EP4268619A1

EP4268619A1 - Tobacco composition, tobacco-containing segment, non-combustion heating-type flavor inhaler, and non-combustion heating-type flavor inhalation system

Info

Publication number: EP4268619A1
Application number: EP21910409.8A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Masaki ROKUGAWA; Daisuke NANJO; Shunsuke Aizawa; Keisuke Sasaki
Original assignee: Japan Tobacco Inc
Current assignee: Japan Tobacco Inc
Priority date: 2020-12-24
Filing date: 2021-12-13
Publication date: 2023-11-01
Also published as: WO2022138260A1; JPWO2022138260A1; JP2024109950A; JP7503661B2; EP4268619A4; JP7759997B2

Abstract

Provided is a tobacco composition which is low cost, with which a sufficient amount of smoke can be ensured, which can reduce a fiber odor, and which can improve the degree and sustainability of flavor. The tobacco composition contains a tobacco sheet and leaf tobacco, wherein: the mass ratio of the tobacco sheet to the leaf tobacco is 40-80/20-60 (tobacco sheet/leaf tobacco); and the tobacco composition contains an aerosol generating agent.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to a tobacco composition, a tobacco-containing segment, a non-combustion heating-type flavor inhaler, and a non-combustion heating-type flavor inhalation system.

BACKGROUND ART

In a combustion-type flavor inhaler (cigarette), a tobacco-containing segment with a tobacco filler containing leaf tobacco is burned to obtain a flavor. As an alternative to the combustion-type flavor inhaler, a non-combustion heating-type flavor inhaler has been proposed in which a tobacco-containing segment is not burned but heated to obtain a flavor. The heating temperature of a non-combustion heating-type flavor inhaler is lower than the combustion temperature of a combustion-type flavor inhaler and is approximately 400°C or less, for example. Because the heating temperature of a non-combustion heating-type flavor inhaler is low, as described above, an aerosol generator, such as glycerin, is added to a tobacco filler in the non-combustion heating-type flavor inhaler to increase the amount of smoke. An aerosol generator is vaporized by heating and generates an aerosol. A user is supplied with the aerosol together with a tobacco component and can obtain sufficient flavor.
In a tobacco-containing segment of a non-combustion heating-type flavor inhaler, a tobacco filler filled with a tobacco sheet instead of leaf tobacco is typically used as a tobacco filler so that the tobacco filler can contain a sufficient amount of aerosol generator (for example, Patent Literature 1). The tobacco sheet is manufactured by forming a composition containing tobacco into a sheet shape and contains fiber, such as pulp, as a filler for the forming. Because the fiber can absorb an aerosol generator, the tobacco sheet can hold a larger amount of aerosol generator than leaf tobacco.
On the other hand, Patent Literature 2 to Patent Literature 6 disclose a tobacco composition containing leaf tobacco and a tobacco sheet, mainly for use in a combustion-type flavor inhaler.

CITATION LIST

PATENT LITERATURE

PTL 1: Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication (Translation of PCT Application) No. 2014-515274
PTL 2: Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication (Translation of PCT Application) No. 2019-503659
PTL 3: Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication (Translation of PCT Application) No. 2013-502232
PTL 4: Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication No. 7-184624
PTL 5: Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication (Translation of PCT Application) No. 2018-516075
PTL 6: International Publication No. WO 2011/013478

SUMMARY OF INVENTION

TECHNICAL PROBLEM

As described above, a tobacco sheet can contain a large amount of aerosol generator and can ensure a sufficient amount of smoke when a non-combustion heating-type flavor inhaler is used. However, a tobacco sheet containing fiber, such as pulp, sometimes has a fiber odor during use. Furthermore, a tobacco sheet contains a material other than tobacco, such as fiber, partially loses a tobacco component during the manufacture of the tobacco sheet, therefore has less flavor than leaf tobacco during use, and retains the flavor for a shorter time. Furthermore, a tobacco sheet is more expensive to manufacture than leaf tobacco due to partial loss of a tobacco component during manufacture. On the other hand, leaf tobacco has a strong flavor during use, has no fiber odor, and is inexpensive, but cannot ensure a sufficient amount of smoke because the leaf tobacco can contain only a small amount of aerosol generator.
It is an object of the present invention to provide a low-cost tobacco composition that can reduce a fiber odor while ensuring a sufficient amount of smoke and can improve the degree and lasting of flavor, a tobacco-containing segment containing the tobacco composition, a non-combustion heating-type flavor inhaler, and a non-combustion heating-type flavor inhalation system.

SOLUTION TO PROBLEM

The present invention includes the following aspects.
A tobacco composition according to an embodiment of the present invention is

a tobacco composition containing a tobacco sheet and leaf tobacco,
wherein a mass ratio of the tobacco sheet to the leaf tobacco is tobacco sheet: leaf tobacco = 40 to 80:20 to 60, and
the tobacco composition contains an aerosol generator.

A tobacco-containing segment according to an embodiment of the present invention includes
a tubular wrapper and a tobacco filler, wherein the tobacco filler contains a tobacco composition according to an embodiment of the present invention filled in the wrapper.
A non-combustion heating-type flavor inhaler according to an embodiment of the present invention includes
a tobacco-containing segment according to an embodiment of the present invention.
A non-combustion heating-type flavor inhalation system according to an embodiment of the present invention includes

a non-combustion heating-type flavor inhaler according to an embodiment of the present invention and
a heating device for heating the tobacco-containing segment.

ADVANTAGEOUS EFFECTS OF INVENTION

The present invention can provide a low-cost tobacco composition that can reduce a fiber odor while ensuring a sufficient amount of smoke and can improve the degree and lasting of flavor, a tobacco-containing segment containing the tobacco composition, a non-combustion heating-type flavor inhaler, and a non-combustion heating-type flavor inhalation system.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

Fig. 1 is a cross-sectional view of an example of a non-combustion heating-type flavor inhaler according to the present embodiment.
Fig. 2 is a cross-sectional view of an example of a non-combustion heating-type flavor inhalation system according to the present embodiment, illustrating (a) a state before a non-combustion heating-type flavor inhaler is inserted into a heating device and (b) a state in which the non-combustion heating-type flavor inhaler is inserted into the heating device and is heated.
Fig. 3 is a cross-sectional view of a state in which a tobacco stick is inserted to a specified position in a heating chamber of an electric heating device according to the present embodiment.
Fig. 4 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line B-B of a hollow tube heater illustrated in Fig. 3 (a B-B cross section).
Fig. 5 is a scatter diagram of principal component scores in a reference example.

DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

[Tobacco Composition]

A tobacco composition according to the present embodiment contains a tobacco sheet and leaf tobacco. In the present embodiment, the mass ratio of the tobacco sheet to the leaf tobacco is tobacco sheet:leaf tobacco = 40 to 80:20 to 60. The tobacco composition according to the present embodiment also contains an aerosol generator.
The present inventors have found that, in a tobacco composition containing an aerosol generator, blending a tobacco sheet and leaf tobacco at a mass ratio of tobacco sheet:leaf tobacco = 40 to 80:20 to 60 can reduce a fiber odor while ensuring a sufficient amount of smoke and can improve the degree and lasting of flavor. When the mass ratio of the tobacco sheet is 40% by mass or more (the mass ratio of the leaf tobacco is 60% by mass or less), the tobacco composition can contain a sufficient amount of aerosol generator and ensure a sufficient amount of smoke during use. Furthermore, ensuring a sufficient amount of smoke allows the tobacco component to be sufficiently supplied to the user via an aerosol and thereby improves the degree and lasting of flavor. On the other hand, when the mass ratio of the tobacco sheet is 80% by mass or less (the mass ratio of the leaf tobacco is 20% by mass or more), a fiber odor caused by fiber, such as pulp, contained in the tobacco sheet can be reduced. This also increases the mass ratio of leaf tobacco, increases the tobacco component content, and improves the degree and lasting of flavor. Furthermore, in the present embodiment, blending the tobacco sheet and the leaf tobacco reduces the loss of the tobacco component during the manufacture as compared with a tobacco composition containing only the tobacco sheet and can reduce the manufacturing costs. The tobacco composition according to the present embodiment is particularly useful as a tobacco composition for a non-combustion heating-type flavor inhaler.
In the present embodiment, the mass ratio of the tobacco sheet to the leaf tobacco is tobacco sheet:leaf tobacco = 40 to 80:20 to 60, preferably (40 or more and less than 70):(more than 30 and 60 or less), more preferably 45 to 69:31 to 55, still more preferably 50 to 69:31 to 50, particularly preferably 55 to 68:32 to 45. A tobacco sheet and leaf tobacco have different appearances and, in a tobacco composition containing a tobacco sheet and leaf tobacco, can be separated from each other to measure their masses. For a leaf tobacco containing a component, such as an aerosol generator, the mass of the leaf tobacco includes the mass of the component. The same applies to a tobacco sheet. The tobacco composition according to the present embodiment may be composed of a tobacco sheet and leaf tobacco.

