Cannabis-based aerosol-generating substrates, articles, systems, and methods with controlled cannabinoid delivery

Abstract

An aerosol-generating substrate, manufacturing method, and aerosol-generating system for controlled cannabinoid delivery. The substrate contains 25% to 90% by weight cannabis with 2% to 5% moisture content and features interior air channels extending longitudinally. Manufacturing involves mechanical comminution to achieve particle sizes of 1 μm to 150 μm D90, freeze-drying to control moisture, mixing with skeletal material, binder, and flavoring, and extrusion to form the channeled substrate structure. The aerosol-generating system heats the substrate to produce aerosol delivering 3 mg to 10 mg mass per puff with 1.5 mg to 5.0 mg cannabinoid content under standard testing conditions, enabling consistent and controlled cannabinoid administration.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0001] This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Application No. 63 / 748,094, filed on Jan. 22, 2025. The disclosure of which is incorporated by reference herein in its entirety.FIELD

[0002] The disclosure relates to the field of smoking products, an aerosol-generating substrate and its manufacturing method, aerosol-generating products employing the substrate, and aerosol-generating systems.BACKGROUND

[0003] In the related art, Heat-Not-Burn (HNB) technology has gradually gained widespread recognition in the tobacco industry. By heating tobacco to a temperature below the combustion range, HNB products can release an aerosol containing nicotine, while avoiding harmful byproducts produced during combustion, such as carbon monoxide, tar, and other toxic substances. Therefore, compared to traditional cigarettes, HNB products offer better health characteristics, and do not produce an open flame, smoke, or ash, making the user experience more comfortable. Furthermore, the introduction of HNB products marks the transformation of the tobacco industry toward harm reduction, and these products are gradually gaining acceptance worldwide.

[0004] However, in the cannabis market, HNB products is still in its early stages. For instance, only a few products, such as the Elon and Stelo industrial hemp cigarettes from E1011 Labs, Omura Series 1, and PAX cannabis flower vaporizers, have been introduced to the market. These products still face many issues, such as low heating efficiency, uneven heating, insufficient aerosol release, low cannabinoid release efficiency, and difficulties in cleaning the devices. These problems limit the user experience and restrict the market application of these products, failing to fully meet user needs.

[0005] The embodiments of this disclosure develop an innovative cannabis aerosol-generating substrate processing technology based on existing technology. This technology can process cannabis flower materials into a structure that is easy to heat and efficiently releases cannabinoids, significantly improving heating efficiency, increasing aerosol release, enhancing cannabinoid release efficiency, reducing cleaning frequency, and providing users with a more stable and consistent experience.SUMMARY

[0006] Provided are an aerosol-generating substrate, a manufacturing method therefor, an aerosol-generating system, a device, a storage medium, and a program product, which can implement controlled aerosol generation with optimized cannabinoid delivery through precise moisture control and air channel configuration.

[0007] According to some embodiments, an aerosol-generating substrate includes 25% to 90% by weight of cannabis, wherein the aerosol-generating substrate has an interior comprising a plurality of air channels, each of the air channels extending to at least one end of the aerosol-generating substrate in a longitudinal direction, and wherein a moisture content of the aerosol-generating substrate is from 2% to 5% by weight.

[0008] According to some embodiments, a method of manufacturing an aerosol-generating substrate includes: subjecting a cannabis material to mechanical comminution to form particles having a D90 of a particle size distribution of 1 μm to 150 μm; reducing, by freeze-drying, a moisture content of the comminuted cannabis material to 2% to 5% by weight; charging 25% to 90% by weight of cannabis material particles, 0% to 60% by weight of a skeletal material, 1% to 10% by weight of a binder, and 3% to 10% (or 3%~20%) by weight of a flavoring into a low-temperature mixing apparatus and mixing the same uniformly; and extruding the mixture through an extruder to form an aerosol-generating substrate having a predetermined geometry, the aerosol-generating substrate having an interior comprising a plurality of air channels, each of the air channels extending to at least one end of the aerosol-generating substrate in a longitudinal direction.

[0009] According to some embodiments, an aerosol-generating system includes: an aerosol-generating article comprising an aerosol-generating substrate, the aerosol-generating substrate comprising cannabis; and an aerosol-generating device configured to heat the aerosol-generating substrate to generate an aerosol; wherein, during heating, under a puffing regime according to a Health Canada Intense smoking regime, a mass of aerosol per puff is in a range of 3 mg to 10 mg, and a cannabinoid content per puff is in a range of 1.5 mg to 5.0 mg.BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0010] To describe technical solutions of embodiments of this application or related technologies more clearly, the following briefly introduces the accompanying drawings required for describing embodiments or related technologies. Clearly, the accompanying drawings in the following descriptions show only some embodiments of this application, and a person of ordinary skill in the art may still derive other drawings based on these accompanying drawings without creative efforts.

[0011] FIG. 1A is a structural schematic diagrams of one embodiment of a cylindrical aerosol-generating substrate according to some embodiments.

[0012] FIG. 1B is a structural schematic diagrams of one embodiment of a cylindrical aerosol-generating substrate according to some embodiments.

[0013] FIG. 2 is a structural schematic diagram of one embodiment of an elliptical aerosol-generating substrate according to some embodiments.

[0014] FIG. 3 is a structural schematic diagram of one embodiment of a rectangular aerosol-generating substrate according to some embodiments.

[0015] FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional schematic diagram of the aerosol-generating substrate for the embodiments in FIGS. 1-3 according to some embodiments.

[0016] FIG. 5 is a structural schematic diagram of an aerosol-generating substrate and surrounding conduction heating element for one embodiment according to some embodiments.

[0017] FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram showing the direct insertion of the aerosol-generating substrate into the corresponding aerosol-generating device according to some embodiments.

[0018] FIG. 7 is a schematic diagram of one embodiment of the aerosol-generating system according to some embodiments.

[0019] FIG. 8 is a comparison diagram of the per-puff aerosol release amount between the aerosol-generating substrate of the present invention and competing products according to some embodiments.

[0020] FIG. 9 is a comparison diagram of the cannabinoid release efficiency and per-puff cannabinoid amount between the aerosol-generating substrate of the present invention and competing products according to some embodiments.

[0021] FIG. 10 is a comparison diagram of the per-puff average atomization amount of aerosol-generating substrates with different shapes according to some embodiments.

[0022] FIG. 11 is a comparison diagram of cannabinoid conversion rate and per-puff cannabinoid amount of aerosol-generating substrates with different shapes according to some embodiments.DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

[0023] Technical solutions in embodiments of this application are clearly and completely described in the following with reference to accompanying drawings in the embodiments of this application. Clearly, the described embodiments are merely a part rather than all of the embodiments of this application. All other embodiments obtained by a person of ordinary skill in the art based on the embodiments of this application without creative efforts shall fall within the protection scope of this application.

[0024] For embodiments that do not specify experimental steps or conditions, conventional experimental steps or conditions described in literature within the field can be used. Reagents or instruments not specified with manufacturers are conventional reagent products that can be obtained commercially.

