacetin, and ethanol.

[0052] In some embodiments, propylene glycol (PG) is a particularly preferred solvent because it is less hydrophilic than other solvents, such as glycerin, and therefore dissolves tobacco flavor compositions better. PG is also useful because it can be easily applied to tobacco materials in a manner similar to the application of flavors, which are typically sprayed.

[0053] In some embodiments, the solvent is selected based on the type of delivery system in which the diluted tobacco flavoring composition will be used. For example, propylene glycol (PG) and / or vegetable glycerin (VG), both of which are solvents, are acceptable aerosol-forming materials used in a variety of delivery systems, including vapor products (commonly known as "electronic cigarettes" or "e-cigarettes"), non-combustion heat-not-burn products (such as tobacco heat-not-burn products (THP) and carbon tip heat-not-burn products (CTHP)), and hybrid products.

[0054] tobacco As used herein, the term "tobacco material" refers to material derived from plants of the Nicotiana species. The choice of plants of the Nicotiana species is not limiting, and the type of tobacco or tobacco used may vary.

[0055] In some embodiments, the tobacco material is selected from fully cured or Virginia, Burley, Sun-cured, Maryland, dark, dark-fired, dark air-cured, light air-cured, Indian air-cured, Red Russian, and rustica tobaccos, as well as various other rare or specialty tobaccos, whether uncured or cured. Tobacco materials produced by any other type of tobacco processing that can modify the tobacco's flavor, such as fermented tobacco, or genetic modification or hybridization techniques, are also within the scope of the present invention. For example, it is contemplated that tobacco plants can be genetically engineered or hybridized to increase or decrease the production of a component, characteristic, or attribute.

[0056] In some embodiments, the tobacco material is selected from the leaves, stems, and various combinations of these parts of the plant. The tobacco material used to form the tobacco extract may thus include the entire plant or any part of the plant of the Nicotiana species.

[0057] Delivery System As used herein, a non-combustible aerosol delivery system is a system that releases compounds from an aerosol-generating material without burning the aerosol-generating material, such as e-cigarettes, tobacco heating products, and hybrid systems that generate aerosols using a combination of aerosol-generating materials.

[0058] According to the present disclosure, a "non-flammable" aerosol delivery system is one in which the constituent aerosol-generating materials (or components thereof) of the aerosol delivery system are not combusted or burned to facilitate delivery of at least one substance to a user.

[0059] An aerosol-generating material is a material that can generate an aerosol when, for example, heated, irradiated, or otherwise energized. The aerosol-generating material may be in the form of a solid, liquid, or gel, which may or may not contain, for example, an active agent and / or flavoring. In some embodiments, the aerosol-generating material may comprise an "amorphous solid," which may alternatively be referred to as a "monolithic solid" (i.e., non-fibrous). In some embodiments, the amorphous solid may be a dry gel. An amorphous solid is a solid material that can retain some fluid, such as a liquid, within its interior. In some embodiments, the aerosol-generating material may comprise, for example, from about 50 wt%, 60 wt%, or 70 wt% amorphous solid to about 90 wt%, 95 wt%, or 100 wt% amorphous solid.

[0060] The aerosol-forming material may include one or more active agents and / or flavorings, one or more aerosol-forming materials, and optionally one or more other functional materials. In some embodiments, the aerosol-forming material includes a tobacco extract and a solvent.

[0061] In some embodiments, the delivery system is a powered, non-flammable aerosol delivery system.

[0062] In some embodiments, the non-combustible aerosol delivery system is an e-cigarette, also known as a vaping device or electronic nicotine delivery system (END), although it should be noted that the presence of nicotine in the aerosol-generating material is not a requirement.

[0063] In some embodiments, the non-combustion aerosol delivery system is an aerosol-generating material heating system, also known as a non-combustion heating system. An example of such a system is a tobacco heating system.

[0064] In some embodiments, the non-combustible aerosol delivery system is a hybrid system that generates an aerosol using a combination of aerosol-forming materials, one or more of which may be heated. Each of the aerosol-forming materials may be, for example, in solid, liquid, or gel form and may or may not contain nicotine. In some embodiments, the hybrid system includes a liquid or gel aerosol-forming material and a solid aerosol-forming material. The solid aerosol-forming material may include, for example, tobacco or a non-tobacco product.

