Patent Description:
Smoking articles such as cigarettes, cigars and the like burn tobacco during use to create tobacco smoke. Alternatives to these types of articles release an inhalable aerosol or vapour by releasing compounds from a substrate material by heating without burning. These may be referred to as non-combustible smoking articles, aerosol generating assemblies or non-combustible aerosol provision systems.

One example of such a product is a heating device which release compounds by heating, but not burning, a solid aerosolisable material. This solid aerosolisable material may, in some cases, contain a tobacco material. The heating volatilises at least one component of the material, typically forming an inhalable aerosol. These products may be referred to as heat-not-burn devices, tobacco heating devices or tobacco heating products (THP). Various different arrangements for volatilising at least one component of the solid aerosolisable material are known.

As another example, there are e-cigarette / tobacco heating product hybrid devices, also known as electronic tobacco hybrid devices. These hybrid devices contain a liquid source (which may or may not contain nicotine) which is vaporised by heating to produce an inhalable vapour or aerosol. The device additionally contains a solid aerosolisable material (which may or may not contain a tobacco material) and components of this material are entrained in the inhalable vapour or aerosol to produce the inhaled medium.

<CIT> teaches on an amorphous solid for use in aerosol generation. The active ingredient may be cannabis or a cannabinoid such as cannabidiol at a concentration of <NUM> or <NUM> wt% on a dry basis. The substance further conatins up to <NUM> wt% of an aerosol former (pref. glycerol), a gelling agent and a filler, whereby the combined concentration of gelling agent and filler can be <NUM>-<NUM> wt%. The gelling agent comprises one or more of alginates, pectins, hydroxyethyl cellulose, hydroxypropyl cellulose, carboxymethylcellulose. The amorphous solid is made by providing a slurry containing said constituents, forming a layer, setting the slurry to form a gel, followed by drying. The amorphous solid is employed in a non-combustible consumable in a corresponding device. <CIT> discloses corresponding features to <CIT>.

<CIT> teaches an oral composition containing <NUM> wt% cannabidiol (CBD), <NUM>% alginate gelling agent, <NUM>% NaCl, Caproyl PGMC + <NUM>% Chremophor EL + Transcutol + Xylitol + Sorbitol + Glycerol.

In a first aspect, there is provided an amorphous solid for use in aerosol generation, the amorphous solid comprising:.

wherein the wt% values are calculated on a dry weight basis.

In a second aspect, there is provided an aerosol-generating material comprising the amorphous solid of the first aspect.

In a third aspect, there is provided a consumable for use in a non-combustible aerosol provision device, the consumable comprising the aerosol-generating material of the second aspect.

In a fourth aspect, there is a provided a non-combustible aerosol provision system comprising the consumable of the third aspect and a non-combustible aerosol provision device.

In a fifth aspect, there is provided a composition for oral delivery of a constituent, derivative or extract of cannabis, the composition comprising an amorphous solid, the amorphous solid comprising:.

In a sixth aspect, there is provided a method of forming the amorphous solid of the first aspect or as defined in the fifth aspect, the method comprising:.

In a seventh aspect, there is provided a slurry comprising:.

The aerosol-former material in the amorphous solid for use in aerosol generation is the same as the humectant in the amorphous solid for oral delivery of constituent(s), derivative(s) or extract(s) of cannabis.

Further aspects of the invention described herein may provide the use of the amorphous solid, the aerosol generating material, the consumable or the non-combustible aerosol provision system, in the generation of an inhalable aerosol.

Further features and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the following description, given by way of example only, and with reference to the accompanying figures.

As noted above, provided is an amorphous solid for use in aerosol generation, the amorphous solid comprising:.

Also provided is a composition for oral delivery of a constituent, derivative or extract of cannabis, the composition comprising an amorphous solid, the amorphous solid comprising:.

The amorphous solid may form part of an aerosol-generating material. An aerosol-generating material is a material that is capable of generating aerosol, for example when heated, irradiated or energized in any other way. In some embodiments, the aerosol-generating material comprises an aerosol-generating film that is an amorphous solid.

The amorphous solid may alternatively be referred to as a "monolithic solid" (i.e. non-fibrous). In some embodiments, the amorphous solid may be a dried gel. The amorphous solid is a solid material that may retain some fluid, such as liquid, within it. In some embodiments the retained fluid may be water (such as water absorbed from the surroundings of the amorphous solid) or the retained fluid may be solvent (such as when the amorphous solid is formed from a slurry). In some embodiments, the solvent may be water.

In some embodiments, the aerosol-generating material may for example comprise from about <NUM> wt%, <NUM> wt% or <NUM> wt% of amorphous solid, to about <NUM> wt%, <NUM> wt% or <NUM> wt% of amorphous solid, based on the weight of the aerosol-generating material. These wt% values are calculated on a wet weight basis (WWB), i.e. including any water or other solvent present in the aerosol-generating material or the amorphous solid.

In some embodiments, the aerosol-generating material consists of the amorphous solid.

In some embodiments, the amorphous solid and/or the aerosol generating material consists essentially of, or consists of, gelling agent; solvent; aerosol-former material; constituent, derivative or extract of cannabis; and optionally a flavour and/or optionally an additional active substance and/or optionally a filler.

In some cases, the amorphous solid and/or the aerosol generating material consists essentially of, or consists of, gelling agent; solvent; aerosol-former material; and constituent, derivative or extract of cannabis.

In some embodiments, the amorphous solid and/or the aerosol generating material consists essentially of, or consists of, gelling agent; solvent; aerosol-former material; cannabinoid; and optionally a flavour and/or optionally an additional active substance and/or optionally a filler.

In some cases, the amorphous solid and/or the aerosol generating material consists essentially of, or consists of, gelling agent; solvent; aerosol-former material; and cannabinoid.

In some embodiments, the amorphous solid and/or the aerosol generating material consists essentially of, or consists of, gelling agent; water; aerosol-former material; constituent, derivative or extract of cannabis; and optionally a flavour and/or optionally an additional active substance and/or optionally a filler.

In some cases, the amorphous solid and/or the aerosol generating material consists essentially of, or consists of, gelling agent; water; aerosol-former material; and constituent, derivative or extract of cannabis.

In some embodiments, the amorphous solid and/or the aerosol generating material consists essentially of, or consists of, gelling agent; water; aerosol-former material; cannabinoid; and optionally a flavour and/or optionally an additional active substance and/or optionally a filler.

In some cases, the amorphous solid and/or the aerosol generating material consists essentially of, or consists of, gelling agent; water; aerosol-former material; and cannabinoid.

In some embodiments, the amorphous solid is a hydrogel and comprises less than about <NUM> wt% of water calculated on a wet weight basis. In some cases, the hydrogel may comprise less than about <NUM> wt%, <NUM> wt% or <NUM> wt% of water calculated on a wet weight basis (WWB). In some cases, the hydrogel may comprise at least about <NUM> wt%, <NUM> wt% or at least about <NUM> wt% of water (WWB).

In some embodiments, the amorphous solid may contain less than about <NUM> wt%, such as less than about <NUM> wt%, <NUM> wt% or <NUM> wt% of water calculated on a wet weight basis (WWB). For example, the amorphous solid may contain about <NUM>-<NUM> wt% of water, such as <NUM>-<NUM> wt% of water (WWB). In some embodiments the amorphous solid may contain about <NUM>-<NUM> wt% of water (WWB).

Suitably, the amorphous solid may comprise from about <NUM> to about <NUM> wt% of one or more constituents, derivatives or extracts of cannabis, for example from about <NUM> wt% or <NUM> wt% to about <NUM> wt%, <NUM> wt%, <NUM> wt% or <NUM> wt% of constituent(s), derivative(s) or extract(s) of cannabis (all calculated on a dry weight basis). For example, the amorphous solid may comprise about <NUM>-<NUM> wt%, about <NUM>-<NUM> wt%, about <NUM>-<NUM> wt%, about <NUM>-<NUM> wt%, or about <NUM>-<NUM> wt% constituent(s), derivative(s) or extract(s) of cannabis. The amorphous solid may comprise from about <NUM> wt%, <NUM> wt%, <NUM> wt% or <NUM> wt% to about <NUM> wt%, <NUM> wt% or <NUM> wt% of one or more constituents, derivatives or extracts of cannabis (all calculated on a dry weight basis). For example, the amorphous solid may comprise about <NUM>-<NUM> wt%, <NUM>-<NUM> wt%, about <NUM>-<NUM> wt% or about <NUM>-<NUM> wt% constituent(s), derivative(s) or extract(s) of cannabis.

As used herein, any compound or mixture of compounds which may be obtained from cannabis may be a constituent, derivative or extract thereof, including synthetic versions of such compound(s) or such compound(s) derived from other natural sources.

In some embodiments the constituent(s), derivative(s) or extract(s) of cannabis comprises, or is, one or more compounds selected from: cannabinoids, optionally phytocannabinoids that may optionally be THC and/or CBD; terpenes, optionally triterpenes; alkaloids; and flavonoids.

In some embodiments the constituent(s), derivative(s) or extract(s) of cannabis comprises one or more compounds selected from: cannabinoids, optionally phytocannabinoids; or terpenes, optionally triterpenes.

In some embodiments the constituent(s), derivative(s) or extract(s) of cannabis comprises one or more cannabinoids, optionally phytocannabinoids.

Cannabinoids are a class of natural or synthetic chemical compounds which act on cannabinoid receptors (i.e., CB1 and CB2) in cells that repress neurotransmitter release in the brain. Cannabinoids may be naturally occurring (phytocannabinoids) from plants such as cannabis, from animals (endocannabinoids), or artificially manufactured (synthetic cannabinoids). Cannabis species express at least <NUM> different phytocannabinoids, and are divided into subclasses, including cannabigerols, cannabichromenes, cannabidiols, tetrahydrocannabinols, cannabinols and cannabinodiols, and other cannabinoids. Cannabinoids found in cannabis include, without limitation: cannabigerol (CBG), cannabichromene (CBC), cannabidiol (CBD), tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), cannabinol (CBN), cannabinodiol (CBDL), cannabicyclol (CBL), cannabivarin (CBV), tetrahydrocannabivarin (THCV), cannabidivarin (CBDV), cannabichromevarin (CBCV), cannabigerovarin (CBGV), cannabigerol monomethyl ether (CBGM), cannabinerolic acid, cannabidiolic acid (CBDA), cannabinol propyl variant (CBNV), cannabitriol (CBO), tetrahydrocannabmolic acid (THCA), and tetrahydrocannabivarinic acid (THCV A).