(Bulkiness)

The tobacco composition according to the present embodiment preferably has a bulkiness in the range of 300 to 580 cm³/100 g. A tobacco sheet has lower bulkiness than leaf tobacco. Thus, a tobacco composition containing a tobacco sheet alone needs to be filled in a larger amount to achieve predetermined winding tightness in a tobacco-containing segment. However, the tobacco composition according to the present embodiment, which also contains leaf tobacco with high bulkiness, has higher bulkiness than a tobacco composition containing a tobacco sheet alone and can be filled in a smaller amount to manufacture a tobacco-containing segment. This can reduce the manufacturing costs of a tobacco-containing segment. A tobacco composition with a bulkiness of 300 cm³/100 g or more can be filled in a sufficiently small amount to manufacture a tobacco-containing segment and can further reduce the manufacturing costs. The tobacco composition more preferably has a bulkiness in the range of 300 to 500 cm³/100 g, still more preferably 300 to 400 cm³/100 g, particularly preferably 330 to 380 cm³/100 g.
The bulkiness of a tobacco composition is a value measured by the following method. The bulkiness can be measured with DD-60A manufactured by Borgwaldt, Germany. The bulkiness is a value calculated from the height of a cylindrical sample after a load of 11.4 kg is applied for 5 seconds to a measuring cylinder 95 mm in diameter into which the sample is charged. Thus, the bulkiness represents the volume per unit weight of a shredded sample when a lump of the sample is pressed with a constant force. $FP = (A \times h 5) / W [cm] [^{3} / 100 g]$

FP: bulkiness
A: the cross-sectional area of the cylindrical sample
W: the weight of the sample
h5: the height of the cylindrical sample at the end of loading

(Reducing Sugar Content)

The tobacco composition according to the present embodiment may contain reducing sugar. Reducing sugar is a tobacco component and has been found to impart a pleasant tobacco-like aroma to an aerosol. The reducing sugar is glucose or fructose, for example. In the tobacco composition according to the present embodiment, the tobacco sheet preferably has a reducing sugar content in the range of 1.5% to 25.0% by mass and, in terms of flavor, more preferably 2.0% to 15.0% by mass, still more preferably 2.0% to 10.0% by mass. A tobacco sheet with a reducing sugar content of less than 1.5% by mass may generate an aerosol that causes physiological discomfort in the oral cavity. A reducing sugar content of more than 25.0% by mass may result in an aerosol to which acidity is given.
In the tobacco composition according to the present embodiment, the leaf tobacco preferably has a reducing sugar content in the range of 0.5% to 25.0% by mass, more preferably 1.0% to 20.0% by mass, still more preferably 5.0% to 15.0% by mass. A leaf tobacco with a reducing sugar content of less than 1.0% by mass may generate an aerosol that causes physiological discomfort in the oral cavity. A reducing sugar content of more than 20.0% by mass may result in an aerosol to which acidity is given.
The tobacco composition according to the present embodiment preferably has a reducing sugar content in the range of 0.8% to 25.0% by mass, more preferably 1.0% to 20.0% by mass, still more preferably 2.0% to 15.0% by mass. A tobacco composition with a reducing sugar content of less than 1.0% by mass may generate an aerosol that causes physiological discomfort in the oral cavity. A reducing sugar content of more than 25.0% by mass may result in an aerosol to which acidity is given. The reducing sugar content of a tobacco sheet, leaf tobacco, and a tobacco composition can be measured by preparing a powder of a sample, extracting reducing sugar, and analyzing by high-performance liquid chromatography or by a NIR measurement method. The reducing sugar content can be controlled within the above range, for example, by blending a Virginia variety with a high reducing sugar content, a Virginia variety and burley variety with a low reducing sugar content, and the like.

(Aerosol Generator and Aerosol Generator Content)

The tobacco composition according to the present embodiment contains an aerosol generator. The aerosol generator is vaporized by heating, generates an aerosol, and can increase the amount of smoke during use. The aerosol generator in the tobacco composition according to the present embodiment may be any aerosol generator that can be vaporized by heating and generate an aerosol, and can be an extract from various natural products and/or a constituent thereof. Specific examples of the aerosol generator include, but are not limited to, polyhydric alcohols, such as glycerin, propylene glycol, sorbitol, xylitol, and erythritol, triacetin, 1,3-butanediol, and mixtures thereof. The aerosol generator may be contained in the tobacco composition, for example, in the tobacco sheet, in the leaf tobacco, or in both the tobacco sheet and the leaf tobacco.
In the tobacco composition according to the present embodiment, the tobacco sheet preferably has an aerosol generator content in the range of 5.0% to 20.0% by mass, more preferably 7.5% to 18.0% by mass, still more preferably 10.0% to 16.0% by mass. A tobacco sheet with an aerosol generator content of 5.0% by mass or more can supply a sufficient amount of aerosol to the user.
In the tobacco composition according to the present embodiment, the leaf tobacco preferably has an aerosol generator content in the range of 2.0% to 15.0% by mass, more preferably 3.0% to 12.0% by mass, still more preferably 5.0% to 10.0% by mass. A leaf tobacco with an aerosol generator content of 2.0% by mass or more can supply a sufficient amount of aerosol to the user.
The tobacco composition according to the present embodiment preferably has an aerosol generator content in the range of 3.2% to 19.0% by mass, more preferably 4.8% to 16.8% by mass, still more preferably 7.0% to 14.8% by mass. A tobacco composition with an aerosol generator content of 3.2% by mass or more can supply a sufficient amount of aerosol to the user. The aerosol generator content of a tobacco sheet, leaf tobacco, and a tobacco composition is measured by gas chromatography.

(Nicotine Content)

The tobacco composition according to the present embodiment may contain nicotine. Nicotine is a tobacco component and contributes to a good flavor. In the tobacco composition according to the present embodiment, the tobacco sheet preferably has a nicotine content in the range of 0.5% to 5.0% by mass, more preferably 1.0% to 4.5% by mass, still more preferably 1.0% to 4.0% by mass. A tobacco sheet with a nicotine content of more than 5.0% by mass may cause discomfort when the aerosol is inhaled. Furthermore, a tobacco sheet with a nicotine content of less than 0.5% by mass sometimes cannot create satisfactory feeling of smoking when the aerosol is inhaled.
In the tobacco composition according to the present embodiment, the leaf tobacco preferably has a nicotine content in the range of 0.5% to 5.0%by mass, more preferably 1.0% to 4.5% by mass, still more preferably 1.0% to 4.0% by mass. A leaf tobacco with a nicotine content of more than 5.0% by mass may cause discomfort when the aerosol is inhaled. Furthermore, a leaf tobacco with a nicotine content of less than 0.5% by mass sometimes cannot create satisfactory feeling of smoking when the aerosol is inhaled.
The tobacco composition according to the present embodiment preferably has a nicotine content in the range of 0.5% to 5.0% by mass, more preferably 1.0% to 4.5%by mass, still more preferably 1.0% to 4.0% by mass. A tobacco composition with a nicotine content of more than 5.0% by mass may cause discomfort when the aerosol is inhaled. Furthermore, a tobacco composition with a nicotine content of less than 0.5% by mass sometimes cannot create satisfactory feeling of smoking when the aerosol is inhaled. The nicotine content of a tobacco sheet, leaf tobacco, and a tobacco composition is a value measured by the following method. The nicotine content can be controlled within the above range, for example, by blending a tobacco sheet and leaf tobacco with different nicotine contents.

(Method for Measuring Nicotine Content)

2.0 g of a sample is placed in a rotary tray dryer (rotary dryer) and is dried at 80°C ± 1°C for 3 hours. The water content W (% by mass) of the sample is determined from a decrease in mass. 10 mL of distilled water, 20 mL of hexane, and 5 mL of an 8 mol/L sodium hydroxide solution are then added to a mass of 0.5 g and are shaken for 60 minutes for extraction. After extraction, the supernatant liquid (hexane phase) is subjected to gas chromatography (GC/FID) to measure the amount of nicotine in the sample and determine the nicotine content Bw (% by mass). The nicotine component content Bd (% by mass) of the sample on an absolute dry matter basis is calculated from these values using the following formula: $Bd (% by mass) = Bw / (100 - W) \times 100$

(Neophytadiene Content)

The tobacco composition according to the present embodiment may contain neophytadiene. Neophytadiene is a tobacco component and contributes to a good flavor. In the tobacco composition according to the present embodiment, the tobacco sheet preferably has a neophytadiene content in the range of 0.01% to 0.10% by mass, more preferably 0.01% to 0.07% by mass, still more preferably 0.01% to 0.05% by mass.
In the tobacco composition according to the present embodiment, the leaf tobacco preferably has a neophytadiene content of 0.05% by mass or more, more preferably 0.05% to 0.30% by mass, still more preferably 0.05% to 0.25% by mass, particularly preferably 0.10% to 0.20% by mass.
The tobacco composition according to the present embodiment preferably has a neophytadiene content of 0.01% by mass or more, more preferably 0.01% to 0.22% by mass, still more preferably 0.01% to 0.18% by mass, particularly preferably 0.05% to 0.15% by mass. The neophytadiene content of a tobacco sheet, leaf tobacco, and a tobacco composition is a value measured by the following method. The neophytadiene content can be controlled within the above range, for example, by blending a tobacco sheet and leaf tobacco with different neophytadiene contents.

(Method for Measuring Neophytadiene Content)

(1) 2 g of a sample is weighed and is placed in a filter paper thimble. The filter paper thimble is lightly filled with absorbent cotton. The sample is then dried overnight under vacuum in a desiccator, is placed in a Soxhlet extractor, and is subjected to extraction with dichloromethane (approximately 150 ml) in a water bath for 20 hours.
(2) The dichloromethane extract is concentrated under vacuum at 40°C, is poured into a 50-ml volumetric flask, and is made up to 50 ml with dichloromethane.
(3) 25 ml of the extract is poured into a weighed 50-ml eggplant-shaped flask, is dried under vacuum with a rotary evaporator in a water bath at 40°C, and is weighed.
(4) 10 ml of the extract is poured into a Erlenmeyer flask smaller than 50 ml, and 200 µl of a n-hexadecane internal standard solution is added to the extract (solution A).
(5) The solution A is concentrated to 20 µl in a nitrogen stream and is subjected to GC/MS analysis.

(Cembratrienediol (CBT) Content)

The tobacco composition according to the present embodiment can contain a tobacco component cembratrienediol (CBT). Cembratrienediol (CBT) is a volatile tobacco component and contributes to a good flavor. In the tobacco composition according to the present embodiment, the tobacco sheet preferably has a cembratrienediol (CBT) content in the range of 0.01% to 0.10% by mass, more preferably 0.01% to 0.07% by mass, still more preferably 0.01% to 0.05% by mass.
In the tobacco composition according to the present embodiment, the leaf tobacco preferably has a cembratrienediol (CBT) content of 0.01% by mass or more, more preferably 0.01% to 0.80% by mass, still more preferably 0.01% to 0.50% by mass, particularly preferably 0.10% to 0.30% by mass.
The tobacco composition according to the present embodiment preferably has a cembratrienediol (CBT) content of 0.01% by mass or more, more preferably 0.01% to 0.52% by mass, still more preferably 0.01% to 0.34% by mass, particularly preferably 0.03% to 0.15% by mass. The cembratrienediol (CBT) content of a tobacco sheet, leaf tobacco, and a tobacco composition is a value measured by the following method. 5 g of a sample is weighed in a 100-ml screw tube, and 50 ml of ethyl acetate is added to the sample. After mixed well, the sample is allowed to stand at normal temperature for a whole day and night. The liquid mixture is filtered through a filter paper, and a small amount of anhydrous sodium sulfate is added to the filtrate (extract) for dehydration. The filtrate is again filtered through a filter paper. After dehydration, ethyl acetate in the liquid is removed under vacuum. The resulting dried product is dissolved in ethyl acetate and is subjected to GGMS analysis. The cembratrienediol (CBT) content can be controlled within the above range, for example, by blending a tobacco sheet and leaf tobacco with different cembratrienediol (CBT) contents.

