Classifications

• • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
  • A24—TOBACCO; CIGARS; CIGARETTES; SIMULATED SMOKING DEVICES; SMOKERS' REQUISITES
  • A24D—CIGARS; CIGARETTES; TOBACCO SMOKE FILTERS; MOUTHPIECES FOR CIGARS OR CIGARETTES; MANUFACTURE OF TOBACCO SMOKE FILTERS OR MOUTHPIECES
  • A24D3/00—Tobacco smoke filters, e.g. filter-tips, filtering inserts; Filters specially adapted for simulated smoking devices; Mouthpieces for cigars or cigarettes
  • A24D3/04—Tobacco smoke filters characterised by their shape or structure
• • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
  • A24—TOBACCO; CIGARS; CIGARETTES; SIMULATED SMOKING DEVICES; SMOKERS' REQUISITES
  • A24D—CIGARS; CIGARETTES; TOBACCO SMOKE FILTERS; MOUTHPIECES FOR CIGARS OR CIGARETTES; MANUFACTURE OF TOBACCO SMOKE FILTERS OR MOUTHPIECES
  • A24D3/00—Tobacco smoke filters, e.g. filter-tips, filtering inserts; Filters specially adapted for simulated smoking devices; Mouthpieces for cigars or cigarettes
  • A24D3/06—Use of materials for tobacco smoke filters
  • A24D3/08—Use of materials for tobacco smoke filters of organic materials as carrier or major constituent
  • A24D3/10—Use of materials for tobacco smoke filters of organic materials as carrier or major constituent of cellulose or cellulose derivatives
• • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
  • A24—TOBACCO; CIGARS; CIGARETTES; SIMULATED SMOKING DEVICES; SMOKERS' REQUISITES
  • A24D—CIGARS; CIGARETTES; TOBACCO SMOKE FILTERS; MOUTHPIECES FOR CIGARS OR CIGARETTES; MANUFACTURE OF TOBACCO SMOKE FILTERS OR MOUTHPIECES
  • A24D1/00—Cigars; Cigarettes
  • A24D1/20—Cigarettes specially adapted for simulated smoking devices
• • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
  • A24—TOBACCO; CIGARS; CIGARETTES; SIMULATED SMOKING DEVICES; SMOKERS' REQUISITES
  • A24D—CIGARS; CIGARETTES; TOBACCO SMOKE FILTERS; MOUTHPIECES FOR CIGARS OR CIGARETTES; MANUFACTURE OF TOBACCO SMOKE FILTERS OR MOUTHPIECES
  • A24D3/00—Tobacco smoke filters, e.g. filter-tips, filtering inserts; Filters specially adapted for simulated smoking devices; Mouthpieces for cigars or cigarettes
  • A24D3/04—Tobacco smoke filters characterised by their shape or structure
  • A24D3/048—Tobacco smoke filters characterised by their shape or structure containing additives
• • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
  • A24—TOBACCO; CIGARS; CIGARETTES; SIMULATED SMOKING DEVICES; SMOKERS' REQUISITES
  • A24D—CIGARS; CIGARETTES; TOBACCO SMOKE FILTERS; MOUTHPIECES FOR CIGARS OR CIGARETTES; MANUFACTURE OF TOBACCO SMOKE FILTERS OR MOUTHPIECES
  • A24D3/00—Tobacco smoke filters, e.g. filter-tips, filtering inserts; Filters specially adapted for simulated smoking devices; Mouthpieces for cigars or cigarettes
  • A24D3/06—Use of materials for tobacco smoke filters
  • A24D3/08—Use of materials for tobacco smoke filters of organic materials as carrier or major constituent
• • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
  • A24—TOBACCO; CIGARS; CIGARETTES; SIMULATED SMOKING DEVICES; SMOKERS' REQUISITES
  • A24F—SMOKERS' REQUISITES; MATCH BOXES; SIMULATED SMOKING DEVICES
  • A24F40/00—Electrically operated smoking devices; Component parts thereof; Manufacture thereof; Maintenance or testing thereof; Charging means specially adapted therefor
  • A24F40/20—Devices using solid inhalable precursors
• • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
  • A24—TOBACCO; CIGARS; CIGARETTES; SIMULATED SMOKING DEVICES; SMOKERS' REQUISITES
  • A24F—SMOKERS' REQUISITES; MATCH BOXES; SIMULATED SMOKING DEVICES
  • A24F40/00—Electrically operated smoking devices; Component parts thereof; Manufacture thereof; Maintenance or testing thereof; Charging means specially adapted therefor
  • A24F40/40—Constructional details, e.g. connection of cartridges and battery parts
• • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
  • A24—TOBACCO; CIGARS; CIGARETTES; SIMULATED SMOKING DEVICES; SMOKERS' REQUISITES
  • A24F—SMOKERS' REQUISITES; MATCH BOXES; SIMULATED SMOKING DEVICES
  • A24F7/00—Mouthpieces for pipes; Mouthpieces for cigar or cigarette holders

Definitions

• the present invention relates to a flavor inhaler filter portion and a flavor inhaler.
• PTL 1 discloses a cigarette comprising a tobacco rod and a filter element connected to the tobacco rod, the filter element having an end proximal to the tobacco rod and an end distal from the tobacco rod, wherein: the filter element comprises a first section of filter material located proximal to the tobacco rod, and a second longitudinally extending section of filter material located distal from the tobacco rod and arranged in an end-to-end contacting configuration with the first section of filter material; and the first section of filter material includes one or more tubes that are inserted into the first section of filter material and extend through the first section of filter material.
• a paper filter for example, may be used in consideration of the environment.
• the ability of a paper filter to filter an aerosol is generally higher than that of a filter that employs fibers of cellulose acetate or the like. Therefore, when a paper filter is used, the smoking flavor afforded by the aerosol is reduced in comparison with a case in which a filter employing fibers of cellulose acetate or the like is used.
• a filler may be disposed in a flow path within the paper filter. Depending on the filler, the filler may be visible at the end of the filter portion, giving the appearance of a hole.
• the objective of the present disclosure is to suppress the formation of a hole at the end of the filter.
• a first feature of the present disclosure completed in light of this objective is a flavor inhaler filter portion comprising a paper filter filled with a sheet member so as to form voids over the longitudinal direction, and a filler disposed within the paper filter to change a flow path within the paper filter, wherein a downstream side end of the filter portion is located in a position that is a predetermined distance or more from an end of the filler.
• a second feature is that the filler may have a flat surface, and the flat surface may be disposed on the downstream end side.
• a third feature is that the filler may be cylindrical.
• a fourth feature is that the filler may be a hollow member.
• a fifth feature is that the predetermined distance may be 1/2 ⁇ A ⁇ 3 (where A is the diameter of an outer circumferential circle of the flat surface).
• a sixth feature is that the hollow member may include at least paper.
• a seventh feature is that the hollow member may be a straight paper tube obtained by wrapping paper in a cylindrical shape or a spiral paper tube obtained by wrapping strip-shaped paper obliquely.
• the paper filter may be a filter obtained by gathering the sheet member.
• a ninth feature is that the paper filter may a filter obtained by subjecting the sheet member, made from paper or non-woven fabric, to crimping.
• a tenth feature is that the filling density of the paper filter may be 90 mg/cm 3 to 720 g/cm 3 .
• An eleventh feature is a flavor inhaler comprising the filter portion and a substrate portion including an aerosol source.
• a twelfth feature is that the flavor inhaler may be a heat-not-burn flavor inhaler.
• a thirteenth feature is that the flavor inhaler may be a combustion-type flavor inhaler.
• the first feature it is possible to provide a flavor inhaler filter portion in which no hole is formed at the end of the filter, as compared with a case in which the downstream side end of the filter portion is located in a position that is not the predetermined distance from the end of the filler.
• the second feature it is possible to provide a flavor inhaler filter portion in which the filler is filled more uniformly than in a case in which a flat surface of the filler is not disposed on the downstream end side of the filter portion.
• the third feature it is possible to provide a flavor inhaler filter portion in which the filler cannot be seen from the end, as compared with a case in the filler is not cylindrical.
• the fourth feature it is possible to provide a flavor inhaler filter portion in which the aerosol filtering performance of a paper filter having an excessively large filtering performance can be reduced as compared with a case in the filler is not a hollow member, thereby preventing impacts on the smoking flavor.
• the fifth feature it is possible to provide a flavor inhaler filter portion in which the formation of a hole at the end of the filter portion is prevented, as compared with a case in which the downstream side end of the filter portion is located a distance of less than 1/2 ⁇ A ⁇ 3 (where A is the diameter of the outer circumferential circle of the flat surface) from the end of the filler.
• the sixth feature it is possible to provide a flavor inhaler filter portion in which the material constituting the hollow member is closer to that of a paper filter than in a case in which the hollow member does not contain paper.
• the seventh feature it is possible to provide a flavor inhaler filter portion in which it is possible even to use paper having a small basis weight of the paper alone for the hollow member, the formability of the hollow member is good, and the finished hollow member has excellent strength, as compared with a case in which the hollow member is not configured from a straight paper tube obtained by wrapping paper in a cylindrical shape or a spiral paper tube obtained by wrapping strip-shaped paper obliquely.
