JP7624083B2 - Method for manufacturing tobacco sheet for non-combustion heating type flavor inhaler - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a method for manufacturing a tobacco sheet for a non-combustion heating type flavor inhaler.

In a combustion type flavor inhaler (cigarette), flavor is obtained by burning tobacco filler including tobacco leaves and tobacco sheets. For example, Patent Document 1 discloses a tobacco sheet used in a combustion type flavor inhaler. As an alternative to the combustion type flavor inhaler, a non-combustion heating type flavor inhaler has been proposed, which heats a flavor source such as a tobacco sheet instead of burning it to obtain flavor. The heating temperature of the non-combustion heating type flavor inhaler is lower than the combustion temperature of the combustion type flavor inhaler, for example, about 400°C or less. In this way, since the heating temperature of the non-combustion heating type flavor inhaler is low, in order to increase the amount of smoke, an aerosol generating agent can be added to the flavor source in the non-combustion heating type flavor inhaler. The aerosol generating agent is vaporized by heating and generates an aerosol. The aerosol is supplied to the user together with flavor components such as tobacco components, so that the user can obtain a sufficient flavor.

A non-combustion heating type flavor inhaler may 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 a non-combustion heating type flavor inhaler is shorter than the axial length of the tobacco-containing segment of a normal combustion type flavor inhaler in relation to the heater. Therefore, in a non-combustion heating type flavor inhaler, a large amount of tobacco sheet is filled in a short section of the tobacco-containing segment to ensure the amount of aerosol generated during heating. In order to fill a large amount of tobacco sheet in a short section, a tobacco sheet with low expansion bulk, i.e., high density, is usually used in a non-combustion heating type flavor inhaler. Note that expansion bulk is a value indicating the volume when a predetermined mass of tobacco sheet shreds is compressed at a constant pressure for a certain period of time.

Special Publication No. 60-45914

However, the inventors have found that when considering the heating method, the heating capacity of the heater, and the generation of aerosol, the use of a tobacco sheet with low bulk (high density) increases the total heat capacity of the tobacco-containing segment, and therefore, depending on the heating method and the capacity of the heater, the tobacco sheet filled in the tobacco-containing segment does not contribute sufficiently to aerosol generation. In order to solve this problem, it is conceivable to reduce the total heat capacity of the tobacco-containing segment.

The inventors have considered (1) reducing the specific heat of the tobacco raw material contained in the tobacco sheet, and (2) using a tobacco sheet with high expansion volume (low density) in order to reduce the total heat capacity of the tobacco-containing segment. However, since it is difficult to reduce the specific heat of the tobacco raw material itself in (1), it was considered effective to reduce the total heat capacity of the tobacco-containing segment by (2). Therefore, it is desirable to develop a tobacco sheet with high expansion volume (low density) that is suitable for use in a non-combustion heating type flavor inhaler.

The present invention aims to provide a highly expandable tobacco sheet for a non-combustion heating type flavor inhaler.

The present invention includes the following embodiments:

[1] A step of forming a mixture containing a tobacco raw material and an aerosol generating agent into a sheet shape;
drying the mixture formed into a sheet;
A method for producing a tobacco sheet for a non-combustion heating type flavor inhaler, comprising:
The method for producing a tobacco sheet for a non-combustion heating-type flavor inhaler, wherein the moisture reduction rate during drying is 0.8% WB/sec or more.

[2] A method for producing a tobacco sheet for a non-combustion heating type flavor inhaler described in [1], wherein the drying is carried out by an air flow drying method.

[3] A method for manufacturing a tobacco sheet for a non-combustion heating type flavor inhaler described in [2], in which in the air flow drying method, the temperature of the hot air blown onto the mixture formed into a sheet shape is 140 to 350°C.

[4] A method for manufacturing a tobacco sheet for a non-combustion heating type flavor inhaler described in [2] or [3], wherein in the air flow drying method, the wind speed of the hot air blown onto the mixture formed into a sheet shape is 12 to 50 m/sec.

[5] A method for producing a tobacco sheet for a non-combustion heating type flavor inhaler described in any of [1] to [4], wherein the moisture content contained in the mixture formed into a sheet before drying is 20 to 50% WB, and the moisture content contained in the mixture formed into a sheet after drying is 8 to 15% WB.

[6] A method for producing a tobacco sheet for a non-combustion heating type flavor inhaler described in any of [1] to [5], wherein the tobacco raw material is at least one type of tobacco powder selected from the group consisting of leaf tobacco, midrib and stem residue.

[7] A method for producing a tobacco sheet for a non-combustion heating type flavor inhaler described in any of [1] to [6], wherein the proportion of the tobacco raw material contained in 100% by mass of the mixture is 45 to 95% by mass on a dry basis.

[8] A method for producing a tobacco sheet for a non-combustion heating type flavor inhaler described in any of [1] to [7], wherein the aerosol generating agent is at least one selected from the group consisting of glycerin, propylene glycol, and 1,3-butanediol.

