CN118139538A - Tobacco sheet for non-combustion heating type flavor inhaler, non-combustion heating type flavor inhaler, and non-combustion heating type flavor inhaler system - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention relates to a tobacco sheet for a non-combustion heating type flavor inhaler, which comprises a tobacco powder having a cumulative 90% particle diameter (D90) of 200 [ mu ] m or more in a volume-based particle size distribution measured by a dry laser diffraction method.

Description

Tobacco sheet for non-combustion heating type flavor inhaler, non-combustion heating type flavor inhaler, and non-combustion heating type flavor inhaler system

Technical Field

The present invention relates to a tobacco sheet for a non-combustion heating type flavor inhaler, a non-combustion heating type flavor inhaler, and a non-combustion heating type flavor inhalation system.

Background technique

In a combustion type flavor inhaler (cigarette), a tobacco filler containing tobacco leaves is burned to obtain a flavor. As an alternative to the combustion type flavor inhaler, a non-combustion heating type flavor inhaler is proposed, which obtains a flavor by heating a flavor source such as tobacco sheets instead of burning. 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, from the viewpoint of increasing the amount of smoke, an aerosol generator can be added to the flavor source for the non-combustion heating type flavor inhaler. The aerosol generator is vaporized by heating to generate an aerosol. The aerosol is supplied to the user along with flavor components such as tobacco components, and the user can obtain sufficient flavor.

The non-combustion heating type flavor inhaler may, for example, include: a tobacco-containing section filled with tobacco sheets, a cooling section, and a filter section. As for the axial length of the tobacco-containing section of the non-combustion heating type flavor inhaler, due to its relationship with the heating heater, it is usually shorter than the axial length of the tobacco-containing section of the combustion type flavor inhaler. Therefore, in the non-combustion heating type flavor inhaler, in order to ensure the amount of aerosol generated during heating, a large amount of tobacco sheets, etc. are filled in the interval of the short tobacco-containing section. In order to fill a large amount of tobacco sheets, etc. in a short interval, in the non-combustion heating type flavor inhaler, low fluffiness, i.e., high-density tobacco sheets are usually used. It should be noted that fluffiness is a value indicating the volume when the filaments of a given mass of tobacco sheets are compressed for a certain time at a certain pressure. For example, patent documents 1 and 2 disclose tobacco sheets for non-combustion heating type flavor inhalers.

Prior art literature

Patent Literature

Patent Document 1: Japanese Patent No. 5969923

Patent Document 2: International Publication No. 2020/058814

Summary of the invention

Problems to be solved by the invention

However, the inventors have found that, taking into account the heating method, the heating capacity of the heater, and the generation of aerosol, when a tobacco sheet with low fluffiness (high density) is used, the total heat capacity of the tobacco-containing section increases. Therefore, depending on the heating method and the capacity of the heater, the tobacco sheet filled in the tobacco-containing section may not fully exert the aerosol generation effect. In order to solve this problem, it is conceivable to reduce the total heat capacity of the tobacco-containing section.

In order to reduce the total heat capacity of the tobacco-containing section, the inventors have studied (1) reducing the specific heat of the tobacco raw material contained in the tobacco sheet, and (2) using a tobacco sheet with high fluffiness (low density). However, for (1), it is very difficult to reduce the specific heat of the tobacco raw material itself, so it is considered effective to reduce the total heat capacity of the tobacco-containing section by (2). Therefore, it is desired to develop a tobacco sheet with high fluffiness (low density) suitable for use in a non-combustion heating type flavor inhaler.

An object of the present invention is to provide a tobacco sheet for a non-combustion heating type flavor inhaler having high fluffiness, a non-combustion heating type flavor inhaler including the tobacco sheet, and a non-combustion heating type flavor inhaler system.

Solution to the problem

The present invention includes the following embodiments.

Method 1

A tobacco sheet for a non-combustion heating-type flavor inhaler, comprising tobacco powder, wherein the cumulative 90% particle size (D90) of the tobacco powder in a volume-based particle size distribution measured by a dry laser diffraction method is 200 μm or more.

Method 2

The sheet according to embodiment 1, wherein the tobacco powder is a dry tobacco material.

The above-mentioned sheet further comprises an aerosol generator,

The sheet has a moisture content of more than 5% by mass and 7.5% by mass or less.

Method 3

The sheet according to embodiment 2, wherein the aerosol generating agent is a mixture of glycerin and propylene glycol.

Method 4

The sheet according to embodiment 1, wherein the tobacco powder is a dry tobacco material.

The sheet contains less than 20% by mass of an aerosol generator,

The sheet has a moisture content of 3 to 5% by mass.

Method 5

The sheet according to embodiment 4, wherein the aerosol generating agent is a mixture of propylene glycol and glycerin.

Method 6

A non-combustion heat-type flavor inhaler comprising a tobacco-containing section including the tobacco sheet for a non-combustion heat-type flavor inhaler according to any one of aspects 1 to 5.

Method 7

A non-combustion heating type aroma inhalation system, comprising:

The non-combustion heating type flavor inhaler according to embodiment 6, and

A heating device is provided for heating the tobacco-containing section.

Effects of the Invention

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

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view showing an example of a non-combustion heating type flavor inhaler according to the present embodiment.

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

FIG. 3 is a diagram schematically illustrating the manufacture of a dry tobacco filler material.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing an example of a non-combustion heating type flavor inhaler.

FIG. 5 is a diagram showing the internal structure of the aerosol generating device.

FIG. 6 is a perspective view showing an example of a cigarette box in a closed state.

FIG. 7 is a perspective view showing the cigarette box of FIG. 6 in an opened state.

8 is a graph showing the relationship between the heating time in the microwave oven and the moisture content of the tobacco filler material and the relationship between the heating time in the microwave oven and the surface temperature of the tobacco filler material.

FIG. 9 is a graph showing the relationship between the amount of silica gel and the moisture content of the tobacco filler.

FIG. 10 is a graph showing the relationship between the moisture content of the tobacco filler and the mainstream smoke temperature and the relationship between the moisture content of the tobacco filler and the tipping portion temperature.

FIG. 11 is a graph showing the relationship between the moisture content of the tobacco filler and the nicotine content in the tobacco filler.

FIG. 12 is a graph showing the relationship between the moisture content of the tobacco filler and the content of glycerin in the tobacco filler.

FIG. 13 is a graph showing the relationship between the moisture content of the tobacco filler and the content of propylene glycol in the tobacco filler.

14 is a graph showing the relationship between the heating time in the microwave oven and the moisture content of the tobacco filler material and the relationship between the heating time in the microwave oven and the surface temperature of the tobacco filler material.

FIG. 15 is a graph showing the relationship between the amount of silica gel and the moisture content of the tobacco filler.

16 is a graph showing the relationship between the moisture content of the tobacco filler and the mainstream smoke temperature and the relationship between the moisture content of the tobacco filler and the tipping portion temperature.

FIG. 17 is a graph showing the relationship between the moisture content of the tobacco filler and the nicotine content in mainstream smoke.

FIG. 18 is a graph showing the relationship between the moisture content of the tobacco filler and the glycerin content in the mainstream smoke.

FIG. 19 is a graph showing the relationship between the moisture content of the tobacco filler and the content of propylene glycol in mainstream smoke.

FIG. 20A is a graph showing the relationship between the content of an aerosol generating agent in a tobacco filler and the content of a component in mainstream smoke.

FIG. 20B is a graph showing the relationship between the content of glycerin in the tobacco filler and the content of components in mainstream smoke.

FIG. 21A is a graph showing the relationship between the content of an aerosol generating agent in a tobacco filler and the content of a component in mainstream smoke.

FIG. 21B is a graph showing the relationship between the content of propylene glycol in the tobacco filler and the content of components in mainstream smoke.

Symbol Description

1Non-combustion heating type aroma inhaler

2 Tobacco-containing sections

3 Cooling section

4 center hole sections

5 filter sections

6 Mouthpiece section

7 Cylindrical member

8. Perforation

9 Second filling layer

10 Second inner rod packaging material

11 Outer rod packaging material

12 Cigarette holder lining paper

13 Heating device

14 Body

15 Heater

16 Metal pipe

17 Battery Cell

18 Control Unit

19 Concave

T1a Tobacco materials

T1b Drying tobacco material

T2 Aerosol Generator

T3a Untreated tobacco filling material

T3b Dry tobacco filler material

Detailed ways

[Tobacco sheets for non-combustion heating type flavor inhalers]

The tobacco sheet for the non-combustion heating-type flavor inhaler (hereinafter also referred to as "tobacco sheet") of the present embodiment contains tobacco powder having a cumulative 90% particle size (D90) of 200 μm or more in a volume-based particle size distribution measured by dry laser diffraction.

In the tobacco sheet of the present embodiment, the D90 of the tobacco powder measured by the dry laser diffraction method is 200 μm or more, so the gaps between the tobacco powder in the tobacco sheet are large, and it is estimated that the gaps contribute to improving the fluffiness of the tobacco sheet. In addition, the tobacco sheet of the present embodiment preferably further contains an aerosol generator and a shaping agent, and by making the mixing ratio of these agents within a given range, the fluffiness of the tobacco sheet is further improved.

(Tobacco Powder)

As tobacco powder contained in the tobacco sheet of the present embodiment, for example, tobacco leaves, leaf veins, residual stems, etc. can be cited. These can be used alone or in combination of two or more. By cutting them into a given size, they can be used as tobacco powder. As the size of the tobacco powder, the cumulative 90% particle size (D90) in the volume-based particle size distribution measured by dry laser diffraction method is 200 μm or more, preferably 350 μm or more, and more preferably 500 μm or more. The upper limit of the range of this D90 is not particularly limited, and can be, for example, 2000 μm or less.

In addition, as the size of tobacco powder, from the viewpoint of further improving the fluffiness of tobacco sheets, the cumulative 50% particle size (D50) in the volume-based particle size distribution measured by dry laser diffraction is preferably 40 μm or more, more preferably 100 μm or more, and more preferably 200 μm or more. The upper limit of the range of this D50 is not particularly limited, and can be, for example, 1000 μm or less. It should be noted that, in the present embodiment, the determination of D90 and D50 based on dry laser diffraction can be performed using, for example, Mastersizer (trade name, Spectris company Malvern Panalytical Division system).

The ratio of tobacco powder contained in 100% by mass of the tobacco sheet is preferably 45 to 95% by mass. By making the ratio of the above-mentioned tobacco powder 45% or more by mass, tobacco aroma can be fully generated when heated. In addition, by making the ratio of the above-mentioned tobacco powder 95% or less by mass, a sufficient amount of aerosol generating agent and shaping agent can be included. The ratio of the above-mentioned tobacco powder is more preferably 50 to 93% by mass, further preferably 55 to 90% by mass, and particularly preferably 60 to 88% by mass.

(Aerosol Generator)

From the viewpoint of increasing the amount of smoke during heating, the tobacco sheet of this embodiment preferably further contains an aerosol generator. Examples of the aerosol generator include glycerin, propylene glycol, and 1,3-butylene glycol. These may be used alone or in combination of two or more.

When the tobacco sheet contains an aerosol generator, the proportion of the aerosol generator contained in 100% by mass of the tobacco sheet is preferably 4 to 50% by mass. By making the proportion of the above-mentioned aerosol generator 4% or more, from the viewpoint of quantity, sufficient aerosol can be generated when heated. In addition, by making the proportion of the above-mentioned aerosol generator 50% or less, from the viewpoint of heat capacity, sufficient aerosol can be generated when heated. The proportion of the above-mentioned aerosol generator is more preferably 6 to 40% by mass, further preferably 8 to 30% by mass, and particularly preferably 10 to 20% by mass.

(Forming agent)

From the viewpoint of ensuring the shape, the tobacco sheet of the present embodiment preferably further comprises a shaping agent. As the shaping agent, for example, polysaccharides, proteins, synthetic polymers, etc. can be cited. These can be used alone or in combination of two or more. As the polysaccharides, for example, cellulose derivatives and polysaccharides of natural origin can be cited.

Examples of cellulose derivatives include cellulose ethers such as methyl cellulose, ethyl cellulose, hydroxyethyl cellulose, hydroxymethyl ethyl cellulose, hydroxypropyl cellulose, hydroxypropyl methyl 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 toluenesulfonyl cellulose; and inorganic acid esters such as cellulose nitrate, cellulose sulfate, cellulose phosphate, and cellulose xanthate.

Examples of naturally derived polysaccharides include: plant-derived polysaccharides such as guar gum, tara gum, locust bean gum, tamarind gum, pectin, gum arabic, tragacanth gum, karaya gum, ghatti gum, arabinogalactan, linseed gum, cassia gum, psyllium seed gum, and artemisia seed gum; algae-derived polysaccharides such as carrageenan, agar, alginic acid, propylene glycol alginate, furcellaran, and cystis extract; microbial-derived polysaccharides such as xanthan gum, gellan gum, curdlan, pullulan, agrobacterium succinoglycan, brussel gum, macrophomopsis gum, and rhamsan gum; crustacean-derived polysaccharides such as chitin, chitosan, and glucosamine; and starches such as starch, sodium starch glycolate, alpha-starch, and dextrin.

Examples of the protein include cereal proteins such as wheat gluten and rye gluten. Examples of the synthetic polymer include polyphosphoric acid, sodium polyacrylate, and polyvinyl pyrrolidone.

