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EP-3897231-B1 - TUBULAR ELEMENT FOR USE WITH AN AEROSOL GENERATING ARTICLE

EP3897231B1EP 3897231 B1EP3897231 B1EP 3897231B1EP-3897231-B1

Inventors

  • CAMPITELLI, Gennaro
  • D'AMBRA, Gianpaolo
  • DAYIOGLU, Onur

Dates

Publication Date
20260506
Application Date
20191216

Claims (18)

  1. A tubular gel element for use with an aerosol-generating article, the tubular gel element (500) comprising a wrapper (110) that forms a first longitudinal passageway; the tubular gel element (500) further comprising a gel (124); wherein the wrapper (110) comprises paper; wherein the wrapper (110) is water-resistant; wherein the gel (124) comprises an aerosol former and an active agent; wherein the aerosol former is glycerol and the gel comprises between 60 percent and 95 percent by weight of glycerol; wherein the gel (124) further comprises a gelling agent in a range of 0.5 percent to 7 percent by weight of the gel; and wherein the active agent comprises nicotine.
  2. A tubular gel element according to claim 1, wherein the gelling agent comprises at least one of agar, gellan gum and xanthan gum.
  3. A tubular gel element according to claim 1, wherein the gelling agent is agar.
  4. A tubular gel element according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the gel (124) has a viscosity of 10,000 to 1,000 pascal second.
  5. A tubular gel element according to any preceding claim, wherein the wrapper (110) is hydrophobic.
  6. A tubular gel element according to claim 5, wherein the wrapper (110) comprises hydrophobic groups covalently bonded to the inner surface of the wrapper.
  7. A tubular gel element according to claim 5 or 6, wherein the wrapper (110) comprises hydrophobic groups covalently bonded to the outer surface of the wrapper.
  8. A tubular gel element according to any one of claims 5 to 7, wherein the wrapper (110) has a Cobb water absorption value (at 60 seconds) of less than 40 grams per square meter.
  9. A tubular gel element according to any preceding claim, wherein the tubular gel element comprises a distal end and a proximal end and wherein an end plug (600) is positioned at the distal end of the tubular gel element.
  10. A tubular gel element according to claim 9, wherein the end plug (600) of the tubular gel element is impermeable to fluid.
  11. A tubular gel element according to any preceding claim, wherein the wrapper (110) is stiff.
  12. A tubular gel element according to any preceding claim, wherein the tubular gel element (500) further comprises a susceptor (552).
  13. A tubular gel element according to claim 12, wherein the susceptor (552) is positioned longitudinally within the tubular gel element.
  14. A tubular gel element according to claim 12 or 13, wherein the susceptor (552) is located adjacent to the gel (124).
  15. A tubular gel element according to any preceding claim, wherein the tubular gel element (500) further comprises a sheet material.
  16. A tubular gel element according to claim 15, wherein the sheet material is crimped.
  17. An aerosol generating article comprising a tubular gel element (500) as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 16.
  18. A method of manufacturing the tubular gel element of any one of claims 1 to 16, the method comprising the steps of: placing a water-resistant wrapping material (122) for the tubular gel element (500) around a mandrel (180) that forms the tubular gel element (500); and, extruding the gel (124) from a conduit (182) within the mandrel (180), such that the gel is within the tubular gel element (500).

Description

The present disclosure relates to a tubular gel element for use with an aerosol generating article, wherein the tubular gel element comprises gel. Articles comprising nicotine for use with aerosol generating devices are known. Often the articles comprise a liquid, such as an e-liquid, that is heated by a coiled electrically resistive filament to release an aerosol. Manufacturing, transport and storage of such aerosol generating articles comprising liquid may be problematic, and could lead to leakage of the liquid and the contents of the liquid. US2018007974A1 discloses a consumable aerosol-generating article with liquid aerosol-forming substrate, and an aerosol-generating system. It would be desirable to provide a tubular gel element for use in an aerosol generating article and device where the tubular gel element exhibits little to no leakage. It would also be desirable to provide a tubular element, that includes a flow control system that efficiently delivers aerosol generated from the tubular element, when heated by the aerosol generating device. There is provided a tubular gel element for use with an aerosol-generating article, an aerosol-generating article and a method of manufacturing a tubular gel element for use with an aerosol-generating article, in accordance with the appended claims. In specific embodiments the gel completely fills the tubular element within the wrapper. Alternatively, in specific embodiments the gel may partially fill the tubular gel element. For example, in specific embodiments the gel is provided as a coating on an inner surface of the tubular gel element. The advantage of only partially filling the tubular gel element is that it leaves a fluid path, for example, for aerosol to flow into or out of the tubular gel element. In combination with specific embodiments the tubular gel element comprises a second tubular element. In combination with specific embodiments the tubular gel element comprises a second tubular element comprising a longitudinal side, and proximal and distal ends; and the second tubular element is positioned longitudinally within the first longitudinal passageway. In combination with specific embodiments the tubular gel element comprises a plurality of second tubular elements. In specific embodiments the tubular gel element comprises a plurality of second tubular elements arranged in parallel so as to extend along the longitudinal length of the tubular gel element. Optionally gel is provided within all, some, or none, of the plurality of second tubular elements. Again, depending on the specific embodiment, where there is gel in a second tubular element, the gel completely fills each of the plurality of second tubular elements, or the gel partially fills the second tubular elements. In specific embodiments the tubular gel element comprises a porous medium loaded with gel. In combination with other features, in specific embodiments, one or more of the second tubular elements comprises porous medium loaded with gel. Where there is porous medium loaded with gel, the porous medium loaded with gel completely fills each of the plurality of second tubular elements, or the porous medium loaded with gel partially fills the second tubular elements. In specific embodiments the porous medium loaded with gel is located between the second tubular element and the wrapper. In specific embodiments the longitudinal side of the second tubular element comprises paper, or cardboard, or cellulose acetate. In specific embodiments the second tubular element comprises gel. Preferably the gel is at least partially enclosed by the longitudinal sides of the second tubular element. In specific embodiments gel may be located between the second tubular element and the wrapper that forms the first longitudinal passageway. In combination with specific embodiments the tubular gel element has an external diameter that is approximately equal to the external diameter of the aerosol generating article. In specific embodiments the tubular gel element has an external diameter of between 5 millimetres and 12 millimetres, for example of between 5 millimetres and 10 millimetres or between 6 millimetres and 8 millimetres. Typically, the tubular gel element has an external diameter of 7.2 millimetres plus or minus 10 percent. Typically, the tubular gel element has a length between 5 millimetres and 15 millimetres. Preferably, the tubular gel element has a length between 6 millimetres and 12 millimetres, preferably, the tubular gel element has a length between 7 millimetres and 10 millimetres, preferably the tubular gel element has a length of 8 millimetres. In combination with specific embodiments, the gel is a mixture of materials capable of releasing volatile compounds into an aerosol passing through the tubular gel element, preferably when the gel is heated. The provision of a gel may be advantageous for storage and transport, or during use, as the risk of leakage from the tubular gel element, aerosol g