[0065] In some embodiments, the tobacco flavoring composition is included in an aerosol-forming material, which may be in the form of a solid, liquid, or gel.

[0066] In some embodiments, a tobacco flavoring composition according to the present disclosure is included in an aerosol-forming material in the form of a flavoring, a casing, or a combination thereof, or in the form of reconstituted tobacco containing the tobacco flavoring composition.

[0067] When the tobacco flavor composition is included in a liquid aerosol-forming material, the tobacco flavor composition may be mixed with additional liquid ingredients, optionally including those conventionally used in non-combustible aerosol delivery systems such as e-cigarettes and hybrid devices. When the tobacco flavor composition includes a solvent to dilute the tobacco flavor ingredients, the solvent may be added to the tobacco flavor composition before adding it to the additional liquid ingredients, or may be added separately.

[0068] When the tobacco flavor composition includes a solvent for diluting the tobacco flavor compounds and the flavor composition is included in a solid or gel aerosol-forming material, the solvent is, in some embodiments, added to the tobacco flavor composition before the tobacco flavor composition is added to the other components of the aerosol-forming material.

[0069] The tobacco flavoring composition may, in some embodiments, be added to a solid or gel material by application onto the surface of the solid or gel material, for example, by being sprayed onto the solid or gel material. In some embodiments, the solid or gel aerosol-forming material may be impregnated with the tobacco flavoring composition, for example, by injecting the tobacco flavoring composition into the solid or gel aerosol-forming material or by co-processing the solid or gel aerosol-forming material and the components of the tobacco flavoring composition.

[0070] In some embodiments, the aerosol-forming material comprises tobacco, and the tobacco flavor composition may be included in a flavor or casing formulation for application to the tobacco, or in a top dressing formulation, or alternatively, the tobacco flavor composition may be included as a component of the reconstituted tobacco material.

[0071] In some embodiments, the tobacco flavor composition is included in the aerosol-forming material in an appropriate amount depending on the desired function of the tobacco flavor composition, the chemical composition of the flavor composition, and the type of aerosol-forming material to which the flavor composition is added. In some embodiments, the aerosol-forming material includes the tobacco flavor composition in an amount of about 0.0001% to about 10% of the aerosol-forming material, based on the total dry weight of the aerosol-forming material to which the flavor composition is added. In some embodiments, the aerosol-forming material includes the tobacco flavor composition in an amount of about 0.01% to about 1% by weight of the aerosol-forming material, based on the total dry weight of the aerosol-forming material to which the flavor composition is added. In some embodiments, the aerosol-forming material includes the tobacco flavor composition in an amount of about 0.1% to about 5% by weight of the aerosol-forming material, based on the total dry weight of the aerosol-forming material to which the flavor composition is added. The tobacco flavor compositions referred to herein may include solvents, if appropriate, in which case the amounts may refer to compositions including the solvent.

[0072] In some embodiments, the aerosol-generating material further comprises an aerosol-forming material. The aerosol-forming material can include one or more components capable of forming an aerosol. In some embodiments, the aerosol-forming material can include one or more of glycerin, propylene glycol, diethylene glycol, triethylene glycol, tetraethylene glycol, 1,3-butylene glycol, erythritol, meso-erythritol, ethyl vanillin, ethyl laurate, diethyl suberate, triethyl citrate, triacetin, diacetin mixtures, benzyl benzoate, benzyl phenyl acetate, tributyrin, lauryl acetate, lauric acid, myristic acid, and propylene carbonate.

[0073] In some embodiments where the tobacco flavoring composition is soluble in the aerosol-forming material, the aerosol-forming material can be used as the solvent or one of the solvents to dilute the tobacco extract.

[0074] Typically, a non-flammable aerosol delivery system can include a non-flammable aerosol delivery device and consumables for use with the non-flammable aerosol delivery device.

[0075] In some embodiments, the present disclosure relates to consumables that include an aerosol-generating material and are configured for use with a non-flammable aerosol delivery device. These consumables may be referred to as articles throughout this disclosure.

[0076] In some embodiments, the non-combustible aerosol delivery system, such as the non-combustible aerosol delivery device, can include a power source and a controller. The power source can be, for example, an electrical power source or a heat-generating power source. In some embodiments, the heat-generating power source includes a carbon substrate that can be energized to deliver electrical power as heat to the aerosol-generating material or to a heat transfer material proximate the heat-generating power source.

