RU2815396C2 - Tobacco filler unit and e-cigarette cartridge - Google Patents

Abstract

FIELD: smoking accessories.

SUBSTANCE: tobacco filler unit is obtained by folding the elongated tobacco filler 20 into a bundle, the outer peripheral portion of which is wrapped in sheet-shaped package 25, in which each tobacco filler 20 is moulded so that the size in the direction of the long side is greater than the size in the direction of the short side in the cross section orthogonal to the direction of the length, and the direction of the long side of tobacco filler 20 of the extreme peripheral portion in contact with package 25 is oriented in a direction approximately along the circumferential direction, or the direction of the long side of the tobacco filler is oriented in a direction different from the direction approximately along the circumferential direction, and number of tobacco filler 20, in which directions of long sides are oriented in direction, approximately, along circumferential direction, exceeds number of tobacco filler 20, in which directions of long sides are oriented in direction, approximately, along circumferential direction.

EFFECT: disclosed are a tobacco filler unit and an electronic cigarette cartridge, which increase the fluidity of the air flow inside the tobacco filler unit, while providing a filling factor of not less than a certain value for the tobacco filler unit as a whole and prevent easy loss of tobacco filler.

6 cl, 7 dwg, 1 tbl

Description

Field of technology to which the invention relates

[0001]

The present invention relates to a tobacco filler unit forming an inhalation component in an electronic cigarette cartridge and providing a void portion between the tobacco fillers in which tobacco fillers of elongated material are bundled and which is formed between the tobacco fillers as a passage for the inhalation component, and a cartridge for electronic cigarette containing said unit.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0002]

In recent years, in order to follow the smoking cessation trend, electronic cigarette products have begun to become available for the enjoyment of tobacco, by flameless heating an e-cigarette cartridge containing a tobacco component to inhale the vaporized tobacco component. As a method for producing tobacco filler filling an electronic cigarette cartridge, there is a method of grinding tobacco leaf into powder, turning the crushed tobacco leaf into an aqueous slurry, molding the aqueous slurry into a plate, adding oil or glycerin to the plate, and drying the plate (see patent document 1).

[0003]

In addition, an article is disclosed that is smoked after inserting an electronic cigarette cartridge containing a tobacco filler unit in which tobacco filler is stacked at an end portion to heat the electronic cigarette cartridge (see Patent Document 2). In an electronic cigarette, a heating device made in the body of the electronic cigarette is inserted into a block of tobacco fillers, and thus the tobacco filler is heated.

Bibliography

Patent documents

[0004]

Patent Document 1: JP 2010-520764 A

Patent Document 2: JP 2015-519915 A

The essence of the invention

Technical problem

[0005]

Filling with tobacco filler is carried out with a fill factor of at least a certain value in order to form by heating enough of the inhalation component, including the aerosol. In addition, if the filling ratio of the tobacco fillers increases, when the heating device provided in the body of the electronic cigarette is inserted into the tobacco filler unit, the resistance increases and insertion becomes difficult. In addition, if the fill factor of the tobacco fillers is too large, the fluidity of the air flow within the tobacco filler unit is reduced, and therefore it is difficult for the user to inhale. In addition, as the amount of air flow that can be inhaled at one time decreases, the number of smoke puffs per cigarette increases and it is possible that the number of proper smoke puffs will be exceeded. For this reason, it is necessary to increase the fluidity of the air flow inside the block of tobacco fillers, while ensuring a fill factor of at least a certain value for the block of tobacco fillers as a whole.

[0006]

Meanwhile, in the tobacco filler unit, when the user operates, for example, when the e-cigarette cartridge is inserted into the e-cigarette body, or when the e-cigarette cartridge is removed from the e-cigarette body after smoking is finished, there is a possibility that a portion of the tobacco filler will fall out. Accordingly, the inside of the e-cigarette body may become dirty, and therefore there is a possibility that the e-cigarette body will break down. Therefore, the tobacco filler block needs to be filled with tobacco filler so that the tobacco filler does not fall out easily.

[0007]

The present invention is made in view of the above-described problems, and its object is to provide a tobacco filler unit and a cartridge for an electronic cigarette that improves the fluidity of the air flow within the tobacco filler unit, while providing a fill factor of at least a certain value for the tobacco filler unit as a whole, easily inserted into the body of the electronic cigarette and do not allow the tobacco filler to fall out easily.

Solution

[0008]

To achieve the object, in accordance with claim 1 of the claims, there is provided a block of tobacco fillers forming an inhalation component in an electronic cigarette cartridge and providing a void portion between the tobacco fillers, in which tobacco fillers of elongated material are folded into a bundle and which is formed between the tobacco fillers in as a passage for the inhalation component, wherein the direction which coincides with the longitudinal direction, the cross-sectional long side direction orthogonal to the longitudinal direction and the cross-sectional short side direction orthogonal to the longitudinal direction of the electronic cigarette cartridge of the tobacco filler is the longitudinal direction , a long side direction and a short side direction, each dimension of the longitudinal direction, a long side direction and a short side direction, of the tobacco filler, is a longitudinal dimension, a long side dimension and a short side dimension, a side of which each dimension is a longitudinal dimension and a long side dimension , longitudinal size and short side size, and long side size and short side size, is a long side, a short side and an end side, a group of tobacco fillers connected in a plurality by abutting the long sides is a group of fillers, wherein the block of tobacco fillers has a plurality of groups of fillers that differ from each other due to the difference in the directions of the long sides from other adjacent groups of fillers, and the void portion between the tobacco fillers has: a shifted void portion between the fillers, which is formed between the specified group of fillers and another group of fillers due to the shift in the direction of the long sides between tobacco fillers adjacent to each other in any group of fillers of a plurality of filler groups, or a misdirected interfill void portion that is formed between said group of fillers and another group of fillers due to the misdirection of a long side.

[0009]

According to the invention according to claim 1, while allowing the filling factor to be increased by a group of fillers, a void portion can be provided between other groups of fillers, so that a flow path of appropriate size can be provided, and good air flowability can be obtained. flow. In addition, the flow channel formed by the void portion facilitates insertion of the heating portion of the electronic cigarette body into the tobacco filler unit. In addition, by grouping the excipients together, the tobacco excipients may be less likely to fall out during handling of the e-cigarette cartridge.

