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Electrically Heated Tobacco Product
The EHTP is a novel patented tobacco product containing specially processed tobacco and two filter
sections. The EHTP has been designed specifically and exclusively for use with the Holder (heating
device). The EHTP comprises a number of elements that are different as compared to cigarettes:
A tobacco plug (with the tobacco mixture) which is manufactured using a unique “crimped” cast-leaf
tobacco material which provides taste and flavor compounds. Subject to market requirements, it
may also contain a co-laminated aluminum tobacco plug wrap preventing the self-sustaining
combustion of the tobacco plug should any one try to light the EHTP as a cigarette
A hollow acetate tube which acts as a mechanical spacer between the tobacco plug and the first
filter
A polymer-film filter which may contain menthol for some EHTP variants
• A low-density cellulose acetate mouthpiece filter (different construction depending on EHTP
variants)
• Outer and mouth-end papers
Figure 2
Illustration of cross-sectional diagram of the EHTP showing major components
Of the various components, the tobacco plug and polymer-film filter were developed and produced by
PMI. The other materials (hollow tube, mouth piece filter, outer paper and mouth-end paper) are
commercially available products.
The
tobacco plug is made of the cast-leaf tobacco material. This special material is made from various
tobacco types which are ground and formed into a reconstituted sheet together with binders and
humectants: water, guar and natural cellulose fibers as well as glycerin. The tobacco plug is specifically
formulated for heating and is not designed for smoking. When heated, water and glycerin evaporate and
re-condense into small droplets to generate a visible nicotine containing aerosol (vapor). The tobacco
plug is the source of tobacco taste and flavors.
The reconstitution of tobacco is performed by grinding selected tobacco grades into fine powder. The
powder is mixed with water, binders and humectants into a homogeneous slurry. The slurry is then cast
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and dried into thin sheets. The reconstituted tobacco sheet (with a specified thickness and weight) is
then cut into bands of a defined width. By crimping the reconstituted tobacco bands, tobacco plugs of a
specified weight are obtained. The casting and drying process for the reconstitution of tobacco is known
as the cast leaf process and is widely used by the tobacco industry.
The
hollow acetate tube is made of cellulose acetate fibers with a plasticizer, wrapped in a non-porous
paper. The hollow acetate tube prevents the tobacco plug from being pushed into the EHTP when the
tobacco plug is inserted in the heater.
The
polymer-film filter is made from polymer-film wrapped in a non-porous paper over-wrap which is
made of wood cellulose fibers. In this section of the EHTP, vaporized compounds are cooled down to
yield an acceptable aerosol temperature.
The
mouth piece filter is made of cellulose acetate fibers with plasticizer, wrapped in a non-porous
paper over-wrap. It is a low-efficiency filter which provides sufficient rigidity when the mouth piece filter
is held between the lips of the consumer.
The
outer paper holds the various EHTP components together.
The
mouth-end paper is added on the mouth end to prevent the lips of a consumer from sticking to the
EHTP mouth piece filter.
EHTPs are collated in a Pack. Number of units of EHTPs per pack depend on Pack format. Packs are then
collated in a bundle.
Example of most common size:
20 units in a Pack
10 Packs or 200 units in a Carton/Bundle
Figure 3
Illustration of pack of 20 EHTPs
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EHTP Product Values:
EHTP Average Weight at equilibrium (at 50% RH, 22°C): 0.8 g indicative for the regular variant
Tobacco mixture Average Weight (at 50% RH, 22°C): 305.7 mg indicative for the regular variant
EHTP Average Length: 45 mm
EHTP Average Diameter: 7.3 mm
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Holder
The Holder comprises 4 major components:
• The casing
• The heater, which is a glass-coated metallic resistive element through which electricity is passed to
create the heating
• The control electronics, which ensure the temperature control of the heater and provide protective
monitoring so that overheating is prevented.
• The battery stores sufficient power for a single EHTP use
The EHTP is inserted into the holder and within which the tobacco mixture is heated only in
temperatures ranges below 3501 degrees Celsius through the electronically controlled heater. The
average power consumption for one EHTP use is between 2 and 3 Watts.
1 The temperature of the tobacco in contact with the header reached an average temperature of 280 degrees
Celsius at a position of 0.2 mm from the heating elements surface.
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Figure 4
Holder scheme
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Charger
The Charger is designed to be portable and to recharge the Holder. The electronics regulate both, the
charging of the Holder battery from the Charger battery, and the charging of the Charger battery from
an external power source.
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Figure 5
Illustration of an enlarged view of the Charger Label
The Charger and Holder are the key components of the EHTS which have been designed, manufactured
and tested in accordance with the Electromagnetic Compatibility Directive 2004/108/EC and the Low
Voltage Directive 2006/95/EC. A corresponding EC Declaration of Conformity has been issued.
The EHTS is packed in a user kit, which consists of:
1 Holder
1 Charger
1 Power Adaptor
1 USB Cable
1 Cleaning Tool
1 Full User Guide
Figure 6
Electrically Heated Tobacco System – Illustration of Device Kit
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Product Use
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To start using the EHTS, the tobacco end of the EHTP is inserted into the Holder until only the EHTP filter
is visible and EHTS is initiated by pressing the button on the Holder. A LED indicates when the initial
heating process is completed.
• Once initial heating is completed, the product can then be used by drawing air through the EHTP
• This initiates the in use heating cycle, which is a puff-by-puff heating profile that is designed to
provide a consistent experience throughout use
• The Holder and EHTP can deliver puffs over a period of around 6 minutes
• Once this cycle is completed, the EHTP must be removed from the Holder, which is then placed in
the Charger where it is recharged. A new EHTP must be used for the next cycle
• Since the EHTP Product does not burn down during consumption and produces no ash, an EHTP can
be thrown away responsibly in any waste receptacle.
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