In some embodiments, the cannabinoids are phytocannabinoids.

In some embodiments, the terpenes are triterpenes.

In particular embodiments, the constituent, derivative or extract of cannabis comprises, or is, tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) and/or cannabidiol (CBD).

In some embodiments, the constituent, derivative or extract of cannabis comprises, or is, THC.

In particular embodiments, the constituent, derivative or extract of cannabis comprises, or is, CBD.

The inventors have found that constituents, derivatives or extracts of cannabis such as CBD may have limited solubility in solutions used in liquid vaping delivery systems, meaning that such systems may not be able to deliver high levels of such materials. Use of amorphous solids may allow for incorporation of higher levels of constituents, derivatives or extracts of cannabis, and hence delivery of higher amounts of constituents, derivatives or extracts of cannabis to the user.

The aerosol-former material may comprise one or more constituents capable of forming an aerosol.

Suitably, the amorphous solid may comprise from about <NUM> wt% to about <NUM> wt% of aerosol-former material (calculated on a dry weight basis), for example about <NUM> wt%, <NUM> wt% or <NUM> wt% to about <NUM> wt%, <NUM> wt%, <NUM> wt% or <NUM> wt%. In some embodiments the amorphous solid may comprise from about <NUM>-<NUM> wt% aerosol-former material. In some embodiments, the amorphous solid may comprise about <NUM> to <NUM> wt%, such as about <NUM> to <NUM> wt% aerosol-former material. In some embodiments the amorphous solid may comprise from about <NUM> to <NUM> wt% aerosol-former material.

In some embodiments, the aerosol-former material may comprise one or more of glycerol, propylene glycol, diethylene glycol, triethylene glycol, tetraethylene glycol, <NUM>,<NUM>-butylene glycol, erythritol, meso-Erythritol, ethyl vanillate, ethyl laurate, a diethyl suberate, triethyl citrate, triacetin, a diacetin mixture, benzyl benzoate, benzyl phenyl acetate, tributyrin, lauryl acetate, lauric acid, myristic acid, and propylene carbonate.

In some embodiments, the aerosol-former material may comprise one or more of erythritol, propylene glycol, glycerol, and triacetin. In some cases, the aerosol-former material comprises, consists essentially of or consists of glycerol, or a mixture of glycerol and propylene glycol.

In some embodiments, the aerosol-former material comprises a mixture of glycerol and propylene glycol in a weight ratio of glycerol to propylene glycol of about <NUM>:<NUM> to <NUM>:<NUM>, about <NUM>:<NUM> to <NUM>:<NUM>, about <NUM>:<NUM> to <NUM>:<NUM>, about <NUM>:<NUM> to <NUM>:<NUM>, or about <NUM>:<NUM>.

The aerosol-former material may act as a plasticiser. If the content of the plasticiser is too high, the amorphous solid may absorb water resulting in a material that does not create an appropriate consumption experience in use. If the plasticiser content is too low, the amorphous solid may be brittle and easily broken. The plasticiser content specified herein provides an amorphous solid flexibility which allows a sheet of the amorphous solid or aerosol-generating material to be wound onto a bobbin, which is useful in manufacture of aerosol generating articles (consumables).

Suitably, the amorphous solid comprises from about <NUM> wt% to about <NUM> wt% total amount of gelling agent, for example from about <NUM> wt%, <NUM> wt%, <NUM> wt%, or <NUM> wt% to about <NUM> wt%, <NUM> wt%, <NUM> wt%, <NUM> wt%, <NUM> wt% or <NUM> wt% total amount of gelling agent (all calculated on a dry weight basis). For example, the amorphous solid may comprise about <NUM>-<NUM> wt%, <NUM>-<NUM> wt%, <NUM>-<NUM> wt%, <NUM>-<NUM> wt%, or <NUM>-<NUM> wt% total amount of the gelling agent.

In some embodiments, the amorphous solid may comprise a total of about <NUM>-<NUM> wt% of the gelling agent.

The gelling agent comprises cellulose or a derivative thereof, and a non-cellulosic gelling agent.

The term "cellulosic" may be used herein in place of the term "cellulose or a derivative thereof". Examples of cellulosic gelling agents include, but are not limited to, hydroxymethyl cellulose, hydroxyethyl cellulose, hydroxypropyl cellulose, carboxymethyl cellulose (CMC), hydroxypropyl methylcellulose (HPMC), methyl cellulose, ethyl cellulose, cellulose acetate (CA), cellulose acetate butyrate (CAB), and cellulose acetate propionate (CAP). In some embodiments, the cellulosic gelling agent is selected from hydroxyethyl cellulose, hydroxypropyl cellulose, and/or carboxymethyl cellulose. In some embodiments, the cellulosic gelling agent comprises carboxymethyl cellulose. In some embodiments, the cellulosic gelling agent is carboxymethyl cellulose.

The non-cellulosic gelling agent may be selected from alginate, pectin, starch or a derivative thereof, pullulan, carrageenan, agar and agarose; gelatin; gums, such as xanthan gum, guar gum and acacia gum; silica or silicone compounds, such as PDMS and sodium silicate; clays, such as kaolin; and polyvinyl alcohol. In some embodiments, the non-cellulosic gelling agent is selected from alginate, pectin, starch or a derivative thereof, or guar gum. In some embodiments, the non-cellulosic gelling agent comprises alginate. In some embodiments, the non-cellulosic gelling agent is alginate.

In some embodiments, the gelling agent comprises, consists essentially of or consists of carboxymethyl cellulose and alginate.

In some embodiments, the weight ratio of cellulosic gelling agent to non-cellulosic gelling agent is from <NUM>:<NUM> to <NUM>:<NUM>, <NUM>:<NUM> to <NUM>:<NUM>, <NUM>:<NUM> to <NUM>:<NUM> or <NUM>:<NUM> to <NUM>:<NUM>. In some embodiments, the weight ratio of cellulosic gelling agent to non-cellulosic gelling agent is ><NUM>:<NUM>. That is, in some embodiments, the cellulosic gelling agent is present in an amount greater than the amount of non-cellulosic gelling agent. In some embodiments, the weight ratio of cellulosic gelling agent to non-cellulosic gelling agent is about <NUM>:<NUM>.

In some embodiments, the amorphous solid comprises a crosslinking agent. In some cases, the crosslinking agent comprises calcium ions. In some cases, the amorphous solid may comprise carboxymethyl cellulose and a calcium-crosslinked alginate. The crosslinking agent may also be described as a setting agent. In some embodiments the gelling agent is not crosslinked. The absence of crosslinks in the gelling agent facilitates quicker delivery of the constituent, derivative or extract of cannabis (and any optional additional active substances and/or flavours) from the amorphous solid.

Without wishing to be bound by theory, it is believed that by including a gelling agent comprising (i) cellulose or a derivative thereof, and (ii) a non-cellulosic gelling agent in the amorphous solid, the release temperature of the constituent, derivative or extract of cannabis can be controlled. For example, the temperature at which the constituent, derivative or extract of cannabis is released may be increased by increasing the amount of CMC relative to alginate. Increasing the amount of cellulosic gelling agent relative to non-cellulosic gelling agent (such as alginate) may also be preferable for reasons of reduced cost and/or ease of manufacture. Thus, the combination of cellulosic and non-cellulosic gelling agents (e.g. CMC and alginate) may allow for reduced costs and/or easier manufacture than formulations containing alginate alone. The combination of cellulosic and non-cellulosic gelling agents (e.g. CMC and alginate) may also allow for the active release temperature to be adjusted.

The aerosol-generating material may further comprise a filler. Use of a filler may help to reduce tackiness of the amorphous solid, for example if high levels of aerosol-former material are present.

Suitably, the amorphous solid comprises from about <NUM> wt% to about <NUM> wt% gelling agent and any optional filler.

In some embodiments, the amorphous solid may comprise less than about <NUM> wt% of a filler, such as from about <NUM> wt% to <NUM> wt%, or <NUM> wt% to <NUM> wt%, or <NUM> wt% to <NUM> wt%, or <NUM> wt% to <NUM> wt%.

In other embodiments, the amorphous solid comprises less than <NUM> wt%, suitably less than <NUM> wt% or less than <NUM> wt% of a filler. In some cases, the amorphous solid comprises less than <NUM> wt% of a filler, and in some cases, comprises no filler.

The filler, if present, may comprise one or more inorganic filler materials, such as calcium carbonate, perlite, vermiculite, diatomaceous earth, colloidal silica, magnesium oxide, magnesium sulphate, magnesium carbonate, and suitable inorganic sorbents, such as molecular sieves. The filler may comprise one or more organic filler materials such as wood pulp; tobacco pulp; hemp fibre; starch and starch derivatives, such as maltodextrin; chitosan; and cellulose and cellulose derivatives, such as ground cellulose, microcrystalline cellulose and nanocrystalline cellulose. In particular cases, the amorphous solid comprises no calcium carbonate such as chalk.

As would be well understood by the skilled person, microcrystalline cellulose may be formed by depolymerising cellulose by a chemical process (e.g. using an acid or enzyme). One example method for forming microcrystalline cellulose involves acid hydrolysis of cellulose, using an acid such as HCl. The cellulose produced after this treatment is crystalline (i.e. no amorphous regions remain). Suitable methods and conditions for forming microcrystalline cellulose are well-known in the art.

In particular embodiments which include filler, the filler is fibrous. For example, the filler may be a fibrous organic filler material such as wood pulp, tobacco pulp, hemp fibre, cellulose or cellulose derivatives. In some embodiments, the fibrous organic filler material may be wood pulp, hemp fibre, cellulose or cellulose derivatives. In some embodiments, the fibrous filler is wood pulp. Without wishing to be bound by theory, it is believed that including fibrous filler in an amorphous solid may increase the tensile strength of the material. This may be particularly advantageous in examples wherein the amorphous solid is provided as a sheet, such as when an amorphous solid sheet circumscribes a rod of aerosolisable material.

In some embodiments the gelling agent comprises CMC and is used together with wood pulp as a filler.

