CIGARETTE PACKAGING MATERIAL AND CIGARETTE PRODUCT

Abstract

A cigarette packaging material includes: a packaging material having an inner bottom surface and defining a housing space above the inner bottom surface, the housing space housing a cigarette such that a longitudinal direction of the cigarette is substantially parallel with a depth direction of the housing space; and a humidity control layer housed in the housing space, disposed along the inner bottom surface, brought into direct contact with the cigarette, and dehumidifying and humidifying the cigarette to control humidity of the cigarette to reach a target humidity.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present disclosure relates to a cigarette packaging material and a cigarette product. The present application claims priority from Japanese Patent Application JP2021-121773 filed on Jul. 26, 2021, the content of which is hereby incorporated by reference into this application.

BACKGROUND ART

It is said that a proper humidity of tobacco leaf is approximately 70% RH.

If humidity of tobacco leaf is lower than the proper humidity, the tobacco leaf burns at high temperature, and the cigarette tastes bad for the smoker. Whereas, if humidity of tobacco leaf is higher than the proper humidity, mold grows on the tobacco leaf.

Patent Document 1 discloses a cigarette case (see paragraph [0028]). In the cigarette case, water vapor released from a water-absorbing sponge provides moisture throughout a cigarette housed in the cigarette case (see paragraph [0048]).

CITATION LIST

Patent Literature

• • Patent Document: Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication No. 2019-031322

SUMMARY OF INVENTION

Technical Problems

The cigarette case disclosed in Patent Document 1 can provide the cigarette with moisture; however, the cigarette case cannot deprive the cigarette of moisture. Hence, the humidity of the cigarette might not be maintained at the proper humidity.

The present disclosure is devised to overcome the above problems. The present disclosure is set out to provide: a cigarette packaging material and a cigarette product capable of maintaining humidity of a cigarette at a proper humidity.

Solution to Problems

A cigarette packaging material according to an aspect of the present disclosure includes: a packaging material having an inner bottom surface and defining a housing space above the inner bottom surface, the housing space housing a cigarette such that a longitudinal direction of the cigarette is substantially parallel with a depth direction of the housing space; and a humidity control layer housed in the housing space, disposed along the inner bottom surface, and dehumidifying and humidifying the cigarette to control humidity of the cigarette to reach a target humidity.

A cigarette product according to another aspect of the present disclosure includes: the cigarette packaging material according to the aspect of the present disclosure; and the cigarette.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view schematically illustrating a cigarette product of a first embodiment.

FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view schematically illustrating the cigarette product of the first embodiment.

FIG. 3A is a view schematically illustrating a humidity control layer included in the cigarette product of the first embodiment.

FIG. 3B is a graph showing moisture absorption isotherms of sodium formate as an example of carboxylic acid salt and glycerin as an example of polyhydric alcohol.

FIG. 4A is a view schematically illustrating a method for producing the humidity control layer included in the cigarette product of the first embodiment.

FIG. 4B is a view schematically illustrating the method for producing the humidity control layer included in the cigarette product of the first embodiment.

FIG. 4C is a view schematically illustrating the method for producing the humidity control layer included in the cigarette product of the first embodiment.

FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view schematically illustrating a first other example of a resin material included in the cigarette product of the first embodiment.

FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view schematically illustrating a second other example of the resin material included in the cigarette product of the first embodiment.

FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view schematically illustrating a third other example of the resin material included in the cigarette product of the first embodiment.

DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENT

An embodiment of the present disclosure will be described below, with reference to the drawings. Note that, throughout the drawings, like reference signs denote identical or similar constituent features. Such features will not be repeatedly elaborated upon.

1. First Embodiment

1.1 Cigarette Product

FIG. 1 is a perspective view schematically illustrating a cigarette product of a first embodiment. FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view schematically illustrating the cigarette product of the first embodiment.

As illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2, a cigarette product 1 of the first embodiment includes: a cigarette packaging material 11; and a cigarette 12.

The cigarette packaging material 11 packs the cigarette 12. The cigarette 12 packaged in the cigarette packaging material 11 may be one cigarette 12 or a plurality of cigarettes 12. The cigarette packaging material 11 can control humidity of the packaged cigarette 12 to set to a target humidity. The target humidity is within a range of a relative humidity of 60% RH or more and 80% RH or less. The target humidity is, for example, 70% RH.

The cigarette 12 is tobacco rolled into a narrow paper cylinder.

1.2 Cigarette Packaging Material

As illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2, the cigarette packaging material 11 includes: a packaging material 21; and a humidity control layer 22.