[0010]

In addition, in the block of tobacco fillers in accordance with claim 2 of the claims, the tobacco filler is formed from a plant of non-tobacco nature.

[0011]

In accordance with claim 2 of the claims, as a result of not using tobacco as a tobacco filler, it is possible to form a cartridge for an electronic cigarette that can be used even after quitting smoking.

[0012]

In addition, in the tobacco filler unit according to claim 3, the outer peripheral portion of the tobacco filler bundle is wrapped in a sheet-shaped package, the package having an outer diameter of 6.5 to 7.5 mm.

[0013]

In addition, in a block of tobacco fillers in accordance with claim 4 of the claims, in which the tobacco filler has a long side size of 11 to 13 mm.

[0014]

In addition, in accordance with claim 5 of the claims, a cartridge for an electronic cigarette is proposed, including the above-described block of tobacco fillers.

[0015]

In addition, in the electronic cigarette cartridge according to claim 6, the longitudinal direction has a length of 40 to 49 mm.

Beneficial effects of the invention

[0016]

According to the tobacco filler unit of the present invention, while allowing the filling factor to be increased by a group of fillers, a void portion can be provided between other groups of fillers, so that a flow path of an appropriate size can be provided, and good air flow fluidity can be obtained. . In addition, the flow channel formed by the void portion facilitates insertion of the heating portion of the electronic cigarette body into the tobacco filler unit. In addition, by grouping the excipients together, the tobacco excipients may be less likely to fall out during handling of the e-cigarette cartridge.

Brief description of drawings

[0017]

Fig. 1 is a sectional view of an electronic cigarette cartridge containing a tobacco filler unit in the present embodiment.

Fig. 2 is a sectional view showing the application form of an electronic cigarette cartridge.

Fig. 3 is a side view (FIG. 3(a)) of the tobacco filler and a front view (FIG. 3(b)) of the tobacco filler.

Fig. 4 is a front view of a block of tobacco fillers.

Fig. 5 is a front view of another block of tobacco fillers.

Fig. 6 is a front view showing the process of wrapping the tobacco filler into the package.

Fig. 7 is a front view of the support element.

Description of Embodiments

[0018]

An embodiment of the present invention is described in detail in the following with reference to the drawings. Fig. 1 is a cross-sectional view of an electronic cigarette cartridge 1 containing a tobacco filler unit 10 in the present embodiment. As shown in FIG. 1, in the electronic cigarette cartridge 1, a roughly cylindrical tobacco filler unit 10 filled with a plurality of tobacco fillers 20, a cylindrical support member 12, and a mouthpiece 14 serving as an inhalation port are arranged in a lengthwise direction and wrapped in a sheet-shaped packaging member 16 for execution into one whole.

[0019]

The elongated tobacco fillers 20 are bundled in a lengthwise direction and wrapped in a sheet-shaped package 25, and therefore the tobacco filler block 10 is given an approximately cylindrical shape. The tobacco filler 20 is formed from a plant of a non-tobacco nature. A detailed description of the tobacco filler 20 is provided below.

[0020]

The support member 12 includes a flow portion 30 at its central portion so that the air flow including the aerosol generated in the tobacco filler unit 10 flows toward the mouthpiece 14. The support member 12 includes a peripheral edge portion 31 around the flow portion 30 and can serve as a support for the inner circumferential side of the packaging element 16. The mouthpiece 14 is a spongy porous body and has a cylindrical shape.

[0021]

In the present embodiment, the electronic cigarette cartridge 1 is shaped to have a diameter of 6.5-7.5 mm and a length of 40-49 mm. In addition, the tobacco filler block 10 has a length of 11-13 mm. However, the electronic cigarette cartridge 1 and the tobacco filler unit 10 may have dimensions other than those shown.

[0022]

Fig. 2 is a sectional view showing the application form of the electronic cigarette cartridge 1. The electronic cigarette cartridge 1 is used in a state of being attached to the body 2 of the electronic cigarette. The electronic cigarette body 2 has an insertion portion 51 into which the electronic cigarette cartridge 1 is inserted. The insertion portion 51 includes a needle-shaped or blade-shaped heating element 50 to be inserted into the tobacco filler 20 of the inserted electronic cigarette cartridge 1. The heating element 50 can generate an aerosol from the tobacco filler 20 by generating heat in the state of insertion into the tobacco filler 20. In this state, the user inhales through the mouthpiece 14, and therefore can inhale an air stream containing the aerosol.

[0023]

In fig. 3 shows a side view (FIG. 3(a)) of the tobacco filler 20 and a front view (FIG. 3(b)) of the tobacco filler 20. As described above, the tobacco filler 20 has an elongated shape. In addition, the tobacco filler 20 is molded such that the dimension a in the long side direction is larger than the dimension b in the short side direction in a cross section orthogonal to the length direction. That is, the tobacco filler 20 has a ribbon-like shape, which is the shape of an elongated and approximately rectangular parallelepiped.

[0024]

The tobacco filler 20 is formed by mixing a dried and ground non-tobacco plant with an aerosol-forming agent to form an aerosol, microcrystalline cellulose, a flavoring agent, a preservative, an adhesive, a thickener and the like to form a plate, and then cutting the plate so that so that the plate has a predetermined width and length.

[0025]

The non-tobacco plant that forms the tobacco filler 20 is not particularly limited as long as the plant is different from tobacco. For example, the parts of the plant used may be various parts, such as the root (lower (peduncle)), tuberous root (including nightshades, bulb or the like), stem, tuber, bark (including phloem from the stem, secondary bark, etc.) ..), leaf, flower (including petal, stamen, pistil, etc.) and tree trunk and branch.

[0026]

For example, onion, higanbana, tulip, hyacinth, onion garlic, podophyll thyroid and lily are used in the form of a peduncle; crocus, gladiolus, freesia, iris, taro and amorphophallus are used in the form of a bulb; amorphophallus, cyclamen, are used in the form of a tuber (corms), anemone, begonia, khorog, potato and wild potato; canna, lotus (renkon) and ginger are used as rhizomes; dahlia, sweet potatoes, cassava and Jerusalem artichoke are used as tuberous roots; dioscorea (yam, for example, sweet potato, Japanese yam or Chinese yam) and other plants, including turnips, burdock, carrots, daikon and pueraria. Asparagus, bamboo shoots, aralia, daikon and yakon are used as stems.