(Type and Physical Properties of Tobacco Sheet)

The tobacco sheet according to the present embodiment preferably has a density in the range of 0.40 to 0.60 g/cm³, more preferably 0.45 to 0.55 g/cm³. A tobacco sheet with a density of 0.40 g/cm³ or more can contain an increased amount of tobacco component per volume and further improve the degree and lasting of flavor. A tobacco sheet with a density of 0.60 g/cm³ or less is easily warmed by heating and promotes the vaporization of a tobacco component in the initial stage of use. The density of a tobacco sheet is a value calculated by dividing the weight per unit area (basis weight) by the thickness measured with a constant pressure thickness measuring device. $Density of sheet tobacco (g / {cm}^{3}) = basis weight (g / {cm}^{2}) / thickness (cm)$
The tobacco sheet according to the present embodiment may include only one type of tobacco sheet or two or more types of tobacco sheets. A tobacco sheet including two or more types of tobacco sheets preferably includes two or more types of tobacco sheets with different densities. A tobacco sheet with a low density is easily warmed by heating and can contribute to promoting the vaporization of a tobacco component in the initial stage of use. On the other hand, a tobacco sheet with a high density has a high tobacco component content per volume and can contribute to improving the degree and lasting of flavor.
For example, the tobacco sheet according to the present embodiment preferably includes a first tobacco sheet with a density of less than 0.55 g/cm³ and a second tobacco sheet with a density of 0.55 g/cm³ or more. A first tobacco sheet with a low density of less than 0.55 g/cm³ is easily warmed by heating and further promotes the vaporization of a tobacco component in the initial stage of use. A second tobacco sheet with a high density of 0.55 g/cm³ or more increases the tobacco component content per volume and further improves the degree and lasting of flavor. The first tobacco sheet more preferably has a density of 0.40 g/cm³ or more and less than 0.55 g/cm³, still more preferably 0.45 g/cm³ or more and less than 0.55 g/cm³. The second tobacco sheet more preferably has a density in the range of 0.55 to 1.00 g/cm³, still more preferably 0.60 to 0.80 g/cm³. The tobacco sheet according to the present embodiment may be composed of the first tobacco sheet and the second tobacco sheet.
The mass ratio of the first tobacco sheet to the second tobacco sheet in the tobacco sheet according to the present embodiment is preferably first tobacco sheet: second tobacco sheet = 50 to 80:20 to 50. When the first tobacco sheet with a low density has a mass ratio of 50% by mass or more (the second tobacco sheet has a mass ratio of 50% by mass or less), the first tobacco sheet is easily warmed by heating and further promotes the vaporization of a tobacco component in the initial stage of use. When the first tobacco sheet has a mass ratio of 80% by mass or less (the second tobacco sheet has a mass ratio of 20% by mass or more), the second tobacco sheet with a high density has an increased mass ratio, the tobacco component content per volume is increased, and the degree and lasting of flavor are further improved. The mass ratio of the first tobacco sheet to the second tobacco sheet is more preferably first tobacco sheet: second tobacco sheet = 55 to 80:20 to 45, still more preferably 60 to 80:20 to 40.
The tobacco sheet according to the present embodiment may include a papermaking tobacco sheet and a slurry tobacco sheet described later. In this case, the papermaking tobacco sheet corresponds to the first tobacco sheet, and the slurry tobacco sheet corresponds to the second tobacco sheet. In a tobacco sheet including a papermaking tobacco sheet and a slurry tobacco sheet, the mass ratio of the papermaking tobacco sheet to the slurry tobacco sheet is preferably papermaking tobacco sheet: slurry tobacco sheet = 50 to 80:20 to 50, more preferably 55 to 80:20 to 45, still more preferably 60 to 80:20 to 40.
The second tobacco sheet or the slurry tobacco sheet preferably has an aerosol generator content of 20.0% by mass or less. When the aerosol generator content is 20.0% by mass or less, the second tobacco sheet or the slurry tobacco sheet is easily warmed by heating, and a tobacco component can be sufficiently vaporized. The aerosol generator content more preferably ranges from 10.0% to 20.0% by mass, still more preferably 10.0% to 15.0% by mass.
The aerosol generator content of the first tobacco sheet or the papermaking tobacco sheet is, but not limited to, for example, in the range of 10.0% to 30.0% by mass, preferably 10.0% to 20.0% by mass.

(Structure of Leaf Tobacco)

The term "leaf tobacco", as used herein, includes a harvested tobacco leaf, a lamina, a midrib, and the like produced by stripping and separation of a harvested tobacco leaf, an aged leaf tobacco after aging (including curing), and a shredded tobacco produced by shredding an aged leaf tobacco or the like to a predetermined size.

Different varieties of tobacco can be used. Examples thereof include flue-cured varieties, burley varieties, oriental varieties, native varieties, and other Nicotiana tabacum varieties and Nicotiana rustica varieties. Although these varieties can be used alone, to generate a desired flavor, they can be used as a blend in the process from harvesting of leaf tobacco to shredding of aged leaf tobacco. Details of varieties of tobacco are disclosed in "Tabako no jiten (Tobacco Dictionary), Tobacco Academic Studies Center, March 31, 2009".

As described above, tobacco varieties can be blended in the process from harvesting of leaf tobacco to shredding of aged leaf tobacco. The term "blend" typically refers to a mixture of the same or different varieties of tobacco, and the term "blend", as used herein, may also refer to a combination of different varieties of aged leaf tobacco or different varieties of shredded tobacco. Blending tobacco of the same variety but of different grades is sometimes specifically referred to as "cross-blend".
In each variety of tobacco, leaf tobacco is graded by characteristics, such as place of origin, place in the plant, color, surface condition, size, and shape. Furthermore, it is thought that leaf tobacco contains more than 300 chemical components, and different varieties of tobacco have different chemical characteristics. Even in the same variety of tobacco, different grades of tobacco may have different chemical characteristics. To obtain a tobacco raw material with desired characteristics and desired chemical characteristics, therefore, the blending or cross-blending is performed.

Treatment of harvested leaf tobacco at an early stage may be, for example, curing, treatment in a raw material factory, or aging.

After being harvested, leaf tobacco is typically subjected to curing at an early stage. Curing is a treatment of aging leaf tobacco and typically includes drying, humidity control, and the like, and also includes activating the functions of various enzymes contained in leaf tobacco. Cured leaf tobacco is packaged in a case and is stored in a warehouse for a certain period before being transported to a raw material factory. To produce leaf tobacco with low benzo[a]pyrene and low-molecular-weight carboxylic acid contents and containing a large amount of specific flavor component, harvested leaf tobacco may be subjected to treatment described in International Publication No. WO 2018/139068 instead of the curing.

Cured leaf tobacco transported to a raw material factory is unwrapped and is then typically processed into a lamina, a midrib, and the like by humidity control, stripping, separation, and the like. The lamina, midrib, and the like are then redried and packed in a case and are stored in a warehouse for extended periods. The long-term storage in a warehouse is also sometimes referred to as aging. The period of aging depends on the variety of tobacco used, the desired flavor of the tobacco product, and the aging temperature, and is typically one year or more and two years or less. Leaf tobacco that is subjected to curing as a type of aging or to a treatment as an alternative to the curing and that is further subjected to aging is referred to as "aged leaf tobacco".
Casing and aging leaf tobacco processed into a lamina, a midrib, and the like is sometimes referred to as aging after stripping. On the other hand, casing and aging leaf tobacco transported to a raw material factory without stripping and separation, followed by stripping and separation, is sometimes referred to as stripping after aging.