In some embodiments, the aerosol-generating material may further comprise one or more other functional material(s).

In some embodiments, the amorphous solid may further comprise one or more additional active substances and/or flavours, and optionally one or more other functional material.

In particular embodiments, constituent(s), derivative(s) or extract(s) of cannabis is or are the only active(s) present in the amorphous solid. In particular embodiments, constituent(s), derivative(s) or extract(s) of cannabis is or are the only active(s) present in the aerosol-generating material. However, the amorphous solid and/or the aerosol-generating material may further comprise additional active ingredients.

In some cases, the amorphous solid may comprise from about <NUM> wt%, <NUM> wt%, <NUM> wt%, <NUM> wt%, <NUM> wt% or <NUM> wt% to about 65wt%, <NUM> wt%, <NUM> wt%, <NUM> wt%, <NUM> wt%, <NUM> wt%, or <NUM> wt% (calculated on a dry weight basis) of another active substance in addition to constituent(s), derivative(s) or extract(s) of cannabis.

The additional active substance as used herein may be a physiologically active material, which is a material intended to achieve or enhance a physiological response. The additional active substance may for example be selected from nutraceuticals, nootropics and psychoactives. The additional active substance may be naturally occurring or synthetically obtained. The additional active substance may comprise for example nicotine, caffeine, taurine, theine, vitamins such as B6 or B12 or C, melatonin, or constituents, derivatives, or combinations thereof. The additional active substance may comprise one or more constituents, derivatives or extracts of tobacco or another botanical.

In one embodiment the active substance is a legally permissible recreational drug.

In some embodiments, the additional active substance comprises nicotine.

In some embodiments, the additional active substance comprises caffeine, melatonin or vitamin B12.

As noted herein, the additional active substance may comprise or be derived from one or more botanicals or constituents, derivatives or extracts thereof. As used herein, the term "botanical" includes any material derived from plants including, but not limited to, extracts, leaves, bark, fibres, stems, roots, seeds, flowers, fruits, pollen, husk, shells or the like. Alternatively, the material may comprise an active compound naturally existing in a botanical, obtained synthetically. The material may be in the form of liquid, gas, solid, powder, dust, crushed particles, granules, pellets, shreds, strips, sheets, or the like. Example botanicals are tobacco, eucalyptus, star anise, hemp, cocoa, coffee, fennel, lemongrass, peppermint, spearmint, rooibos, chamomile, flax, ginger, ginkgo biloba, hazel, hibiscus, laurel, licorice (liquorice), matcha, mate, orange skin, papaya, rose, sage, tea such as green tea or black tea, thyme, clove, cinnamon, coffee, aniseed (anise), basil, bay leaves, cardamom, coriander, cumin, nutmeg, oregano, paprika, rosemary, saffron, lavender, lemon peel, mint, juniper, elderflower, vanilla, wintergreen, beefsteak plant, curcuma, turmeric, sandalwood, cilantro, bergamot, orange blossom, myrtle, cassis, valerian, pimento, mace, damien, marjoram, olive, lemon balm, lemon basil, chive, carvi, verbena, tarragon, geranium, mulberry, ginseng, theanine, theacrine, maca, ashwagandha, damiana, guarana, chlorophyll, baobab or any combination thereof. The mint may be chosen from the following mint varieties: Mentha Arventis, Mentha c. , Mentha niliaca, Mentha piperita, Mentha piperita citrata c. , Mentha piperita c. , Mentha spicata crispa, Mentha cardifolia, Mentha longifolia, Mentha suaveolens variegata, Mentha pulegium, Mentha spicata c. and Mentha suaveolens.

In some embodiments, the additional active substance comprises or is derived from one or more botanicals or constituents, derivatives or extracts thereof and the botanical is tobacco.

In some embodiments, the additional active substance comprises or derived from one or more botanicals or constituents, derivatives or extracts thereof and the botanical is selected from eucalyptus, star anise, cocoa and hemp. In some embodiments the additional active substance comprises (or is) a botanical selected from eucalyptus, star anise, cocoa and hemp.

In some embodiments, the additional active substance comprises or derived from one or more botanicals or constituents, derivatives or extracts thereof and the botanical is selected from rooibos and fennel. In some embodiments, the additional active substance comprises (or is) a botanical selected from rooibos and fennel.

For example, in some cases, the amorphous solid additionally comprises a tobacco material and/or nicotine. In some cases, the amorphous solid may comprise <NUM>-<NUM> wt% (calculated on a dry weight basis) of a tobacco material and/or nicotine.

In some cases, the amorphous solid may comprise from about <NUM> wt%, <NUM> wt%, <NUM> wt%, <NUM> wt%, <NUM> wt% or <NUM> wt% to about <NUM> wt%, <NUM> wt%, <NUM> wt%, <NUM> wt%, <NUM> wt%, <NUM> wt%, or <NUM> wt% (calculated on a dry weight basis) of a tobacco material. For example, the amorphous solid may comprise up to about <NUM> wt% of a tobacco material. For example, the amorphous solid may comprise about <NUM>-<NUM> wt%, <NUM>-<NUM> wt% or <NUM>-<NUM> wt% of a tobacco material. In some cases, the amorphous solid may comprise from about <NUM> wt%, <NUM> wt%, <NUM> wt% or <NUM> wt% to about <NUM> wt%, <NUM> wt%, <NUM> wt% or <NUM> wt% (calculated on a dry weight basis) of nicotine. For example, the amorphous solid may comprise about <NUM>-<NUM> wt%, <NUM>-<NUM> wt% or <NUM>-<NUM> wt% of nicotine.

In some cases, the amorphous solid comprises an additional active substance such as tobacco extract. In some cases, the amorphous solid may comprise <NUM>-<NUM> wt% (calculated on a dry weight basis) of tobacco extract. In some cases, the amorphous solid may comprise from about <NUM> wt%, <NUM> wt%, <NUM> wt%, <NUM> wt% or <NUM> wt% to about <NUM> wt%, <NUM> wt%, <NUM> wt%, <NUM> wt%, <NUM> wt%, or <NUM> wt% (calculated on a dry weight basis) tobacco extract. For example, the amorphous solid may comprise about <NUM>-<NUM> wt%, <NUM>-<NUM> wt% or <NUM>-<NUM> wt% of tobacco extract. The tobacco extract may contain nicotine at a concentration such that the amorphous solid comprises about <NUM> wt% <NUM> wt%, <NUM> wt% or <NUM>. 5wt% to about <NUM> wt%, <NUM> wt%, <NUM> wt% or <NUM> wt% (calculated on a dry weight basis) of nicotine. In some cases, there may be no nicotine in the amorphous solid other than that which results from any tobacco extract.

In some embodiments the amorphous solid in the aerosol-generating material comprises no tobacco material but does comprise nicotine. In some such cases, the amorphous solid may comprise from about <NUM> wt%, <NUM> wt%, <NUM> wt% or <NUM> wt% to about <NUM> wt%, <NUM> wt%, <NUM> wt% or <NUM> wt% (calculated on a dry weight basis) of nicotine. For example, the amorphous solid may comprise about <NUM>-<NUM> wt%, <NUM>-<NUM> wt% or <NUM>-<NUM> wt% of nicotine.

In some embodiments, the amorphous solid and the aerosol-generating material are substantially free from any tobacco material (including tobacco extract) or nicotine. In some embodiments, the amorphous solid and the aerosol-generating material do not contain any tobacco material (including tobacco extract) or nicotine.

In some embodiments, the amorphous solid does not comprise tobacco fibres. In particular embodiments, the amorphous solid does not comprise fibrous material.

In some embodiments, the aerosol-generating material does not comprise tobacco fibres. In particular embodiments, the aerosol-generating material does not comprise fibrous material.

The amorphous solid and/or the aerosol-generating material may optionally comprise a flavour. For example, the amorphous solid may comprise up to about <NUM> wt%, <NUM> wt%, <NUM> wt% or <NUM> wt% of a flavour. In some cases, the amorphous solid may comprise at least about <NUM> wt%, <NUM> wt%, <NUM> wt%, <NUM> wt%, <NUM> wt%, <NUM> wt% or <NUM> wt% of a flavour (all calculated on a dry weight basis). For example, the amorphous solid may comprise <NUM>-<NUM> wt%, <NUM>-<NUM> wt%, <NUM>-<NUM> wt%, or <NUM>-<NUM> wt% a flavour.

As used herein, the terms "flavour" and "flavourant" refer to materials which, where local regulations permit, may be used to create a desired taste, aroma or other somatosensorial sensation in a product for adult consumers. They may include naturally occurring flavour materials, botanicals, extracts of botanicals, synthetically obtained materials, or combinations thereof (e.g., tobacco, cannabis, licorice (liquorice), hydrangea, eugenol, Japanese white bark magnolia leaf, chamomile, fenugreek, clove, maple, matcha, menthol, Japanese mint, aniseed (anise), cinnamon, turmeric, Indian spices, Asian spices, herb, wintergreen, cherry, berry, red berry, cranberry, peach, apple, orange, mango, clementine, lemon, lime, tropical fruit, papaya, rhubarb, grape, durian, dragon fruit, cucumber, blueberry, mulberry, citrus fruits, Drambuie, bourbon, scotch, whiskey, gin, tequila, rum, spearmint, peppermint, lavender, aloe vera, cardamom, celery, cascarilla, nutmeg, sandalwood, bergamot, geranium, khat, naswar, betel, shisha, pine, honey essence, rose oil, vanilla, lemon oil, orange oil, orange blossom, cherry blossom, cassia, caraway, cognac, jasmine, ylang-ylang, sage, fennel, wasabi, piment, ginger, coriander, coffee, hemp, a mint oil from any species of the genus Mentha, eucalyptus, star anise, cocoa, lemongrass, rooibos, flax, ginkgo biloba, hazel, hibiscus, laurel, mate, orange skin, rose, tea such as green tea or black tea, thyme, juniper, elderflower, basil, bay leaves, cumin, oregano, paprika, rosemary, saffron, lemon peel, mint, beefsteak plant, curcuma, cilantro, myrtle, cassis, valerian, pimento, mace, damien, marjoram, olive, lemon balm, lemon basil, chive, carvi, verbena, tarragon, limonene, thymol, camphene), flavour enhancers, bitterness receptor site blockers, sensorial receptor site activators or stimulators, sugars and/or sugar substitutes (e.g., sucralose, acesulfame potassium, aspartame, saccharine, cyclamates, lactose, sucrose, glucose, fructose, sorbitol, or mannitol), and other additives such as charcoal, chlorophyll, minerals, botanicals, or breath freshening agents. They may be imitation, synthetic or natural ingredients or blends thereof. They may be in any suitable form, for example, liquid such as an oil, solid such as a powder, or gas.