[0025] Cannabis material: Refers to natural materials containing cannabinoids, such as tetrahydrocannabinolic acid (THCA), tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), cannabidiolic acid (CBDA), cannabidiol (CBD), cannabinol (CBN), cannabicyclol (CBL), cannabichromene (CBC), cannabigerol (CBG), and other substances, for example, cannabis dry flowers or fresh flowers, or extracts of these natural materials, such as Live Resin, Live Rosin, Diamond, Kief, Hash, etc.

[0026] Substrate processing: The solid or semi-solid substrate of the cannabis material is mechanically comminuted (such as by liquid nitrogen freezing ball milling or jet milling) into particles with a D90 particle size distribution of 1-150 microns. The comminuted cannabis material particles are then freeze-dried to reduce their moisture content to 2% to 5% by weight. Since cannabis is an oil-averse material, removing moisture improves the mixing uniformity of the medium and its atomization stability. Particles in the range of 1-150 microns are both a processing requirement and an increase in surface area, which helps to enhance release efficiency.

[0027] The formulation primarily considers the product's structural strength and flexibility, as well as the release of active ingredients and aromas.

[0028] The formulation of the product consists of the following materials:

[0029] Cannabis material: Composed of one or more of the aforementioned cannabis materials, with at least one or more solid or semi-solid cannabis materials. The cannabis material accounts for 25% to 90% by weight in the final product.

[0030] Skeletal material: This can include tobacco, Pueraria lobata, wood microcrystalline cellulose, or cannabis microcrystalline cellulose. The skeletal material also needs to be comminuted into particles with a size similar to the cannabis material particles. Its main function is to provide structural strength and flexibility. The skeletal material accounts for 0% to 60% by weight in the final product.

[0031] Binder: One or more natural polymer materials, which can include but are not limited to starch, cellulose, plant or animal proteins and their derivatives. Specific examples include: carboxymethyl cellulose (CMC), sodium carboxymethyl cellulose (CMC-Na), hydroxypropyl cellulose (HPC), hydroxypropyl methyl cellulose (HPMC), arabic gum, guar gum, chitosan, carrageenan, Pueraria lobata extract, gluten, and gelatin. The binder accounts for 1% to 10% by weight in the final product.

[0032] Flavoring: This can include terpenes extracted from cannabis, non-cannabis plant terpenes, and aromatic compounds extracted from cannabis plants or other plants, or any combination of these components. Flavoring accounts for 3% to 10% (maybe 3%-20%) by weight in the final product.

[0033] The above materials are added in predetermined ratios to a low-temperature mixing apparatus for uniform mixing, ensuring even distribution of the components. The mixture is then extruded through a twin-screw extruder to form an aerosol-generating substrate with a specific geometry for use in heating devices.

[0034] The aerosol-forming substrate typically contains 10% to 50% by weight of cannabinoids, with the specific content depending on the ratio of cannabis material to other components (such as skeletal material and flavoring) and the cannabinoid content.

[0035] In some embodiments, an interior of the aerosol-generating substrate 100 has a three-dimensional ordered honeycomb structure, as shown in FIG. 1A. The interior of the aerosol-generating substrate 100 has multiple air channels 102, each extending through at least one end 108 of the aerosol-generating substrate 100 in the longitudinal direction, and preferably extending through both ends. Partition walls 104 separate adjacent air channels 102. This honeycomb structure significantly improves thermal conductivity, optimizes temperature distribution, and reduces the impact of temperature differences on cannabinoid release during heating. The hollow channels 102 in the honeycomb structure form ordered airways that promote smooth airflow, thereby increasing aerosol release efficiency and reducing aerosol loss. In some embodiments, each air channel is parallel to the axis of the aerosol-generating substrate and extends through both ends of the aerosol-generating substrate in the longitudinal direction.

[0036] In some embodiments, the air channels 102 are arranged in an ordered manner. The air channels can be arranged in a concentric circle pattern, as shown in FIG. 1A, with air channels distributed along multiple trajectories. Each trajectory line has air channels arranged around the central circumference of the aerosol-generating substrate, and multiple trajectory lines are arranged concentrically along the radial direction of the aerosol-generating substrate. The air channels can also be arranged in a square matrix, as shown in FIG. 1B.

[0037] In some embodiments, the air channels 102 are arranged in an ordered manner. The air channels 102 can be arranged in a concentric circle pattern, as shown in FIG. 1A, with air channels 102 distributed along multiple trajectories. Each trajectory line has air channels 102 arranged around the central circumference of the aerosol-generating substrate 100, and multiple trajectory lines are arranged concentrically along the radial direction of the aerosol-generating substrate 100. The air channels 102 can also be arranged in a square matrix, as shown in FIG. 1B.

[0038] In some embodiments, the aerosol-generating substrate has an equivalent diameter in the range of 1 mm to 10 mm and a length in the range of 5 mm to 100 mm.

[0039] In some embodiments, the cross-sectional area of each air channel is in the range of 0.10 mm2 to 20 mm2, or the hydraulic diameter of each air channel is in the range of 0.36 mm to 5 mm.

[0040] In some embodiments, the wall thickness of the partition walls 104 between adjacent air channels 102 is in the range of 10 μm to 800 μm.

[0041] The shape and size of the aerosol-forming substrate can vary, for example:

[0042] Cylindrical: Length of 5-100 mm, diameter of 1-10 mm, as shown in FIGS. 1A and 1B);

[0043] Elliptical cylindrical: Length of 5-100 mm, thickness of 1-10 mm (as shown in FIG. 2); Equilateral triangular: Length of 5-100 mm, side length of 1-10 mm;

[0044] Hexagonal: Length of 5-100 mm, side length of 1-10 mm;

[0045] Rectangular: Length of 5-100 mm, height and width of 1-10 mm (as shown in FIG. 3).

[0046] FIG. 5 is a schematic structural diagram of one embodiment of a heating element assembly 200 comprising an aerosol-generating substrate 100 and an outer wrapper 202. The outer wrapper 202 comprises an electromagnetic heating inductor 204.

[0047] FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram illustrating use of an aerosol-generating substrate 100 directly loaded into a corresponding aerosol-generating device 300. The aerosol-generating device 300 is provided with an airflow channel 302, and one end of the airflow channel 302 is provided with a mouthpiece 304. The aerosol-generating substrate 100 is loaded from a bottom side into an end of the airflow channel 302 that is away from the mouthpiece 304. The aerosol-generating device 300 heats the aerosol-generating substrate 100, and aerosol generated by atomization is discharged from the mouthpiece 304. In this embodiment, the aerosol-generating device 300 and the aerosol-generating substrate 100 together form an aerosol-generating system.

[0048] FIG. 7 is a schematic diagram of another embodiment of an aerosol-generating system. The aerosol-generating system comprises an aerosol-generating device 300 and an aerosol-generating product 400, and the aerosol-generating product 400 is in the form of a cigarette. The cigarette comprises an aerosol-generating substrate 100, a functional segment 402, and an outer wrapper 410.