A flavoring and taste agent may be added to leaf tobacco. The type of flavoring and taste agent is, but not limited to, for example, a flavoring agent or a taste agent, from the perspective of imparting a good flavor. In addition, if necessary, a colorant, a wetting agent, and/or a preservative may be contained. The flavoring and taste agent and optional materials may have any properties and are, for example, liquids or solids. They may be a single component or a combination of a plurality of components.
Suitable flavors of the flavoring agent may be selected from tobacco extracts and tobacco components, carbohydrates and sugar flavors, licorice (glycyrrhiza), cocoa, chocolate, fruit juices and fruits, spices, foreign liquors, herbs, vanilla, and flower flavors, which may be used alone or in combination.
The flavoring agent may be one of a wide variety of flavor components, for example, described in "Shuuchi kanyou gijutsushu (kouryou) (Well-known and commonly used techniques (flavoring agent))" (March 14, 2007, issued by Japan Patent Office), "Saishinkoryo no jiten (Dictionary of latest flavoring agents (popular edition)" (February 25, 2012, edited by ARAI Soichi, KOBAYASHI Akio, YASHIMA Izumi, and KAWASAKI Michiaki, Asakura Publishing Co., Ltd.), and "Tobacco Flavoring for Smoking Products" (June 1972, R.J. REYNOLDS TOBACCO COMPANY).
The flavoring agent may be, for example, selected from isothiocyanates, indoles and derivatives thereof, ethers, esters, ketones, fatty acids, aliphatic higher alcohols, aliphatic higher aldehydes, aliphatic higher hydrocarbons, thioethers, thiols, terpene hydrocarbons, phenol ethers, phenols, furfural and derivatives thereof, aromatic alcohols, aromatic aldehydes, and lactones, which may be used alone or in combination. The flavoring agent may be a material that provides coldness/warmth.
More specifically, the flavoring agent may be acetoanisole, acetophenone, acetylpyrazine, 2-acetylthiazole, an alfalfa extract, amyl alcohol, amyl butyrate, trans-anethole, star anise oil, apple juice, Peru balsam oil, beeswax absolute, benzaldehyde, benzoin resinoid, benzyl alcohol, benzyl benzoate, benzyl phenylacetate, benzyl propionate, 2,3-butanedione, 2-butanol, butyl butyrate, butyric acid, caramel, cardamom oil, carob absolute, β-carotene, carrot juice, L-carvone, β-caryophyllene, cassia bark oil, cedarwood oil, celery seed oil, chamomile oil, cinnamaldehyde, cinnamic acid, cinnamyl alcohol, cinnamyl cinnamate, citronella oil, DL-citronellol, a clary sage extract, coffee, cognac oil, coriander oil, cumin aldehyde, davana oil, δ-decalactone, γ-decalactone, decanoic acid, dill herb oil, 3,4-dimethyl-1,2-cyclopentanedione, 4,5-dimethyl-3-hydroxy-2,5-dihydrofuran-2-one, 3,7-dimethyl-6-octenoic acid, 2,3-dimethylpyrazine, 2,5-dimethylpyrazine, 2,6-dimethylpyrazine, ethyl 2-methylbutyrate, ethyl acetate, ethyl butyrate, ethyl hexanoate, ethyl isovalerate, ethyl lactate, ethyl laurate, ethyl levulinate, ethyl maltol, ethyl octanoate, ethyl oleate, ethyl palmitate, ethyl phenylacetate, ethyl propionate, ethyl stearate, ethyl valerate, ethylvanillin, ethylvanillin glucoside, 2-ethyl-3,(5 or 6)-dimethyl pyrazine, 5-ethyl-3-hydroxy-4-methyl-2(5H)-furanone, 2-ethyl-3-methylpyrazine, eucalyptol, fenugreek absolute, genet absolute, gentian root infusion, geraniol, geranyl acetate, grape juice, guaiacol, a guava extract, γ-heptalactone, γ-hexalactone, hexanoic acid, cis-3-hexen-1-ol, hexyl acetate, hexyl alcohol, hexyl phenylacetate, honey, 4-hydroxy-3-pentenoic acid lactone, 4-hydroxy-4-(3-hydroxy-1-butenyl)-3,5,5-trimethyl-2-cyclohexen-1-one, 4-(p-hydroxyphenyl)-2-butanone, sodium 4-hydroxyundecanoate, immortelle absolute, β-ionone, isoamyl acetate, isoamyl butyrate, isoamyl phenylacetate, isobutyl acetate, isobutyl phenylacetate, jasmine absolute, kola nut tincture, labdanum oil, lemon terpeneless oil, a licorice extract, linalool, linalyl acetate, lovage root oil, maple syrup, menthol, menthone, L-menthyl acetate, p-methoxy benzaldehyde, methyl-2-pyrrolyl ketone, methyl anthranilate, methyl phenylacetate, methyl salicylate, 4'-methylacetophenone, methylcyclopentenolone, 3-methylvaleric acid, mimosa absolute, syrup, myristic acid, nerol, nerolidol, γ-nonalactone, nutmeg oil, δ-octalactone, octanal, octanoic acid, orange flower oil, orange oil, orris root oil, palmitic acid, ω-pentadecalactone, peppermint oil, petitgrain Paraguay oil, phenethyl alcohol, phenethyl phenylacetate, phenylacetic acid, piperonal, a plum extract, propenyl guaethol, propyl acetate, 3-propylidenephthalide, prune juice, pyruvic acid, a raisin extract, rose oil, rum, sage oil, sandalwood oil, spearmint oil, styrax absolute, marigold oil, tea distillate, α-terpineol, terpinyl acetate, 5,6,7,8-tetrahydroquinoxaline, 1,5,5,9-tetramethyl-13-oxacyclo(8.3.0.0(4.9))tridecane, 2,3,5,6-tetramethylpyrazine, thyme oil, a tomato extract, 2-tridecanone, triethyl citrate, 4-(2,6,6-trimethyl-1-cyclohexenyl)2-butene-4-one, 2,6,6-trimethyl-2-cyclohexene-1,4-dione, 4-(2,6,6-trimethyl-1,3-cyclohexadienyl)2-butene-4-one, 2,3,5-trimethylpyrazine, γ-undecalactone, γ-valerolactone, a vanilla extract, vanillin, veratraldehyde, violet leaf absolute, citral, mandarin oil, 4-(acetoxymethyl) toluene, 2-methyl-1-butanol, ethyl 10-undecenoate, isoamyl hexanoate, 1-phenylethylacetic acid, lauric acid, 8-mercaptomenthone, sinensal, hexyl butyrate, a plant powder (herb powder, flour powder, spice powder, tea powder: cocoa powder, carob powder, coriander powder, licorice powder, orange peel powder, rose hip powder, chamomile flower powder, lemon verbena powder, peppermint powder, leaf powder, spearmint powder, black tea powder, etc.), camphor, isopulegol, cineol, mint oil, eucalyptus oil, 2-1-menthoxy ethanol (COOLACT (registered trademark) 5), 3-1-menthoxy propane-1,2-diol (COOLACT (registered trademark) 10), 1-menthyl-3-hydroxybutyrate (COOLACT (registered trademark) 20), p-menthane-3,8-diol (COOLACT (registered trademark) 38D), N-(2-hydroxy-2-phenylethyl)-2-isopropyl-5,5-dimethylcyclohexane-1-carboxamide (COOLACT (registered trademark) 370), N-(4-(cyanomethyl)phenyl)-2-isopropyl-5,5-dimethylcyclohexanecarboxamide (COOLACT (registered trademark) 400), N-(3-hydroxy-4-methoxyphenyl)-2-isopropyl-5,5-dimethylcyclohexanecarboxamide, N-ethyl-p-menthane-3-carboamide (WS-3), ethyl-2-(p-menthan-3-carboxamide) acetate (WS-5), N-(4-methoxyphenyl)-p-menthane carboxamide (WS-12), 2-isopropyl-N,2,3-trimethylbutyramide (WS-23), 3-1-menthoxy-2-methylpropane-1,2-diol, 2-1-menthoxy ethane-1-ol, 3-1-menthoxy propane-1-ol, 4-1-menthoxy butane-1-ol, menthyl lactate (FEMA3748), menthone glycerin acetal (Frescolat MGA, FEMA3807, FEMA3808), 2-(2-1-menthyloxyethyl) ethanol, menthyl glyoxylate, menthyl 2-pyrrolidone-5-carboxylate, menthyl succinate (FEMA3810), N-(2-(pyridin-2-yl)-ethyl)-3-p-menthane carboxamide (FEMA4549), N-(ethoxycarbonylmethyl)-p-menthane-3-carboxamide, N-(4-cyanomethylphenyl)-p-menthane carboxamide, N-(4-aminocarbonylphenyl)-p-menthane, or the like.
The taste agent may be, for example, a material with sweetness, sourness, saltiness, umami, bitterness, acerbity, kokumi, or the like. Examples of the material with sweetness include saccharides, sugar alcohols, and sweeteners. Examples of the saccharides include monosaccharides, disaccharides, oligosaccharides, and polysaccharides. Examples of the sweeteners include natural sweeteners and synthetic sweeteners. Examples of the material with acidity include organic acids (and sodium salts thereof). Examples of the organic acids include acetic acid, adipic acid, citric acid, lactic acid, malic acid, succinic acid, and tartaric acid. Examples of the material with bitterness include caffeine (extract), naringin, and wormwood extracts. Examples of the material with saltiness include sodium chloride, potassium chloride, sodium citrate, potassium citrate, sodium acetate, and potassium acetate. Examples of the material with umami include sodium glutamate, sodium inosinate, and sodium guanylate. Examples of the material with acerbity include tannin and shibuol.
Examples of the colorant include natural dye/pigments and synthetic dye/pigments. Examples of the natural dye/pigments include caramel, turmeric, red yeast rice, gardenia, safflower, carotene, marigold, and annatto. Examples of the synthetic dye/pigments include tar dyes and titanium oxide.
Examples of the wetting agent include lipids (waxes, cera, glycerin, medium-chain fatty acid triglycerides, and fatty acids (short-chain, medium-chain, long-chain fatty acids)) and polyols (glycerol and polyethylene glycol)).
Examples of the preservative include acetic acid, benzoic acid, propionic acid, citric acid, lactic acid, malic acid, sorbic acid, tartaric acid (and salts thereof), and nisin.
When the flavoring and taste agent is added to leaf tobacco, from the perspective of imparting a good flavor, the flavoring and taste agent content of the leaf tobacco is, but not limited to, for example, typically 10 ppm or more, preferably 10,000 ppm or more, more preferably 50,000 ppm or more, and typically 250,000 ppm or less, preferably 200,000 ppm, more preferably 150,000 ppm or less, still more preferably 100,000 ppm or less.

Leaf tobacco may be shredded tobacco of leaf tobacco (hereinafter also referred to as "shredded leaf tobacco"). Shredded leaf tobacco is produced by shredding aged leaf tobacco or the like into a predetermined size. Aged leaf tobacco used for shredded leaf tobacco may be, but is not limited to, one produced by stripping and separation into a lamina and a midrib.

Shredded leaf tobacco may have any size and may be prepared by any method. For example, aged leaf tobacco is shredded to a width of 0.3 mm or more and 2.0 mm or less and a length of 3 mm or more and 30 mm or less. To serve as a flavor source, various shredding widths are possible in consideration of thermal conductivity. Shredded leaf tobacco with such a size is preferred for filling a wrapper described later. The use of two or more types of leaf tobacco with different shredding widths in the range of 0.3 to 2.0 mm is preferred from the perspective of widely changing the timing of puffing for sensing the degree of flavor. For example, a first leaf tobacco with a shredding width in the range of 0.3 to 1.2 mm and a second leaf tobacco with a shredding width in the range of 0.8 to 1.7 mm can be used (the second leaf tobacco has a larger shredding width than the first leaf tobacco). Decreasing the shredding width increases the surface area per unit mass and increases heat conduction efficiency. High heat conduction efficiency enables tobacco filler to be heated in a short time. On the other hand, increasing the shredding width decreases the surface area per unit mass and decreases the heat conduction efficiency, thus allowing tobacco filler to be heated for extended periods.

(Structure of Tobacco Sheet)

The tobacco sheet is produced by forming a composition containing aged leaf tobacco and the like into a sheet shape. Aged leaf tobacco used for the tobacco sheet may be, but is not limited to, one produced, for example, by stripping and separation into a lamina and a midrib. The term "sheet", as used herein, refers to a shape with a pair of approximately parallel main surfaces and side surfaces. The tobacco sheet contains fiber, such as pulp.

A tobacco sheet can be formed by a known method, such as a papermaking method, a casting method, or a rolling method. Details of various tobacco sheets formed by such a method are disclosed in "Tabako no jiten (Tobacco Dictionary), Tobacco Academic Studies Center, March 31, 2009". In the present description, a tobacco sheet formed by a papermaking method is referred to as a "papermaking tobacco sheet", and a tobacco sheet formed by a casting method (slurry method) is referred to as a "slurry tobacco sheet". Any of these tobacco sheets have difficulty in retaining a lipophilic component due to their unique compositions. On the other hand, these tobacco sheets have a property capable of retaining a hydrophilic vaper source or a thermal aroma precursor, such as glycerin, propylene glycol, reducing sugar, or an amino acid. A papermaking tobacco sheet, a slurry tobacco sheet, and a rolled tobacco sheet are outlined below.