In some embodiments, the flavour comprises menthol, spearmint and/or peppermint.

In some embodiments, the flavour comprises flavour components of cucumber, blueberry, citrus fruits and/or redberry.

In some embodiments, the flavour comprises eugenol.

In some embodiments, the flavour comprises flavour components extracted from tobacco.

In some embodiments, the flavour comprises flavour components extracted from cannabis.

In some embodiments, the flavour may comprise a sensate, which is intended to achieve a somatosensorial sensation which are usually chemically induced and perceived by the stimulation of the fifth cranial nerve (trigeminal nerve), in addition to or in place of aroma or taste nerves, and these may include agents providing heating, cooling, tingling, numbing effect. A suitable heat effect agent may be, but is not limited to, vanillyl ethyl ether and a suitable cooling agent may be, but not limited to eucolyptol or WS-<NUM> (N-ethyl-<NUM>-isopropyl-<NUM>-methylcyclohexanecarboxamide).

In some cases, the amorphous solid may additionally comprise an emulsifying agent, which emulsifies molten flavour during manufacture. For example, the amorphous solid may comprise from about <NUM> wt% to about <NUM> wt% of an emulsifying agent (calculated on a dry weight basis), suitably about 10wt%. The emulsifying agent may comprise acacia gum.

In some cases, the total content of additional active substance and/or flavour may be at least about <NUM> wt%, <NUM> wt%, <NUM> wt%, <NUM> wt%, <NUM> wt%, <NUM> wt% or <NUM> wt%. In some cases, the total content of additional active substance and/or flavour may be less than about <NUM> wt%, <NUM> wt% or <NUM> wt% (all calculated on a dry weight basis).

In some cases, the total content of tobacco material, nicotine and/or flavour may be at least about <NUM> wt%, <NUM> wt%, <NUM> wt%, <NUM> wt%, <NUM> wt%, <NUM> wt% or <NUM> wt%. In some cases, the total content of tobacco material, nicotine and/or flavour may be less than about <NUM> wt%, <NUM> wt% or <NUM> wt% (all calculated on a dry weight basis).

The one or more other functional materials may comprise one or more of pH regulators, colouring agents, preservatives, stabilizers, and/or antioxidants.

In some embodiments, the amorphous solid is formed as a sheet. In some cases, the amorphous solid sheet may be incorporated into the non-combustible aerosol provision system or consumable in sheet form. The amorphous solid sheet may be incorporated as a planar sheet, as a gathered or bunched sheet, as a crimped sheet, or as a rolled sheet (i.e. in the form of a tube). In some such cases, the amorphous solid of these embodiments may be included in the system/consumable as a sheet, such as a sheet circumscribing a rod of aerosolisable material (e.g. tobacco). For example, the amorphous solid sheet may be formed on a wrapping paper which circumscribes an aerosolisable material such as tobacco. In other cases, the sheet may be shredded and then incorporated into the assembly, suitably mixed into an aerosolisable material such as cut rag tobacco.

In some cases, the amorphous solid may be in the form of a sheet or layer having a thickness of about <NUM> to about <NUM>. Suitably, the thickness may be in the range of about <NUM>, <NUM> or <NUM> to about <NUM> or <NUM>, for example <NUM>-<NUM> or <NUM>-<NUM>. A material having a thickness of <NUM> may be particularly suitable. The amorphous solid may comprise more than one layer, and the thickness described herein refers to the aggregate thickness of those layers.

If the amorphous solid is too thick, then heating efficiency may be compromised. This adversely affects the power consumption in use. Conversely, if the amorphous solid is too thin, it may be difficult to manufacture and handle; a very thin material is harder to cast and may be fragile, compromising aerosol formation in use.

The thickness stipulated herein is a mean thickness for the material. In some cases, the amorphous solid thickness may vary by no more than <NUM>%, <NUM>%, <NUM>%, <NUM>%, <NUM>% or <NUM>%.

In some examples, the amorphous solid in sheet form may have a tensile strength of from around <NUM> N/m to around <NUM> N/m. In some examples, the amorphous solid in sheet form may have a tensile strength of from around <NUM> N/m to around <NUM> N/m. In some examples, such as where the amorphous solid does not comprise a filler, the amorphous solid in sheet form may have a tensile strength of from around <NUM> N/m to around <NUM> N/m, or around <NUM> N/m to around <NUM> N/m, or about <NUM> N/m. Such tensile strengths may be particularly suitable for embodiments wherein the amorphous solid and/or the aerosol-generating material is formed as a sheet and then shredded and incorporated into a consumable. In some examples, such as where the amorphous solid comprises a filler, the amorphous solid may have a tensile strength of from around <NUM> N/m to around <NUM> N/m, or from around <NUM> N/m to around <NUM> N/m, or around <NUM> N/m. Such tensile strengths may be particularly suitable for embodiments wherein the amorphous solid and/or the aerosol-generating material is included in a consumable/non-combustible aerosol provision system as a rolled sheet, suitably in the form of a tube.

The aerosol-generating material comprising the amorphous solid may have any suitable area density, such as from <NUM>/m<NUM> to <NUM>/m<NUM>. In some cases, the aerosol-generating material may have a mass per unit area of <NUM>-<NUM>/m<NUM>, or from about <NUM> to <NUM>/m<NUM>, or particularly from about <NUM> to <NUM>/m<NUM>, or suitably about <NUM>/m<NUM> (so that it has a similar density to cut rag tobacco and a mixture of these substances will not readily separate). Such area densities may be particularly suitable where the aerosol-generating material is included in assembly consumable/system in sheet form, or as a shredded sheet (described further hereinbelow). In some cases, the aerosol-generating material may have a mass per unit area of about <NUM> to <NUM>/m<NUM>, <NUM> to <NUM>/m<NUM>, or <NUM>-<NUM>/m<NUM> and may be used to wrap an aerosolisable material such as tobacco.

The amorphous solid for use in aerosol generation may be present on or in a support, to form a substrate. The support may, for example, be or comprise paper, card, paperboard, cardboard, reconstituted material, a plastics material, a ceramic material, a composite material, glass, a metal, or a metal alloy. In some embodiments, the support comprises a susceptor. In some embodiments, the susceptor is embedded within the material. In some alternative embodiments, the susceptor is on one or either side of the material.

The aerosol-generating material may comprise a carrier on which the amorphous solid is provided. The carrier functions as a support on which the amorphous solid layer forms, easing manufacture. The carrier may provide tensile strength to the amorphous solid layer, easing handling.

In some cases, the carrier may be formed from materials selected from metal foil, paper, carbon paper, greaseproof paper, ceramic, carbon allotropes such as graphite and graphene, plastic, cardboard, wood or combinations thereof. In some cases, the carrier may comprise or consist of a tobacco material, such as a sheet of reconstituted tobacco. In some cases, the carrier may be formed from materials selected from metal foil, paper, cardboard, wood or combinations thereof. In some cases, the carrier itself be a laminate structure comprising layers of materials selected from the preceding lists. In some cases, the carrier may also function as a flavour carrier. For example, the carrier may be impregnated with a flavour or with tobacco extract.

In some cases, the carrier may be magnetic. This functionality may be used to fasten the carrier to the non-combustible aerosol provision device in use, or may be used to generate particular amorphous solid shapes. In some cases, the aerosol-generating material may comprise one or more magnets which can be used to fasten the material to an induction heater in use.

In some cases, the carrier may be substantially or wholly impermeable to gas and/or aerosol. This prevents aerosol or gas passage through the carrier layer, thereby controlling the flow and ensuring it is delivered to the user. This can also be used to prevent condensation or other deposition of the gas/aerosol in use on, for example, the surface of a heater provided in an aerosol generating assembly. Thus, consumption efficiency and hygiene can be improved in some cases.

In some cases, the surface of the carrier that abuts the amorphous solid may be porous. For example, in one case, the carrier comprises paper. A porous carrier such as paper has been found to be particularly suitable; the porous (e.g. paper) layer abuts the amorphous solid layer and forms a strong bond. The amorphous solid may be formed by drying a gel and, without being limited by theory, it is thought that the slurry from which the gel is formed partially impregnates the porous carrier (e.g. paper) so that when the gel sets, the carrier is partially bound into the gel. This provides a strong binding between the gel and the carrier (and between the dried gel and the carrier).

In some embodiments, the amorphous solid may be laminated to a carrier, such as a paper sheet.

In some embodiments, when the amorphous solid is formed from a slurry as described herein, the layer of slurry may be formed on a carrier, such as a paper sheet.

Additionally, surface roughness may contribute to the strength of bond between the amorphous material and the carrier. The paper roughness (for the surface abutting the carrier) may suitably be in the range of <NUM>-<NUM> Bekk seconds, suitably <NUM>-<NUM> Bekk seconds, suitably <NUM> Bekk seconds (measured over an air pressure interval of <NUM>-<NUM> kPa). (A Bekk smoothness tester is an instrument used to determine the smoothness of a paper surface, in which air at a specified pressure is leaked between a smooth glass surface and a paper sample, and the time (in seconds) for a fixed volume of air to seep between these surfaces is the "Bekk smoothness".

Conversely, the surface of the carrier facing away from the amorphous solid may be arranged in contact with the heater, and a smoother surface may provide more efficient heat transfer. Thus, in some cases, the carrier is disposed so as to have a rougher side abutting the amorphous material and a smoother side facing away from the amorphous material.

In one particular case, the carrier may be a paper-backed foil; the paper layer abuts the amorphous solid layer and the properties discussed in the previous paragraphs are afforded by this abutment. The foil backing is substantially impermeable, providing control of the aerosol flow path. A metal foil backing may also serve to conduct heat to the amorphous solid.

In another case, the foil layer of the paper-backed foil abuts the amorphous solid. The foil is substantially impermeable, thereby preventing water provided in the amorphous solid from being absorbed into the paper which could weaken its structural integrity.