[0077] In some embodiments, the non-flammable aerosol delivery system may include an area for receiving a consumable, an aerosol generator, an aerosol-generating area, a housing, a mouthpiece, a filter, and / or an aerosol modifier.

[0078] In some embodiments, consumables for use with non-flammable aerosol delivery devices may include aerosol-generating materials, aerosol-generating material storage areas, aerosol-generating material transfer components, aerosol generators, aerosol-generating areas, housings, wrappers, filters, mouthpieces, and / or aerosol modifiers.

[0079] Figure 1 shows a cross-sectional view of an example tobacco heating product for heating aerosol-forming material. The device 11 has a heating chamber 14 that contains the aerosol-forming material, which is heated and vaporized during use. In this embodiment, the aerosol-forming material is in monolithic form 13. However, the aerosol-forming material may also be multiple particles of aerosol-forming material held in the heating chamber or provided in a cartridge.

[0080] The device 11 of FIG. 1 further includes an electronics / power chamber 16, which may include, for example, an electrical control circuit and / or a power source (not shown). The electrical control circuit may include a controller, such as a microprocessor array, constructed and arranged to control the heating of the aerosol-generating material via a heating element (not shown). The electrical control circuit may receive a signal from, for example, a puff-activated sensor that is sensitive to changes in pressure or airflow velocity, which occur during use, for example, when a user begins to draw on the device 11. The electrical control circuit may then be activated to heat the aerosol-generating material “on demand.” Various devices for puff-activated sensors are available, including, for example, thermistors, electromechanical devices, mechanical devices, optical devices, opto-mechanical devices, and microelectromechanical systems (MEMS)-based sensors. Alternatively, the device may include a manually operable switch for a user to initiate a puff.

[0081] Heating chamber 14 is contained within housing 12. There may be support and / or insulating means (not shown) located between heating chamber 14 and housing 12 to help insulate housing 12 from heating chamber 14, for example, so that housing 12 does not become hot, or at least too hot to touch, during use.

[0082] Housing 12 includes an inlet 15 through which air is drawn into the device. Housing 12 also includes an outlet 17 at a mouthpiece 18 of device 11. Air is drawn into device 11 through inlet 15, travels through the device, picking up the active agent and other volatile components released by aerosol-forming material 13, and the aerosol generated by device 11 exits device 11 through outlet 19 and is inhaled by the user.

[0083] Figure 2 shows a cross-sectional view of an example hybrid product for heating an aerosol-forming material and a liquid. The device 21 has a housing 22 that includes a chamber 24, which contains the aerosol-forming material that is heated and vaporized during use. In this embodiment, the aerosol-forming material is in monolithic form 23. However, the aerosol-forming material may also be multiple particles of the aerosol-forming material held in a heating chamber or provided in a cartridge. The housing 22 also contains a liquid reservoir 25 that contains the liquid 26 that is heated to form a vapor.

[0084] Device 21 further includes electronics / power chamber 27, which may include, for example, electrical control circuitry and / or a power source (not shown). The electrical control circuitry may include a controller, such as a microprocessor array, constructed and arranged to control the heating of aerosol-forming material and liquid 26 via one or more heating elements (not shown). The electrical control circuitry may puff-activate device 21 to heat the aerosol-forming material "on demand." Alternatively, device 22 may include a manually operable switch for a user to initiate a puff.

[0085] Housing 22 includes an inlet 28 through which air is drawn into the device. Housing 22 also includes an outlet 29 at a mouthpiece 30 of device 21. Air is drawn into device 21 through inlet 28 and travels through the device, picking up vapor generated by heating liquid 26 in liquid reservoir 25 and the active agent(s) and volatile components released by aerosol-forming material 23; the aerosol generated by device 21 exits device 21 through outlet 29 and is inhaled by the user.

[0086] The hybrid device 21 shown schematically in Figure 2 represents just one possible configuration of such an apparatus. The relative positions of the liquid reservoir 25 and the aerosol-generating material chamber 24 can be varied, as can the path of the air flowing through the apparatus.