In the case where the tobacco sheet contains a shaping agent, the proportion of the shaping agent contained in 100% by mass of the tobacco sheet is preferably 0.1 to 15% by mass. By making the proportion of the above-mentioned shaping agent 0.1% or more by mass, the mixture of raw materials can be formed into a sheet. In addition, by making the proportion of the above-mentioned shaping agent 15% or less by mass, other raw materials for ensuring the function required by the tobacco-containing section of the non-combustion heating type flavor inhaler can be fully utilized. The proportion of the above-mentioned shaping agent is more preferably 0.2 to 13% by mass, further preferably 0.5 to 12% by mass, and particularly preferably 1 to 10% by mass.

(Enhancer)

From the viewpoint of further improving physical properties, the tobacco sheet of the present embodiment may further include a reinforcing agent. Examples of reinforcing agents include fibrous materials such as fibrous pulp, insoluble fibers, and fibrous synthetic cellulose, and liquid materials with a surface coating function that form a film when a pectin suspension is dried, etc. These may be used alone or in combination of two or more.

When the tobacco sheet contains a reinforcing agent, the ratio of the reinforcing agent contained in 100% by mass of the tobacco sheet is preferably 4 to 60% by mass. In the case of this range, other raw materials for ensuring the functions required by the tobacco-containing section of the non-combustion heating type flavor inhaler can be fully utilized. The ratio of the reinforcing agent is more preferably 4.5 to 55% by mass, and further preferably 5 to 50% by mass.

(moisturizer)

From the viewpoint of maintaining quality, the tobacco sheet of the present embodiment may further include a humectant. As a humectant, for example, sugar alcohols such as sorbitol, erythritol, xylitol, maltitol, lactitol, mannitol, and reduced maltose syrup may be cited. These may be used alone or in combination of two or more.

When the tobacco sheet contains a humectant, the proportion of the humectant contained in 100% by mass of the tobacco sheet is preferably 1 to 15% by mass. In the case of this range, other raw materials for ensuring the functions required by the tobacco-containing section of the non-combustion heating type flavor inhaler can be fully utilized. The proportion of the above-mentioned humectant is more preferably 2 to 12% by mass, and further preferably 3 to 10% by mass.

(Other ingredients)

The tobacco sheet of this embodiment may contain, in addition to the tobacco powder, the aerosol generating agent, the shaping agent, the reinforcing agent, and the moisturizing agent, flavoring agents such as flavoring agents, coloring agents, wetting agents, preservatives, and diluents such as inorganic substances as needed.

(Fluffy)

The fluffiness of the tobacco sheet of the present embodiment is preferably 190cc/100g or more. By making the fluffiness 190cc/100g or more, the total heat capacity of the tobacco-containing section of the non-combustion heating type flavor inhaler can be fully reduced, and the tobacco sheet filled in the tobacco-containing section can be more helpful in generating aerosol. The fluffiness is more preferably 210cc/100g or more, and more preferably 230cc/100g or more. The upper limit of the range of the fluffiness is not particularly limited, and can be, for example, 800cc/100g or less. It should be noted that the fluffiness is a value measured by DD-60A (trade name, made by Borgward) after the tobacco sheet is cut into a size of 0.8mm×9.5mm and stored in a room adjusted to 22°C and 60% for 48 hours. The measurement is carried out by placing 15g of the cut tobacco sheet into a cylindrical container with an inner diameter of 60mm and obtaining the volume when compressed with a load of 3kg for 30 seconds.

(Composition of tobacco flakes)

In the present embodiment, the "tobacco sheet" is formed by molding the components constituting the tobacco sheet, such as tobacco powder, into a sheet shape. Here, "sheet" refers to a shape having a pair of substantially parallel main surfaces and side surfaces. The length and width of the tobacco sheet are not particularly limited and can be appropriately adjusted according to the filling method. The thickness of the tobacco sheet is not particularly limited, and is preferably 100 to 1000 μm, more preferably 150 to 600 μm, from the perspective of both heat transfer efficiency and strength.

(Method for producing tobacco sheets)

The tobacco sheet of the present embodiment can be produced by a known method such as calendaring or casting. The details of various tobacco sheets produced by such methods are disclosed in "Tobacco Dictionary, Tobacco Comprehensive Research Center, 2009.3.31".

＜Rolling method＞

As a method for producing a tobacco sheet by a calendaring method, for example, there can be mentioned a method including the following steps.

(1) A step of mixing water, tobacco powder, an aerosol generating agent, a shaping agent and a reinforcing agent to obtain a mixture.

(2) A step of placing the mixture into a calendering roll for calendering.

(3) A step of drying the calendered product using a dryer.

When manufacturing tobacco sheets by this method, the surface of the calendering roller can be heated or cooled according to the purpose, and the rotation speed of the calendering roller can be adjusted. In addition, the interval between the calendering rollers can be adjusted. In order to obtain a tobacco sheet with a desired unit area weight, more than one calendering roller can be used.

＜Casting method＞

As a method of manufacturing a tobacco sheet by a casting method, for example, there can be mentioned a method including the following steps.

(1) A step of mixing water, tobacco powder, an aerosol generating agent, a molding agent and pulp to obtain a mixture.

(2) A step of thinly spreading (casting) the mixture and drying it to form a tobacco sheet.

When the tobacco sheet is produced by this method, a step of removing some components such as nitrosamines by irradiating a slurry obtained by mixing water, tobacco powder, an aerosol generating agent, a molding agent and pulp with ultraviolet rays or X-rays may be added.

[Non-combustion heating type aroma inhaler]

The non-combustion heating type flavor inhaler of the present embodiment includes a tobacco-containing section including the tobacco sheet of the present embodiment. The non-combustion heating type flavor inhaler of the present embodiment includes a tobacco-containing section filled with the highly fluffy tobacco sheet of the present embodiment, so the total heat capacity of the tobacco-containing section can be sufficiently reduced, and the tobacco sheet filled in the tobacco-containing section is more conducive to the generation of aerosol.

An example of the non-combustion heating type flavor inhaler of the present embodiment is shown in FIG1. The non-combustion heating type flavor inhaler 1 shown in FIG1 comprises: a tobacco-containing section 2 filled with tobacco sheets of the present embodiment, etc., a cylindrical cooling section 3 having perforations 8 on the circumference, a center hole section 4, and a filter section 5. The non-combustion heating type flavor inhaler of the present embodiment may have other sections in addition to the tobacco-containing section, the cooling section, the center hole section, and the filter section.

The axial length of the non-combustion heating type flavor inhaler of the present embodiment is not particularly limited, and is preferably 40 mm or more and 90 mm or less, more preferably 50 mm or more and 75 mm or less, and further preferably 50 mm or more and 60 mm or less. In addition, 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 further preferably 21 mm or more and 23 mm or less. For example, the length of the tobacco-containing section is 20 mm, the length of the cooling section is 20 mm, the length of the center hole section is 8 mm, and the length of the filter section is 7 mm. It should be noted that the length of the filter section can be selected within the range of 4 mm or more and 10 mm or less. In addition, the ventilation resistance of the filter section at this time can be selected in a manner that the average per section is 15 mmH ₂ O/seg or more and 60 mmH ₂ O/seg or less. The lengths of these sections can be appropriately changed according to manufacturing adaptability, required quality, etc. Furthermore, even if only the filter segment is disposed on the downstream side of the cooling segment without using the center hole segment, it is possible to function as a non-combustion heating type flavor inhaler.

(Including tobacco section)

The tobacco-containing section 2 is filled with tobacco sheets of the present embodiment in the rolling paper (hereinafter also referred to as packaging material). The method of filling tobacco sheets in the rolling paper (hereinafter also referred to as packaging material) is not particularly limited, for example, the tobacco sheets can be wrapped with packaging material, or the tobacco sheets can be filled in the cylindrical packaging material. In the case where the shape of the tobacco sheet has a length direction such as a rectangular shape, the tobacco sheets can be filled in the packaging material in such a way that the length direction is respectively an unspecified direction, or can be arranged and filled in such a way that it is the axial direction of the tobacco-containing section 2 or a direction perpendicular to the axial direction. In addition, the tobacco sheet can be introduced in the form of a laminate of sheets, can be introduced in a spirally wound form, or can be introduced in a corrugated form folded.

(Cooling section)

As shown in Fig. 1, the cooling section 3 may be constituted by a cylindrical member 7. The cylindrical member 7 may be, for example, a paper tube obtained by processing thick paper into a cylindrical shape.

A perforation 8 is provided on the tubular member 7 and the later-described cigarette holder lining paper 12, which passes through both. Due to the presence of the perforation 8, external air is introduced into the cooling section 3 during inhalation. As a result, the vaporized components of the aerosol generated by heating the tobacco-containing section 2 come into contact with the external atmosphere, and its temperature is reduced, so it liquefies and forms an aerosol. The diameter (diameter length) of the perforation 8 is not particularly limited, and can be, for example, greater than 0.5 mm and less than 1.5 mm. The number of perforations 8 is not particularly limited, and can be 1 or more than 2. For example, a plurality of perforations 8 can be provided on the circumference of the cooling section 3.

The amount of external air introduced from the perforation 8 is preferably 85% by volume or less, more preferably 80% by volume or less relative to the total volume of the gas inhaled by the user. By making the ratio of the above-mentioned external air amount 85% by volume or less, the reduction of fragrance due to dilution by external air can be fully suppressed. It should be noted that, in other words, it is also referred to as the ventilation ratio. From the perspective of cooling, the lower limit of the range of the ventilation ratio is preferably 55% by volume or more, more preferably 60% by volume or more.

Alternatively, the cooling section may be a section comprising a sheet of a suitable constituent material that is pleated, pleated, gathered, or folded. The cross-sectional profile of such elements sometimes exhibits randomly oriented channels. Alternatively, the cooling section may comprise a bundle of longitudinally extending tubes. Such a cooling section may be formed, for example, from a sheet material that is pleated, pleated, or folded from a tissue wrap.

The axial length of the cooling section may be, for example, 7 mm to 28 mm, for example, 18 mm. In addition, the axial cross-sectional shape of the cooling section may be substantially circular, and its diameter may be, for example, 5 mm to 10 mm, for example, about 7 mm.

(Center hole section)

The center hole section is composed of a filling layer having one or more hollow parts and an inner rod packaging material (inner winding paper) covering the filling layer. For example, as shown in FIG. 1 , the center hole section 4 is composed of a second filling layer 9 having a hollow part and a second inner rod packaging material 10 covering the second filling layer 9. The center hole section 4 has the function of increasing the strength of the mouthpiece section 6. The second filling layer 9 can be made into 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 a plasticizer containing triacetin is added at a rate of 6% by mass or more and 20% by mass or less relative to the mass of cellulose acetate and solidified. The fiber filling density of the second filling layer 9 is high, so when inhaling, air and aerosol only flow through the hollow part and basically do not flow through the second filling layer 9. Since the second filling layer 9 inside the center hole section 4 is a fiber filling layer, the touch feeling from the outside during use will basically not make the user feel uncomfortable. It should be noted that the center hole section 4 can be formed without the second inner rod packaging material 10 and its shape can be maintained by thermoforming.

(Filter section)

The structure of the filter segment 5 is not particularly limited, and it can be composed of a single or multiple filling layers. The outer side of the filling layer can be wrapped with one or more pieces of wrapping paper. The average air flow resistance of each segment of the filter segment 5 can be appropriately changed according to the amount and material of the filler filled in the filter segment 5. For example, in the case where the filler is cellulose acetate fiber, if the amount of cellulose acetate fiber filled in the filter segment 5 is increased, the air flow resistance will increase. In the case where the filler is cellulose acetate fiber, the filling density of cellulose acetate fiber can be 0.13 to 0.18 g/cm ^3. It should be noted that the air flow resistance is a value measured using an air flow resistance measuring instrument (trade name: SODIMAX, manufactured by SODIM).

The circumferential length of the filter segment 5 is not particularly limited, and is preferably 16 to 25 mm, more preferably 20 to 24 mm, and further preferably 21 to 23 mm. The axial length of the filter segment 5 can be selected to be 4 to 10 mm, and can be selected so that its ventilation 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 shape of the cross section of the filter segment 5 is not particularly limited, and can be, for example, circular, elliptical, polygonal, etc. In addition, destructive capsules, flavor beads, and flavors containing flavors can be directly added to the filter segment 5.

As shown in FIG1 , the center hole section 4 and the filter section 5 can be connected by an outer rod packaging material (outer winding paper) 11. The outer rod packaging material 11 can be, for example, a cylindrical paper. In addition, the tobacco-containing section 2, the cooling section 3, and the connected center hole section 4 and the filter section 5 can be connected by a cigarette holder lining paper 12. They can be connected, for example, by applying a slurry such as vinyl acetate slurry on the inner side of the cigarette holder lining paper 12 and putting the above three sections in for winding. It should be noted that these sections can be connected together by being separated multiple times by multiple lining papers.

[Non-combustion heating type aroma inhalation system]

The non-combustion heating type flavor inhalation system of the present embodiment comprises the non-combustion heating type flavor inhaler of the present embodiment and a heating device for heating the tobacco-containing section of the non-combustion heating type flavor inhaler. The non-combustion heating type flavor inhalation system of the present embodiment may also have other configurations in addition to the non-combustion heating type flavor inhaler of the present embodiment and the above-mentioned heating device.