[9] A method for producing a tobacco sheet for a non-combustion heating type flavor inhaler described in any of [1] to [8], wherein the proportion of the aerosol generating agent contained in 100% by mass of the mixture is 4 to 50% by mass on a dry basis.

[10] A method for producing a tobacco sheet for a non-combustion heating type flavor inhaler described in any one of [1] to [9], wherein the mixture further contains a molding agent.

[11] A method for producing a tobacco sheet for a non-combustion heating type flavor inhaler described in [10], wherein the molding agent is at least one selected from the group consisting of polysaccharides, proteins and synthetic polymers.

[12] A method for producing a tobacco sheet for a non-combustion heating type flavor inhaler described in [10] or [11], wherein the proportion of the molding agent contained in 100% by mass of the mixture is 0.1 to 15% by mass on a dry basis.

[13] A method for producing a tobacco sheet for a non-combustion heating type flavor inhaler described in any one of [1] to [12], wherein the mixture further contains a fibrous material as a reinforcing agent.

[14] A method for manufacturing a tobacco sheet for a non-combustion heating type flavor inhaler described in [13], wherein the proportion of the fibrous material contained in 100% by mass of the mixture is 5 to 50% by mass on a dry basis.

According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a tobacco sheet for a non-combustion heating type flavor inhaler having high expandability.

FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view showing an example of a non-combustion heating type flavor inhaler according to the present embodiment. FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view showing an example of a non-combustion heating type flavor inhalation system according to the present embodiment, in which (a) a state before a non-combustion heating type flavor inhaler is inserted into a heating device, and (b) a state in which the non-combustion heating type flavor inhaler is inserted into the heating device and heated.

[Method of manufacturing tobacco sheet for non-combustion heating type flavor inhaler]
The manufacturing method of the tobacco sheet for a non-combustion heating type flavor inhaler (hereinafter also referred to as "tobacco sheet") according to this embodiment includes the following steps: a step of forming a mixture containing a tobacco raw material and an aerosol generating agent into a sheet (hereinafter also referred to as "forming step"); and a step of drying the mixture formed into a sheet (hereinafter also referred to as "drying step"). Here, the moisture reduction rate during the drying is 0.8% WB/sec or more.

In the method according to the present embodiment, the moisture reduction rate of the mixture formed into a sheet in the drying step (hereinafter also referred to as the "sheet-like mixture") is 0.8% WB/sec or more, and the moisture in the sheet-like mixture evaporates rapidly, so that the sheet-like mixture is deformed into a three-dimensionally twisted shape (curling shape (crimp, curl)) while sufficiently retaining the aerosol-generating agent, and is fixed. As a result, the obtained tobacco sheet becomes bulky and has high swelling properties. Therefore, by using the tobacco sheet manufactured by the method according to the present embodiment, the total heat capacity of the tobacco-containing segment can be reduced, and the tobacco sheet filled in the tobacco-containing segment can be sufficiently contributed to aerosol generation. In addition, it is preferable that the tobacco sheet manufactured by the method according to the present embodiment further contains a molding agent, and the swelling properties of the tobacco sheet are further improved by setting the blending ratio of the tobacco raw material, the aerosol-generating agent, the molding agent, the reinforcing agent, etc. within a predetermined range.

The method according to this embodiment includes at least the molding step and the drying step, but may also include other steps.

(Molding process)
<Tobacco raw materials>
In this step, a mixture containing a tobacco raw material and an aerosol generating agent is formed into a sheet. The tobacco raw material is not particularly limited as long as it contains tobacco components, and examples thereof include tobacco powder and tobacco extract. Examples of tobacco powder include tobacco leaves, midribs, and stem residues. These may be used alone or in combination of two or more. These can be cut into a predetermined size to be used as tobacco powder. From the viewpoint of further improving the swelling bulk, it is preferable that the size of the tobacco powder is such that the cumulative 90% particle size (D90) in the volume-based particle size distribution measured by dry laser diffraction method is 200 μm or more.

Examples of tobacco extracts include tobacco extracts obtained by roughly crushing tobacco leaves, mixing and stirring the crushed leaves with a solvent such as water to extract water-soluble components from the tobacco leaves, and concentrating the resulting aqueous extract by drying under reduced pressure. The ratio of the tobacco raw material contained in the mixture (100% by mass) is preferably 45 to 95% by mass on a dry basis. By having the ratio of the tobacco raw material be 45% by mass or more, it is possible to generate a sufficient tobacco aroma when heated. In addition, by having the ratio of the tobacco raw material be 95% by mass or less, it is possible to contain a sufficient amount of an aerosol generating agent and a molding agent. The ratio of the tobacco raw material is more preferably 60 to 90% by mass on a dry basis, and even more preferably 70 to 80% by mass. In this embodiment, the ratio on a dry basis refers to the ratio on a dry basis, and refers to the ratio when all components other than water in the mixture are 100% by mass.

