Patent Application
20240074483
The present invention relates to a tobacco sheet for a heat-not-burn flavor inhaler, a manufacturing method therefor, a heat-not-burn flavor inhaler, and a heat-not-burn flavor inhaling system.
A heat-burn flavor inhaler (cigarette) obtains a flavor by burning a tobacco filler including a leaf tobacco or a tobacco sheet. For example, PTL 1 describes a tobacco sheet used for a heat-burn flavor inhaler. Instead of the heat-burn flavor inhaler, a heat-not-burn flavor inhaler that obtains a flavor by heating a flavor source, such as a tobacco sheet, in place of burning the flavor source is suggested. The heating temperature of the heat-not-burn flavor inhaler is lower than the burning temperature of the heat-burn flavor inhaler and is, for example, lower than or equal to about 400° C. In this way, since the heating temperature of the heat-not-burn flavor inhaler is low, an aerosol generator can be added to the flavor source in the heat-not-burn flavor inhaler from the viewpoint of increasing the amount of smoke. The aerosol generator vaporizes to generate an aerosol. The aerosol is supplied to a user with a flavor component, such as a tobacco component, so the user is able to obtain a sufficient flavor.
The heat-not-burn flavor inhaler can include, for example, a tobacco-containing segment filled with a tobacco sheet or the like, a cooling segment, and a filter segment. The axial length of the tobacco-containing segment of the heat-not-burn flavor inhaler is commonly shorter than the axial length of a tobacco-containing segment of the heat-burn flavor inhaler in relation to a heater. Therefore, in the heat-not-burn flavor inhaler, a large amount of tobacco sheet fills a short section of the tobacco-containing segment in order to ensure the amount of aerosol generated during heating. To fill the short section with a large amount of tobacco sheet, commonly, a tobacco sheet having a low bulkiness, that is, a high density, is used in the heat-not-burn flavor inhaler. A bulkiness is a value that indicates a volume obtained when a predetermined mass of shreds of tobacco sheet is compressed at a certain pressure for a certain period of time.
However, the inventors found that, when a heating system, a heating capacity of a heater, and generation of an aerosol were considered, a total heat capacity of the tobacco-containing segment increased if a low-bulkiness (high-density) tobacco sheet was used and, therefore, the tobacco sheet filling the tobacco-containing segment did not sufficiently contribute to generation of an aerosol depending on a heating method and the capacity of the heater. To solve the above problem, it is conceivable to reduce the total heat capacity of the tobacco-containing segment.
The inventors studied (1) reducing the specific heat of tobacco raw material contained in a tobacco sheet and (2) using a high-bulkiness (low-density) tobacco sheet, to reduce the total heat capacity of the tobacco-containing segment. However, it is difficult to reduce the specific heat of tobacco raw material itself for (1), so it was presumably effective to reduce the total heat capacity of the tobacco-containing segment by (2). Therefore, it is desired to develop a high-bulkiness (low-density) tobacco sheet suitably used for a heat-not-burn flavor inhaler.
It is an object of the present invention to provide a high-bulkiness tobacco sheet for a heat-not-burn flavor inhaler, a heat-not-burn flavor inhaler including the tobacco sheet, and a heat-not-burn flavor inhaling system.
The present invention includes the following embodiments.
According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a high-bulkiness tobacco sheet for a heat-not-burn flavor inhaler, a heat-not-burn flavor inhaler including the tobacco sheet, and a heat-not-burn flavor inhaling system.
[Tobacco Sheet for Heat-Not-Burn Flavor Inhaler]
A tobacco sheet for a heat-not-burn flavor inhaler (hereinafter, also referred to as “tobacco sheet”) according to an embodiment contains a tobacco raw material and has a corrugated shape in a cross section taken in a thickness direction of the tobacco sheet. Since the tobacco sheet according to the present embodiment has a corrugated sectional shape in the thickness direction, the tobacco sheet is bulky and has a high bulkiness. Therefore, when the tobacco sheet according to the present embodiment is used, it is possible to reduce the total heat capacity of a tobacco-containing segment, so the tobacco sheet filling the tobacco-containing segment can sufficiently contribute to generate an aerosol. The tobacco sheet according to the present embodiment preferably further contains an aerosol generator and one or two or more types of forming agents. When a blending ratio of these agents is made to fall within a predetermined range, the bulkiness of the tobacco sheet further improves.
(Shape of Tobacco Sheet)
The tobacco sheet according to the present embodiment has a corrugated shape in the cross section taken in the thickness direction. In other words, when the tobacco sheet according to the present embodiment is cut in the thickness direction in one direction of a planar direction, the shape of the cross section has a corrugated shape. The one direction of the planar direction may be, for example, a longitudinal direction of the tobacco sheet or may be a widthwise direction. Here, the “corrugated shape” is not limited as long as the corrugated shape is an up-down wavy shape. Peaks of corrugations may have a linear shape or may have a curved shape. The corrugations may be regular or may be irregular.
(Tobacco Raw Material)
The tobacco raw material contained in the tobacco sheet according to the present embodiment is not limited as long as the tobacco raw material contains a tobacco component. Examples of the tobacco raw material include tobacco powder and tobacco extract. Examples of the tobacco powder include a leaf tobacco, a leaf midrib, and a stalk. One of them may be used or two or more of them may be used in combination. When these materials are shredded into a predetermined size, these materials can be used as tobacco powder. As for the size of the tobacco powder, a cumulative 90% particle size (D90) in a particle size distribution on a volume basis, measured by dry laser diffractometry, is preferably greater than or equal to 200 μm from the viewpoint of further improvement in bulkiness. When the tobacco raw material is tobacco powder, the percentage of the tobacco powder contained in 100 mass % of the tobacco sheet preferably ranges from 45 mass % to 95 mass %, more preferably ranges from 50 mass % to 93 mass %, and further preferably ranges from 60 mass % to 85 mass %. The tobacco extract may be, for example, a tobacco extract obtained by granulating leaf tobacco, extracting a water-soluble component from the leaf tobacco by mixing the granulated leaf tobacco with a solvent, such as water, and stirring the mixture, drying the obtained water extract under a reduced pressure and condensing the extract.
(Aerosol Generator)
The tobacco sheet according to the present embodiment preferably further contains an aerosol generator from the viewpoint of increasing the amount of smoke during heating. Examples of the aerosol generator include glycerin, propylene glycol, and 1,3-butanediol. One of them may be used or two or more of them may be used in combination.
When the tobacco sheet contains an aerosol generator, the percentage of the aerosol generator contained in 100 mass % of the tobacco sheet preferably ranges from 4 mass % to 50 mass %. When the percentage of the aerosol generator is higher than or equal to 4 mass %, it is possible to sufficiently generate an aerosol during heating from the viewpoint of amount. When the percentage of the aerosol generator is lower than or equal to 50 mass %, it is possible to sufficiently generate an aerosol during heating from the viewpoint of heat capacity. The percentage of the aerosol generator more preferably ranges from 6 mass % to 40 mass %, further preferably ranges from 8 mass % to 30 mass %, and particularly preferably ranges from 10 mass % to 20 mass %.
(Forming Agent)
The tobacco sheet according to the present embodiment preferably further contains a forming agent from the viewpoint of ensuring the shape. The tobacco sheet according to the present embodiment preferably further contains a first forming agent and a second forming agent from the viewpoint of particularly making it possible to sufficiently achieve a capability to hold the aerosol generator of the tobacco sheet and a capability to maintain the corrugated shape. Here, the first forming agent and the second forming agent may be of different types or may be of the same type and have different forms. Examples of the first forming agent include polysaccharides, proteins, and synthetic polymers. Examples of the polysaccharides include cellulose derivatives and naturally-derived polysaccharides.
Examples of the cellulose derivatives include cellulose ethers, such as methyl cellulose, ethyl cellulose, hydroxyethyl cellulose, hydroxymethylethyl cellulose, hydroxypropyl cellulose, hydroxypropylmethyl cellulose, benzyl cellulose, trityl cellulose, cyanoethyl cellulose, carboxymethyl cellulose, carboxyethyl cellulose, and aminoethyl cellulose; organic esters, such as cellulose acetate, cellulose formate, cellulose propionate, cellulose butyrate, cellulose benzoate, cellulose phthalate, and tosyl cellulose; and inorganic esters, such as cellulose nitrate, cellulose sulfate, cellulose phosphate, and cellulose xanthate.
Examples of the naturally-derived polysaccharides include plant-derived polysaccharides, such as guar gum, tara gum, lost beam gum, tamarind seed gum, pectin, gum arabic, tragacanth gum, karaya gum, ghatti gum, arabinogalactan, linseed gum, cassia gum, thyrium seed gum, and Artemisia sphaerocephala seed gum; algae-derived polysaccharides, such as carageenan, agar, alginic acid, propylene glycol alginate, furcelleran, and Colpomenia sinuosa extract; microbially-derived polysaccharides, such as xanthan gum, gellan gum, curdlan, pullulan, agrobacterium succinoglycan, welan gum, macrophomopsis gum, and rhamsan gum; shellfish-derived polysaccharides, such as chitin, chitosan, and glucosamine; and starches, such as starch, sodium carboxymethyl starch, pregelatinized starch, and dextrin.
Examples of the proteins include wheat proteins, such as wheat gluten and rye gluten. Examples of the synthetic polymers include polyphosphoric acid, sodium polyacrylate, and polyvinyl pyrrolidone. The second forming agent is different from the first forming agent but polysaccharides, proteins, synthetic polymers, and the like similar to those of the first forming agent may be used.
When the tobacco sheet contains the first forming agent, the percentage of the first forming agent contained in 100 mass % of the tobacco sheet preferably ranges from 0.1 mass % to 15 mass %. When the percentage of the first forming agent is higher than or equal to 0.1 mass %, it is possible to easily form the mixed element of raw materials into a sheet shape. When the percentage of the first forming agent is lower than or equal to 15 mass %, it is possible to sufficiently use other raw materials for ensuring functions sought for the tobacco-containing segment of the heat-not-burn flavor inhaler. The percentage of the first forming agent more preferably ranges from 0.1 mass % to 12 mass %, further preferably ranges from 0.1 mass % to 10 mass %, and particularly preferably ranges from 0.1 mass % to 7 mass %.
When the tobacco sheet contains the second forming agent, the percentage of the second forming agent contained in 100 mass % of the tobacco sheet preferably ranges from 0.1 mass % to 15 mass %. When the percentage of the second forming agent is higher than or equal to 0.1 mass %, it is possible to easily form the mixed element of raw materials into a sheet shape. When the percentage of the second forming agent is lower than or equal to 15 mass %, it is possible to sufficiently use other raw materials for ensuring functions sought for the tobacco-containing segment of the heat-not-burn flavor inhaler. The percentage of the second forming agent more preferably ranges from 0.1 mass % to 12 mass %, further preferably ranges from 0.1 mass % to 10 mass %, and particularly preferably ranges from 0.1 mass % to 7 mass %.
When the first forming agent and the second forming agent are of the same type and have different forms, for example, the first forming agent may be powder and the second forming agent may be solution, slurry, or the like. For example, in a manufacturing method for a tobacco sheet (described later), a forming agent may be directly mixed in form of powder as the first forming agent, and a forming agent may be dispersed or swollen to be mixed in a solvent, such as water, as the second forming agent. With such a method as well, similar advantageous effects to those when two forming agents of different types are used are obtained.
(Reinforcing Agent)
The tobacco sheet according to the present embodiment may further contain a reinforcing agent from the viewpoint of further improvement in physical properties. Examples of the reinforcing agent include fiber materials, such as fiber pulp and fiber synthetic cellulose, and liquid materials having a surface coating function to form a film when dried, such as pectin suspension. One of them may be used or two or more of them may be used in combination.
When the tobacco sheet contains the reinforcing agent, the percentage of the reinforcing agent contained in 100 mass % of the tobacco sheet preferably ranges from 4 mass % to 40 mass %. When the percentage falls within this range, it is possible to sufficiently use other raw materials for ensuring functions sought for the tobacco-containing segment of the heat-not-burn flavor inhaler. The percentage of the reinforcing agent more preferably ranges from 4.5 mass % to 35 mass % and further preferably ranges from 5 mass % to 30 mass %.
(Humectant)
The tobacco sheet according to the present embodiment may further contain a humectant from the viewpoint of quality retention. Examples of the humectant include sugar alcohols, such as sorbitol, erythritol, xylitol, maltitol, lactitol, mannitol, and hydrogenated maltose syrup. One of them may be used or two or more of them may be used in combination.
When the tobacco sheet contains the humectant, the percentage of the humectant contained in 100 mass % of the tobacco sheet preferably ranges from 1 mass % to 15 mass %. When the percentage falls within this range, it is possible to sufficiently use other raw materials for ensuring functions sought for the tobacco-containing segment of the heat-not-burn flavor inhaler. The percentage of the humectant more preferably ranges from 2 mass % to 12 mass % and further preferably ranges from 3 mass % to 10 mass %.
(Other Components)
The tobacco sheet according to the present embodiment can include a flavor agent, such as a flavoring agent and a flavor material, a colorant, a wetting agent, a preservative, and a diluent, such as an inorganic substance, as needed in addition to the tobacco raw material, the aerosol generator, the forming agents (the first and second forming agents), the reinforcing agent, and the humectant.
(Bulkiness)
The bulkiness of the tobacco sheet according to the present embodiment is preferably higher than or equal to 190 cc/100 g. When the bulkiness is higher than or equal to 190 cc/100 g, it is possible to sufficiently reduce the total heat capacity of the tobacco-containing segment of the heat-not-burn flavor inhaler, with the result that the tobacco sheet filling the tobacco-containing segment can further contribute to generating an aerosol. The bulkiness is more preferably higher than or equal to 210 cc/100 g and further preferably higher than or equal to 230 cc/100 g. An upper limit of the range of the bulkiness is not limited and may be, for example, lower than or equal to 800 cc/100 g. The bulkiness is a value obtained by shredding a tobacco sheet into a size of 0.8 mm×20 mm, leaving the shredded tobacco sheet standing for 48 hours in a conditioned room at 22° C. and 60%, and then measuring the bulkiness with DD-60A (product name, made by Borgward company). Measurement is performed by putting 15 g of the shredded tobacco sheet in a cylindrical casing with an inside diameter of 60 mm, and obtaining a volume when compressed for 30 seconds with a load of 3 kg.
