High density reconstituted plant sheet

Abstract

The present invention relates to a reconstituted plant sheet suitable for use in an apparatus for heating tobacco without combustion, said reconstituted plant sheet having a high density.

Description

[Technical field]

[0001]

[0001] This disclosure relates to the field of devices for heating tobacco without combustion, the subject of which is a reconstituted plant sheet obtained by a high density papermaking process. [Background technology]

[0002]

[0002] In order to avoid the formation of harmful substances during the combustion of tobacco, numerous devices have been developed for heating tobacco without burning it. By way of example, reference may be made to the published applications under the numbers WO2016 / 026810 and WO2016 / 207407, which describe such devices. In these devices, tobacco is heated without burning at a temperature below the combustion temperature, resulting in the formation of an aerosol. The aerosol generated during the heating of tobacco replaces tobacco smoke and, when inhaled by the smoker, has favorable organoleptic properties. This allows the smoker to inhale nicotine and tobacco aroma, but at the same time very significantly reduces the exposure of said smoker to harmful substances.

[0003]

[0003] For smokers to adopt (or choose) these heating devices, it is important that the experience they obtain from said devices is as close as possible to the experience they obtain from a conventional cigarette, i.e., each puff must deliver the same amount of nicotine and satisfying organoleptic characteristics as a conventional cigarette.

[0004]

[0004] Conventional cigarettes are not suitable for such devices because they do not provide a satisfying smoker experience and in particular do not readily produce sufficient quantities of aerosol having favorable organoleptic properties.

[0005] Reconstituted tobacco is better suited for these heating devices as it can produce large volumes of aerosol with favorable organoleptic properties.

[0005]

[0006] However, reconstituted tobacco must contain a minimum amount of aerosol-forming agent to generate a satisfactory amount of aerosol. For example, the reconstituted tobacco disclosed in U.S. Patent No. 3,145,717 contains only 3% by weight of aerosol-forming agent solids. The amount of aerosol generated by this reconstituted tobacco and the nicotine transfer rate of this reconstituted tobacco in a heating device are both too low to be satisfactory.

[0006]

[0007] It is therefore recommended to improve the sensory characteristics of the aerosol formed with each puff and to further increase the rate of nicotine transfer so that the experience obtained with a heating device more closely resembles that obtained with a conventional cigarette. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0007] [Patent Document 1] International Patent Application Publication No. 2016 / 026810 [Patent Document 2] International Patent Application Publication No. 2016 / 207407 [Patent Document 3] U.S. Patent No. 3,145,717 Summary of the Invention

[0008]

[0008] Thus, it is to the credit of the present inventors that a reconstituted plant sheet has been found to meet these needs. The reconstituted plant sheet is - a fibrous support comprising finely divided plant fibres, - aerosol generating agents, and - Plant extracts and the density of the reconstituted plant sheet is 0.6 g / cm 3 Greater than or equal to, and The total solids content (by weight) of the aerosol generating agent is between 10% and 29%. It is characterized by:

[0009] Advantageously, the reconstituted plant sheet according to the present invention has a greater nicotine transport rate than a lower density reconstituted plant sheet.

[0010] Furthermore, the reconstituted plant sheet according to the present invention advantageously forms an aerosol with each puff, the organoleptic properties of which are improved compared to the aerosol formed by a less dense reconstituted plant sheet.

[0010]

[0011] A second subject of the invention is a method for producing a reconstituted plant sheet according to the invention, comprising the following steps: a) passing fibers through a paper machine to build a fibrous support; b) contacting an aerosol-forming agent and a plant extract with the fibrous substrate to obtain a wet reconstituted plant sheet; and c) drying the wet reconstituted plant sheet. Includes.

[0011]

[0012] A third subject of the invention is the use of a reconstituted plant sheet according to the invention in a heating device, in particular in a device for heating tobacco without combustion. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0012]

[0013] According to a first subject, the present invention relates to a method for producing ... composition comprising the steps of: - A fibrous support comprising finely divided plant fibers - aerosol generating agents, and - Plant extracts The reconstituted plant sheet has a density of 0.6 g / cm 3 Greater than or equal to, and The total solids content (by weight) of the aerosol generating agent is between 10% and 29%.