<Aerosol Generator>
Examples of the aerosol generating agent include glycerin, propylene glycol, and 1,3-butanediol. These may be used alone or in combination of two or more. The ratio of the aerosol generating agent contained in the mixture (100% by mass) is preferably 4 to 50% by mass on a dry basis. When the ratio of the aerosol generating agent is 4% by mass or more, sufficient aerosol can be generated when heated in terms of the amount. Furthermore, when the ratio of the aerosol generating agent is 50% by mass or less, sufficient aerosol can be generated when heated in terms of the heat capacity. The ratio of the aerosol generating agent is more preferably 6 to 40% by mass on a dry basis, further preferably 8 to 30% by mass, and particularly preferably 10 to 18% by mass.

<Molding agent>
From the viewpoint of maintaining the shape, the mixture preferably further contains a molding agent. Examples of the molding agent include polysaccharides, proteins, synthetic polymers, etc. These may be used alone or in combination of two or more. Examples of the polysaccharides include cellulose derivatives and naturally occurring polysaccharides.

Examples of 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 acid esters such as cellulose acetate, cellulose formate, cellulose propionate, cellulose butyrate, cellulose benzoate, cellulose phthalate, and tosyl cellulose; and inorganic acid esters such as cellulose nitrate, cellulose sulfate, cellulose phosphate, and cellulose xanthogenate.

Examples of naturally occurring polysaccharides include polysaccharides derived from plants such as guar gum, tara gum, roasted bean gum, tamarind seed gum, pectin, gum arabic, tragacanth gum, karaya gum, ghatti gum, arabinogalactan, amas seed gum, cassia gum, psyllium seed gum, desert mugwort seed gum, and glucan; polysaccharides derived from algae such as carrageenan, agar, alginic acid, propylene glycol alginate, furcellaran, and velvet extract; polysaccharides derived from microorganisms such as xanthan gum, gellan gum, curdlan, pullulan, Agrobacterium succinoglycan, welan gum, macrophomopsis gum, and rhamsan gum; polysaccharides derived from crustaceans such as chitin, chitosan, and glucosamine; and starches such as starch, sodium starch glycolate, alpha-starch, and dextrin.

Examples of proteins include cereal proteins such as wheat gluten and rye gluten. Examples of synthetic polymers include polyphosphate, sodium polyacrylate, polyvinylpyrrolidone, etc.

When the mixture contains a molding agent, the proportion of the molding agent contained in 100% by mass of the mixture is preferably 0.1 to 15% by mass on a dry basis. When the proportion of the molding agent is 0.1% by mass or more, the mixture of raw materials can be easily molded into a sheet. Furthermore, when the proportion of the molding agent is 15% by mass or less, other raw materials can be sufficiently used to ensure the functions required for the tobacco-containing segment of a non-combustion heating type flavor inhaler. The proportion of the molding agent is more preferably 0.2 to 13% by mass on a dry basis, and even more preferably 1 to 10% by mass.

It is preferable that the mixture further contains a first molding agent and a second molding agent, particularly from the viewpoint of being able to sufficiently balance the aerosol generating agent retention performance and the curling shape maintenance performance of the tobacco sheet to be produced. Here, the first molding agent and the second molding agent may be different types of molding agent, or the molding agents may be the same type but have different forms. Examples of the first and second molding agents include the polysaccharides, proteins, synthetic polymers, etc. mentioned above.

When the mixture contains a first molding agent, the proportion of the first molding agent contained in 100% by mass of the mixture is preferably 0.1 to 15% by mass on a dry basis. When the proportion of the first molding agent is 0.1% by mass or more, the mixture of raw materials can be easily molded into a sheet. Furthermore, when the proportion of the first molding agent is 15% by mass or less, other raw materials can be sufficiently used to ensure the functions required for the tobacco-containing segment of the non-combustion heating type flavor inhaler. The proportion of the first molding agent is more preferably 0.1 to 12% by mass on a dry basis, even more preferably 0.1 to 10% by mass, and particularly preferably 0.1 to 7% by mass.

When the mixture contains a second molding agent, the proportion of the second molding agent contained in 100% by mass of the mixture is preferably 0.1 to 15% by mass on a dry basis. When the proportion of the second molding agent is 0.1% by mass or more, the mixture of raw materials can be easily molded into a sheet. Furthermore, when the proportion of the second molding agent is 15% by mass or less, other raw materials can be sufficiently used to ensure the functions required for the tobacco-containing segment of the non-combustion heating type flavor inhaler. The proportion of the second molding agent is more preferably 0.1 to 12% by mass on a dry basis, even more preferably 0.1 to 10% by mass, and particularly preferably 0.1 to 7% by mass.

In addition, when the first and second molding agents are the same type of molding agent but in different forms, for example, the first molding agent can be a powder and the second molding agent can be a solution or slurry. For example, the first molding agent can be a powder that is directly mixed with the second molding agent, and the second molding agent can be a dispersion or swelling agent in a solvent such as water and then mixed. This method can also produce the same effect as when two different types of molding agents are used.