A method for forming a tobacco sheet by a papermaking method may include the following steps, for example.

(1) The step of coarsely crushing aged leaf tobacco and mixing and agitating the coarsely crushed leaf tobacco with a solvent, such as water, thereby extracting a water-soluble component from the aged leaf tobacco.
(2) The step of separating into a water extract containing the water-soluble component and a residue.
(3) The step of drying the water extract under vacuum for concentration.
(4) The step of adding pulp to the residue and fiberizing the residue in a refiner to prepare a mixture (a homogenization step).
(5) The step of papermaking the mixture of the fiberized residue and the pulp.
(6) The step of adding a concentrate of the water extract to the paper-made sheet and drying the paper-made sheet to form a tobacco sheet.

This method for forming a tobacco sheet may further include the step of removing a component, such as a nitrosamine (see Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication (Translation of PCT Application) No. 2004-510422 ).

A method for forming a tobacco sheet by a casting method (slurry method) may include the following steps, for example.

(1) The step of mixing water, pulp, and a binder with a ground product of aged leaf tobacco to prepare a mixture (a homogenization step).
(2) The step of thinly spreading (casting) and drying the mixture to form a tobacco sheet.

This method for forming a tobacco sheet may further include the step of irradiating a slurry, which is prepared by mixing water, pulp, and a binder with crushed leaf tobacco, with ultraviolet radiation or X-ray radiation to remove a component, such as a nitrosamine.

A method for forming a tobacco sheet by a rolling method may include the following steps, for example.

(1) The step of mixing water, pulp, and a binder with a ground product of aged leaf tobacco to prepare a mixture (a homogenization step).
(2) The step of feeding the mixture into a plurality of rolling rollers for rolling.
(3) The step of peeling off the rolled product on the rolling rollers with a doctor knife, transferring the rolled product to a net conveyor, and drying the rolled product with a dryer.

When a tobacco sheet is formed by this method, depending on the purpose, the surface of each rolling roller may be heated or cooled, or the number of revolutions of each rolling roller may be adjusted. A tobacco sheet with a desired basis weight can be formed by adjusting the distance between rolling rollers.

In the homogenization step in the above methods, to prepare a tobacco sheet with certain strength, tobacco fiber contained in each mixture preferably has an average fiber length of 200 µm or more and 1000 µm or less, and each mixture preferably has a freeness of 20 degree SR or more and 50 degree SR or less. The average fiber length of tobacco fiber is measured by optical automatic analysis (JIS P 8226-2) using unpolarized light at a fiber count of 20,000 or more. The freeness is measured by the Schopper Riegler method (JIS P 8121).

The length and width of the tobacco sheet are not particularly limited and can be appropriately adjusted according to the filling form in a wrapper described later, which is mixed well with typical shredded tobacco. The tobacco sheet may have any thickness and preferably has a thickness of 100 µm or more and 1000 µm or less, more preferably 200 µm or more and 600 µm or less, in terms of heat transfer efficiency and strength.

The tobacco sheet may have any composition and may contain, for example, aged tobacco leaves, a binder, fiber, such as pulp, an aerosol generator, a flavoring and taste agent, and the like. The aged tobacco leaf content is preferably 50% by mass or more and 95% by mass or less of the total mass of the tobacco sheet. Examples of the binder include guar gum, xanthan gum, carboxymethylcellulose (CMC), and sodium salts of carboxymethylcellulose (CMC-Na). The binder content is preferably 1% by mass or more and 10% by mass or less of the total mass of the tobacco sheet. The fiber content, such as the pulp content, is preferably, but not limited to, 1% by mass or more and 10% by mass or less of the total mass of the tobacco sheet. The flavoring and taste agent may be the flavoring and taste agent described above. When the tobacco sheet contains the flavoring and taste agent, from the perspective of imparting a good flavor, the flavoring and taste agent content is, but not limited to, for example, typically 10 ppm or more, preferably 10,000 ppm or more, more preferably 50,000 ppm or more, and typically 250,000 ppm or less, preferably 200,000 ppm, more preferably 150,000 ppm or less, still more preferably 100,000 ppm or less.

The tobacco sheet may be shredded tobacco of a tobacco sheet (hereinafter also referred to as a shredded tobacco sheet). A shredded tobacco sheet is produced by shredding a tobacco sheet into a predetermined size. A shredded tobacco sheet may have any size and may be prepared by any method. For example, a tobacco sheet is shredded to a width of 0.3 mm or more and 2.0 mm or less and a length of 3 mm or more and 30 mm or less. A shredded tobacco sheet with such a size is preferred for filling a wrapper described later. The shredding width of a tobacco sheet preferably ranges from 0.3 to 1.0 mm from the perspective of reducing the delay of the development of the original flavor of the tobacco sheet. Furthermore, when a tobacco sheet is considered not only as a vapor source but also as a hydrophilic flavor source, it is preferable to set various shredding widths in consideration of the thermal conductivity and the like. The use of two or more types of tobacco sheets with different shredding widths in the range of 0.3 to 2.0 mm is preferred from the perspective of widely changing the timing of puffing for sensing the degree of flavor. For example, a first tobacco sheet with a shredding width in the range of 0.3 to 1.2 mm and a second tobacco sheet with a shredding width in the range of 0.8 to 1.7 mm can be used (the second tobacco sheet has a larger shredding width than the first tobacco sheet). Decreasing the shredding width increases the surface area per unit mass and increases heat conduction efficiency. High heat conduction efficiency enables tobacco filler to be heated in a short time. On the other hand, increasing the shredding width decreases the surface area per unit mass and decreases the heat conduction efficiency, thus allowing tobacco filler to be heated for extended periods.

(Another Additive)

The tobacco composition according to the present embodiment may optionally contain another additive in addition to the tobacco sheet and the leaf tobacco. The other additive may be, for example, a flavoring-agent-loaded polysaccharide sheet as a solid additive loaded with a flavoring agent. The addition of a flavoring-agent-loaded polysaccharide sheet has the advantage of increasing an inhaling flavor component during the use of a non-combustion heating-type flavor inhalation article. A flavoring-agent-loaded polysaccharide sheet is disclosed, for example, in Japanese Patent No. 5941988 , No. 5934799 , No. 5514953 , and No. 5481574 . These other additives may be of one type or of two or more types. However, the total mass ratio of the tobacco sheet and the leaf tobacco to 100% by mass of the tobacco composition is preferably 80% by mass or more, more preferably 90% by mass or more, still more preferably 93% by mass or more. The tobacco composition may be composed of the tobacco sheet and the leaf tobacco without the other additives.

(Water Content of Tobacco Composition)

The water content of the tobacco composition according to the present embodiment may be 10% by mass or more and 15% by mass or less, preferably 11% by mass or more and 13% by mass or less, of the total mass of the tobacco composition. At such a water content, it is possible to reduce the occurrence of a stain on a wrapper filled with the tobacco composition.

(Method for Manufacturing Tobacco Composition)

The tobacco composition according to the present embodiment may be manufactured by any method and can be manufactured by mixing the tobacco sheet, the leaf tobacco, and optionally the other additive at a predetermined blending ratio by a known method.

[Tobacco-Containing Segment]

A tobacco-containing segment according to the present embodiment includes a tubular wrapper and a tobacco filler, wherein the tobacco filler contains the tobacco composition according to the present embodiment filled in the wrapper. Due to the tobacco composition according to the present embodiment, the tobacco-containing segment according to the present embodiment can reduce a fiber odor while ensuring a sufficient amount of smoke during use and improve the degree and lasting of flavor. The tobacco-containing segment can be manufactured at low cost.
The tobacco filler refers to a tubular wrapper filled with the tobacco composition according to the present embodiment in a predetermined manner. The wrapper may be, but is not limited to, a tubular wrapping paper. The tobacco-containing segment is formed, for example, by wrapping with a wrapper, such as a wrapping paper, such that the tobacco composition is on the inside.
The tobacco-containing segment preferably has a columnar shape. In such a case, the aspect ratio of the longitudinal height of the tobacco-containing segment to the bottom width of the tobacco-containing segment is preferably, but not limited to, one or more. The bottom surface may have any shape, such as polygonal, polygonal with round corners, circular, or elliptical. The bottom width is the diameter of a circular bottom surface, the maximum diameter of an elliptical bottom surface, or the diameter of a circumcircle or the maximum diameter of a circumscribed ellipse when the bottom surface is polygonal or polygonal with round corners. For example, for a circular bottom surface, the diameter thereof can be defined as the width, and the length perpendicular to the diameter is the height. The tobacco-containing segment may have any dimensions and, for example, has a length of 10 mm or more and 70 mm or less and a width of 4 mm or more and 9 mm or less. The tobacco filler in the tobacco-containing segment may have a fitting portion for a heater for heating the tobacco filler.
The filling density of the tobacco composition in the tobacco filler preferably ranges from 0.25 to 0.45 g/cm³. A filling density of 0.25 g/cm³ or more can result in sufficient winding tightness. A filling density of 0.45 g/cm³ or less can result in a decreased filling amount of tobacco composition and reduced manufacturing costs. The filling density more preferably ranges from 0.29 to 0.42 g/cm³, still more preferably 0.30 to 0.39 g/cm³.