[0014] Typically, the density of the reconstituted plant sheet is 0.62 g / cm 3 ~1.50g / cm 3 , especially 0.65 g / cm 3 ~1g / cm 3 , and more specifically 0.66g / cm 3 ~0.70g / cm3 It is possible.

[0013]

[0015] Typically, the density of a reconstituted plant sheet is calculated by dividing its basis weight by its thickness.

[0016] The following method can be used to determine the basis weight of the plant sheet. A template (dimensions: 57.5 × 43.5 cm) was used at a position approximately 15 cm from the edge of the reconstructed plant sheet to be analyzed, measuring 0.25 m. 2 The sample is then folded in quarters and placed on a hot plate where it is allowed to dry to remove moisture without removing the aerosol generating agent.

[0014] The dried sample is then weighed to determine the basis weight of the plant sheet.

[0017] To determine the thickness of the plant sheet, the method described in standard NF EN ISO 534 (December 2011), which is appropriate for reconstituted plant sheets, can be used.

[0015] - measuring the average thickness of the reference parchment paper used to measure the thickness of the reconstituted plant sheets (a minimum of six measurements at precisely specified positions on one sheet of paper); - A sample of the reconstituted plant sheet is placed between two layers of parchment paper; - Once the micrometer probe is in place, allow a 30 second wait time (to allow the sample to stabilize for the thickness measurement) before taking a measurement. - carry out a minimum of six measurements at precisely defined positions on the parchment paper, - The calculated thickness of the reconstituted plant sheet is the average of all measured thicknesses (reconstituted plant sheet + two sheets of parchment paper) minus twice the average thickness of the parchment paper.

[0016]

[0018] Typically, the reconstituted plant sheet has a mass of 60 g / m 2 ~300g / m 2 , especially 80g / m 2 ~250g / m 2 , most particularly 90 g / m 2 ~200g / m 2, and even more particularly 140 g / m 2 ~190g / m 2 The sheet may have a basis weight of 100 g.

[0017]

[0019] Typically, the reconstituted plant sheet may have a thickness of from 100 μm to 450 μm, particularly from 120 μm to 375 μm, and most particularly from 140 μm to 325 μm.

[0020] According to one particular embodiment, the reconstituted plant sheet has a density of 0.65 g / cm 3 ~1g / cm 3 Density: 90g / m 2 ~200g / m 2 and a thickness of 140 μm to 325 μm.

[0018]

[0021] One of ordinary skill in the art would know how to adjust the basis weight and thickness of the reconstituted plant sheet to achieve the desired high density.

[0022] For the purposes of this application, the term "fibrous substrate" refers to a base web comprising finely divided fibers of a plant, said base web typically being obtained by a paper-making process.

[0019]

[0023] For the purposes of this application, the term "finely divided plant fibers" refers to plant fibers that have been subjected to a refining process that allows for fibrillation and / or cutting of the plant fibers. A finely divided plant fiber is conventionally performed in papermaking processes, such as those for producing reconstituted papermaking tobacco. On the other hand, a finely divided plant fiber is not performed in processes for producing cast leaf reconstituted tobacco, such as those disclosed in EP 0 565 360 and WO2012 / 164009.

[0020]

[0024] For example, the finely divided fibers of the plant may have a Shopper-Riegler scale (°SR) of 15°SR to 75°SR, in particular 20°SR to 65°SR, and more particularly 25°SR to 55°SR.

[0021]

[0025] Typically, the fibrous substrate may comprise finely divided fibres of one and the same plant or of several plants.

[0026] For the purposes of this application, the term "aerosol generating agent" refers to a compound that is capable of forming an aerosol when heated, for example when contacted with hot air.

[0022]

[0027] The total content (by weight) of the solids of the aerosol-forming agent contained in the reconstituted plant sheet of the present invention is represented by S AG Typically, S AG can be between 14% and 27%, and more particularly between 16% and 25%.

[0023]

[0028] S greater than the above range AG Aerosols generated from reconstituted plant sheets having the above properties can cause unwanted burning of the mouth and / or throat (a phenomenon known as a "hot puff").