<Reinforcing agent>
The mixture may further contain a reinforcing agent from the viewpoint of further improving the physical properties. Examples of the reinforcing agent include fibrous materials such as fibrous pulp and fibrous synthetic cellulose, and liquid substances having a surface coating function that form a film when dried, such as pectin suspension. These may be used alone or in combination of two or more. Among these, it is preferable that the mixture further contains a fibrous material as a reinforcing agent from the viewpoint of further improving the swelling bulk.

When the mixture contains a reinforcing agent, the proportion of the reinforcing agent contained in 100% by mass of the mixture is preferably 4 to 40% by mass on a dry basis. Within this range, other ingredients can be used sufficiently to ensure the functionality required of the tobacco-containing segment of a non-combustion heating type flavor inhaler. The proportion of the reinforcing agent is more preferably 4.5 to 35% by mass on a dry basis, and even more preferably 5 to 30% by mass. Furthermore, when the reinforcing agent is a fibrous material, the proportion of the fibrous material contained in 100% by mass of the mixture is preferably 5 to 50% by mass on a dry basis.

<Moisturizer>
From the viewpoint of maintaining the quality, the mixture may further contain a humectant. Examples of the humectant include sugar alcohols such as sorbitol, erythritol, xylitol, maltitol, lactitol, mannitol, and reduced maltose syrup. These may be used alone or in combination of two or more.

When the mixture contains a humectant, the proportion of the humectant contained in 100% by mass of the mixture is preferably 1 to 15% by mass on a dry basis. Within this range, other ingredients can be used sufficiently to ensure the functionality required of the tobacco-containing segment of a non-combustion heating-type flavor inhaler. The proportion of the humectant is more preferably 2 to 12% by mass on a dry basis, and even more preferably 3 to 10% by mass.

<Other ingredients>
The mixture may contain, in addition to the tobacco raw material, the aerosol generating agent, the molding agents (first and second molding agents), the reinforcing agent, and the humectant, flavorings such as fragrances and flavorings, colorants, humectants, preservatives, diluents such as inorganic substances, etc. as necessary. The mixture may also contain water.

<Molding method>
The method for forming the mixture into a sheet is not particularly limited, and may be a known method such as rolling. Examples of the method for forming the mixture into a sheet by rolling include a method including the following steps.
(1) A step of mixing water, tobacco raw material, an aerosol generating agent, a molding agent, and a reinforcing agent to obtain a mixture.
(2) A step of feeding the mixture into a rolling roller and rolling it.
(3) A step of peeling off the rolled product from the rolling rollers with a doctor knife.

Depending on the purpose, the surface of each rolling roller may be heated or cooled, and the rotation speed of each rolling roller may be adjusted. Also, by adjusting the distance between each rolling roller, a tobacco sheet of the desired basis weight can be obtained.

(Drying process)
In this step, the mixture formed into a sheet shape in the forming step is dried. Here, in the method according to this embodiment, the moisture reduction rate of the sheet mixture in the drying step is 0.8% WB/sec or more. Since the moisture reduction rate is 0.8% WB/sec or more, the moisture in the sheet mixture is rapidly evaporated, and the sheet mixture is deformed into a three-dimensionally twisted shape (curling shape (shrunk, curled)) while sufficiently retaining the aerosol generating agent, and is fixed. As a result, the tobacco sheet obtained becomes bulky and can have high swelling properties. The moisture reduction rate is preferably 1.0% WB/sec or more, and more preferably 1.3% WB/sec or more. The upper limit of the range of the moisture reduction rate is not particularly limited, but can be, for example, 15.0% WB/sec or less. In this embodiment, the "moisture reduction rate" is a value calculated by dividing the amount of moisture reduction of the sheet mixture from the start of heating to the end of heating in the drying step by the time from the start of heating to the end of heating. The amount of moisture reduction can be measured and calculated using a heat-dry type moisture meter (e.g., A&D Co., Ltd., Model No. MX-50). In addition, "% WB" indicates the moisture content on a wet basis.

In this process, it is preferable to dry the sheet-like mixture using an airflow drying method, since this can easily achieve a moisture reduction rate of 0.8% WB/sec or more for the sheet-like mixture. The airflow drying method is a method of drying by blowing a high-temperature airflow onto the object to be dried. The moisture reduction rate when drying using the airflow drying method is calculated based on the amount of moisture reduction in the time from the start to the end of blowing the high-temperature airflow.

When drying is performed using the airflow drying method, the temperature of the hot air blown onto the sheet mixture is preferably 140 to 350°C. By having a hot air temperature of 140°C or higher, a sufficient moisture reduction rate can be obtained. Furthermore, by having a hot air temperature of 350°C or lower, deterioration of quality due to heat can be suppressed. The hot air temperature is more preferably 150 to 320°C, and even more preferably 160 to 300°C.

When drying is performed by the airflow drying method, the speed of the hot air blown onto the sheet-like mixture is preferably 12 to 50 m/sec. By setting the hot air speed to 12 m/sec or more, a sufficient moisture reduction rate can be obtained. Furthermore, by setting the hot air speed to 50 m/sec or less, crushing of the sheet-like mixture can be suppressed. The hot air speed is more preferably 13 to 40 m/sec, and even more preferably 15 to 35 m/sec.