[Non-Combustion Heating-Type Flavor Inhaler]

A non-combustion heating-type flavor inhaler according to the present embodiment includes the tobacco-containing segment according to the present embodiment. Due to the tobacco-containing segment according to the present embodiment, the non-combustion heating-type flavor inhaler according to the present embodiment can reduce a fiber odor while ensuring a sufficient amount of smoke during use and improve the degree and lasting of flavor. The non-combustion heating-type flavor inhaler can be manufactured at low cost.
Fig. 1 illustrates an example of the non-combustion heating-type flavor inhaler according to the present embodiment. A non-combustion heating-type flavor inhaler 1 illustrated in Fig. 1 includes a tobacco-containing segment 2 according to the present embodiment, a tubular cooling segment 3 with a hole 8 on the periphery, a center hole segment 4, and a filter segment 5. The non-combustion heating-type flavor inhaler according to the present embodiment may have another segment, in addition to the tobacco-containing segment, the cooling segment, the center hole segment, and the filter segment.
The non-combustion heating-type flavor inhaler according to the present embodiment may have any axial length and preferably has an axial length of 40 mm or more and 90 mm or less, more preferably 50 mm or more and 75 mm or less, still more preferably 50 mm or more and 60 mm or less. The non-combustion heating-type flavor inhaler preferably has a circumferential length of 16 mm or more and 25 mm or less, more preferably 20 mm or more and 24 mm or less, still more preferably 21 mm or more and 23 mm or less. For example, the tobacco-containing segment has a length of 20 mm, the cooling segment has a length of 20 mm, the center hole segment has a length of 8 mm, and the filter segment has a length of 7 mm. The length of the filter segment can be selected in the range of 4 mm or more and 10 mm or less. The airflow resistance of the filter segment is selected in the range of 15 mmH₂O/seg or more and 60 mmH₂O/seg or less per segment. The length of each segment can be appropriately changed according to the manufacturability, quality requirements, and the like. Only the filter segment on the downstream side of the cooling segment without the center hole segment can also function as a non-combustion heating-type flavor inhaler.

(Tobacco-Containing Segment)

The tobacco-containing segment 2 is the tobacco-containing segment according to the present embodiment. As illustrated in Fig. 1, heating the tobacco-containing segment 2 vaporizes a tobacco component (a flavor component), an aerosol generator, and water contained in the tobacco filler, which are transferred to a mouthpiece segment 6 by inhalation.

(Cooling Segment)

As illustrated in Fig. 1, the cooling segment 3 may be constituted by a tubular member 7. The tubular member 7 may be, for example, a paper tube prepared by processing a thick paper into a cylindrical shape.
The cooling segment may have a total surface area of 300 mm²/mm or more and 1000 mm²/mm or less. This surface area is the surface area per length (mm) in the cooling segment airflow direction. The cooling segment preferably has a total surface area of 400 mm²/mm or more, more preferably 450 mm²/mm or more, and 600 mm²/mm or less, more preferably 550 mm²/mm or less.
It is desirable that the cooling segment have an internal structure with a large total surface area. Thus, in a preferred embodiment, the cooling segment may be formed of a sheet of a thin material that is wrinkled to form a channel and then pleated, gathered, and folded. More folds or pleats within a given volume of the element increase the total surface area of the cooling segment.
In some embodiments, the thickness of a constituent material of the cooling segment may be 5 µm or more and 500 µm or less, for example, 10 µm or more and 250 µm or less.
The aerosol cooling element may be formed from a material with a specific surface area of 10 mm²/mg or more and 100 mm²/mg or less. In one embodiment, the specific surface area of a constituent material may be approximately 35 mm²/mg. The specific surface area can be determined in consideration of a material with a known width and thickness. For example, the material may be poly(lactic acid) with an average thickness of 50 µm and a variation of ±2 µm. When the material also has a known width of, for example, 200 mm or more and 250 mm or less, the specific surface area and density can be calculated.
The tubular member 7 and a mouthpiece lining paper 12 described later have the hole 8 passing therethrough. The hole 8 allows the outside air to be introduced into the cooling segment 3 during inhalation. This brings the outside air into contact with an aerosol vaporized component generated by heating the tobacco-containing segment 2, decreases the temperature of the aerosol vaporized component, liquefies the aerosol vaporized component, and forms an aerosol. The hole 8 may have any diameter (full length), for example, a diameter in the range of 0.5 mm or more and 1.5 mm or less. The number of holes 8 may be, but is not limited to, one or two or more. For example, a plurality of holes 8 may be provided on the periphery of the cooling segment 3.
The amount of outside air introduced through the hole 8 is preferably 85% by volume or less, more preferably 80% by volume or less, of the volume of the whole gas inhaled by the user. When the amount of outside air is 85% by volume or less, it is possible to sufficiently reduce the decrease in flavor due to dilution with the outside air. This is also referred to as a ventilation ratio. The lower limit of the ventilation ratio is preferably 55% by volume or more, more preferably 60% by volume or more, in terms of cooling performance.
The cooling segment preferably has less resistance to air passing through the tobacco-containing segment. The cooling segment preferably does not substantially affect the inhalation resistance of the non-combustion heating-type flavor inhaler. The resistance to draw (RTD) is the pressure required to push air through the total length of an object in a test at a flow rate of 17.5 ml/s at 22°C and 101 kPa (760 torr). RTD is typically expressed in mmH₂O and is determined in accordance with ISO 6565: 2011. Thus, the pressure drop from the upstream end of the cooling segment to the downstream end of the cooling segment is preferably small. To achieve this, preferably, the longitudinal porosity is more than 50%, and the airflow path through the cooling segment is relatively unconstrained. The longitudinal porosity of the cooling segment may be defined by the ratio of the cross-sectional area of the material forming the cooling segment to the internal cross-sectional area of the cooling segment.
In some embodiments, generated aerosol may be cooled by 10°C or more when inhaled by the user through the cooling segment. The temperature may be decreased by 15°C or more in another embodiment and by 20°C or more in still another embodiment.
The cooling segment may be composed of a sheet material selected from the group including metal foils, polymer sheets, and substantially nonporous paper or thick paper. In one embodiment, the cooling segment may contain a sheet material selected from the group consisting of polyethylene, polypropylene, poly(vinyl chloride), polyethylene terephthalate), poly(lactic acid), cellulose acetate, and aluminum foil. A constituent material of the cooling segment may be made from a biodegradable material, for example, nonporous paper, or a biodegradable polymer, such as poly(lactic acid), or a starch copolymer.
The airflow through the cooling segment preferably does not substantially deflect between adjacent segments. In other words, the airflow through the cooling segment preferably flows along the segment in the longitudinal direction without substantial radial deflection. In some embodiments, the cooling segment is formed from a low-porosity or substantially nonporous material, except for longitudinally extending channels. A material used to define or form a longitudinally extending channel, for example, a wrinkled or gathered sheet, has low porosity or is substantially nonporous.
As described above, the cooling segment may include a sheet of an appropriate constituent material that is wrinkled, pleated, gathered, or folded. A cross-sectional profile of such an element may have randomly oriented channels. The cooling segment may be formed by another means. For example, the cooling segment may be formed from a bundle of longitudinally extending tubes. The cooling segment may be formed by extrusion, forming, lamination, injection, or shredding of an appropriate material.
The cooling segment may be formed, for example, by wrapping a pleated, gathered, or folded sheet material with a wrapping paper. In some embodiments, the cooling segment may include a sheet of a wrinkled material gathered into a rod shape and joined together by a wrapper, for example, a wrapping paper of filter paper.
The cooling segment may be formed in a rod shape with an axial length of, for example, 7 mm or more and 28 mm or less. For example, the cooling segment may have an axial length of 18 mm.
In some embodiments, the cooling segment is substantially circular in its axial cross-section and may have a diameter of 5 mm or more and 10 mm or less. For example, the cooling segment may have a diameter of approximately 7 mm.

(Center Hole Segment)

The center hole segment is composed of a fill layer with one or more hollow portions and an inner plug wrapper (inner wrapping paper) covering the fill layer. For example, as illustrated in Fig. 1, the center hole segment 4 is composed of a second fill layer 9 with a hollow portion and a second inner plug wrapper 10 covering the second fill layer 9. The center hole segment 4 has a function of increasing the strength of the mouthpiece segment 6. The second fill layer 9 may be, for example, a rod with an inside diameter of ϕ5.0 mm or more and ϕ1.0 mm or less in which cellulose acetate fibers are densely packed and a plasticizer containing triacetin is added in an amount of 6% by mass or more and 20% by mass or less of the mass of cellulose acetate and is hardened. The fibers in the second fill layer 9 have a high filling density, and air or an aerosol flows only through the hollow portion during inhalation and rarely flows through the second fill layer 9. The second fill layer 9 inside the center hole segment 4 is a fiber fill layer, and the touch from the outside during use rarely causes discomfort to the user. The center hole segment 4 may have no second inner plug wrapper 10 and may maintain its shape by thermoforming.

(Filter Segment)

The filter segment may have any structure and may be composed of one or more fill layers. The outer side of the fill layer(s) may be wrapped with one or more wrapping papers. The airflow resistance per segment of the filter segment can be appropriately changed depending on the amount, material, and the like of filler in the filter segment. For example, when the filler is cellulose acetate fibers, increasing the amount of cellulose acetate fibers in the filter segment can increase the airflow resistance. When the filler is cellulose acetate fibers, the filling density of the cellulose acetate fibers may range from 0.13 to 0.18 g/cm³. The airflow resistance is a value measured with an airflow resistance measuring instrument (trade name: SODIMAX, manufactured by SODIM).
The filter segment may have any circumferential length, which preferably ranges from 16 to 25 mm, more preferably 20 to 24 mm, still more preferably 21 to 23 mm. The axial length of the filter segment can be selected from 4 to 10 mm and is selected to have an airflow resistance in the range of 15 to 60 mmH₂O/seg. The filter segment preferably has an axial length in the range of 5 to 9 mm, more preferably 6 to 8 mm. The filter segment may have any cross-sectional shape, for example, a circular shape, an elliptical shape, a polygonal shape, or the like. A breakable capsule containing a flavoring agent, flavoring agent beads, or a flavoring agent may be added directly to the filter segment.
As illustrated in Fig. 1, the center hole segment 4 and the filter segment 5 can be connected using an outer plug wrapper (outer wrapping paper) 11. The outer plug wrapper 11 may be, for example, cylindrical paper. The tobacco-containing segment 2, the cooling segment 3, and the connected center hole segment 4 and filter segment 5 can be connected using the mouthpiece lining paper 12. These connections can be made, for example, by applying an adhesive, such as a vinyl acetate adhesive, to the inner surface of the mouthpiece lining paper 12, inserting the three segments therein, and wrapping the three segments. These segments may be connected multiple times with a plurality of lining papers.