An example of the non-combustion heating type flavor inhalation system of this embodiment is shown in Fig. 2. The non-combustion heating type flavor inhalation system shown in Fig. 2 includes the non-combustion heating type flavor inhaler 1 of this embodiment and a heating device 13 for heating the tobacco-containing section of the non-combustion heating type flavor inhaler 1 from the outside.

FIG. 2( a ) shows a state before the non-combustion heating type flavor inhaler 1 is inserted into the heating device 13, and FIG. 2( b ) shows a state in which the non-combustion heating type flavor inhaler 1 is inserted into the heating device 13 for heating. 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 surface of the recess 19 and at a position corresponding to the tobacco-containing section of the non-combustion heating type flavor inhaler 1 inserted into the recess 19. The heater 15 may be a heater based on resistance, and power is supplied from the battery unit 17 according to an instruction from the control unit 18 for temperature control to heat the heater 15. The heat generated by the heater 15 is conducted to the tobacco-containing section of the non-combustion heating type flavor inhaler 1 through the metal tube 16 with high thermal conductivity.

2( b) schematically illustrates that 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. In fact, for the purpose of efficient heat conduction, it is preferred 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. It should be noted that the heating device 13 heats the tobacco-containing section of the non-combustion heating type flavor inhaler 1 from the outside, and can also heat it 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. or more and 400° C. or less, and further preferably 200° C. or more and 350° C. or less. The heating temperature refers to the temperature of the heater of the heating device.

In addition, the inventors have discovered the following new problem: unlike smoking articles such as cigarettes, the moisture of the tobacco material and the vapor generated by the aerosol generator do not diffuse from the front end of the article due to heating, so the user feels the heat of the aerosol and the heat of the mouth end of the article when inhaling. Therefore, the following is a description of a tobacco sheet as a first embodiment, which can provide a non-combustion heating type flavor inhaler in which the user is unlikely to feel the heat of the aerosol and the heat of the mouth end of the article when inhaling, and the quality stability of the tobacco filling material is excellent, and the use satisfaction is further improved.

In addition, a tobacco sheet as a second embodiment is described, which can provide a non-combustion heating type flavor inhaler in which the user is less likely to feel the heat of the aerosol and the heat of the mouth end of the article when inhaling, and has an improved inhalation feeling.

[First method]

For the tobacco sheet of this embodiment, the tobacco powder is a dry tobacco material, the tobacco sheet contains an aerosol generator, and has a moisture content greater than 5% by mass and less than 7.5% by mass. In this specification, the sheet may contain ingredients other than the dry tobacco material and the aerosol generator, or may not contain them. In addition, the aerosol generator is sometimes referred to as an aerosol source.

＜1. Dry tobacco filling material＞

According to one aspect of the present embodiment, a sheet can be provided, which contains a dry tobacco material as the above-mentioned tobacco powder and an aerosol generator, and has a moisture content greater than 5% by mass and less than 7.5% by mass. The material containing the dry tobacco material as the above-mentioned tobacco powder and an aerosol generator and having a moisture content greater than 5% by mass and less than 7.5% by mass is also referred to as a "dry tobacco filler material". The shape of the "dry tobacco filler material" is arbitrary, and in the present embodiment, it can be made into a sheet by a common method.

The "dried tobacco filler material" has a moisture content greater than 5% by mass and less than 7.5% by mass, preferably 5.1 to 7.5% by mass, more preferably 5.1 to 7.0% by mass, and further preferably 5.5 to 7.0% by mass. In this specification, the moisture content of the dried tobacco filler material indicates the ratio (mass %) of the mass of water to the total mass of the dried tobacco filler material.

The "dried tobacco filler material" can be obtained by drying the above-mentioned tobacco powder and aerosol generator. In addition, as shown in Figure 3, the "dried tobacco filler material" can also be obtained by drying the "tobacco filler material used in the existing non-combustion heating type flavor inhaler (hereinafter also referred to as untreated tobacco filler material)". The untreated tobacco filler material T3a contains tobacco material T1a and an aerosol generator T2, and usually has a moisture content of 10 to 15% by mass. Preferably, the tobacco material T1a is a tobacco powder with a D90 of 200μm or more. The moisture content of the untreated tobacco filler material also represents the ratio (mass %) of the mass of water to the total mass of the untreated tobacco filler material. When the untreated tobacco filler material T3a is dried, the moisture of the tobacco material T1a is removed, thereby preparing the dried tobacco filler material T3b. Therefore, in this specification, the tobacco material contained in the "dried tobacco filler material" is referred to as the "dried tobacco material". When the untreated tobacco filling material T3a is dried, the tobacco material T1a becomes a dry tobacco material T1b by removing moisture, but the aerosol generator T2 is not removed and most of it remains. The tobacco material T1b is a tobacco powder with a D90 of 200 μm or more. The aerosol generator T2 may exist on the surface of the tobacco material T1a and the dry tobacco material T1b, or may penetrate the tobacco material T1a and the dry tobacco material T1b and be introduced into the inside thereof.

Specifically, the "tobacco material T1a" contained in the untreated tobacco filling material T3a can be shredded tobacco (having the above-mentioned particle size) ready for use in tobacco products, or a tobacco molded body obtained by molding the raw material containing the shredded tobacco into any shape. "Shredded tobacco ready for use in tobacco products" can usually be prepared through a drying process performed by farmers, a long-term aging process of one to several years in a raw material factory, and various processing such as mixing and shredding in a manufacturing factory. Here, "shredded tobacco ready for use in tobacco products" can be shredded tobacco leaves, shredded leaf stems, shredded regenerated tobacco (i.e., tobacco materials formed by processing leaf scraps, silk scraps, leaf stem scraps, fine powder, etc. produced in the factory's operating procedures into shapes that can be reused), or any material in a mixture thereof.

In this embodiment, the tobacco molded body refers to a sheet. As described above, the sheet can be molded by a known method such as papermaking, casting, and calendaring.

In order to maintain the shape as a molded body, the tobacco molded body may include at least one binder selected from, for example, pullulan and hydroxypropyl cellulose. The binder may be contained in an amount that exerts the effect as a binder and does not reduce the release of tobacco flavor components, and may usually be contained in an amount of 0.5 to 15% by mass relative to the total mass of the tobacco molded body. Alternatively, in the case where the tobacco molded body can maintain the shape of the molded body without using a binder, the binder may not be contained. In the case where the binder hinders the release of tobacco flavor components from the tobacco molded body, the binder is preferably not contained.

In order to adjust the amount of water, the tobacco forming body can include a humectant. The humectant also functions as an aerosol generator. As a humectant, a polyol can be used, and examples thereof include glycerol, propylene glycol, sorbitol, xylitol, erythritol, etc. These polyols can be used in one kind, or in combination of two or more kinds. When containing a humectant, it can usually be contained in an amount of 5 to 15% by mass relative to the gross mass of the tobacco forming body.

In addition, the tobacco forming body can be supplemented with flavor materials, and the flavor materials can be solid or liquid. Examples of flavor materials include menthol, spearmint, peppermint, cocoa, carob, coriander, licorice, orange peel rose hips, chamomile pollen, lemon verbena, sugars (fructose, sucrose, etc.), etc. The above-mentioned flavor materials can usually be contained in an amount of 0.5 to 45% by mass relative to the total mass of the tobacco forming body.

"Aerosol generator" is a source (liquid) for generating vapor (gas) when the dry tobacco filling material is combined with a non-combustion heating type flavor inhaler and heated. "Aerosol generator" is a source (liquid) of a dispersion medium (gas) for generating aerosol (mainstream smoke), and does not contain particles (tobacco flavor components, etc.) in the aerosol. That is, the tobacco flavor components are transferred from the dry tobacco material to the vapor generated by heating the aerosol generator to generate an aerosol (mainstream smoke). In the case where the tobacco material is a tobacco molded body, as described above, the aerosol generator can be introduced when preparing the tobacco molded body, or it can be added after the preparation of the tobacco molded body.

As the aerosol generator, glycerol, propylene glycol, triacetin, 1,3-butylene glycol, and a mixture thereof can be cited. The aerosol generator is preferably a mixture of glycerol and propylene glycol. In the case of a mixture of glycerol and propylene glycol, the mass ratio of glycerol to propylene glycol can be set to, for example, 80:20 to 97.5:2.5. The aerosol generator can be contained in the untreated tobacco filling material in an amount of, for example, 15 to 19% by mass relative to the untreated tobacco filling material.

The dry tobacco filler may contain additional components such as the above-mentioned flavor material as necessary.

In this specification, the "moisture content" of the dried tobacco filler material and the "moisture content" of the untreated tobacco filler material can be determined using GC-TCD as follows.

First, after weighing the dry tobacco filler material, add a given amount of methanol (reagent special grade or above) and seal it, shake (200 rpm) for 40 minutes. After leaving it overnight, shake (200 rpm) again for 40 minutes, and then let it stand. The supernatant after standing is used as the measurement solution.

The measurement solution is subjected to GC-TCD, and the water content is quantified by a calibration curve method. The conditions for GC-TCD can be, for example, the following conditions.

GC-TCD; 6890 gas chromatograph manufactured by Hewlett Packard

Column: HP Polapack Q (packed column) Constant Flow mode 20.0 mL/min

Injection volume: 1.0μL

Inlet:EPC purge packed column inlet Heater;230℃

Gas; He Total flow; 21.1mL/min

Incubator; 160℃(hold 4.5min)→(60℃/min)→220℃(hold 4.0min)

Detector: TCD detector Reference Gas (He) flow rate: 20mL/min

Make-up gas (He) 3.0mL/min

Signal rate: 5Hz

<2. Method for producing dry tobacco filler>

As described above, the dried tobacco filler material can be produced by drying the untreated tobacco filler material to a desired moisture content. As described above, the untreated tobacco filler material contains a tobacco material and an aerosol generator, and generally has a moisture content of 10 to 15% by mass.

Specifically, the method for producing a dry tobacco filler includes drying a tobacco filler containing a tobacco material and an aerosol generator (ie, an untreated tobacco filler) to prepare a dry tobacco filler having a moisture content greater than 5% by mass and less than 7.5% by mass.

Drying can be performed by drying the untreated tobacco filler material itself, by drying the tobacco rod after manufacturing a tobacco rod by wrapping the untreated tobacco filler material with a rolling paper, or by drying the non-combustion heating type flavor inhaler after manufacturing the non-combustion heating type flavor inhaler by connecting the above-mentioned tobacco rod to a filter. When drying the untreated tobacco filler material, since the aerosol generating agent has a high boiling point, part of the moisture in the tobacco filler material can be removed without substantially removing the aerosol generating agent.

Drying can be performed by any drying method as long as a dry tobacco filling material having a desired moisture content is obtained. For example, drying can be performed by microwave heating. In the case of microwave heating, the moisture content of the tobacco filling material can be adjusted by adjusting the heating time (Figure 8). Microwave heating can be performed representatively by a microwave oven. In the case of a 500W microwave oven, a heating time of, for example, 30 to 40 seconds can be used relative to 5g of untreated tobacco filling material (Figure 8).

Alternatively, drying can be performed by placing the untreated tobacco filling material and a desiccant together under sealed conditions. For example, drying can be performed at a temperature of 15 to 25° C. for 10 to 15 days. As a desiccant, silica gel or the like can be used. When a desiccant is used, the moisture content of the tobacco filling material can be adjusted by adjusting the amount of the desiccant ( FIG. 9 ). When silica gel is used as a desiccant, for example, 2 to 4 g of silica gel can be used relative to 5 g of the untreated tobacco filling material ( FIG. 9 ). Alternatively, drying can be performed by hot air drying or vacuum drying.

Drying is preferably carried out under the condition that the surface temperature of the tobacco filler material reaches a temperature below 65°C. Drying is more preferably carried out under the condition that the surface temperature of the tobacco filler material is a temperature between room temperature (i.e., 20°C) and 65°C. When the surface temperature of the tobacco filler material becomes too high, the content of the aerosol generating agent contained in the tobacco filler material may decrease. In addition, when the surface temperature of the tobacco filler material becomes too high, the cell membrane and cell wall of the tobacco material may be damaged, and the tobacco flavor components are easily released from the tobacco material, and the unpleasant feeling caused to the user by the flavor inhaler when inhaling may become too strong.

The surface temperature of the tobacco filler material refers to the temperature measured by a thermal imaging camera, FLIR-C2 manufactured by FLIR System Inc.

It should be noted that in this specification, the term "tobacco filler" can be used without distinguishing between tobacco filler before drying (i.e., untreated tobacco filler), tobacco filler in the drying process, and tobacco filler that has completed drying.

According to another aspect, a dry tobacco filler material produced by the above method can be provided. As described above, the dry tobacco filler material prepared in this way can be made into a sheet for a non-combustion heating type flavor inhaler by a common method.

＜3. Non-combustion heating type aroma inhaler＞

The sheet formed by the above-mentioned dry tobacco filling material can be introduced into a non-combustion heating type flavor inhaler (hereinafter also referred to as a flavor inhaler). That is, according to another aspect, a non-combustion heating type flavor inhaler can be provided, which includes: a cigarette rod, a filter, and a connecting member connecting the above-mentioned cigarette rod and the above-mentioned filter, wherein the cigarette rod includes a sheet formed by the above-mentioned dry tobacco filling material and a rolling paper wrapped around the above-mentioned dry tobacco filling material. Here, the connecting member refers to a member having the function of a connecting paper commonly used in cigarettes (that is, the function of connecting the cigarette rod and the filter). As the connecting member, in addition to paper (that is, the connecting paper), a sheet of any polymer raw material can also be used.