[Manufacturing Method for Tobacco Sheet]
The tobacco sheet according to the present embodiment can include, for example, a step of preparing a mixture containing a tobacco raw material, an aerosol generator, a first forming agent, and a second forming agent, a step of forming a rolled molding product by rolling the mixture; and a step of cutting the rolled molding product into strips by pressing a rotary roll blade against the rolled molding product and imparting the rolled molding product with a corrugated shape. A process of imparting the rolled molding product with a corrugated shape is also referred to as rippling process. For example, the tobacco sheet according to the present embodiment can be manufactured by the following method.
The sheet cut into strips by the rotary roll blade is applied with resistance force when peeled off from the rolls, to be imparted with a corrugated shape and a sawtooth shape as illustrated in
[Heat-Not-Burn Flavor Inhaler]
A heat-not-burn flavor inhaler according to the present embodiment includes a tobacco-containing segment including the tobacco sheet according to the present embodiment, and the like. Since the heat-not-burn flavor inhaler according to the present embodiment includes the tobacco-containing segment filled with the high-bulkiness tobacco sheet according to the present embodiment, and the like, it is possible to sufficiently reduce the total heat capacity of the tobacco-containing segment of the heat-not-burn flavor inhaler, with the result that the tobacco sheet filling the tobacco-containing segment can further contribute to generating an aerosol.
The axial length of the heat-not-burn flavor inhaler according to the present embodiment is not limited and is preferably greater than or equal to 40 mm and less than or equal to 90 mm, more preferably greater than or equal to 50 mm and less than or equal to 75 mm, and further preferably greater than or equal to 50 mm and less than or equal to 60 mm. The circumferential length of the heat-not-burn flavor inhaler is preferably greater than or equal to 16 mm and less than or equal to 25 mm, more preferably greater than or equal to 20 mm and less than or equal to 24 mm, further preferably greater than or equal to 21 mm and less than or equal to 23 mm. For example, there may be a mode in which the length of the tobacco-containing segment is 20 mm, the length of the cooling segment is 20 mm, the length of the center hole segment is 8 mm, and the length of the filter segment is 7 mm. The length of the filter segment can be selected within the range greater than or equal to 4 mm and less than or equal to 10 mm. A selection is made such that the air-flow resistance of the filter segment at that time is greater than or equal to 15 mmH2O/seg and less than or equal to 60 mmH2O/seg. The lengths of these individual segments may be changed as needed according to manufacturing suitability, quality requirements, and the like. Furthermore, even when only the filter segment is disposed downstream of the cooling segment without using the center hole segment, it can also function as a heat-not-burn flavor inhaler.
(Tobacco-Containing Segment)
In the tobacco-containing segment 5, wrapping paper (hereinafter, also referred to as wrapper) is filled with the tobacco sheet according to the present embodiment. A method of filling wrapping paper with a tobacco sheet is not limited and may be, for example, wrapping a tobacco sheet with a wrapper or filling a cylindrical wrapper with a tobacco sheet. When the shape of each of pieces of tobacco sheet has a longitudinal direction like a rectangular shape, the pieces of tobacco sheet may fill the wrapper such that the longitudinal directions of the pieces of tobacco sheet are respectively indefinite directions in the wrapper or may fill the wrapper such that the longitudinal directions of the pieces of tobacco sheet are aligned in an axial direction of the tobacco-containing segment 5 or a direction perpendicular to the axial direction.
(Cooling Segment)
As illustrated in
The cylindrical member 10 and a mouthpiece lining paper 15 (described later) have perforations 11 extending through both members. With the presence of the perforations 11, outside air is introduced into the cooling segment 6 during inhalation. Thus, an aerosol vaporized component generated by heating the tobacco-containing segment 5 contacts with outside air, and the temperature of the aerosol vaporized component decreases, so the aerosol vaporized component liquefies to form an aerosol. The diameter (span length) of each perforation 11 is not limited and may be, for example, greater than or equal to 0.5 mm and less than or equal to 1.5 mm. The number of the perforations 11 is not limited and may be one or two or more. For example, a plurality of the perforations 11 may be provided along the circumference of the cooling segment 6.
The amount of outside air introduced through the perforations 11 is preferably lower than or equal to 85 vol % with respect to the volume of the entire gas inhaled by a user and more preferably lower than or equal to 80 vol %. When the percentage of the amount of outside air is lower than or equal to 85 vol %, it is possible to sufficiently suppress a reduction in flavor resulting from dilution with outside air. This also called ventilation in other words. A lower limit of the range of ventilation percentage is preferably higher than or equal to 17-55 vol % and more preferably higher than or equal to 60 vol % from the viewpoint of cooling capability.
The cooling segment may be a segment including a sheet of a creased, pleated, gathered, or folded appropriate constituent material. A sectional profile of such an element may show randomly oriented channels. The cooling segment may include a bundle of longitudinally extended tubes. Such a cooling segment can be formed by, for example, rolling pleated, gathered, or folded sheet material to be wrapped with wrapping paper.
The axial length of the cooling segment may be, for example, greater than or equal to 7 mm and less than or equal to 28 mm and may be, for example, 18 mm. The cooling segment may have substantially a circular shape as a sectional shape in the axial direction. The diameter of the cooling segment may be, for example, greater than or equal to 5 mm and less than or equal to 10 mm and may be, for example, about 7 mm.
(Center Hole Segment)
The center hole segment is made up of a filling layer having one or multiple hollow portions and an inner plug wrapper (inner wrapping paper) covering the filling layer. For example, as illustrated in
(Filter Segment)
The configuration of the filter segment 8 is not limited and may be made up of one or multiple filling layers. The outside of the filling layer may be wrapped with one or multiple pieces of wrapping paper. An air-flow resistance per segment of the filter segment 8 may be changed as needed by the amount, material, or the like of a filler filling the filter segment 8. When, for example, the filler is cellulose acetate fibers, it is possible to increase the air-flow resistance when the amount of cellulose acetate fibers filling the filter segment 8 is increased. When the filler is cellulose acetate fibers, the packing density of cellulose acetate fibers may range from 0.13 g/cm3 to 0.18 g/cm3. The air-flow resistance is a value measured with an air-flow resistance measuring device (product name: SODIMAX made by SODIM).
The circumferential length of the filter segment 8 is not limited and preferably ranges from 16 mm to 25 mm, more preferably ranges from 20 mm to 24 mm, and further preferably ranges from 21 mm to 23 mm. The axial length of the filter segment 8 can be selected within the range of 4 mm to 10 mm and is selected such that the air-flow resistance ranges from 15 mmH2O/seg to 60 mmH2O/seg. The axial length of the filter segment 8 preferably ranges from 5 mm to 9 mm and more preferably ranges from 6 mm to 8 mm. The sectional shape of the filter segment 8 is not limited and may be, for example, a circular shape, an elliptical shape, a polygonal shape, or the like. The filter segment 8 may be directly added with a breakable capsule containing a flavoring agent, a flavor bead, or a flavoring agent.
As illustrated in
[Heat-Not-Burn Flavor Inhaling System]
A heat-not-burn flavor inhaling system according to the present embodiment includes the heat-not-burn flavor inhaler according to the present embodiment, and a heating device that heats the tobacco-containing segment of the heat-not-burn flavor inhaler. The heat-not-burn flavor inhaling system according to the present embodiment may include another component in addition to the heat-not-burn flavor inhaler according to the present embodiment and the heating device.
Since
The heating temperature of the heating device is not limited and is preferably lower than or equal to 400° C., more preferably higher than or equal to 150° C. and lower than or equal to 400° C., and further preferably higher than or equal to 200° C. and lower than or equal to 350° C. The heating temperature represents the temperature of the heater of the heating device.
Furthermore, the heat-not-burn flavor inhaler is sought for improvement in delivery of a flavor component (smoke). Hereinafter, a heat-not-burn flavor inhaler of which delivery of a flavor component (smoke) is improved will be described.
The present embodiment includes the following [1a] to [19a]. According to the present embodiment, it is possible to provide a heat-not-burn flavor inhaler and a heat-not-burn flavor inhaling system with a uniform balance of components supplied to a user over a first half to a second half of use.
[Heat-Not-Burn Flavor Inhaler]
In the heat-not-burn flavor inhaler according to the present embodiment, the tobacco-containing segment includes a first segment including an aerosol generator and a second segment including the tobacco sheet for a heat-not-burn flavor inhaler according to the present embodiment. Therefore, when the tobacco-containing segment is heated, it is possible to increase the heating temperature of the first segment including the aerosol generator having a high boiling point (low vapor pressure) and to decrease the heating temperature of the second segment including the flavor component, such as a tobacco component having a low boiling point (high vapor pressure). Thus, it is possible to suppress volatilization of the flavor component having a low boiling point (high vapor pressure) in the first half of use and to maintain volatilization and supply of the flavor component up to the second half of use. Furthermore, it is possible to facilitate volatilization of the aerosol generator having a high boiling point (low vapor pressure) in the first half of use. Therefore, with the heat-not-burn flavor inhaler according to the present embodiment, it is possible to provide a uniform balance of components supplied to a user over a period from the first half to the second half of use.
(Tobacco-Containing Segment)
The tobacco-containing segment according to the present embodiment includes a first segment including an aerosol generator and a second segment including the tobacco sheet for a heat-not-burn flavor inhaler according to the present embodiment. The tobacco-containing segment according to the present embodiment may include a plurality of the first segments and/or a plurality of the second segments.
<First Segment>
The first segment according to the present embodiment includes an aerosol generator. Examples of the aerosol generator include glycerin, propylene glycol, and 1,3-butanediol. One of them may be used or two or more of them may be used in combination.
The first segment preferably further includes plant fibers from the viewpoint of sufficiently holding an aerosol generator. Examples of the plant fibers include wood pulp, hemp, corn, bamboo, cotton, and tobacco. One of them may be used or two or more of them may be used in combination. The plant fibers may be a plant fiber sheet made up of collected plant fibers. The plant fibers preferably contain 10 mass % to 50 mass % of aerosol generator and more preferably contain 12 mass % to 30 mass % of aerosol generator from the viewpoint that the aerosol generator is stably held in a plant fiber sheet and a necessary amount of aerosol generated is ensured.
Preferably, the first segment includes a cylindrical wrapper and a nonwoven fabric made up of plant fibers filling the wrapper, and the nonwoven fabric contains an aerosol generator. In the first segment, it is possible to sufficiently hold an aerosol generator with a nonwoven fabric. The thickness of the nonwoven fabric is not limited and may, for example, range from 1 mm to 2 mm. The nonwoven fabric preferably contains 10 mass % to 50 mass % of the aerosol generator and more preferably contains 12 mass % to 30 mass % of the aerosol generator.
Preferably, the first segment includes a cylindrical wrapper and paper made up of plant fibers filling the wrapper, and the paper contains an aerosol generator. In the first segment, it is possible to sufficiently hold an aerosol generator with paper. The thickness of the paper is not limited and may, for example, range from 50 μm to 200 μm. The paper preferably contains 10 mass % to 50 mass % of the aerosol generator and more preferably contains 12 mass % to 30 mass % of the aerosol generator.
In the first segment, for example, as illustrated in
In the first segment, for example, as illustrated in
From the viewpoint of suppressing exudation of aerosol generator, the wrapper is desirably the one with a reduced liquid permeability. Examples of the wrapper with a low liquid permeability include a metal foil, a laminated sheet of a metal foil and paper, a polymer film, a laminated sheet of a polymer film and paper, and paper on a surface of which a coating agent that suppresses permeation of liquid, such as modified cellulose, modified starch, polyvinyl alcohol, and vinyl acetate, is applied. In addition to the viewpoint of suppressing permeation of liquid, from the viewpoint of providing a uniform temperature distribution in the longitudinal direction of the first segment, a wrapper preferably includes a metal foil having an excellent thermal conductivity. Furthermore, when a metal foil is disposed on an inner side and paper is disposed on an outer side after rod wrapping as a laminated sheet of a metal foil and paper, it is possible to assimilate the external appearance to a general heat-burn flavor inhaler (cigarette). When the amount of aerosol generator included in the first segment is relatively small, paper on the surface of which a coating agent that reduces permeation of liquid, such as modified cellulose, modified starch, polyvinyl alcohol, and vinyl acetate, is applied is preferably used in order to make it possible to assimilate the rod hardness, elasticity, and touch feeling of the first segment to a general heat-burn flavor inhaler (cigarette).
When the wrapper is a laminated body of a paper layer forming an outer surface and a liquid impermeable layer forming an inner surface, the liquid impermeable layer may be made up of a layer of a metal foil, a polymer film, or a coating agent selected from the group consisting of modified cellulose, modified starch, polyvinyl alcohol, and vinyl acetate. Here, the wrapper is preferably formed in a cylindrical shape in a manner such that the liquid impermeable layer of the wrapper is bonded at one end and the other end of the wrapper. For example, as illustrated in
The first segment preferably further contains a thickener from the viewpoint of improving retention of aerosol generator. For example, an aerosol generator, such as glycerin and propylene glycol, is liquid at ordinary temperature, so, when a large amount of aerosol generator is contained in a nonwoven fabric or the like, the aerosol generator may exudate from the nonwoven fabric. However, when a thickener is further contained in the nonwoven fabric or the like, it is possible to suppress exudation of aerosol generator to the outside, so ease of handling improves. Examples of the thickener include polysaccharide thickeners, such as gellan gum, tamarind gum, agar, carageenan, pectin, and alginate, proteins, such as collagen and gelatin, and modified cellulose, such as HPC, CMC, and HPMC. One of these thickeners may be used or two or more of the thickeners may be used in combination. When the first segment contains a thickener, the content of the thickener preferably ranges from 0.1 parts by mass to 5.0 parts by mass with respect to 100 parts by mass of the aerosol generator depending on the type of the thickener used. When, for example, glycerin is used as an aerosol generator, native gellan gum is used as a thickener, and water is used as a diluent, the native gellan gum ranges from 0.3 parts by mass to 0.7 parts by mass and water is 23.5 parts by mass with respect to 100 parts by mass of glycerin. Thus, an aerosol generator with a viscosity having an excellent retention, that is, a viscosity of 2000 to 26000 (mPa·s at 25° C.) is obtained. The aerosol generator is gel in a room temperature range and becomes liquid when warmed to about 60° C. to 70° C. With this configuration, at the time of manufacturing the first segment, it is possible to easily contain an aerosol generator by warming the aerosol generator into a liquid state and applying the aerosol generator to a nonwoven fabric or paper, and the aerosol generator is in a gel state and stably held after the temperature decreases to about ordinary temperature.