[0024]

[0029] Typically, the aerosol generating agent can be a polyol, a non-polyol, or a mixture thereof. Typically, the polyol generating agent can be sorbitol, glycerol, propylene glycol, triethylene glycol, or a mixture thereof. Typically, the non-polyol generating agent can be lactic acid, glyceryl diacetate, glyceryl triacetate, triethyl citrate, isopropyl myristate, or a mixture thereof.

[0025]

[0030] In one embodiment, the aerosol generating agent is glycerol, propylene glycol, or a mixture of glycerol and propylene glycol, with glycerol being preferred.

[0031] An aerosol is generated during heating of the reconstituted plant sheet of the present invention. Advantageously, the plant extract containing aromatic compounds imparts an aroma from the plant to this aerosol. By simply replacing the reconstituted plant sheet, the smoker can easily change the aroma of the aerosol generated by heating the reconstituted plant sheet.

[0026]

[0032] For the purposes of this application, the term "plant extract" refers to any water-soluble product of a plant. Advantageously, the plant extract contains nicotine and compounds that impart organoleptic and / or therapeutic properties to the aerosol.

[0027]

[0033] The organoleptic and therapeutic properties of the aerosol formed by heating the reconstituted plant sheet may depend on the solids content (by weight) of the plant extract contained in the reconstituted plant sheet of the present invention.

[0028]

[0034] The total content of solids (by weight) of the plant extract depends on the plant used and, more particularly, on the content of aromatic compounds or compounds having therapeutic properties of the plant used.

[0035] The total solid content (by weight) of the plant extract contained in the reconstituted plant sheet of the present invention is S P Typically, S P may be between 20% and 45%, in particular between 25% and 40%, and more particularly between 27% and 36%.

[0029]

[0036] S P The following methods can be used to determine: The reconstituted plant sheet to be analyzed is ground to a particle size of 1 mm or less. The reconstituted plant sheet is then mixed with boiling water for 45 minutes to extract all plant extracts. P is calculated from the difference between the dry weight of the reconstituted plant sheet sample being analyzed and the dry weight of the fibrous residue after extraction.

[0030]

[0037] According to one embodiment, the sum of the total solids content (by weight) of the plant extract and the total solids content (by weight) of the aerosol generating agent, S P +S AG may be between 40% and 70%, in particular between 45% and 65%, and more particularly between 50% and 60%.

[0031]

[0038] According to one embodiment, the ratio between the total solids content (by weight) of the plant extract and the total solids content (by weight) of the aerosol generating agent, SP / S AG is between 1.0 and 2.0, in particular between 1.10 and 1.80, and more particularly between 1.15 and 1.70.

[0032]

[0039] Advantageously, the reconstituted plant sheet according to the present invention has an S within the above range. P / S AG With this ratio, the nicotine transfer rate is improved and the organoleptic properties of the aerosol formed are more satisfactory.

[0033]

[0040] According to one particular embodiment, the reconstituted plant sheet has 16% to 25% S AG , 27% to 35% S P , and 50% to 60% S P +S AG may have.

[0041] According to one particular embodiment, the reconstituted plant sheet has a density of 0.65 g / cm 3 ~1g / cm 3 Density: 90g / m 2 ~200g / m 2 Basis weight, thickness of 140μm~325μm, S of 16%~25% AG , 27% to 35% S P , and 50% to 60% S P +S AG may have.

[0034]

[0042] The plant fibre and the plant extract can be obtained independently from a plant selected from spore-producing plants, seed-producing plants or mixtures thereof. In particular, the plant can be a tobacco plant, an edible plant, an aromatic plant, a fragrant plant, a medicinal plant, a plant of the family Cannabaceae, or a mixture thereof.

[0035]

[0043] According to one particular embodiment, the plant is a tobacco plant.

[0044] If the plant is a medicinal plant, the aerosol generated by heating the reconstituted plant sheet also has therapeutic properties, so that the reconstituted commercial sheet can also be used therapeutically.

[0036]

[0045] Advantageously, the plant extracts obtained from the plant mixture make it possible to provide a broad panel of organoleptic and / or therapeutic properties, and also to counteract the unpleasant organoleptic properties of one plant of the mixture, for example a medicinal plant, with the pleasant organoleptic properties of another plant of the mixture, for example a tobacco plant, an aromatic plant or a fragrant plant.