In this specification, the non-combustion heating type flavor inhaler and the heating device are collectively referred to as a "non-combustion heating type flavor inhaler system" or simply as a "flavor inhaler system". That is, according to another aspect, a non-combustion heating type flavor inhaler system can be provided, which includes the above-mentioned "non-combustion heating type flavor inhaler" and a heating device (hereinafter also referred to as an aerosol generating device) that heats the non-combustion heating type flavor inhaler to generate an aerosol.

As a non-combustion heating type flavor inhalation system, for example, an electrically heated inhalation system including a flavor inhaler and a heating device for electrically heating the flavor inhaler is known (for example, refer to WO96/32854 and WO2010/110226).

Hereinafter, an example of the non-combustion heating type flavor inhalation system will be described with reference to Fig. 4 and the like. Fig. 4 is a perspective view showing an example of the non-combustion heating type flavor inhalation system. Fig. 5 is a view showing the internal structure of the aerosol generating device.

As shown in Figure 4, the flavor inhalation system 100 includes a flavor inhaler 1 including a sheet formed by the above-mentioned dry tobacco filling material, and an aerosol generating device 120, wherein the dry tobacco filling material contains dry tobacco material and an aerosol generating agent, and the aerosol generating device 120 heats the flavor inhaler 1 to atomize the aerosol generating agent and release the flavor components from the dry tobacco material.

The flavor inhaler 1 is a replaceable cartridge having a columnar shape extending in one direction. The flavor inhaler 1 is configured to generate aerosol containing a flavor component by being heated while being inserted into the aerosol generating device 120 .

The dimension of the flavor inhaler 1 in the longitudinal direction, i.e., the length, is preferably 40 to 90 mm, more preferably 50 to 75 mm, and further preferably 50 to 60 mm. The circumference of the flavor inhaler 1 is preferably 15 to 25 mm, more preferably 17 to 24 mm, and further preferably 20 to 23 mm. In addition, in the flavor inhaler 1, the length of the tobacco-containing section 2 can be 20 mm, the length of the paper tube can be 20 mm, the length of the hollow filter rod can be 8 mm, and the length of the filter tip filter rod can be 7 mm. The lengths of these sections can be appropriately changed according to manufacturing adaptability, required quality, etc.

The filler includes a sheet formed by the above-mentioned dry tobacco filler material, and the dry tobacco filler material includes a dry tobacco material and an aerosol generator. From the perspective of the effect of the invention, it is preferred that the sheet is composed of "dry tobacco filler material". Among them, as long as the effect of the invention can be exerted, the sheet may also include ingredients other than the above.

The aerosol generator is heated at a given temperature to generate vapor. As described above, examples of the aerosol generator include glycerol, propylene glycol, triacetin, 1,3-butylene glycol, and mixtures thereof. As described above, the aerosol generator may be contained in the untreated tobacco filler material in an amount of, for example, 15 to 19% by mass relative to the untreated tobacco filler material.

When the tobacco-containing section 2 has a circumference of 22 mm and a length of 20 mm, the content of the filler in the flavor inhaler 1 is, for example, 200 to 400 mg, preferably 250 to 320 mg.

5 , the aerosol generating device 120 has an insertion hole 130 into which the flavor inhaler 1 can be inserted. That is, the aerosol generating device 120 has an inner cylinder member 132 constituting the insertion hole 130. The inner cylinder member 132 can be made of a thermally conductive material such as aluminum or stainless steel (SUS).

The aerosol generating device 120 may include a cover 140 that closes the insertion hole 130. The cover 140 is slidable and can change state between a state in which the insertion hole 130 is closed and a state in which the insertion hole 130 is exposed (see FIG. 4 ).

The aerosol generating device 120 may include an air flow path 160 communicating with the insertion hole 130. One end of the air flow path 160 is connected to the insertion hole 130, and the other end of the air flow path 160 communicates with the outside of the aerosol generating device 120 (external atmosphere) at a position different from the insertion hole 130.

The aerosol generating device 120 may include a cover 170 covering the end of the air flow path 160 communicating with the outside air. The cover 170 may cover the end of the air flow path 160 communicating with the outside air, or may expose the end.

Here, the cover 170 covers the end of the air flow path 160, but does not airtightly block the air flow path 160. That is, the cover 170 is configured in such a way that, although it covers the air flow path 160, it is separated from the end of the air flow path 160, and the outside air can flow into the air flow path 160 through the gap therebetween.

The user holds the cigarette mouthpiece and takes a puff while inserting the flavor inhaler 1 into the aerosol generating device 120. Through the user's puffing action, the outside air flows into the air flow path 160. The air flowing into the air flow path 160 passes through the flavor inhaler 1 in the insertion hole 130 and is introduced into the user's oral cavity.

The aerosol generating device 120 may include a temperature sensor in the air flow path 160 or on the outer surface of the wall constituting the air flow path 160. The temperature sensor may be, for example, a thermistor, a thermocouple, etc. When the user inhales at the mouthpiece of the flavor inhaler 1, the internal temperature of the air flow path 160 or the temperature of the wall constituting the air flow path 160 decreases due to the influence of the air flowing through the air flow path 160 from the cover 170 side toward the heater 30 side described later. The temperature sensor may detect the user's inhalation action by measuring the temperature decrease.

The aerosol generating device 120 includes a battery B, a control unit 20, and a heater 30. The battery B stores electric power used by the aerosol generating device 120. The battery B may be a secondary battery that can be charged and discharged. For example, the battery B may be a lithium ion battery.

The heater 30 may be provided around the inner cylinder member 132. The space accommodating the heater 30 and the space accommodating the battery B may be separated from each other by the partition wall 180. Thus, it is possible to suppress the air heated by the heater 30 from flowing into the space accommodating the battery B. Therefore, it is possible to suppress the temperature rise of the battery B.

The heater 30 is preferably in the shape of a tube capable of heating the periphery of the columnar fragrance inhaler 1. The heater 30 may be, for example, a film heater. The film heater may have a pair of film-like substrates and a resistive heating element sandwiched between the pair of substrates. The film-like substrate is preferably made of a material having excellent heat resistance and electrical insulation, typically made of polyimide. The resistive heating element is preferably made of one or more of metal materials such as copper, nickel alloy, chromium alloy, stainless steel, platinum-rhodium, and the like, for example, it may be formed of a stainless steel substrate. In addition, in order to connect the resistive heating element to a power source via a flexible printed circuit (FPC), copper plating may be applied to the connection portion and its lead portion.

Preferably, a heat shrink tube is provided on the outside of the heater 30. The heat shrink tube is a tube that shrinks in the radial direction by heat, and is made of, for example, a thermoplastic elastomer. The heater 30 is pressed against the inner tube member 132 by the shrinking action of the heat shrink tube. As a result, the close fit between the heater 30 and the inner tube member 132 is increased, and therefore, the thermal conductivity from the heater 30 to the flavor inhaler 1 via the inner tube member 132 is increased.

The aerosol generating device 120 may have a cylindrical insulating material on the outside of the heater 30 in the radial direction, preferably on the outside of the heat shrink tube. By isolating the heat of the heater 30, the insulating material can prevent the outer surface of the frame of the aerosol generating device 120 from reaching an excessively high temperature. The insulating material can be made of aerogels such as silica aerogel, carbon aerogel, and alumina aerogel. Typically, the aerogel used as the insulating material can be a silica aerogel with high thermal insulation performance and low manufacturing cost. However, the insulating material can also be a fiber insulating material such as glass wool and asbestos, and can also be a foaming insulating material such as polyurethane foam and phenolic foam. Alternatively, the insulating material can be a vacuum insulating material.

The outer side of the heat insulating material is provided with an outer tube member 134. The heat insulating material may be provided between the inner tube member 132 facing the flavor inhaler 1 and the outer tube member 134. The outer tube member 134 may be made of a heat conductive material such as aluminum or stainless steel (SUS). The heat insulating material is preferably provided in a closed space.

The control unit 20 may include a circuit board, a central processing unit (CPU), a memory, etc. In addition, the aerosol generating device 120 may have a notification unit for reporting various information to the user under the control of the control unit 20. The notification unit may be a light emitting element such as a light emitting diode (LED) or a vibration element, or a combination thereof.

After the control unit 20 detects the user's start request, it starts supplying power from the battery B to the heater 30. The user's start request can be implemented, for example, by the user operating a button or a slide switch, or by the user's puffing action. The user's start request can be implemented by pressing the button 150. More specifically, the user's start request can be implemented by pressing the button 150 in a state where the cover 140 is opened. Alternatively, the user's start request can be implemented by detecting the user's puffing action. The user's puffing action can be detected by, for example, the temperature sensor as described above.

＜4. Packaging products＞

As described above, the "dried tobacco filler material" can be manufactured by placing an untreated tobacco filler material and a desiccant together under sealed conditions (refer to the above-mentioned <2. Manufacturing method of dried tobacco filler material> column). In this case, after the "dried tobacco filler material" having the desired moisture content is manufactured, it can be made into a sheet and circulated as a commodity in the form of a flavor inhaler including the sheet, or the tobacco filler material can be made into a sheet during a period when the untreated tobacco filler material and the desiccant are placed together under sealed conditions but have not yet reached the desired moisture content, and the flavor inhaler including the sheet can be circulated as a commodity. In the latter case, during the period when the flavor inhaler including the sheet formed by the tobacco filler material is circulated as a commodity, the tobacco filler material is dried, and the sheet reaches the desired moisture content.

That is, according to another aspect, a packaged product can be provided, comprising a package, at least one non-combustion heating type flavor inhaler, and a desiccant, wherein the non-combustion heating type flavor inhaler is contained in the package and comprises a sheet formed of a tobacco filling material, wherein the tobacco filling material comprises a tobacco material and an aerosol generator, and the desiccant is introduced into the package in an amount required for the tobacco filling material to reach an equilibrium moisture content of greater than 5% by mass and less than 7.5% by mass, wherein the tobacco filling material reaches an equilibrium moisture content of greater than 5% by mass and less than 7.5% by mass in the package. The non-combustion heating type flavor inhaler is preferably contained in the package under a sealed condition.

The “package” may be a sealed package used in the technical field as a package for tobacco products such as cigarettes. The package may be, for example:

A cigarette box commonly used as a cigarette package, that is, a cigarette box composed of an outer package and an inner package, wherein the outer package is composed of a flip-top paper box and the inner package is composed of inner wrapping paper for wrapping a cigarette bundle;

A can container having a can container body, a can cover, and a metal inner cover, wherein the inner cover covers an opening of the can container body and isolates an internal space of the can container body from the external atmosphere;

PTP packaging (press through pack) used for packaging of medicines, that is, a packaging body in which the contents are contained between a plastic part with a containing space and a plate-shaped aluminum part;

A strip package (SP package) used for packaging medicines, i.e. a package in which the edges of two thermally adhesive films are bonded by heat sealing and the contents are contained therein; or

Sealed plastic bag.

An example of a cigarette box is shown in Fig. 6, etc. Fig. 6 shows the closed state of a cigarette box, and Fig. 7 shows the open state of a cigarette box. A cigarette box P4 comprises a box body P5 and a lid P6. The box body P5 comprises a box body P5a and an inner frame P5b. The box body P5 has an opening at its upper end. The open end of the box body P5 is connected to the lid P6 via a self-hinge P7 at its rear edge. The lid P6 rotates around the self-hinge P7 to open and close the open end of the box body P5. As shown in Fig. 7, the inner frame P5b is partially inserted into the box body P5a, protruding from the opening of the box body P5a to form the open end of the box body P5. On the other hand, the lid P6 is arranged in a manner to cover the open end of the box body P5 (i.e., the protruding portion of the inner frame P5b), so that the open end of the box body P5 can be closed. At this time, the opening of the lid P6 and the opening of the box body P5a are mutually combined. The cigarette box usually further includes an inner wrapper (not shown) composed of inner wrapping paper for wrapping a bundle of cigarettes inside the box body P5. In addition, the cigarette box usually further includes a film wrapping material (not shown) having a tear tape outside the box body P5.

The "non-combustion heating type flavor inhaler" to be contained in the package is a flavor inhaler containing the "untreated tobacco filling material T3a" shown in Figure 3. The "non-combustion heating type flavor inhaler" to be contained in the package can use a product commercially available as a tobacco rod for a non-combustion heating type flavor inhalation system, or can also use a flavor inhaler manufactured using a tobacco filling material (for example, a moisture content of 10 to 15% by mass) prepared for an existing non-combustion heating type flavor inhalation system.

The number of non-combustion heating type flavor inhalers contained in the package is at least 1, for example, 40 or less. When the package is a cigarette pack, the number of non-combustion heating type flavor inhalers contained in the package is generally 10 to 20, for example, 20.