The first segment may further include, for example, a tobacco component, a flavor component (externally added flavoring agent) other than the tobacco component, or the like in addition to the aerosol generator, the plant fibers (nonwoven fabric or paper), the wrapper, and the thickener. Examples of the flavor component other than the tobacco component include L-menthol, liquorice root extract, reducing sugar, and cocoa extract. The first segment does not need to include a flavor component.
The axial length of the first segment is not limited and may, for example, range from 5 mm to 15 mm. The circumferential length of the first segment is not limited and may, for example, range from 15 mm to 24 mm.
<Second Segment>
The second segment according to the present embodiment includes the tobacco sheet for a heat-not-burn flavor inhaler according to the present embodiment. In other words, the second segment includes a flavor component, such as a tobacco component. The second segment may include, for example, a cylindrical wrapper, and the tobacco sheet for a heat-not-burn flavor inhaler according to the present embodiment, filling the inside of the wrapper.
The tobacco sheet may contain a flavor developing agent. The flavor developing agent may contain at least one of carbonates, hydrogencarbonates, oxides, and hydroxides of alkali metals and/or alkaline earth metals. Preferably, the flavor developing agent is potassium carbonate or sodium carbonate. Since most of the tobacco component contained in the tobacco sheet is amines, when the tobacco sheet contains a flavor developing agent, volatilization of the tobacco component is ensured even at a relatively low temperature, so it is possible to sufficiently develop a tobacco flavor. The amount of the flavor developing agent contained in the tobacco sheet preferably ranges from 5 parts by mass to 20 parts by mass with respect to 100 parts by mass of the tobacco sheet. The pH of the tobacco sheet may be 7 to 11 as a result of adding a flavor developing agent. The pH can be measured with a pH meter (for example, IQ240 made by IQ Scientific Instruments, Inc.). For example, distilled water ten times as heavy as 2 to 10 g of tobacco material in mass ratio is added to the tobacco sheet, a mixture of water and the tobacco sheet is shaken at 200 rpm for ten minutes at room temperature (for example, 22° C.) and left standing for five minutes, and then the pH of the obtained extract is measured with the pH meter.
The tobacco sheet may contain lipid. Examples of the lipid include acylglycerols, such as monoglyceride, diglyceride, and triglyceride, and fatty acids. One of them may be used or two or more of them may be used in combination. When the tobacco sheet contains lipid, it is possible to reduce redundant volatilization of flavor component, such as nicotine, due to interaction between the lipid and the flavor component, such as nicotine, contained in the tobacco sheet. When the tobacco sheet contains lipid, a small amount of lipid can also be contained in an aerosol generated during use. With this configuration, it is possible to suppress re-vaporization of a flavor component after vapor of the flavor component and the aerosol generator is cooled and an aerosol is formed. The amount of lipid contained in the tobacco sheet preferably ranges from 2 parts by mass to 15 parts by mass with respect to 100 parts by mass of the tobacco sheet.
Examples of the second segment may include the one in which tobacco sheet shreds obtained by shredding the tobacco sheet fill the inside of a cylindrical wrapper randomly or in an aligned orientation and the one in which the tobacco sheet is gathered without being shredded and fills the inside of the cylindrical wrapper. Hereinafter, tobacco sheet shreds are also referred to as tobacco shreds. Examples of the wrapper include the one obtained by forming a wrapping paper into a cylindrical shape. The content of nicotine in the filler filling the inside of the wrapper is preferably higher than or equal to 1.5 mass % and more preferably ranges from 2.0 mass % to 4.0 mass %. When the packing density of tobacco shreds filling the inside of the wrapper ranges from 0.2 mg/mm 3 to 0.7 mg/mm3, generation of a sufficient flavor component during use is ensured, and a sufficient rod hardness of the second segment is ensured, so it is preferable.
The size of tobacco shreds and its preparation method are not limited. In an example, the tobacco sheet is shredded into a shape with a width of greater than or equal to 0.5 mm and less than or equal to 2.0 mm and a length of greater than or equal to 3 mm and less than or equal to 10 mm. Tobacco shreds with such a size are preferable to fill an object to be filled. In another example, the tobacco sheet may be shredded (strand-type shreds) with a width of greater than or equal to 0.5 mm and less than or equal to 2.0 mm and a length of greater than that of the above-described tobacco shreds and preferably a length equivalent to that of an object to be filled. The strand-type shreds preferably use a tobacco sheet from the viewpoint of ease of molding.
The moisture content of tobacco shreds may be higher than or equal to 10 mass % and lower than or equal to 15 mass % with respect to the total mass of tobacco shreds and preferably higher than or equal to 11 mass % and lower than or equal to 13 mass %. With such a moisture content, occurrence of wrapping stains is reduced after tobacco shreds fill an object to be filled.
The packing density of the tobacco sheet in the wrapper can be set as needed according to the form of the tobacco sheet used, an intended flavor, an air-flow resistance, and the like. For example, the packing density may be greater than or equal to 0.2 mg/mm3 and less than or equal to 0.7 mg/mm3. The packing density is calculated by the percentage of the mass of the tobacco sheet to the internal volume of the rod formed by the wrapper.
The axial length of the second segment is not limited and may, for example, range from 5 mm to 15 mm. The circumferential length of the second segment is not limited and may, for example, range from 15 mm to 24 mm.
<Configuration of Tobacco-Containing Segment>
The configuration of the tobacco-containing segment is not limited as long as the tobacco-containing segment includes the first segment and the second segment; however, the second segment is preferably disposed adjacent to the mouthpiece segment (on the downstream side) with respect to the first segment. For example, as illustrated in
The first segment and the second segment can be connected by being wrapped with an outer wrapper. Here, the outer wrapper may be a general paper wrapper; however, the outer wrapper preferably contains a heat transfer raw material. When the first segment and the second segment are wrapped with the outer wrapper containing a heat transfer raw material, heat of the circumferential heater can be uniformly and efficiently transferred to the second segment even when, for example, only the side of the first segment is heated by the heater. Examples of the heat transfer raw material include a metal foil having a higher heat conductivity than paper. Particularly, as is represented by an aluminum foil and a stainless steel foil, a metal foil having a heat conductivity higher than or equal to 10 W/m-K, low in cost, resistant to corrosion, and high working characteristics (a thickness of several micrometers to 10 μm, high tensile strength, and easy to bend) is preferably used. For reference, the heat conductivities of typical metal foils (alloy foils) are shown in Table 1.
The columnar first segment may be provided so as to extend in the axial direction of the tobacco-containing segment, and the second segment may be disposed on the outer periphery of the first segment. For example, as illustrated in
The columnar second segment may be provided so as to extend in the axial direction of the tobacco-containing segment, and the second segment may be disposed on the outer periphery of the first segment. For example, as illustrated in
The axial length of the tobacco-containing segment is not limited and may, for example, range from 12 mm to 50 mm. The circumferential length of the tobacco-containing segment is not limited and may, for example, range from 15 mm to 24 mm.
(Mouthpiece Segment)
The mouthpiece segment according to the present embodiment includes a cooling segment and a filter segment. The mouthpiece segment according to the present embodiment includes a plurality of cooling segments and/or a plurality of filter segments. The mouthpiece segment according to the present embodiment may include another segment in addition to the cooling segment and the filter segment. Examples of another segment include a center hole segment.
<Cooling Segment>
As illustrated in
The cooling segment is located downstream of the tobacco-containing segment. Functions sought for the cooling segment are to cool vapor of a flavor component and an aerosol generator to liquefy (aerosolize) while suppressing a reduction of vapor of the flavor component and aerosol generator, generated in the tobacco-containing segment during use, due to filtration or adsorption as much as possible. For example, a difference between a segment internal temperature at a cooling segment inlet and a segment internal temperature at a cooling segment outlet during inhalation can be greater than or equal to 20° C. When a high-temperature vapor component of a flavor component and an aerosol generator pass through a cellulose acetate fiber filling segment used as a filter member of a general heat-burn flavor inhaler, a temperature difference between a segment inlet and a segment outlet can be greater than or equal to 20° C.; however, a large amount of vapor of a flavor component and an aerosol generator reduces due to filtration and adsorption at the time of passing through a fiber filling layer. The fiber filling layer is not referred to as cooling segment in this application.
One mode of the cooling segment may be a hollow tube obtained by working single paper or laminated paper of multiple pieces of sheet into a cylindrical shape. The material of the tube may be a substance obtained by corrugating cellulose acetate fibers into a sheet shape or a plastic film, such as polyolefin and polyester, other than the paper. To increase a cooling effect by bringing outside air at room temperature into contact with high-temperature vapor, a hole for introducing outside air is preferably provided around the tube. When polymer coating of polyvinyl alcohol or the like or polysaccharide coating of pectin or the like is provided on the inner surface of the tube, it is possible to increase a cooling effect by taking advantage of heat of dissolution resulting from absorption of heat or phase change of coating. The air-flow resistance of the cylindrical cooling segment is 0 mmH2O.
Another mode of the cooling segment is to preferably fill the inside of a tube worked into a cylindrical shape, with a cooling sheet member. At this time, when one or multiple airflow channels are provided in a flow direction, it is possible to perform cooling with the cooling sheet and achieve removal of components at the time of passing through a low-level segment. The air-flow resistance of the cooling segment filled with the cooling sheet desirably ranges from 0 mmH2O to 30 mmH2O. The air-flow resistance (RTD) is a pressure needed to push air through the overall length of an object under a test of a flow rate of 17.5 ml/s at 22° C. and 101 kPa (760 torr). RTD is commonly expressed by the unit of mmH2O and is measured in accordance with ISO 6565: 2011. In the mode in which the cooling sheet fills inside as well, a hole for introducing outside air can be provided in a tube member.
The total surface area of a cooling sheet member may be higher than or equal to 300 mm2/mm and lower than or equal to 1000 mm2/mm. The surface area is a surface area per length (mm) of the cooling sheet member in a ventilation direction. The total surface area of the cooling sheet member is preferably greater than or equal to 400 mm2/mm and more preferably greater than or equal to 450 mm2/mm, while the total surface area of the cooling sheet member is preferably less than or equal to 600 mm2/mm and more preferably less than or equal to 550 mm2/mm.
The cooling sheet member desirably has a large surface area from the viewpoint of cooling function. The air-flow resistance of the cooling segment filled with the cooling sheet member is desirably lower from the viewpoint of reducing removal of a flavor component and an aerosol generator due to filtration or adsorption. Therefore, in a preferred embodiment, a sheet for cooling may be provided with ridges and grooves to form channels in a flow direction and then may be made up of a sheet of a thin material, pleated, gathered, or folded.
In some embodiments, the thickness of a constituent material of the cooling sheet member may be greater than or equal to 5 μm and less than or equal to 500 μm and may be, for example, greater than or equal to 10 μm and less than or equal to 250 μm.
The material of the cooling sheet member may be a sheet material, such as a metal foil, a polymer sheet, and paper with a low air permeability. In one embodiment, the cooling segment may contain a sheet material selected from the group consisting of polyethylene, polypropylene, polyvinyl chloride, polyethylene terephthalate, polylactate, cellulose acetate, and aluminum foil.
Paper is desirably used as the material of the cooling sheet member from the viewpoint of reducing an environmental load. Paper used for the cooling sheet member desirably has a basis weight of 30 g/m2 to 100 g/m2 and a thickness of 20 μm to 100 μm. The air permeability of paper to be used as a material for a cooling sheet is desirably lower and the air permeability is preferably lower than or equal to 10 CORESTA Unit from the viewpoint of reducing removal of the flavor component and aerosol generator in the cooling segment. When polymer coating of polyvinyl alcohol or the like or polysaccharide coating of pectin or the like is provided on the paper serving as a cooling sheet member, it is possible to increase a cooling effect by taking advantage of heat of dissolution resulting from absorption of heat or phase change of coating.
In
The amount of outside air introduced through the perforations 114 is preferably lower than or equal to 85 vol % with respect to the volume of the entire gas inhaled by a user and more preferably lower than or equal to 80 vol %. When the percentage of the amount of outside air is lower than or equal to 85 vol %, it is possible to sufficiently suppress a reduction in flavor resulting from dilution with outside air. This also called ventilation in other words. A lower limit of the range of ventilation percentage is preferably higher than or equal to 55 vol % and more preferably higher than or equal to 60 vol % from the viewpoint of cooling capability.
In some embodiments, the generated aerosol can decrease by a temperature of 10° C. or more when the aerosol is inhaled by a user through the cooling segment. In another mode, the temperature can decrease by 15° C. or more. Further in another mode, the temperature can decrease by 20° C. or more.
The cooling segment can be formed in a rod shape of which the axial length is, for example, greater than or equal to 7 mm and less than or equal to 30 mm. For example, the axial length of the cooling segment may be 20 mm.
In some embodiments, the cooling segment has substantially a circular shape as a sectional shape in the axial direction, the circumferential length preferably ranges from 16 mm to 25 mm, more preferably ranges from 20 mm to 24 mm, and further preferably ranges from 21 mm to 23 mm.
<Center Hole Segment>
The center hole segment is made up of a filling layer having one or multiple hollow portions and an inner plug wrapper (inner wrapping paper) covering the filling layer. For example, as illustrated in
<Filter Segment>
The configuration of the filter segment is not limited and may be made up of one or multiple filling layers. For example, as illustrated in
The circumferential length of the filter segment is not limited and preferably ranges from 16 mm to 25 mm, more preferably ranges from 20 mm to 24 mm, and further preferably ranges from 21 mm to 23 mm. The axial length of the filter segment can be selected within the range of 5 mm to 20 mm and is selected such that the air-flow resistance ranges from 10 mmH2O/seg to 60 mmH2O/seg. The axial length of the filter segment preferably ranges from 5 mm to 9 mm and more preferably ranges from 6 mm to 8 mm. The sectional shape of the filter segment is not limited and may be, for example, a circular shape, an elliptical shape, a polygonal shape, or the like. The filter segment may be directly added with a breakable capsule containing a flavoring agent, a flavor bead, or a flavoring agent.