The packaging material 21 integrally packages the cigarette 12 and the humidity control layer 22. The packaging material 21 may be either a box having relatively high rigidity, or a soft pack having relatively low rigidity.

As illustrated in FIG. 2, the packaging material 21 has: an inner bottom surface 21A; an inner top surface 21B; and an inner side surface 21C. The packaging material 21 defines a housing space 21S.

The housing space 21S is surrounded with the inner bottom surface 21A, the inner top surface 21B, and the inner side surface 21C. The housing space 21S is defined above the inner bottom surface 21A, and below the inner top surface 21B. The inner bottom surface 21A and the inner top surface 21B are provided across from one another at the housing space 21S.

The housing space 21S houses the cigarette 12 such that a longitudinal direction of the cigarette 12 is substantially parallel with a depth direction of the housing space 21S. The depth direction of the housing space 21S is: perpendicular to the inner bottom surface 21A and the inner top surface 21B; and substantially parallel with the inner side surface 21C. The depth direction of the housing space 21S is a direction from the inner top surface 21B toward the inner bottom surface 21A.

As illustrated in FIG. 2, each of the cigarettes 12 includes: a sucked portion 31; and a burning portion 32.

The sucked portion 31 is located at one end of each cigarette 12. The burning portion 32 is located at another end of each cigarette 12. The sucked portion 31 is sucked at one end of each cigarette 12. The burning portion 32 burns when each cigarette 12 is smoked. Each cigarette 12 is disposed between the inner bottom surface 21A and the inner top surface 21B. The sucked portion 31 is disposed toward the inner top surface 21B. The burning portion 32 is disposed toward the inner bottom surface 21A.

As an example of the cigarette packaging material, FIGS. 1 and 2 illustrate that the packaging material 21 includes: a main body 41; and a lid 42. The cigarette packaging material may either omit the lid 42 and have an opening in the main body, or include a mechanism with which the main body is partially torn so that the cigarette 12 is taken out.

As illustrated in FIG. 2, the main body 41 includes: a main body space 41S; and a main body opening 41P. The lid 42 includes: a lid space 42S; and a lid opening 42P.

The main body space 41S is exposed outside of the main body 41 through the main body opening 41P. The lid space 42S is exposed outside of the lid 42 through the lid opening 42P.

The lid 42 can be in a state in which the main body opening 41P is closed, and in a state in which the main body opening 41P is open. When the lid 42 is closed and the main body opening 41P is covered, the main body space 41S and the lid space 42S integrally define the housing space 21S. When the lid 42 is open and the main body opening 41P is uncovered, the main body space 41S is exposed outside of the packaging material 21 through the main body opening 41P. Hence, each of the cigarettes 12 can be taken out of the main body space 41S through the main body opening 41P.

The humidity control layer 22 is housed in the housing space 21S. Hence, the cigarette 12 and the humidity control layer 22 are housed together in the housing space 21S. Such a feature allows moisture to transfer either from the cigarette 12 to the humidity control layer 22, or from the humidity control layer 22 to the cigarette 12.

The humidity control layer 22 dehumidifies and humidifies the cigarette 12 to control the humidity of the cigarette 12 to reach a target humidity.

The humidity control layer 22: absorbs moisture and dehumidifies the cigarette 12 as indicated by an arrow 51 if the humidity of the cigarette 12 is higher than the target humidity; and releases moisture and humidifies the cigarette 12 as indicated by an arrow 52 if the humidity of the cigarette 12 is lower than the target humidity. Such a feature can keep the tobacco leaf from drying and reduce the risk that the humidity of the tobacco leaf falls below an appropriate humidity. As a result, the tobacco leaf can be kept from burning at high temperature. Consequently, the cigarette 12 will not taste bad for the smoker. Furthermore, the feature can keep the tobacco leaf from getting wet, and reduce the risk that the tobacco leaf might be difficult to burn. Moreover, the feature can keep the tobacco leaf from getting wet, and reduce the risk that mold might grow on the tobacco leaf.

If a desiccant is housed in the housing space 21S, the cigarette 12 can be dehumidified, but cannot be humidified. If a water-absorbing sponge is housed in the housing space 21S, the cigarette 12 can be humidified, but cannot be dehumidified. If materials to be housed in the housing space 21S are switched between a desiccant and a water-absorbing sponge, the cigarette 12 can be dehumidified and humidified. However, the smoker has to switch the materials. In contrast, if the humidity control layer 22 is housed in the housing space 21S, the cigarette 12 can be both dehumidified and humidified without switching the materials.