As the "desiccant", a desiccant commonly used as a desiccant for food or medicine can be used, for example, silica gel can be used. The desiccant is introduced into the package in an amount required for the tobacco filler material to reach an equilibrium moisture content greater than 5% by mass and less than 7.5% by mass. By adjusting the amount of the desiccant, the moisture content of the tobacco filler material can be adjusted. In the case of using silica gel as a desiccant, in order to prepare a dry tobacco filler material having an equilibrium moisture content greater than 5% by mass and less than 7.5% by mass from an untreated tobacco filler material having a moisture content of about 14% by mass, for example, 2 to 4 g of silica gel can be used relative to 5 g of the tobacco filler material.

In the above-mentioned packaged product, the moisture content of the sheet formed by the tobacco filling material changes over time. That is, just after the non-combustion heating type flavor inhaler is contained in the package, the moisture content of the above-mentioned sheet is substantially the same as the moisture content of the sheet formed by the tobacco filling material before drying, for example, the moisture content of the tobacco filling material in the sheet is 10 to 15% by mass. Then, after the non-combustion heating type flavor inhaler is contained in the package, as time passes, the sheet is dried due to the action of the desiccant, and the moisture content of the sheet decreases. The moisture content of the tobacco filling material in the sheet eventually reaches an equilibrium moisture content greater than 5% by mass and less than 7.5% by mass, preferably an equilibrium moisture content of 5.1 to 7.5% by mass, and more preferably an equilibrium moisture content of 5.5 to 7.0% by mass.

Thus, in the above-mentioned packaged product, although the tobacco filling material changes over time, "tobacco filling material before drying", "tobacco filling material in the drying process" and "tobacco filling material after drying" are all collectively referred to as "tobacco filling material".

＜5. Effect＞

According to the present invention, when the moisture content of the tobacco filler material is reduced to 7.5% by mass or less, the mainstream smoke temperature and the surface temperature of the tipping paper can be reduced for a non-combustion heating type flavor inhaler including a sheet formed of the tobacco filler material, so that the user is less likely to feel the heat of the aerosol and the heat of the mouth end of the article when inhaling.

In addition, according to the present invention, when the lower limit of the moisture content of the tobacco filler material is set to a moisture content greater than 5% by mass, for example, a moisture content greater than 5.1% by mass, the content of the aerosol generator and the tobacco flavor source (nicotine, etc.) in the tobacco filler material can be maintained without being reduced even after the drying process. In this specification, the property of not reducing the content of the aerosol generator and the tobacco flavor source (nicotine, etc.) during the drying of the tobacco filler material and stably maintaining the aerosol generator and the tobacco flavor source after drying is referred to as "quality stability of the tobacco filler material". "Quality stability of the tobacco filler material" is closely related to the situation in which the tobacco flavor source is transferred to the vapor generated by heating of the aerosol generator and transported to the user, and is an important property for a flavor inhaler.

Therefore, by using a sheet formed by a tobacco filler whose moisture content is reduced to greater than 5% by mass and less than 7.5% by mass, preferably reduced to 5.1-7.5% by mass, as a filler, a non-combustion heating type flavor inhaler can be provided in which the user is less likely to feel the heat of the aerosol and the heat of the mouth end of the article when inhaling, and the quality stability of the tobacco filler material is excellent.

[Second method]

The tobacco sheet of this embodiment is formed by a dry tobacco filler material containing a dry tobacco material and an aerosol generator of less than 20% by mass and having a moisture content of 3 to 5% by mass. The material containing the dry tobacco material as the above-mentioned tobacco powder and an aerosol generator of less than 20% by mass and having a moisture content of 3 to 5% by mass is also referred to as a "dry tobacco filler material". The shape of the "dry tobacco filler material" is arbitrary, and in this embodiment, it can be made into a sheet by a common method.

＜1. Dry tobacco filling material＞

According to one aspect, a sheet can be provided, which contains a dry tobacco material and an aerosol generator of less than 20% by mass, and has a moisture content of 3 to 5% by mass. The sheet can be used in a non-combustion heating type flavor inhaler. The "dry tobacco filler material" has a moisture content of 3.0 to 5.0% by mass, preferably a moisture content of 3.5 to 5.0% by mass, and more preferably a moisture content of 4.0 to 5.0% by mass. In this specification, the moisture content of the dry tobacco filler material represents the ratio (mass %) of the mass of water to the total mass of the dry tobacco filler material. Details of the dry tobacco filler material other than the moisture content are as described in the description of the first embodiment.

Examples of the aerosol generator include glycerol, propylene glycol, triacetin, 1,3-butylene glycol, and mixtures thereof. The aerosol generator is preferably a mixture of glycerol and propylene glycol. In the case of a mixture of glycerol and propylene glycol, the mass ratio of glycerol to propylene glycol can be, for example, 80:20 to 97.5:2.5.

The aerosol generating agent is contained in an amount less than 20% by mass relative to the total mass of the dry tobacco filling material. The amount of the aerosol generating agent contained in the dry tobacco filling material is less than 20% by mass, preferably less than 19% by mass, and more preferably 15 to 19% by mass relative to the total mass of the dry tobacco filling material.

When the aerosol generator is a mixture of glycerol and propylene glycol, the propylene glycol is preferably contained in an amount of 3% by mass or less relative to the total mass of the dry tobacco filler. The amount of propylene glycol contained in the dry tobacco filler is preferably 3% by mass or less, more preferably 1 to 3% by mass.

In this specification, the "aerosol generating amount" contained in the dry tobacco filling material can be obtained as follows: The dry tobacco filling material can be extracted with a given amount of ethanol (10 mL to 100 mL, appropriately adjusted according to the amount of the dry tobacco filling material), and the amount of the aerosol generating agent (e.g., glycerin and propylene glycol) can be measured using GC-MS.

<2. Method for producing dry tobacco filler>

The method for producing the dry tobacco filler in this embodiment is as described in the first embodiment. However, in this embodiment, the drying is preferably performed as follows.

Specifically, the method for producing a dry tobacco filler includes drying a tobacco filler containing a tobacco material and an aerosol generating agent under conditions where the surface temperature of the tobacco filler reaches 90° C. or less, thereby preparing a dry tobacco filler having a moisture content of 3 to 5% by mass.

Drying can be performed by drying the untreated tobacco filler material itself, by drying the tobacco rod after manufacturing a tobacco rod by wrapping the untreated tobacco filler material with a rolling paper, or by drying the non-combustion heating type flavor inhaler after manufacturing a non-combustion heating type flavor inhaler by connecting the above-mentioned tobacco rod to a filter. When drying the untreated tobacco filler material, since the aerosol generating agent has a high boiling point, part of the moisture in the tobacco filler material can be removed without substantially removing the aerosol generating agent.

Drying can be carried out by any drying method as long as a dry tobacco filling material having a desired moisture content can be obtained. For example, drying can be carried out under the conditions of room temperature and a humidity of 30% or less. The room temperature is typically a temperature in the range of 5 to 35° C. Drying can be carried out under the conditions of preferably a temperature of 5 to 35° C., more preferably a temperature of 15 to 25° C., and preferably a humidity of 10 to 30%, more preferably a humidity of 15 to 25%.

Alternatively, for example, drying can be performed by microwave heating. In the case of microwave heating, the moisture content of the tobacco filling material can be adjusted by adjusting the heating time ( FIG. 14 ). Microwave heating can be performed representatively by a microwave oven. In the case of using a 500 W microwave oven, for example, a heating time of 40 to 60 seconds can be used relative to 5.0 g of the untreated tobacco filling material ( FIG. 14 ).

Alternatively, drying can be performed by placing the untreated tobacco filling material in the presence of a desiccant. Specifically, drying can be performed by placing the untreated tobacco filling material and the desiccant together under sealed conditions. For example, drying can be performed at a temperature of 15 to 25°C for 10 to 15 days. As a desiccant, silica gel or the like can be used. When a desiccant is used, the moisture content of the tobacco filling material can be adjusted by adjusting the amount of the desiccant (Figure 15). When silica gel is used as a desiccant, for example, 4 to 10 g of silica gel can be used relative to 5.0 g of the untreated tobacco filling material (Figure 15). Alternatively, drying can be performed by hot air drying or vacuum drying.

Drying is preferably carried out under the condition that the surface temperature of the tobacco filler material reaches a temperature of 90°C or less. Drying is preferably carried out under the condition that the surface temperature of the tobacco filler material is a temperature of room temperature (i.e., 20°C) to 90°C. Drying is more preferably carried out under the condition that the surface temperature of the tobacco filler material reaches a temperature of 65°C or less. Drying is further preferably carried out under the condition that the surface temperature of the tobacco filler material is a temperature of room temperature (i.e., 20°C) to 65°C. When the surface temperature of the tobacco filler material becomes too high, the content of the aerosol generating agent contained in the tobacco filler material may decrease. In addition, when the surface temperature of the tobacco filler material becomes too high, the cell membrane and cell wall of the tobacco material will be damaged, and the tobacco flavor components will be easily released from the tobacco material, and the unpleasant feeling caused to the user by the flavor inhaler when inhaling may become too strong.

The surface temperature of the tobacco filler material is the temperature measured by a thermal imager, FLIR-C2 manufactured by FLIR System Inc.

The dried tobacco filler material prepared in this way can be made into a sheet for a non-combustion heating type flavor inhaler. The sheet forming method is as described in the first embodiment.

＜3. Non-combustion heating type aroma inhaler＞

The non-combustion heating type flavor inhaler and the non-combustion heating type flavor inhalation system in this embodiment are as described in the first embodiment.

＜4. Packaging products＞

The packaged product in this embodiment is as described in the first embodiment except that the tobacco filler material has an equilibrium moisture content of 3 to 5% by mass in the package body.

In this embodiment, as the "desiccant", a desiccant commonly used as a desiccant for food or medicine can be used, for example, silica gel can be used. The desiccant is introduced into the package in an amount required for the tobacco filler material to reach an equilibrium moisture content of 3 to 5% by mass. By adjusting the amount of the desiccant, the moisture content of the tobacco filler material can be adjusted. In the case of using silica gel as a desiccant, in order to prepare a dry tobacco filler material having an equilibrium moisture content of 3 to 5% by mass from an untreated tobacco filler material having a moisture content of about 14% by mass, for example, 4 to 10 g of silica gel can be used relative to 5.0 g of the tobacco filler material.

In the above-mentioned packaged product, the moisture content of the sheet formed by the tobacco filling material changes over time. That is, just after the non-combustion heating type flavor inhaler is contained in the package, the moisture content of the above-mentioned sheet is substantially the same as the moisture content of the sheet formed by the tobacco filling material before drying, for example, the moisture content of the tobacco filling material in the sheet is 10 to 15% by mass. Then, after the non-combustion heating type flavor inhaler is contained in the package, as time passes, the sheet is dried due to the action of the desiccant, and the moisture content of the sheet decreases. The moisture content of the tobacco filling material in the sheet eventually reaches an equilibrium moisture content of 3.0 to 5.0% by mass, preferably an equilibrium moisture content of 3.5 to 5.0% by mass, and more preferably an equilibrium moisture content of 4.0 to 5.0% by mass.

＜5. Effect＞

According to the present invention, when the moisture content of the tobacco filler is reduced to 3-5% by mass, the mainstream smoke temperature and the surface temperature of the tipping paper can be reduced for a non-combustion heating type flavor inhaler including a sheet formed of the tobacco filler. As a result, the user is less likely to feel the heat of the aerosol and the heat of the mouth end of the article when inhaling.

Furthermore, according to the present invention, when the moisture content of the tobacco filler is reduced to 3-5% by mass, the amount of tobacco flavor source (nicotine, etc.) and aerosol (smoke volume) in the tobacco mainstream smoke can be increased, thereby improving the inhalation feeling.

In addition, according to the present invention, when the content of the aerosol generator in the tobacco filler material is set to less than 20% by mass, the following effects can be obtained. When the aerosol in the tobacco filler material is vaporized, the heat of vaporization is taken away. When the content of the aerosol generator in the tobacco filler material is within the above range, the heat of vaporization lost due to the vaporization of the aerosol generator can be suppressed. Thus, the reduction in the heating efficiency of the tobacco filler material can be suppressed. As a result, when the content of the aerosol generator in the tobacco filler material is within the above range, the components contained in the tobacco filler material (for example, glycerin, nicotine, etc.) are more likely to become a dispersion medium for the aerosol (mainstream smoke) or are more likely to be transferred to the dispersion medium of the aerosol, which can improve the suction feeling.

Therefore, by using a sheet formed by a tobacco filler material whose moisture content is reduced to 3 to 5% by mass and whose aerosol generating agent content is less than 20% by mass as a filler, a non-combustion heating type flavor inhaler can be provided in which the user is less likely to feel the heat of the aerosol and the heat of the mouth end of the article when inhaling, and the inhalation sensation is improved.

Example

Hereinafter, specific examples of the present embodiment will be described, but the present invention is not limited thereto.

[Example 1]

Tobacco flakes (tobacco leaves) were dry-ground using a Hosokawa Micron ACM machine to obtain tobacco powder. The tobacco powder was measured using a Mastersizer (trade name, manufactured by the Malvern Panalytical Division of Spectris Corporation) to determine the cumulative 50% particle size (D50) and cumulative 90% particle size (D90) in the volume-based particle size distribution based on a dry laser diffraction method. The results were 57 μm and 216 μm, respectively.