[0049] The cross-section of the aerosol-forming substrate can consist of an ordered structure made of a set number of polygons (such as triangles, hexagons, squares, pentagons, etc.) or circular rings, with the number of polygons ranging from 4 to 100 (as shown in FIG. 4). Based on the shape, size, material composition, and density of the substrate, the basis weight of the substrate can range from 120 g / m2 to 250 g / m2, and the overall weight of the substrate can range from 50 mg to 1000 mg.

[0050] The aerosol-forming substrate is used in combination with a corresponding heating device, which may employ, but is not limited to, the following heating methods to heat the aerosol-forming substrate: circumferential conduction heating (as shown in FIG. 5), air convection heating, electromagnetic induction heating, infrared heating, and microwave heating. During the heating process, the aerosol-forming substrate is heated to a range of 200° C. to 300° C., thereby releasing an aerosol containing cannabinoids and flavoring. The aerosol-forming substrate can be directly placed into a compatible aerosol-generating device for use (as shown in FIG. 6), or further processed into a cigarette form and inserted into a corresponding aerosol-generating device (as shown in FIG. 7) to meet the diverse needs of users.

[0051] The functional segment 402 is provided at one end of the aerosol-generating substrate 100 in a longitudinal direction and at least comprises a filter segment 404 configured to filter aerosol. The functional segment 402 of the cigarette shown in FIG. 7 further comprises a cooling segment 406 and a plug. The outer wrapper surrounds circumferential outer surfaces of the functional segment 402 and the aerosol-generating substrate 100.

[0052] It can be understood that the aerosol-generating substrate of the present invention may also be formed into an aerosol-generating product in the form of a capsule, in which an outer wrapper is provided on an outer periphery of the aerosol-generating substrate.

[0053] It can be understood that, in addition to circumferential conduction heating, the aerosol-generating device may also employ other heating methods such as air heating, microwave heating, and infrared heating. The circumferential conduction heating includes, but is not limited to, electromagnetic heating and resistance heating.

[0054] During heating, under a puffing regime according to a Health Canada Intense smoking regime, the aerosol release amount and cannabinoid release efficiency of the aerosol-generating substrate satisfy the following:

[0055] Each puff releases 3 to 6 mg of aerosol, in which cannabinoids account for 50% to 80% by weight;

[0056] During a heating process of 10 puffs (a total of 300 seconds), 30% to 60% of cannabinoids in the aerosol-generating substrate are converted into aerosol and collected;

[0057] During a process of 20 puffs (a total of 600 seconds), 70% to 85% of cannabinoids in the aerosol-generating substrate are converted into aerosol and collected;

[0058] During a heating process of 10 puffs (a total of 300 seconds), the consistency of the amount of aerosol released per puff and the mass of cannabinoids in the aerosol is characterized by a relative standard deviation in a range of 10% to 20%.

[0059] FIG. 8 is a comparison diagram of per-puff aerosol release amount.

[0060] FIG. 9 is a comparison diagram of cannabinoid release efficiency and per-puff cannabinoid amount between the aerosol-generating substrate of the present invention and competing products.

[0061] An embodiment for improving cannabinoid release efficiency is provided as follows.

[0062] Structure of the aerosol-generating substrate: The aerosol-generating substrate has an equivalent diameter in a range of 1 mm to 10 mm and a length in a range of 5 mm to 100 mm, and has an interior comprising a plurality of air channels, each of the air channels extending to at least one end of the aerosol-generating substrate in a longitudinal direction, and preferably extending through both ends of the aerosol-generating substrate.

[0063] Heating method and heating temperature: Circumferential conduction heating is adopted, for example, electromagnetic circumferential heating or resistance circumferential heating.

[0064] Mass of aerosol per puff: 3 mg to 10 mg, maybe 3 mg to 20 mg.

[0065] Cannabinoid content per puff: 1.5 mg to 5.0 mg, maybe 1.5 mg to 10 mg.

[0066] Effect of different substrate geometries on atomization performance:RSD ofAverageaerosolInitialaerosolNormalizedmassCannabinoidCannabinoidCannabinoidAir-Wallsubstratemass peraerosolover 10conversioncontentamountExperimentchannelthicknessmasspuffmasspuffsratein aerosolper puffNo.shape(mm)(mg)(mg / puff)(mg / g)(%)(%)(%)(mg)#1Circular0.26348.84.6138.21945.0755.62.6#2Circular0.26344.54.9142.615.743.150.12.4#3Grid-like0.182764.4158.62151.253.12.3#4Hexagonal0.195256.73.7145.61645.351.42#5Circular0.26344.34.4128.821.539.750.82.3#6Grid-like0.182724.1149.516.548.153.12.2#7Grid-like0.163254.63.9152.8195256.12.2#8Grid-like0.146235.23.6151.519.548.152.21.9

[0067] In some embodiments, 30 g of industrial hemp dry flower, 2 g of tetrahydrocannabinol, and 1 g of hydroxypropyl cellulose are weighed and added into a liquid nitrogen planetary ball mill for comminution and uniform mixing. The mixed solid powder is placed in a freeze dryer to remove moisture. Then, 1.5 g of a plant-derived terpene mixture is added to the dried solid powder and uniformly mixed using a mixing apparatus, while maintaining the raw material temperature at or below 40° C. during mixing.

[0068] The mixed raw material is extruded through a twin-screw extruder using a square multi-orifice die to form a cylinder having uniformly distributed honeycomb-like internal channels, and then cut into substrates with a length of 20 mm. The specific parameters are as follows:SubstrateTotalSubstrateNumberSubstratecross-substratespecificSubstrateofouterSubstrateWallsectionalsurfaceSubstratesurfaceSubstratebasisPolygonpolygonaldiameterlengththicknessareaareavolumeareamassweighttypecells(mm)(mm)(mm)(mm2)(mm2)(mm3)(m−1)(mg)(g / m2)Square12005.3200.1811.181596.96223.67.142270169.07

[0069] The aerosol-generating substrate is placed into a dedicated aerosol-generating device for heating, and puffing tests are conducted using a smoking machine (for example, a Borgwaldt LM1E smoking machine). A puffing regime according to the Health Canada Intense smoking regime is used, with each puff having a volume of 55 mL, a puff duration of 2 seconds, and an interval of 30 seconds, for a total of 10 puffs. The aerosol of each puff is collected on a Cambridge filter pad and weighed to obtain the aerosol mass per puff. After 10 puffs, the filter pad and the substrate are subjected to chemical analysis. The test results are as follows:RSD ofAverageaerosolaerosolNormalizedmassCannabinoidCannabinoidCannabinoidTerpeneCannabinoidTerpenemass peraerosolover 10conversioncontentamountcontentcontent incontent inpuffmasspuffsratein aerosolper puffin aerosolsubstratesubstrate(mg / puff)(mg / g)(%)(%)(%)(mg)(%)(%)(%)4.4158.62051.253.12.27.317.83.1

[0070] In some embodiments, 30 g of microcrystalline cellulose (particle size 20 μm), 12 g of high-purity cannabidiol crystals, 1.4 g of ethyl cellulose, and 2.6 g of a plant-derived terpene mixture are weighed. The above raw materials are uniformly mixed using a mixing apparatus, while maintaining the raw material temperature at or below 40° C. during mixing.

