JPS61234755A - Taste capsule and its production - Google Patents

Abstract

(57) [Summary] This bulletin contains application data before electronic filing, so abstract data is not recorded.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION Field of Industrial Application The present invention is directed to metered release (release in a controlled manner).
The present invention relates to flavor capsules, particularly flavor capsules adapted to be chewed and/or sucked to extract the flavor substances and/or juices contained therein.

In particular, the present invention provides a method for releasing tobacco flavor and/or juice in a controlled manner, thereby helping a person quit smoking, or at least reducing the desire and need to smoke and continue smoking. Regarding tobacco capsules.

Conventional techniquesSmoking is extremely harmful to health. This is largely due to the fact that cigarettes burn and produce tar, carbon oxides, and other harmful substances that enter the lungs during smoking.

However, ingestion of tobacco juice, particularly nicotine, gives the smoker a sense of pleasure, so while it would be desirable to be able to provide a means of getting tobacco juice into the mouth, this is not the case for the undesirable combustion products when smoking. .

Several solutions have been proposed for this purpose.

Among these, US Pat. No. 3,877,468 discloses chewing gum containing tobacco alkaloids. Further, US Pat. No. 3,757,79g describes a pouch filled with tobacco and made of nine tea bag paper. The pouch is placed in the mouth, allowing saliva to mix with the tobacco inside the pouch, dissolve some of the juice, and then pass back into the mouth through the patch.

This paper pouch cannot be chewed since it will probably first become punctured when it is chewed to release some tobacco, thus forcing the user to perform only gentle sucking motions, which limits its use.

Food grade capsules are also known. For example, US Pat. No. 3,620,759 describes porous gelatin capsules containing a soluble food extract that is extracted on contact with water and subsequently dissolved with the capsule. However, this capsule was not proposed for oral use.

Problems to be solved by the inventionAccording to the research of the present inventor, by chewing or sucking,
It has now been discovered that it is possible to provide flavor capsules that can deliver flavor substances and/or juices, such as tobacco flavors and/or juices, in a controlled manner in a slow manner.

It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a flavor capsule for controllably releasing the liquid extractable flavor substance and/or juice contained therein by applying pressure to the capsule wall.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a method for manufacturing such flavor capsules.

Yet another object of the present invention is to provide tobacco-containing capsules by chewing and/or smoking tobacco-containing capsules instead of actual smoking.
To provide a method for enjoying tobacco and reducing dependence on cigarettes.

Means and Effects for Solving Problems According to the present invention, in order to achieve the above object, a thin-walled capsule made of non-rubber-like elastic, water-insoluble, non-toxic plastic, and a capsule housed within the capsule are provided. a filler material containing an extractable flavor substance and/or juice, wherein the capsule is provided with one or more small slits that open when pressure is applied to the capsule, and the capsule is completely inserted into the mouth. A metered release flavor capsule is provided that is appropriately sized for concealment.

According to one aspect of the invention, the flavor capsules have a length of about 10 to
It has a cylindrical shape with dimensions of about 25 cm and a diameter of about 5 to 25 cm. According to another embodiment, the diameter is 10 to 30 cm and the height is about 5 to 1 cm.
It has a 5-inch round disc-like shape.

Further in accordance with the invention, a hollow cartridge or tube member of a non-rubber-like elastic, water-insoluble, non-toxic plastic is filled with a filler material comprising an extractable flavor substance and/or juice, the cartridge or tube member is sealed, and at least A method of manufacturing a flavor capsule is provided, characterized in that it includes at least one slit extending substantially through the wall of the cartridge or tube.

According to a preferred embodiment, the filling material consists of moist snuff.

Furthermore, according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the filling step includes:
inserting a filler sleeve into the open end of the cartridge, introducing moist fibrous filler material through the filler sleeve into the cartridge, and compressing the filler material into the cartridge to a level below the height of the cartridge; removing the fill sleeve and sealing the cartridge above the level of fill material.