As illustrated in
(Configuration of Heat-Not-Burn Flavor Inhaler)
The axial length of the heat-not-burn flavor inhaler according to the present embodiment is not limited and is preferably greater than or equal to 40 mm and less than or equal to 90 mm, more preferably greater than or equal to 50 mm and less than or equal to 75 mm, and further preferably greater than or equal to 50 mm and less than or equal to 60 mm. The circumferential length of the heat-not-burn flavor inhaler is preferably greater than or equal to 16 mm and less than or equal to 25 mm, more preferably greater than or equal to 20 mm and less than or equal to 24 mm, further preferably greater than or equal to 21 mm and less than or equal to 23 mm. For example, there may be a mode in which the length of the tobacco-containing segment is 20 mm, the length of the cooling segment is 20 mm, the length of the center hole segment is 8 mm, and the length of the filter segment is 7 mm. The length of the filter segment can be selected within the range greater than or equal to 4 mm and less than or equal to 20 mm. A selection is made such that the air-flow resistance of the filter segment at that time is greater than or equal to 10 mmH2O/seg and less than or equal to 60 mmH2O/seg. The lengths of these individual segments may be changed as needed according to manufacturing suitability, quality requirements, and the like. Furthermore, even when only the filter segment is disposed downstream of the cooling segment without using the center hole segment, it can also function as a heat-not-burn flavor inhaler.
[Heat-Not-Burn Flavor Inhaling System]
A heat-not-burn flavor inhaling system according to the present embodiment includes the heat-not-burn flavor inhaler according to the present embodiment, and a heating device including a heater that heats the tobacco-containing segment of the heat-not-burn flavor inhaler. Since the heat-not-burn flavor inhaling system according to the present embodiment includes the heat-not-burn flavor inhaler according to the present embodiment, a balance of components supplied to a user is uniform over a first half to a second half of use. The heat-not-burn flavor inhaling system according to the present embodiment may include another component in addition to the heat-not-burn flavor inhaler according to the present embodiment and the heating device.
Since
In the heat-not-burn flavor inhaling system according to the present embodiment, the heater preferably includes a first circumferential heater that heats an entire side of the columnar first segment and that heats part of a side of the columnar second segment or that does not heat the second segment. With this configuration, the heating temperature of the first segment including an aerosol generator having a high boiling point (low vapor pressure) is increased, and the heating temperature of the second segment including a flavor component having a low boiling point (high vapor pressure) is decreased, so a uniform balance of components supplied to a user over a first half to a second half of use can be provided. The first circumferential heater can heat the entire side of the columnar first segment and heat part of the side of the columnar second segment as in the case of, for example, the heater 129 illustrated in
In the heat-not-burn flavor inhaling system according to the present embodiment, the heater preferably includes a second circumferential heater that heats an entire side and entire bottom of the columnar first segment and that heats at least part of a side of the columnar second segment or that does not heat the second segment. With such a configuration, as in the case of the above embodiment, it is possible to provide a uniform balance of components supplied to a user over a period from the first half to the second half of use. The second circumferential heater can heat the entire side and entire bottom of the columnar first segment and heat the side of the columnar second segment as in the case of, for example, the heater 129 illustrated in
In another heat-not-burn flavor inhaling system according to the present embodiment, the heater preferably includes an internal heater that heats an inside of the columnar first segment entirely in an axial direction and that heats an inside of the columnar second segment partially in an axial direction or that does not heat the second segment. With such a configuration, as in the case of the above embodiment, it is possible to provide a uniform balance of components supplied to a user over a period from the first half to the second half of use. The internal heater may heat the inside of the columnar first segment over an overall axial direction and does not need to heat the columnar second segment as in the case of, for example, the heater 129 illustrated in
In another heat-not-burn flavor inhaling system according to the present embodiment, a heater may be a combination of the first or second circumferential heater and the internal heater. The heater may be a combination of a circumferential heater that heats an entire side of the columnar first segment and an entire side of the columnar second segments, and an internal heater that heats an inside of the columnar first segment entirely in an axial direction and does not heat the columnar second segment, as in the case of, for example, the heater 129 illustrated in
The heating temperature of the heater preferably ranges from 200° C. to 350° C. The heating temperature represents the temperature of the heater.
The present embodiment includes the following [1b] to [7b]. According to the present embodiment, it is possible to provide a heat-not-burn flavor inhaler and a heat-not-burn flavor inhaling system with which the delivery amount of component generated by heating is improved.
P=(D1×100)/D2 (1)
<Heat-Not-Burn Flavor Inhaler>
A heat-not-burn flavor inhaler according to one embodiment of the present invention (also simply referred to as “heat-not-burn flavor inhaler”) is a rod-like heat-not-burn flavor inhaler including a tobacco-containing segment including the tobacco sheet for a heat-not-burn flavor inhaler according to the present embodiment, and a mouthpiece segment,
A rod-like heat-not-burn flavor inhaler 210 illustrated in
In the heat-not-burn flavor inhaler 210, a component generated as a result of heating the tobacco-containing segment 211 and the like passes through the mouthpiece segment, and is delivered to the inside of the mouth of a user. Examples of the components generated by heating include a flavor component derived from a flavoring agent, nicotine and tar derived from tobacco leaves, and an aerosol component derived from an aerosol generator. In the specification, an aerosol generator is a substrate for generating an aerosol.
The heat-not-burn flavor inhaler 210 preferably has a columnar shape that satisfies a shape of which an aspect ratio defined as follows is higher than or equal to one.
Aspect ratio=h/w
The length h in the long-axis direction of the heat-not-burn flavor inhaler 210 is not limited. The length h in the long-axis direction of the heat-not-burn flavor inhaler 210 is, for example, commonly greater than or equal to 40 mm, preferably greater than or equal to 45 mm, and more preferably greater than or equal to 50 mm. The axial length h of the heat-not-burn flavor inhaler 210 is commonly less than or equal to 100 mm, preferably less than or equal to 90 mm, and more preferably less than or equal to 80 mm.
The width w of the bottom of the columnar body of the heat-not-burn flavor inhaler 210 is not limited and is, for example, commonly greater than or equal to 5 mm and preferably greater than or equal to 5.5 mm. The width w of the bottom is commonly less than or equal to 10 mm, preferably less than or equal to 9 mm, and more preferably less than or equal to 8 mm.
The ratio between the length of the cooling segment and the length of the filter segment ((Cooling segment):(Filter segment)) in the length in the long-axis direction of the heat-not-burn flavor inhaler is not limited. From the viewpoint of the delivery amount of a flavoring agent, the ratio commonly ranges from 0.60:1.40 to 1.40:0.60, preferably ranges from 0.80:1.20 to 1.20:0.80, more preferably ranges from 0.85:1.15 to 1.15:0.85, further preferably ranges from 0.90:1.10 to 1.10:0.90, and particularly preferably ranges from 0.95:1.05 to 1.05:0.95.
When the ratio between the length of the cooling segment and the length of the filter segment falls within the above range, a balance is kept among a cooling effect, the effect of suppressing losses resulting from adhesion of generated vapor and aerosol to the inner wall of the cooling segment, and a function of the filter to adjust the amounts of air and a flavor, so it is possible to realize the effect of providing a good flavor. Particularly, when the cooling segment is long, formation of particles of an aerosol and the like is facilitated and a good flavor can be realized; however, if the cooling segment is too long, adhesion of a passage substance to an inner wall occurs.
The air-flow resistance in the long-axis direction per one stick of the heat-not-burn flavor inhaler 210 is not limited. From the viewpoint of inhalation easiness, the air-flow resistance is commonly higher than or equal to 8 mmH2O, preferably higher than or equal to 10 mmH2O, and more preferably higher than or equal to 12 mmH2O, and the air-flow resistance is commonly lower than or equal to 100 mmH2O, preferably lower than or equal to 80 mmH2O, and more preferably lower than or equal to 60 mmH2O.
The air-flow resistance is measured with, for example, a filter air-flow resistance measuring device made by Cerulean in compliant with an ISO standard method (ISO6565: 2015). The air-flow resistance indicates a difference in air pressure between a first end surface and a second end surface when air is flowed at a predetermined air flow rate (17.5 cc/min) from one end surface (first end surface) to the other end surface (second end surface) in a state where permeation of air does not occur at the side of the heat-not-burn flavor inhaler 210. The unit is commonly mmH2O. It is known that the relationship between the air-flow resistance and the length of the heat-not-burn flavor inhaler is a proportional relationship in an ordinarily used length range (a length of 5 mm to 200 mm). When the length is doubled, the air-flow resistance of the heat-not-burn flavor inhaler is also doubled.
[Mouthpiece Segment]
The mouthpiece segment 214 may be a mode in which the mouthpiece segment 214 includes the filter segment 213 having a filter element, the filter element is not limited as long as the filter element is made of fibers of which a circumferential cross section has a Y-shape and a single fiber denier is greater than or equal to eight and less than or equal to 12, for example, as illustrated in
(Filter Segment)
The filter segment 213 includes a filter element. The filter element is made of fibers of which a circumferential cross section has a Y-shape and a single fiber denier is greater than or equal to eight and less than or equal to 12. The filter segment 213 is not limited as long as the filter segment 213 has a function of a general filter. Examples of the general function of the filter include adjusting the amount of air to be mixed when an aerosol and the like are inhaled, reducing a flavor, and reducing nicotine and tar; however, the filter does not need to have all of these functions. In a heat-not-burn flavor inhaling system that tends to have a smaller amount of component generated and a lower packing fraction of tobacco filler as compared to a cigarette product, it is also one of important functions to reduce falling of tobacco filler while suppressing a filtering function.
The shape of the filter segment 213 is not limited and may adopt a known shape. The shape of the filter segment 213 may be commonly a circular columnar shape and may be configured in the following modes.
The circumferential sectional shape of the filter segment 213 is substantially a circular shape, and the diameter of the circle can be changed as needed according to the size of a product. The diameter of the circle is commonly greater than or equal to 4.0 mm and less than or equal to 9.0 mm, preferably greater than or equal to 4.5 mm and less than or equal to 8.5 mm, and more preferably greater than or equal to 5.0 mm and less than or equal to 8.0 mm. When the circumferential section is not in a circular shape, a diameter of a circle having the same area as the area of the section is applied as the diameter.
The circumferential length of the circumferential sectional shape of the filter segment 213 can be changed as needed according to the size of a product. The circumferential length of the circumferential sectional shape of the filter segment 213 is commonly greater than or equal to 14.0 mm and less than or equal to 27.0 mm, preferably greater than or equal to 15.0 mm and less than or equal to 26.0 mm, and more preferably greater than or equal to 16.0 mm and less than or equal to 25.0 mm.
The length of the filter segment 213 can be changed as needed according to the size of a product. The length in the long-axis direction of the filter segment 213 is commonly greater than or equal to 15 mm and less than or equal to 35 mm, preferably greater than or equal to 17.5 mm and less than or equal to 32.5 mm, and more preferably greater than or equal to 20.0 mm and less than or equal to 30.0 mm.
The shape and dimensions of the filter element can be adjusted as needed such that the shape and dimensions of the filter segment 213 fall within the above ranges. The length in the long-axis direction of the filter element may be changed as needed according to the size of a product and is commonly greater than or equal to 3 mm and less than or equal to 30 mm, preferably greater than or equal to 5 mm and less than or equal to 20 mm, further preferably greater than or equal to 8 mm and less than or equal to 18 mm, and furthermore preferably greater than or equal to 10 mm and less than or equal to 15 mm from the viewpoint of making it possible to obtain a desired hardness.
The air-flow resistance in the long-axis direction of the filter segment 213 is not limited and is commonly higher than or equal to 1.0 mmH2O/mm and lower than or equal to 4.0 mmH2O/mm from the viewpoint of ease of inhalation. Particularly, when the filter element includes a flavoring agent capsule (described later), the air-flow resistance is preferably higher than or equal to 1.5 mmH2O/mm and lower than or equal to 4.0 mmH2O/mm from the viewpoint of ease of inhalation. In this case, when the filter element further contains a flavor agent (described later) and particularly, contains a crystalline substance, such as menthol, as a flavor agent, the air-flow resistance is more preferably higher than or equal to 2.5 mmH2O/mm and lower than or equal to 3.6 mmH2O/mm; whereas, when the filter element does not contain a flavor agent, the air-flow resistance is more preferably higher than or equal to 1.9 mmH2O/mm and lower than or equal to 3.0 mmH2O/mm. When the filter element does not include a flavoring agent capsule (described later), the air-flow resistance is preferably higher than or equal to 1.3 mmH2O/mm and lower than or equal to 2.4 mmH2O/mm from the viewpoint of ease of inhalation irrespective of whether a flavoring agent is contained. These conditions of air-flow resistance may also be applied as the conditions of air-flow resistance in the ventilation direction of the filter element.
The air-flow resistance is measured with, for example, a filter air-flow resistance measuring device made by Cerulean in compliant with an ISO standard method (ISO6565). The air-flow resistance of the filter segment 213 indicates a difference in air pressure between a first end surface and a second end surface when air is flowed at a predetermined air flow rate (17.5 cc/min) from one end surface (first end surface) to the other end surface (second end surface) in a state where permeation of air does not occur at the side of the filter segment 213. The unit is commonly mmH2O. It is known that the relationship between the air-flow resistance of the filter segment 213 and the length of the filter segment 213 is a proportional relationship in an ordinarily used length range (a length of 5 mm to 200 mm). When the length is doubled, the air-flow resistance of the filter segment 213 is also doubled.
The mode of the filter segment 213 may be a plain filter including a single filter segment, a multi-segment filter including a plurality of filter segments, such as a dual filter and a triple filter, or the like.
The filter segment 213 can be manufactured with a known method. When, for example, a synthetic fiber, such as cellulose acetate tow, is used as the material of the filter element, the filter segment 213 can be manufactured with a method in which a polymer solution including a polymer and a solvent is spun and the spun yarn is crimped. The method can be, for example, the method described in International Publication No. 2013/067511.
In manufacturing the filter segment 213, regulating air-flow resistance and adding additives (known adsorbent, flavoring agent (for example, menthol), granular activated carbon, flavoring agent holder, and the like) to the filter element can be designed as needed.
As long as the filter element that is a component of the filter segment 213 has a Y-shape in the circumferential cross section and is made of fibers having a single fiber denier of greater than or equal to eight and less than or equal to 12, the filter element is not limited. For example, the one obtained by working tow, such as cellulose acetate tow made of fibers having a Y-shape in the circumferential cross section, into a circular columnar shape can be used.
The shape of the circumferential cross section of fibers that make up a tow is a Y-shape. When a tow having a Y-fiber shape is used, as compared to a case where a tow having a general fiber shape, such as a circular shape, is used, the fiber shape is complex. Therefore, a filter segment that excels in delivery amount is more easily obtained. Particularly, a filter segment that has a high component delivery amount and a desired hardness can be manufactured with a small amount of use, that is, controlled costs.