When drying is performed by the airflow drying method, the time for blowing hot air onto the sheet mixture (drying time) is preferably 10 seconds or less. By keeping the drying time to 10 seconds or less, quality deterioration due to heat can be suppressed. The drying time is more preferably 7 seconds or less, and even more preferably 6 seconds or less. The lower limit of the drying time range is not particularly limited, but can be, for example, 2 seconds or more.

Regarding the moisture content of the sheet mixture before and after drying, it is preferable that the moisture content of the sheet mixture before drying is 20 to 50% WB, and the moisture content of the sheet mixture after drying is 8 to 15% WB. By having the moisture content of the sheet mixture before and after drying within the above range, the change in moisture content before and after drying is large, and by reducing the moisture at the moisture reduction rate in this embodiment, a curling shape can be sufficiently imparted. It is more preferable that the moisture content of the sheet mixture before drying is 20 to 45% WB, and the moisture content of the sheet mixture after drying is 8 to 15% WB, and it is even more preferable that the moisture content of the sheet mixture before drying is 20 to 40% WB, and the moisture content of the sheet mixture after drying is 9 to 14% WB. The moisture content of the sheet mixture is a value measured by a heat-dry type moisture meter (for example, A&D Co., Ltd., model number MX-50).

(Other processes)
The method according to the present embodiment may further include, in addition to the forming step and the drying step, a step of cutting the sheet mixture between the forming step and the drying step, a step of spraying a coating agent or the like on the surface, etc. In the step of cutting the sheet mixture, for example, a rotary roll blade is used to cut the sheet mixture into strips, and then the strips are cut lengthwise to give the sheet mixture a length of 3 to 40 mm and a width of 0.5 to 3.0 mm. The thickness of the tobacco sheet obtained by the method according to the present embodiment may be, for example, 100 to 1000 μm.

(Expansion of tobacco sheet)
The expansion bulk of the tobacco sheet produced by the method according to the present embodiment is preferably 190cc/100g or more. By having the expansion bulk of 190cc/100g or more, the total heat capacity of the tobacco-containing segment of the non-combustion heating type flavor inhaler can be sufficiently reduced, and the tobacco sheet filled in the tobacco-containing segment can contribute more to aerosol generation. The expansion bulk is more preferably 210cc/100g or more, and even more preferably 230cc/100g or more. The upper limit of the expansion bulk range is not particularly limited, but can be, for example, 800cc/100g or less. The expansion bulk is a value measured by cutting the tobacco sheet into a size of 0.8mm x 20mm, leaving it in a 22°C, 60% humidity conditioned room for 48 hours, and then measuring it with DD-60A (trade name, manufactured by Borgwald). The measurement is carried out by placing 15 g of shredded tobacco sheet in a cylindrical container having an inner diameter of 60 mm, and compressing it for 30 seconds under a load of 3 kg, and determining the volume.

[Non-combustion heating type flavor inhaler]
The non-combustion heating type flavor inhaler according to the present embodiment includes a tobacco-containing segment containing the tobacco sheet manufactured by the method according to the present embodiment. Since the non-combustion heating type flavor inhaler according to the present embodiment includes a tobacco-containing segment filled with the highly expandable tobacco sheet according to the present embodiment, the total heat capacity of the tobacco-containing segment can be sufficiently reduced, and the tobacco sheet filled in the tobacco-containing segment can contribute more to aerosol generation.

An example of a non-combustion heating type flavor inhaler according to this embodiment is shown in Figure 1. The non-combustion heating type flavor inhaler 1 shown in Figure 1 comprises a tobacco-containing segment 2 filled with a tobacco sheet manufactured by the method according to this embodiment, a cylindrical cooling segment 3 having perforations 8 on its circumference, a center hole segment 4, and a filter segment 5. The non-combustion heating type flavor inhaler according to this embodiment may have other segments in addition to the tobacco-containing segment, the cooling segment, the center hole segment, and the filter segment.

The axial length of the non-combustion heating type flavor inhaler according to the present embodiment is not particularly limited, but is preferably 40 mm or more and 90 mm or less, more preferably 50 mm or more and 75 mm or less, and even more preferably 50 mm or more and 60 mm or less. The circumferential length of the non-combustion heating type flavor inhaler is preferably 16 mm or more and 25 mm or less, more preferably 20 mm or more and 24 mm or less, and even more preferably 21 mm or more and 23 mm or less. For example, the length of the tobacco-containing segment may be 20 mm, the length of the cooling segment may be 20 mm, the length of the center hole segment may be 8 mm, and the length of the filter segment may be 7 mm. The length of the filter segment may be selected within a range of 4 mm or more and 10 mm or less. The airflow resistance of the filter segment at that time is selected to be 15 mmH ₂ O/seg or more and 60 mmH ₂ O/seg or less per segment. These individual segment lengths may be appropriately changed depending on the manufacturing suitability, required quality, and the like. Furthermore, even if a center hole segment is not used and only a filter segment is disposed downstream of the cooling segment, it can still function as a non-combustion heating type flavor inhaler.