In some cases, the carrier is formed from or comprises metal foil, such as aluminium foil. A metallic carrier may allow for better conduction of thermal energy to the amorphous solid. Additionally, or alternatively, a metal foil may function as a susceptor in an induction heating system. In particular embodiments, the carrier comprises a metal foil layer and a support layer, such as cardboard. In these embodiments, the metal foil layer may have a thickness of less than <NUM>, such as from about <NUM> to about <NUM>, suitably about <NUM>.

In some cases, the carrier may have a thickness of between about <NUM> and about <NUM>, suitably from about <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> or <NUM> to about <NUM>, <NUM>, or <NUM>.

In another aspect of the disclosure, there is provided a consumable for use in a non-combustible aerosol provision device, the consumable comprising an aerosol-generating material, wherein the aerosol-generating material comprises an amorphous solid, the amorphous solid comprising:.

In some embodiments, the disclosure relates to consumables comprising aerosol-generating material and configured to be used with non-combustible aerosol provision devices. These consumables are sometimes referred to as articles throughout the disclosure.

The consumable may be used with any suitable non-combustible aerosol provision device.

A consumable is an article comprising or consisting of aerosol-generating material, part or all of which is intended to be consumed during use by a user. A consumable may comprise one or more other components, such as an aerosol-generating material storage area, an aerosol-generating material transfer component, an aerosol generation area, a housing, a wrapper, a mouthpiece, a filter and/or an aerosol-modifying agent. A consumable may also comprise an aerosol generator, such as a heater, that emits heat to cause the aerosol-generating material to generate aerosol in use. The heater may, for example, comprise combustible material, a material heatable by electrical conduction, or a susceptor.

A susceptor is a material that is heatable by penetration with a varying magnetic field, such as an alternating magnetic field. The susceptor may be an electrically-conductive material, so that penetration thereof with a varying magnetic field causes induction heating of the heating material. The heating material may be magnetic material, so that penetration thereof with a varying magnetic field causes magnetic hysteresis heating of the heating material. The susceptor may be both electrically-conductive and magnetic, so that the susceptor is heatable by both heating mechanisms. The device that is configured to generate the varying magnetic field is referred to as a magnetic field generator, herein.

An aerosol-modifying agent is a substance, typically located downstream of the aerosol generation area, that is configured to modify the aerosol generated, for example by changing the taste, flavour, acidity or another characteristic of the aerosol. The aerosol-modifying agent may be provided in an aerosol-modifying agent release component that is operable to selectively release the aerosol-modifying agent.

The aerosol-modifying agent may, for example, be an additive or a sorbent. The aerosol-modifying agent may, for example, comprise one or more of a flavourant, a colourant, water, and a carbon adsorbent. The aerosol-modifying agent may, for example, be a solid, a liquid, or a gel. The aerosol-modifying agent may be in powder, thread or granule form. The aerosol-modifying agent may be free from filtration material.

An aerosol generator is an apparatus configured to cause aerosol to be generated from the aerosol-generating material. In some embodiments, the aerosol generator is a heater configured to subject the aerosol-generating material to heat energy, so as to release one or more volatiles from the aerosol-generating material to form an aerosol. In some embodiments, the aerosol generator is configured to cause an aerosol to be generated from the aerosol-generating material without heating. For example, the aerosol generator may be configured to subject the aerosol-generating material to one or more of vibration, increased pressure, or electrostatic energy.

The aerosol-generating material may comprise or be in the form of an aerosol-generating film. The aerosol-generating film may be substantially free from botanical material. In particular, in some embodiments, the aerosol-generating film is substantially tobacco free.

The aerosol-generating film may have a thickness of about <NUM> to about <NUM>. For example, the thickness may be in the range of about <NUM>, <NUM> or <NUM> to about <NUM> or <NUM>.

The aerosol-generating film may be continuous. For example, the film may comprise or be a continuous sheet of material. The sheet may be in the form of a wrapper, it may be gathered to form a gathered sheet or it may be shredded to form a shredded sheet. The shredded sheet may comprise one or more strands or strips of amorphous solid.

In one case, there is provided a consumable for use in a non-combustible aerosol-provision system comprising a planar support with complete coverage of the amorphous solid (e.g. a continuous aerosol-generating film). <FIG> provides a schematic illustration of such a consumable, which includes a support layer <NUM> and an amorphous solid layer <NUM>.

The aerosol-generating film may be discontinuous, For example, the aerosol-generating film may comprise one or more discrete portions or regions of amorphous solid, such as dots, stripes or lines, which may be supported on a support. In such embodiments, the support may be planar or non-planar.

In some cases, the discrete portions of amorphous solid are substantially round, cylindrical or hemispherical. In some cases, there is a grid-shaped distribution of the substantially round, cylindrical or hemispherical amorphous solid.

In some cases, there is provided a consumable for use in a non-combustible aerosol-provision system comprising a planar support with a discontinuous aerosol-generating film (which comprises a plurality of discrete portions of amorphous solid) deposited on it.

<FIG> provides an example of a consumable (<NUM>) wherein a discontinuous aerosol-generating film (which comprises discrete portions of amorphous solid (<NUM>)) are provided on the consumable.

In another aspect of the disclosure, there is provided a non-combustible aerosol provision system comprising the consumable described herein and a non-combustible aerosol provision device.

According to the present disclosure, a "non-combustible" aerosol provision system is one where a constituent aerosol-generating material of the aerosol provision system (or component thereof) is not combusted or burned in order to facilitate delivery of at least one substance to a user.

In some embodiments, the delivery system is a non-combustible aerosol provision system, such as a powered non-combustible aerosol provision system.

In some embodiments, the non-combustible aerosol provision system is an aerosol-generating material heating system, also known as a heat-not-burn system. An example of such a system is a tobacco heating system.

In some embodiments, the non-combustible aerosol provision device is a heat-not-burn device.

In some embodiments, the non-combustible aerosol provision system is a hybrid system to generate aerosol using a combination of aerosol-generating materials, one or a plurality of which may be heated. In some embodiments, the hybrid system comprises the aerosol-generating material described herein comprising or consisting of the amorphous solid and an additional liquid or gel aerosol-generating material.

In some embodiments, the non-combustible aerosol provision device is an electronic tobacco hybrid device.

Typically, the non-combustible aerosol provision system may comprise a non-combustible aerosol provision device and a consumable for use with the non-combustible aerosol provision device.

In some embodiments, the non-combustible aerosol provision system, such as a non-combustible aerosol provision device thereof, may comprise a power source and a controller. The power source may, for example, be an electric power source or an exothermic power source. In some embodiments, the exothermic power source comprises a carbon substrate which may be energised so as to distribute power in the form of heat to an aerosol-generating material or to a heat transfer material in proximity to the exothermic power source.

In some embodiments, the non-combustible aerosol provision system, such as a non-combustible aerosol provision device thereof, may comprise an area for receiving the consumable, an aerosol generator, an aerosol generation area, a housing, a mouthpiece, a filter and/or an aerosol-modifying agent.

The non-combustible aerosol provision system or device may comprise a heater configured to heat but not burn the aerosol generating substrate. The heater may be, in some cases, a thin film, electrically resistive heater. In other cases, the heater may comprise an induction heater or the like. In yet further cases, the heater may be a combustible heat source or a chemical heat source which undergoes an exothermic reaction to produce heat in use.

In some cases, the heater may heat but not burn the aerosolisable material(s) to between <NUM> and <NUM> in use. In some cases, the heater may heat but not burn the aerosolisable material(s) to between <NUM> and <NUM> in use. In some cases in use, substantially all of the amorphous solid is less than about <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> or <NUM> from the heater. In some cases, the solid is disposed between about <NUM> and <NUM> from the heater, suitably between about <NUM> and <NUM>. These minimum distances may, in some cases, reflect the thickness of a carrier that supports the amorphous solid. In some cases, a surface of the amorphous solid may directly abut the heater.

In some cases, the heater may be embedded in the aerosol-generating material. In some such cases, the heater may be an electrically resistive heater (with exposed contacts for connection to an electrical circuit). In other such cases, the heater may be a susceptor embedded in the aerosol-generating material, which is heated by induction.

The non-combustible aerosol provision system may additionally comprise a cooling element and/or a filter. The cooling element, if present, may act or function to cool gaseous or aerosol components. In some cases, it may act to cool gaseous components such that they condense to form an aerosol. It may also act to space the very hot parts of the apparatus from the user. The filter, if present, may comprise any suitable filter known in the art such as a cellulose acetate plug.

In some cases, the non-combustible aerosol provision system may be a heat-not-burn system. That is, it may contain a solid material (and no liquid aerosolisable material). A heat-not-burn device is disclosed in <CIT>.

In some cases, the non-combustible aerosol provision system may comprise an electronic tobacco hybrid device. That is, it may contain a solid aerosolisable material and a liquid aerosolisable material. The separate aerosolisable materials may be heated by separate heaters, the same heater or, in one case, a downstream aerosolisable material may be heated by a hot aerosol which is generated from the upstream aerosolisable material. An electronic tobacco hybrid device is disclosed in <CIT>.

The consumable may alternatively be referred to herein as a cartridge. The consumable may be adapted for use in a THP, an electronic tobacco hybrid device or another aerosol generating device. In some cases, the consumable may additionally comprise a filter and/or cooling element, as described previously. In some cases, the consumable may be circumscribed by a wrapping material such as paper.

The consumable may additionally comprise ventilation apertures. These may be provided in the sidewall of the article. In some cases, the ventilation apertures may be provided in the filter and/or cooling element. These apertures may allow cool air to be drawn into the article during use, which can mix with the heated volatilised components thereby cooling the aerosol.

The ventilation enhances the generation of visible heated volatilised components from the article when it is heated in use. The heated volatilised components are made visible by the process of cooling the heated volatilised components such that supersaturation of the heated volatilised components occurs. The heated volatilised components then undergo droplet formation, otherwise known as nucleation, and eventually the size of the aerosol particles of the heated volatilised components increases by further condensation of the heated volatilised components and by coagulation of newly formed droplets from the heated volatilised components.

In some cases, the ratio of the cool air to the sum of the heated volatilised components and the cool air, known as the ventilation ratio, is at least <NUM>%. A ventilation ratio of <NUM>% enables the heated volatilised components to be made visible by the method described above. The visibility of the heated volatilised components enables the user to identify that the volatilised components have been generated and adds to the sensory experience of the smoking experience.