Further according to the invention there is provided a rotating frame defining a number of working stations; means for introducing an empty cartridge into one of the working stations on said frame; and means connected to said frame and for introducing a cartridge to be filled. A flavor capsule filling apparatus is provided comprising a reciprocating filling sleeve disposed to enter and means for filling said cartridge with filling material comprising means for sealing said filled cartridge.

In the flavor capsule of the present invention, the capsule filled with the flavor substance and/or juice is made of a non-rubber-like elastic, water-insoluble, non-toxic plastic capsule, which opens when pressure is applied to the capsule. It has one or more small slits so that the flavor capsule can be placed in the mouth and squeezed between the teeth or between the tongue and the roof of the mouth or between the inner cheek or lips and the outer gums. Flavor substances and/or juice can be repeatedly extracted in a controlled manner from the flavor capsule through the slit by squeezing and/or sucking the capsule. The amount of extraction in this case is controlled by the squeezing/suction force and the number of repetitions.

EXAMPLES Hereinafter, the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings showing embodiments of the present invention.

The tenth figure shows a longitudinal section through a cylindrical capsule 1, which consists of matching body members 2 and 3, which are sealed to each other at their overlaps 4 and 5. Each body member has a slit 6.7 passing through its wall section.

FIG. 1b shows a sectional view taken along the line 8--8 in FIG. The molded capsule can also consist of a cylindrical cap similar in shape to well-known glycerin capsules used for holding pharmaceuticals and a body member that fits into a matching receptacle.

Figure 2a shows a plan view of a capsule consisting of a tube member sealed at both ends 9 and 10.

The slit 11 (preferably a second slit on the bottom side) makes it possible to apply pressure to the capsule and extract its contents, for example by chewing or sucking the capsule.

FIG. 2b shows a sectional view taken along the line 12--12 of the capsule having the slit 11 and +3t- shown in FIG. 2α. Both ends 9, 10 of the tube are sealed.

FIG. 3α shows a top view of a plastic cylindrical cup 14 which is sealed at one end 15 and has only one slit 16. FIG. FIG. 3b shows a sectional view taken along line 17-17 of the cup shown in FIG. 3α.

Figure 4a shows a plan view of a disk-shaped capsule, which has a plastic end 1g sealed around its periphery and also has a slit +9t-. Second slit (not shown)
is below it.

FIG. 4b shows a sectional view taken along line 20-20 of the capsule shown in FIG. 4α.

Capsule dimensions range from approximately 10 to 10 mm long for cylindrical shapes.
In the case of a disc-shaped cod, a diameter of about 10 to 30 txxx and a height of 5 to 15 cm is preferable. The wall thickness of the capsule is α3~1. Om, preferably 04
It should be in the range of ~αg shoulder. According to one feature of the invention, the capsule is sized to be completely hidden within the user's mouth.

The slit may be round or elongated in nature. According to a preferred embodiment, the length of the slit is equal to or greater than the wall thickness of the capsule. The size and shape of the slits are such that when the physical shape of the capsule is temporarily deformed by pressing, chewing or squeezing, fluid passes through the slits such that the filling material, i.e. finely shredded tobacco, passes through the slits. It only needs to be something that does not allow it to pass through.

It is very effective if each slit of the capsule of the present invention includes an opening through the wall of the capsule as shown in Figure 10. Alternatively, it may extend substantially through the capsule wall, leaving a thin jacket that ruptures or perforates when pressure is applied to the capsule, as shown in Figures 3a and 16. In this latter slit embodiment, the slit provides an unbroken outer surface of the capsule until the capsule is used, thus preventing undesirable drying, leakage or the ingress of contaminants into the capsule. Furthermore, as mentioned above, the slit can be of any desired shape to permit a selected opening by applying pressure to the capsule.

The capsules described above are filled with flavor and/or juice-containing substances, sealed and then slit. Alternatively, a pre-slit plastic sleeve or tube can be filled with flavor and/or juice-containing material and then sealed. Suitable flavor or juice-containing substances include foods such as coffee, tea and spices, sweeteners, mouthwashes or breath fresheners, or other suitable substances such as irritants. The flavor capsules of the present invention have particular utility as capsules for encapsulating tobacco, especially moist snuff, and other shredded fibrous materials in wet or dry form.