[0027]

The aforementioned tuberous nightshades or the plants listed below contain hydrocarbons and are preferably used as the material of at least a portion of the tobacco filler 20. For example, the starch used is corn starch (corn), potato starch (potato), sweet potato starch (sweet potato ), cassava (cassava) starch, etc., and there are examples of its use as thickeners, stabilizers, etc. Starch can improve acid resistance, heat resistance, shear resistance, etc. through cross-linking, can improve storage stability, gelling or the like through the formation of esters and ethers, and can improve clarity, film-forming properties, storage stability or the like through oxidation.

[0028]

From other plants you can obtain tamarind gum, guar gum, locust bean gum from plant seeds, gum arabic and karaya gum from juice, pectin from fruits and cellulose, amorphophallus mannan, consisting mainly of agarose, and soybean polysaccharide from other plants. In addition, it can be used after denaturation, similar to cationized guar gum.

[0029]

Carrageenan can be obtained from seaweed, which is divided into three types, namely, kappa-carrageenan, iota-carrageenan and lambda-carrageenan, agar and alginic acid, and these substances are also used in the form of the metal salt of carrageenan or a salt such as sodium alginate .

[0030]

For example, plants such as gardenia nut, citrus leaf, Japanese ginger, wormwood, Japanese horseradish, Indian caraway seeds, anise, alfalfa, echinacea, shallot, tarragon, immortelle, elderberry, pepper can be used as medicinal plants and spices. clove, orris root, oregano, orange peel, orange blossom, orange leaf, cayenne chili pepper, German chamomile, Roman chamomile, cardamom, curry leaf, chives, catnip, caraway seeds, caraway seeds, sweet osmanthus, cumin, cumin seeds, cloves, green cardamom, green pepper, blue cornflower, saffron, cedar, cinnamon tree, jasmine, juniper, jolokia, ginger, star anise, spearmint, smack, sage, savory, celery, celery seeds, turmeric (turmeric longa), thyme, tamarind, wormwood-tarragon, chervil, chives, dill, dill seeds, tomato (dried tomato), dipteryx aromatic, dried pak chi (coriander), nutmeg, hibiscus, habanero chili, jalapeno, primrose, basil, vanilla, pak chi (coriander), parsley, capsicum, hyssop, cloves, pink pepper, fenugreek seeds, fennel, Sarepta mustard, black cardamom, nigella sativum, black pepper, vetiver zisaniiformes, mint pennyroyal, peppermint, horseradish, white pepper, English mustard, poppy seeds, porcini mushroom, marjoram, mustard seeds, melegetian pepper, marigold, mallow seeds, dried nutmeg husk, yarrow flower, eucalyptus, lavender, licorice common, linden, red clover, red pepper, lemon sorghum, lemon verbena, lemon mint, lemon zest, rose, rose petals (purple), rose hips, rose petals, rosemary, rose color, bay laurel (bay leaf), Indian pepper long, sesame (raw sesame, toasted sesame), yellow chili, Sichuan pepper (huajiao), mitaka, yellowwood, cayenne, yuzu, etc. In addition, a mixture of different plants can be used as mixed spices (for example, five-spice powder, garam masala, raselhanut, bari guru, chicken kari masala, tandoori masala, four spice and herbes de Provence), aromatic mixture of dried flower petals, etc. .P.

[0031]

Additionally, you can use, for example, peaches, blueberries, lemons, oranges, apples, bananas, pineapples, mangoes, grapes, kumquats, melons, plums, almonds, cocoa, coffee, peanuts, sunflowers, olives, nuts and other edible fruits (pulp) , for example, in nuts and seeds.

[0032]

Additionally, you can use teas. Teas differ not only in the plants from which the tea is made, but even from the same plant different teas are made, depending on the processing method. Specifically, examples of tea include Japanese tea, black tea, angelica tea, soft tea, five leaf ginseng tea, aloe tea, ginkgo leaf tea, oolong tea, turmeric tea, willow oak tea, tea from acanthopanax prickly, Chinese plantain tea, ivy bud tea, persimmon leaf tea, chamomile tea, Chamaecrista Nomame tea, quince tea, chrysanthemum tea, gymnema tea, guava tea, Chinese wolfberry tea, soft leaves, black bean tea, Thunberg geranium tea, brown rice tea, burdock tea, comfrey tea, kelp tea, cherry blossom tea, saffron tea, shiitake mushroom tea, red perilla tea, jasmine tea, ginger tea, horsetail tea, calamus tea, tea from Swertia japonica, buckwheat tea, high aralia tea, dandelion tea, sweet tea, tea from Saururus sinensis, tea from eucommia, tea from Canavalia swordifolia, tea from Japanese red elderberry, Japanese privet tea, Job's tears tea, herbal tea, loqua leaf tea, pu-erh tea, safflower tea, pine needle tea, yerba mate tea, barley tea, Maksimovich maple tea, wormwood tea, eucalyptus tea, arhat tea, rooibos tea, Momordica charantia tea, etc. In the case of the above types of tea, tea leaves can be used after drinking. If you use tea leaves, you can actually reuse expensive tea or something similar.

[0033]

Other plants that can also be used are: ulva, green algae, Sargassum horneri, Pyropia tenera, Arame, lichens (red algae), Campylephora hypnoea algae, Gracilaria vermiculophylla, Saccharina sculpera, Ecklonia cava Kjellman, rhizomatous, Caulerpa lentillifera, Ecklonia kurome, brown algae, Pyropia yezoensis, red algae, Pyropia kurogii, Ecklonia stolonifera, gelidium, Saccharina gyrata, Arthrothamnus ruprecht, nori, Petalonia binghamiae, brown algae, Monostroma nitidum, Undaria undarioides, sea coral, Ulva intestinalis, Japanese kelp, mekabu, Nem acystus decipiens, wakame, etc.

[0034]

Additionally, in addition to brown rice, you can use Indian rice (Indian type, continental type or long grain rice), naked rice (African rice), seed rice (Asian rice), Java rice (Java rice, tropical island variety or large grain rice), Japanese varieties (Japanese rice, subtropical island variety or short grain rice), and NERICA (new variety for Africa) rice (an interspecific hybrid of Asian rice and African rice) and can also be used in the form of powder or rice flour.