• the eighth feature it is possible to provide a flavor inhaler filter portion in which the uniformity of the filling density is increased, thereby reducing variations in the aerosol filtering level between rods as compared with a filter in which a sheet member is not gathered.
• the ninth feature it is possible to provide a flavor inhaler filter portion having a higher aerosol filtering capability than in a case in which the paper filter is not subjected to crimping.
• suitable aerosol filtration can be achieved when a paper filter is used in the flavor inhaler.
• the eleventh to thirteenth features it is possible to provide a flavor inhaler in which no hole is formed at the end of the filter, and in which there are no adverse effects on the smoking flavor, as compared with a case in which the downstream side end of the filter portion is located in a position that is not the predetermined distance from the end of the filler.
• Fig. 1 is a drawing illustrating a longitudinal cross section of a heat-not-burn flavor inhaler 1 according to a first embodiment.
• Fig. 2 is a schematic diagram illustrating schematically a configuration example of an inhalation device 100 according to the first embodiment.
• the heat-not-burn flavor inhaler 1 comprises a substrate portion 10, a cooling portion 20 and a filter portion 30.
• a mouthpiece segment 50 may be held in the mouth of the user during inhalation, and in the example of fig. 1 , includes the cooling portion 20 and the filter portion 30.
• the substrate portion 10 is formed in a cylindrical shape.
• the direction of a centerline CL of the substrate portion 10 may be referred to as the "centerline direction”.
• the flavor inhaler 1 is additionally provided with a tipping paper 40 that is wrapped around the substrate portion 10, the cooling portion 20, and the filter portion 30 arranged in the stated order in the centerline direction, thereby integrating these components.
• one end side in the centerline direction may be referred to as the first side
• the other end side in the centerline direction may be referred to as the second side
• the first side is the end side that is inserted into the inhalation device 100 and is the upstream side in the flow of aerosol during inhalation.
• the second side is the opposite side to the first side, being the end side held in the user's mouth for inhalation, and the downstream side in the flow of aerosol during inhalation.
• a cross section along the centerline direction is referred to as a "longitudinal cross section," and a cross section cut along a plane orthogonal to the centerline direction is defined as a "transverse cross section.”
• the flavor inhaler 1 is used in a heat-not-burn type inhalation device 100.
• the inhalation device 100 includes a power source unit 111 for storing electric power and supplying electric power to each component of the inhalation device 100, a sensor unit 112 for detecting various types of information relating to the inhalation device 100, and a notification unit 113 for notifying the user of the information.
• the inhalation device 100 also includes a memory unit 114 for storing various types of information for the operation of the inhalation device 100, a communication unit 115 for transmitting and receiving information between the inhalation device 100 and other devices, and a control unit 116 for controlling the overall operation within the inhalation device 100.
• the inhalation device 100 includes a heating unit 121 for heating the flavor inhaler 1, a holding portion 140 for holding the flavor inhaler 1, an opening 142 that provides communication between an internal space 141 and the outside, and a heat insulating portion 144 for preventing heat transfer from the heating unit 121 to other components of the inhalation device 100.
• a heating unit 121 for heating the flavor inhaler 1
• a holding portion 140 for holding the flavor inhaler 1
• an opening 142 that provides communication between an internal space 141 and the outside
• a heat insulating portion 144 for preventing heat transfer from the heating unit 121 to other components of the inhalation device 100.
• the heating unit 121 heats the substrate portion 10 of the flavor inhaler 1.
• the heating unit 121 is formed by any material such as a metal or polyimide.
• the heating unit 121 is configured in a film shape and is disposed so as to cover the outer circumference of the holding portion 140. Then, when the heating unit 121 generates heat, an aerosol source 11 (omitted in fig. 2 ) contained in the flavor inhaler 1 is heated from the outer circumference of the flavor inhaler 1.
• the heating unit 121 generates heat when supplied with electricity from the power source unit 111. As an example, power may be supplied when the sensor unit 112 detects a prescribed user input.
• Inhalation by the user becomes possible when the temperature of flavor inhaler 1 heated by means of the heating unit 121 has reached a prescribed temperature. Thereafter, the supply of power may be stopped when a predetermined user input is detected by the sensor unit 112. As another example of the mode of use, power may be supplied to generate the aerosol during a period in which inhalation by the user, from the filter portion 30 on the downstream side, is detected by the sensor unit 112.
• the heat insulating portion 144 is disposed so as to cover at least the outer circumference of the heating unit 121.
• the heat insulating portion 144 is configured by a vacuum heat insulating material or an aerogel heat insulating material, or the like.
• a vacuum insulating material is a heat insulating material in which a state of high vacuum is created by wrapping glass wool and silica (silicon powder), etc. in a resin film, for example, so that heat conduction by gas is as close as possible to zero.
• the flavor inhaler 1 according to the first embodiment is used in a heat-not-burn type flavor inhaler.
• the transverse cross section of the flavor inhaler 1 is substantially circular, and the outer diameter thereof can be changed as appropriate to match the size of the product, but is usually 16 to 27 mm, and preferably 21 to 23 mm. It should be noted that if the transverse cross section is not circular, the aforementioned outer diameter is applied assuming a circle having the same area as the area of the transverse cross section.
• the size of the flavor inhaler 1 in the centerline direction can be changed as appropriate to match the size of the product, but is usually 40 to 100 mm and preferably 50 to 70 mm.
• the filter portion 30, which is a feature of the flavor inhaler 1 according to the first embodiment, will be described.
• Fig. 3 is a drawing showing an example of a configuration of the filter portion 30 according to the first embodiment, where (A) is a drawing showing one example of a cross section through I-I in fig. 1 , and (B) is a drawing showing one example of a cross section through II-II in fig. 1 .
• Fig. 4 is a drawing illustrating another example of a configuration of the filter portion 30 according to the first embodiment, where (A) is a view illustrating another example of the cross section through I-I, and (B) is a view illustrating another example of the cross section through II-II.
• the filter portion 30 is formed in a cylindrical shape in which the size in the centerline direction is larger than the width of the transverse cross section. Consequently, the filter portion 30 is disposed such that the longitudinal direction is the centerline direction.
• the filter portion 30 includes a filter 31 through which an aerosol passes, a filler 33 which changes a flow path within the filter 31, and rolling paper 35 present between the filter 31 and the tipping paper 40 and wrapped around the outer circumferential surface of the filter 31.
• the filter portion 30 is connected (coupled) to the cooling portion 20 by integrally wrapping the cooling portion 20 and the filter portion 30 using the tipping paper 40 (see fig. 1 ). It should be noted that the rolling paper 35 need not be provided.
• the rolling paper 35 may include a seam including one or more lines of adhesive.
• the adhesive may comprise a hot-melt adhesive, and further, the hot-melt adhesive may comprise polyvinyl alcohol. Additionally, if the filter portion 30 consists of two or more members, it is preferable to wrap each of the two or more members with rolling paper and then further wrap them together with another rolling paper.
• the rolling paper 35 there is no particular restriction on the material of the rolling paper 35, and well-known materials may be used, and the rolling paper may furthermore include a filler such as calcium carbonate, etc.
• the thickness of the rolling paper 35 is not particularly restricted, and is usually 20 ⁇ m to 140 ⁇ m, preferably 30 ⁇ m to 130 ⁇ m, and more preferably 30 ⁇ m to 120 ⁇ m.
• the basis weight of the rolling paper 35 is not particularly restricted, and is usually 20 gsm to 100 gsm, preferably 22 gsm to 95 gsm, and more preferably 23 gsm to 90 gsm.
• the air permeability of the rolling paper 35 is not particularly restricted, but is usually 0 CORESTA units to 30,000 CORESTA units, and preferably greater than 0 CORESTA units and no greater than 10,000 CORESTA units.
• the rolling paper 35 may be coated or uncoated, but is preferably coated with a desired material from the viewpoint of allowing functions other than strength and structural rigidity to be imparted.
• the transverse cross section of the filter 31 of the filter portion 30 is substantially circular, and the outer diameter thereof can be changed as appropriate to match the size of the product, but can, for example, be 22 to 25 mm. It should be noted that if the transverse cross section is not circular, the aforementioned outer diameter is applied assuming a circle having the same area as the area of the transverse cross section.
• the size of the filter portion 30 in the centerline direction can be change as appropriate to match the size of the product, but is usually 5.0 to 30.0 mm, preferably 12.5 to 27.5 mm, and more preferably 15.0 to 25.0 mm.
• the airflow resistance per 10 mm of size of the filter portion 30 in the centerline direction is not particularly restricted, but is usually 0 to 100 mmH 2 O, preferably 10 to 80 mmH 2 O, and more preferably 10 to 50 mmH 2 O.
• the airflow resistance is measured in accordance with the ISO standard method (ISO6565) using a filter airflow resistance measurement instrument manufactured by Cerulean, for example.
• the air resistance of the filter portion 30 refers to the pressure difference between the first side and the second side when air flows from the first side to the second side at a predetermined air flow rate (17.5 cc/min) in a state in which air does not permeate through the side surface of the filter portion 30.
• the units are generally expressed in mmH 2 O.
• the filter 31 is a paper filter formed by filling with a sheet member, the filling being performed so as to form voids along the longitudinal direction through which an aerosol can pass.