The tobacco powder was used to produce tobacco sheets by a calendering method. Specifically, 87 parts by mass of the tobacco powder, 12 parts by mass of glycerol as an aerosol generator, and 1 part by mass of carboxymethyl cellulose as a molding agent were mixed and kneaded by an extruder. The kneaded product was formed into a sheet by two pairs of metal rollers and dried in a hot air circulation oven at 80°C to obtain a tobacco sheet. The tobacco sheet was cut into a size of 0.8 mm × 9.5 mm by a shredder.

The fluffiness of the cut tobacco sheets was measured. Specifically, the cut tobacco sheets were placed in a room adjusted to 22°C and 60% for 48 hours, and then the fluffiness was measured using DD-60A (trade name, manufactured by Borgward). 15 g of the cut tobacco sheets were placed in a cylindrical container with an inner diameter of 60 mm, and the volume when compressed with a load of 3 kg for 30 seconds was determined, and the measurement was performed. The results are shown in Table 1. It should be noted that in Table 1, the fluffiness is expressed as the increase rate (%) of the fluffiness relative to the baseline value, using the fluffiness value of Comparative Example 1 described later as a benchmark.

[Example 2]

Tobacco sheets were prepared and evaluated in the same manner as in Example 1 except that tobacco powder having a cumulative 50% particle size (D50) and a cumulative 90% particle size (D90) of 121 μm and 389 μm, respectively, in a volume-based particle size distribution by dry laser diffraction was used. The results are shown in Table 1.

[Example 3]

Tobacco sheets were prepared and evaluated in the same manner as in Example 1 except that tobacco powder having a cumulative 50% particle size (D50) and a cumulative 90% particle size (D90) of 225 μm and 623 μm, respectively, in a volume-based particle size distribution by dry laser diffraction method was used. The results are shown in Table 1.

[Comparative Example 1]

Tobacco sheets were prepared and evaluated in the same manner as in Example 1 except that tobacco powder having a cumulative 50% particle size (D50) and a cumulative 90% particle size (D90) of 32 μm and 84 μm, respectively, in a volume-based particle size distribution by dry laser diffraction was used. The results are shown in Table 1.

[Table 1]

D[3,2]: Surface area (load) average particle size

D[4,3]: Volume (loaded) average particle size

According to Table 1, the fluffiness of tobacco sheets of Examples 1 to 3 of the tobacco sheet of the present embodiment is improved compared to the tobacco sheet of Comparative Example 1 in which the D90 of tobacco powder measured by dry laser diffraction method is less than 200 μm. It should be noted that in Examples 1 to 3, tobacco sheets were manufactured by calendaring, but in the case where tobacco sheets were similarly manufactured by casting, the fluffiness was also improved.

Hereinafter, the first aspect will be described with reference to example A.

[Reference Example A1] Moisture content of tobacco filler

1-1. Manufacturing of scent inhaler

A tobacco rod for Ploom S (trade name: MEVIUS Regular Taste For Ploom S) manufactured by Japan Tobacco Co., Ltd. was subjected to either (A) microwave drying or (B) silica gel drying. This reduced the moisture content of the tobacco filler in the tobacco rod. The tobacco rod for Ploom S has the structure shown in FIG1 .

The tobacco rods before drying contained an average of 0.25 g of tobacco filler material (i.e., a mixture of tobacco molded body and aerosol generator), the tobacco filler material had a moisture content of 13.69% by mass, and the tobacco filler material contained 15.60% by mass of aerosol generator relative to the tobacco filler material. The aerosol generator was a mixture of glycerol and propylene glycol, and the mass ratio of glycerol to propylene glycol was 93.48:6.52.

On the other hand, as a control, tobacco rods for Ploom S manufactured by Japan Tobacco Co., Ltd. (trade name: MEVIUS Regular Taste For Ploom S) were conditioned in a conditioning room at 22°C and 60% for about 48 to 72 hours.

(A) Microwave drying

A commercially available microwave oven (manufactured by Twinbird Industry, DR-D219W5 (2014), 50 Hz) was used at 500 W. 20 tobacco rods (tobacco filling material; 5.0 g in total) were heated in a microwave oven for a given time. The heating time was 20 seconds, 40 seconds, 60 seconds, 80 seconds or 100 seconds. After heating, the 20 tobacco rods were sealed in a polypropylene (PP) zipper bag and sealed with an aluminum pouch. Thus, a flavor inhaler was manufactured. The moisture content of the tobacco filling material was measured immediately after the flavor inhaler was manufactured.

(B) Silica gel drying

The silica gel used was a commercial product for food drying (manufactured by Toyota Chemical Industry Co., Ltd., HD1g (blue)). 20 tobacco rods (tobacco filling material; 5.0 g in total) and a given amount of silica gel were sealed in a polypropylene (PP) zipper bag, sealed with an aluminum bag, and left to stand for 3 weeks. Drying was performed at room temperature (20°C). The amount of silica gel was 2g, 4g, 6g, 8g or 10g. Thus, a flavor inhaler was manufactured. The moisture content of the tobacco filling material was measured immediately after the flavor inhaler was manufactured.

1-2. Analysis of moisture content of dried tobacco filler

The tobacco filler was taken out from the manufactured flavor inhaler and the control flavor inhaler, and the moisture content (mass %) of the tobacco filler was determined using GCTCD as described above.

1-3. Results

The relationship between the heating time in the microwave oven and the moisture content of the tobacco filler and the relationship between the heating time in the microwave oven and the surface temperature of the tobacco filler are shown in Fig. 8. The relationship between the amount of silica gel and the moisture content of the tobacco filler is shown in Fig. 9.

The following conclusions can be drawn from the results of FIG8 . When the heating time of the microwave oven is increased, the moisture content of the tobacco filler material decreases. In addition, when the heating time of the microwave oven is increased, the surface temperature of the tobacco filler material increases. When 20 tobacco rods (tobacco filler material; 5.0 g in total) are heated in a 500W microwave oven for 30 to 40 seconds, a dry tobacco filler material having a moisture content greater than 5% by mass and less than 7.5% by mass can be prepared.

The following conclusions can be drawn from the results of FIG. 9 . When the amount of silica gel is increased, the moisture content of the tobacco filler material decreases. When 2 to 4 g of silica gel is used for 20 tobacco rods (tobacco filler material; total 5.0 g), a dry tobacco filler material having a moisture content greater than 5% by mass and less than 7.5% by mass can be prepared.

These results show that a dry tobacco filler having a desired moisture content can be prepared by adjusting the heating time and the amount of the desiccant to change the degree of drying.

[Reference Example A2] Mainstream smoke temperature and connection temperature

2-1. Analysis of mainstream smoke temperature and pipette temperature

The flavor inhaler produced in Reference Example A1 and the control flavor inhaler were heated using a heating device of Ploom S (Japan Tobacco Co., Ltd.). The heating device had the structure shown in Fig. 5. After heating, the flavor inhaler was inhaled using an automatic inhaler.

After the puff, the temperature of the mainstream smoke and the surface temperature of the mouth end of the flavor inhaler (hereinafter referred to as the tip temperature) were analyzed.

(Temperature of mainstream smoke)

A thermocouple (product name: Toa Electric Co., Ltd., model TI-SP-K) was set at a position 7 mm downstream from the mouth end of the flavor inhaler to measure the mainstream smoke temperature every 0.1 seconds. The highest value during the measurement period was determined as the "mainstream smoke temperature".

(Connection temperature)

A thermocouple (manufactured by Toa Electric Co., Ltd., model TI-SP-K) was placed on the tipping paper surface 5 mm upstream from the mouth end of the flavor inhaler to measure the mainstream smoke temperature every 0.1 seconds. The highest value during the measurement period was determined as the "tip portion temperature".

2-2. Results

FIG. 10 shows the relationship between the moisture content of the tobacco filler and the mainstream smoke temperature and the relationship between the moisture content of the tobacco filler and the tipping portion temperature.

The following conclusions can be drawn from the results of FIG10 . In either case of microwave oven drying or silica gel drying, when the moisture content of the tobacco filling material decreases, the mainstream smoke temperature can be lowered. In addition, in either case of microwave oven drying or silica gel drying, when the moisture content of the tobacco filling material decreases, the tipping temperature can be lowered.

These results show that when a tobacco filler material having a low moisture content is used in a flavor inhaler, the user is less likely to feel the heat of the aerosol and the heat of the mouth end of the article when inhaling. In addition, in order to sufficiently reduce the mainstream smoke temperature and the temperature of the receiving portion, the moisture content of the tobacco filler material is preferably 7.5% by mass or less, and more preferably 7.0% by mass or less.

[Reference Example A3] Contents of nicotine, glycerin, and propylene glycol in tobacco filler

3-1. Analysis of nicotine, glycerin, and propylene glycol content in tobacco filling materials

The contents of nicotine, glycerin, and propylene glycol in the tobacco filler were measured for the flavor inhaler manufactured in Reference Example A1 and the control flavor inhaler.

The tobacco filler was taken out from the flavor inhaler, and the contents of nicotine, glycerin, and propylene glycol in the tobacco filler were determined as follows: The taken out tobacco filler was extracted with a given amount of ethanol (10 mL to 100 mL, appropriately adjusted according to the amount of tobacco filler), and the amount of each component was measured using GC-MS.

3-2. Results

The relationship between the moisture content of the tobacco filler and the nicotine content in the tobacco filler is shown in Figure 11. The relationship between the moisture content of the tobacco filler and the glycerin content in the tobacco filler is shown in Figure 12. The relationship between the moisture content of the tobacco filler and the propylene glycol content in the tobacco filler is shown in Figure 13.

The following conclusions can be drawn from these figures. In either case of microwave oven drying or silica gel drying, the nicotine content in the tobacco filler material does not change even if the moisture content of the tobacco filler material decreases. In addition, in either case of microwave oven drying or silica gel drying, the glycerin content in the tobacco filler material does not change even if the moisture content of the tobacco filler material decreases.

On the other hand, in the case of microwave drying, the content of propylene glycol in the tobacco filler material decreases sharply when the moisture content of the tobacco filler material reaches 5% by mass or less. In addition, in the case of silica gel drying, the content of propylene glycol in the tobacco filler material gradually decreases as the moisture content of the tobacco filler material decreases. Therefore, it can be seen that in order to dry the tobacco filler material while maintaining the amount of propylene glycol (aerosol generating agent) in the tobacco filler material, the moisture content of the tobacco filler material is preferably greater than 5% by mass, and more preferably greater than 5.1% by mass.

In addition, in the case of microwave drying, the results of Fig. 8 show that when the moisture content of the tobacco filler material is reduced to about 5% by mass, the surface temperature of the tobacco filler material rises to about 65° C. Therefore, it can be seen that in order to dry the tobacco filler material while maintaining the amount of propylene glycol (aerosol generating agent) in the tobacco filler material, it is preferred that the drying of the tobacco filler material be performed under the condition that the surface temperature of the tobacco filler material reaches a temperature of 65° C. or less.

Hereinafter, the second aspect will be described by taking Reference Example B as an example.

[Reference Example B1] Moisture content of tobacco filler

1-1. Manufacturing of scent inhaler

A tobacco rod for Ploom S (trade name: MEVIUS Regular Taste For Ploom S) manufactured by Japan Tobacco Co., Ltd. was subjected to either (A) microwave drying or (B) silica gel drying. This reduced the moisture content of the tobacco filler in the tobacco rod. The tobacco rod for Ploom S has the structure shown in FIG1 .

The tobacco rod before drying contained an average of 0.25 g of tobacco filler material (i.e., a mixture of tobacco molded body and aerosol generator) per rod, the tobacco filler material had a moisture content of 13.69% by mass, and the tobacco filler material contained 15.60% by mass of aerosol generator relative to the tobacco filler material. The aerosol generator was a mixture of glycerol and propylene glycol, and the mass ratio of glycerol to propylene glycol was 93.48:6.52.

On the other hand, as a control, tobacco rods for Ploom S manufactured by Japan Tobacco Co., Ltd. (trade name: MEVIUS Regular Taste For Ploom S) were conditioned in a conditioning room at 22°C and 60% for about 48 to 72 hours.

(A) Microwave drying

A commercially available microwave oven (manufactured by Twinbird Industry, DR-D219W5 (2014), 50 Hz) was used at 500 W. 20 tobacco rods (tobacco filling material; 5.0 g in total) were heated in a microwave oven for a given time. The heating time was 20 seconds, 40 seconds, 60 seconds, 80 seconds or 100 seconds. After heating, the 20 tobacco rods were sealed in a polypropylene (PP) zipper bag and sealed with an aluminum bag. Thus, a flavor inhaler was manufactured. The moisture content of the tobacco filling material was measured immediately after the flavor inhaler was manufactured.

(B) Silica gel drying

The silica gel used was a commercial product for food drying (manufactured by Toyota Chemical Industry Co., Ltd., HD1g (blue)). 20 straw sticks (tobacco filling material; 5.0 g in total) and a given amount of silica gel were sealed in a polypropylene (PP) zipper bag, sealed with an aluminum bag, and left to stand for 3 weeks. Drying was performed at room temperature (20°C). The amount of silica gel was 2g, 4g, 6g, 8g or 10g. Thus, a flavor inhaler was manufactured. The moisture content of the tobacco filling material was measured immediately after the flavor inhaler was manufactured.