[Non-Combustion Heating-Type Flavor Inhalation System]

A non-combustion heating-type flavor inhalation system according to the present embodiment can include the non-combustion heating-type flavor inhaler according to the present embodiment and a heating device for heating the tobacco-containing segment of the non-combustion heating-type flavor inhaler. The non-combustion heating-type flavor inhalation system according to the present embodiment may have another constituent, in addition to the non-combustion heating-type flavor inhaler according to the present embodiment and the heating device.
Fig. 2 illustrates an example of the non-combustion heating-type flavor inhalation system according to the present embodiment. The non-combustion heating-type flavor inhalation system illustrated in Fig. 2 includes the non-combustion heating-type flavor inhaler 1 according to the present embodiment and a heating device 13 for heating the tobacco-containing segment of the non-combustion heating-type flavor inhaler 1 from the outside.
Fig. 2(a) illustrates a state before the non-combustion heating-type flavor inhaler 1 is inserted into the heating device 13, and Fig. 2(b) illustrates a state in which the non-combustion heating-type flavor inhaler 1 is inserted into the heating device 13 and is heated. The heating device 13 illustrated 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 tubular recess 19. The heater 15 and the metal tube 16 are arranged on the inner side surface of the recess 19 at a position corresponding to the tobacco-containing segment of the non-combustion heating-type flavor inhaler 1 inserted into the recess 19. The heater 15 may be an electrical resistance heater and is heated by an electric power supplied from the battery unit 17 according to an instruction from the control unit 18 for temperature control. Heat generated by the heater 15 is transferred to the tobacco-containing segment of the non-combustion heating-type flavor inhaler 1 through the metal tube 16 with high thermal conductivity.
Although there is a space between the outer circumference of the non-combustion heating-type flavor inhaler 1 and the inner circumference of the metal tube 16 in schematically illustrated Fig. 2(b), it is actually desirable that for efficient heat transfer there be no space between the outer circumference of the non-combustion heating-type flavor inhaler 1 and the inner circumference of the metal tube 16. The heating device 13 heats the tobacco-containing segment of the non-combustion heating-type flavor inhaler 1 from the outside but may heat it from the inside.
The heating temperature of the heating device is preferably, but is not limited to, 400°C or less, more preferably 150°C or more and 400°C or less, still more preferably 200°C or more and 350°C or less. The heating temperature refers to the temperature of the heater of the heating device.

[Non-Combustion Heating-Type Tobacco Product]

A non-combustion heating-type tobacco product according to the present embodiment includes an electric heating device and a non-combustion heating-type tobacco stick, which is used together with the electric heating device. The non-combustion heating-type tobacco stick includes a tobacco rod portion, which includes a tobacco filler containing the tobacco composition according to the present embodiment and a wrapping paper wrapping the tobacco filler, a mouthpiece portion coaxially connected to the tobacco rod portion by being wrapped together with the tobacco rod portion in tipping paper, and a vent hole provided in the mouthpiece portion. The electric heating device has a hollow tube heater defined to form an inner heating chamber into which the non-combustion heating-type tobacco stick can be inserted. The hollow tube heater includes a compression tube portion for compressing the tobacco rod portion from the outer circumference when the non-combustion heating-type tobacco stick is inserted, and a heating wall portion that is formed by at least part of the compression tube portion to heat the tobacco rod portion from the outer circumference. The cross-sectional area of the tobacco rod portion is larger than the cross-sectional area of the inner space of the compression tube portion and is defined such that the tobacco rod portion inserted into the compression tube portion can be compressed by the inner wall surface of the compression tube portion.
As an example, Fig. 3 illustrates a tobacco stick 100 inserted to a specified position in a heating chamber 60 of an electric heating device according to the present embodiment. Fig. 4 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line B-B of a hollow tube heater 21 illustrated in Fig. 3 (a B-B cross section). In Fig. 4, the reference numeral L2 indicates an external shape (outline) of the original form of the tobacco stick 100 in the cross-sectional direction.
As illustrated in Fig. 3, the axial length of a compression tube portion 63 from the upper end of the compression tube portion 63 to a positioning bottom surface 731 of a base 73 in the hollow tube heater 21 is larger than the length of a tobacco rod portion 110. Thus, in the tobacco stick 100 inserted to a specified position in the heating chamber 60 in the hollow tube heater 21, the entire tobacco rod portion 110 and part of a mouthpiece portion 120 are inserted into the compression tube portion 63. Consequently, the entire tobacco rod portion 110 and part of the mouthpiece portion 120 are put between inner wall surfaces 631A and 631A of a pair of sandwiching wall portions 631 and 631 and are compressed from the outer circumference.
When the user performs a predetermined ON operation of an operating button of the electric heating device, a control unit starts power supply from a power source to the hollow tube heater 21 and starts heating control for heating the tobacco rod portion 110 of the tobacco stick 100. When the heating control is started, a heater element 23 installed in a heating wall portion RH of the compression tube portion 63 in the hollow tube heater 21 is energized, and the heating wall portion RH generates heat. Thus, tobacco filler 111 contained in the tobacco rod portion 110 of the tobacco stick 100 can be heated without being burned, and a vapor containing an aerosol generator and a tobacco flavor component can be generated.
In the compression tube portion 63 of the hollow tube heater 21 according to the present embodiment, the entire region in the axial direction is formed as the heating wall portion RH. Thus, during the operation of the hollow tube heater 21, the tobacco rod portion 110 can be heated while being compressed by the compression tube portion 63 (the heating wall portion RH). Thus, compressing and heating the tobacco rod portion 110 from the outer circumference can efficiently transfer the heat generated by the heating wall portion RH (the heater element 23) to the tobacco filler 111 of the tobacco rod portion 110. This can efficiently heat the tobacco filler 111 of the tobacco rod portion 110 and increase the delivery amounts of aerosol and flavor component.

EXAMPLES

Although specific examples of the present embodiment are described below, the present invention is not limited to these examples.

[Example 1]

(1) Manufacture of Tobacco Sheet

Aged leaf tobacco (lamina: 66 parts by mass, midrib: 8 parts by mass), 11 parts by mass of cellulose pulp, and 15 parts by mass of glycerin were used to manufacture a tobacco sheet by the papermaking method described above. The tobacco sheet had an aerosol generator (glycerin) content of 15.0% by mass. The tobacco sheet had a reducing sugar content of 4.0% by mass. The tobacco sheet had a nicotine content of 1.94% by mass. The tobacco sheet had a neophytadiene content of 0.037% by mass. The tobacco sheet had a cembratrienediol (CBT) content of 0.031% by mass. The tobacco sheet had a density of 0.48 g/cm³. The component contents and the density were measured by the methods described above.

(2) Manufacture of Leaf Tobacco

Leaf tobacco was prepared by mixing flue-cured varieties (flue-cured variety A: 20 parts by mass, flue-cured variety B: 20 parts by mass, flue-cured variety C: 5 parts by mass, and flue-cured variety D: 40 parts by mass), 5 parts by mass of an oriental variety, and 10 parts by mass of a burley variety. Glycerin was added as an aerosol generator to the leaf tobacco to the glycerin content of 7.5% by mass. The leaf tobacco had a reducing sugar content of 9.0% by mass. The leaf tobacco had a nicotine content of 2.64% by mass. The leaf tobacco had a neophytadiene content of 0.160% by mass. The leaf tobacco had a cembratrienediol (CBT) content of 0.158% by mass. The component contents were measured by the methods described above.

(3) Preparation of Tobacco Composition

The tobacco sheet and the leaf tobacco were each shredded into a width of 0.8 mm and were mixed such that the mass ratio of the tobacco sheet to the leaf tobacco was tobacco sheet:leaf tobacco = 80:20, thereby preparing a tobacco composition.

(4) Manufacture of Tobacco-Containing Segment

The tobacco composition was wrapped with wrapping paper such that the tobacco composition was on the inside, thereby preparing a tobacco-containing segment. The tobacco composition in the tobacco filler of the tobacco-containing segment had a filling density of 0.34 g/cm³.

(5) Manufacture of Non-Combustion Heating-Type Flavor Inhaler

The tobacco-containing segment was used to manufacture the non-combustion heating-type flavor inhaler illustrated in Fig. 1.

[Examples 2 to 5, Comparative Examples 1 to 6]

Tobacco compositions were prepared in the same manner as in Example 1 except that the mass ratio of the tobacco sheet to the leaf tobacco in the preparation of the tobacco composition was changed as shown in Table 1. The tobacco compositions were used to manufacture tobacco-containing segments and non-combustion heating-type flavor inhalers in the same manner as in Example 1.

Table 1 shows the mass ratio of the tobacco sheet to the leaf tobacco, the bulkiness, the aerosol generator content, the reducing sugar content, the nicotine content, the neophytadiene content, and the CBT content of the tobacco compositions prepared in the examples and the comparative examples. The bulkiness and the component contents were measured by the methods described above.

[Table 1]

	Tobacco composition
	Mass ratio		Bulkiness (cm³/100g)	Aerosol generator content (mass%)	Reducing sugar content (mass%)	Nicotine content (mass%)	Neophytadiene content (mass%)	CBT content (mass%)
	Tobacco sheet	Leaf tobacco	Bulkiness (cm³/100g)	Aerosol generator content (mass%)	Reducing sugar content (mass%)	Nicotine content (mass%)	Neophytadiene content (mass%)	CBT content (mass%)
Comparative example 1	100	0	313	15.0	4.0	1.94	0.037	0.031
Comparative example 2	90	10	323	14.3	4.5	2.01	0.049	0.044
Example 1	80	20	333	13.5	5.0	2.08	0.062	0.056
Example 2	70	30	343	12.8	5.5	2.15	0.074	0.069
Example 3	60	40	354	12.0	6.0	-	0.086	0.082
Example 4	50	50	364	11.3	6.5	2.29	0.099	0.095
Example 5	40	60	374	10.0	7.0	2.36	0.111	0.107
Comparative example 3	30	70	384	9.8	7.5	2.43	0.123	0.120
Comparative example 4	20	80	395	9.0	8.0	2.50	0.136	0.133
Comparative example 5	10	90	405	8.3	8.5	2.57	0.148	0.145
Comparative example 6	0	100	415	7.5	9.0	2.64	0.160	0.158

[Evaluation]

The non-combustion heating-type flavor inhalers manufactured in the examples and the comparative examples were evaluated by 10 panelists. Four items "the degree of flavor", "the lasting of flavor", "fiber odor", and "the amount and lasting of smoke" were comprehensively evaluated through 15 puffs in total. Each item was rated on a scale of 1 (weak flavor, short lasting of flavor, high fiber odor, a small amount and low lasting of smoke) to 5 (strong flavor, long lasting of flavor, low fiber odor, a large amount and long lasting of smoke). In each item, a score of 3 or more was judged to be good, and a score of 2 or less was judged to be poor. Table 2 shows the results. Table 2 shows the average scores of the 10 panelists. The 10 panelists were sufficiently trained using several samples with different concentrations, and it was confirmed that the scores and score thresholds of "the degree of flavor", "the lasting of flavor", "fiber odor", and "the amount and lasting of smoke" were the same and unified among the panelists.