[0035]

Additionally, in addition to barley, Italian millet, oats (cultivated types of oats and wild oats), barley, wild oats, common millet, codra (paspalum rough), wheat, finger millet, Abyssinian panicle, pennisetum cornaceae, naked barley (a type of barley), tears Jobs (not seeds, but fruits), barnyard grass, fonio, Manchurian wild rice, glutinous barley, sorghum (two-color sorghum, kaoliang or common sorghum), corn, rye.

[0036]

Additionally, from legumes, in addition to black beans, you can also use red beans, carob, common beans, peas, pigeon peas, Cyamopsis quadryptera, china, mung beans, cowpeas, square peas, groundnuts, fodder beans, soybeans, Rice bean, Sword bean, Tamarind, Tepary, Sword bean, Common velvet bean, Woandjae bean, chickpea, Dolichos vulgaris, Fire bean, Dolichos biflorum, Mung bean, Lima bean, Peanuts, Mung bean, Lupine, lentils and almonds.

[0037]

Additionally, in addition to buckwheat, you can also use shirtsa (amaranth or shirtsa tailed), quinoa, and Tatarian knotweed.

[0038]

Additionally, in addition to shiitake, you can also use matsutake, scaly gomphus, marbled honey fungus, pinkish rhizopogon, common champignon and meadow champignon as mushrooms.

[0039]

Additionally, you can also use sugar cane (you can use molasses stillage), sugar beet (beets), Japanese cypress, pineapple, Japanese cryptomeria, Japanese cypress, camellia, stems and branches of trees with aromas, such as sandalwood, and their bark, leaves and roots. Ferns, leafy mosses, etc. also applicable as non-tobacco plants. In addition, as plants, it is possible to use, for example, by-products, pomace (rice residues from sake production, grape pomace (consisting of peels, seeds, fruit stems or the like from grapes)) or the like, in the production of dehydrated mature mash, for example, rice vodka or wine. In addition, you can mix and use the various plants described above. Of course, plants other than those described here can be used.

[0040]

In addition, plants known in traditional Chinese medicine are preferably used. Examples of plants mentioned include: indigofera anile, crapp madder, Japanese mallotus, gambier, dew frankincense, clematis root, artemisia flower, fennel, turmeric, apricot mume, lindera root, willow oak, bearberry leaf, rose hips, tuber corydalis, Japanese shrew, membranous astragalus sweetleaf, Baikal skullcap, kupena root, phellodendron bark, coptis root, plum bark, St. John's wort, istoda root, Japanese sophora, large-stamened onion, large-leaved blackcap, myrobalan, Chinese buckwheat, white turmeric, meadow lettuce, Pueraria, Chamomile, Trichosanthus Root, Trichosanthus Seeds, Processed Ginger, Licorice, Coltsfoot Flower, Artemisia Leaf, Campanula, Candy Tree, Poncirus Trifolia, Unripe Orange, Chrysanthemum Flower, Citrus Fruit Zest, Notopterygium, Apricot Seed, Kumquat, honeysuckle flower, ivy budra, common wolfberry, wolfberry leaves, yellowish sophora, walnut, Iranian melia, lindera umbelliferae, Chinese carnation, schizonepeta spikelets, cinnamon tree bark, cassia seeds, morning glory seeds, norica root, koi, safflower, mimosa, Chinese fragrant rosewood, cultivated soybean, Elsholtia medicinal, red ginseng, sati rhizome, gluten-free rice, magnolia obovate, notosmyrnum root, acantopanax, achyranthes, medicinal evodia, Asian buckwheat, burdock fruits, Schisandra chinensis, burdock, hoofweed, saffron, serrate nanocnide, fruits hawthorn, jasmine gardenia, Asian dogwood, Vietnamese sophora, jujube, Chinese pepper, burberry, Chinese yam, foxglove, Tatarian aster, wolf root, sparrow, perilla frutescens L. britton var. acuta (thunb.) kudo), perilla (perilla frutescens britton var. acuta kudo), Tribulus creeping, Japanese persimmon, Kochia fruits, peony, common kokotrush, Codonopsis lanceolata, plantain seeds, plantain, amomun fruits, cordifolia guttuinia, ginger, fan palm, palm leaves, black cohosh, wheat, calamus, magnolia, Japanese privet, ash, rice malt, gentian, senna, dull-leaved senna, yellowwood mimic, wicker bamboo, calamus, pomegranate bark (Chinese, Japanese), dendrobium orchid Lindley, medicinal zhgun root, sageweed, Japanese egg capsule, elecampane, Williams elderberry, amomun tsao-ko, chinensis gleditia, parasitic strapweed, cocklebur, lanceolate atractylodes, arborvitae, oriental teasel, mulberry root bark, caesalpinia, acute perilla bush , Gledidation of the Chinese lamarka, the root of rhubarb, the real zizifus, the palm tree, the palm tree, the arrow is three -leafed, the Chinese sage of the red -corner, the stems of the bamboo, the creeping ginseng, the bamboo leaves, the root of the anemarrene, the hemorrhubaum, the cloves, the shoots of Uncaria with the spikes, the cidra of the Japanese tanger, the Japanese mandar, and the bastard. , Cochin asparagus, pumpkin root, Korean angelica root, castor bean, sugar ginseng, rose scrub, peach seeds, orange peel, dodder seeds, horse chestnut, eucommia bark, aralia, serpentine cucumber, cistanche trumpet, nutmeg, honeysuckle, ginseng, Ussuri hazel grouse, malt, thuja biota seeds, hyacinth beans, liriope root, psoralea colifolia, mint, dried guava slices, pinellia, copperhead skin, woad root, herbal skullcap Baikal, lily root, angelica root tea, hediotis herb, stemona root japonica, atractylodes ovate, betel nut, sinomenium acutum, imperata root, cobbler's splayed, cattail, dandelion root, tree peony bark, Chinese conifer, Indian hemp, rotundifolia, pine resin, akebia stem, chaenomeles japonica, saussurea costus , myrrh , wintering horsetail, belamcanda chinensis, alpinia aculifolia, Chinese buckwheat, arhat, orchid, longan, gentian, alpinia officinalis root, ganoderma lacquered, forsythia, bud grass, lotus seeds and reed root.