A single fiber denier (g/9000 m) of fibers is not limited as long as the single fiber denier is greater than or equal to eight and less than or equal to 12 and may be greater than or equal to nine and less than or equal to 11 from the viewpoint of improvement in the delivery amount of a component generated by heating. When the single fiber denier of fibers becomes less than the range, the structure of fibers that make up the filter element is too dense and, as a result, the delivery amount of a component reduces; whereas, when the single fiber denier of fibers becomes greater than the range, the structure of fibers that make up the filter element is too sparse and, as a result, a sufficient hardness is not obtained. A total fiber denier (g/9000 m) of fibers is not limited; however, the total fiber denier may be greater than or equal to 12000 and less than or equal to 35000 and preferably higher than or equal to 15000 and less than or equal to 30000 from the viewpoint of improvement in the delivery amount of a component generated by heating. These single fiber denier and total fiber denier are particularly preferable when the circumference of the mouthpiece segment is 22 mm. In the case of a filter filled with fibers, triacetin may be added in amount higher than or equal to 5 wt % and lower than or equal to 10 wt % to a total fiber weight to improve filter hardness.
A manufacturing method for fibers having a Y-shape in circumferential cross section is not limited. When, for example, acetate fibers are manufactured, a fiber-shaped bundle can be manufactured by manufacturing acetate flakes (acetyl cellulose) via oxidation of pulp raw material, then dissolving (doping) acetate flakes into acetone with a dissolver, and spinning the acetate flakes. In this spinning step, the circumferential cross section can be made as a Y-shape by changing the shape of nozzle mouthpiece, and the thickness (filament denier) of fibers can be changed by changing a nozzle hole diameter. After that, a total denier is determined according to a needed air-flow resistance. Thus, the number of bundled yarn ((Total denier)÷(Filament denier) is determined. Spinning is performed by using a needed number of spinning rooms. Spun and bundled acetate fibers are subjected to a uniform corrugated shape (crimping) in a crimping machine. A tow flowing in a ribbon shape can be stacked in layers while being traversed in a baler.
The density of the filter element (particularly, when a flavoring agent capsule (described later) is contained, the density in a state excluding the flavoring agent capsule) is not limited; however, from the viewpoint of making it possible to obtain a desired hardness, the density is commonly greater than or equal to 0.09 g/cm3 and less than or equal to 0.25 g/cm3, preferably greater than or equal to 0.09 g/cm3 and less than or equal to 0.20 g/cm3, more preferably greater than or equal to 0.09 g/cm3 and less than or equal to 0.14 g/cm3, and further preferably greater than or equal to 0.11 g/cm3 and less than or equal to 0.14 g/cm3.
The compression rate of change P of the filter element, expressed by the expression (1), is one of indices indicating a hardness and is not limited; however, from the viewpoint of making it possible to obtain a desired hardness, the compression rate of change P is commonly higher than or equal to 85% and lower than or equal to 98%, preferably higher than or equal to 88% and lower than or equal to 95%, and further preferably higher than or equal to 90% and lower than or equal to 93%. A method of measuring the compression rate of change P is not limited. The compression rate of change P may be measured with, for example, SODIM-H Hardness module made by Sodim SAS company. The numeric value can be adjusted by changing the density and material of the filter element.
P=(D1×100)/D2 (1)
The compression rate of change is one of indices indicating the hardness of the filter element, so the compression rate of change is also referred to as “hardness” in the specification.
The filter element may contain a component, such as a flavor material, in addition to a flavoring agent capsule (described later). Examples of the flavor agent include menthol, spearmint, peppermint, fenugreek, clove and medium-chain triglyceride (MCT), and menthol is preferable. One type of these components may be used solely or two or more types may be used in selected combination at a selected ratio.
The content of a flavor agent (particularly menthol) in the filter element (except the flavor agent in the flavoring agent capsule (described later)) is not limited and is commonly higher than or equal to 0.5 wt % and lower than or equal to 15 wt %, preferably higher than or equal to 3 wt % and lower than or equal to 10 wt %, and further preferably higher than or equal to 10 wt % and lower than or equal to 5 wt %.
In the filter element, a breakable additive releasing container (for example, a flavoring agent capsule) including a breakable outer shell, such as gelatin, may be disposed. The mode of the flavoring agent capsule (which may also be referred to as “additive releasing container” in the technical field) is not limited. A known mode may be adopted. The mode of the capsule may be, for example, a breakable additive releasing container including a breakable outer shell, such as gelatin. In this case, when the flavoring agent capsule is broken by the user before use, during use, or after use by the user of the flavor inhaler, the flavoring agent capsule releases liquid or substance (commonly, flavor agent) contained in the flavoring agent capsule. Subsequently, the liquid or the substance is transferred by the smoke of tobacco while the flavor inhaler is being used, and is transferred to an ambient environment after use.
The form of the additive releasing container is not limited. Examples of the form of the flavoring agent capsule include an easily breakable flavoring agent capsule and the shape of the flavoring agent capsule is preferably spherical. An additive contained in the flavoring agent capsule may include the above-described selected additive and particularly preferably includes a flavor agent and activated carbon. One or more kinds of materials that help filtering smoke may be added as an additive. The form of the additive is not limited and is commonly liquid or solid. Using a capsule containing an additive is known in the technical field. An easily breakable flavoring agent capsule and its manufacturing method are known in the technical field.
The flavor agent may be, for example, menthol, spearmint, peppermint, fenugreek, clove, medium-chain triglyceride (MCT), or the like. The flavor agent may be menthol, or menthol and the like, or a combination of these materials.
In a case where a flavoring agent capsule is used, when the single fiber denier of fibers that make up the above-described filter element is greater than the upper limit of the above-described range, spread of exudate of a component released from the flavoring agent capsule to the filter tends to be insufficient; whereas, when the single fiber denier is less than the lower limit, spread of exudate to the filter is excessively facilitated, so the component delivery amount tends to be excessively reduced.
The filter segment 213 may include a wrapping paper (filter plug wrapping paper) that wraps a filter element and the like from the viewpoint of improvement in strength and structural stiffness. The mode of wrapping paper is not limited and may include a joint including one or more lines of an adhesive. The adhesive may include a hot-melt adhesive. In addition, the hot-melt adhesive can contain polyvinyl alcohol. When the filter segment is made up of two or more segments, a wrapping paper preferably wraps these two or more segments together.
The material of the wrapping paper is not limited. A known material may be used. Also, the material of the wrapping paper may contain a filler, such as calcium carbonate, or the like.
The thickness of the wrapping paper is not limited. The thickness of the wrapping paper is commonly greater than or equal to 20 μm and less than or equal to 140 μm, preferably greater than or equal to 30 μm and less than or equal to 130 μm, and more preferably greater than or equal to 30 μm and less than or equal to 120 μm.
The basis weight of the wrapping paper is not limited. The basis weight of the wrapping paper is commonly greater than or equal to 20 gsm and less than or equal to 100 gsm, preferably greater than or equal to 22 gsm and less than or equal to 95 gsm, and more preferably greater than or equal to 23 gsm and less than or equal to 90 gsm.
The wrapping paper may be coated or not coated. From the viewpoint of imparting a function other than strength or structural stiffness, the wrapping paper is preferably coated with a desired material.
The filter segment 213 may further include a center hole segment having one or multiple hollow portions. The center hole segment is commonly disposed on the cooling segment side with respect to the filter element and preferably disposed adjacent to the cooling segment.
The center hole segment is made up of a filling layer having one or multiple hollow portions and an inner plug wrapper (inner wrapping paper) covering the filling layer. For example, the center hole segment is made up of a filling layer having a hollow portion and an inner plug wrapper covering the filling layer. The center hole segment has a function to enhance the strength of the mouthpiece segment. The filling layer may be, for example, a rod with an inside diameter of greater than or equal to φ1.0 mm and less than or equal to φ5.0 mm, filled with cellulose acetate fibers with a high density and added with a plasticizer containing triacetin at 6 mass % or higher and 20 mass % or lower with respect to the mass of cellulose acetate and cured. Since the filling layer has a high packing density of fibers, air and aerosol flow through only the hollow portion and almost do not flow through the filling layer during inhalation. Since the filling layer in the center hole segment is a fiber filling layer, a touch feeling from outside during use is less likely to make a user feel a sense of discomfort. The center hole segment may be held in shape by heat molding without the inner plug wrapper.
The center hole segment and the filter element may be connected by, for example, an outer plug wrapper (outer wrapping paper). The outer plug wrapper may be, for example, a cylindrical paper. The tobacco-containing segment 211, the cooling segment 212, and the connected center hole segment and filter element may be connected by, for example, a mouthpiece lining paper. Connection of them may be performed by, for example, applying paste, such as vinyl acetate paste, on the inner surface of the mouthpiece lining paper, putting the tobacco-containing segment 211, the cooling segment 212, and the connected center hole segment and filter element in the mouthpiece lining paper, and rolling the mouthpiece lining paper. These may be connected separately with a plurality of pieces of lining paper multiple times.
(Cooling Segment)
The cooling segment 212 is a rod member adjacent to and sandwiched by the tobacco-containing segment and the filter segment and that commonly has a cavity of which the circumferential cross section of a cylinder or the like is hollow (cavity).
The cooling segment 212 may have perforations V (in the technical field, also referred to as “ventilation filter (Vf)”) in the circumferential direction and concentrically.
When an aerosol generator is used in the tobacco-containing segment, vapor containing an aerosol generator and a tobacco flavor component generated as a result of heating a tobacco rod contacts with air from outside to decrease in temperature and liquefy, with the result that generation of an aerosol can be facilitated.
When the perforations V present concentrically are regarded as one perforation group, the number of perforation groups may be one or may be two or more. When the number of perforation groups is two or more, from the viewpoint improvement in the delivery amount of a component generated by heating, a perforation group is preferably not provided in a region shorter than 4 mm in a direction toward the cooling segment from a boundary between the cooling segment and the filter segment.
When the heat-not-burn flavor inhaler 210 is in a mode in which the tobacco-containing segment 211, the cooling segment 212, and the filter segment 213 are wrapped with the tipping paper 215, perforations are preferably provided in the tipping paper 215 at locations just above the perforations V provided in the cooling segment 212. When the thus configured heat-not-burn flavor inhaler 210 is manufactured, the tipping paper 215 provided with perforations that overlap the perforations V may be prepared for wrapping. From the viewpoint of ease of manufacturing, preferably, after the heat-not-burn flavor inhaler 210 is manufactured by using the cooling segment 212 with no perforation V, holes that extend through the cooling segment 212 and the tipping paper 215 at the same time are perforated.
From the viewpoint of improving the delivery amount of a component generated by heating, the region in which the perforations V are present is preferably a region 4 mm or more distant, more preferably a region 4.5 mm or more distant, further preferably a region 5 mm or more distant, and particularly preferably 5.5 mm or more distant from the boundary between the cooling segment 212 and the filter segment 213 in the direction toward the cooling segment. From the viewpoint of ensuring a cooling function, the region is preferably a region 15 mm or less distant, more preferably 10 mm or less distant, and further preferably a region 7 mm or less distant from the boundary between the cooling segment 212 and the filter segment 213 in the direction toward the cooling segment.
From the viewpoint of improving the delivery amount of a component generated by heating, the region in which the perforations V are present is preferably a region 22 mm or more distant, preferably a region 23.5 mm or more distant, preferably a region 24 mm or more distant, and more preferably a region 25 mm or more distant from the inhalation port end of the heat-not-burn flavor inhaler in a direction toward the cooling segment. From the viewpoint of ensuring a cooling function, the region is preferably a region 38 mm or less distant, more preferably a region 36.5 mm or less distant, further preferably a region 33 mm or less distant from the inhalation port end of the heat-not-burn flavor inhaler in a direction toward the cooling segment.
Assuming that the boundary between the cooling segment 212 and the tobacco-containing segment 211 is a reference, when the axial length of the cooling segment 212 is greater than or equal to 20 mm, from the viewpoint of ensuring a cooling function, the region in which the perforations V are present is preferably a region 2 mm or more distant, more preferably a region 3.5 mm or more distant, and further preferably a region 7 mm or more distant from the boundary between the cooling segment 212 and the tobacco-containing segment 211 in a direction toward the cooling segment. From the viewpoint of improving the delivery amount of a component generated by heating, the region is preferably 18 mm or less distant, more preferably a region 16.5 mm or less distant, further preferably 15 mm or less distant, and particularly preferably a region 14.5 mm or less distant from the boundary between the cooling segment 212 and the tobacco-containing segment 211 in a direction toward the cooling segment.
The diameter of each perforation V is not limited and is preferably greater than or equal to 100 μm and less than or equal to 1000 μm and more preferably greater than or equal to 300 μm and less than or equal to 800 μm. Each perforation preferably has substantially a circular shape or substantially an elliptical shape, and the diameter in the case of the elliptical shape means a longitudinal diameter.
The length in the long-axis direction of the cooling segment can be changed as needed according to the size of a product and is commonly greater than or equal to 15 mm and preferably greater than or equal to 20 mm, and the length in the long-axis direction of the cooling segment is commonly less than or equal to 40 mm, preferably less than or equal to 35 mm, and more preferably less than or equal to 30 mm. When the length in the long-axis direction of the cooling segment is greater than or equal to the lower limit, it is possible to obtain a good flavor while ensuring a sufficient cooling function. When the length in the long-axis direction of the cooling segment is less than or equal to the upper limit, it is possible to reduce losses due to adhesion of generated vapor and aerosol to the inner wall of the cooling segment.
When a cooling sheet or the like for cooling fills the cooling segment 212, the entire surface area of the cooling segment 212 is not limited and may be, for example, greater than or equal to 150 mm2/mm and less than or equal to 1000 mm2/mm. The surface area is a surface area of the cooling segment 212 per length (mm) in the ventilation direction. The total surface area of the cooling segment 212 is preferably greater than or equal to 200 mm2/mm and more preferably greater than or equal to 250 mm2/mm, while the total surface area of the cooling segment 212 is preferably less than or equal to 600 mm2/mm and more preferably less than or equal to 400 mm2/mm.