The humidity control layer 22 is disposed along the inner bottom surface 21A. The humidity control layer 22 is placed on the inner bottom surface 21A. Such a feature can keep each of the cigarettes 12 from interfering the humidity control layer 22 when the cigarette 12 is taken out of the main body space 41S.

The humidity control layer 22 is in direct contact with the cigarette 12. Such a feature can effectively control the humidity of the cigarette 12 to reach the target humidity. If water vapor can be exchanged between the humidity control layer 22 and the cigarette 12, the humidity control layer 22 and the cigarette 12 do not have to be in direct contact with each other, and may be spaced apart from each other. This is because the humidity can be controlled to reach the target humidity if water vapor is permeable between the humidity control layer 22 and the cigarette 12 through a moisture-permeable material. Because the burning portion 32 of each cigarette 12 is disposed toward the inner bottom surface 21A, the humidity control layer 22 disposed along the inner bottom surface 21A comes into direct contact with the burning portion of each cigarette 12. As the humidity rises, the density of the air decreases. Hence, the higher the humidity of the air is, the more likely the air moves upwards. Thus, the humidity control layer 22 is disposed along the inner bottom surface 21A, and the burning portion 32 is disposed toward the inner bottom surface 21A. When the cigarette 12 is humidified, the air highly humid and discharged from the humidity control layer readily permeates into the cigarette through the burning portion. As a result, the tobacco leaf readily reaches the target humidity.

If a water-absorbing sponge is housed in the housing space 21S, the water-absorbing sponge cannot be brought into direct contact with the cigarette 12. This is because when the water-absorbing sponge is brought into direct contact with the cigarette 12, the water-absorbing sponge wets the cigarette 12 with liquid water. Whereas, if the humidity control layer 22 is housed in the housing space 21S, the humidity control layer 22 can be brought into direct contact with the cigarette 12. This is because even if the humidity control layer 22 is brought into direct contact with the cigarette 12, the humidity control layer 22 does not wet the cigarette 12 with liquid water.

The humidity control layer 22 is shaped into either a block or a sheet. Thanks to such a feature, the humidity control layer 22 is disposed readily along the inner bottom surface 21A.

1.3 Humidity Control Layer

FIG. 3A is a view schematically illustrating a humidity control layer included in the cigarette product of the first embodiment.

The humidity control layer 22 is capable of controlling humidity; that is, if the relative humidity of the air around the humidity control layer 22 is higher than the equilibrium humidity of the humidity control layer 22, the humidity control layer 22 absorbs moisture from the air around the humidity control layer 22, and if the relative humidity of the air around the humidity control layer 22 is lower than the equilibrium humidity of the humidity control layer 22, the humidity control layer 22 releases the moisture into the air around the humidity control layer 22. Compared with a desiccant represented by the A-type silica gel, the humidity control layer 22 can desorb moisture when heated at relatively low temperature. Furthermore, the humidity control layer 22 can repeatedly absorb and release moisture. Hence, in principle, the humidity control layer 22 can maintain humidity control capabilities on a semipermanent basis. The equilibrium humidity of the humidity control layer 22 can be controlled with a material contained in the humidity control layer 22.

As illustrated in FIG. 3A, the humidity control layer 22 includes: a resin material 101; and a humidity control liquid 102.

The humidity control layer 22 is shaped into either a block or a sheet. The resin material 101 of the humidity control layer 22 is made of a resin 121. Because the humidity control layer 22 is shaped into either a block or a sheet, water does not seep out from the humidity control layer under the weight of the cigarette itself. Hence, the cigarette does not get wet with liquid water.

The resin 121 may be either an ionic resin or a non-ionic resin.

The ionic resin contains at least one selected from the group consisting of, for example, alkali metal salt of polyacrylic acid and starch-acrylate graft polymer. The alkali metal salt of polyacrylic acid contains, for example, sodium polyacrylate.

The non-ionic resin contains at least one selected from the group consisting of, for example, a vinyl acetate copolymer, a maleic anhydride copolymer, polyvinyl alcohol, and polyalkylene oxide.

The resin material 101 may contain a clay mineral.

The clay mineral contains at least one selected from the group consisting of, for example, silicate mineral and zeolite. The silicate mineral contains at least one selected from the group consisting of, for example, sepiolite, attapulgite, kaolinite, perlite, dolomite, glassy tuff, and these minerals calcined to form a foam article.

The humidity control liquid 102 absorbs or releases moisture. The humidity control liquid 102 impregnates the resin 121. Such a feature makes it possible to increase an area of an interface between the humidity control component and the air, compared with a case where the humidity control liquid is used alone. Hence, the humidity can be controlled quickly.