[0037]

[0046] Typically, the plant fibres may come from a first plant and the plant extract from a second plant. Indeed, the fibres of a plant may not have the mechanical properties that allow the formation of a fibrous support, while the extract of this plant may be able to impart the desired organoleptic and / or therapeutic properties to the aerosol. Conversely, the fibres of a plant may have the mechanical properties that allow the formation of a fibrous support, while the extract of this plant may not impart the desired organoleptic and / or therapeutic properties to the aerosol.

[0038]

[0047] Advantageously, mixing plants to obtain plant fibres makes it possible to tailor the mechanical properties of the reconstituted plant sheet and / or the organoleptic or chemical properties of the aerosol.

[0048] When the plant is a tobacco plant, the tobacco fiber and tobacco extracts can be obtained from any tobacco plant or tobacco-type plant, such as Virginia tobacco, Burley tobacco, air-cured tobacco, dark air-cured tobacco, Orient tobacco, sun-cured tobacco, fire-cured tobacco, or mixtures thereof.

[0039]

[0049] Typically, edible plants are garlic, coffee, ginger, licorice, rooibos, stevia (Stevia rebaudiana), tea, the cocoa tree, chamomile, yerba mate, star anise, fennel, and citronella.

[0040]

[0050] Typically, aromatic plants are basil, turmeric, cloves, laurel, oregano, mint, rosemary, sage and thyme.

[0051] Typically, fragrant plants are lavender, rose, and eucalyptus.

[0041]

[0052] Typically, medicinal plants are those plants that are listed in the document List A of traditionally used medicinal plants (French Pharmacopoeia January 2016, published by Agence Nationale de Securite du Medicament (ANSM) [French National Agency for Drug and Health Product Safety]) or that are known to contain compounds with therapeutic properties. Typically, the listed medicinal plants are ginkgo, ginseng, sour cherry, peppermint, willow, and red vine.

[0042]

[0053] Typically, eucalyptus is known among medicinal plants to contain compounds with therapeutic properties.

[0054] Typically, the plant fibers and plant extracts of the reconstituted plant sheets of the present invention can be derived from various plant parts, which can be parts of the plant itself or the result of processing various plant parts. Typically, the plant parts can be whole parts of the plant or debris resulting from threshing or mixing and shredding the plant parts.

[0043]

[0055] Typically, the plant parts can be selected from those plant parts that are richest in aromatic compounds that impart organoleptic properties to the aerosol.Typically, these parts can be the whole plant, aerial parts of the plant, such as flower buds, bark of the branches, bark of the trunk, leaves, flowers, fruits and their pedicels, seeds, petals, flower heads, or underground parts, such as bulbs, roots, root bark, rhizomes, or mixtures thereof.The plant parts can also be the result of mechanical, chemical or mechanochemical treatment of one or more plant parts, such as the pods that protect the cocoa beans, which are the result of a dehulling process.

[0044]

[0056] Typically, the tobacco plant part may be the part that is richest in aromatic compounds that impart sensory properties to the aerosol. Typically, the tobacco plant part may be the parenchyma (lamina), but may optionally include the stem of the tobacco plant. Typically, the tobacco plant part may be the leaves of the tobacco plant or the debris resulting from threshing or mixing and shredding the leaves and veins of the tobacco plant into scaffolding tobacco.

[0045]

[0057] Among edible plants, for example, garlic bulbs, coffee cherries (fruit of the coffee plant), Illicium verum fruit (star anise), ginger rhizomes, liquorice roots and rooibos leaves, stevia or tea may be selected as parts.

[0046]

[0058] Among aromatic plants, for example the cloves, the leaves of basil, laurel and sage, the leaves and flower heads of mint, oregano, rosemary and thyme, or the rhizomes of turmeric may be selected as parts.

[0047]

[0059] Typically, among fragrant plants, the flowers and flower heads of lavender or the flower buds and petals of roses may be selected.

[0060] Among the medicinal plants listed in the French Pharmacopoeia, for example, ginkgo leaves, the underground parts of ginseng, the flower stalks of sour cherry fruits (cherry stalks), peppermint leaves and flower heads, the bark and leaves of willow stems or red vine leaves may be selected.