[0087] In one embodiment, the liquid reservoir is located upstream of the aerosol-generating material being vaporized. Alternatively, the liquid reservoir may be located downstream of the aerosol-generating material being vaporized. In yet another configuration, two sources of aerosol within the device may be located in parallel, etc.

[0088] In some embodiments, the vapor generated by heating the liquid in the liquid reservoir flows over or through the aerosol-generating material. In some embodiments, the increase in temperature of the vapor releases the active substance and volatile components. Alternatively, or in addition, the aerosol-generating material may be heated separately by a heating means.

[0089] In some embodiments, a hybrid device is provided in which vapor generated by heating a liquid heats an aerosol-generating material to volatilize at least one component of the aerosol-generating material. In some embodiments, the liquid does not contain nicotine. In other embodiments, the liquid contains nicotine. When the aerosol-generating material is heated by the vapor to volatilize at least one component of the aerosol-generating material, in certain embodiments, the device does not include a separate means for heating the aerosol-generating material.

[0090] In other embodiments, the vapor generated by heating the liquid in the liquid reservoir does not flow over or through the aerosol-forming material, but rather mixes with the aerosol generated by heating the aerosol-forming material only after both are formed.

[0091] The tobacco heating products and hybrid products described herein, in some embodiments, may include a container or cartridge containing aerosol-forming material. These containers or cartridges are removable and can replace both the chamber holding the aerosol-forming material and the aerosol-forming material in the devices described above with reference to Figures 1 and 2, and in the alternative embodiments discussed. [Example]

[0092] Aerosol-forming materials according to the present disclosure were prepared and used in non-combustible aerosol delivery systems, namely tobacco heating products (THPs) and vapor products (e-cigarettes).

[0093] A tobacco flavor composition was prepared from tobacco material by solvent extraction and molecular distillation to produce a first fraction of volatile tobacco compounds with a boiling point below 200°C at atmospheric pressure and a second fraction of semivolatile tobacco compounds with a boiling point between 200 and 250°C at atmospheric pressure. Because the composition was rich in volatile and semivolatile tobacco compounds, the extract had to be diluted with propylene glycol before use in the delivery system. Two dilutions were tested, including 0.01% w / w and 0.1% w / w tobacco extract in PG.

[0094] The diluted extract samples were sprayed onto a base of reconstituted tobacco material in a manner similar to how top flavors are added to reconstituted tobacco prior to the manufacture of sticks and consumables for inclusion in THPs.

[0095] The various embodiments described herein are presented solely to aid in the understanding and teaching of the claimed features. These embodiments are merely representative of embodiments and are not intended to be exhaustive and / or exclusive. It is understood that the advantages, embodiments, examples, functions, features, structures, and / or other aspects described herein should not be construed as limitations on the scope of the invention as defined by the claims or on the equivalents of the claims, and that other embodiments may be utilized and modifications may be made without departing from the scope of the claims. Various embodiments of the present invention may suitably comprise, consist of, or consist essentially of any suitable combination of the disclosed elements, components, features, materials, steps, means, etc., other than those specifically described herein. Furthermore, the present disclosure may include other inventions not currently claimed but which may be claimed in the future.

Claims

1. A non-burning aerosol delivery system containing a concentrated tobacco flavor composition, the concentrated tobacco flavor composition comprising at least one volatile tobacco flavor compound having a boiling point below 200°C at atmospheric pressure and at least one semi-volatile tobacco flavor compound having a boiling point between 200 and 250°C at atmospheric pressure.

2. 10. The system of claim 1, wherein the concentrated tobacco flavor composition comprises a tobacco extract prepared from tobacco material by molecular distillation and high vacuum fractionation, the extract comprising concentrated tobacco flavor compounds comprising a first fraction of tobacco compounds having a boiling point below 200°C at atmospheric pressure and a second fraction of tobacco compounds having a boiling point between 200 and 250°C at atmospheric pressure, and the extract is diluted with a solvent.

3. 3. The system of claim 2, wherein the tobacco extract contains a higher concentration of volatile flavor and aroma compounds compared to tobacco extracts prepared by conventional aqueous extraction processes.

4. 4. The system according to claim 2 or 3, wherein the extract is diluted about 100 to about 1000 times to prepare a solution of 1% w / w to 0.1% w / w.