• the filter 31 is a paper filter formed by filling with a sheet member so as to ensure a passage route for the aerosol, extending in the centerline direction.
• the filling density of the sheet member constituting the filter 31 is not particularly restricted, but is usually 90 to 720 g/cm 3 .
• the filling density of the sheet member differs depending on the presence or absence of the filler 33.
• Fig. 5 schematically illustrates a region 301 in which the filler 33 is disposed in the transverse cross section of the filter 31, and a region 302 in which the filler 33 is not disposed in the transverse cross section of the filter 31.
• Fig. 3(B) is a transverse cross-sectional view of the filter portion in the region 301
• Fig. 3(A) is a transverse cross-sectional view of the filter portion in the region 302. As shown in fig.
• the filling density of the sheet member in the region in which the filler 33 is not disposed is preferably 90 to 360 g/cm 3 , and more preferably 150 to 240 g/cm 3 . Furthermore, as shown in fig. 3(B) , the filling density of the sheet member in the region in which the filler 33 is disposed is preferably 105 to 720 g/cm 3 , and more preferably 170 to 480 g/cm 3 .
• the material of the sheet member constituting the filter 31 there is no particular restriction on the material of the sheet member constituting the filter 31, provided that it is possible to achieve the general function of a filter, but it is preferable that the material be paper such as pulp paper having pulp as a main component, or a non-woven fabric, and more preferably paper. Alternatively, a polymer sheet, a metal sheet, or the like may be used as the material of the sheet member constituting the filter 31. It should be noted that general functions of a filter that may be cited include, for example, adjusting the amount of air which is mixed when the aerosol, etc., is inhaled, lightening the flavor, and reducing the amount of nicotine and tar, etc., but not all of these functions need to be provided.
• an important function of the filter also lies in preventing the members contained within the flavor inhaler 1 from falling out, while suppressing the filtration function.
• the filter 31 is formed of a sheet member that is folded or wrinkled, gathered, or the like, and is filled so as to ensure a passage route for the aerosol, extending in the centerline direction.
• the filter 31 is a paper filter obtained by filling a sheet member so as to form voids over the longitudinal direction of the filter portion 30, the sheet member being gathered.
• "gathered" means that the sheet member is filled in a state of being folded back multiple times parallel to the centerline direction of the filter 31.
• the sheet member constituting the filter 31 may be one sheet or two or more sheets. Furthermore, there need not be folds or pleats, provided that a passage route for the aerosol, extending in the centerline direction, is ensured.
• the filter 31 may be a paper filter filled with strip-shaped sheet members as shown in fig. 4(A) . However, by crimping the entire sheet member, voids can be efficiently formed in the sheet member.
• Crimping is processing for providing wrinkles in a sheet.
• Crimping can be implemented by, for example, passing a sheet to be processed between a pair of rollers having a plurality of protrusions on the surface, thereby providing wrinkles extending orthogonal to the sheet conveying direction on both the front and back surfaces of the sheet.
• the filler 33 is disposed within the paper filter (filter 31).
• the filler 33 is disposed in order to adjust the smoking flavor, and although in some cases the flow path within the paper filter is restricted by disposing the filler 33, the flow path is at least changed.
• the downstream (second side) end of the filter portion 30 is located in a position that is a predetermined distance or more from the downstream (second side) end of the filler 33.
• This positional relationship makes it possible to suppress the formation of a hole in the downstream side end of the filter portion 30, as compared with a case in which the downstream side end of the filter portion 30 is located in a position that is not the predetermined distance from the end of the filler 33.
• the predetermined distance is preferably 1/2 ⁇ A ⁇ 3 in a case in which the filler 33 has a flat surface on the downstream side end thereof.
• A is the diameter of the outer circumferential circle of the flat surface of the filler 33 on the downstream side. If the shape of the flat surface is not a circle, a circle having the same area as the flat surface is assumed, and A is the diameter of the outer circumferential circle of said circle.
• the filler 33 is a hollow member, the downstream side end of the filler 33 does not form a flat surface but is a void, and in this case, the diameter of the outer circumferential circle is obtained using an imaginary flat surface formed by the downstream side end of the filler.
• 1/2 ⁇ A ⁇ 3 corresponds to the height of the equilateral triangle.
• a sheet member with a size corresponding to four filters 31 is first overlaid on one sheet of flat paper serving as the rolling paper 35 and having a length corresponding to four filter portions, while subjecting the sheet member to crimping.
• Fillers 33 each comprising a hollow filler cylinder are placed on the crimped sheet member, and the rolling paper 35 and the sheet member are rolled up to form a shape 300 comprising four continuous filter portions 30 as illustrated in fig. 14(A) .
• the fillers 33 are filled in two places on the left and right inside the filter 31.
• the filter portion is cut at three locations indicated by the dashed lines a, b, and c in the drawing, to obtain four filter portions 30-1 to 30-4 as shown in fig. 14(B) .
• the fillers 33 are cut into halves during the cutting, and ultimately the four filter portions 30-1 to 30-4 are each filled with one of the halves.
• the left side, in the drawing, of the filter portions 30-1 and 30-3, among the cut filter portions 30, is used as the downstream side (second side) of said filter portions 30, and the right side, in the drawing, of the filter portions 30-2 and 30-4 is used as the downstream side (second side) thereof.
• the filter 31 has a high filling density at the location in which the filler 33 is disposed, and a low filling density at the location in which the filler 33 is not disposed, but the downstream side of the filler 33 is formed in a funnel-like shape at the location in which the filter 31 is not present.
• the distance from the filler 33 to the position at which the filter 31 is not present is close to the height (1/2 ⁇ A ⁇ 3) of an equilateral triangle of which the bottom side is the diameter of the circumferential circle of the flat surface at the downstream side end of the filler 33, and thus the predetermined distance is preferably 1/2 ⁇ A ⁇ 3, as described above.
• the filter portion 30 If the downstream side end of the filter portion 30 is positioned closer to the filler 33 than 1/2 ⁇ A ⁇ 3, then if the filter portion 30 is cut along the XIVC cross section in fig. 14(B) , for example, as shown in fig. 14(C) , a hole that is not covered by the paper filter (filter 30) is formed and the filler 33 is visible from the outside, and, furthermore, if the filler 33 is hollow, the inside of the filler 33 is also visible from the outside, which is not preferable.
• Fig. 6(A) to 6(C) are schematic diagrams showing examples of the filler 33 as viewed from the side.
• the filler 33 is disposed within the paper filter, and thus preferably has an elongated shape, and although shapes such as those shown in fig. 6(B) and (C) are also possible, it is preferable that at least the part of the filler 33 that is disposed at the downstream side end of the filter portion 30 is flat. Both ends may be flat surfaces, as in fig. 6(A) .
• the filler 33 may be either hollow or solid.
• the shape of the outer periphery of the filler 33 in a transverse cross section can be changed as appropriate to match the shape of the product, but may, for example, be a circle, an ellipse, a polygon, or a rounded-corner polygon.
• the ratio of the area of the filler 33 to the area of the filter portion 30 in a transverse cross section is not particularly restricted, but may be 15% to 50%, for example, and preferably 20% to 40%. Moreover, if a plurality of fillers 33 are disposed within the filter 31, it is preferable that the ratio of the total area of the plurality of fillers 33 to the area of the filter portion 30 in one transverse cross section lies within the above range.
• the outer diameter can be changed as appropriate to match the size of the product, but the outer diameter is usually 6 to 15 mm, and preferably 9 to 11 mm. Furthermore, the ratio of the outer diameter of the filler 33 to the outer diameter of the filter 31 is usually 0.20 or more and less than 0.70, and preferably 0.35 or more and 0.50 or less. It should be noted that if the transverse cross section is not circular, the aforementioned outer diameter is applied assuming a circle having the same area as the area of the transverse cross section.
• the filler is disposed within the paper filter, and therefore preferably has an elongated shape, while the transverse cross sectional shape can be changed as appropriate to match the shape of the product, but is, for example, circular, elliptical, polygonal, or rounded-corner polygonal.
• a hollow or solid cylindrical shape is preferred from the viewpoint of the appearance of the filler 33, and in particular, a hollow body is preferred.
• the filler 33 is a tube formed by wrapping a sheet member comprising the same material as the sheet member constituting the filter 31, such that the transverse cross section of the cylinder or the like is hollow.
• the filler 33 is a paper tube formed by wrapping paper. By making the filler 33 a paper tube, the material constituting the filler 33 can be made substantially the same as the filter 31.
• the filler 33 is a so-called spiral paper tube, which is a tube formed by bonding together a plurality of sheet members containing at least paper and wrapping the sheet members in a spiral shape.
• the spiral paper tube manufacturing method enables a paper tube having a circular cross section to be formed easily.
• the strength of the filler 33 can be improved while limiting the ratio of the area of the filler 33 to the area of the filter portion 30.
• a new smoking flavor can be imparted to the aerosol by combining with and bonding to the paper a sheet member containing a fragrance component, a flavor component, a pulverized tobacco product, etc.
• the filler 33 may be a so-called straight paper tube, which is a paper tube formed by wrapping paper in multiple layers in a cylindrical shape.
• the amount of glue used for affixing the paper can be reduced as compared with the spiral paper tube manufacturing method.