[0048]

[0061] According to one particular embodiment, the reconstituted plant sheet has a density of 0.65 g / cm 3 ~1g / cm 3 Density: 90g / m 2 ~200g / m 2 Basis weight and thickness of 140μm~325μm, S of 16%~25% AG , 27% to 35% S P , and 50% to 60% S P +S AG and the plant is a tobacco plant.

[0049]

[0062] Typically, the solids content (by weight) of micronized plant fibre contained in the reconstituted plant sheet may be between 15% and 70%, in particular between 30% and 61%, more particularly between 40% and 57%.

[0050]

[0063] Typically, the fibrous support of the reconstituted plant sheet will also comprise cellulosic plant fibers.

[0064] Cellulosic plant fibres are fibres obtained by chemical or mechanical or thermomechanical cooking processes, for example wood pulp, hemp or annual plants such as flax. Mixtures of these cellulosic plant fibres can also be used.

[0051]

[0065] Advantageously, these cellulosic plant fibers can improve the mechanical strength properties of the reconstituted plant sheet.

[0066] Typically, the cellulosic plant fibers may comprise from 0.5% to 20%, particularly from 3% to 17.5%, and more particularly from 5% to 15% by weight of the solids content of the reconstituted plant sheet.

[0052]

[0067] According to a second subject, the present invention relates to a method for producing a reconstituted plant sheet as defined above, said method comprising the steps of: a) passing micronized plant fibers through a papermaking machine to construct a fibrous support; b) contacting an aerosol-forming agent and a plant extract with the fibrous substrate to obtain a wet reconstituted plant sheet; and c) drying the wet reconstituted plant sheet. Includes.

[0053]

[0068] According to the present invention, the fibrous support is produced by a papermaking method. According to one preferred embodiment, the reconstituted plant sheet according to the present invention is a reconstituted plant sheet obtained by a papermaking method.

[0054]

[0069] Typically, the fibrous support constructed in step a) has a fiber density of 25 g / m 2 ~150g / m 2 In particular, the minimum value of the basis weight is 55 g / m 2 , 60g / m 2 , 65g / m 2 , 70g / m 2 , 75g / m 2 It is possible.

[0055]

[0070] Advantageously, a fibrous support whose basis weight falls within the above range makes it possible to obtain the desired high density.

[0071] Typically, the fibrous support constructed in step a) may have a thickness of 70 μm to 430 μm, in particular of 100 μm to 350 μm, most particularly of 120 μm to 300 μm.

[0056]

[0072] The basis weight and thickness of the fibrous substrate are typically measured by the same methods as the basis weight and thickness of the reconstituted plant sheet described above.

[0073] According to one embodiment, the plant fibres and plant extracts of the fibrous support are obtained according to the following steps:

[0057] d) mixing one or more plant parts with a solvent to extract a plant extract from the plant fibers; e) separating the plant extract from the plant fiber.

[0074] Thus, the plant extract and the plant fibre are obtained by a disintegration process: in step d) the plant part or parts are mixed with a solvent, for example in a digester, and the plant extract is extracted from the plant fibre; in step e) the plant extract is separated from the plant fibre, for example by passing through a screw press, isolating and obtaining the plant fibre on the one hand and the plant extract on the other hand.

[0058]

[0075] Typically, the solvent may be a non-polar solvent, an aprotic polar solvent, a protic polar solvent, or a mixture thereof. In particular, the solvent may be methanol, dichloromethane, ethanol, acetone, butanol, water, or a mixture thereof. More particularly, the solvent is ethanol, acetone, water, or a mixture thereof.

[0059]

[0076] According to one particular embodiment, the solvent is an aqueous solvent, most particularly the solvent is water.

[0077] The skilled artisan will know how to adapt the solvent temperature in step d) to the plant, plant part and plant part to be treated. Typically, the solvent temperature during treatment of roots or bark is higher than the solvent temperature during treatment of leaves or petals.

[0060]

[0078] Typically, the temperature in step d) may be between 10°C and 100°C, in particular between 30°C and 90°C, and more particularly between 50°C and 80°C.

[0079] In an embodiment where the solvent is water and the plant is tobacco, the temperature of the water can typically be from 30° C. to 80° C. Typically, when treating the stems of tobacco plants, the temperature of the water can be from 50° C. to 80° C. Typically, when treating the parenchyma of tobacco plants, the temperature of the water can be from 30° C. to 70° C.