[0071] The mixed raw material is extruded through a twin-screw extruder using a square multi-orifice die to form a cylinder having uniformly distributed honeycomb-like internal channels, and then cut into substrates with a length of 20 mm. The specific parameters are as follows:SubstrateTotalSubstrateNumberSubstratecross-substratespecificSubstrateofouterSubstrateWallsectionalsurfaceSubstratesurfaceSubstratebasisPolygonpolygonaldiameterlengththicknessareaareavolumeareamassweighttypecells(mm)(mm)(mm)(mm2)(mm2)(mm3)(m−1)(mg)(g / m2)Square12005.3200.1811.181596.96223.67.142250156.55

[0072] The aerosol-generating substrate is placed into a dedicated aerosol-generating device for heating, and puffing tests are conducted using a smoking machine (for example, a Borgwaldt LM1E smoking machine). A puffing regime according to the Health Canada Intense smoking regime is used, with each puff having a volume of 55 mL, a puff duration of 2 seconds, and an interval of 30 seconds, for a total of 10 puffs. The aerosol of each puff is collected on a Cambridge filter pad and weighed to obtain the aerosol mass per puff. After 10 puffs, the filter pad and the substrate are subjected to chemical analysis. The test results are as follows:RSD ofAverageaerosolaerosolNormalizedmassCannabinoidCannabinoidCannabinoidTerpeneCannabinoidTerpenemass peraerosolover 10conversioncontent inamountcontent incontent incontent inpuffmasspuffsrateaerosolper puffaerosolsubstratesubstrate(mg / puff)(mg / g)(%)(%)(%)(mg)(%)(%)(%)3.8152.52039.466.92.63.925.92.1

[0073] The above embodiments are merely illustrative examples provided to clearly describe the invention, and are not intended to limit the embodiments. For those skilled in the art, various other forms of changes or modifications may be made on the basis of the above description. It is unnecessary and impossible to enumerate all possible embodiments here. Any obvious changes or modifications derived from the present invention shall still fall within the scope of protection of the present inventive concept.

[0074] The technical features of the foregoing embodiments may be arbitrarily combined to form new embodiments. For the sake of brevity of description, not all possible combinations of the technical features in the foregoing embodiments are described. However, where no contradiction exists, all the combinations of these technical features are contemplated in the scope of this specification.

[0075] The foregoing embodiments are merely illustrative of some embodiments, and the description of the foregoing embodiments is detailed, but is not to be construed as limiting the scope of this application. For a person of ordinary skill in the art, several variations and improvements can be made without departing from the concept of this application, and such variations and improvements all fall within the protection scope of this application. Therefore, the protection scope of this application shall be subject to the appended claims.

[0076] The technical features of the foregoing embodiments may be arbitrarily combined to form new embodiments. For the sake of brevity of description, not all possible combinations of the technical features in the foregoing embodiments are described. However, where no contradiction exists, all the combinations of these technical features are contemplated in the scope of this specification.

[0077] The foregoing embodiments are merely illustrative of some embodiments. For a person of ordinary skill in the art, several variations and improvements can be made without departing from the concept of this application, and such variations and improvements all fall within the protection scope of this application. Therefore, the protection scope of this application shall be subject to the appended claims.

[0078] The foregoing embodiments are used for describing, instead of limiting the technical solutions of the disclosure. A person of ordinary skill in the art shall understand that although the disclosure has been described in detail with reference to the foregoing embodiments, modifications can be made to the technical solutions described in the foregoing embodiments, or equivalent replacements can be made to some technical features in the technical solutions, provided that such modifications or replacements do not cause the essence of corresponding technical solutions to depart from the spirit and scope of the technical solutions of the embodiments of the disclosure and the appended claims.

Examples

Embodiment Construction

[0023]Technical solutions in embodiments of this application are clearly and completely described in the following with reference to accompanying drawings in the embodiments of this application. Clearly, the described embodiments are merely a part rather than all of the embodiments of this application. All other embodiments obtained by a person of ordinary skill in the art based on the embodiments of this application without creative efforts shall fall within the protection scope of this application.

[0024]For embodiments that do not specify experimental steps or conditions, conventional experimental steps or conditions described in literature within the field can be used. Reagents or instruments not specified with manufacturers are conventional reagent products that can be obtained commercially.

[0025]Cannabis material: Refers to natural materials containing cannabinoids, such as tetrahydrocannabinolic acid (THCA), tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), cannabidiolic acid (CBDA), cannabidiol (C...

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0001] This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Application No. 63 / 748,094, filed on Jan. 22, 2025. The disclosure of which is incorporated by reference herein in its entirety.FIELD

[0002] The disclosure relates to the field of smoking products, an aerosol-generating substrate and its manufacturing method, aerosol-generating products employing the substrate, and aerosol-generating systems.BACKGROUND

[0003] In the related art, Heat-Not-Burn (HNB) technology has gradually gained widespread recognition in the tobacco industry. By heating tobacco to a temperature below the combustion range, HNB products can release an aerosol containing nicotine, while avoiding harmful byproducts produced during combustion, such as carbon monoxide, tar, and other toxic substances. Therefore, compared to traditional cigarettes, HNB products offer better health characteristics, and do not produce an open flame, smoke, or ash, making the user experience more comfortable. Furthermore, the introduction of HNB products marks the transformation of the tobacco industry toward harm reduction, and these products are gradually gaining acceptance worldwide.

[0004] However, in the cannabis market, HNB products is still in its early stages. For instance, only a few products, such as the Elon and Stelo industrial hemp cigarettes from E1011 Labs, Omura Series 1, and PAX cannabis flower vaporizers, have been introduced to the market. These products still face many issues, such as low heating efficiency, uneven heating, insufficient aerosol release, low cannabinoid release efficiency, and difficulties in cleaning the devices. These problems limit the user experience and restrict the market application of these products, failing to fully meet user needs.

[0005] The embodiments of this disclosure develop an innovative cannabis aerosol-generating substrate processing technology based on existing technology. This technology can process cannabis flower materials into a structure that is easy to heat and efficiently releases cannabinoids, significantly improving heating efficiency, increasing aerosol release, enhancing cannabinoid release efficiency, reducing cleaning frequency, and providing users with a more stable and consistent experience.SUMMARY

[0006] Provided are an aerosol-generating substrate, a manufacturing method therefor, an aerosol-generating system, a device, a storage medium, and a program product, which can implement controlled aerosol generation with optimized cannabinoid delivery through precise moisture control and air channel configuration.

[0007] According to some embodiments, an aerosol-generating substrate includes 25% to 90% by weight of cannabis, wherein the aerosol-generating substrate has an interior comprising a plurality of air channels, each of the air channels extending to at least one end of the aerosol-generating substrate in a longitudinal direction, and wherein a moisture content of the aerosol-generating substrate is from 2% to 5% by weight.