• the filler 33 may equally be a paper tube formed by laminating a plurality of sheet members containing at least paper. By laminating a plurality of sheet members, the strength of the filler 33 can be maintained even if the basis weight of each sheet member is small.
• the filler 33 is not limited to a paper tube formed by wrapping paper, and may equally be formed by a tube of a synthetic resin or the like that already has a hollow transverse cross section.
• the thickness of the filler 33 is not particularly restricted, and, for example, when the filler is formed by overlapping a plurality of sheets, the total thickness thereof may be 50 to 500 ⁇ m, or may be 100 to 250 ⁇ m. By using such a thickness, deformation due to pressure from the surrounding filled paper filter can be suppressed.
• the filler 33 has been described as a hollow member having a hollow transverse cross section, the configuration thereof is not limited to this, provided that the filtration rate thereof is lower than the filtration rate of the filter 31.
• the filler 33 may be formed of a solid member having a solid transverse cross section, such as cellulose acetate fibers having a lower filtration rate than paper, for example.
• the shape of the end of the filler 33 in the centerline direction is a flat surface in the example shown in fig. 1 , but is not limited to this, and need not be a flat surface.
• Fig. 7 is a drawing illustrating other examples of the longitudinal cross section of the flavor inhaler 1 according to the first embodiment, being examples in which the substrate portion 10 includes a tip member 13 that prevents the aerosol source 11 from falling out from the first side end face of the substrate portion 10.
• Fig. 7(A) is a drawing illustrating the longitudinal cross section of a flavor inhaler 1 provided with a filler 33 having a sharp second side
• (B) is a drawing illustrating the longitudinal cross section of a flavor inhaler 1 provided with a filler 33 having a width that decreases from the first side toward the second side.
• the shapes of the ends of the filler 33 in the centerline direction may be such that the end surface on the first side of the filler 33 is a flat surface, and the end surface on the second side of the filler is sharp, as shown in fig. 7(A) .
• the width of the filler 33 in a region thereof on the second side may be smaller than in a region on the first side.
• Fig. 8 is a drawing showing other examples of the longitudinal cross section of the flavor inhaler 1 according to the first embodiment, being examples in which the substrate portion 10 includes a tip member 13 that prevents the aerosol source 11 from falling out from the first side end surface of the substrate portion 10.
• Fig. 8(A) is a drawing showing a state in which a filter 33 having a size in the centerline direction that is less than that of the filter 31 is positioned within the filter 31
• fig. 8(B) is a drawing showing a state in which a plurality of fillers 33 are positioned within the filter 31.
• the distance between the downstream side end of the filter portion 30 and the fillers 33 is determined using the filler 33 located at the downstream side end of the filter portion 30 among the fillers 33.
• the filter 31 may contain a crushable additive release container (e.g., a capsule) including a crushable outer shell such as gelatin.
• a crushable additive release container e.g., a capsule
• the form of the additive release container such as a capsule
• a well-known form may be adopted.
• a liquid or a substance usually a flavoring agent
• the form of the capsule is not particularly restricted, and may, for example, be an easily-rupturable capsule, the shape of which is preferably spherical. Any additives may be included as the additive included in the capsule, but a flavoring agent, taste component or fragrance is preferably included. Furthermore, one or more types of materials serving as an aid to filtering the aerosol may be added as an additive.
• the form of the additive is not particularly restricted, and is usually a liquid or a solid. Moreover, well-known easily-rupturable capsules and methods for manufacturing the same may be employed.
• Flavoring agents may, for example, include menthol, spearmint, peppermint, fenugreek, or clove, and may be medium chain triglycerides (MCT), etc., and one or a combination thereof can be used, for example.
• MCT medium chain triglycerides
• the filter may additionally include other components such as inorganic fine powders (kaolin, talc, diatomaceous earth, quartz, calcium carbonate, barium sulfate, titanium oxide, alumina, etc.), heat stabilizing agents (such as salts of alkalis or alkaline earth metals), coloring agents, whiteness improver, oils, retention enhancers, sizing agents, biodegradation or photodegradation enhancing agents (such as anatase titanium oxide), natural polymers or derivatives thereof (such as cellulose powder), etc.
• inorganic fine powders kaolin, talc, diatomaceous earth, quartz, calcium carbonate, barium sulfate, titanium oxide, alumina, etc.
• heat stabilizing agents such as salts of alkalis or alkaline earth metals
• coloring agents such as whiteness improver, oils, retention enhancers, sizing agents, biodegradation or photodegradation enhancing agents (such as anatase titanium oxide), natural polymers or derivatives thereof (such
• inorganic adsorbents such as activated carbon, sepiolite, palygorskite, zeolite, activated carbon fibers, activated alumina, sepiolite mixed paper, silica gel, activated clay, vermiculite, diatomaceous earth, as well as pulp, various fibers, ion exchange resins, and other polymer porous bodies can be used.
• Other components can be used alone or in combinations of two or more.
• the flavor inhaler 1 is additionally provided with a tipping paper 40 that is wrapped around the substrate portion 10, the cooling portion 20, and the filter portion 30 arranged in the stated order in the centerline direction, thereby integrating these components.
• the substrate portion 10 will now be described.
• the substrate portion 10 includes an aerosol source 11 which, when heated, produces a vapor that generates an aerosol, and a rolling paper 12 that covers the outer circumference of the aerosol source 11.
• the substrate portion 10 in fig. 1 is an example of a substrate portion that contains an aerosol source.
• the substrate portion 10 is formed in a cylindrical shape by wrapping the aerosol source 11 with the rolling paper 12.
• the aerosol source 11 may, for example, be a tobacco-derived substance such as tobacco shreds, or processed products obtained by molding a tobacco raw material into a granular form, a sheet form, or a powder form.
• the aerosol source 11 may also include non-tobacco-derived substances produced from plants other than tobacco (e.g., mint or herb, etc.).
• the aerosol source 11 may contain a flavoring component such as menthol.
• the aerosol source 11 may include a drug to be inhaled by a patient.
• the aerosol source 11 is not limited to a solid, and may equally be a polyhydric alcohol such as glycerol or propylene glycol, or a liquid such as water, for example.
• the substrate portion 10 obtained by wrapping the aerosol source 11 with the rolling paper 12 preferably has a cylindrical shape satisfying a shape in which the aspect ratio as defined by equation 1 is equal to or greater than 1.
• Aspect ratio h / w
• w is the width of the transverse cross section of the substrate portion 10
• h is the size of the substrate portion 10 in the centerline direction, and it is preferable that h ⁇ w.
• the shape of the transverse cross section is not limited and may be polygonal, rounded-corner polygonal, circular, elliptical, etc.; in the case of a circular transverse cross section, the width w is the diameter; in the case of an elliptical transverse cross section, w is the major axis; and in the case of a polygonal or rounded-corner polygonal transverse cross section, w is the diameter of the circumscribed circle or the major axis of the circumscribed ellipse.
• the width of the aerosol source 11 constituting the substrate portion 10 is preferably 4 to 9 mm.
• the size h of the substrate portion 10 in the centerline direction can be changed as appropriate to match the size of the product, but is usually 8 mm or greater and preferably 10 mm or greater. Further, the size h of the substrate section 10 in the centerline direction is usually 70 mm or less, and preferably 30 mm or less.
• the ratio of the size h of the substrate portion 10 to the size of the flavor inhaler 1 in the centerline direction is not particularly restricted, but from the viewpoint of balancing delivery amount and aerosol temperature, is usually 10% or more, preferably 20% or more, more preferably 25% or more, and even more preferably 30% or more. Furthermore, the ratio of the size h of the substrate portion 10 to the size of the flavor inhaler 1 is usually 80% or less, preferably 70% or less, more preferably 60% or less, even more preferably 50% or less, particularly preferably 45% or less, and most preferably 40% or less.
• the content of the aerosol source 11 in the substrate part 10 is not particularly restricted, but examples that can be cited include 200 to 800 mg, and preferably 250 to 600 mg. These ranges are particularly suitable if the substrate portion 10 has a circumference of 22 mm and a size of 20 mm in the centerline direction.
• the aerosol source 11 containing tobacco shreds will now be described.
• the material of the tobacco shreds included in the aerosol source 11 is not particularly restricted, and known materials such as lamina and midrib can be used.
• ground tobacco may be formed by grinding dried tobacco leaves to an average particle size of 20 to 200 ⁇ m, then homogenized and processed into a sheet (also referred to below simply as a "homogenized sheet") which is shredded.
• the aerosol source 11 may be filled with a material obtained by shredding, substantially parallel to the centerline direction of the substrate portion 10, a homogenized sheet having a size similar to that of the substrate portion 10 in the centerline direction, to form what is known as a "strand-type" filling material.
• the width of the tobacco shreds is preferably 0.5 to 2.0 mm in view of filling the aerosol source 11.
• the base portion 220 is preferably annular.
• a suitable solvent such as water is mixed with ground tobacco leaves and the mixture is homogenized, after which the homogenized material is thinly cast on a metal plate or a metal plate belt and dried, to produce a cast sheet.
• a suitable solvent such as water is mixed with ground tobacco leaves and the mixture is homogenized, and the homogenized material is then extruded into the form of a sheet and shaped to produce a calendered sheet. Details of types of homogenized sheets are disclosed in " Dictionary of Tobacco, Tobacco Academic Studies Center, 2009.3.31 ".331.”