[0041]

Additionally, so-called extracts can also be used in the form of extracts from plants of a non-tobacco nature, given as examples above. Examples of the form of the extract include liquid, syrup, powder, granules, solution or the like.

[0042]

As the aerosol-forming substance to be added to the tobacco filler 20, glycerin, propylene glycol, sorbitol, triethylene glycol, lactic acid, diacetin (glycerol diacetate), triacetin (glycerol triacetate), triethylene glycol diacetate, triethyl citrate, isopropyl myristate, methyl stearate, dimethyl dodecane dionate, dimethyl tetradecane dianate or the like, but glycerol and propylene glycol are especially preferred. These substances are used in a proportion of from 1% by weight to 80% by weight relative to the tobacco filler 20 and, especially preferably, from 10% by weight to 40% by weight.

[0043]

It is also preferable to use a flavor additive which adds aroma if necessary. For example, the flavoring agent may be an extract of cocoa, coffee, black tea, or the like.

[0044]

In addition, if necessary, a food preservative can be added, and, for example, sorbic acid, potassium sorbate, benzoic acid, sodium benzoate or the like can be added.

[0045]

Gums such as guar gum, xanthan gum, gum arabic or locust bean gum are also used as binders, thickeners or similar additives, for example cellulose binders such as hydroxypropylcellulose, carboxymethylcellulose, hydroxyethylcellulose, methylcellulose and ethylcellulose, polysaccharides, such as starch, organic acids such as alginic acid, sodium alginate, sodium carboxymethylcellulose, carrageenan, conjugate bases of organic acids such as agar and pectin, and combinations of these substances.

[0046]

For example, microcrystalline cellulose is produced by partially depolymerizing α-cellulose obtained from cellulose pulp of fibrous plants using acid and removing the soluble portion from the cellulose and crystallizing the insoluble portion.

[0047]

After various studies, the following was found for tobacco filler 20 containing a non-tobacco plant, an aerosol-forming agent and microcrystalline cellulose. When the tobacco filler 20 is placed in a dry environment, the cellulose microcrystals maintain the structure of the filler even when the non-tobacco plant-derived filler and the aerosol-forming agent are deprived of water and structural change, such as volume reduction, is not allowed. This effect is achieved through the use of microcrystalline cellulose.

[0048]

Microcrystalline cellulose may be in powder form or may be dispersed in a solvent, such as water, and then administered in the form of a suspension. In this case, a high-speed mixer, high-pressure homogenizer, or the like can be used to distribute the solvent.

[0049]

The amount of microcrystalline cellulose incorporated is typically not less than 1% and not more than 15% of the contents in the tobacco filler 20. Preferably, the amount introduced is not less than 3% and not more than 12%, and more preferably, not less than 5% and not more than 10% .

[0050]

The addition of microcrystalline cellulose has the effect of increasing the moldability, improving the processing properties during roll kneading, and in particular, effectively inhibiting the shrinkage and volume change of the tobacco filler 20, and has the effect of controlling the quality of the electronic cigarette cartridge 1 and homogenizing the consumer properties.

[0051]

The average particle size of the microcrystalline cellulose used in the present invention is preferably 30 μm to 200 μm, more preferably 50 μm to 150 μm, and even more preferably 70 μm to 120 μm.

[0052]

When the average particle size of the microcrystalline cellulose is not less than 30 µm, the shrinkage inhibiting effect of the tobacco filler 20 is particularly high, and when the average particle diameter is no more than 150 µm, in addition to the shrinkage inhibiting effect, moldability can be improved.

[0053]

The average particle size of microcrystalline cellulose is determined by sieve separation. The average particle size can be obtained by the method described in JIS K 0069:1992. In addition, for example, the average particle size implies a diameter corresponding to 50% of the mass when integrating the mass from the larger value of the sieve opening size for the test result using multiple sieves. In addition, in a preferred embodiment, the sieve screening with a sieve opening size of 250 μm is no more than 8% by weight, and the sieve screening with a sieve opening size of 75 μm is not less than 45% by weight.

[0054]

When the sieve screening with a sieve opening size of 250 μm is no more than 8% by weight, the screened microcrystalline cellulose has the effect of restraining the shrinkage of tobacco filler 20. When the sieve screening with a sieve opening size of 75 μm is not less than 45% by weight, the ability to molding tobacco filler 20.

[0055]

Preferably, the weight average molecular weight (MW) of the microcrystalline cellulose is no less than 10,000 and no more than 200,000. More preferably, the weight average molecular weight is no less than 10,000 and no more than 100,000. When the weight average molecular weight is not less than 10,000, the shrinkage inhibiting effect of the tobacco filler 20 is particularly high, and when the weight average molecular weight is not more than 100,000, the moldability can be made particularly high in addition to the shrinkage inhibiting effect. In the most preferred embodiment, the weight average molecular weight is not less than 20,000 and not more than 60,000. The molecular weight of cellulose can be measured by gel permeation chromatography (GPC). For example, the measurement method described in JP H6-109715 A is adopted, and polyethylene glycol or the like is accordingly used as a reference material.

[0056]

Next, the manufacturing technology of the tobacco filler 20 is described. The manufacturing technology of the tobacco filler 20 includes a drying/grinding process for drying and grinding a non-tobacco plant as the main raw material and performing weighing, etc., a preparatory process for performing pre-treatment, weighing, etc. .P. other raw materials, a mixing process for mixing the raw materials to form the composition, and a process for molding the filler to form the composition.

[0057]

In the drying/grinding process, in order to use the applied portion (for example, leaves, seeds, dried fruits, stems, bark, roots, etc.) of a non-tobacco plant, which is the main raw material, as a composition, the applied portion is processed into pre- specified crushed material. In this case, it is advisable to adjust the amount of water that is suitable to absorb or support the aerosol-forming agent, water and other components to be added later. During drying, the temperature is preferably not less than 60°C and not more than 80°C. In this range it is easy to provide the required amount of water, while simultaneously preventing the disappearance of the desired aromatic component. If the temperature is not less than 65°C, then the required amount of water can be achieved more easily, and if the temperature is not more than 75°C, then the unwanted disappearance of the aroma component can be further prevented.