(Tobacco-containing segment)
The tobacco-containing segment 2 is formed by filling a cigarette paper (hereinafter also referred to as a wrapper) with a tobacco sheet produced by the method according to this embodiment. The method for filling the cigarette paper (hereinafter also referred to as a wrapper) with the tobacco sheet is not particularly limited, but for example, the tobacco sheet may be wrapped in the wrapper, or the tobacco sheet may be filled into a cylindrical wrapper. When the tobacco sheet has a longitudinal direction, such as a rectangular shape, the tobacco sheet may be filled so that the longitudinal direction is in an unspecified direction within the wrapper, or the tobacco sheet may be filled and aligned so that the longitudinal direction is in the axial direction of the tobacco-containing segment 2 or perpendicular to the axial direction.

(Cooling segment)
1, the cooling segment 3 may be formed of a cylindrical member 7. The cylindrical member 7 may be, for example, a cardboard tube formed into a cylindrical shape.

The tubular member 7 and the mouthpiece lining paper 12 described later are provided with perforations 8 penetrating both. Due to the presence of the perforations 8, outside air is introduced into the cooling segment 3 during inhalation. As a result, the vaporized aerosol components generated by heating the tobacco-containing segment 2 come into contact with the outside air, and as their temperature drops, they are liquefied to form an aerosol. The diameter (distance across) of the perforations 8 is not particularly limited, but may be, for example, 0.5 mm or more and 1.5 mm or less. The number of perforations 8 is not particularly limited, and may be one or two or more. For example, multiple perforations 8 may be provided around the circumference of the cooling segment 3.

The amount of outside air introduced through the perforations 8 is preferably 85% by volume or less, more preferably 80% by volume or less, of the total volume of gas inhaled by the user. By setting the ratio of the amount of outside air to 85% by volume or less, it is possible to sufficiently suppress the reduction in flavor due to dilution by outside air. This is also called the ventilation ratio. From the viewpoint of cooling performance, the lower limit of the ventilation ratio range is preferably 55% by volume or more, more preferably 60% by volume or more.

The cooling segment may also be a segment comprising a sheet of suitable construction material that is crinkled, pleated, gathered, or folded. The cross-sectional profile of such an element may exhibit randomly oriented channels. The cooling segment may also comprise a bundle of longitudinally extending tubes. Such a cooling segment may be formed, for example, by wrapping the pleated, gathered, or folded sheet material with a paper wrapper.

The axial length of the cooling segment can be, for example, 7 mm or more and 28 mm or less, for example, 18 mm. The cooling segment can also be substantially circular in its axial cross-sectional shape and have a diameter of, for example, 5 mm or more and 10 mm or less, for example, about 7 mm.

(Center hole segment)
The center hole segment is composed of a filling layer having one or more hollow parts and an inner plug wrapper (inner wrapping paper) covering the filling layer. For example, as shown in FIG. 1, the center hole segment 4 is composed of a second filling layer 9 having a hollow part and a second inner plug wrapper 10 covering the second filling layer 9. The center hole segment 4 has a function of increasing the strength of the mouthpiece segment 6. The second filling layer 9 can be, for example, a rod with an inner diameter of φ1.0 mm or more and φ5.0 mm or less, which is filled with cellulose acetate fibers at a high density and hardened by adding a plasticizer containing triacetin at 6% by mass or more and 20% by mass or less relative to the mass of cellulose acetate. Since the second filling layer 9 has a high fiber filling density, air and aerosol flow only through the hollow part during inhalation, and hardly flow inside the second filling layer 9. Since the second filling layer 9 inside the center hole segment 4 is a fiber filling layer, the touch from the outside during use is less likely to cause discomfort to the user. It is also possible that the center hole segment 4 does not have the second inner plug wrapper 10 and its shape is maintained by thermoforming.

(Filter Segment)
The configuration of the filter segment 5 is not particularly limited, and may be composed of one or more packed layers. The outside of the packed layer may be wrapped with one or more wrapping papers. The airflow resistance per segment of the filter segment 5 can be appropriately changed depending on the amount and material of the packing filled in the filter segment 5. For example, when the packing is cellulose acetate fiber, the airflow resistance can be increased by increasing the amount of cellulose acetate fiber filled in the filter segment 5. When the packing is cellulose acetate fiber, the packing density of the cellulose acetate fiber can be 0.13 to 0.18 g/cm ^3. The airflow resistance is a value measured by an airflow resistance measuring device (product name: SODIMAX, manufactured by SODIM).