The capsule according to the invention preferably has sufficient elasticity (resilience) to withstand chewing without being perforated by the teeth.
'It is made from a rigid, elastic, water-insoluble, non-toxic plastic. All that is important is that the capsule is not crushed or destroyed, and that the flavor substances can enter and exit through the slit with the aid of oral fluids such as saliva. The capsules should also have some cushioning to give the consumer the feeling that they are not simply chewing on a flat plastic disc.

Plastics suitable for this purpose are polyolefins, preferably polyethylene, polypropylene and copolymers thereof.

Fluorocarbons, pVC, ionomers, nylons, polyesters and other thermoplastics may also be used as long as they are safe for oral use, such as approved by the appropriate health authorities.

Place the entire capsule in your mouth and combine with the suction action.
User satisfaction is achieved by extracting flavor and/or juice from the capsule by chewing with the teeth and squeezing between the tongue and the roof of the mouth or between the outer gums and the lips or between the lips and teeth. . The extracted flavor and/or juice is diluted by a small amount of saliva and absorbed by the oral tissues and digestive system.

Plastic capsules are elastic, so they return to their general shape after being deformed by chewing or squeezing.

This elastic action creates a relative vacuum inside the capsule,
This draws fresh saliva from the mouth.

The disposable use of the capsule of the present invention is particularly useful for tobacco capsules. In these capsules, the initial moisture of the tobacco is gradually extracted, fresh saliva enters the capsule through a slit, and the moisture and tobacco juice are dissolved until all solubles are completely extracted from the tobacco. do. The amount of juice extracted is controlled by the force of the squeezing/suction action and the number of repetitions thereof. Cigarette approx. α5
The contents of one capsule containing ~1.0 grams can be extracted within 25 minutes for an average user. Fresh capsules naturally require very light chewing to extract the desired amount. To maintain a certain amount of satisfaction, one will chew harder, especially when the flavor content of the capsule is running low.

FIG. 5 shows an embodiment of the flavor capsule manufacturing apparatus of the present invention. The apparatus has a rotating frame 30, which is rotatably connected to a motor (not shown), and has a number of work stations, each of which performs a different operation.

A fixed grate 31 is fixedly installed below the rotating frame 30. The distance between the stationary plate 31 and the rotating frame 30 around the circumference of the rotating frame 30 is different at each position therealong, as will be explained further below.

The first working station 32 is connected to capsule feeding means 34, which may have a vibratory feeder. The capsule supply means 34 is the rotating frame 3
0 to provide a uniform flow of empty capsules 36 (see Figure 3C). Each capsule 36 preferably consists of a preformed cartridge sealed at one end thereof, preferably having a place slit defining seven flange 3g extending upwardly and outwardly. The capsule 36 is a rotating frame 30
Suspended from 7 lunges 3g at each work station around.

After one capsule 36 enters work station 32, rotating frame 30 rotates an arcuate distance sufficient to advance each capsule from one station to the next. When the new capsule reaches the second work station 40, it is placed at a detection stage (such as an electronic detector) (
[not shown] checks whether the capsule is actually present. The capsule is then sterilized and the air inside is removed by a jet of nitrogen gas, as is well known in the art.

At the next work station 42 the capsules are filled. The filler material is supplied from a container 44 having a rotating screw or auger type feeder 46. Feeder 46 serves to measure the desired amount of material for each capsule and to convey the material from container 44 to filling device 48 .

The optical loading device [48 is shown in cutaway view in Figures 6a and 6b. Capsule 36 is moved to work station 42 and filling sleeve 50, slidably mounted within filling device 4B, slides into capsule 36 as the filling device moves proximate the open top of the capsule. A feature of this example is that the filling sleeve 50 extends into the capsule 36 from within the filling device 4g. This serves two purposes, firstly, to prevent moisture from leaking into the lunge or upper part of the capsule, and secondly, to remove the loose fill material from an initial position higher than the height of the capsule. This means that it can be introduced up to the position of .