• the moisture content of the aerosol source 11 can be 10% to 15% by mass relative to the total amount of the aerosol source 11, and preferably 11% to 13% by mass. Such a moisture content suppresses the occurrence of roll stains and improves rolling suitability during the production of the substrate section 10.
• the aerosol source 11 is not particularly restricted and may include extracts from various types of natural products and/or components thereof in accordance with the application. Extracts and/or components thereof which may be cited include glycerol, propylene glycol, triacetin, 1,3-butanediol, and mixtures thereof.
• the content of extracts and/or components thereof in the aerosol source 11 is not particularly restricted, but is usually 5% by mass or more and preferably 10% by mass or more relative to the total amount of the aerosol source 11 from the viewpoint of generating sufficient aerosol and imparting a good flavor.
• the content of the extracts and/or components thereof in the aerosol source 11 is usually 50% by mass or less, and preferably 15% to 25% by mass.
• the aerosol source 11 may include a fragrance.
• the type of fragrance is not particularly restricted, but menthol is particularly preferred from the viewpoint of imparting a good flavor. Furthermore, these fragrances may be used alone or in combinations of two or more.
• the filling density of the aerosol source 11 is not particularly restricted, but is usually 250 mg/cm 3 or more, and preferably 300 mg/cm 3 or more from the viewpoint of ensuring the performance of the flavor inhaler 1 and imparting a good flavor. Furthermore, the filling density of the aerosol source 11 is usually 400 mg/cm 3 or less, and preferably 350 mg/cm 3 or less.
• the aerosol source 11 may also comprise tobacco sheets. There may be one tobacco sheet, or two or more tobacco sheets.
• An example form that can be cited for a case in which the aerosol source 11 comprises one tobacco sheet is a form in which a tobacco sheet having one side of a size similar to the size of the filled material in the centerline direction is filled while folded multiple times parallel to the center line direction of the filled material (forming what is known as a "gathered sheet").
• Another example form that can be cited is a form in which a tobacco sheet having one side of a size similar to the size of the filled material in the centerline direction is filled while wrapped in a direction orthogonal to the centerline direction of the filled material.
• An example form that can be cited for a case in which the aerosol source 11 comprises two or more tobacco sheets is a form in which tobacco sheets having one side of a size similar to the size of the filled material in the centerline direction are filled while wrapped in a direction orthogonal to the centerline direction of the filled material so as to be arranged concentrically.
• “Arranged concentrically” means that the centers of all the tobacco sheets are arranged in approximately the same position. Furthermore, the number of tobacco sheets is not particularly restricted but can be two, three, four, five, six or seven, for example.
• the two or more tobacco sheets may all have the same composition or physical properties, or some or all of the tobacco sheets may have different compositions or physical properties. Furthermore, the tobacco sheets may have the same thickness or different thicknesses.
• each tobacco sheet there is no restriction on the thickness of each tobacco sheet, but from the viewpoint of balancing heat transfer efficiency and strength, a thickness of 150 to 1000 ⁇ m is preferred, with 200 to 600 ⁇ m being more preferred.
• the aerosol source 11 can be manufactured by preparing a plurality of tobacco sheets having different widths, preparing a laminate that is laminated such that the width decreases from the first side toward the second side, and then wrapping the laminate through a wrapping tube.
• the plurality of tobacco sheets extend in the centerline direction and are arranged concentrically around the centerline CL.
• the laminate is preferably prepared such that a non-contacting portion is formed between adjacent tobacco sheets after wrapping. If there are non-contacting portions (gaps) where the tobacco sheets are not in contact with one another between the plurality of tobacco sheets, it is possible to ensure a flavor flow path and increase the flavor component delivery efficiency. Meanwhile, since heat from the heating unit 121 can be transferred to the outer tobacco sheets through the contacting parts of the plurality of tobacco sheets, a high heat transfer efficiency can be ensured.
• Examples that can be cited of methods for preparing laminates in order to provide non-contacting portions where the tobacco sheets are not in contact with one another between the plurality of tobacco sheets include: using an embossed tobacco sheet; laminating without bonding between adjacent tobacco sheets over the entire surface thereof; laminating with partial bonding between adjacent tobacco sheets; or laminating with light bonding between adjacent tobacco sheets over the entire surface of portions thereof such that peeling occurs after wrapping.
• the rolling paper 12 may be disposed on the end surface on the first side of the laminate.
• Polyols or the like such as glycerol, propylene glycol, or 1,3-butanediol, etc., may be added to the tobacco sheet.
• the amount added to the tobacco sheet is preferably 5 to 50% by mass with respect to the dry mass of the tobacco sheet, and more preferably 15 to 25% by mass.
• the tobacco sheet may be appropriately produced by well-known methods such as sheet-forming, slurry or rolling. Moreover, the homogenized sheet described above may also be used.
• the tobacco sheet may be produced by a method comprising the following steps. 1) Dried tobacco leaf is coarsely ground, extracted with water and then separated into water extract and residue. 2) The water extract is dried under reduced pressure and concentrated. 3) Pulp is added to the residue, the materials are fiberized using a refiner and then formed into paper. 4) The concentrated water extract is added to a sheet formed from the paper and dried to form a tobacco sheet. In this case, a step for removing some of the components such as nitrosamines may also be added (see JP 2004-510422 A ).
• the tobacco sheet may be produced by a method comprising the following steps. 1) Ground tobacco leaf is mixed with water, pulp, and a binder. 2) The mixture is thinly spread (cast) and dried. In this case, a step may be added in which the slurry that has been obtained by mixing the ground tobacco leaf with water, pulp, and a binder is exposed to ultraviolet or X-ray radiation to remove some components such as nitrosamines.
• a nonwoven fabric tobacco sheet produced by means of a method comprising the following steps may also be used, as disclosed in WO 2014/104078 A1 .
• the type of raw material tobacco leaves used in each of the above methods can be the same as described for the aerosol source 11 including tobacco shreds.
• the composition of the tobacco sheet is not particularly restricted, but for example, the content of tobacco raw material (tobacco leaves) is preferably 50% to 95% by mass relative to the total mass of the tobacco sheet.
• the tobacco sheet may also include a binder, and examples of such binders include guar gum, xanthan gum, carboxymethyl cellulose, sodium salt of carboxymethyl cellulose, etc.
• the amount of binder is preferably 1% to 10% by mass with respect to the total mass of the tobacco sheet.
• the tobacco sheet may further comprise other additives. Examples of other additives which may be cited include fillers such as pulp.
• the composition of the rolling paper 12 used for the substrate section 10 is not particularly restricted and can take a general form, examples of which include those having pulp as the main component.
• pulp in addition to using wood pulp such as softwood pulp and hardwood pulp to make the rolling paper 12, it can also be made by mixing non-wood pulp commonly used for the rolling paper 12 of tobacco products, such as flax pulp, hemp pulp, sisal pulp, esparto, etc.
• Types of pulp that can be used include chemical pulps obtained by means of kraft pulping, acid/neutral/alkaline sulfite pulping, and soda pulping, etc., groundwood pulps, chemigroundwood pulps, and thermomechanical pulps, etc.
• the rolling paper 12 is produced using the pulp by adjusting and homogenizing the texture in a papermaking process that employs a Fourdrinier machine, a cylinder mould paper making machine, or a round-short combined paper making machine, etc. It should be noted that, if necessary, a wet strength agent can be added to impart water resistance to the rolling paper 12, or a sizing agent can be added to adjust a printing condition of the rolling paper 12. It is further possible to add an internal additive for papermaking, such as aluminum sulphate, various types of anionic, cationic, nonionic, or amphoteric retention enhancers, drainage agent, and paper strength agents, as well as papermaking additives such as dyes, pH regulators, antifoaming agents, pitch control agents, and slime control agents.
• a wet strength agent can be added to impart water resistance to the rolling paper 12
• a sizing agent can be added to adjust a printing condition of the rolling paper 12.
• an internal additive for papermaking such as aluminum sulphate, various types of ani
• the basis weight of the base paper of the rolling paper 12 is usually 20 gsm or greater, and preferably 25 gsm or greater, for example. Meanwhile, the basis weight is usually 65 gsm or less, preferably 50 gsm or less, and even more preferably 45 gsm or less.
• the thickness of the rolling paper 12 is not particularly restricted, but from the viewpoint of rigidity, breathability, and ease of adjustment during papermaking, is usually 10 ⁇ m or more, preferably 20 ⁇ m or more, and more preferably 30 ⁇ m or more. Furthermore, the thickness of the rolling paper 12 is usually 100 ⁇ m or less, preferably 75 ⁇ m or less, and more preferably 50 ⁇ m or less.
• the shape of the rolling paper 12 for producing the substrate portion 10 can be square or rectangular, for example.
• the length of one side can be approximately 12 to 70 mm, and the length of the other side can be 15 to 28 mm, preferably 22 to 24 mm, and more preferably approximately 23 mm.
• one end of the rolling paper 12 and the other end of the rolling paper in the circumferential direction for example, can be overlapped by about 2 mm and glued together to form a cylindrical paper tube shape, with the aerosol source 11 filled inside.