[0008] According to some embodiments, a method of manufacturing an aerosol-generating substrate includes: subjecting a cannabis material to mechanical comminution to form particles having a D90 of a particle size distribution of 1 μm to 150 μm; reducing, by freeze-drying, a moisture content of the comminuted cannabis material to 2% to 5% by weight; charging 25% to 90% by weight of cannabis material particles, 0% to 60% by weight of a skeletal material, 1% to 10% by weight of a binder, and 3% to 10% (or 3%~20%) by weight of a flavoring into a low-temperature mixing apparatus and mixing the same uniformly; and extruding the mixture through an extruder to form an aerosol-generating substrate having a predetermined geometry, the aerosol-generating substrate having an interior comprising a plurality of air channels, each of the air channels extending to at least one end of the aerosol-generating substrate in a longitudinal direction.

[0009] According to some embodiments, an aerosol-generating system includes: an aerosol-generating article comprising an aerosol-generating substrate, the aerosol-generating substrate comprising cannabis; and an aerosol-generating device configured to heat the aerosol-generating substrate to generate an aerosol; wherein, during heating, under a puffing regime according to a Health Canada Intense smoking regime, a mass of aerosol per puff is in a range of 3 mg to 10 mg, and a cannabinoid content per puff is in a range of 1.5 mg to 5.0 mg.BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0010] To describe technical solutions of embodiments of this application or related technologies more clearly, the following briefly introduces the accompanying drawings required for describing embodiments or related technologies. Clearly, the accompanying drawings in the following descriptions show only some embodiments of this application, and a person of ordinary skill in the art may still derive other drawings based on these accompanying drawings without creative efforts.

[0011] FIG. 1A is a structural schematic diagrams of one embodiment of a cylindrical aerosol-generating substrate according to some embodiments.

[0012] FIG. 1B is a structural schematic diagrams of one embodiment of a cylindrical aerosol-generating substrate according to some embodiments.

[0013] FIG. 2 is a structural schematic diagram of one embodiment of an elliptical aerosol-generating substrate according to some embodiments.

[0014] FIG. 3 is a structural schematic diagram of one embodiment of a rectangular aerosol-generating substrate according to some embodiments.

[0015] FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional schematic diagram of the aerosol-generating substrate for the embodiments in FIGS. 1-3 according to some embodiments.

[0016] FIG. 5 is a structural schematic diagram of an aerosol-generating substrate and surrounding conduction heating element for one embodiment according to some embodiments.

[0017] FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram showing the direct insertion of the aerosol-generating substrate into the corresponding aerosol-generating device according to some embodiments.

[0018] FIG. 7 is a schematic diagram of one embodiment of the aerosol-generating system according to some embodiments.

[0019] FIG. 8 is a comparison diagram of the per-puff aerosol release amount between the aerosol-generating substrate of the present invention and competing products according to some embodiments.

[0020] FIG. 9 is a comparison diagram of the cannabinoid release efficiency and per-puff cannabinoid amount between the aerosol-generating substrate of the present invention and competing products according to some embodiments.

[0021] FIG. 10 is a comparison diagram of the per-puff average atomization amount of aerosol-generating substrates with different shapes according to some embodiments.

[0022] FIG. 11 is a comparison diagram of cannabinoid conversion rate and per-puff cannabinoid amount of aerosol-generating substrates with different shapes according to some embodiments.DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

[0023] Technical solutions in embodiments of this application are clearly and completely described in the following with reference to accompanying drawings in the embodiments of this application. Clearly, the described embodiments are merely a part rather than all of the embodiments of this application. All other embodiments obtained by a person of ordinary skill in the art based on the embodiments of this application without creative efforts shall fall within the protection scope of this application.

[0024] For embodiments that do not specify experimental steps or conditions, conventional experimental steps or conditions described in literature within the field can be used. Reagents or instruments not specified with manufacturers are conventional reagent products that can be obtained commercially.

[0025] Cannabis material: Refers to natural materials containing cannabinoids, such as tetrahydrocannabinolic acid (THCA), tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), cannabidiolic acid (CBDA), cannabidiol (CBD), cannabinol (CBN), cannabicyclol (CBL), cannabichromene (CBC), cannabigerol (CBG), and other substances, for example, cannabis dry flowers or fresh flowers, or extracts of these natural materials, such as Live Resin, Live Rosin, Diamond, Kief, Hash, etc.

[0026] Substrate processing: The solid or semi-solid substrate of the cannabis material is mechanically comminuted (such as by liquid nitrogen freezing ball milling or jet milling) into particles with a D90 particle size distribution of 1-150 microns. The comminuted cannabis material particles are then freeze-dried to reduce their moisture content to 2% to 5% by weight. Since cannabis is an oil-averse material, removing moisture improves the mixing uniformity of the medium and its atomization stability. Particles in the range of 1-150 microns are both a processing requirement and an increase in surface area, which helps to enhance release efficiency.

[0027] The formulation primarily considers the product's structural strength and flexibility, as well as the release of active ingredients and aromas.

[0028] The formulation of the product consists of the following materials:

[0029] Cannabis material: Composed of one or more of the aforementioned cannabis materials, with at least one or more solid or semi-solid cannabis materials. The cannabis material accounts for 25% to 90% by weight in the final product.

[0030] Skeletal material: This can include tobacco, Pueraria lobata, wood microcrystalline cellulose, or cannabis microcrystalline cellulose. The skeletal material also needs to be comminuted into particles with a size similar to the cannabis material particles. Its main function is to provide structural strength and flexibility. The skeletal material accounts for 0% to 60% by weight in the final product.

[0031] Binder: One or more natural polymer materials, which can include but are not limited to starch, cellulose, plant or animal proteins and their derivatives. Specific examples include: carboxymethyl cellulose (CMC), sodium carboxymethyl cellulose (CMC-Na), hydroxypropyl cellulose (HPC), hydroxypropyl methyl cellulose (HPMC), arabic gum, guar gum, chitosan, carrageenan, Pueraria lobata extract, gluten, and gelatin. The binder accounts for 1% to 10% by weight in the final product.

[0032] Flavoring: This can include terpenes extracted from cannabis, non-cannabis plant terpenes, and aromatic compounds extracted from cannabis plants or other plants, or any combination of these components. Flavoring accounts for 3% to 10% (maybe 3%-20%) by weight in the final product.

[0033] The above materials are added in predetermined ratios to a low-temperature mixing apparatus for uniform mixing, ensuring even distribution of the components. The mixture is then extruded through a twin-screw extruder to form an aerosol-generating substrate with a specific geometry for use in heating devices.

[0034] The aerosol-forming substrate typically contains 10% to 50% by weight of cannabinoids, with the specific content depending on the ratio of cannabis material to other components (such as skeletal material and flavoring) and the cannabinoid content.