[0058]

Preferably, the amount of water after drying and grinding is no more than 5% by weight. At the same time, the pulp is easily formed in the subsequent process. More preferably, the amount of water is no more than 3% by weight. In addition, when the amount of water is not less than 0.1% by mass, a high degree of compatibility with water or the like can be maintained. In addition, the drying/grinding process may include a screening process to disperse the ground material, and therefore the ground material can be adjusted to the desired particle size and introduced into the mixing process.

[0059]

During the preparatory process, the starting material needed to create the tobacco filler 20 can be prepared. The aforementioned microcrystalline cellulose is weighed out during the preparatory process and introduced into the mixing process.

[0060]

During the mixing process, you can use a regular mixer. For example, it is preferable to use a form in which the starting material is mixed in a mixing vessel while simultaneously applying a shear force to the starting material by means of a mixing blade.

[0061]

In the filler molding process, a composition in which various raw materials are mixed is formed into a thin plate and then cut to form tobacco filler 20. In the present embodiment, a three-roller machine is prepared for molding the thin plate. If a three-roller machine is used, it is preferable to obtain a plate having the desired thickness by means of a doctor blade, while kneading, dispersing or the like is simultaneously carried out by compression due to pushing between narrow rollers and shear due to the difference in speed of the rollers. Alternatively, preparation can be done using a compression roller or pressure roller.

[0062]

During the molding process of the filler, other means may be used, such as passing the composition through a diaphragm under pressure to effect the molding. In addition, during the process of forming the filler, if necessary, a non-tobacco plant, an aerosol-forming substance, a binder, a thickener, a flavoring agent, a preservative can be additionally introduced, or water can be added.

[0063]

In the present embodiment, it is preferable to use water that has been sterilized or water from which microorganisms have been removed, and it is preferable to use pure water obtained by reverse osmosis membrane, ion exchange or the like.

[0064]

Preferably, the thickness of the plate produced by the filler molding process is in the range of 0.1 mm to 1.0 mm, and more preferably in the range of 0.1 mm to 0.5 mm. The resulting plate is cut by a cutting machine, a rotary cutting machine with rotating blades, or the like to provide a predetermined width.

[0065]

Cutting a plate having a thickness of 0.3 mm is described later in the present embodiment as an example. First, for example, a rectangle 150 mm long and 240 mm wide is cut out of a molded plate. The rectangular plate is fed into a rotary cutting machine and cut to obtain cut plates with a shape of 1.5 mm long and 240 mm wide. Thus, the dimension a in the long side direction of the tobacco filler 20 is 1.5 mm, and the dimension b in the short side direction thereof is 0.3 mm. 50 cut plates are wrapped in a package 25 to prepare a twist having an outer diameter of approximately 6.9 mm. This twist is cut by a cutting machine to obtain a length of 12.0 mm, and therefore a block of 10 tobacco fillers can be obtained. The mass of this tobacco filler block 10 is 0.29 g. Assuming that the ratio of the volume of the tobacco filler 20 to the volume of the tobacco filler block 10 is the volumetric fill factor, the volumetric fill factor of the tobacco filler block 10 of the present embodiment is approximately 0.60. In addition, the density of the tobacco filler block 10 is 1.07 g/cm ³ .

[0066]

Accordingly, in the tobacco filler block 10, the tobacco fillers 20, each having the shape of a long strip, are bundled in a lengthwise direction.

[0067]

The arrangement of the tobacco filler 20 in the tobacco filler block 10 is described in detail below. Fig. 4 is a front view of the tobacco filler unit 10. Fig. 4 represents an example of a typical arrangement of tobacco filler 20. In a tobacco filler block 10, tobacco filler 20 is in intimate contact with package 25 or other tobacco fillers 20.

[0068]

Among the tobacco fillers 20, the long side direction of the tobacco filler 20 of the outermost peripheral portion in contact with the package 25 is oriented in a direction approximately along the circumferential direction. The tobacco filler 20a shown in FIG. 4, one side entirely of its long sides is in contact with the package 25. Moreover, of the tobacco filler 20a, both short sides are in contact with adjacent tobacco fillers 20b and 20c in the circumferential direction, respectively. The long side of each of the tobacco fillers 20b and 20c is in contact with the package 25. Likewise, all of the tobacco fillers 20 located at the extreme peripheral portion have each long side direction oriented in an approximately circumferential direction, and the tobacco fillers 20 are in contact with each other along their short sides. Accordingly, the filling ratio of the tobacco fillers 20 is high at the extreme peripheral portion, the tobacco fillers 20 are in contact with each other in the circumferential direction, and therefore their positions are not easily shifted.

[0069]

Among the tobacco fillers 20, many of the tobacco fillers 20 in contact with the inner circumferential sides of the tobacco fillers 20 located at the extreme peripheral portion have each long side direction oriented in a direction approximately along the circumferential direction. As shown in FIG. 4 for the tobacco filler 20d, one side on the outer peripheral side of the long sides is in contact with the tobacco filler 20a of the outer peripheral portion, and the direction of the long side is oriented approximately along the circumferential direction. Like the 20e tobacco fillers, the long side directions of some 20e tobacco fillers are oriented along the radial direction. However, among the tobacco fillers 20 that are in contact with the inner circumferential side of the tobacco filler 20 of the outer peripheral portion, the number of tobacco fillers 20 whose long side directions are oriented approximately along the circumferential direction exceeds the number of tobacco fillers 20 whose long side directions are oriented along a direction other than the circumferential direction. Accordingly, the filling ratio of the tobacco fillers 20 is high even in the region close to the extreme peripheral portion, and the positions of the tobacco fillers 20 are not easy to move.

[0070]

In the tobacco filler 20, a surface in the long side direction thereof is in contact with a surface in the long side direction of the adjacent tobacco filler 20, or a surface in the long side direction is in contact with the surface in the short side direction of the adjacent tobacco filler 20. As described above, inside outer peripheral portion, the long side direction surface of the tobacco filler 20 is often in contact with the short side direction surface of the adjacent tobacco filler 20. However, in general, in most cases, the long side direction surface is in contact with the long side direction surface of the adjacent tobacco filler 20. For this reason, within the central portion of the tobacco filler block 10, most of the tobacco fillers 20 form filler groups 21 in which surfaces in the long side direction are in contact with each other.