• the size of the rectangular rolling paper 12 may be determined by the size of the substrate portion 10.
• the rolling paper may also comprise a loading material.
• the content of the loading material can, for example, be 10% to 60% by, and preferably 15% to 45% by mass with respect to the total mass of the rolling paper 12.
• the content of the loading material is preferably 15% to 45% by mass within the preferred basis weight range (25 to 45 gsm).
• the content of the loading material is preferably 15% to 45% by mass, and if the basis weight is 35 to 45 gsm, the content of the loading material is preferably 25% to 45% by mass.
• Calcium carbonate, titanium dioxide, or kaolin, etc. may be used as the loading material, but calcium carbonate is preferably used from the viewpoint of improving flavor and whiteness, etc.
• a water-resistance improving agent contains a wet-strength agent (WS agent) and a sizing agent.
• wet strength agents include urea formaldehyde resins, melamine formaldehyde resins, polyamide epichlorohydrin (PAE), and the like.
• sizing agents include rosin soap, alkyl ketene dimer (AKD), alkenyl succinic anhydride (ASA), and highly saponified polyvinyl alcohol having a saponification degree of 90% or more.
• a paper strength agent may be added, for example polyacrylamide, cationic starch, oxidized starch, CMC, polyamide epichlorohydrin resin, and polyvinyl alcohol.
• oxidized starch improves breathability ( JP 2017-218699 A ).
• a coating agent may be added to at least one of the two surfaces of the rolling paper 12, namely the front surface and the rear surface.
• the coating agent There is no particular restriction on the coating agent, but a coating agent that is capable of forming a film on the surface of the paper and reducing liquid permeability is preferable.
• alginic acid and salts thereof e.g., sodium salt
• polysaccharides such as pectin
• cellulose derivatives such as ethylcellulose, methylcellulose, carboxymethylcellulose, and nitrocellulose
• starch and derivatives thereof e.g., ether derivatives such as carboxymethyl starch, hydroxyalkyl starch, and cationic starch
• ester derivatives such as starch acetate, starch phosphate, and starch octenylsuccinate.
• the cooling portion 20 is a member disposed adjacent to the substrate portion 10 and the filter portion 30 and formed by wrapping a sheet 21 into a cylinder or the like having a transverse cross section that is hollow (a void).
• the cooling portion 20 generates an aerosol by cooling the vapor generated by heating the substrate portion 10.
• the cooling portion 20 is a paper tube formed by winding a sheet 21 made of paper.
• the cooling portion 20 is a so-called spiral paper tube, which is a tube formed by bonding together a plurality of sheets 21 containing at least paper and wrapping the sheets in a spiral shape.
• the spiral paper tube manufacturing method enables a paper tube having a circular cross section to be formed easily.
• the strength of the cooling portion 20 can be improved while limiting the area of the cooling portion 20.
• a new smoking flavor can be imparted to the aerosol by combining with and bonding to the paper a sheet member containing a fragrance component, a flavor component, a pulverized tobacco product, etc.
• the cooling portion 20 may be a so-called straight paper tube, which is a paper tube formed by wrapping paper in multiple layers in a cylindrical shape.
• the amount of glue used for affixing the paper can be reduced as compared with the spiral paper tube manufacturing method.
• the cooling portion 20 may equally be a paper tube formed by laminating a plurality of sheets 21 containing at least paper. By laminating a plurality of sheets 21, the strength of the cooling portion 20 can be maintained even if the basis weight of each sheet 21 is small.
• the transverse cross section of the cooling portion 20 is substantially circular, and the outer diameter thereof can be changed as appropriate to match the size of the product, but is preferably approximately the same as the outer diameter of the filter 31 discussed hereinafter. It should be noted that if the transverse cross section is not circular, the aforementioned outer diameter is applied assuming a circle having the same area as the area of the transverse cross section.
• the size of the cooling portion 20 in the centerline direction can be changed as appropriate to match the size of the product, but is usually 5 mm or greater, preferably 10 mm or greater, and more preferably 15 mm or greater. Furthermore, the size of the cooling portion 20 in the centerline direction is usually 35 mm or less, preferably 30 mm or less, and more preferably 25 mm or less.
• the thickness of the sheet 21 is not particularly restricted, and may, for example, be 50 to 500 ⁇ m, or 100 to 250 ⁇ m.
• the material of the sheet 21 is not particularly restricted and may, for example, be a material having pulp as the main component, a material having polyethylene, polypropylene, polyvinyl chloride, polyethylene terephthalate, polylactic acid, cellulose acetate, or aluminum foil as the main component, or any combination thereof.
• the cooling portion 20 has been described as a part formed by wrapping the sheet 21, but this is one example of a cylindrical member formed into a cylindrical shape, and the cooling portion is not limited to this configuration provided that the transverse cross section is hollow.
• the cooling portion 20 may equally be formed, for example, by a tube of a synthetic resin or the like that already has a hollow transverse cross section.
• the cooling portion 20 is provided with through-holes 60 (also referred to as a "ventilation filter (Vf)" in this technical field) which are provided in the circumferential direction and are concentric.
• the through-holes 60 are holes that penetrate through the sheet 21. Examples of the shape of the holes include polygonal, rounded-corner polygonal, circular, elliptical, etc.
• the through-holes 60 are present in a region in which air can flow in from outside the flavor inhaler 1, in other words, in a region that protrudes from the opening 142 when the flavor inhaler 1 is held in the holding portion 140 of the inhalation device 100.
• the presence of the through-holes 60 allows the concentrations of the inhaled flavor component and aerosol to be adjusted. Further, the presence of the plurality of through-holes 60 allows air to flow into the cooling portion 20 from the outside during inhalation, enabling the temperature of the vapor and air flowing in from the substrate portion 10 to be lowered. Furthermore, setting the positions in which the through-holes 60 are provided in the cooling portion 20 to lie within a region that is at least 4 mm from the boundary between the cooling portion 20 and the filter portion 30 in the direction of the cooling section 20 not only allows the cooling capability be improved, but also makes it possible to suppress retention within the cooling section 20 of substances (products) generated by heating, thereby increasing the amount of product that is delivered.
• vapor generated by heating the substrate portion 10, with the aerosol acting as the condensation nuclei liquefies as a result of a decrease in temperature upon coming into contact with air from the outside, and this can promote the generation of the aerosol.
• the through-holes 60 that are present concentrically in the cooling portion 20 are treated as one group of through-holes, there may be one group of through-holes, or there may be two or more groups of through-holes.
• the groups of through-holes are preferably not provided in a region lying less than 4 mm from the boundary between the cooling portion 20 and the filter portion 30 in the direction of the cooling portion 20, from the point of view of increasing the delivered amount of the components generated by the heating.
• vent holes are provided in the tipping paper 40 in positions immediately above the through-holes 60 provided in the cooling portion 20.
• the tipping paper 40 provided with vent holes overlapping the through-holes 60 may be prepared and wrapped, but, from the point of view of ease of production, it is preferable to manufacture the flavor inhaler 1 without the through-holes 60, and to then form holes simultaneously penetrating through the cooling portion 20 and the tipping paper 40.
• the region in which the through-holes 60 are present is not particularly restricted provided that the region is 4 mm or more from the boundary between the cooling portion 20 and the filter portion 30 in the direction of the cooling portion 20, from the viewpoint of improving the delivery of the product obtained by heating, but from the viewpoint of further improving product delivery, the region is preferably at least 4.5 mm, more preferably at least 5 mm, and even more preferably at least 5.5 mm from said boundary.
• the width w is also usually 10 mm or less, preferably 9 mm or less, and more preferably 8 mm or less.
• the region in which the through-holes 60 are present is preferably a region lying no more than 15 mm, more preferably a region lying no more than 10 mm, and even more preferably a region lying no more than 7 mm from the boundary between the cooling portion 20 and the filter portion 30, from the point of view of ensuring the cooling function.
• the region in which the through-holes 60 are present is preferably 5 mm or more from the boundary between the cooling portion 20 and the substrate portion 10 in the direction of the cooling portion 20, more preferably 10 mm or more, and even more preferably 13 mm or more, from the viewpoint of ensuring the cooling functionality.
• the region in which the through-holes 60 are present is preferably a region that is no more than 16 mm, more preferably no more than 15.5 mm, even more preferably no more than 15 mm, and particularly preferably no more than 14.5 mm from the boundary between the cooling portion 20 and the substrate portion 10.
• This content is more preferably 10-200 mg, and even more preferably 20-120 mg.
• the through-holes 60 are provided in such a way that the air inflow ratio from the through-holes 60 during inhalation at 17.5 ml/sec by an automated smoking machine is 10% to 90% by volume.
• the "air inflow ratio” is the volume ratio of air flowing in from the through-holes 60 when the ratio of air inhaled from the suction end is taken as 100% by volume.
• the air inflow ratio is preferably 50% to 80% by volume, and more preferably 55% to 75% by volume.
• the air inflow ratio may be measured by a method conforming to ISO9512, using a wrapping quality measuring instrument (e.g., SODIMAX D74/SODIM, manufactured by S.A.S.).
• a wrapping quality measuring instrument e.g., SODIMAX D74/SODIM, manufactured by S.A.S.
• the tipping paper 40 is wrapped around the outer circumferential surfaces of the substrate portion 10, the cooling portion 20, and the filter portion 30.