The sleeve 51 of the feeder 46 is moved towards the filling sleeve 50 up to the opening 52 in its side. A predetermined amount of material is introduced by feeder 46 through fill sleeve 50 into capsule 36 . A slight vibrating motion is generated in the feeder 46, causing it to loosen completely. Shake off the loose material from the end of the feeder sleeve 51 into the capsule.

Feeder sleeve 51 is then pulled back through opening 52.

If the filler material consists of tobacco or other fibrous material, it may be desirable to compress the material into the capsule. There, a piston 54 or other means is reciprocally mounted within the filling device 48 and extends through the filling sleeve 50 to compress the material within the capsule 36 to a height of seven flange 38 or less. Piston 54 is then pulled back and
The filling sleeve is removed from the capsule 36 and the rotating frame 30 transports the filled capsule to the next work station 5.
Rotate and transport up to 6.

Between the work station 42 and the work station 56, the fixed plate is inclined so that the distance between the fixed plate 31 and the rotating frame 30 gradually decreases. As the capsule 36 rotates towards the work station 56, the bottom of the capsule comes into engagement with the sloped portion of the fixed plate 31 and the capsule is gradually lifted into the slot in the periphery of the rotating frame 30. At work station 56, the upper ends of capsule 36 are sealed together by suitable sealing means, such as ultrasonic sealing, preferably under a nitrogen jet, and the upper seven flange is cut from the capsule by suitable known cutting means, such as cutting. separated (3rd d)
- see figure). The sealed and cut capsule is then moved to work station 601C, where it is roasted with a torch 62 to smooth out any sharp edges. The sealed capsule is then sent to a final station 64 where it is removed from the rotating frame 30 by any suitable means.

It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that additional work stations may be added to rotating frame 30 as desired to perform other additional operations on the capsule. For example, if it is desired to add moisture to a filled capsule of dry material, a work station can be added that includes means for introducing moisture into the filling material within the filled capsule.

It will be obvious to those skilled in the art that the above description is merely an illustration of the present invention, and that the present invention is not limited to what has been described above.

Effects of the Invention As described above, the flavor capsule according to the present invention allows flavor and/or juice to be extracted in a controlled manner through the slit provided in the capsule by chewing and/or sucking the capsule in the mouth. Moreover, since the capsule is made of elastic, water-insoluble, and non-toxic plastic, it will not shatter or break even when chewed, and the user will be fully satisfied. Further, by using the method and apparatus of the present invention, such flavor capsules can be manufactured continuously and with good workability.Other effects and advantages of the present invention are clear from the above description. Dew.

[Brief explanation of drawings]

Figure 10 is a longitudinal sectional view of a cylindrical capsule showing an embodiment of the present invention, Figure 1b is a sectional view taken along line 6-g in Figure 10, Figure 2α is a plan view of a tubular capsule, and Figure 2b is a sectional view taken along line 6-g in Figure 10. The figure is the second
Figure 3a is a sectional view taken along line 12-12 in Figure α, Figure 3a is a plan view of the cylindrical cup, Figure 3b is a sectional view taken along line 17-17 in Figure 3α, and Figure 3c is a cylindrical capsule with two flange at the top. Cross-sectional view, Figure 3cL is a plan view of the capsule in a state where it is sealed after filling with filler material and 7 lungs have been cut, Figure 4α is a plan view of the disc-shaped capsule, and Figure 4b is 20-20 of Figure 4α.
A line sectional view, FIG. 5 is a configuration diagram showing an embodiment of the flavor capsule manufacturing apparatus of the present invention, FIG. 6α is a sectional view of the filling device in a state before the piston is extended, and FIG. 6b is a diagram with the piston extended. FIG. 1... Cylindrical capsule, 2.3... Main body member, 6°7.1 +, +3.16.19... Slit, 30
... Rotating frame, 31 ... Fixed plate, 32°42.56, 60.64 ... Work station, 34
... Kabushichilu supply means, 36... Capsule, 3B.
...7 lunge, 44...container, 46...feeder, 4g...filling device, 50...filling sleeve,
51... Feeder sleeve, 54... Piston.