1-2. Analysis of moisture content of dried tobacco filler and amount of aerosol generating agent

The tobacco filler was taken out from the manufactured flavor inhaler and the control flavor inhaler, and the moisture content (mass %) of the tobacco filler was determined using GCTCD as described above. In addition, the amount of aerosol generating agent contained in the tobacco filler was determined using GC-MS as described above.

1-3. Results

The relationship between the heating time in the microwave oven and the moisture content of the tobacco filler and the relationship between the heating time in the microwave oven and the surface temperature of the tobacco filler are shown in Fig. 14. The relationship between the amount of silica gel and the moisture content of the tobacco filler is shown in Fig. 15.

The following conclusions can be drawn from the results of FIG. 14. When the heating time of the microwave oven is increased, the moisture content of the tobacco filling material decreases. In addition, when the heating time of the microwave oven is increased, the surface temperature of the tobacco filling material increases. When 20 tobacco rods (tobacco filling material; a total of 5.0 g) are heated in a 500 W microwave oven for 40 to 60 seconds, a dry tobacco filling material having a moisture content of 3 to 5% by mass can be prepared.

The following conclusions can be drawn from the results of FIG15 . When the amount of silica gel is increased, the moisture content of the tobacco filler material decreases. When 4 to 10 g of silica gel is used for 20 tobacco rods (tobacco filler material; total 5.0 g), a dry tobacco filler material having a moisture content of 3 to 5% by mass can be prepared.

These results show that a dry tobacco filler having a desired moisture content can be prepared by adjusting the heating time and the amount of the desiccant to change the degree of drying.

The amount of aerosol generating agent included in the tobacco filler material is as follows.

Control: 15.60 mass%

Microwave drying for 20 seconds: 15.55% by mass

Microwave drying for 40 seconds: 16.72% by mass

Microwave drying for 60 seconds: 16.25% by mass

Microwave drying for 80 seconds: 15.29% by mass

Microwave drying for 100 seconds: 14.74% by mass

Silica gel dry 2g: 15.11% by mass

Silica gel dry 4g: 15.38% by mass

Silica gel dry 6g: 15.12% by mass

Silica gel dry 8g: 15.43% by mass

Silica gel dry 10g: 15.59% by mass

[Reference Example B2] Mainstream smoke temperature and connection temperature

2-1. Analysis of mainstream smoke temperature and pipette temperature

The flavor inhaler produced in Reference Example B1 and the control flavor inhaler were heated using a heating device of Ploom S (Japan Tobacco Co., Ltd.). The heating device had the structure shown in Fig. 5. After heating, the flavor inhaler was inhaled using an automatic inhaler.

After the puff, the temperature of the mainstream smoke and the surface temperature of the mouth end of the flavor inhaler (hereinafter referred to as the tip temperature) were analyzed.

(Temperature of mainstream smoke)

A thermocouple (product name: Toa Electric Co., Ltd., model TI-SP-K) was set at a position 7 mm downstream from the mouth end of the flavor inhaler to measure the mainstream smoke temperature every 0.1 seconds. The highest value during the measurement period was determined as the "mainstream smoke temperature".

(Connection temperature)

A thermocouple (product name: manufactured by Toa Electric Co., Ltd., model TI-SP-K) was placed on the tipping paper surface at a position 5 mm upstream from the mouth end of the flavor inhaler, and the mainstream smoke temperature was measured every 0.1 seconds. The highest value during the measurement period was determined as the "tip portion temperature".

2-2. Results

FIG. 16 shows the relationship between the moisture content of the tobacco filler and the mainstream smoke temperature and the relationship between the moisture content of the tobacco filler and the tipping portion temperature.

The following conclusions can be drawn from the results of FIG16 . In either case of microwave oven drying or silica gel drying, when the moisture content of the tobacco filling material decreases, the mainstream smoke temperature can be lowered. In addition, in either case of microwave oven drying or silica gel drying, when the moisture content of the tobacco filling material decreases, the tipping temperature can be lowered.

These results show that when a tobacco filler material having a low moisture content is used in a flavor inhaler, the user is less likely to feel the heat of the aerosol and the heat of the mouth end of the article when inhaling.

[Reference Example B3] Contents of nicotine, glycerin, and propylene glycol in mainstream smoke

3-1. Analysis of nicotine, glycerin, and propylene glycol content in mainstream smoke

For the flavor inhaler manufactured in Reference Example B1 and the control flavor inhaler, the contents of nicotine, glycerin, and propylene glycol in mainstream smoke were measured as follows. Mainstream smoke was collected and extracted with a given amount of ethanol (10 mL to 100 mL, appropriately adjusted according to the amount of mainstream smoke), and the amount of each component was measured using GC-MS.

3-2. Results

The relationship between the moisture content of the tobacco filler and the nicotine content in the mainstream smoke is shown in Figure 17. The relationship between the moisture content of the tobacco filler and the glycerin content in the mainstream smoke is shown in Figure 18. The relationship between the moisture content of the tobacco filler and the propylene glycol content in the mainstream smoke is shown in Figure 19. These figures show the nicotine, glycerin, and propylene glycol contents in the mainstream smoke of the first puff.

The following conclusions can be drawn from these figures.

In the case of microwave drying, when the moisture content of the tobacco filler material reaches 5% by mass or less, the nicotine content in the mainstream smoke increases sharply, and when the moisture content of the tobacco filler material is lower than 3% by mass, the increase in the nicotine content in the mainstream smoke is accelerated. Similarly, in the case of microwave drying, when the moisture content of the tobacco filler material reaches 5% by mass or less, the glycerol content in the mainstream smoke also increases sharply, and when the moisture content of the tobacco filler material is lower than 3% by mass, the increase is accelerated. Similarly, in the case of microwave drying, when the moisture content of the tobacco filler material reaches 5% by mass or less, the propylene glycol content in the mainstream smoke also increases sharply, and when the moisture content of the tobacco filler material is lower than 3% by mass, the increase is accelerated.

It can be believed that these phenomena are due to the cell membrane and cell wall of the tobacco material being damaged by the rapid drying using a microwave oven, and the nicotine, glycerine and propylene glycol in the tobacco material are easily transferred to the mainstream smoke. In addition, it can be believed that these phenomena particularly occur significantly in the initial suction, and therefore the first impression of the fragrant and delicious taste is affected. The rapid release of such tobacco flavor components may cause the adverse effects (for example, astringency, stimulation) of the fragrant and delicious taste. Therefore, in the case of microwave oven drying, in order to suppress the adverse effects on the fragrant and delicious taste, the moisture content of the tobacco filling material is preferably 3 to 5% by mass, more preferably 4 to 5% by mass.

On the other hand, in the case of silica gel drying, when the moisture content of the tobacco filler material is reduced to 5% by mass or less, the contents of nicotine, glycerin, and propylene glycol in mainstream smoke can be increased steadily. That is, in the case of silica gel drying, when the moisture content of the tobacco filler material is reduced to 5% by mass or less, the increase of nicotine, glycerin, and propylene glycol in mainstream smoke is more stable than that in microwave oven drying.

The reason why such a result was obtained in silica gel drying can be considered as follows. That is, it can be considered that although the cell membrane and cell wall of the tobacco material are not damaged by silica gel drying, the water content of the tobacco filling material is reduced, so the generation of water vapor is reduced during heating, thereby increasing the temperature of the tobacco filling material, resulting in a steady increase in the content of nicotine, glycerin, and propylene glycol in the mainstream smoke. In this way, silica gel drying can steadily increase the content of nicotine, glycerin, and propylene glycol in the mainstream smoke, so compared with microwave oven drying, the possibility of adverse effects on the aroma and taste (for example, astringency, irritation) is low.

In addition, in the case of microwave drying, the results of FIG14 show that when the moisture content of the tobacco filler material is reduced to about 3 mass %, the surface temperature of the tobacco filler material rises to about 90° C. Therefore, in order to dry the tobacco filler material while suppressing the adverse effects on the flavor (e.g., astringency, irritation), it is preferred that the tobacco filler material be dried under the condition that the surface temperature of the tobacco filler material reaches a temperature of 90° C. or less.

The above results show that reducing the moisture content of the tobacco filler to 3-5% by mass increases the amount of tobacco flavor source and aerosol (smoke volume) in the tobacco mainstream smoke, thereby improving the inhalation sensation.

[Reference Example B4] Content of Aerosol Generator in Tobacco Filler

In Reference Example B4, the content of the aerosol generator (i.e., a mixture of glycerin and propylene glycol) in the tobacco filler material was changed. In Experiment 1, the content of propylene glycol in the tobacco filler material was fixed at about 0.5 mass %, and the content of glycerin in the tobacco filler material was changed. In Experiment 2, the content of glycerin in the tobacco filler material was fixed at about 15 mass %, and the content of propylene glycol in the tobacco filler material was changed.

4-1. Preparation of dry tobacco filling material and manufacture of flavor inhaler

A flavor inhaler was manufactured according to the method described in Reference Example B1, and tobacco filler (ie, dry tobacco filler) was taken out from the manufactured flavor inhaler. The moisture content of the obtained dry tobacco filler was 13.69% by mass.

4-2. Analysis of the amount of aerosol generating agent in dry tobacco filler

The tobacco filler material was taken out from the flavor inhaler manufactured in column 4-1, and the amount of the aerosol generating agent (glycerin, propylene glycol) contained in the tobacco filler material was measured using GC-MS as described above.

4-3. Analysis of nicotine, glycerin, and propylene glycol content in mainstream smoke

For the flavor inhalers manufactured in column 4-1, the contents of nicotine, glycerin, and propylene glycol in mainstream smoke were measured using GC-MS as described above.

4-4. Results

The results of Experiment 1 are shown in Figures 20A and 20B. Figure 20A shows the relationship between the content of the aerosol generating agent in the tobacco filler and the content of the component in the mainstream smoke. Figure 20B shows the relationship between the content of glycerin in the tobacco filler and the content of the component in the mainstream smoke.

The results of Experiment 2 are shown in Figures 21A and 21B. Figure 21A shows the relationship between the content of the aerosol generating agent in the tobacco filler and the content of the component in the mainstream smoke. Figure 21B shows the relationship between the content of propylene glycol in the tobacco filler and the content of the component in the mainstream smoke.

In these figures, G refers to glycerin, PG refers to propylene glycol, G+PG refers to a mixture of glycerin and propylene glycol, and Nic refers to nicotine.

According to the results of Figures 20A and 20B, the following conclusions can be drawn. As the content of aerosol generator (G+PG) in the tobacco filling material increases, the content of aerosol generator (G+PG) in the mainstream smoke increases, but the rate of increase gradually decreases. Specifically, when the content of aerosol generator (G+PG) in the tobacco filling material is 20% by mass or more, even if the content of aerosol generator (G+PG) in the tobacco filling material increases, the content of aerosol generator (G+PG) in the mainstream smoke basically does not increase. When the content of aerosol generator (G+PG) in the tobacco filling material is 20% by mass or more, even if the content of aerosol generator (G+PG) in the tobacco filling material increases, the content of glycerin in the mainstream smoke basically does not increase, and the content of propylene glycol in the mainstream smoke is slightly reduced. Furthermore, when the content of the aerosol generating agent (G+PG) in the tobacco filler is 20 mass % or more, the nicotine content in the mainstream smoke does not increase at all even if the content of the aerosol generating agent (G+PG) in the tobacco filler increases.

According to the results of Figures 21A and 21B, the following conclusions can be drawn. As the content of aerosol generator (G+PG) in the tobacco filling material increases, although the content of aerosol generator (G+PG) in mainstream smoke increases, the rate of increase gradually decreases. Specifically, when the content of propylene glycol in the tobacco filling material exceeds 3% by mass, even if the content of propylene glycol in the tobacco filling material increases, the content of aerosol generator (G+PG) in mainstream smoke is not easy to increase. When the content of propylene glycol in the tobacco filling material exceeds 3% by mass, even if the content of propylene glycol in the tobacco filling material increases, the content of propylene glycol in mainstream smoke is not easy to increase, and the content of glycerol in mainstream smoke decreases. In addition, when the content of propylene glycol in the tobacco filling material exceeds 3% by mass, as the content of propylene glycol in the tobacco filling material increases, the content of nicotine in mainstream smoke decreases slightly.

When the aerosol generator is heated, it vaporizes and becomes steam, and tobacco flavor components such as nicotine are transferred into the steam to generate an aerosol (mainstream smoke). As the aerosol generator vaporizes, it takes away the heat of vaporization. Therefore, when the content of the aerosol generator in the tobacco filler increases, the heat of vaporization also increases, thereby reducing the heating efficiency of the tobacco filler. Therefore, it can be considered that when the content of the aerosol generator in the tobacco filler increases, the transfer rate of high boiling point components (i.e., glycerin, nicotine) to the aerosol decreases.

According to the above results, the content of the aerosol generator in the tobacco filler is preferably less than 20% by mass, more preferably 19% by mass or less, and further preferably 15 to 19% by mass. In addition, according to the above results, when the aerosol generator is a mixture of glycerol and propylene glycol, the content of propylene glycol in the tobacco filler is preferably 3% by mass or less, and more preferably 1 to 3% by mass.

The embodiments are shown below.

Method 1

A tobacco sheet for a non-combustion heating-type flavor inhaler comprises tobacco powder, wherein the cumulative 90% particle size (D90) of the tobacco powder in a volume-based particle size distribution measured by a dry laser diffraction method is 200 μm or more.