The circumferential length of the filter segment 5 is not particularly limited, but is preferably 16 to 25 mm, more preferably 20 to 24 mm, and even more preferably 21 to 23 mm. The axial length of the filter segment 5 can be selected from 4 to 10 mm, and is selected so that the airflow resistance is 15 to 60 mmH ₂ O/seg. The axial length of the filter segment 5 is preferably 5 to 9 mm, and more preferably 6 to 8 mm. The cross-sectional shape of the filter segment 5 is not particularly limited, but may be, for example, a circle, an ellipse, a polygon, or the like. In addition, a destructible capsule containing a fragrance, fragrance beads, or a fragrance may be directly added to the filter segment 5.

As shown in FIG. 1, the center hole segment 4 and the filter segment 5 can be connected by an outer plug wrapper (outer wrapping paper) 11. The outer plug wrapper 11 can be, for example, a cylindrical paper. The tobacco-containing segment 2, the cooling segment 3, and the connected center hole segment 4 and filter segment 5 can be connected by a mouthpiece lining paper 12. These connections can be made, for example, by applying a vinyl acetate glue or other adhesive to the inner surface of the mouthpiece lining paper 12, inserting the three segments, and rolling them up. These segments may be connected in multiple separate instances using multiple lining papers.

[Non-combustion heating type flavor inhalation system]
The non-combustion heating type flavor inhalation system according to the present embodiment includes a non-combustion heating type flavor inhaler according to the present embodiment and a heating device for heating a tobacco-containing segment of the non-combustion heating type flavor inhaler. The non-combustion heating type flavor inhalation system according to the present embodiment may have other configurations in addition to the non-combustion heating type flavor inhaler according to the present embodiment and the heating device.

An example of a non-combustion heating type flavor inhalation system according to this embodiment is shown in Figure 2. The non-combustion heating type flavor inhalation system shown in Figure 2 includes a non-combustion heating type flavor inhaler 1 according to this embodiment, and a heating device 13 that heats the tobacco-containing segment of the non-combustion heating type flavor inhaler 1 from the outside.

2(a) shows the state before the non-combustion heating type flavor inhaler 1 is inserted into the heating device 13, and FIG. 2(b) shows the state after the non-combustion heating type flavor inhaler 1 is inserted into the heating device 13 and heated. The heating device 13 shown in FIG. 2 includes a body 14, a heater 15, a metal tube 16, a battery unit 17, and a control unit 18. The body 14 has a cylindrical recess 19, and the heater 15 and the metal tube 16 are arranged on the inner side of the recess 19 at a position corresponding to the tobacco-containing segment of the non-combustion heating type flavor inhaler 1 inserted into the recess 19. The heater 15 can be a heater using electrical resistance, and is heated by being supplied with power from the battery unit 17 in response to an instruction from the control unit 18 that controls the temperature. The heat generated by the heater 15 is transferred to the tobacco-containing segment of the non-combustion heating type flavor inhaler 1 through the metal tube 16, which has high thermal conductivity.

2(b) is a schematic illustration, and therefore there is a gap between the outer periphery of the non-combustion heating type flavor inhaler 1 and the inner periphery of the metal tube 16, but in reality, for the purpose of efficient heat transfer, it is preferable that there is no gap between the outer periphery of the non-combustion heating type flavor inhaler 1 and the inner periphery of the metal tube 16. Note that although the heating device 13 heats the tobacco-containing segment of the non-combustion heating type flavor inhaler 1 from the outside, it may also heat from the inside.

The heating temperature by the heating device is not particularly limited, but is preferably 400°C or less, more preferably 150°C to 400°C, and even more preferably 200°C to 350°C. The heating temperature refers to the temperature of the heater of the heating device.

Specific examples of this embodiment are described below, but the present invention is not limited to these.

[Example 1]
Tobacco lamina (tobacco leaves) was dry-milled in a Hosokawa Micron ACM machine to obtain tobacco powder. The cumulative 90% particle size (D90) of the volume-based particle size distribution measured by dry laser diffraction method using a Mastersizer (product name, manufactured by Malvern Panalytical Division, Spectris Co., Ltd.) was measured and found to be 200 μm.

A tobacco sheet was produced using the tobacco powder as the tobacco raw material. Specifically, 78 parts by mass of the tobacco raw material, 12 parts by mass of glycerin as an aerosol generating agent, 1 part by mass of carboxymethylcellulose swollen with water as a first molding agent, 4 parts by mass of powdered carboxymethylcellulose as a second molding agent, and 5 parts by mass of fibrous pulp as a reinforcing agent were mixed and kneaded in an extrusion molding machine. The kneaded mixture was molded into a sheet shape using two pairs of metal rolls to obtain a rolled molded product. A rotary noodle-making roll blade was pressed against the rolled molded product, which was cut into strips with a width of 0.8 mm and further cut to a length of 20 mm to obtain a sheet-like mixture.

The sheet mixture was then rapidly dried by an airflow drying method using an airflow dryer under conditions of a hot air temperature of 160°C, an air speed of 25.4 m/sec, and a drying time of 5 seconds. The moisture reduction rate during the drying was 1.6% WB/sec. The moisture content of the sheet mixture before drying was 21.3% WB, and the moisture content of the sheet mixture after drying was 13.2% WB. The obtained tobacco sheet had a curled shape.