[0061]

[0080] Typically, plant fibers are refined in a refiner and then passed through a papermaking machine to form a fibrous support.

[0081] Typically, the micronized plant fibers may be derived from a variety of plants.

[0062]

[0082] The fibers of each plant can be obtained separately according to the above-mentioned disaggregation method. They can then be mixed and this mixture of fibers from different plants can be passed through a paper machine so that a fibrous support is constructed. It is also possible to obtain fibers from different plants by combining one or more parts of different plants and then subjecting them to the above-mentioned disaggregation method. The temperature of the water is then adapted to the plant to be treated, in particular the plant that requires the highest water temperature to extract its extract. This alternative embodiment is very advantageous since it allows the fibers of different plants to be obtained without carrying out several disaggregation methods in parallel.

[0063]

[0083] Typically, the plant extract may be an extract of a variety of plants.

[0084] The extract of various plants can be obtained by mixing the extracts of various plants obtained separately according to the above-mentioned disaggregation method. It is also possible to obtain the extract of various plants by combining one or more parts of various plants and then subjecting them to the above-mentioned disaggregation method. The temperature of the water is then adapted to the plant to be treated, in particular the plant that requires the highest water temperature to extract its water-soluble plant extract. This alternative embodiment is very advantageous since it allows the extract of various plants to be obtained without carrying out several processes in parallel. In both these cases, the extract of various plants is contacted with a fibrous support in step b).

[0064]

[0085] Typically, the various plant extracts obtained according to the dissociation method described above can also be contacted separately with the fibrous support in step b).

[0086] Typically, the plant extract can also be concentrated before contacting it with the fibrous support in step b), using equipment such as a vacuum evaporator to concentrate the plant extract.

[0065]

[0087] Typically, in step b), the plant extract and the aerosol-forming agent can be contacted with the fibrous substrate sequentially or can be mixed and contacted with the fibrous substrate together.

[0066]

[0088] Typically, step b) of contacting the plant extract can be carried out by impregnation or spraying, in particular by impregnation. Typically, impregnation can be carried out by a size press.

[0089] For example, to obtain the desired high density, it is possible to reduce the line pressure applied by the size press during step b), which is typically much lower than the line pressure applied by the size press used in conventional papermaking processes for producing reconstituted plant sheets, such as those described in the FR 15 59081 and FR 17 57991 applications.

[0067]

[0090] It is also recommended to adapt the total amount of plant extract and aerosol-forming agent used in step b) to the basis weight of the fibrous substrate in order to obtain the desired high density.

[0091] Conventional papermaking methods for producing reconstituted plant sheets, i.e. 0.6 g / cm 3 Contrary to papermaking methods that produce reconstituted plant sheets with a density less than 1000 nm, without wishing to be bound by any theory, the inventors believe that step b) of the method of the present invention makes it possible to obtain the desired high density by allowing the impregnation of the fibrous support with the plant extract and the aerosol-forming agent. This specific impregnation makes it possible to obtain a uniform distribution of the plant extract and the aerosol-forming agent on the fibrous support and to increase the nicotine transfer rate.

[0068]

[0092] Typically, a person skilled in the art will know how to adapt the operating conditions for carrying out the drying step c).

[0093] Typically, the drying step c) can be carried out by means of infrared ramps, American battery drying drums, hot air drying in tunnel dryers, vertical dryers, fluidized bed dryers, pneumatic driers, in particular tunnel dryers.

[0069]

[0094] The reconstituted plant sheets of the present invention can then be cut into sheets or individual leaves similar to tobacco strips or rolled into rolls. Several sheets can also be assembled to form a mixture of sheets.

[0070]

[0095] The reconstituted plant sheet of the present invention can be used in devices for heating tobacco without combustion.

[0096] Thus, according to a third subject, the invention relates to the use of a reconstituted plant sheet as defined above in a heating device, in particular a device for heating tobacco without combustion.

[0071]

[0097] For the purposes of the present invention, the term "device for heating tobacco without combustion" refers to any device that allows the formation of an aerosol intended to be inhaled by the smoker, which is an alternative to smoke, allowing the smoker to inhale the aromas of the plant, while at the same time very significantly reducing the smoker's exposure to harmful components.