[Table 2]

	Mass ratio		Degree of flavor	Lasting of flavor	Fiber odor	Amount and lasting of smoke
	Tobacco sheet	Leaf tobacco	Degree of flavor	Lasting of flavor	Fiber odor	Amount and lasting of smoke
Comparative example 1	100	0	2	3	1	4
Comparative example 2	90	10	2	3	1	4
Example 1	80	20	4	4	3	4
Example 2	70	30	5	4	3	4
Example 3	60	40	5	4	4	4
Example 4	50	50	5	3	4	3
Example 5	40	60	4	3	4	3
Comparative example 3	30	70	4	2	4	2
Comparative example 4	20	80	3	1	5	2
Comparative example 5	10	90	3	1	5	1
Comparative example 6	0	100	3	1	5	1

As shown in Table 2, the scores in Examples 1 to 5 were 3 or more in all the evaluation items, whereas the scores in Comparative Examples 1 to 6 were 1 or 2 in some evaluation items. Thus, it was found that the non-combustion heating-type flavor inhalers containing the tobacco compositions of Examples 1 to 5 according to the present embodiment were better than the non-combustion heating-type flavor inhalers containing the tobacco compositions of Comparative Examples 1 to 5 in all of the degree and lasting of flavor, fiber odor, and the amount and lasting of smoke.

[Reference Example]

Principal component analysis was performed on some of the examples and comparative examples using "neophytadiene", "cembratrienediol (CBT)", and "reducing sugar" as variables. Table 3 shows the results.

[Table 3]

	Principal component loading	First principal component	Second principal component
Principal component loading	Neophytadiene	0.91	0.20
	Cembratrienediol (CBT)	0.89	0.29
	Reducing sugar	-0.51	0.86
Contribution ratio		62.67%	28.83%
Cumulative contribution ratio		62.67%	91.51%

As shown in the results of the principal component analysis in Table 3, the factor loading of the first principal component accounts for 62.67% of the total, and the factor loading of the second principal component accounts for 91.51% of the total, accounting for approximately 90% of the total. The principal component loading shows that the first principal component is highly related to neophytadiene and cembratrienediol (CBT), and the second principal component is highly related to the reducing sugar. Fig. 5 is a scatter diagram of principal component scores. The scatter diagram of the principal component scores illustrated in Fig. 5 shows that the leaf tobaccos are plotted in the first, second, and fourth quadrants, and the tobacco sheet and the tobacco compositions containing the tobacco sheet and the leaf tobacco are plotted in the third quadrant. This shows that the tobacco content components are supplemented by mixing the leaf tobacco into the tobacco sheet. In the present example, the first quadrant is approached by mixing the leaf tobacco with the tobacco sheet, and it is also possible to approach the second and fourth quadrants by changing the mixing ratio of the leaf tobaccos. However, as described above, the tobacco sheet can further retain a hydrophilic material, such as reducing sugar, and a component that is difficult to retain in leaf tobacco, such as glycerin or propylene glycol. Thus, an aerosol with sufficient flavor can be supplied to the user during use by mixing the leaf tobacco and the tobacco sheet in a certain ratio.

[Examples 6 to 10]

A tobacco sheet and leaf tobacco were manufactured in the same manner as in Example 1. The tobacco sheet was shredded into a width of 0.5 mm, 1.0 mm, or 1.5 mm. The leaf tobacco was also shredded into a width of 0.8 mm. The tobacco sheet and leaf tobacco with a shredding width shown in Table 4 were mixed at tobacco sheet:leaf tobacco = 60:40 (mass ratio) to prepare a tobacco composition of each example. The tobacco composition was used to manufacture a non-combustion heating-type flavor inhaler in the same manner as in Example 1. The degree of flavor of the non-combustion heating-type flavor inhaler of each example was evaluated in the same manner as in Example 1. 15 puffs were divided into three terms: first to fifth, sixth to tenth, and eleventh to fifteenth, and the degree of flavor was evaluated in each term. Table 4 shows the results.

[Table 4]

	Tobacco sheet (mass%)			Leaf tobacco (mass%)	Degree of flavor
Shredding width	0.5 mm	1.0 mm	1.5 mm	0.8 mm	First to fifth	Sixth to tenth	Eleventh to fifteenth
Example 6	-	60	-	40	3	3	3
Example 7	60	-	-	40	5	3	2
Example 8	30	30	-	40	4	5	2
Example 9	-	-	60	40	1	2	4
Example 10	-	30	30	40	2	4	5

As shown in Table 4, the timing of puffing for sensing the degree of flavor can be changed by mixing tobacco sheets with different shredding widths due to a difference in thermal conductivity. The flavor can be further changed by changing the shredding width and the combination thereof according to the heating temperature of the non-combustion heating-type flavor inhaler and the characteristics of the product. Furthermore, a comparison between Examples 6 to 8 and Examples 9 and 10 shows that the tobacco sheet with a shredding width of 1.0 mm or less can sufficiently reduce the delay of the development of the original flavor of the tobacco sheet.

REFERENCE SIGNS LIST

1: non-combustion heating-type flavor inhaler
2: tobacco-containing segment
3: cooling segment
4: center hole segment
5: filter segment
6: mouthpiece segment
7: tubular member
8: hole
9: second fill layer
10: second inner plug wrapper
11: outer plug wrapper
12: mouthpiece lining paper
13: heating device
14: body
15: heater
16: metal tube
17: battery unit
18: control unit
19: recess

Claims

A tobacco composition comprising a tobacco sheet and leaf tobacco,
wherein a mass ratio of the tobacco sheet to the leaf tobacco is tobacco sheet: leaf tobacco = 40 to 80:20 to 60, and the tobacco composition contains an aerosol generator.
The tobacco composition according to claim 1, wherein the tobacco composition has a bulkiness in the range of 300 to 580 cm³/100 g.
The tobacco composition according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the tobacco sheet has a reducing sugar content in the range of 1.5% to 25.0%by mass.
The tobacco composition according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the leaf tobacco has a reducing sugar content in the range of 0.5% to 25.0% by mass.
The tobacco composition according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the tobacco composition has a reducing sugar content in the range of 0.8% to 25.0% by mass.
The tobacco composition according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the tobacco sheet has an aerosol generator content in the range of 5.0% to 20.0% by mass.
The tobacco composition according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the leaf tobacco has an aerosol generator content in the range of 2.0% to 15.0% by mass.
The tobacco composition according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the tobacco sheet has a nicotine content in the range of 0.5% to 5.0% by mass.
The tobacco composition according to any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein the leaf tobacco has a nicotine content in the range of 0.5% to 5.0% by mass.
The tobacco composition according to any one of claims 1 to 9, wherein the tobacco composition has a nicotine content in the range of 0.5% to 5.0% by mass.
The tobacco composition according to any one of claims 1 to 10, wherein the leaf tobacco has a neophytadiene content of 0.05% by mass or more.
The tobacco composition according to any one of claims 1 to 11, wherein the tobacco sheet has a neophytadiene content in the range of 0.01% to 0.10% by mass.
The tobacco composition according to any one of claims 1 to 12, wherein the tobacco composition has a neophytadiene content of 0.01% by mass or more.
The tobacco composition according to any one of claims 1 to 13, wherein the leaf tobacco has a cembratrienediol (CBT) content of 0.01% by mass or more.
The tobacco composition according to any one of claims 1 to 14, wherein the tobacco sheet has a cembratrienediol (CBT) content in the range of 0.01% to 0.10% by mass.
The tobacco composition according to any one of claims 1 to 15, wherein the tobacco composition has a cembratrienediol (CBT) content of 0.01% by mass or more.
The tobacco composition according to any one of claims 1 to 16, wherein the tobacco sheet has a density in the range of 0.40 to 0.60 g/cm³.
The tobacco composition according to any one of claims 1 to 17, wherein the tobacco sheet includes two or more types of tobacco sheets with different densities.
The tobacco composition according to claim 18, wherein the tobacco sheet includes a first tobacco sheet with a density of less than 0.55 g/cm³ and a second tobacco sheet with a density of 0.55 g/cm³ or more.
The tobacco composition according to claim 19, wherein a mass ratio of the first tobacco sheet to the second tobacco sheet in the tobacco sheet is first tobacco sheet: second tobacco sheet = 50 to 80:20 to 50.
The tobacco composition according to any one of claims 1 to 17, wherein
the tobacco sheet includes a papermaking tobacco sheet and a slurry tobacco sheet, and

a mass ratio of the papermaking tobacco sheet to the slurry tobacco sheet is papermaking tobacco sheet: slurry tobacco sheet = 50 to 80:20 to 50.
The tobacco composition according to any one of claims 19 to 21, wherein the second tobacco sheet or the slurry tobacco sheet has an aerosol generator content of 20.0% by mass or less.
The tobacco composition according to any one of claims 1 to 22, wherein the tobacco composition includes two or more types of tobacco sheets with different shredding widths in the range of 0.3 to 2.0 mm and/or two or more types of leaf tobacco with different shredding widths in the range of 0.3 to 2.0 mm.
The tobacco composition according to any one of claims 1 to 23, wherein the tobacco sheet has a shredding width in the range of 0.3 to 1.0 mm.
The tobacco composition according to any one of claims 1 to 24, for use in a non-combustion heating-type flavor inhaler.
The tobacco composition according to any one of claims 1 to 25, wherein the mass ratio of the tobacco sheet to the leaf tobacco is tobacco sheet:leaf tobacco = (40 or more and less than 70):(more than 30 and 60 or less).
A tobacco-containing segment comprising a tubular wrapper and a tobacco filler, wherein the tobacco filler contains the tobacco composition according to any one of claims 1 to 26 filled in the wrapper.
The tobacco-containing segment according to claim 27, wherein the tobacco composition in the tobacco filler has a filling density in the range of 0.25 to 0.45 g/cm³.
A non-combustion heating-type flavor inhaler comprising the tobacco-containing segment according to claim 27 or 28.
A non-combustion heating-type flavor inhalation system comprising:
the non-combustion heating-type flavor inhaler according to claim 29; and

a heating device for heating the tobacco-containing segment.