The resulting tobacco sheet was measured for its bulkiness. Specifically, the tobacco sheet was left in a 22°C, 60% humidity chamber for 48 hours, and then the bulkiness was measured using a DD-60A (product name, manufactured by Borgwald). The measurement was performed by placing 15 g of the tobacco sheet in a cylindrical container with an inner diameter of 60 mm, and compressing it for 30 seconds under a load of 3 kg to determine the volume. The results are shown in Table 1. In Table 1, the bulkiness is shown as the increase in bulkiness (%) relative to the standard value, which is based on the bulkiness value of Comparative Example 1 described below.

[Comparative Example 1]
A sheet-like mixture was prepared in the same manner as in Example 1. It was then dried at 80°C for 240 seconds in an oven (product name: FG-220, manufactured by ADVANTEC) in which hot air was circulated. The moisture reduction rate during the drying was 0.04% WB/sec. The moisture content of the sheet-like mixture before drying was 21.3% WB, and the moisture content of the sheet-like mixture after drying was 12.7% WB. The tobacco sheet obtained did not have a curled shape. The swelling bulk of the tobacco sheet was measured in the same manner as in Example 1. The results are shown in Table 1.

In Example 1, in which a tobacco sheet was produced using the method according to this embodiment, the expansion and contractibility was improved compared to the tobacco sheet of Comparative Example 1, in which the moisture reduction rate during drying was less than 0.8% WB/sec.

Reference Signs List 1 Non-combustion heating type flavor inhaler 2 Tobacco-containing segment 3 Cooling segment 4 Center hole segment 5 Filter segment 6 Mouthpiece segment 7 Cylindrical member 8 Perforation 9 Second filling layer 10 Second inner plug wrapper 11 Outer plug wrapper 12 Mouthpiece lining paper 13 Heating device 14 Body 15 Heater 16 Metal tube 17 Battery unit 18 Control unit 19 Recess

Claims (14)

forming a mixture containing a tobacco raw material and an aerosol generating agent into a sheet shape;
drying the mixture formed into a sheet;
A method for producing a tobacco sheet for a non-combustion heating type flavor inhaler, comprising:
The method for producing a tobacco sheet for a non-combustion heating-type flavor inhaler, wherein the moisture reduction rate during drying is 0.8% WB/sec or more. The method for producing tobacco sheets for non-combustion heating type flavor inhalers according to claim 1, wherein the drying is carried out by an airflow drying method. The method for producing tobacco sheets for non-combustion heating type flavor inhalers according to claim 2, wherein the temperature of the hot air blown onto the mixture formed into a sheet in the airflow drying method is 140 to 350°C. 3. The method for producing a tobacco sheet for a non-combustion heating type flavor inhaler according to claim 2 , wherein in the flash drying method, the hot air blown onto the mixture formed into a sheet has a wind speed of 12 to 50 m/sec. The method for producing a tobacco sheet for a non-combustion heating type flavor inhaler according to claim 1, wherein the moisture content of the mixture formed into a sheet before drying is 20 to 50% WB, and the moisture content of the mixture formed into a sheet after drying is 8 to 15 % WB. 2. The method for producing a tobacco sheet for a non-combustion heating type flavor inhaler according to claim 1 , wherein the tobacco raw material is at least one type of tobacco powder selected from the group consisting of leaf tobacco, midrib and stem residue. 2. The method for producing a tobacco sheet for a non-combustion heating type flavor inhaler according to claim 1 , wherein the ratio of the tobacco raw material contained in 100% by mass of the mixture is 45 to 95% by mass on a dry basis. The method for producing a tobacco sheet for a non-combustion heating-type flavor inhaler according to claim 1 , wherein the aerosol generating agent is at least one selected from the group consisting of glycerin, propylene glycol, and 1,3-butanediol. 2. The method for producing a tobacco sheet for a non-combustion heating-type flavor inhaler according to claim 1 , wherein the ratio of the aerosol generating agent contained in 100% by mass of the mixture is 4 to 50% by mass on a dry basis. The method for producing a tobacco sheet for a non-combustion heating-type flavor inhaler according to claim 1 , wherein the mixture further comprises a molding agent. The method for producing a tobacco sheet for a non-combustion heating type flavor inhaler according to claim 10, wherein the molding agent is at least one selected from the group consisting of polysaccharides, proteins, and synthetic polymers. The method for producing a tobacco sheet for a non-combustion heating-type flavor inhaler according to claim 10, wherein the proportion of the molding agent contained in 100% by mass of the mixture is 0.1 to 15% by mass on a dry basis. The method for producing a tobacco sheet for a non-combustion heating-type flavor inhaler according to claim 1 , wherein the mixture further comprises a fibrous material as a reinforcing agent. The method for producing a tobacco sheet for a non-combustion heating type flavor inhaler according to claim 13, wherein the ratio of the fibrous material contained in 100% by mass of the mixture is 5 to 50% by mass on a dry basis.