Aerosol Substrate with Moisture-Impermeable Support
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional aerosol-generating materials, particularly those containing tobacco extracts, suffer from volatility issues leading to decreased flavor and nicotine content over time, requiring high energy input for component release and limited shelf life due to moisture absorption.
Innovation Solution
A substrate comprising a dried aerosol-generating material surrounded by a support, where the material is formed from a flavor- and/or active-containing plant extract, with a low moisture content, and is protected by a moisture-impermeable coating or sorbent material, allowing for stable storage and efficient aerosol generation with reduced energy consumption.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Use of energy by moving object
If conventional aerosol-generating materials containing plant extracts are used, then flavor and active components can be delivered, but volatility causes decreased flavor and nicotine content over time and requires high energy input
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the physical and chemical parameters of the plant extract by drying it to reduce moisture content to below 10% (preferably below 5%). This parameter change stabilizes the flavor and nicotine components, preventing their degradation over time while reducing the energy required for aerosol generation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a composite material by combining the dried plant extract with a support matrix. This composite structure provides mechanical stability while preserving the volatile components, allowing for consistent flavor and nicotine delivery with reduced energy input compared to conventional liquid or fresh extract formulations.
2Duration of action of stationary object
If aerosol-generating materials with high moisture content are used, then easier processing may be achieved, but moisture absorption limits shelf life
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies drying processes to change the moisture content parameter from typical high levels (above 10%) to low levels (below 10%, preferably below 5%). This parameter change extends shelf life by preventing moisture-related degradation while the dried powder form actually simplifies handling and processing compared to wet or liquid extracts.
3Reliability
If volatile components are present in high concentrations, then flavor quality is improved, but stability over time deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the moisture content parameter to below 10% (preferably below 5%), which creates a stable matrix that preserves volatile flavor and nicotine components. This allows high concentrations of active components to be maintained without the usual degradation issues, as the low moisture environment prevents hydrolysis and microbial growth while preserving volatility for aerosol generation.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The substrate maintains high concentrations of flavor and active components, extends shelf life, and reduces energy requirements for aerosol generation, while minimizing moisture absorption, ensuring consistent aerosol quality.
Implementation Method 1
a dried precursor material comprising an extract from a flavour- and/or active-containing plant material
Implementation Method 2
protected by a moisture-impermeable coating or sorbent material, allowing for stable storage
Data Source
AI summary
The invention relates to substrates comprising an aerosol-generating material surrounded by a support, the aerosol-generating material comprising a dried precursor material comprising an extract from a flavour- and/or active-containing plant material and optionally an aerosol-former material. The substrates may be used to generate an aerosol. For example, the substrates may be used in combustible or non-combustible aerosol-provision systems. The invention also relates to aerosol-provision systems comprising the substrates, and methods of providing a substrate.