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EP-4740756-A1 - SMOKELESS ARTICLE

EP4740756A1EP 4740756 A1EP4740756 A1EP 4740756A1EP-4740756-A1

Abstract

A smokeless article for oral delivery comprising a pouch enclosing a content. The content comprises a nicotinic compound, calcium lactate and sodium carbonate, wherein the pH stability of the content is such that the pH changes by less than or equal to 0.25 units over a period of 12 weeks. Typically, the content comprises 2-4 wt% calcium lactate relative to the total weight of the content, and sodium carbonate. A method of preparing the smokeless article, use of calcium lactate in the content and kits comprising the smokeless article.

Inventors

  • DAVIES, Zak Paul
  • HALL, STEVEN

Assignees

  • IMPERIAL TOBACCO LIMITED

Dates

Publication Date
20260513
Application Date
20241111

Claims (14)

  1. A smokeless article for oral delivery comprising a pouch enclosing a content, the content comprising a nicotinic compound, calcium lactate and sodium carbonate, wherein the pH stability of the content is such that the pH changes by less than or equal to 0.25 units over a period of 12 weeks.
  2. The smokeless article according to claim 1, wherein the calcium lactate is present at 2-4 wt% relative to the total weight of the content.
  3. The smokeless article according to claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the calcium lactate is present at 2.25-3.75 wt% relative to the total weight of the content.
  4. The smokeless article according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the calcium lactate comprises calcium lactate pentahydrate.
  5. The smokeless article according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the sodium carbonate is present at up to 0.1 wt% relative to the total weight of the content.
  6. The smokeless article according to claim 5, wherein sodium carbonate is present at 0.01-0.1 wt% relative to the total weight of the content.
  7. The smokeless article according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the the content further comprises a filler.
  8. The smokeless article according to claim 7, wherein the filler comprises one or more natural fibres; and optionally wherein the one or more natural fibres comprises one or more of micro-crystalline cellulose, wheat fibre, bamboo fibre, apple fibre, citrus fibre, sugar cane fibre, rice fibre, psyllium fibre, potato fibre, pea fibre, and oat fibre
  9. The smokeless article according to any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein the content further comprises a flavouring.
  10. The smokeless article according to any one of claims 1 to 9, wherein the content comprises less than 5 wt% tobacco.
  11. The smokeless article according to claim 10, wherein the content is free of tobacco.
  12. A method of preparing a smokeless article according to any one of claims 1 to 11, comprising a blending step.
  13. Use of calcium lactate in the content of the smokeless article according to any one of claims 1 to 11 to improve nicotine perception by a user.
  14. A kit comprising a plurality of smokeless articles according to any one of claims 1 to 11.

Description

FIELD The present disclosure relates to a smokeless article. In particular, the disclosure relates to a smokeless article for oral delivery comprising a pouch enclosing a content which comprises a nicotinic compound for oral delivery. This disclosure also relates to methods of preparing the smokeless articles, use of calcium lactate in such articles, and kits comprising the smokeless article. BACKGROUND Smokeless articles are placed in the mouth where saliva extracts the soluble element from the content contained within. Typically, the smokeless article is placed in the oral cavity, sublingually or in the oral vestibule (between the teeth and lips/cheeks). The user may assist extraction by oral manipulation, such as by chewing and/or sucking or pressing on the outside of the mouth to squeeze the pouch. There is a need to improve the perception of ingredients (e.g. active ingredients like nicotine) produced by smokeless articles to enhance user experience and improve the function of said ingredients. At the same time, there is a need to improve the stability of the smokeless articles over time, for example during transit and storage. The present disclosure has been devised in the light of the above considerations. SUMMARY At its most general, the present disclosure relates to a smokeless article e.g. an oral nicotine delivery (OND) article, for oral delivery. In a first aspect the present disclosure provides a smokeless article for oral delivery comprising a pouch enclosing a content, the content comprising a nicotinic compound, calcium lactate and sodium carbonate. The pH stability of the content is such that the pH changes by less than or equal to 0.25 units over a period of 12 weeks. In some examples, the pH stability of the content is such that the pH changes by less than or equal to 0.5 units, 0.4 units, 0.3 units, 0.25 units, 0.2 units or 0.1 units over a period of 12 weeks. In some examples, the pH stability of the content is such that the pH changes by less than or equal to 0.5 units, 0.4 units, 0.3 units, 0.25 units, 0.2 units or 0.1 units over a period of 6 weeks. In some examples, the pH stability of the content is such that the pH changes by less than or equal to 0.5 units, 0.4 units, 0.3 units, 0.25 units, 0.2 units or 0.1 units over a period of 18 weeks. In some examples, the pH stability of the content is such that the pH changes by less than or equal to 0.5 units, 0.4 units, 0.3 units, 0.25 units, 0.2 units or 0.1 units over a period of 52 weeks. In some examples, the pH stability of the content is such that the pH is substantially constant over a period of 12 weeks. In some examples, the pH stability of the content is such that the pH is substantially constant over a period of 6 weeks. In some examples, the pH stability of the content is such that the pH is substantially constant over a period of 18 weeks. In some examples, the pH stability of the content is such that the pH is substantially constant over a period of 52 weeks. The change in pH is understood to mean a positive or a negative change in pH. That is, in some examples, the pH stability reflects the extent to which the content resists a change in pH over time. In some examples, the period of time in which pH is observed starts shortly, or immediately after the smokeless article or content is manufactured. That is, in some examples, the 12 week, 6 week, 18 week or 52 week period begins shortly or immediately after the smokeless article or content is manufactured. In some examples, the pH stability and any associated pH change is as described above when the smokeless article is stored in packaging, for example in an air-tight cannister or container. In such a scenario, for all or substantially all of the time period in which pH is observed and pH stability is established, the smokeless article is stored in the packaging (e.g. air-tight cannister or container). In some examples, the period of time in which pH is observed starts shortly, or immediately after the smokeless article is sealed into packaging, for example into an air-tight cannister or container. In some examples, the pH stability and any associated pH change is as described above when the smokeless article is stored under ambient conditions. In some examples, ambient conditions here refer to approximately room temperature (about 19 to 24°C) and pressure (about 1 atmosphere). In some examples, in order to measure the pH change over a period of time, and therefore ascertain the pH stability, samples of content are taken at regular intervals, for example at 0 weeks, 4 weeks, 8 weeks and 12 weeks. In some examples, content from the same smokeless article, batch or container is used at each sampling interval. In some examples, content from different smokeless article, batches or containers are used at each sampling interval, for example a first air-tight container is opened at 4 weeks and content used for a measurement, a second container is opened at 8 weeks and content used f