[0035] In some embodiments, an interior of the aerosol-generating substrate 100 has a three-dimensional ordered honeycomb structure, as shown in FIG. 1A. The interior of the aerosol-generating substrate 100 has multiple air channels 102, each extending through at least one end 108 of the aerosol-generating substrate 100 in the longitudinal direction, and preferably extending through both ends. Partition walls 104 separate adjacent air channels 102. This honeycomb structure significantly improves thermal conductivity, optimizes temperature distribution, and reduces the impact of temperature differences on cannabinoid release during heating. The hollow channels 102 in the honeycomb structure form ordered airways that promote smooth airflow, thereby increasing aerosol release efficiency and reducing aerosol loss. In some embodiments, each air channel is parallel to the axis of the aerosol-generating substrate and extends through both ends of the aerosol-generating substrate in the longitudinal direction.

[0036] In some embodiments, the air channels 102 are arranged in an ordered manner. The air channels can be arranged in a concentric circle pattern, as shown in FIG. 1A, with air channels distributed along multiple trajectories. Each trajectory line has air channels arranged around the central circumference of the aerosol-generating substrate, and multiple trajectory lines are arranged concentrically along the radial direction of the aerosol-generating substrate. The air channels can also be arranged in a square matrix, as shown in FIG. 1B.

[0037] In some embodiments, the air channels 102 are arranged in an ordered manner. The air channels 102 can be arranged in a concentric circle pattern, as shown in FIG. 1A, with air channels 102 distributed along multiple trajectories. Each trajectory line has air channels 102 arranged around the central circumference of the aerosol-generating substrate 100, and multiple trajectory lines are arranged concentrically along the radial direction of the aerosol-generating substrate 100. The air channels 102 can also be arranged in a square matrix, as shown in FIG. 1B.

[0038] In some embodiments, the aerosol-generating substrate has an equivalent diameter in the range of 1 mm to 10 mm and a length in the range of 5 mm to 100 mm.

[0039] In some embodiments, the cross-sectional area of each air channel is in the range of 0.10 mm2 to 20 mm2, or the hydraulic diameter of each air channel is in the range of 0.36 mm to 5 mm.

[0040] In some embodiments, the wall thickness of the partition walls 104 between adjacent air channels 102 is in the range of 10 μm to 800 μm.

[0041] The shape and size of the aerosol-forming substrate can vary, for example:

[0042] Cylindrical: Length of 5-100 mm, diameter of 1-10 mm, as shown in FIGS. 1A and 1B);

[0043] Elliptical cylindrical: Length of 5-100 mm, thickness of 1-10 mm (as shown in FIG. 2); Equilateral triangular: Length of 5-100 mm, side length of 1-10 mm;

[0044] Hexagonal: Length of 5-100 mm, side length of 1-10 mm;

[0045] Rectangular: Length of 5-100 mm, height and width of 1-10 mm (as shown in FIG. 3).

[0046] FIG. 5 is a schematic structural diagram of one embodiment of a heating element assembly 200 comprising an aerosol-generating substrate 100 and an outer wrapper 202. The outer wrapper 202 comprises an electromagnetic heating inductor 204.

[0047] FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram illustrating use of an aerosol-generating substrate 100 directly loaded into a corresponding aerosol-generating device 300. The aerosol-generating device 300 is provided with an airflow channel 302, and one end of the airflow channel 302 is provided with a mouthpiece 304. The aerosol-generating substrate 100 is loaded from a bottom side into an end of the airflow channel 302 that is away from the mouthpiece 304. The aerosol-generating device 300 heats the aerosol-generating substrate 100, and aerosol generated by atomization is discharged from the mouthpiece 304. In this embodiment, the aerosol-generating device 300 and the aerosol-generating substrate 100 together form an aerosol-generating system.

[0048] FIG. 7 is a schematic diagram of another embodiment of an aerosol-generating system. The aerosol-generating system comprises an aerosol-generating device 300 and an aerosol-generating product 400, and the aerosol-generating product 400 is in the form of a cigarette. The cigarette comprises an aerosol-generating substrate 100, a functional segment 402, and an outer wrapper 410.

[0049] The cross-section of the aerosol-forming substrate can consist of an ordered structure made of a set number of polygons (such as triangles, hexagons, squares, pentagons, etc.) or circular rings, with the number of polygons ranging from 4 to 100 (as shown in FIG. 4). Based on the shape, size, material composition, and density of the substrate, the basis weight of the substrate can range from 120 g / m2 to 250 g / m2, and the overall weight of the substrate can range from 50 mg to 1000 mg.

[0050] The aerosol-forming substrate is used in combination with a corresponding heating device, which may employ, but is not limited to, the following heating methods to heat the aerosol-forming substrate: circumferential conduction heating (as shown in FIG. 5), air convection heating, electromagnetic induction heating, infrared heating, and microwave heating. During the heating process, the aerosol-forming substrate is heated to a range of 200° C. to 300° C., thereby releasing an aerosol containing cannabinoids and flavoring. The aerosol-forming substrate can be directly placed into a compatible aerosol-generating device for use (as shown in FIG. 6), or further processed into a cigarette form and inserted into a corresponding aerosol-generating device (as shown in FIG. 7) to meet the diverse needs of users.

[0051] The functional segment 402 is provided at one end of the aerosol-generating substrate 100 in a longitudinal direction and at least comprises a filter segment 404 configured to filter aerosol. The functional segment 402 of the cigarette shown in FIG. 7 further comprises a cooling segment 406 and a plug. The outer wrapper surrounds circumferential outer surfaces of the functional segment 402 and the aerosol-generating substrate 100.

[0052] It can be understood that the aerosol-generating substrate of the present invention may also be formed into an aerosol-generating product in the form of a capsule, in which an outer wrapper is provided on an outer periphery of the aerosol-generating substrate.

[0053] It can be understood that, in addition to circumferential conduction heating, the aerosol-generating device may also employ other heating methods such as air heating, microwave heating, and infrared heating. The circumferential conduction heating includes, but is not limited to, electromagnetic heating and resistance heating.

[0054] During heating, under a puffing regime according to a Health Canada Intense smoking regime, the aerosol release amount and cannabinoid release efficiency of the aerosol-generating substrate satisfy the following:

[0055] Each puff releases 3 to 6 mg of aerosol, in which cannabinoids account for 50% to 80% by weight;

[0056] During a heating process of 10 puffs (a total of 300 seconds), 30% to 60% of cannabinoids in the aerosol-generating substrate are converted into aerosol and collected;

[0057] During a process of 20 puffs (a total of 600 seconds), 70% to 85% of cannabinoids in the aerosol-generating substrate are converted into aerosol and collected;

[0058] During a heating process of 10 puffs (a total of 300 seconds), the consistency of the amount of aerosol released per puff and the mass of cannabinoids in the aerosol is characterized by a relative standard deviation in a range of 10% to 20%.

[0059] FIG. 8 is a comparison diagram of per-puff aerosol release amount.

[0060] FIG. 9 is a comparison diagram of cannabinoid release efficiency and per-puff cannabinoid amount between the aerosol-generating substrate of the present invention and competing products.