[0072]

[0098] Typically, the heating device includes, in the direction of air flow, an air inlet, a heating element, a lodging for positioning and holding the reconstituted plant sheet of the present invention containing the generating agent, and an air outlet for the smoker to place in his mouth. The air inlet, heating element, lodging and air outlet are typically at least fluidly connected to each other.

[0073]

[0099] Typically, when the heating device is used, air is drawn into the heating device by the smoker through the air inlet; the drawn air then passes through the heating section to become hot air; when it comes into contact with the reconstituted plant sheet of the present invention, which contains the generating agent and is held in the lodging, the hot air forms an aerosol, which is then inhaled by the smoker. If the plant is a medicinal plant, the aerosol formed has therapeutic properties.

[0074]

[0100] Furthermore, thanks to the heating device there is no burning of the sheet, so the smoker can take advantage of the organoleptic properties of the plant and optionally of the tobacco, but at the same time their exposure to harmful components is very significantly reduced. EXAMPLES

[0075]

[0101] Reconstituted tobacco sheet according to the present invention 1

[0102] A mixture of Virginia type tobacco scraps and stems is contacted with water at 65°C with stirring for 45 minutes. The tobacco extract is separated from the fibrous portion by mechanical pressing. The tobacco extract is concentrated under vacuum to a solids concentration of 54%. Glycerol is added to the concentrated tobacco extract as an aerosol generating agent.

[0076] Tobacco fibres are milled to a Schopper-Riegler size of 55°SR and then run through a laboratory paper machine to produce a fibrous support, which weighs approximately 77 g / m 2 The sheet has a basis weight of 1.0 g. A concentrated tobacco extract containing glycerol is contacted with a fibrous support by impregnation in a size press to produce a reconstituted tobacco sheet, and the S in the produced reconstituted tobacco sheet is P :27.3%, S AG :23.7%, and total S AG +S P :51%.

[0077]

[0103] This sheet has a density of 0.68 g / cm 3 , basis weight 145g / m 2 and has a thickness of 212 μm.

[0104] Reconstituted tobacco sheet 2 according to the present invention

[0105] Another reconstituted tobacco sheet is produced according to the above method, with the following differences: a mixture of Virginia type tobacco strips and stems is used, the Schopper-Riegler degree is 25°SR and the basis weight of the fibrous support is about 78 g / m 2 And S AG is 20.7%, and S P is 30.8%, and the total S AG +S Pis equal to 51.5%.

[0078]

[0106] This sheet has a density of 0.69g / cm 3 Density: 156g / m 2 and a thickness of 226 μm.

[0107] Reconstituted tobacco sheet 3 according to the present invention

[0108] Another reconstituted tobacco sheet is produced according to the above method, with the following differences: a mixture of Virginia type tobacco strips and stems is used, the Schopper-Riegler degree is 25°SR and the basis weight of the fibrous support is about 63 g / m 2 And S AG is 21.1%, and S P is 35.4%, and the total S AG +S P is equal to 56.5%.

[0079]

[0109] This sheet has a density of 0.61 g / cm 3 Density: 129g / m 2 and a thickness of 186 μm.

[0110] Reconstituted tobacco sheet not according to the invention

[0111] A reconstituted tobacco sheet not according to the invention is produced following a similar procedure as above, with the difference being that the fibrous substrate has a basis weight of 57 g / m 2 Being, S P is 34.1%, and S AG is 14.9%, and the total S AG +S P The fact that the rate is 43%.

[0080]

[0112] This reconstituted tobacco sheet has a density of 0.6 g / cm 3 Density less than 95g / m 2 and a thickness of 166 μm.

[0113] Nicotine Transfer Rate

[0114] The nicotine transfer rate of the reconstituted tobacco sheet 1 according to the present invention and the reconstituted tobacco sheet not according to the present invention was compared using glo TMThe type of heating system used is determined according to the protocol below.

[0081]

[0115] The nicotine transfer rate in a reconstituted tobacco sheet is calculated by dividing the nicotine content in the aerosol produced by heating said reconstituted tobacco sheet by the nicotine content in said reconstituted tobacco sheet.