The internal structure of the cooling segment 212 desirably has a large total surface area. Therefore, in a preferred embodiment, the cooling segment 212 may be provided with ridges and grooves to form channels and then may be made up of a sheet of a thin material, pleated, gathered, or folded. When there are many folds or pleats in a given volume of an element, the total surface area of the cooling segment increases.
The thickness of the constituent material of the cooling segment 212 is not limited and, for example, may be greater than or equal to 5 μm and less than or equal to 500 μm or may be greater than or equal to 10 μm and less than or equal to 250 μm.
[Tobacco-Containing Segment]
The mode of the tobacco-containing segment 211 is not limited as long as the tobacco-containing segment 211 includes the tobacco sheet for a heat-not-burn flavor inhaler according to the present embodiment, and may be a mode in which a tobacco filler including a tobacco sheet is wrapped with a wrapping paper. The tobacco filler may contain an aerosol generator. The aerosol generator is a substrate that generates an aerosol when heated, and examples of the aerosol generator include glycerin, propylene glycol, triacetin, 1,3-butanediol, and mixtures of them.
The content of the aerosol generator in the tobacco filler is not limited. From the viewpoint of sufficiently generating an aerosol and imparting a good flavor, the content of the aerosol-source material is commonly higher than or equal to 5 wt % and preferably higher than or equal to 10 wt % with respect to the total amount of the tobacco filler, and may be commonly lower than or equal to 50 wt % and preferably higher than or equal to 15 wt % and lower than or equal to 25 wt %.
The tobacco-containing segment 211 may have a fitting part with a heater or the like for heating the heat-not-burn flavor inhaler.
The tobacco-containing segment 211 formed by wrapping a tobacco filler with a wrapping paper preferably has a columnar shape. In this case, the aspect ratio expressed by the height in the long-axis direction of the tobacco-containing segment 211 to the width of the bottom of the tobacco-containing segment 211 is preferably higher than or equal to one.
The shape of the bottom is not limited and may be a polygonal shape, a rounded-corner polygonal shape, a circular shape, an elliptical shape, or the like. The width is a diameter when the bottom has a circular shape, a longitudinal diameter when the bottom has an elliptical shape, or the diameter of a circumcircle or the longitudinal diameter of a circumscribed ellipse when the bottom has a polygonal shape or a rounded-corner polygonal shape. Preferably, the height of the tobacco filler that is a component of the tobacco-containing segment 211 ranges from about 10 mm to about 70 mm, and the width ranges from about 4 mm to about 9 mm.
The length of the tobacco-containing segment 211 in the long-axis direction can be changed as needed according to the size of a product. The length in the long-axis direction of the tobacco-containing segment 211 is commonly greater than or equal to 10 mm, preferably greater than or equal to 12 mm, more preferably greater than or equal to 15 mm, and further preferably greater than or equal to 18 mm, and the length in the long-axis direction of the tobacco-containing segment 211 is commonly less than or equal to 70 mm, preferably less than or equal to 50 mm, more preferably less than or equal to 30 mm, and further preferably less than or equal to 25 mm. The ratio of the length of the tobacco-containing segment 211 to the length h in the long-axis direction of the heat-not-burn flavor inhaler 210 is commonly higher than or equal to 10%, preferably higher than or equal to 20%, more preferably higher than or equal to 25%, and further preferably higher than or equal to 30%, and is commonly lower than or equal to 60%, preferably lower than or equal to 50%, more preferably lower than or equal to 45%, and further preferably lower than or equal to 40% from the viewpoint of balance between a delivery amount and an aerosol temperature.
(Wrapping Paper)
The configuration of wrapping paper is not limited and may be a general mode. For example, the configuration of wrapping paper may be the one containing pulp as a main component. Not only sheet is made from wood pulp, such as soft wood pulp and hard wood pulp, but also pulp may be made by mixing non-wood pulp generally used in wrapping paper for a tobacco product, such as flax pulp, cannabis pulp, sisal pulp, and esparto.
Chemical pulp, ground pulp, chemiground pulp, thermomechanical pulp, or the like obtained by kraft cooking, acid, neutral, alkali sulfite cooking, soda salt cooking, or the like may be used as the type of pulp.
During a sheet making process performed by a Fourdrinier paper machine, a cylinder paper machine, a cylinder-tanmo complex paper machine, or the like by using the above-described pulp, formation is uniformed to produce wrapping paper. Where necessary, a wet strength agent may be added to impart a wrapping paper with water resistance or a sizing agent may be added to adjust the printing condition of the wrapping paper. Furthermore, a paper internal agent, such as aluminum sulfate, various anionic, cationic, nonionic, or amphoteric yield enhancement agents, a freeness enhancement agent, and a paper strengthening agent, and a paper making additive, such as dye, a pH adjustor, an antifoamer, a pitch control agent, and a slime control agent, may be added.
The basis weight of the wrapping paper base paper is, for example, commonly greater than or equal to 20 gsm and preferably greater than or equal to 25 gsm. On the other hand, the basis weight is commonly less than or equal to 65 gsm, preferably less than or equal to 50 gsm, and more preferably less than or equal to 45 gsm.
The thickness of the wrapping paper having the above characteristics is not limited. From the viewpoint of stiffness, air permeability, and easiness of adjustment during paper manufacturing, the thickness of the wrapping paper is commonly greater than or equal to 10 μm, preferably greater than or equal to 20 μm, and more preferably greater than or equal to 30 μm, and the thickness of the wrapping paper is commonly less than or equal to 100 μm, preferably less than or equal to 75 μm, and more preferably less than or equal to 50 μm.
Examples of the shape of the wrapping paper of the heat-not-burn flavor inhaler may include a square shape and a rectangular shape.
When used as the wrapping paper for wrapping the tobacco filler (manufacturing the tobacco-containing segment), the length of one side may range from about 12 mm to about 70 mm, the length of another one side may range from 15 mm to 28 mm, the preferred length of another one side may range from 22 mm to 24 mm, and the further preferred length may be about 23 mm. When the tobacco filler is wrapped with a wrapping paper into a columnar shape, for example, one end of the wrapping paper in the w direction and its opposite-side end are overlapped with about 2 mm to be bonded into a columnar paper core shape, and the tobacco filler fills the inside. The size of the rectangular wrapping paper can be determined by the size of the completed tobacco-containing segment 211.
When the wrapping paper couples and wraps the tobacco-containing segment 211 and another member adjacent to the tobacco-containing segment 211 as in the case of a tipping paper, the length of one side may range from 20 mm to 60 mm and the length of another one side may range from 15 mm to 28 mm.
In addition to the above-described pulp, the wrapping paper may contain a filler. The content of the filler may be higher than or equal to 10 wt % and lower than 60 wt % and preferably higher than or equal to 15 wt % and lower than or equal to 45 wt % with respect to the total weight of the wrapping paper.
In the wrapping paper, the content of the filler is preferably higher than or equal to 15 wt % and lower than or equal to 45 wt % within the preferable basis weight range (greater than or equal to 25 gsm and less than or equal to 45 gsm).
Furthermore, when the basis weight is greater than or equal to 25 gsm and less than or equal to 35 gsm, the filler is preferably higher than or equal to 15 wt % and lower than or equal to 45 wt %. When the basis weight is greater than 35 gsm and less than or equal to 45 gsm, the filler is preferably higher than or equal to 25 wt % and lower than or equal to 45 wt %.
Examples of the filler include calcium carbonate, titanium dioxide, and kaolin. From the viewpoint of enhancing flavor and whiteness, or other viewpoints, calcium carbonate is preferably used.
The wrapping paper may be added with various aids in addition to base paper and a filler and may be added with, for example, a water resistance improving agent for improvement in water resistance. The water resistance improving agent includes a wet strength agent (WS agent) and a sizing agent. Examples of the wet strength agent include urea formaldehyde resin, melamine-formaldehyde resin, and polyamide-epichlorohydrin (PAE). Examples of the sizing agent include rosin soap, alkyl ketene dimer (AKD), alkenyl succinic anhydride (ASA), and high-saponification polyvinyl alcohol with a saponification degree of higher than or equal to 90%.
A paper strengthening agent may be added as an aid. Examples of the paper strengthening agent include polyacrylamide, cationic starch, oxidized starch, CMC, polyamide epichlorohydrin resin, and polyvinyl alcohol. Particularly, as for oxidized starch, it is known that air permeability improves when a very small amount is used (Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication No. 2017-218699).
The wrapping paper may be coated as needed.
A coating agent may be added to at least one side of the two front and back sides of the wrapping paper. The coating agent is not limited and is preferably a coating agent capable of forming a film on the surface of paper and reducing liquid permeability. Examples of the coating agent include polysaccharides, such as alginic acid and its salts (for example, sodium salt), and pectin, cellulose derivatives, such as ethyl cellulose, methyl cellulose, carboxymethyl cellulose, and nitrocellulose, and starches and their derivatives (for example, ether derivatives, such as carboxymethyl starch, hydroxyalkyl starch, and cationic starch, and ester derivatives, such as starch acetate, starch phosphate, and starch octenyl succinate).
[Tipping Paper]
The configuration of a tipping paper 215 is not limited and may be a general mode. For example, the configuration of the tipping paper may be the one containing pulp as a main component. Not only sheet is made from wood pulp, such as soft wood pulp and hard wood pulp, but also pulp may be made by mixing non-wood pulp generally used in wrapping paper for a tobacco article, such as flax pulp, cannabis pulp, sisal pulp, and esparto. One type of these pulps may be used solely or multiple types may be used in combination at a selected ratio.
The tipping paper 215 may be made up of a single sheet or may be made up of a plurality of sheets or more.
Chemical pulp, ground pulp, chemiground pulp, thermomechanical pulp, or the like obtained by kraft cooking, acid, neutral, alkali sulfite cooking, soda salt cooking, or the like may be used as the mode of pulp.
The tipping paper 215 may be manufactured with a manufacturing method (described later) or may be obtained by using a commercial product.
The shape of the tipping paper 215 is not limited and may be a square shape or a rectangular shape.
The basis weight of the tipping paper 215 is not limited. The basis weight is commonly greater than or equal to 32 gsm and less than or equal to 40 gsm, preferably greater than or equal to 33 gsm and less than or equal to 39 gsm, and more preferably greater than or equal to 34 gsm and less than or equal to 38 gsm.
The air permeability of the tipping paper 215 is not limited. The air permeability is commonly higher than or equal to 0 CORESTA Unit and lower than or equal to 30000 CORESTA Unit, and preferably higher than 0 CORESTA Unit and lower than or equal to 10000 CORESTA Unit. Air permeability is a value measured in compliant with ISO2965: 2009, and indicates the flow rate (cm 3) of gas that passes through an area 1 cm 2 per one minute when the pressure difference between both sides is 1 kPa. One CORESTA Unit (1 C.U.) is cm 3/(min·cm2) under 1 kPa.
The tipping paper 215 may contain a filler in addition to the above-described pulp. Examples of the filler include a metal carbonate, such as calcium carbonate and magnesium carbonate, a metal oxide, such as titanium oxide, titanium dioxide, and aluminum oxide, a metal sulfate, such as barium sulfate and calcium sulfate, a metal sulfate, such as zinc sulfide, quartz, kaolin, talc, diatom earth, and gypsum. Particularly, the tipping paper 215 preferably contains calcium carbonate from the viewpoint of improving whiteness and opacity and increasing a heating rate. These fillers may be one type used solely or may be two or more types used in combination.
The tipping paper 215 may be added with various aids in addition to the above-described pulp and/or fillers and may have, for example, a water resistance improving agent for improvement. The water resistance improving agent includes a wet strength agent (WS agent) and a sizing agent. Examples of the wet strength agent include urea formaldehyde resin, melamine-formaldehyde resin, and polyamide-epichlorohydrin (PAE). Examples of the sizing agent include rosin soap, alkyl ketene dimer (AKD), alkenyl succinic anhydride (ASA), and high-saponification polyvinyl alcohol with a saponification degree of higher than or equal to 90%.
A coating agent may be added to at least one side of the two front and back sides of the tipping paper 215. The coating agent is not limited and is preferably a coating agent capable of forming a film on the surface of paper and reducing liquid permeability.
The configuration of the heat-not-burn flavor inhaler according to the present embodiment can be used in a heat-not-burn flavor inhaling system (described later), and may also be applied to a cigarette that accompanies combustion (cigarette).
[Manufacturing Method for Heat-Not-Burn Flavor Inhaler]
The above-described manufacturing method for a heat-not-burn flavor inhaler is not limited, and a known method may be applied. For example, manufacturing can be performed by rolling the tobacco-containing segment and the mouthpiece segment with the tipping paper.
<Heat-Not-Burn Flavor Inhaling System>
A heat-not-burn flavor inhaling system according to another embodiment of the present invention (also simply referred to as “heat-not-burn flavor inhaling system”) is a heat-not-burn flavor inhaling system made up of a heating device including a heater, a battery unit that is an electric power supply of the heater, and a control unit for controlling the heater, and the heat-not-burn flavor inhaler inserted so as to be in contact with the heater.
The mode of the heat-not-burn flavor inhaling system may be a mode in which, as illustrated in
The heat-not-burn flavor inhaling system 230 is used in a manner such that the above-described heat-not-burn flavor inhaler 210 is inserted in the heater 221 disposed inside the heating device 220 so as to contact with the heater 221.
The heating device 220 includes a battery unit 222 and a control unit 223 inside, for example, a resin body 224.
When the heat-not-burn flavor inhaler 210 is inserted in the heating device 220, the outer periphery of the tobacco-containing segment 211 contacts with the heater 221 of the heating device 220, and finally the entire outer periphery of the tobacco-containing segment 211 and part of the outer periphery of the tipping paper contact with the heater 221.
The heater 221 of the heating device 220 produces heat under control of the control unit 223. When the heat is transferred to the tobacco-containing segment 211 of the heat-not-burn flavor inhaler 210, an aerosol generator, a flavor component, or the like contained in the tobacco filler of the tobacco-containing segment 211 volatilizes.
The heater 221 may be, for example, a sheet heater, a planar heater, or a tubular heater. A sheet heater is a flexible sheet-shaped heater. Examples of the sheet heater include a heater that includes a film (of which the thickness ranges from about 20 μm to about 225 μm) made of heat-resistant polymer, such as polyimide. A planar heater is a rigid planar heater (of which the thickness ranges from about 200 μm to about 500 μm). Examples of planar heater include a heater in which a resistance circuit is provided on a flat substrate and this part is regarded as a heat generating part. A tubular heater is a hollow or solid tubular heater (of which the thickness ranges from about 200 μm to about 500 μm). Examples of the tubular heater include a heater that has a resistance circuit on the outer periphery of a tube made of, for example, metal and this part is regarded as a heat generating part. Examples of the heater include a rod heater, a prism heater and a cone heater made of, for example, metal, which has a resistance circuit inside and this part is regarded as a heat generating part. The circumferential sectional shape of the tubular heater may be a circular shape, an elliptical shape, a polygonal shape, a rounded-corner polygonal shape, or the like.