[0061] An embodiment for improving cannabinoid release efficiency is provided as follows.

[0062] Structure of the aerosol-generating substrate: The aerosol-generating substrate has an equivalent diameter in a range of 1 mm to 10 mm and a length in a range of 5 mm to 100 mm, and has an interior comprising a plurality of air channels, each of the air channels extending to at least one end of the aerosol-generating substrate in a longitudinal direction, and preferably extending through both ends of the aerosol-generating substrate.

[0063] Heating method and heating temperature: Circumferential conduction heating is adopted, for example, electromagnetic circumferential heating or resistance circumferential heating.

[0064] Mass of aerosol per puff: 3 mg to 10 mg, maybe 3 mg to 20 mg.

[0065] Cannabinoid content per puff: 1.5 mg to 5.0 mg, maybe 1.5 mg to 10 mg.

[0066] Effect of different substrate geometries on atomization performance:RSD ofAverageaerosolInitialaerosolNormalizedmassCannabinoidCannabinoidCannabinoidAir-Wallsubstratemass peraerosolover 10conversioncontentamountExperimentchannelthicknessmasspuffmasspuffsratein aerosolper puffNo.shape(mm)(mg)(mg / puff)(mg / g)(%)(%)(%)(mg)#1Circular0.26348.84.6138.21945.0755.62.6#2Circular0.26344.54.9142.615.743.150.12.4#3Grid-like0.182764.4158.62151.253.12.3#4Hexagonal0.195256.73.7145.61645.351.42#5Circular0.26344.34.4128.821.539.750.82.3#6Grid-like0.182724.1149.516.548.153.12.2#7Grid-like0.163254.63.9152.8195256.12.2#8Grid-like0.146235.23.6151.519.548.152.21.9

[0067] In some embodiments, 30 g of industrial hemp dry flower, 2 g of tetrahydrocannabinol, and 1 g of hydroxypropyl cellulose are weighed and added into a liquid nitrogen planetary ball mill for comminution and uniform mixing. The mixed solid powder is placed in a freeze dryer to remove moisture. Then, 1.5 g of a plant-derived terpene mixture is added to the dried solid powder and uniformly mixed using a mixing apparatus, while maintaining the raw material temperature at or below 40° C. during mixing.

[0068] The mixed raw material is extruded through a twin-screw extruder using a square multi-orifice die to form a cylinder having uniformly distributed honeycomb-like internal channels, and then cut into substrates with a length of 20 mm. The specific parameters are as follows:SubstrateTotalSubstrateNumberSubstratecross-substratespecificSubstrateofouterSubstrateWallsectionalsurfaceSubstratesurfaceSubstratebasisPolygonpolygonaldiameterlengththicknessareaareavolumeareamassweighttypecells(mm)(mm)(mm)(mm2)(mm2)(mm3)(m−1)(mg)(g / m2)Square12005.3200.1811.181596.96223.67.142270169.07

[0069] The aerosol-generating substrate is placed into a dedicated aerosol-generating device for heating, and puffing tests are conducted using a smoking machine (for example, a Borgwaldt LM1E smoking machine). A puffing regime according to the Health Canada Intense smoking regime is used, with each puff having a volume of 55 mL, a puff duration of 2 seconds, and an interval of 30 seconds, for a total of 10 puffs. The aerosol of each puff is collected on a Cambridge filter pad and weighed to obtain the aerosol mass per puff. After 10 puffs, the filter pad and the substrate are subjected to chemical analysis. The test results are as follows:RSD ofAverageaerosolaerosolNormalizedmassCannabinoidCannabinoidCannabinoidTerpeneCannabinoidTerpenemass peraerosolover 10conversioncontentamountcontentcontent incontent inpuffmasspuffsratein aerosolper puffin aerosolsubstratesubstrate(mg / puff)(mg / g)(%)(%)(%)(mg)(%)(%)(%)4.4158.62051.253.12.27.317.83.1

[0070] In some embodiments, 30 g of microcrystalline cellulose (particle size 20 μm), 12 g of high-purity cannabidiol crystals, 1.4 g of ethyl cellulose, and 2.6 g of a plant-derived terpene mixture are weighed. The above raw materials are uniformly mixed using a mixing apparatus, while maintaining the raw material temperature at or below 40° C. during mixing.

[0071] The mixed raw material is extruded through a twin-screw extruder using a square multi-orifice die to form a cylinder having uniformly distributed honeycomb-like internal channels, and then cut into substrates with a length of 20 mm. The specific parameters are as follows:SubstrateTotalSubstrateNumberSubstratecross-substratespecificSubstrateofouterSubstrateWallsectionalsurfaceSubstratesurfaceSubstratebasisPolygonpolygonaldiameterlengththicknessareaareavolumeareamassweighttypecells(mm)(mm)(mm)(mm2)(mm2)(mm3)(m−1)(mg)(g / m2)Square12005.3200.1811.181596.96223.67.142250156.55

[0072] The aerosol-generating substrate is placed into a dedicated aerosol-generating device for heating, and puffing tests are conducted using a smoking machine (for example, a Borgwaldt LM1E smoking machine). A puffing regime according to the Health Canada Intense smoking regime is used, with each puff having a volume of 55 mL, a puff duration of 2 seconds, and an interval of 30 seconds, for a total of 10 puffs. The aerosol of each puff is collected on a Cambridge filter pad and weighed to obtain the aerosol mass per puff. After 10 puffs, the filter pad and the substrate are subjected to chemical analysis. The test results are as follows:RSD ofAverageaerosolaerosolNormalizedmassCannabinoidCannabinoidCannabinoidTerpeneCannabinoidTerpenemass peraerosolover 10conversioncontent inamountcontent incontent incontent inpuffmasspuffsrateaerosolper puffaerosolsubstratesubstrate(mg / puff)(mg / g)(%)(%)(%)(mg)(%)(%)(%)3.8152.52039.466.92.63.925.92.1

[0073] The above embodiments are merely illustrative examples provided to clearly describe the invention, and are not intended to limit the embodiments. For those skilled in the art, various other forms of changes or modifications may be made on the basis of the above description. It is unnecessary and impossible to enumerate all possible embodiments here. Any obvious changes or modifications derived from the present invention shall still fall within the scope of protection of the present inventive concept.

[0074] The technical features of the foregoing embodiments may be arbitrarily combined to form new embodiments. For the sake of brevity of description, not all possible combinations of the technical features in the foregoing embodiments are described. However, where no contradiction exists, all the combinations of these technical features are contemplated in the scope of this specification.

[0075] The foregoing embodiments are merely illustrative of some embodiments, and the description of the foregoing embodiments is detailed, but is not to be construed as limiting the scope of this application. For a person of ordinary skill in the art, several variations and improvements can be made without departing from the concept of this application, and such variations and improvements all fall within the protection scope of this application. Therefore, the protection scope of this application shall be subject to the appended claims.