Method 2

The sheet according to embodiment 1, wherein the tobacco powder is a dry tobacco material.

The above-mentioned sheet further comprises an aerosol generator,

The sheet has a moisture content of more than 5% by mass and 7.5% by mass or less.

Method 3

The sheet according to embodiment 2, wherein the aerosol generating agent is a mixture of glycerin and propylene glycol.

Method 4

The sheet according to embodiment 1, wherein the tobacco powder is a dry tobacco material.

The sheet contains less than 20% by mass of an aerosol generator,

The sheet has a moisture content of 3 to 5% by mass.

Method 5

The sheet according to embodiment 4, wherein the aerosol generating agent is a mixture of propylene glycol and glycerin.

Method 6

A non-combustion heat-type flavor inhaler comprising a tobacco-containing section including the tobacco sheet for a non-combustion heat-type flavor inhaler according to any one of aspects 1 to 5.

Method 7

A non-combustion heating type aroma inhalation system, comprising:

The non-combustion heating type flavor inhaler according to embodiment 6, and

A heating device is provided for heating the tobacco-containing section.

[1] A tobacco sheet for a non-combustion heat-type flavor inhaler, comprising tobacco powder having a cumulative 90% particle size (D90) of 200 μm or more in a volume-based particle size distribution measured by a dry laser diffraction method.

[2] The tobacco sheet for a non-combustion heating-type flavor inhaler according to [1], wherein the tobacco powder is at least one tobacco raw material selected from tobacco leaves, leaf veins, and residual stems.

[3] The tobacco sheet for a non-combustion heating-type flavor inhaler according to [1] or [2], wherein the ratio of the tobacco powder contained in 100% by mass of the tobacco sheet is 45 to 95% by mass.

[4] The tobacco sheet for a non-combustion heat-type flavor inhaler according to any one of [1] to [3], wherein the tobacco sheet further contains an aerosol generating agent.

[5] The tobacco sheet for a non-combustion heat-type flavor inhaler according to [4], wherein the aerosol generating agent is at least one selected from glycerin, propylene glycol, and 1,3-butylene glycol.

[6] The tobacco sheet for a non-combustion heat-type flavor inhaler according to [4] or [5], wherein the ratio of the aerosol generating agent contained in 100% by mass of the tobacco sheet is 4 to 50% by mass.

[7] The tobacco sheet for a non-combustion heat-type flavor inhaler according to any one of [1] to [6], wherein the tobacco sheet further contains a molding agent.

[8] The tobacco sheet for a non-combustion heat-type flavor inhaler according to [7], wherein the molding agent is at least one selected from polysaccharides, proteins and synthetic polymers.

[9] The tobacco sheet for a non-combustion heating-type flavor inhaler according to [7] or [8], wherein the ratio of the molding agent contained in 100% by mass of the tobacco sheet is 0.1 to 15% by mass.

[10] A non-combustion heat-type flavor inhaler comprising a tobacco-containing section including the tobacco sheet for a non-combustion heat-type flavor inhaler according to any one of [1] to [9].

[11] A non-combustion heating type aroma inhalation system, comprising:

[10] The non-combustion heating type fragrance inhaler, and

A heating device is provided for heating the tobacco-containing section.

Hereinafter, preferred embodiments will be summarized and described.

[A1] A dry tobacco filler comprising a dry tobacco material and an aerosol generating agent, and having a moisture content of greater than 5% by mass and less than 7.5% by mass.

[A2] The dry tobacco filler according to [A1], wherein the moisture content is 5.1 to 7.5% by mass, preferably 5.1 to 7.0% by mass, and more preferably 5.5 to 7.0% by mass.

[A3] The dry tobacco filler according to [A1] or [A2], wherein the dry tobacco material is a tobacco molded body.

[A4] The dry tobacco filler according to any one of [A1] to [A3], wherein the aerosol generating agent is a mixture of glycerin and propylene glycol.

[B1] A non-combustion heating type flavor inhaler, comprising a cigarette rod, a filter, and a connecting component connecting the cigarette rod and the filter, the cigarette rod comprising a dry tobacco filling material and a rolling paper wrapped around the dry tobacco filling material, the dry tobacco filling material comprising a dry tobacco material and an aerosol generating agent, and having a moisture content greater than 5% by mass and less than 7.5% by mass.

[B2] The non-combustion heating type flavor inhaler according to [B1], wherein the water content is 5.1 to 7.5% by mass, preferably 5.1 to 7.0% by mass, and more preferably 5.5 to 7.0% by mass.

[B3] The non-combustion heating type flavor inhaler according to [B1] or [B2], wherein the dry tobacco material is a tobacco molded body.

[B4] The non-combustion heating type flavor inhaler according to any one of [B1] to [B3], wherein the aerosol generating agent is a mixture of glycerin and propylene glycol.

[C1] A non-combustion heating type flavor inhalation system, comprising the non-combustion heating type flavor inhaler described in any one of [B1] to [B4] and an aerosol generating device.

[D1] A packaged product comprising a package, at least one non-combustion heating type aroma inhaler, and a desiccant,

The non-combustion heating type flavor inhaler is contained in the above-mentioned packaging body and contains a tobacco filling material containing a tobacco material and an aerosol generator.

The desiccant is introduced into the packaging body in an amount required for the tobacco filler material to reach an equilibrium moisture content greater than 5% by mass and less than 7.5% by mass.

The tobacco filler material has an equilibrium moisture content in the packaging body of more than 5% by mass and not more than 7.5% by mass.

[D2] The packaged product according to [D1], wherein the equilibrium moisture content is 5.1 to 7.5% by mass, preferably 5.1 to 7.0% by mass, and more preferably 5.5 to 7.0% by mass.

[D3] The packaged product according to [D1] or [D2], wherein the tobacco material is a tobacco molded body.

[D4] The packaged product according to any one of [D1] to [D3], wherein the aerosol generator is a mixture of glycerin and propylene glycol.

[E1] A method for producing a dried tobacco filler material, the method comprising:

The tobacco filler material including the tobacco material and the aerosol generating agent is dried to prepare a dry tobacco filler material having a moisture content of more than 5% by mass and not more than 7.5% by mass.

[E2] The method according to [E1], wherein the drying is performed by microwave heating.

[E3] The method according to [E1] or [E2], wherein the drying is performed under the condition that the surface temperature of the tobacco filler reaches a temperature of 65° C. or less.

[E4] The method according to any one of [E1] to [E3], wherein the drying is performed by placing the tobacco filler in the presence of a desiccant.

[E5] The method according to any one of [E1] to [E4], wherein the water content is 5.1 to 7.5% by mass, preferably 5.1 to 7.0% by mass, and more preferably 5.5 to 7.0% by mass.

[E6] The method according to any one of [E1] to [E5], wherein the tobacco material is a tobacco molded body.

[E7] The method according to any one of [E1] to [E6], wherein the aerosol generating agent is a mixture of glycerin and propylene glycol.

[F1] A dried tobacco filler produced by the method described in any one of [E1] to [E7].

Hereinafter, preferred embodiments will be summarized and described.

[a1] A dry tobacco filler comprising a dry tobacco material and less than 20% by mass of an aerosol generating agent, and having a moisture content of 3 to 5% by mass.

[a2] The dried tobacco filler according to [a1], wherein the moisture content is 3.5 to 5% by mass, preferably 4 to 5% by mass.

[a3] The dry tobacco filler according to [a1] or [a2], wherein the aerosol generating agent is contained in an amount of 19% by mass or less, preferably 15 to 19% by mass.

[a4] The dry tobacco filler according to any one of [a1] to [a3], wherein the dry tobacco material is a tobacco molded body.

[a5] The dry tobacco filler according to any one of [a1] to [a4], wherein the aerosol generating agent is a mixture of propylene glycol and glycerin.

[a6] The dry tobacco filler according to [a5], wherein the propylene glycol is contained in an amount of 3% by mass or less, preferably 1 to 3% by mass.

[b1] A non-combustion heating type flavor inhaler, comprising a cigarette rod, a filter tip, and a connecting member connecting the cigarette rod and the filter tip,

The cigarette rod comprises a dry tobacco filler and a wrapping paper wrapped around the dry tobacco filler. The dry tobacco filler comprises a dry tobacco material and an aerosol generator of less than 20% by mass and has a moisture content of 3 to 5% by mass.

[b2] The non-combustion heating type flavor inhaler according to [b1], wherein the water content is 3.5 to 5% by mass, preferably 4 to 5% by mass.

[b3] The non-combustion heating type flavor inhaler according to [b1] or [b2], wherein the aerosol generating agent is contained in an amount of 19 mass % or less, preferably 15 to 19 mass %.

[b4] The non-combustion heating-type flavor inhaler according to any one of [b1] to [b3], wherein the dry tobacco material is a tobacco molded body.

[b5] The non-combustion heating type flavor inhaler according to any one of [b1] to [b4], wherein the aerosol generating agent is a mixture of propylene glycol and glycerin.

[b6] The non-combustion heating type flavor inhaler according to [b5], wherein the propylene glycol is contained in an amount of 3% by mass or less, preferably 1 to 3% by mass.

[c1] A non-combustion heating type flavor inhalation system, comprising the non-combustion heating type flavor inhaler described in any one of [b1] to [b6] and an aerosol generating device.

[d1] A packaged product comprising a package, at least one non-combustion heating type aroma inhaler, and a desiccant,

The non-combustion heating type flavor inhaler is contained in the above-mentioned packaging body and contains a tobacco filling material containing a tobacco material and an aerosol generator.

The desiccant is introduced into the packaging body in an amount required for the tobacco filler material to reach an equilibrium moisture content of 3 to 5% by mass.

The tobacco filler material reaches an equilibrium moisture content of 3 to 5% by mass in the packaging body.

[d2] The packaged product according to [d1], wherein the equilibrium moisture content is 3.5 to 5% by mass, preferably 4 to 5% by mass.

[d3] The packaged product according to [d1] or [d2], wherein the aerosol generating agent is contained in an amount of less than 20% by mass, preferably 19% by mass or less, and more preferably 15 to 19% by mass.

[d4] The packaged product according to any one of [d1] to [d3], wherein the tobacco material is a tobacco molded body.

[d5] The packaged product according to any one of [d1] to [d4], wherein the aerosol generator is a mixture of propylene glycol and glycerin.

[d6] The packaged product according to [d5], wherein the propylene glycol is contained in an amount of 3% by mass or less, preferably 1 to 3% by mass.

[e1] A method for producing a dried tobacco filler material, the method comprising:

The tobacco filler material including the tobacco material and the aerosol generating agent is dried under the condition that the surface temperature of the tobacco filler material is 90° C. or lower, thereby preparing a dry tobacco filler material having a moisture content of 3 to 5% by mass.

[e2] The method according to [e1], wherein the drying is performed under the condition that the surface temperature of the tobacco filler reaches a temperature of 65° C. or less.

[e3] The method according to [e1] or [e2], wherein the drying is performed at room temperature and a humidity of 30% or less.

[e4] The method according to any one of [e1] to [e3], wherein the drying is performed at a temperature of 5 to 35°C, preferably 15 to 25°C, and a humidity of 10 to 30%, preferably 15 to 25%.

[e5] The method according to any one of [e1] to [e4], wherein the drying is performed by placing the tobacco filler in the presence of a desiccant.

[e6] The method according to any one of [e1] to [e5], wherein the water content is 3.5 to 5% by mass, preferably 4 to 5% by mass.

[e7] The method according to any one of [e1] to [e6], wherein the dry tobacco filler contains the aerosol generating agent in an amount of less than 20 mass %, preferably less than 19 mass %, and more preferably 15 to 19 mass %.

[e8] The method according to any one of [e1] to [e7], wherein the tobacco material is a tobacco molded body.

[e9] The method according to any one of [e1] to [e8], wherein the aerosol generating agent is a mixture of propylene glycol and glycerin.

[e10] The method according to [e9], wherein the dry tobacco filler contains the propylene glycol in an amount of 3% by mass or less, preferably 1 to 3% by mass.

[f1] A dried tobacco filler produced by the method described in any one of [e1] to [e10].

Claims (7)

1. A tobacco sheet for a non-combustion heating type flavor inhaler, comprising a tobacco powder having a cumulative 90% particle diameter (D90) of 200 [ mu ] m or more in a volume-based particle size distribution measured by a dry laser diffraction method.

2. The sheet according to claim 1, wherein,

The tobacco powder is a dry tobacco material,

The tablet further comprises an aerosol generating agent,

The sheet has a water content of more than 5% by mass and 7.5% by mass or less.

3. A tablet according to claim 2 wherein the aerosol generating agent is a mixture of glycerol and propylene glycol.

4. The sheet according to claim 1, wherein,

The tobacco powder is a dry tobacco material,

The tablet contains less than 20 mass% of aerosol generating agent,

The sheet has a water content of 3 to 5 mass%.

5. The sheet according to claim 4, wherein,

The aerosol generating agent is a mixture of propylene glycol and glycerin.

6. A non-combustion heating type flavor aspirator comprising a tobacco-containing segment including the non-combustion heating type flavor aspirator tobacco sheet according to any one of claims 1 to 5.

7. A non-combustion heated flavor pumping system, comprising:

the non-combustion heating type flavor aspirator of claim 6, and

Heating means for heating said tobacco-containing segment.