In another example, the ventilation ratio is between <NUM>% and <NUM>% to provide additional cooling to the heated volatilised components. In some cases, the ventilation ratio may be at least <NUM>% or <NUM>%.

Referring to <FIG>, there are shown a partially cut-away section view and a perspective view of an example of article consumable <NUM> ("article"). The article <NUM> is adapted for use with a device having a power source and a heater. The article <NUM> of this embodiment is particularly suitable for use with the device <NUM> shown in <FIG>, described below. In use, the article <NUM> may be removably inserted into the device shown in <FIG> at an insertion point <NUM> of the device <NUM>.

The article <NUM> of one example is in the form of a substantially cylindrical rod that includes a body of aerosol-generating material <NUM> and a filter assembly <NUM> in the form of a rod. The aerosol-generating material comprises the amorphous solid material described herein. In some embodiments, it may be included in sheet form. In some embodiments it may be included in the form of a shredded sheet. In some embodiments, the aerosol-generating material described herein may be incorporated in sheet form and in shredded form.

The filter assembly <NUM> includes three segments, a cooling segment <NUM>, a filter segment <NUM> and a mouth end segment <NUM>. The article <NUM> has a first end <NUM>, also known as a mouth end or a proximal end and a second end <NUM>, also known as a distal end. The body of aerosol-generating material <NUM> is located towards the distal end <NUM> of the article <NUM>. In one example, the cooling segment <NUM> is located adjacent the body of aerosol-generating material <NUM> between the body of aerosol-generating material <NUM> and the filter segment <NUM>, such that the cooling segment <NUM> is in an abutting relationship with the aerosol generating-material <NUM> and the filter segment <NUM>. In other examples, there may be a separation between the body of aerosol-generating material <NUM> and the cooling segment <NUM> and between the body of aerosol-generating material <NUM> and the filter segment <NUM>. The filter segment <NUM> is located in between the cooling segment <NUM> and the mouth end segment <NUM>. The mouth end segment <NUM> is located towards the proximal end <NUM> of the article <NUM>, adjacent the filter segment <NUM>. In one example, the filter segment <NUM> is in an abutting relationship with the mouth end segment <NUM>. In one embodiment, the total length of the filter assembly <NUM> is between <NUM> and <NUM>, more preferably, the total length of the filter assembly <NUM> is <NUM>.

In one example, the rod of aerosol-generating material <NUM> is between <NUM> and <NUM> in length, suitably between <NUM> and <NUM> in length, suitably <NUM> in length.

In one example, the total length of the article <NUM> is between <NUM> and <NUM>, suitably between <NUM> and <NUM>, suitably <NUM>.

An axial end of the body of aerosol-generating material <NUM> is visible at the distal end <NUM> of the article <NUM>. However, in other embodiments, the distal end <NUM> of the article <NUM> may comprise an end member (not shown) covering the axial end of the body of aerosol-generating material <NUM>.

The body of aerosol-generating material <NUM> is joined to the filter assembly <NUM> by annular tipping paper (not shown), which is located substantially around the circumference of the filter assembly <NUM> to surround the filter assembly <NUM> and extends partially along the length of the body of aerosol-generating material <NUM>. In one example, the tipping paper is made of 58GSM standard tipping base paper. In one example the tipping paper has a length of between <NUM> and <NUM>, suitably of <NUM>.

In one example, the cooling segment <NUM> is an annular tube and is located around and defines an air gap within the cooling segment. The air gap provides a chamber for heated volatilised components generated from the body of aerosol-generating material <NUM> to flow. The cooling segment <NUM> is hollow to provide a chamber for aerosol accumulation yet rigid enough to withstand axial compressive forces and bending moments that might arise during manufacture and whilst the article <NUM> is in use during insertion into the device <NUM>. In one example, the thickness of the wall of the cooling segment <NUM> is approximately <NUM>.

The cooling segment <NUM> provides a physical displacement between the aerosol-generating material <NUM> and the filter segment <NUM>. The physical displacement provided by the cooling segment <NUM> will provide a thermal gradient across the length of the cooling segment <NUM>. In one example the cooling segment <NUM> is configured to provide a temperature differential of at least <NUM> degrees Celsius between a heated volatilised component entering a first end of the cooling segment <NUM> and a heated volatilised component exiting a second end of the cooling segment <NUM>. In one example the cooling segment <NUM> is configured to provide a temperature differential of at least <NUM> degrees Celsius between a heated volatilised component entering a first end of the cooling segment <NUM> and a heated volatilised component exiting a second end of the cooling segment <NUM>. This temperature differential across the length of the cooling element <NUM> protects the temperature sensitive filter segment <NUM> from the high temperatures of the aerosol-generating material <NUM> when it is heated by the device <NUM>. If the physical displacement was not provided between the filter segment <NUM> and the body of aerosol-generating material <NUM> and the heating elements of the device <NUM>, then the temperature sensitive filter segment may <NUM> become damaged in use, so it would not perform its required functions as effectively.

In one example the length of the cooling segment <NUM> is at least <NUM>. In one example, the length of the cooling segment <NUM> is between <NUM> and <NUM>, more particularly <NUM> to <NUM>, more particularly <NUM> to <NUM>, suitably <NUM>.

The cooling segment <NUM> is made of paper, which means that it is comprised of a material that does not generate compounds of concern, for example, toxic compounds when in use adjacent to the heater of the device <NUM>. In one example, the cooling segment <NUM> is manufactured from a spirally wound paper tube which provides a hollow internal chamber yet maintains mechanical rigidity. Spirally wound paper tubes are able to meet the tight dimensional accuracy requirements of high-speed manufacturing processes with respect to tube length, outer diameter, roundness and straightness.

In another example, the cooling segment <NUM> is a recess created from stiff plug wrap or tipping paper. The stiff plug wrap or tipping paper is manufactured to have a rigidity that is sufficient to withstand the axial compressive forces and bending moments that might arise during manufacture and whilst the article <NUM> is in use during insertion into the device <NUM>.

The filter segment <NUM> may be formed of any filter material sufficient to remove one or more volatilised compounds from heated volatilised components from the aerosol-generating material. In one example the filter segment <NUM> is made of a mono-acetate material, such as cellulose acetate. The filter segment <NUM> provides cooling and irritation-reduction from the heated volatilised components without depleting the quantity of the heated volatilised components to an unsatisfactory level for a user.

In some embodiments, a capsule (not illustrated) may be provided in filter segment <NUM>. It may be disposed substantially centrally in the filter segment <NUM>, both across the filter segment <NUM> diameter and along the filter segment <NUM> length. In other cases, it may be offset in one or more dimension. The capsule may in some cases, where present, contain a volatile component such as a flavour or aerosol-former material.

The density of the cellulose acetate tow material of the filter segment <NUM> controls the pressure drop across the filter segment <NUM>, which in turn controls the draw resistance of the article <NUM>. Therefore the selection of the material of the filter segment <NUM> is important in controlling the resistance to draw of the article <NUM>. In addition, the filter segment performs a filtration function in the article <NUM>.

In one example, the filter segment <NUM> is made of a 8Y15 grade of filter tow material, which provides a filtration effect on the heated volatilised material, whilst also reducing the size of condensed aerosol droplets which result from the heated volatilised material.

The presence of the filter segment <NUM> provides an insulating effect by providing further cooling to the heated volatilised components that exit the cooling segment <NUM>. This further cooling effect reduces the contact temperature of the user's lips on the surface of the filter segment <NUM>.

In one example, the filter segment <NUM> is between <NUM> to <NUM> in length, suitably <NUM>.

The mouth end segment <NUM> is an annular tube and is located around and defines an air gap within the mouth end segment <NUM>. The air gap provides a chamber for heated volatilised components that flow from the filter segment <NUM>. The mouth end segment <NUM> is hollow to provide a chamber for aerosol accumulation yet rigid enough to withstand axial compressive forces and bending moments that might arise during manufacture and whilst the article is in use during insertion into the device <NUM>. In one example, the thickness of the wall of the mouth end segment <NUM> is approximately <NUM>. In one example, the length of the mouth end segment <NUM> is between <NUM> to <NUM>, suitably <NUM>.

The mouth end segment <NUM> may be manufactured from a spirally wound paper tube which provides a hollow internal chamber yet maintains critical mechanical rigidity. Spirally wound paper tubes are able to meet the tight dimensional accuracy requirements of high-speed manufacturing processes with respect to tube length, outer diameter, roundness and straightness.

The mouth end segment <NUM> provides the function of preventing any liquid condensate that accumulates at the exit of the filter segment <NUM> from coming into direct contact with a user.

It should be appreciated that, in one example, the mouth end segment <NUM> and the cooling segment <NUM> may be formed of a single tube and the filter segment <NUM> is located within that tube separating the mouth end segment <NUM> and the cooling segment <NUM>.

Referring to <FIG>, there are shown a partially cut-away section and perspective views of an example of an article <NUM>. The reference signs shown in <FIG> are equivalent to the reference signs shown in <FIG>, but with an increment of <NUM>.

In the example of the article <NUM> shown in <FIG>, a ventilation region <NUM> is provided in the article <NUM> to enable air to flow into the interior of the article <NUM> from the exterior of the article <NUM>. In one example the ventilation region <NUM> takes the form of one or more ventilation holes <NUM> formed through the outer layer of the article <NUM>. The ventilation holes may be located in the cooling segment <NUM> to aid with the cooling of the article <NUM>. In one example, the ventilation region <NUM> comprises one or more rows of holes, and preferably, each row of holes is arranged circumferentially around the article <NUM> in a cross-section that is substantially perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of the article <NUM>.

In one example, there are between one to four rows of ventilation holes to provide ventilation for the article <NUM>. Each row of ventilation holes may have between <NUM> to <NUM> ventilation holes <NUM>. The ventilation holes <NUM> may, for example, be between <NUM> to <NUM> in diameter. In one example, an axial separation between rows of ventilation holes <NUM> is between <NUM> and <NUM>, suitably <NUM>.