[0076] The technical features of the foregoing embodiments may be arbitrarily combined to form new embodiments. For the sake of brevity of description, not all possible combinations of the technical features in the foregoing embodiments are described. However, where no contradiction exists, all the combinations of these technical features are contemplated in the scope of this specification.

[0077] The foregoing embodiments are merely illustrative of some embodiments. For a person of ordinary skill in the art, several variations and improvements can be made without departing from the concept of this application, and such variations and improvements all fall within the protection scope of this application. Therefore, the protection scope of this application shall be subject to the appended claims.

[0078] The foregoing embodiments are used for describing, instead of limiting the technical solutions of the disclosure. A person of ordinary skill in the art shall understand that although the disclosure has been described in detail with reference to the foregoing embodiments, modifications can be made to the technical solutions described in the foregoing embodiments, or equivalent replacements can be made to some technical features in the technical solutions, provided that such modifications or replacements do not cause the essence of corresponding technical solutions to depart from the spirit and scope of the technical solutions of the embodiments of the disclosure and the appended claims.

Examples

Embodiment Construction

[0023]Technical solutions in embodiments of this application are clearly and completely described in the following with reference to accompanying drawings in the embodiments of this application. Clearly, the described embodiments are merely a part rather than all of the embodiments of this application. All other embodiments obtained by a person of ordinary skill in the art based on the embodiments of this application without creative efforts shall fall within the protection scope of this application.

[0024]For embodiments that do not specify experimental steps or conditions, conventional experimental steps or conditions described in literature within the field can be used. Reagents or instruments not specified with manufacturers are conventional reagent products that can be obtained commercially.

[0025]Cannabis material: Refers to natural materials containing cannabinoids, such as tetrahydrocannabinolic acid (THCA), tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), cannabidiolic acid (CBDA), cannabidiol (C...

Claims

1. An aerosol-generating substrate, comprising 25% to 90% by weight of cannabis, wherein the aerosol-generating substrate has an interior comprising a plurality of air channels, each of the air channels extending to at least one end of the aerosol-generating substrate in a longitudinal direction,and wherein a moisture content of the aerosol-generating substrate is from 2% to 5% by weight.

2. The aerosol-generating substrate according to claim 1,wherein the aerosol-generating substrate further comprises 0% to 60% by weight of a skeletal material, 1% to 10% by weight of a binder, and 3% to 20% by weight of a flavoring.

3. The aerosol-generating substrate according to claim 2,wherein a D90 of a particle size distribution of the cannabis is from 1 μm to 150 μm.

4. The aerosol-generating substrate according to claim 2,wherein the skeletal material is selected from the group comprising at least one of: tobacco, Pueraria lobata, wood microcrystalline cellulose, or cannabis microcrystalline cellulose.

5. The aerosol-generating substrate according to claim 2,wherein the binder is selected from the group comprising at least one of: starch, cellulose, plant protein, animal protein, or derivatives thereof.

6. The aerosol-generating substrate according to claim 1,wherein each of the air channels is parallel to an axis of the aerosol-generating substrate and extends through opposite ends of the aerosol-generating substrate in the longitudinal direction.

7. The aerosol-generating substrate according to claim 1,wherein the air channels are arranged in an ordered manner.

8. The aerosol-generating substrate according to claim 1,wherein the aerosol-generating substrate has an equivalent diameter in a range of 1 mm to 10 mm and a length in a range of 5 mm to 100 mm.

9. The aerosol-generating substrate according to claim 1,wherein a cross-sectional area of each of the air channels is from 0.10 mm2 to 20 mm2; or a hydraulic diameter of each of the air channels is from 0.36 mm to 5 mm.

10. The aerosol-generating substrate according to claim 1,wherein a wall thickness of a partition wall between adjacent air channels is from 10 μm to 800 μm.

11. The aerosol-generating substrate according to claim 1,wherein, in a plane perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the aerosol-generating substrate, a cross-sectional shape of the aerosol-generating substrate is circular, elliptical, racetrack-shaped, or polygonal.

12. The aerosol-generating substrate according to claim 1,wherein the aerosol-generating substrate has a basis weight in a range of 120 g / m2 to 250 g / m2, and an overall weight in a range of 50 mg to 1000 mg.

13. A method of manufacturing an aerosol-generating substrate, the method comprising:subjecting a cannabis material to mechanical comminution to form particles having a D90 of a particle size distribution of 1 μm to 150 μm;reducing, by freeze-drying, a moisture content of the comminuted cannabis material to 2% to 5% by weight;charging 25% to 90% by weight of cannabis material particles, 0% to 60% by weight of a skeletal material, 1% to 10% by weight of a binder, and 3% to 10% by weight of a flavoring into a low-temperature mixing apparatus and mixing the same uniformly; andextruding the mixture through an extruder to form an aerosol-generating substrate having a predetermined geometry, the aerosol-generating substrate having an interior comprising a plurality of air channels, each of the air channels extending to at least one end of the aerosol-generating substrate in a longitudinal direction.

14. An aerosol-generating system, comprising:an aerosol-generating article comprising an aerosol-generating substrate, the aerosol-generating substrate comprising cannabis; andan aerosol-generating device configured to heat the aerosol-generating substrate to generate an aerosol;wherein, during heating, under a puffing regime according to a Health Canada Intense smoking regime, a mass of aerosol per puff is in a range of 3 mg to 10 mg, and a cannabinoid content per puff is in a range of 1.5 mg to 10 mg.

15. The aerosol-generating system according to claim 14,wherein the aerosol-generating device is further configured to employ circumferential conduction heating.

16. The aerosol-generating system according to claim 14,wherein the aerosol-generating substrate has an equivalent diameter in a range of 1 mm to 10 mm and a length in a range of 5 mm to 100 mm, andwherein the aerosol-generating substrate has an interior comprising a plurality of air channels, each of the air channels extending to at least one end of the aerosol-generating substrate in a longitudinal direction.

17. The aerosol-generating system according to claim 14,wherein the aerosol-generating article further comprises:an outer wrapper surrounding a circumferential outer surface of the aerosol-generating substrate;wherein the aerosol-generating substrate comprises 25% to 90% by weight of cannabis, wherein the aerosol-generating substrate has an interior comprising a plurality of air channels, each of the air channels extending to at least one end of the aerosol-generating substrate in a longitudinal direction.

18. The aerosol-generating system according to claim 14,wherein the aerosol-generating article further comprises:a functional segment provided at one end of the aerosol-generating substrate in a longitudinal direction, the functional segment at least comprising a filter segment configured to filter aerosol.

19. The aerosol-generating system according to claim 18,wherein the functional segment further comprises a cooling segment disposed between the filter segment and the aerosol-generating substrate.

20. The aerosol-generating system according to claim 14,wherein the aerosol-generating substrate has a moisture content in the range of 2% to 5% by weight.

21. The aerosol-generating substrate according to claim 2, wherein the flavoring is from 3% to 10% by weight.

22. The aerosol-generating system according to claim 14, wherein the cannabinoid content per puff is in a range of 1.5 mg to 5 mg.

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