When the outer periphery of the heat-not-burn flavor inhaler 210 is heated as illustrated in
Where the length in the long-axis direction of the tobacco-containing segment 211 is L mm, the length in the long-axis direction of the heater 221 can fall within the range of L±5.0 mm. The length in the long-axis direction of the heater 221 is preferably greater than or equal to L mm from the viewpoint of sufficiently transferring heat to the tobacco-containing segment 211 and sufficiently volatilizing an aerosol generator, a flavor component, or the like contained in the tobacco filler, that is, aerosol delivery, and is preferably less than or equal to L+0.5 mm, less than or equal to L+1.0 mm, less than or equal to L+1.5 mm, less than or equal to L+2.0 mm, less than or equal to L+2.5 mm, less than or equal to L+3.0 mm, less than or equal to L+3.5 mm, less than or equal to L+4.0 mm, less than or equal to L+4.5 mm, or less than or equal to L+5.0 mm from the viewpoint of reducing generation of a component that has an undesirable influence on a flavor or the like.
A heating strength, that is, a heating time and a heating temperature of the heat-not-burn flavor inhaler 210 with the heater 221 can be set in advance for each heat-not-burn flavor inhaling system 230. When, for example, pre-heating is performed for a certain period of time after the heat-not-burn flavor inhaler 210 is inserted in the heating device 220, the heating strength can be set in advance such that heating is performed until the temperature of the outer periphery of a portion inserted in the heating device 220 in the heat-not-burn flavor inhaler 210 becomes X (° C.) and then the temperature is kept at a certain temperature lower than or equal to X (° C.).
The X (° C.) is preferably higher than or equal to 80° C. and lower than or equal to 400° C. from the viewpoint of the delivery amount of a component and the like generated by heating. Specifically, the X (° C.) can be set to 80° C., 90° C., 100° C., 110° C., 120° C., 130° C., 140° C., 150° C., 160° C., 170° C., 180° C., 190° C., 200° C., 210° C., 220° C., 230° C., 240° C., 250° C., 260° C., 270° C., 280° C., 290° C., 300° C., 310° C., 320° C., 330° C., 340° C., 350° C., 360° C., 370° C., 380° C., 390° C., or 400° C.
Due to heating with the heater 221, vapor containing a component derived from the aerosol generator, a component derived from a flavor component, and the like, and generated from the tobacco-containing segment 211 reaches into the oral cavity of a user through the mouthpiece segment 214 made up of the cooling segment 212, the filter segment 213, and the like.
The perforations V provided in the cooling segment 212 are preferably present on an inhalation port end side with respect to an inhalation port end-side end of a region that contacts with the heating device 220 in the cooling segment 212 (a portion indicated by the arrow X in the drawing) as illustrated in
The present embodiment includes the following [1c] to [13c]. According to the present embodiment, it is possible to provide a heat-not-burn flavor inhaler that includes a tobacco-containing segment that is excellent in balance between suppressing breakage and heat transfer efficiency.
Q
dT≥330 (W/° C.) (1)
Q
dT
=K×2πL/ln(r2/r1)
1. Heat-Not-Burn Flavor Inhaler
(1) Tobacco-Containing Segment
The tobacco-containing segment includes a tobacco sheet according to the present embodiment, and is substantially a circular columnar member for generating an inhaling flavor component contained in the tobacco sheet. The tobacco-containing segment includes a wrapping paper (wrapper) that wraps the tobacco sheet and its surroundings. The shape of the tobacco sheet filled in the wrapping paper is not limited and may be, for example, the sheet itself or the one obtained by shredding the sheet into a width of 0.8 mm to 1.2 mm. The sheet may be not shredded but gathered, folded, or formed in a spiral shape and filled in a wrapping paper to form a tobacco-containing segment. Alternatively, the sheet is shredded into strips and these are filled into a wrapping paper so as to be concentric or such that a longitudinal direction of each strip is parallel to a longitudinal direction of the tobacco-containing segment to form the tobacco-containing segment.
The packing density of the tobacco sheet is not limited and is commonly greater than or equal to 250 mg/cm3 and preferably greater than or equal to 320 mg/cm3 from the viewpoint of ensuring the characteristics of the heat-not-burn flavor inhaler and impart good smoke taste. The upper limit is commonly less than or equal to 800 mg/cm3 and preferably less than or equal to 600 mg/cm3. The length of the tobacco-containing segment 301 is not limited and preferably ranges from 15 mm to 25 mm. The diameter is not limited and preferably ranges from 6 mm to 8 mm.
The tobacco sheet may generate vapor when heated. A heating temperature is not limited and ranges from about 30° C. to about 350° C. To facilitate generation of an aerosol, an aerosol source, such as polyols, may be added to the tobacco sheet. Examples of the polyols include glycerin, propylene glycol, and 1,3-butanediol. An additive amount of the aerosol source preferably ranges from 5 wt % to 50 wt % and more preferably ranges from 10 wt % to 30 wt % with respect to a dry weight of the tobacco sheet. Other than the above, a known flavoring agent or the like may be added to the tobacco sheet.
(2) Adjacent Member
An adjacent member 303 is a member adjacent on the downstream side to the tobacco-containing segment 301. In the present embodiment, downstream means a direction toward an inhalation port end. Examples of the adjacent member include a cooling member for cooling an aerosol, a support member for enhancing the strength of the overall device, and a mouthpiece (described later). In the present embodiment, the adjacent member 303 is preferably a cooling member.
The cooling member is a member for facilitating aerosolization by, for example, cooling an inhaling flavor component and vapor generated in the tobacco-containing segment 301. The cooling member may be a hollow paper core. The paper core is preferably made from a cardboard having higher stiffness than the wrapping paper or the tipping paper. The paper core may have ventilations V (perforations). A plurality of ventilations is preferably provided along the circumference of the paper core. A sheet gathered to enhance heat exchange efficiency may fill the inside of the cooling member. The dimensions of the cooling member are not limited. The length preferably ranges from 15 mm to 25 mm, and the diameter preferably ranges from 5.5 mm to 7.5 mm.
(3) Roll Wrapping Material
A roll wrapping material rolls to wrap a tobacco-containing segment or the tobacco-containing segment and an adjacent member. The roll wrapping material includes a high heat transfer portion having a higher heat conductivity than a wrapped member with which the roll wrapping material contacts. The heat-not-burn flavor inhaler having the above configuration excels in balance between suppressing breakage and heat transfer efficiency and increases the total amount of smoke. Examples of the material of the high heat transfer portion include a material of which the thermal conductivity is higher than or equal to 50 (W/m/° C.). Specific examples of such a material include aluminum, iron, stainless steel, zinc, gold, and silver.
Heat conductivity from the roll wrapping material to the tobacco-containing segment fluctuates depending on the axial length or thickness of the high heat transfer portion, the diameter of the heat-not-burn flavor inhaler, or the like in addition to the thermal conductivity of a material used. Thus, the material of the high heat transfer portion may be selected so as to satisfy the heat transfer characteristics of the expression (1).
Q
dT×330 (W/° C.) (1)
Q
dT
=K×2πL/ln(r2/r1)
Specifically, QdT is defined as follows.
When this expression is modified into the expression (ii) and both sides are integrated, the expression (iii) holds, and hereinafter can be modified to the expression (1). In other words, QdT is a parameter obtained by dividing the heat transfer velocity Q (W) obtained in the model of
For example, in the case of a thin-rolled type of which the diameter of the heat-not-burn flavor inhaler is about 5 mm, when aluminum (K=236 (W/m/° C.)) is used, it is possible to satisfy the expression (1) in the following case.
1) Handbook of Scientific Tables 2021 National Astronomical Observatory of Japan (Maruzen Publishing)
In the case of a standard-rolled type of which the diameter of the heat-not-burn flavor inhaler is about 7 mm, it is possible to satisfy the expression (1) in the following case. Cases are shown in the following table together with a case where a material having a low heat conductivity is used.
1) Handbook of Scientific Tables 2021 National Astronomical Observatory of Japan (Maruzen Publishing)
From above, in one mode, QdT is preferably greater than or equal to 650 (W/° C.) or greater than or equal to 850 (W/° C.). The high heat transfer portion is selected from the group consisting of aluminum, stainless steel, gold, silver, and combinations of some of these materials.
The roll wrapping material may be made up of only the high heat transfer portion and may include another material. For example, the roll wrapping material may be a laminated body (laminate) in which metal particles or metal sheet is supported on paper or polymer sheet. The roll wrapping material may be a composite in which particles of a metal, a ceramic, or the like having a high heat conductivity are dispersed in a matrix of paper, polymer, or the like. Alternatively, the roll wrapping material may be a sheet obtained by joining a sheet of paper, polymer, or the like with a sheet of a metal, a ceramic, or the like having a high heat conductivity at ends or near ends.
As illustrated in
The high heat transfer portion of the roll wrapping material 309 is preferably present at a portion heated by the heater of the tobacco-containing segment 301. In one mode, the axial length of the high heat transfer portion ranges from about 3 mm to about 10 mm.
(4) Mouthpiece
The mouthpiece is a member that makes up an inhalation port end. In one mode, the mouthpiece 305 includes a filter 352 and a center hole filter 354. A known one may be used as the filter 352 and the center hole filter 354.
2. Heat-Not-Burn Flavor Inhaling System
A combination of a heat-not-burn flavor inhaler and a heating unit is also referred to as heat-not-burn flavor inhaling system.
The heater preferably electrically heats the tobacco-containing segment 301. The shape of the heater is not limited, and the heater is disposed on the outer periphery of the tobacco-containing segment 301. The heater may be, for example, a sheet heater, a planar heater, a tubular heater, or a needle heater. A sheet heater is a flexible sheet-shaped heater. Examples of the sheet heater include a heater that includes a film (of which the thickness ranges from about 20 μm to about 225 μm) made of heat-resistant polymer, such as polyimide. A planar heater is a rigid planar heater (of which the thickness ranges from about 200 μm to about 500 μm). Examples of the planar heater include a heater in which a resistance circuit is provided on a flat substrate and this part is regarded as a heat generating part. A tubular heater is a hollow or solid tubular heater. Examples of the tubular heater include a heater that has a resistance circuit on the outer periphery and this part is regarded as a heat generating part. The sectional shape of the tubular heater may be a circular shape, an elliptical shape, a polygonal shape, a rounded-corner polygonal shape, or the like.
Hereinafter, specific examples of the present embodiment will be described; however, the present invention is not limited thereto.
A tobacco lamina (leaf tobacco) was dry-milled with Hosokawa Micron ACM machine to obtain tobacco powder. For the tobacco powder, a cumulative 90% particle size (D90) in a particle size distribution on a volume basis, measured by dry laser diffractometry, was measured with Mastersizer (product name, made by Malvern Panalytical division of Spectris Co., Ltd.), and 200 μm was obtained.
A tobacco sheet was manufactured by using the tobacco powder as a tobacco raw material. Specifically, 70 parts by mass of the tobacco raw material, 12 parts by mass of glycerin serving as an aerosol generator, four parts by mass of powder carboxymethyl cellulose serving as a first forming agent, one parts by mass of carboxymethyl cellulose swollen with water, serving as a second forming agent, five parts by mass of fiber pulp serving as a reinforcing agent, and eight parts by mass of cocoa powder serving as a flavoring agent were mixed and kneaded with an extruder. The kneaded product was molded into a sheet with two pairs of metal rolls to obtain a rolled molding product. A noodle making rotary roll blade was pressed against the rolled molding product to cut the rolled molding product into strips while imparting a corrugated shape. Furthermore, the rolled molding product was cut so as to have a length of 20 mm and dried to obtain tobacco sheets with a length of 20 mm and a width of 0.8 mm. The cross section of each tobacco sheet in the thickness direction had a sectional shape as illustrated in
For the obtained tobacco sheets, a bulkiness was measured. Specifically, the tobacco sheets were left standing for 48 hours in a conditioned room at 22° C. and 60%, and then the bulkiness was measured with DD-60A (product name, made by Borgward company). Measurement was performed by putting 15 g of the tobacco sheets in a cylindrical casing with an inside diameter of 60 mm, and obtaining a volume when compressed for 30 seconds with a load of 3 kg. The results are shown in Table 4. In Table 4, a bulkiness was represented by the rate of increase (%) in bulkiness with respect to a reference value set to the value of bulkiness of Comparative Example 1 (described later).
A rolled molding product was manufactured with a method similar to that of Example 1. After that, the rolled molding product was cut into strips with a plurality of ring-shaped rotary blades. Furthermore, the rolled molding product was cut to have a length of 20 mm to obtain tobacco sheets with a length of 20 mm and a width of 0.8 mm without a corrugated shape. For the obtained tobacco sheets, a bulkiness was measured as in the case of Example 1. The results are shown in Table 4.
From Table 4, with the tobacco sheets of Example 1 that are the tobacco sheets according to the present embodiment, the bulkiness improved as compared to the tobacco sheets of Comparative Example 1 without a corrugated shape.
A tobacco filler was prepared by mixing shreds of sheet tobacco with 15 g/100 g of glycerin and 4 g/100 g of propylene glycol. The tobacco filler was rolled with a wrapping paper (basis weight: 35 g/m2, thickness: 52 μm, made by Nippon Paper Papylia Co., Ltd.)) with a high-speed wrapping machine.
The weight of shreds per one stick was set to 0.8 g, the roll circumference was set to 22 mm, and the roll length was set to 68 mm.
Rolled tobacco-containing segments were put 200 by 200 for each level in a plastic hermetically sealed casing and stored.