[0071]

In the tobacco filler block 10, a plurality of filler groups 21 are formed, and in each filler group 21, the long side of each tobacco filler 20 is in contact with the long side of an adjacent tobacco filler 20. The tobacco fillers 20 in the filler group 21 are in contact with each other along their long sides. , and therefore do not form many gaps, but apparently void portions 22 are formed between the filler groups 21. As described above, since the tobacco filler 20 is located approximately along the circumferential direction within the outer peripheral portion of the tobacco filler block 10, the void portion 22 is not easily formed. However, within the central portion of the tobacco filler block 10, a void portion 22 is easily formed between the filler groups 21. In a cross section orthogonal to the length direction of the tobacco filler block 10, the porosity of the central region α, which is the central side region obtained by equal division of the area in the radial direction, is higher than the porosity of the outer peripheral region β, which is the outer peripheral side region.

[0072]

Since the tobacco filler 20 has a long side direction and a short side direction in a cross section orthogonal to the length direction, the arrangement of the tobacco filler 20 along the circumferential direction inside the extreme peripheral portion and the arrangement of the filler groups 21 and void portions 22 of the tobacco fillers 20 inside the central portion can be easily coordinated together.

[0073]

Since the porosity of the central region α is high, the heating element 50 of the body of the electronic cigarette 2 is easily inserted into the tobacco filler unit 10. In addition, the air stream containing the aerosol generated by heating by the heating element 50 can easily flow into the tobacco filler unit 10. At the same time, the outer peripheral region β has low porosity, and therefore, the filling ratio of the tobacco filler unit 10 can be increased, and a sufficient amount of aerosol can be generated.

[0074]

However, the filling factor inside the outer peripheral region β is high, and therefore the tobacco filler unit 10 can maintain the structural strength of the tobacco filler 20. Therefore, the loss of the tobacco filler 20 during user manipulation can be reduced.

[0075]

The arrangement of the tobacco fillers 20 changes each time the tobacco fillers 20 are wrapped in the package 25, and therefore the arrangement will be different in each package. Fig. 5 is a front view of another tobacco filler unit 10. As shown in FIG. 5, among the tobacco fillers 20 that are located within the outermost peripheral portion, some of the tobacco fillers 20 may be oriented in a direction other than the circumferential direction. However, here again, within the outermost peripheral portion, the number of tobacco fillers 20 whose long side directions are oriented in a direction approximately along the circumferential direction exceeds the number of tobacco fillers 20 whose long side directions are oriented in a direction different from the direction approximately along the circumferential direction, and therefore effects similar to those in the case shown in FIG. 4. This statement similarly applies to tobacco fillers 20 that are in contact with the inner circumferential sides of the tobacco fillers 20 of the outer peripheral portion. In addition, the arrangement of the tobacco fillers 20 located on the central side of the tobacco fillers that are in contact with the inner circumferential sides is different from the arrangement shown in FIG. 4. However, the tobacco filler unit 10 shown in FIG. 5 is similar to the block shown in FIG. 4 in that most of the tobacco fillers 20 form filler groups 21, and void portions 22 are formed between the filler groups 21. Accordingly, in the view of FIG. 5, the porosity of the central region α is relatively higher than the porosity of the outer peripheral region β.

[0076]

If the user inhales in a state where the tobacco filler unit 10 is heated by the heating element 50, the air flow containing the aerosol flows toward the mouthpiece 14. As described above, the porosity of the central region α is relatively higher than the porosity of the outer peripheral region β, and hence the air flows in the length direction and simultaneously collects from the outer peripheral side towards the central side. In this case, a large amount of aerosol is generated from the outer peripheral portion having a high filling factor, and therefore the aerosol can flow smoothly.

[0077]

Fig. 6 is a front view showing the process of wrapping the tobacco filler 20 into the package 25. As shown in FIG. 6(a), when the tobacco fillers 20 are wrapped, first the tobacco fillers 20 are placed on the package 25. The package 25 is placed on the opening/closing portions 41 provided on the support plate 40. The opening/closing portions 41 can be moved in the direction of separation from each other. In this case, it is desirable for the long side of each tobacco filler 20 to be placed in contact with the package 25, if possible.

[0078]

Then, as shown in FIG. 6(b), the opening/closing portions 41 are moved to separate them from one another to form a recess 42 into which the package 25 falls, the tobacco fillers 20 are wrapped in the package 25 dropped into the recess 42, and finally, as shown in fig. 6(c), the package 25 is closed to form a tobacco filler block 10. In the process of wrapping the package 25, by adjusting the speed or the like, most of the tobacco fillers 20 of the outer peripheral portion can be positioned approximately along the circumferential direction. Additionally, by adjusting the force with which the tobacco fillers 20 are pressed into the package 25 until the tobacco fillers 20 are wrapped into the package 25 and the package 25 is closed, the porosity in the central region α can be ensured in an appropriate range.

[0079]

With the above-described arrangement of the tobacco fillers 20, the cross-sectional shape of each tobacco filler 20 molded into a strip is approximately rectangular in shape having a long side direction and a short side direction, and most of the tobacco fillers 20 of the outer peripheral portion and the tobacco fillers 20 adjacent thereto , are located approximately along the circumferential direction. The present applicant has modified the shapes and arrangements of the tobacco fillers 20 and has experimentally verified the amount of aerosol that can be drawn in one puff and the number of possible puffs. The conditions and results are shown in Table 1. Condition 1 is that the cross-sectional shape of each tobacco filler 20 is a square shape (0.60±0.10 mm in length, 0.60±0.10 mm in width). Each of the conditions 2-6 is that the cross-sectional shape of each tobacco filler 20 is a rectangular shape (1.50 ± 0.10 mm in length and 0.28 ± 0.02 mm in width). Condition 2 is an aspect of the present embodiment.