The humidity control liquid 102 contains at least one selected from the group consisting of, for example, polyhydric alcohol and metal salt.

The polyhydric alcohol contains at least one selected from the group consisting of, for example, glycerin, propanediol, butanediol, pentanediol, trimethylolpropane, butanetriol, ethylene glycol, diethylene glycol, triethylene glycol, and lactic acid. The polyhydric alcohol desirably contains a polyhydric alcohol having three or more hydroxyl groups. The polyhydric alcohol having three or more hydroxyl groups contains, for example, glycerin. The polyhydric alcohol may constitute a dimer or a polymer.

The metal salt contains at least one of, for example, lithium chloride, sodium formate, potassium formate, sodium acetate, potassium acetate, sodium lactate, potassium lactate, sodium benzoate, potassium benzoate, sodium propionate, and potassium propionate. The metal salt contained in the humidity control liquid 102 is desirably hygroscopic. If the humidity control liquid 102 contains a hygroscopic metal salt, the humidity control liquid 102 can exhibit high water absorptivity.

The metal salt may be more preferably carboxylic acid salt. Examples of the carboxylic acid salt include sodium formate, potassium formate, sodium acetate, potassium acetate, sodium lactate, potassium lactate, sodium benzoate, potassium benzoate, sodium propionate, and potassium propionate. FIG. 3B is a graph showing moisture absorption isotherms of sodium formate as an example of carboxylic acid salt and glycerin as an example of polyhydric alcohol. In the graph shown in FIG. 3B, the horizontal axis represents relative humidity, and the vertical axis represents a moisture absorption rate. Note that the moisture absorption rate is expressed as a percentage of the amount of absorbed moisture observed when the relative humidity is varied with reference to the own weight in an absolute dry state at 25° C. When the humidity is controlled within a target humidity range of 60% RH to 80% RH, sodium formate is greater in corresponding moisture absorptivity range than glycerin. This shows that, with respect to glycerin, sodium formate exhibits a small variation in controlled humidity caused when the same amount of moisture is absorbed or released. Hence, sodium formate is more capable of controlling humidity within the target humidity range than glycerin when moisture enters from the outside. For the use of the present invention, carboxylic acid salt such as sodium formate is more preferable.

The humidity control liquid 102 may include a component other than the polyhydric alcohol and the metal salt. For example, the humidity control liquid 102 may include at least one selected from the group consisting of ketone, an organic solvent having an amide group, a saccharide, and a substance to be used as a raw material for a moisturizing cosmetic product. The organic solvent having an amide group contains at least one selected from the group consisting of, for example, formamide and acetamide. The saccharide contains at least one selected from the group consisting of, for example, sucrose, pullulan, glucose, xylose, fructose, mannitol, and sorbitol. The substance to be used as a raw material for a moisturizing cosmetic product contains at least one selected from the group consisting of, for example, 2-methacryloyloxyethyl phosphorylcholine (MPC), betaine, hyaluronic acid, and collagen.

1.4 Method for Producing Humidity Control Layer

FIGS. 4A, 4B, and 4C are views schematically illustrating a method for producing the humidity control layer included in the cigarette product of the first embodiment.

In producing the humidity control layer 22, as illustrated in FIG. 4A, the resin material 101 is prepared.

Then, as illustrated FIG. 4B, a humidity control liquid 111 is prepared. Furthermore, the prepared resin material 101 is immersed in the prepared humidity control liquid 111. The resin material 101 is continuously immersed in the humidity control liquid 111 for, for example, several hours to one day. Thus, the humidity control liquid 111 permeates into the resin material 101, and the humidity control layer 22 is formed. The permeating humidity control liquid 111 serves as the humidity control liquid 102 included in the humidity control layer 22.

Then, as illustrated in FIG. 4C, the formed humidity control layer 22 is taken out of the remaining humidity control liquid 111. The taken humidity control layer 22 swells by, for example, 2 to 20 times.

1.5 Other Examples of Resin Material

FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view schematically illustrating a first other example of the resin material included in the cigarette product of the first embodiment.

The resin material 101 illustrated in FIG. 5 includes: the resin 121; and a carrier 122. In the resin material 101 illustrated in FIG. 5, the resin 121 is powdery or particulate. Furthermore, the carrier 122 is a porous solid. The porous solid is a foam article. Furthermore, the carrier 122 carries the resin 121. When the porous solid constituting the carrier 122 is a foam article, the carrier 122 has high rigidity. Thus, the humidity control layer 22 is stable in shape. The carrier 122 may be impregnated with the humidity control liquid 102.