The stored tobacco-containing segments were cut so as to have a length of 20 mm. After that, the tobacco-containing segment, a paper core with a length of 20 mm, a center hole having a through-hole (diameter: 4.5 mm) with a length of 12 mm, and a filter element (density: 0.122 g/cm3, and compression rate of change P (hereinafter, referred to as “hardness”): 88%) made up of cellulose acetate fibers (single fiber denier (g/9000 m): 12, and total fiber denier (g/9000 m): 28000) with a length of 8 mm and a Y-shape in circumferential cross section were wrapped with the tipping paper prepared above. Thus, a heat-not-burn flavor inhaler without perforations was manufactured, and then 17 holes were perforated at a location 5.5 mm in a paper core-side direction from a boundary between the paper core and a center hole filter (25.5 mm from an inhalation port end of the heat-not-burn flavor inhaler) concentrically in a circumferential direction of the paper core so as to extend through both the tipping paper and the paper core to manufacture the heat-not-burn flavor inhaler of Reference Example 1b. The air-flow resistance in the long-axis direction of the filter segment of the heat-not-burn flavor inhaler was 1.35 mmH2O/mm.
The compression rate of change P (hardness) of the filter element, expressed by the above-described expression (1), was measured with SODIM-H Hardness module made by Sodim SAS company, or the like. This also applies to the following all Reference Examples and Comparative Examples.
Except that the filter element (density: 0.122 g/cm3) with a single fiber denier (g/9000 m) of 12 and a total fiber denier (g/9000 m) of 28000 was replaced with a filter element (density: 0.143 g/cm3, hardness: 87%) with a single fiber denier (g/9000 m) of 5.9 and a total fiber denier (g/9000 m) of 35000, a heat-not-burn flavor inhaler of Comparative Example 1b was manufactured with a method similar to that of the heat-not-burn flavor inhaler of Reference Example 1b. The air-flow resistance in the long-axis direction of the filter segment of the heat-not-burn flavor inhaler was 2.62 mmH2O/mm.
Except that a flavoring agent capsule (a spherical shape with a diameter of 3.5 mm, and flavoring agent capsules in the other Reference Examples and Comparative Examples were the same) containing menthol was disposed in a filter element, the length of the center hole was changed from 12 mm to 8 mm, and the length of the filter element was changed from 8 mm to 12 mm, a heat-not-burn flavor inhaler of Reference Example 2b was manufactured with a method similar to that of the heat-not-burn flavor inhaler of Reference Example 1b. The density (density in a state excluding the flavoring agent capsule), hardness, and air-flow resistance in the long-axis direction of the filter segment of the heat-not-burn flavor inhaler were respectively 0.122 g/cm3, 88%, and 1.93 mmH2O/mm. The parameters associated with the filter segment were evaluated without breaking the flavoring agent capsule. This also applies to the other Reference Examples and Comparative Examples using the flavoring agent capsule.
Except that the filter element (density: 0.122 g/cm3) with a single fiber denier (g/9000 m) of 12 and a total fiber denier (g/9000 m) of 28000 was replaced with a filter element (density: 0.119 g/cm3, hardness: 89%) with a single fiber denier (g/9000 m) of 8 and a total fiber denier (g/9000 m) of 28000, a heat-not-burn flavor inhaler of Reference Example 3b was manufactured with a method similar to that of the heat-not-burn flavor inhaler of Reference Example 1b. The air-flow resistance in the long-axis direction of the filter segment of the heat-not-burn flavor inhaler was 1.69 mmH2O/mm.
Except that a flavoring agent capsule containing menthol was disposed in a filter element, the length of the center hole was changed from 12 mm to 8 mm, the length of the filter element was changed from 8 mm to 12 mm, and the filter element (density: 0.122 g/cm3, hardness: 88%) with a single fiber denier (g/9000 m) of 12 and a total fiber denier (g/9000 m) of 28000 was replaced with a filter element (density: 0.123 g/cm3, hardness: 91%) with a single fiber denier (g/9000 m) of 8 and a total fiber denier (g/9000 m) of 28000, a heat-not-burn flavor inhaler of Reference Example 4b was manufactured with a method similar to that of the heat-not-burn flavor inhaler of Reference Example 1b. The air-flow resistance in the long-axis direction of the filter segment of the heat-not-burn flavor inhaler was 2.76 mmH2O/mm.
Except that the length of the center hole was changed from 12 mm to 6 mm, and the length of the filter element was changed from 8 mm to 14 mm, a heat-not-burn flavor inhaler of Reference Example 5b was manufactured with a method similar to that of the heat-not-burn flavor inhaler of Reference Example 1b. The density, hardness, and air-flow resistance in the long-axis direction of the filter segment of the heat-not-burn flavor inhaler were respectively 0.129 g/cm3, 90%, and 1.58 mmH2O/mm.
Except that the length of the center hole was changed from 12 mm to 6 mm, the length of the filter element was changed from 8 mm to 14 mm, and the filter element (density: 0.122 g/cm3, hardness: 88%) with a single fiber denier (g/9000 m) of 12 and a total fiber denier (g/9000 m) of 28000 was replaced with a filter element (density: 0.119 g/cm3, hardness: 89%) with a single fiber denier (g/9000 m) of 8 and a total fiber denier (g/9000 m) of 28000, a heat-not-burn flavor inhaler of Reference Example 6b was manufactured with a method similar to that of the heat-not-burn flavor inhaler of Reference Example 1b. The air-flow resistance in the long-axis direction of the filter segment of the heat-not-burn flavor inhaler was 1.69 mmH2O/mm.
Except that a flavoring agent capsule containing menthol was disposed in a filter element, 6 mg/12 mm of menthol was added to the filter element, the length of the center hole was changed from 12 mm to 8 mm, and the length of the filter element was changed from 8 mm to 12 mm, a heat-not-burn flavor inhaler of Reference Example 7b was manufactured with a method similar to that of the heat-not-burn flavor inhaler of Reference Example 1b. The density (density in a state excluding the flavoring agent capsule), hardness, and air-flow resistance in the long-axis direction of the filter segment of the heat-not-burn flavor inhaler were respectively 0.122 g/cm3, 91%, and 2.48 mmH2O/mm.
Except that a flavoring agent capsule containing menthol was disposed in a filter element, 6 mg/12 mm of menthol was added to the filter element, the length of the center hole was changed from 12 mm to 8 mm, the length of the filter element was changed from 8 mm to 12 mm, and the filter element (density: 0.122 g/cm3, hardness: 88%) with a single fiber denier (g/9000 m) of 12 and a total fiber denier (g/9000 m) of 28000 was replaced with a filter element (density (density of a state excluding the flavoring agent capsule): 0.152 g/cm3, hardness: 94%) with a single fiber denier (g/9000 m) of 5.9 and a total fiber denier (g/9000 m) of 35000, a heat-not-burn flavor inhaler of Comparative Example 2b was manufactured with a method similar to that of the heat-not-burn flavor inhaler of Reference Example 1b. The air-flow resistance in the long-axis direction of the filter segment of the heat-not-burn flavor inhaler was 6.23 mmH2O/mm.
Except that the filter element (density: 0.122 g/cm3) with a single fiber denier (g/9000 m) of 12 and a total fiber denier (g/9000 m) of 28000 was replaced with a filter element (density: 0.113 g/cm3, hardness: 85%) with a single fiber denier (g/9000 m) of 20 and a total fiber denier (g/9000 m) of 25000, a heat-not-burn flavor inhaler of Comparative Example 3b was manufactured with a method similar to that of the heat-not-burn flavor inhaler of Reference Example 1b. The air-flow resistance in the long-axis direction of the filter segment of the heat-not-burn flavor inhaler was 0.80 mmH2O/mm. The heat-not-burn flavor inhaler of Comparative Example 3b did not have a sufficient hardness, so evaluation of the delivery amount (described later) was not performed.
Table 5 summarizes the manufacturing conditions and properties of the heat-not-burn flavor inhalers of the above-described Reference Examples and Comparative Examples.
<Evaluation of Delivery Amount>
The heat-not-burn flavor inhalers manufactured in Reference Examples 1b to 7b and Comparative Examples 1b to 3b were subjected to a smoking test, and the delivery amount of components generated by heating was evaluated.
The smoking test was conducted under the following conditions with reference to Canadian Intense Smoking (CIR).
A heating device for circumferential heating was used, the heat-not-burn flavor inhaler was inserted, and then a heater temperature was increased to 295° C. within 21 seconds, decreased to 260° C. within five seconds, and kept 260° C. until the end of evaluation (for about 330 seconds). After that, in the smoking test, automatic smoking was performed with a single-barreling automatic smoking machine manufactured by Borgwaldt under the conditions of a flow rate of 55 cc/2 s and a smoking interval of 30 seconds. At this time, the perforations provided in the cooling segment were located 25.5 mm distant from the inhalation port end-side end of a region where the heat-not-burn flavor inhaler and the heating device were in contact with each other. Mainstream smoke generated in the smoking test was trapped in a Cambridge pad. A puff action was performed 12 times for Reference Examples 1b to 6b and Comparative Example 1b, a puff action was performed 10 times for Reference Examples 7b, 8b and Comparative Examples 2b, 3b, and then the Cambridge pad was taken out, components were extracted with 10 ml ethanol, and the amounts of components in the mainstream smoke collected in each puff action were measured with GC-MS.
In the heat-not-burn flavor inhalers of Reference Examples 1b to 9b and Comparative Example 1b, the amounts of components of nicotine and glycerin were shown in Tables 6 and 7 and
From Tables 4 and 5 and
The heat-not-burn flavor inhaler as illustrated in
The following roll wrapping material was prepared.
The heat-not-burn flavor inhaler was rolled to be wrapped by using each of the roll wrapping materials. The location of an upstream end of the roll wrapping material with reference to the upstream end of the heat-not-burn flavor inhaler was shown in Table 8.
Tobacco shred side end of the heat-not-burn flavor inhaler was inserted in the heating device illustrated in
The samples after smoking were cooled to room temperature and subjected to a breakage test. The overview of the test was illustrated in
Except that the roll wrapping material was not rolled, the same heat-not-burn flavor inhaler as that of Reference Example 1c was prepared. For the flavor inhaler before being subjected to the smoking test, a breakage test was conducted with the same method as that of Reference Example 1c. Furthermore, the same heat-not-burn flavor inhaler as that of Reference Example 1c was prepared. The flavor inhaler without being rolled to be wrapped with a roll wrapping material was subjected to the smoking test with the same method as that of Reference Example 1c, and then subjected to the breakage test. The results are shown in Table 8.
From the results of Comparative Example 1c, it is clear that the tobacco-containing segment before heating does not break and has resistance against breakage; however, the tobacco-containing segment after heating breaks with a small force. On the other hand, the tobacco-containing segment after heating in Reference Example 1c did not break with a force (1.61 N) used to break the tobacco-containing segment after heating in Comparative Example 1c. In other words, the tobacco-containing segment of Reference Example 1c needed a considerably large force for breakage. The average distance is an average moving distance of the plunger until the sample becomes broken and is an index of toughness that the sample bows and is difficult to break. When Reference Example 1c and Comparative Example 1c are compared with each other, Reference Example 1c provides a higher value in both the average distance and the average load. For this reason, in the tobacco-containing segment of Reference Example 1c, it is clear that the effect of suppressing breakage is sufficiently developed.
[Measurement of Amount of Smoke]
A smoking test was conducted with the automatic smoker under the above-described conditions, and the amount of smoke per puff was measured. However, the heating temperature was set to 295° C. Specifically, a light transmittance of smoke discharged from the smoker without intervening a filter was detected with a photosensor, and the amount of smoke was measured. A collecting method in which a smoke component is collected in each puff by a glass fiber filter is used for general smoke amount measurement. However, this method needs a relatively complicated operation, and quick measurement in real time is difficult. Therefore, in the present embodiment, a measurement system using a photosensor was newly constructed and used. To examine the accuracy of the measurement system, a commercial item PloomTech+ (registered trademark) (made by Japan Tobacco Inc.) was used as an aerosol generating source, and the accuracy of the measurement system in a relationship of a voltage value to a certain amount of smoke was examined. As a result, the results of 60.005V (CV value is lower than 2%) was obtained, so it was confirmed that the system had a sufficient accuracy in data evaluation.
[Correlation Between Measured Amount of Smoke and Actual Amount of Smoke]
To investigate a relationship between the above-described measured amount of smoke (sensor voltage value) and a sensed amount of smoke, a sensory evaluation on the amount of smoke was performed by panelists. Six panelists sufficiently trained in sensory evaluation on the amount of smoke were determined, a sensory evaluation to a certain amount of smoke was conducted based on the following evaluation criteria by using the commercial item PloomS (registered trademark) (made by Japan Tobacco Inc.) as an aerosol generating source. At the same time, the amount of smoke was measured with the above-described system, and the correlation was examined. Specifically, examination was conducted in accordance with Weber-Fechner law that there is a logarithmic correlation between sensation and stimulus. The results are shown in
<Evaluation Criteria>
From the results, it was found that there was a highly accurate correlation (R2>0.95) between a sensor voltage value and a sensed amount of smoke as an evaluation on a certain amount of smoke. Thus, it was found that a sensor voltage value provided by the above-described measurement system was able to be an accurate alternative for sensory evaluation.
A heat-not-burn flavor inhaler including the same roll wrapping material as that of Reference Example 1c was prepared. For each flavor inhaler, the amount of smoke was measured as described above. A voltage value from the photosensor reflected the concentration of smoke and was able to be recorded in real time with a data logger. A difference between a maximum value of a voltage value in one puff and a base line was regarded as the amount of smoke. The results are shown in
Except that the roll wrapping material was not rolled, the same heat-not-burn flavor inhaler as that of Reference Example 1c was prepared. A smoking test was conducted with the same method as that of Reference Example 2c, and the amount of smoke in each puff was obtained. The results are shown in
As shown in the graph, heat from the heater was sufficiently transferred to the tobacco-containing segment in the Reference Example, so the effect of increasing a total amount of smoke was recognized. Among others, the tobacco-containing segment using the roll wrapping material of A2 provided a remarkable increase in the amount of smoke and also a small attenuation. In other words, the tobacco-containing segment achieved an increase in the total amount of smoke. This is presumably because the roll wrapping material of A2 can sufficiently give the amount of heat supplied to shreds and shreds located in a place distant from the heater can also be effectively heated.
| Number | Date | Country | Kind |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2021-075206 | Apr 2021 | JP | national |
| PCT/JP2021/018192 | May 2021 | WO | international |
| 2021-143801 | Sep 2021 | JP | national |
| 2021-170059 | Oct 2021 | JP | national |
The present application is a continuation application of International Application No. PCT/JP2022/018858, filed on Apr. 26, 2022.
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Parent | PCT/JP2022/018858 | Apr 2022 | US |
| Child | 18493525 | US |