[0080]

[Table 1]

Condition Cross-sectional shape Location Aerosol quantity Number of possible puffs 1 Square shape Random Small In suitable range 2 Rectangular shape External Peripheral section: along the circumferential direction
Central area: high porosity In suitable range In suitable range 3 Rectangular shape Outer peripheral section: along the circumferential direction
Central area: higher porosity In suitable range In suitable range 4 Rectangular shape Outer peripheral area: high porosity
Central area: low porosity Small Big 5 Rectangular shape Location along the circumferential direction, if possible in general In suitable range In suitable range 6 Rectangular shape Arrangement along the radial direction, if possible, in general Small Small

[0081]

Conditions 2, 3 and 5 are preferred in terms of aerosol volume and number of possible puffs. In addition, the heating element 50 of the body of the electronic cigarette 2 is more easily inserted into the tobacco filler 20 when conditions 2 and 3 are met.

[0082]

The arrangement aspect of the tobacco fillers 20 in conditions 2-6 varies depending on the arrangement of the tobacco fillers 20 before wrapping in the package 25 and the manner of wrapping the tobacco fillers 20 in the package 25. When condition 2 is met, which is an aspect of the present embodiment, the tobacco fillers 20 are wrapped most easily, and, thereafter, conditions 3 and 5 define states in which the tobacco fillers 20 are wrapped easily. In the case of conditions 4 and 6, the tobacco fillers 20 are inconvenient to wrap. Therefore, from the point of view of ease of manufacture, conditions 2, 3 and 5 are preferable, and condition 2 is especially preferred.

[0083]

In the case of condition 1, when the cross-sectional shape of each tobacco filler 20 is square, the shapes of the tobacco fillers 20 are not as easy to form as described above, and, compared with the case where the cross-sectional shape is rectangular, each tobacco filler 20 falls out easily. In addition, the amount of airflow generated during heating is small.

[0084]

Based on the above, condition 2, which is an aspect of the present embodiment, can be mentioned as the most preferable both from the point of view of ease of manufacture and from the points of view of the air flow volume and the number of possible puffs.

[0085]

Fig. 7 is a front view of the support member 12. As shown in FIG. 7(a), in the present embodiment, the support member 12 has an approximately circular shape in the front view, and an air flow passage 30 is formed at a central portion thereof. The periphery of the flow path 30 is a peripheral edge portion 31 in contact with the packaging element 16 along the outer peripheral surface and in contact with the tobacco fillers 20 along the end surface.

[0086]

The support element 12 may have other shapes. As shown in FIG. 7(b), the support member 12 may have four peripheral edge portions 34 projecting radially from the central portion, and channel flow portions 35 that are formed between the peripheral edge portions 34. Moreover, as shown in FIG. 7(c), the flow portion 37 may be formed on the central side of the peripheral edge portion 38, and the flow portion 37 may be shaped to be bisected by the partition portion 39. In any case, the peripheral edge portion of the support member 12 may be in contact with the packaging element 16 along the outer peripheral surface and may be in contact with the tobacco filler 20 along the end surface in the length direction.

[0087]

An embodiment of the present invention has been described above. However, the application of the present invention is not limited to the above embodiment, and the present invention is applicable in various ways within the technical concept. For example, in the present embodiment, only a support member 12 is provided between the tobacco filler unit 10 and the mouthpiece 14. However, a cooling member can be provided between the support member 12 and the mouthpiece 14. Moreover, the cross-sectional dimension a of the long side and the dimension b of the short side of the tobacco filler 20 are not limited to the above example and can be set to any size with any ratio thereof.

List of reference items

[0088]

1 cartridge for electronic cigarette

2 electronic cigarette body

10 block of tobacco fillers

12 support element

14 mouthpiece

16 packing element

20 tobacco filler

21 groups of fillers

22 void section

25 pack

30 flow part

31 peripheral edge parts

50 heating element

51 pieces to insert.

Claims (13)

1. A tobacco filler unit forming an inhalation component in an electronic cigarette cartridge and providing a void portion between the tobacco fillers in which tobacco fillers of elongated material are bundled and which is formed between the tobacco fillers as a passage for the inhalation component, wherein the direction which is the same as the longitudinal direction, the cross-sectional long side direction orthogonal to the longitudinal direction and the cross-sectional short side direction orthogonal to the longitudinal direction of the electronic cigarette cartridge of the tobacco filler is the longitudinal direction, the long side direction and the direction short side, each dimension of the longitudinal direction, long side direction and short side direction of the tobacco filler is a longitudinal dimension, long side dimension and short side dimension, and a side, each dimension of which is a longitudinal dimension and the long side dimension, longitudinal dimension and the short side dimension sides, and the size of the long side and the size of the short side, is the long side, the short side and the end side, tobacco fillers of the outermost peripheral portion that are in contact with the package for packaging tobacco fillers have said long sides in contact with said package, with said direction of the long side facing in a direction substantially along the circumferential direction, or have said short sides, being in contact with said package, said long side direction facing in a direction different from the direction substantially along the circumferential direction, the number of said tobacco fillers, the long side of which faces in a direction substantially along the circumferential direction and the long side of which is in contact with said packaging, is greater than the number of said tobacco fillers, the long side of which faces in a direction other than the direction substantially along the circumferential direction, and the short side of which is in contact with said packaging, tobacco fillers other than the outermost peripheral portion have a plurality of tobacco filler groups that differ from each other due to a difference in the direction of the long side from another adjacent tobacco filler group, and the void area between the tobacco fillers has: a shifted interfill void portion that is formed between a group of fillers and another group of fillers by shifting the long side direction between tobacco fillers adjacent to each other in any group of fillers of a plurality of filler groups, or a misdirected void section between groups of fillers, which is formed between a group of fillers and another group of fillers due to the incorrect direction of the long side. 2. A block of tobacco fillers according to claim 1, in which the tobacco filler is formed from a plant of a non-tobacco nature. 3. The tobacco filler unit according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the outer peripheral portion of the tobacco filler bundle is wrapped in a sheet-shaped package, the package having an outer diameter of 6.5 to 7.5 mm. 4. Block of tobacco fillers according to any one of paragraphs. 1-3, in which the tobacco filler has a long side size of 11 to 13 mm. 5. A cartridge for an electronic cigarette containing a block of tobacco fillers according to any one of paragraphs. 1-4. 6. The electronic cigarette cartridge according to claim 5, wherein the longitudinal direction has a length of 40 to 49 mm.

Images