• the shape of the tipping paper 40 is not particular limited, and may be square or rectangular, for example.
• the basis weight of the tipping paper 40 is not particularly restricted, but is usually 32 to 60 gsm, preferably 33 to 55 gsm, and more preferably 34 to 53 gsm.
• the air permeability of the tipping paper 40 is not particularly restricted, but is usually 0 to 30,000 CORESTA units, and preferably greater than 0 CORESTA units and no greater than 10,000 CORESTA units.
• air permeability is a value measured in accordance with ISO 2965:2009, expressed as the flow rate (cm 3 ) of gas passing through an area of 1 cm 2 per minute when the differential pressure between both sides of the paper is 1 kPa.
• 1 CORESTA unit (1 C.U.) constitutes cm 3 /(min ⁇ cm 2 ) under 1 kPa.U.
• the configuration of the tipping paper 40 is not particularly restricted and can take a general form, examples of which include those having pulp as the main component.
• pulp in addition to using wood pulp such as softwood pulp and hardwood pulp to make the tipping paper 12, it can also be made by mixing non-wood pulp commonly used for the rolling paper of tobacco articles, such as flax pulp, hemp pulp, sisal pulp, esparto, etc. These pulps can be used alone or in combination of multiple types in any ratio.
• Forms of pulp that can be used include chemical pulps obtained by means of kraft pulping, acid/neutral/alkaline sulfite pulping, and soda pulping, etc., groundwood pulps, chemigroundwood pulps, and thermomechanical pulps, etc.
• the tipping paper 40 may be manufactured by the manufacturing methods discussed hereinabove, or a commercial product may be used.
• the tipping paper 40 may contain a loading material in addition to the above-described materials, examples of which can include metal carbonates such as calcium carbonate and magnesium carbonate, metal oxides such as titanium oxide, titanium dioxide and aluminum oxide, metal sulfates such as barium sulfate and calcium sulfate, metal sulfides such as zinc sulfide, quartz, kaolin, talc, diatomaceous earth, gypsum and the like, and calcium carbonate is preferably included in particular from the viewpoint of improving whiteness and opacity and increasing the heating rate.
• These loading materials may be used alone, or two or more may be used in combination.
• a water-resistance improving agent contains a wet-strength agent (WS agent) and a sizing agent.
• wet strength agents include urea formaldehyde resins, melamine formaldehyde resins, polyamide epichlorohydrin (PAE), and the like.
• sizing agents include rosin soap, alkyl ketene dimer (AKD), alkenyl succinic anhydride (ASA), and highly saponified polyvinyl alcohol having a saponification degree of 90% or more.
• a coating agent may be added to at least one of the two surfaces of the tipping paper 40, namely the front surface and the rear surface.
• the coating agent There is no particular restriction on the coating agent, but a coating agent that is capable of forming a film on the surface and reducing liquid permeability is preferable.
• a portion of the outer surface of the tipping paper 40 may be coated with a lip-release material.
• a lip-release material means a material configured for assisting in easy separation, substantially without adhesion, of the lips and the tipping paper 40 when the user holds the filter portion 30 of the flavor inhaler 1 in their mouth.
• the lip-release material may comprise ethylcellulose, methylcellulose, nitrocellulose, etc., for example.
• the outer surface of the tipping paper 40 may be coated with a lip-release material by applying an ethylcellulose-based or methylcellulose-based ink to the outer surface of the tipping paper 40.
• Fig. 9 illustrates a second embodiment of a heat-not-burn flavor inhaler.
• a separate filter 32 is located on the upstream side of the filter 31, and the filler 33 is located on the upstream side of the filter 31; in (B), the separate filter 32 is located on the downstream side of the filter 31, and the filler 33 is located on the upstream side of the filter 31; and in (C), the separate filter 32 is located on the downstream side of the filter 31, and the filler 33 is located on the downstream side of the filter 31.
• the examples in fig. 9 are all flavor inhalers 2 in which the substrate portion 10 includes a tip member 13 for preventing the aerosol source 11 from falling out from the first side end face of the substrate portion 10, and which additionally include the separate filter 32 as a filter portion 230.
• the flavor inhaler 2 differs from that in the embodiment of fig. 8 in that the filter portion 230 corresponding to the filter portion 30 is different.
• the differences from the embodiment of fig. 8 will now be described.
• the same reference signs are used for the same components in fig. 8 and fig. 9 , and detailed descriptions thereof are omitted.
• the filter portion 230 includes the filter 31, which is a paper filter, the separate filter 32, which is an independent filter separate from the filter 31, the filler 33, and the rolling paper 35, which is present between the filter 31 and the tipping paper 40 and which is wrapped around the outer circumferential surface of the filter 31.
• the filter portion 230 is connected (coupled) to the cooling portion 20 by integrally wrapping the cooling portion 20 and the filter portion 230 using the tipping paper 40.
• the transverse cross section of the separate filter 32 of the filter portion 230 is substantially circular, and the outer diameter thereof can be changed as appropriate to match the size of the product, but can, for example, be 22 to 27 mm. It should be noted that if the transverse cross section is not circular, the aforementioned outer diameter is applied assuming a circle having the same area as the area of the transverse cross section.
• the air resistance of the filter portion 230 and the size thereof in the centerline direction can be exemplified as being the same as the air resistance and size in the centerline direction of the filter portion 30.
• the shape and dimensions of the filter 31 and the separate filter 32 may be suitably adjusted such that the shape and dimensions of the filter portion 230 lie within the abovementioned ranges.
• the separate filter 32 is not particularly restricted provided that it includes a filter material and has the general functions of a filter.
• General functions of a filter that may be cited include, for example, adjusting the amount of air which is mixed when the aerosol, etc., is inhaled, lightening the flavor, and reducing the amount of nicotine and tar, etc., but not all of these functions need to be provided.
• an important function of the filter also lies in preventing the aerosol source 11 from falling out, while suppressing the filtration function.
• the separate filter 32 may have a lower filtration rate than the filter 31 and a higher hardness than the filter 31.
• the filter material constituting the separate filter 32 is, for example, a filling material such as cellulose acetate fibers, nonwoven fabric, or pulp paper formed into a cylindrical shape. Further, a paper filter filled with sheet-like pulp paper may be used. In addition to these filling materials, inorganic adsorbents such as activated carbon, sepiolite, palygorskite, zeolite, activated carbon fibers, activated alumina, sepiolite mixed paper, silica gel, activated clay, vermiculite, diatomaceous earth, as well as pulp, various fibers, ion exchange resins, and other polymer porous bodies can be used.
• the separate filter may contain a crushable additive release container (e.g., a capsule) including a crushable outer shell such as gelatin.
• the filling density of the filter material is not particularly restricted, but is usually 90 to 360 mg/cm 3 , and preferably 150 to 240 mg/cm 3 .
• Fig. 15 illustrates longitudinal cross sections of flavor inhalers 3 according to a third embodiment.
• Fig. 15 (A) shows a state in which the filler 33 is located on the first side of an aerosol modifier 34, and (B) shows a state in which the filler 33 is located on the second side of the aerosol modifier 34, and the second side (downstream side) end of a filter portion 330 is located in a position that is at least a predetermined distance from the end of the filler 33.
• the flavor inhaler 3 according to the third embodiment differs from the flavor inhaler 1 according to the first embodiment in that the filter portion 330 corresponding to the filter portion 30 is different.
• the differences from the first embodiment will be described below.
• the same reference signs are used for the same components, and detailed descriptions thereof are omitted.
• the filter portion 330 includes the filter 31, which is a paper filter, the filler 33 which changes a flow path in the filter 31, the aerosol modifier 34 that modifies the aerosol, and the rolling paper 35, which is present between the filter 31 and the tipping paper 40 and which is wrapped around the outer circumferential surface of the filter 31.
• the filter portion 330 is connected (coupled) to the cooling portion 20 by integrally wrapping the cooling portion 20 and the filter portion 330 using the tipping paper 40. It should be noted that the rolling paper 35 need not be provided.
• the aerosol modifier 34 is disposed within the filter portion 330.
• the position of the aerosol modifier 34 in the longitudinal cross section of the filter portion 330 is not particularly restricted, but it is preferable that the aerosol modifier is arranged in a straight line with the filler 33 in the centerline direction. In other words, the aerosol modifier 34 is preferably arranged in a straight line with the filler 33 in the longitudinal direction of the filter portion 330.
• the aerosol modifier 34 is preferably disposed in a position corresponding to the filler 33, such as a position (see fig. 15(A) ) on the second side (downstream side) through which the aerosol that has passed through the filler 33 passes, or a position whereby the aerosol that has impinged on the aerosol modifier 34 passes through the filler 33.
• a position see fig. 15(A)
• the aerosol modifier 34 By disposing the aerosol modifier 34 in a location corresponding to the filler 33, the delivery efficiency of the modified aerosol can be improved.
• the modified aerosol can be caused to pass through the filler during inhalation.
• the aerosol modifier 34 is, for example, a breakable capsule that releases contents containing a fragrance component components when an external force is applied.
• the aerosol modifier 34 is preferably embedded in a position such that the contents do not leak from the end face on the first side and the end face on the second side of the filter 31. In other words, the aerosol modifier 34 is preferably disposed in a position such that the diffusion of the contents is kept within the filter portion 330.