The resin material 101 is powdery or particulate. When the resin material 101 is powdery or particulate, the surface area of the resin material 101 is large. This is highly effective in quickly absorbing or removing moisture.

FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view schematically illustrating a second other example of the resin material included in the cigarette product of the first embodiment.

The resin material 101 illustrated in FIG. 6 includes: the resin 121; and the carrier 122. In the resin material 101 illustrated in FIG. 6, the resin 121 is either powdery or particulate. Furthermore, the carrier 122 is a porous solid. The porous solid is either a nonwoven fabric or a woven fabric. Furthermore, the carrier 122 carries the resin 121. When the porous solid constituting the carrier 122 is either a nonwoven fabric or a woven fabric, the carrier 122 is flexible. Hence, the carrier 122 can alter in shape. The carrier 122 may be impregnated with the humidity control liquid 102. Furthermore, when the porous solid constituting the carrier 122 is either a nonwoven fabric or a woven fabric, the tobacco leaf falling from the cigarette 12 can be caught by the porous solid. Such a feature can keep tobacco leaf, falling from the cigarette 12, from coming out of the cigarette packaging material 11.

FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view schematically illustrating a third other example of the resin material included in the cigarette product of the first embodiment.

The resin material 101 illustrated in FIG. 7 includes: the resin 121; and the carrier 122. In the resin material 101 illustrated in FIG. 7, the resin 121 is either powdery or particulate. Furthermore, the carrier 122 is a ventilating member that allows an air flow to run in a direction perpendicular to the cross-section illustrated in FIG. 7. One end of a cigarette comes into direct contact in a direction perpendicular to the cross-section illustrated in FIG. 7. The ventilating member includes, for example, a corrugated nonwoven fabric. Furthermore, the carrier 122 carries the resin 121. The carrier 122 may be impregnated with the humidity control liquid 102.

The present disclosure shall not be limited to the above-described embodiment, and may be replaced with a configuration substantially the same as, a configuration having the same advantageous effects as, or a configuration capable of achieving the same object as, the configurations described in the above-described embodiment.

Claims

1. A cigarette packaging material, comprising: a packaging material having an inner bottom surface and defining a housing space above the inner bottom surface, the housing space housing a cigarette such that a longitudinal direction of the cigarette is substantially parallel with a depth direction of the housing space; anda humidity control layer housed in the housing space, disposed along the inner bottom surface, and dehumidifying and humidifying the cigarette to control humidity of the cigarette to reach a target humidity.

2. The cigarette packaging material according to claim 1, wherein the cigarette is in contact with the humidity control layer.

3. The cigarette packaging material according to claim 1, wherein the packaging material has an inner top surface,each of a plurality of the cigarettes includes: a sucked portion located at an end of each cigarette; and a burning portion located at another end of each cigarette,the sucked portion is disposed toward the inner top surface,the burning portion is disposed toward the inner bottom surface, andthe humidity control layer is in direct contact with the burning portion.

4. The cigarette packaging material according to claim 1, wherein the humidity control layer is shaped into either a block or a sheet.

5. The cigarette packaging material according to claim 1, wherein the target humidity is within a range of a relative humidity of 60% RH or more and 80% RH or less.

6. The cigarette packaging material according to claim 1, wherein the humidity control layer includes:a resin material containing a resin; anda humidity control liquid impregnating the resin, and absorbing or releasing moisture.

7. The cigarette packaging material according to claim 6, wherein the humidity control liquid contains at least one selected from the group consisting of polyhydric alcohol and metal salt.

8. The cigarette packaging material according to claim 7, wherein the polyhydric alcohol contains glycerin.

9. The cigarette packaging material according to claim 7, wherein the metal salt contains at least one selected from the group consisting of lithium chloride, sodium formate, potassium formate, sodium acetate, potassium acetate, sodium lactate, potassium lactate, sodium benzoate, potassium benzoate, sodium propionate, and potassium propionate.

10. The cigarette packaging material according to claim 7, wherein the metal salt contains at least one selected from the group consisting of sodium formate, potassium formate, sodium acetate, potassium acetate, sodium lactate, potassium lactate, sodium benzoate, potassium benzoate, sodium propionate, and potassium propionate.

11. The cigarette packaging material according to claim 6, wherein the resin is powdery or particulate.

12. The cigarette packaging material according to claim 6, wherein the resin material includes a carrier to carry the resin.

13. The cigarette packaging material according to claim 12, wherein the carrier includes either a nonwoven fabric or a woven fabric.

14. A cigarette product, comprising: the cigarette packaging material according to claim 1; andthe cigarette.