Claims (1)

[Scope of Claims] 1. A thin-walled capsule made of non-rubber-like elastic, water-insoluble, non-toxic plastic and a filling material containing an extractable flavor substance and/or juice contained within the capsule. A metered-release flavor capsule comprising one or more small slits in the capsule which open when pressure is applied to the capsule, the capsule being of a suitable size to be completely hidden in the mouth. 2. The flavor capsule according to claim 1, which has a cylindrical shape with dimensions of about 10 to 25 mm in length and about 5 to 25 mm in diameter. 3. The flavor capsule according to claim 1, which has a round disc shape with a diameter of 10 to 30 mm and a height of about 5 to 15 mm. 4. Flavor capsule according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the plastic capsule has a wall thickness of about 0.3 to 1.0 mm. 5. Claims 1 to 4, wherein the plastic capsule has a slit with a length in the range of 0.3 to 20 mm.
Flavored capsules according to any of paragraphs. 6. The flavor capsule according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the plastic capsule is made of polyethylene, polypropylene, or a copolymer thereof. 7. The flavor capsule according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the filling material is selected from coffee, tea, spices, mouthwash, breath freshener, or a mixture thereof. 8. Claim 1, wherein the filling material is tobacco.
The flavor capsule according to any one of items 6 to 6. 9. Claims in which the plastic capsule has a slit extending substantially through the capsule wall, the slit being arranged to open an aperture through the capsule wall upon application of pressure to the capsule. The flavor capsule according to any one of items 1 to 8. 10. Filling a hollow cartridge or tube member of non-rubber-like elastic, water-insoluble, non-toxic plastic with a filler material containing an extractable flavor substance and/or juice;
A method for producing flavor capsules, characterized in that a cartridge or tube member is sealed and provided with at least one slit extending at least substantially through the wall of said cartridge or tube. 11. The method of claim 10, wherein said filling material comprises moist snuff. 12. The filling step includes inserting a filling sleeve into the open end of the cartridge, introducing a moist fibrous filler material into the cartridge through the filling sleeve, and introducing the filler material into the interior of the cartridge. Claim 1 comprising the steps of compressing the cartridge to a level below the height, removing said filling sleeve, and sealing the cartridge above the level of the filling material.
The method according to item 0 or item 11. 13. A hollow cartridge or tube part of a non-rubber-like elastic, water-insoluble, non-toxic plastic is provided with at least I suitable slits, and said cartridge or tube part is filled with a filling material containing extractable flavor substances and/or juices. A method for producing flavor capsules, which comprises filling the cartridge or tube member with the flavor capsule. 14. The method of claim 13, wherein said filling material comprises moist snuff. 15. The filling step includes inserting a filling sleeve into the open end of the cartridge, introducing moist fibrous filler material into the cartridge through the filling sleeve, and introducing the filler material into the interior of the cartridge at a height of the cartridge. Claim 13, comprising the steps of: compressing the cartridge to a level below the level of fill material; removing the fill sleeve; and sealing the cartridge above the level of fill material.
or the method described in paragraph 14. 16. A thin wall of non-rubber-like, elastic, water-insoluble, non-toxic plastic suitable for complete occlusion within the mouth, provided with one or more small slits that open when pressure is applied. A method for extracting flavor substances and/or juice from a flavor capsule comprising a capsule and a filling material containing an extractable flavor substance and/or juice contained in the capsule, the method comprising: placing the flavor capsule in the mouth; , by squeezing the capsule with the teeth or between the tongue and the roof of the mouth or between the inner cheek or the lips and the outer gums, and/or by sucking the capsule, the flavor substance and/or How to extract the use. 17. a rotating frame defining a number of work stations; means for introducing an empty cartridge into one of the work stations on said frame; connected to said frame and arranged to enter a cartridge to be filled; a reciprocating filling sleeve, and means for filling said cartridge with fill material, said cartridge comprising means for sealing said filled cartridge. 18, a reciprocating feed sleeve connected to a filler material supply means and said filler sleeve and arranged to feed filler material in a predetermined amount; Claim 1 further comprising movably mounted piston means.
The device according to item 7.