• the aerosol modifier 34 includes contents containing at least one of a flavor component and a fragrance component, and a capsule body that holds the contents.
• the aerosol modifier 34 is crushed by the user, causing the capsule body to break and the contents inside to be released. Crushing involves, for example, pressing the rolling paper 35 and the tipping paper 40 between the thumb and forefinger to apply pressure to the aerosol modifier 34, which is a breakable capsule.
• the filter portion 30 etc. for the flavor inhaler comprises a paper filter (filter 31) filled with a sheet member so as to form voids in the longitudinal direction, and the filler 33, which is disposed within the paper filter and which changes the flow path within the paper filter, wherein the downstream end of the filter portion 30 is located in a position at least a predetermined distance from the end of the filler.
• the heat-not-bum flavor inhalers 1, 2 and 3 each include the substrate portion 10 including at least the aerosol source 11.
• the flavor inhaler 1, etc. additionally comprises the cooling portion 20 which cools the vapor generated by heating the substrate section 10, thereby producing an aerosol, the filter portion 30 through which the aerosol passes, and the tipping paper 40 which is wrapped around the outer circumferential surfaces of the substrate portion 10, the cooling portion 20, and the filter portion 30.
• the filter portion 30 includes the filter 31, which is a paper filter filled with a sheet member, and the filler 33, which is located in the filter 31 and has a lower filtration rate than that of the filter 31.
• the flavor inhaler 1 need not include the cooling portion 20, from the viewpoint of making the size more compact in the centerline direction. By means of this configuration, it is possible to provide a flavor inhaler in which a hole is not formed at the end of the filter.
• Fig. 10 and fig. 11 are drawings showing longitudinal cross sections of flavor inhalers 4 according to a fourth embodiment.
• the flavor inhaler 4 according to the fourth embodiment differs from the flavor inhaler 1 according to the first embodiment in terms of the mode of use.
• the flavor inhaler 4 according to the fourth embodiment differs from the flavor inhaler 1 according to the first embodiment in that a mouthpiece portion 450 corresponding to the mouthpiece segment 50, and communication holes 460 corresponding to the through-holes 60 are different.
• the differences from the first embodiment will be described below.
• the same reference signs are used for the same components, and detailed descriptions thereof are omitted.
• the flavor inhaler 4 is a combustion-type flavor inhaler.
• the flavor inhaler is used by burning the end surface on the first side, which is the side opposite to the second side, the second side being the end side which the user holds in their mouth for inhalation.
• the aerosol source 11 contained in the substrate portion 10 generates vapor, which is used to produce aerosol, through heating associated with combustion.
• the transverse cross section of the flavor inhaler 4 is substantially circular, and the outer diameter thereof can be changed as appropriate to match the size of the product, but is usually 16 to 27 mm, and preferably 22 to 25 mm. It should be noted that if the transverse cross section is not circular, the aforementioned outer diameter is applied assuming a circle having the same area as the area of the transverse cross section.
• the size of the flavor inhaler 4 in the centerline direction can be changed as appropriate to match the size of the product, but is usually 60 to 120 mm and preferably 80 to 100 mm.
• the mouthpiece portion 450 is composed of the filter portion 30.
• the size of the mouthpiece portion 450 in the centerline direction can be changed as appropriate to match the size of the product, but is usually 20 to 40 mm, and preferably 25 to 30 mm.
• the mouthpiece portion 450 is provided with a plurality of communication holes 460 arranged circumferentially and concentrically.
• the communication holes 460 are holes that allow air flowing in from the vent holes provided in the tipping paper 40 to communicate with the voids within the filter 31. By adjusting the amount of air flowing in from the communication holes 460, the concentration of the aerosol that the user inhales can be adjusted.
• the communication holes 460 are provided in at least the rolling paper 35 in positions corresponding to the vent holes provided in the tipping paper 40.
• the tipping paper 40 may be wrapped such that the communication holes 460 and the vent holes provided in the tipping paper overlap, but, from the point of view of ease of production, it is preferable to manufacture the flavor inhaler 4 without the communication holes 460, and to then form holes simultaneously penetrating through the mouthpiece portion 450 and the tipping paper 40.
• the region in which the communication holes 460 are present is preferably a region of the filter 31 in which the filling density of the sheet member constituting the filter 31 is relatively low, in other words, a region of the filter 31 in which the filler 33 is not disposed, from the viewpoint of improving the air inflow efficiency.
• a filler 33 that is smaller than the size of the filter 31 in the centerline direction is positioned in the center of the filter 31, and the communication holes 460 are provided in a region of the filter 31 in which the filler 33 is not disposed. Specifically, the communication holes 460 are provided in a region on the upstream side of the filler 33.
• one filler 33 is located within the filter 31 at the first side (substrate portion 10 side) end thereof, and another filler 33 is located on the second side (downstream side) at a distance from the end of the filter 31, and the communication holes 460 are provided in the region between the two fillers 33.
• the communication holes 460 are not restricted to the configuration discussed hereinabove, provided that they are provided in a region of the filter 31 in which the filler 33 is not disposed.
• Fig. 12 and fig. 13 are drawings showing longitudinal cross sections of flavor inhalers 5 according to a fifth embodiment.
• Fig. 12(A) shows a state in which the filler 33 is located on the first side within the filter 31, and (B) shows a state in which the filler 33 is located on the second side within the filter 31.
• the flavor inhaler 5 according to the fifth embodiment differs from the flavor inhaler 4 according to the fourth embodiment in that a filter portion 530 corresponding to the filter portion 30 is different.
• the differences from the fourth embodiment will be described below.
• the same reference signs are used for the same components in the flavor inhaler 4 and the flavor inhaler 5, and detailed descriptions thereof are omitted.
• the filter portion 530 includes the filter 31, which is a paper filter, the separate filter 32, which is an independent filter separate from the filter 31, the filler 33, which has a lower filtration rate than that of the filter 31, and the rolling paper 35, which is present between the filter 31 and the tipping paper 40 and which is wrapped around the outer circumferential surface of the filter 31.
• the filter portion 530 is connected (coupled) to the substrate portion 10 by integrally wrapping the substrate portion 10 and the filter portion 230 using the tipping paper 40.
• the configuration of the separate filter 32 in the filter portion 530 can be exemplified as being the same as the separate filter 32 included in the filter portion 230 according to the second embodiment.
• the shape and dimensions of the filter 31 and the separate filter 32 can be suitably adjusted such that the shape and dimensions of the filter portion 530 lie within the abovementioned ranges.
• the filter portion 530 includes the separate filter 32, which is connected to the second side of the substrate portion 10, and the filter 31, which is positioned on the second side of the separate filter 32.
• the separate filter 32 is positioned on the upstream side
• the filter 31 is positioned on the downstream side.
• a filler 33 that is smaller in the centerline direction than the size of the filter 31 may be disposed on the first side (upstream side) within the filter 31, and the vent holes 460 may be provided in a region on the downstream side of the filler 33.
• a filler 33 that is smaller in the centerline direction than the size of the filter 31 may be disposed on the second side (downstream side) within the filter 31, and the vent holes 460 may be provided in a region on the upstream side of the filler 33.
• the configuration of the filter portion 530 is not restricted to the examples shown in fig. 12(A) and (B) , and the positional relationship between the filter 31 and the separate filter 32 may be changed.
• Fig. 13 is a drawing illustrating longitudinal cross sections of other flavor inhalers 5 according to the fifth embodiment, where (A) is a drawing illustrating a state in which the filler 33 is positioned on the first side within the filter 31, and (B) is a drawing illustrating a state in which the filler 33 is positioned on the second side within the filter 31.
• the filter portion 530 includes the filter 31, which is connected to the second side of the substrate portion 10, and the separate filter 32, which is positioned on the second side of the filter 31.
• the filter 31 is positioned on the upstream side
• the separate filter 32 is positioned on the downstream side.
• a filler 33 that is smaller in the centerline direction than the size of the filter 31 may be disposed on the first side (upstream side) within the filter 31, and the vent holes 460 may be provided in a region on the downstream side of the filler 33.
• a filler 33 that is smaller in the centerline direction than the size of the filter 31 may be disposed on the second side (downstream side) within the filter 31, and the vent holes 460 may be provided in a region on the upstream side of the filler 33.
• the filter portion 30 etc. for the flavor inhaler comprises a paper filter (filter 31) filled with a sheet member so as to form voids in the longitudinal direction, and the filler 33, which is disposed within the paper filter and which changes the flow path within the paper filter, wherein the downstream end of the filter portion 30 is located in a position at least a predetermined distance from the end of the filler.

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• Cigarettes, Filters, And Manufacturing Of Filters (AREA)
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• 2022
  • 2022-12-26 WO PCT/JP2022/047988 patent/WO2024142167A1/fr not_active Ceased
  • 2022-12-26 CN CN202280102776.7A patent/CN120417790A/zh active Pending
  • 2022-12-26 EP EP22969961.6A patent/EP4643672A1/fr active Pending
  • 2022-12-26 KR KR1020257020924A patent/KR20250114931A/ko active Pending
  • 2022-12-26 JP JP2024566956A patent/JPWO2024142167A1/ja active Pending

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