5. 5. The system of claim 4, wherein a quantity of the diluted extract is applied to a tobacco material to achieve a final extract concentration in the tobacco material of 0.01 to 0.1% by dry weight.

6. 6. The system of claim 2, wherein the extract contains from about 1% to about 20% nicotine before dilution.

7. 7. The system of claim 2, wherein the extract diluted with the solvent comprises from about 0.1% to about 0.001% w / w of nicotine.

8. The extract, before dilution, is approximately 5 x 10 －５ ~Approx. 5×10 －４ 8. The system according to claim 2, comprising TSNA of 0.1%.

9. The extract diluted with the solvent contains about 1×10 －１０ ~Approx. 1×10 －８ 9. The system according to any one of claims 2 to 8, comprising % w / w of TSNA.

10. 10. The system of any one of claims 1 to 9, wherein the fragrance composition comprises a solvent optionally selected from the group consisting of propylene glycol, glycerin, vegetable glycerin, triacetin, and ethanol.

11. The system of any one of claims 1 to 10, wherein the aerosol delivery system is a tobacco heating product that includes an aerosol-forming material that is heated to volatilize components.

12. 11. The system of any one of claims 1 to 10, wherein the aerosol delivery system is a hybrid product that includes an aerosol-generating material that is heated to volatilize components, and a liquid that is heated to form a vapor.

13. 13. The system of claim 11 or 12, wherein the aerosol-forming material comprises the tobacco flavoring composition.

14. The system of claim 12 , wherein the liquid comprises the tobacco flavoring composition.

15. The system of claim 12 , wherein the liquid is a nicotine-free liquid.

16. An aerosol-forming material for use in a non-combustible aerosol delivery system, the aerosol-forming material comprising a concentrated tobacco flavor composition comprising at least one volatile tobacco flavor compound having a boiling point of less than 200°C at atmospheric pressure and at least one semi-volatile tobacco flavor compound having a boiling point of 200-250°C at atmospheric pressure.

17. 17. The aerosol-forming material of claim 16, wherein the tobacco flavor composition comprises a tobacco extract and a solvent, the tobacco extract being prepared by molecular distillation and high vacuum fractionation, and the extract comprising concentrated volatile tobacco flavor compounds including a first fraction of tobacco compounds having a boiling point below 200°C at atmospheric pressure and a second fraction of tobacco compounds having a boiling point between 200°C and 250°C at atmospheric pressure.

18. 18. The aerosol-forming material of claim 17, wherein the extract contains a higher concentration of volatile flavor and aroma compounds compared to tobacco extracts prepared by conventional aqueous extraction processes.

19. 19. The aerosol-forming material of claim 17 or 18, wherein the extract is diluted about 100 to about 1000 times to prepare a solution of 1% w / w to 0.1% w / w.

20. 20. The aerosol-forming material of claim 19, wherein a quantity of the diluted extract is applied to a tobacco material to achieve a final extract concentration in the tobacco material of 0.01 to 0.1% by dry weight.

21. 21. The aerosol-forming material of any one of claims 17 to 20, wherein the extract contains from about 1% to about 20% nicotine before dilution.

22. 22. The aerosol-forming material of any one of claims 17 to 21, wherein the extract diluted with the solvent comprises from about 0.1% to about 0.001% w / w of nicotine.

23. The extract, before dilution, is approximately 5 x 10 －５ ~Approx. 5×10 －４ % TSNA.

24. The extract diluted with the solvent contains about 1×10 －１０ ~Approx. 1×10 －８ 24. The aerosol-forming material of any one of claims 17 to 23, comprising % w / w of a TSNA.

25. 25. The aerosol-forming material of any one of claims 17 to 24, wherein the tobacco flavoring composition comprises a solvent optionally selected from the group consisting of propylene glycol, glycerin, vegetable glycerin, triacetin, and ethanol.

26. A consumable for a non-flammable aerosol delivery system, comprising the aerosol-forming material of any one of claims 17 to 25.

27. Use of a concentrated tobacco flavor composition comprising at least one volatile tobacco flavor component having a boiling point of less than 200°C at atmospheric pressure and at least one semi-volatile tobacco flavor component having a boiling point of 200-250°C at atmospheric pressure to provide a long-lasting flavor from a non-combustible aerosol delivery system.

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