In one example, the ventilation holes <NUM> are of uniform size. In another example, the ventilation holes <NUM> vary in size. The ventilation holes can be made using any suitable technique, for example, one or more of the following techniques: laser technology, mechanical perforation of the cooling segment <NUM> or pre-perforation of the cooling segment <NUM> before it is formed into the article <NUM>. The ventilation holes <NUM> are positioned so as to provide effective cooling to the article <NUM>.

In one example, the rows of ventilation holes <NUM> are located at least <NUM> from the proximal end <NUM> of the article, suitably between <NUM> and <NUM> from the proximal end <NUM> of the article <NUM>. The location of the ventilation holes <NUM> is positioned such that user does not block the ventilation holes <NUM> when the article <NUM> is in use.

Providing the rows of ventilation holes between <NUM> and <NUM> from the proximal end <NUM> of the article <NUM> enables the ventilation holes <NUM> to be located outside of the device <NUM>, when the article <NUM> is fully inserted in the device <NUM>, as can be seen in <FIG> and <FIG>. By locating the ventilation holes outside of the device, non-heated air is able to enter the article <NUM> through the ventilation holes from outside the device <NUM> to aid with the cooling of the article <NUM>.

The length of the cooling segment <NUM> is such that the cooling segment <NUM> will be partially inserted into the device <NUM>, when the article <NUM> is fully inserted into the device <NUM>. The length of the cooling segment <NUM> provides a first function of providing a physical gap between the heater arrangement of the device <NUM> and the heat sensitive filter arrangement <NUM>, and a second function of enabling the ventilation holes <NUM> to be located in the cooling segment, whilst also being located outside of the device <NUM>, when the article <NUM> is fully inserted into the device <NUM>. As can be seen from <FIG> and <FIG>, the majority of the cooling element <NUM> is located within the device <NUM>. However, there is a portion of the cooling element <NUM> that extends out of the device <NUM>. It is in this portion of the cooling element <NUM> that extends out of the device <NUM> in which the ventilation holes <NUM> are located.

Referring now to <FIG> in more detail, there is shown an example of a device <NUM> arranged to heat aerosol-generating material to volatilise at least one component of said aerosol-generating material, typically to form an aerosol which can be inhaled. The device <NUM> is a heating device which releases compounds by heating, but not burning, the aerosol-generating material.

A first end <NUM> is sometimes referred to herein as the mouth or proximal end <NUM> of the device <NUM> and a second end <NUM> is sometimes referred to herein as the distal end <NUM> of the device <NUM>. The device <NUM> has an on/off button <NUM> to allow the device <NUM> as a whole to be switched on and off as desired by a user.

The device <NUM> comprises a housing <NUM> for locating and protecting various internal components of the device <NUM>. In the example shown, the housing <NUM> comprises a uni-body sleeve <NUM> that encompasses the perimeter of the device <NUM>, capped with a top panel <NUM> which defines generally the 'top' of the device <NUM> and a bottom panel <NUM> which defines generally the 'bottom' of the device <NUM>. In another example the housing comprises a front panel, a rear panel and a pair of opposite side panels in addition to the top panel <NUM> and the bottom panel <NUM>.

The top panel <NUM> and/or the bottom panel <NUM> may be removably fixed to the uni-body sleeve <NUM>, to permit easy access to the interior of the device <NUM>, or may be "permanently" fixed to the uni-body sleeve <NUM>, for example to deter a user from accessing the interior of the device <NUM>. In an example, the panels <NUM> and <NUM> are made of a plastics material, including for example glass-filled nylon formed by injection moulding, and the uni-body sleeve <NUM> is made of aluminium, though other materials and other manufacturing processes may be used.

The top panel <NUM> of the device <NUM> has an opening <NUM> at the mouth end <NUM> of the device <NUM> through which, in use, the article <NUM>, <NUM> including the aerosol-generating material may be inserted into the device <NUM> and removed from the device <NUM> by a user.

The housing <NUM> has located or fixed therein a heater arrangement <NUM>, control circuitry <NUM> and a power source <NUM>. In this example, the heater arrangement <NUM>, the control circuitry <NUM> and the power source <NUM> are laterally adjacent (that is, adjacent when viewed from an end), with the control circuitry <NUM> being located generally between the heater arrangement <NUM> and the power source <NUM>, though other locations are possible.

The control circuitry <NUM> may include a controller, such as a microprocessor arrangement, configured and arranged to control the heating of the aerosol-generating material in the article <NUM>, <NUM> as discussed further below.

The power source <NUM> may be for example a battery, which may be a rechargeable battery or a non-rechargeable battery. Examples of suitable batteries include for example a lithium-ion battery, a nickel battery (such as a nickel-cadmium battery), an alkaline battery and/ or the like. The battery <NUM> is electrically coupled to the heater arrangement <NUM> to supply electrical power when required and under control of the control circuitry <NUM> to heat the aerosol-generating material in the article (as discussed, to volatilise the aerosol-generating material without causing the aerosol-generating material to burn).

An advantage of locating the power source <NUM> laterally adjacent to the heater arrangement <NUM> is that a physically large power source <NUM> may be used without causing the device <NUM> as a whole to be unduly lengthy. As will be understood, in general a physically large power source <NUM> has a higher capacity (that is, the total electrical energy that can be supplied, often measured in Amp-hours or the like) and thus the battery life for the device <NUM> can be longer.

In one example, the heater arrangement <NUM> is generally in the form of a hollow cylindrical tube, having a hollow interior heating chamber <NUM> into which the article <NUM>, <NUM> comprising the aerosol-generating material is inserted for heating in use. Different arrangements for the heater arrangement <NUM> are possible. For example, the heater arrangement <NUM> may comprise a single heating element or may be formed of plural heating elements aligned along the longitudinal axis of the heater arrangement <NUM>. The or each heating element may be annular or tubular, or at least part-annular or part-tubular around its circumference. In an example, the or each heating element may be a thin film heater. In another example, the or each heating element may be made of a ceramics material. Examples of suitable ceramics materials include alumina and aluminium nitride and silicon nitride ceramics, which may be laminated and sintered. Other heating arrangements are possible, including for example inductive heating, infrared heater elements, which heat by emitting infrared radiation, or resistive heating elements formed by for example a resistive electrical winding.

In one particular example, the heater arrangement <NUM> is supported by a stainless steel support tube and comprises a polyimide heating element. The heater arrangement <NUM> is dimensioned so that substantially the whole of the body of aerosol-generating material <NUM>, <NUM> of the article <NUM>, <NUM> is inserted into the heater arrangement <NUM> when the article <NUM>, <NUM> is inserted into the device <NUM>.

The or each heating element may be arranged so that selected zones of the aerosol-generating material can be independently heated, for example in turn (over time, as discussed above) or together (simultaneously) as desired.

The heater arrangement <NUM> in this example is surrounded along at least part of its length by a thermal insulator <NUM>. The insulator <NUM> helps to reduce heat passing from the heater arrangement <NUM> to the exterior of the device <NUM>. This helps to keep down the power requirements for the heater arrangement <NUM> as it reduces heat losses generally. The insulator <NUM> also helps to keep the exterior of the device <NUM> cool during operation of the heater arrangement <NUM>. In one example, the insulator <NUM> may be a double-walled sleeve which provides a low pressure region between the two walls of the sleeve. That is, the insulator <NUM> may be for example a "vacuum" tube, i.e. a tube that has been at least partially evacuated so as to minimise heat transfer by conduction and/or convection. Other arrangements for the insulator <NUM> are possible, including using heat insulating materials, including for example a suitable foam-type material, in addition to or instead of a double-walled sleeve.

The housing <NUM> may further comprises various internal support structures <NUM> for supporting all internal components, as well as the heating arrangement <NUM>.

The device <NUM> further comprises a collar <NUM> which extends around and projects from the opening <NUM> into the interior of the housing <NUM> and a generally tubular chamber <NUM> which is located between the collar <NUM> and one end of the vacuum sleeve <NUM>. The chamber <NUM> further comprises a cooling structure 35f, which in this example, comprises a plurality of cooling fins 35f spaced apart along the outer surface of the chamber <NUM>, and each arranged circumferentially around outer surface of the chamber <NUM>. There is an air gap <NUM> between the hollow chamber <NUM> and the article <NUM>, <NUM> when it is inserted in the device <NUM> over at least part of the length of the hollow chamber <NUM>. The air gap <NUM> is around all of the circumference of the article <NUM>, <NUM> over at least part of the cooling segment <NUM>.

The collar <NUM> comprises a plurality of ridges <NUM> arranged circumferentially around the periphery of the opening <NUM> and which project into the opening <NUM>. The ridges <NUM> take up space within the opening <NUM> such that the open span of the opening <NUM> at the locations of the ridges <NUM> is less than the open span of the opening <NUM> at the locations without the ridges <NUM>. The ridges <NUM> are configured to engage with an article <NUM>, <NUM> inserted into the device to assist in securing it within the device <NUM>. Open spaces (not shown in the Figures) defined by adjacent pairs of ridges <NUM> and the article <NUM>, <NUM> form ventilation paths around the exterior of the article <NUM>, <NUM>. These ventilation paths allow hot vapours that have escaped from the article <NUM>, <NUM> to exit the device <NUM> and allow cooling air to flow into the device <NUM> around the article <NUM>, <NUM> in the air gap <NUM>.

In operation, the article <NUM>, <NUM> is removably inserted into an insertion point <NUM> of the device <NUM>, as shown in <FIG>. Referring particularly to <FIG>, in one example, the body of aerosol-generating material <NUM>, <NUM>, which is located towards the distal end <NUM>, <NUM> of the article <NUM>, <NUM>, is entirely received within the heater arrangement <NUM> of the device <NUM>. The proximal end <NUM>, <NUM> of the article <NUM>, <NUM> extends from the device <NUM> and acts as a mouthpiece assembly for a user.

In operation, the heater arrangement <NUM> will heat the article <NUM>, <NUM> to volatilise at least one component of the aerosol-generating material from the body of aerosol-generating material <NUM>, <NUM>.

The primary flow path for the heated volatilised components from the body of aerosol-generating material <NUM>, <NUM> is axially through the article <NUM>, <NUM>, through the chamber inside the cooling segment <NUM>, <NUM>, through the filter segment <NUM>, <NUM>, through the mouth end segment <NUM>, <NUM> to the user. In one example, the temperature of the heated volatilised components that are generated from the body of aerosol-generating material is between <NUM> and <NUM>, which may be above the acceptable inhalation temperature for a user. As the heated volatilised component travels through the cooling segment <NUM>, <NUM>, it will cool and some volatilised components will condense on the inner surface of the cooling segment <NUM>, <NUM>.