[0082]

[0116] The nicotine content in the aerosol produced by heating a reconstituted tobacco sheet is determined as follows. Glo purchased in Italy in August 2018 TM A commercial Dunhill stick in a test tube is emptied of tobacco and the tube is filled with the sheet of Scaferulati (cut tobacco) to be tested, with a tobacco weight of 260 mg / stick and a drawing resistance of 70±3 mm water column.

[0083] The aerosol was generated from a Borgwaldt RM04 smoking device equipped with a loaded stick (glo TM (By applying the instructions for use provided with your heating system).

[0084] The aerosol material is collected on a 40 mm Cambridge filter, which is then dissolved in methanol. The nicotine content in the aerosol is assayed by FID against n-heptadecane (used as a standard) after separation by gas chromatography. The nicotine content of the aerosol is measured according to standard ISO10315:2013, but using methanol instead of the isopropanol mentioned in the standard. The chromatographic material used is the same as that used for the analysis of nicotine on the test sheets. Six replicates are carried out to determine the nicotine content in the aerosol.

[0085]

[0117] The nicotine content in the reconstituted tobacco sheet is determined as follows. The nicotine content in the sheets is determined by gas chromatography-FID detection analysis using an Innowax gas chromatography column (column dimensions: length 30 m; internal diameter: 0.53 mm; film thickness 1 μm).

[0086]

[0118] The results of the tested sheets are shown in Table 1 below.

[0119] From these results, the nicotine transfer rate of the reconstituted tobacco sheet 1 according to the present invention is 3 It can be seen that the nicotine transfer rate is significantly higher than that of a tobacco sheet of less than 100 μg / ml.

[0087]

[0120] [Table 1]

[0088] [Table 1]

[0089]

[0121] Sensory characteristics

[0122] The tobacco sheets according to the invention and the non-inventive tobacco sheets were cut into scaferulati (cut tobacco) and then subjected to glo TM They are alternately smoked in a heating system.

[0090]

[0123] According to independent experts, all the aerosols formed during smoking of tobacco sheets according to the invention have very satisfactory organoleptic properties, in particular the aerosols have a good taste, which is not too bitter, not too harsh or too aggressive, but is mellow and well-balanced, superior to the aerosols formed during smoking of tobacco sheets not according to the invention.

Claims

1. A reconstituted plant sheet, comprising: - Fibrous supports containing finely divided plant fibres - aerosol generating agents, and - Plant extracts and the density of the reconstituted plant sheet is 0.6 g / cm ３ greater than or equal to, and the total solids content (by weight) of the aerosol generating agent is between 10% and 29% A reconstituted plant sheet.

2. The density of the reconstituted plant sheet is 0.62 g / cm ３ ~1.50g / cm ３ 2. The reconstituted plant sheet of claim 1,

3. 3. The reconstituted plant sheet of claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the plant is a tobacco plant.

4. A reconstituted plant sheet according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the total solids content (by weight) of the plant extract is between 20% and 45%.

5. 5. The reconstituted plant sheet according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the sum of the total solids content (by weight) of the plant extract and the total solids content (by weight) of the aerosol-generating agent is between 40% and 70%.

6. The reconstituted plant sheet according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the reconstituted plant sheet has a thickness of 100 µm to 450 µm.

7. The basis weight of the reconstituted plant sheet is 60 g / m ２ Up to 300 g / m ２ The reconstituted plant sheet according to any one of claims 1 to 6.

8. The reconstituted plant sheet according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the aerosol-forming agent is sorbitol, glycerol, propylene glycol, triethylene glycol, lactic acid, glycerol diacetate, glyceryl triacetate, triethyl citrate, isopropyl myristate, or a mixture thereof.

9. A method for producing a reconstituted plant sheet as defined in claims 1 to 8, comprising the steps of: a) passing micronized plant fibers through a papermaking machine to construct a fibrous support; b) contacting an aerosol-forming agent and a plant extract with the fibrous substrate to obtain a wet reconstituted plant sheet; and c) drying the wet reconstituted plant sheet A manufacturing method comprising:

10. Use of a reconstituted vegetable sheet as defined in claims 1 to 8 in a heating device.

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