In the examples of the article <NUM> shown in <FIG>, cool air will be able to enter the cooling segment <NUM> via the ventilation holes <NUM> formed in the cooling segment <NUM>. This cool air will mix with the heated volatilised components to provide additional cooling to the heated volatilised components.

In another aspect, there is provided a method of forming an amorphous solid comprising:.

Another aspect of the invention provides a method of making the consumable or system as previously described. This method comprises a method of making the amorphous solid and incorporating the amorphous solid into the consumable or system. The method may comprise (a) forming a slurry comprising components of the amorphous solid or precursors thereof, (b) forming a layer of the slurry, and (c) optionally setting the slurry, (d) drying to form an amorphous solid, and (e) incorporating the resulting amorphous solid into the consumable or system.

In step (a), the constituent, derivative or extract of cannabis may first be dissolved in the aerosol-former material and the resulting solution then added to the other components of the slurry.

The step (b) in the above methods of forming a layer of the slurry may comprise spraying, casting or extruding the slurry, for example. In some cases, the layer is formed by electrospraying the slurry. In some cases, the layer is formed by casting the slurry.

In some cases, the steps (b) and/or (c) and/or (d) may, at least partially, occur simultaneously (for example, during electrospraying). In some cases, these steps may occur sequentially.

In some cases, a setting agent (such as a calcium source) may be added to the slurry before or during step (b). This is appropriate in instances where gelation occurs relatively slowly (e.g. with alginate gelling agent), and thus the slurry may be, e.g. cast, after the setting agent is added.

In other cases, the step (c) of optionally setting the slurry may comprise the addition of a setting agent to the slurry layer. The setting agent may be sprayed onto the slurry, for example, or may be preloaded onto the surface on which the slurry is layered.

For example, a setting agent comprising a calcium source (such as calcium chloride or calcium citrate), may be added to a slurry containing alginate and/or pectin to form a calcium-crosslinked alginate/pectin gel. In some cases where gelation occurs rapidly (such as those in which a pectin gelling agent is used), the calcium should be added after casting. Direct addition of the setting agent to gelling agent may result in a slurry too viscous to cast or spread on the carrier support sheet.

The total amount of the setting agent, such as a calcium source, may be <NUM>-<NUM> wt% (calculated on a dry weight basis). It has been found that the addition of too little setting agent may result in a weak or unstable gel matrix with less capability of flavour entrapment. It has also been found that the addition of too much setting agent results in a gel that is very tacky or very brittle and consequently has poor handleability.

Alginate salts are derivatives of alginic acid and are typically high molecular weight polymers (<NUM>-<NUM> kDa). Alginic acid is a copolymer of β-D-mannuronic (M) and α-L-guluronic acid (G) units (blocks) linked together by (<NUM>,<NUM>)-glycosidic bonds to form a polysaccharide. On addition of calcium cations, the alginate crosslinks to form a gel. Alginate salts with a high G monomer content may more readily form a gel on addition of the calcium source. In some cases therefore, the gel-precursor may comprise an alginate salt in which at least about <NUM>%, <NUM>%, <NUM>%, <NUM>%, <NUM>% or <NUM>% of the monomer units in the alginate copolymer are α-L-guluronic acid (G) units.

In some cases, the slurry may be warmed prior to and during casting. This can slow gelation, improving handleability and easing the casting process. Further, warming the slurry may melt optional flavour components (e.g. menthol) easing handleability.

In some cases, menthol or other optional flavours may be added to the slurry in powder form. In some cases, menthol or other flavours may be added to the slurry in molten form (where it is warmed). In such cases, an emulsifying agent such as acacia gum may be added to disperse molten menthol in the slurry.

In some cases, the slurry may be cast onto a bandcast sheet or carrier support sheet. The carrier sheet may be loaded (e.g. sprayed or lightly coated) with a releasing agent, such as lecithin, which can aid separation of the carrier support sheet from the amorphous solid.

During step (d) the slurry may be heated to remove at least about <NUM> wt%, <NUM> wt%, <NUM> wt%, <NUM> wt% or <NUM> wt% of the solvent.

The aerosol-generating film may be formed by combining the constituent, derivative or extract of cannabis, aerosol-former material, gelling agent, a solvent and any optional further components to form a slurry and then heating the slurry to volatise at least some of the solvent to form the aerosol-generating film. The slurry may be heated to remove at least <NUM> wt%, <NUM> wt%, <NUM> wt%, <NUM> wt% or <NUM> wt% of the solvent.

In another aspect, there is provided a slurry comprising:.

In some embodiments the slurry solvent comprises, or is, one or more of water, ethanol, methanol, dimethyl sulfoxide, acetone, hexane, and toluene.

In particular embodiments, the slurry solvent may comprise water. In some cases, the slurry solvent may consist essentially of or consist of water.

In some cases, the slurry may comprise from about <NUM> wt%, <NUM> wt%, <NUM> wt%, <NUM> wt% or <NUM> wt% of solvent (WWB).

In some examples, the slurry has a viscosity of from about <NUM> to about <NUM> Pa·s at <NUM>, such as from about <NUM> to about <NUM> Pa·s at <NUM>, such as from about <NUM> to about <NUM> Pa·s at <NUM>.

Also provided is a composition for oral delivery of a constituent, derivative or extract of cannabis comprising an amorphous solid, the amorphous solid comprising:.

In some embodiments, the composition for oral delivery may be provided in the form of chews, soluble strips, lozenges, gums, snus or moist snuff.

In some embodiments, the composition for oral delivery further comprises one or more additives selected from sweeteners, taste modifiers, salts, buffering agents, colorants, oral care additives, preservatives, disintegration aids, emulsifiers, preservatives and antioxidants.

The aerosol-former material discussed above may be used as the humectant in the compositions for oral delivery. The above disclosures (for example those regarding the constituents, derivatives or extracts of cannabis, gelling agent, aerosol-former material [humectant], optional fillers, other optional ingredients such as additional active substances, flavours, and other functional materials), in relation to the amorphous solid for use in aerosol generation apply equally to this aspect of the invention.

For example, the humectant may comprise one or more compounds selected from glycerol, propylene glycol, diethylene glycol, triethylene glycol, tetraethylene glycol, <NUM>,<NUM>-butylene glycol, erythritol, meso-Erythritol, ethyl vanillate, ethyl laurate, a diethyl suberate, triethyl citrate, triacetin, a diacetin mixture, benzyl benzoate, benzyl phenyl acetate, tributyrin, lauryl acetate, lauric acid, myristic acid, and propylene carbonate.

In some embodiments, the humectant may comprise one or more of erythritol, propylene glycol, glycerol, and triacetin. In some cases, the humectant comprises, consists essentially of or consists of glycerol, optionally in combination with propylene glycol.

Suitably, the amorphous solid may comprise from about <NUM> wt% to about <NUM> wt% of humectant (calculated on a dry weight basis), for example about <NUM> to <NUM> wt% or about <NUM> wt% or <NUM> wt% to about <NUM> wt%, <NUM> wt%, or <NUM> wt%.

The composition for oral delivery may comprise from about <NUM> to <NUM> wt % of the amorphous solid, or from about <NUM> wt%, about <NUM> wt%, about <NUM> wt%, about <NUM> wt%, to about <NUM> wt%, about <NUM> wt%, about <NUM> wt% or about <NUM> wt% of the amorphous solid. For example, in some embodiments, the composition for oral delivery may comprise from about <NUM>-<NUM> wt%, such as about <NUM>-<NUM> wt%, of the amorphous solid. These wt% values are calculated on a wet weight basis (WWB), i.e. including any water or other solvent present in the amorphous solid.

The aerosol-generating material described herein comprises an "amorphous solid", which may alternatively be referred to as a "monolithic solid" (i.e. non-fibrous), or as a "dried gel". The amorphous solid is a solid material that may retain some fluid, such as liquid, within it.

As used herein, the term "tobacco material" refers to any material comprising tobacco or derivatives therefore. The term "tobacco material" may include one or more of tobacco, tobacco derivatives, expanded tobacco, reconstituted tobacco or tobacco substitutes. The tobacco material may comprise one or more of ground tobacco, tobacco fibre, cut tobacco, extruded tobacco, tobacco stem, reconstituted tobacco and/or tobacco extract.

The tobacco used to produce tobacco material may be any suitable tobacco, such as single grades or blends, cut rag or whole leaf, including Virginia and/or Burley and/or Oriental. It may also be tobacco particle 'fines' or dust, expanded tobacco, stems, expanded stems, and other processed stem materials, such as cut rolled stems. The tobacco material may be a ground tobacco or a reconstituted tobacco material. The reconstituted tobacco material may comprise tobacco fibres, and may be formed by casting, a Fourdrinier-based paper making-type approach with back addition of tobacco extract, or by extrusion.

All percentages by weight described herein (denoted wt%) are calculated on a dry weight basis (DWB), unless explicitly stated otherwise. All weight ratios are also calculated on a dry weight basis. A weight quoted on a dry weight basis refers to the whole of the extract or slurry or material, other than the water or other solvent, and may include components which by themselves are liquid at room temperature and pressure, such as glycerol. Conversely, a weight percentage quoted on a wet weight basis (WWB) refers to all components, including water or other solvent.

For the avoidance of doubt, where in this specification the term "comprises" is used in defining the invention or features of the invention, embodiments are also disclosed in which the invention or feature can be defined using the terms "consists essentially of" or "consists of" in place of "comprises". Reference to a material "comprising" certain features means that those features are included in, contained in, or held within the material.

The above embodiments are to be understood as illustrative examples of the invention.

Claim 1:
An amorphous solid for use in aerosol generation, the amorphous solid comprising:
about <NUM> to about <NUM> wt% constituent, derivative or extract of cannabis;
about <NUM> to about <NUM> wt% aerosol-former material;
gelling agent, the gelling agent comprising cellulose or a derivative thereof, and a non-cellulosic gelling agent; and
optionally filler, wherein the amount of gelling agent and optional filler taken together is from about <NUM> to about <NUM> wt%;
wherein the wt% values are calculated on a dry weight basis.