WO2024185000A1 - Aerosol-generating sheet - Google Patents

Abstract

This aerosol-generating sheet contains: (1) tobacco extract, 15 to 50 wt%; (B) non-wood fibers; (C) a binder; and (D) an aerosol source, 10 to 60 wt%. The total of (B) and (C) is 23 to 50 wt%.

Description

Aerosol generating sheet

The present invention relates to an aerosol generating sheet.

　Tobacco shreds and tobacco extracts are known to be tobacco-derived materials used in aerosol-generating sheets. Patent documents 1 and 2 disclose sheets that use tobacco extract as a tobacco-derived material.

Patent No. 6695359 Patent No. 5248486

As disclosed in Patent Documents 1 and 2, when producing a sheet using tobacco extract, it is necessary to concentrate the sheet composition. If it were possible to produce a sheet without concentrating the sheet composition, the production process could be simplified, but the inventors have found that a sheet with excellent handleability cannot be obtained simply by adjusting the water concentration. In view of these circumstances, an object of the present invention is to provide an aerosol-generating sheet with excellent handleability.

The inventors have solved the above problem by setting the total amount of non-wood fibers and binder within a specific range.
Aspect 1
(A) 15 to 50% by weight of a tobacco extract;
(B) non-wood fibers;
(C) a binder; and
(D) 10 to 60 weight percent of an aerosol source; and
Including,
The total amount of (B) and (C) is 23 to 50% by weight.
Aerosol generating sheet.
Aspect 2
The sheet according to aspect 1, wherein (B) is dietary fiber.
Aspect 3
The sheet according to claim 2, wherein (B) is a citrus fiber.
Aspect 4
The sheet according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein (C) is carboxyalkyl cellulose or guar gum.
Aspect 5
A component for a smoking article selected from the group consisting of a flavor source, a wrapper, a paper tube, a filter, and a container, comprising the sheet according to any one of aspects 1 to 4.
Aspect 6
A smoking article comprising the member according to aspect 5.
Aspect 7
preparing a mixture of the tobacco extract liquid containing the tobacco extract, the non-wood fibers, the binder, and the aerosol source;
forming the mixture into a sheet;
A method for producing an aerosol-generating sheet according to any one of Aspects 1 to 5, comprising:
Aspect 8
8. The method according to claim 7, wherein the mixture contains water, and the weight ratio of water to components other than water in the mixture is (2-10):1.

The present invention provides an aerosol generating sheet that is easy to handle.

In this disclosure, "X to Y" includes the extreme values X and Y.

1. Aerosol-generating sheet An aerosol-generating sheet is a sheet that can generate an aerosol by heating or the like. In one embodiment, the aerosol-generating sheet (hereinafter also simply referred to as "sheet") comprises, based on the weight of the sheet, (A) 15-50% by weight of tobacco extract, (B) non-wood fibers, (C) a binder, and (D) 10-60% by weight of an aerosol source, the sum of (B) and (C) being 23-50% by weight. Unless otherwise specified, weight and weight % are dry weight and dry weight %. Dry weight is the weight excluding the weight of water.

(1) Component (A): Tobacco Extract Tobacco extract is a substance or mixture that exhibits a flavor extracted from tobacco. Tobacco extract can be prepared by a known method. For example, the following methods can be mentioned. 1) A method of subjecting tobacco raw material to extraction using a medium to obtain a tobacco extract, 2) A method of adding a medium to tobacco raw material and heating it, and collecting the generated steam, and 3) A method of passing the medium that has been vaporized by heating through the tobacco raw material and collecting the steam after the passage. Examples of the medium include water and hydrophilic organic solvents such as alcohol. In the method 1), it is preferable to use water as the medium from the viewpoint of workability. In the method 2) or 3), it is preferable to use alcohol such as propylene glycol, glycerin, or ethanol as the medium from the viewpoint of work efficiency. An acid or alkali can also be used for extraction as necessary. The liquid obtained by extraction, which contains the tobacco extract and the medium, is called a tobacco extract.

Tobacco raw materials can be, for example, Nicotiana tabacum or Nicotiana rustica. Nicotiana tabacum can be, for example, Burley or flue-cured varieties. In addition, Orient or native Burley varieties of the Nicotiana genus can also be used.

The tobacco raw material may be shredded or powdered tobacco raw material (hereinafter also referred to as "raw material pieces"). In such a case, the particle size of the raw material pieces is preferably 0.5 to 1.18 mm. Such raw material pieces are obtained, for example, by sieving in accordance with JIS Z 8815 using a stainless steel sieve conforming to JIS Z 8801. For example, 1) using a stainless steel sieve with 1.18 mm openings, the raw material pieces are sieved for 20 minutes by a dry mechanical shaking method to obtain raw material pieces that pass through the stainless steel sieve with 1.18 mm openings. 2) Next, using a stainless steel sieve with 0.50 mm openings, the raw material pieces are sieved for 20 minutes by a dry mechanical shaking method to remove the raw material pieces that pass through the stainless steel sieve with 0.50 mm openings. In this way, raw material pieces can be prepared that pass through the stainless steel sieve (mesh size = 1.18 mm) that defines the upper limit, but do not pass through the stainless steel sieve (mesh size = 0.50 mm) that defines the lower limit.

In one embodiment, the tobacco raw material is treated with an alkali. Flavor components are generated through this treatment, and may be collected to prepare a tobacco extract liquid containing tobacco extract and water. In this case, it is preferable to extract the flavor components as a gas from the alkali-treated tobacco raw material, and introduce the gas into water to transfer the flavor components into a liquid.

The alkaline substance is preferably an alkaline liquid such as an aqueous solution of potassium carbonate. In this case, the alkaline substance is supplied until the pH of the tobacco raw material falls within a specific range. The pH is preferably 8.0 or higher, more preferably 8.9 to 9.7. The pH of the tobacco raw material is the pH of the water when the tobacco raw material is mixed with 10 times the amount of water.

The moisture content in the tobacco raw material is not limited, but from the viewpoint of efficient extraction of flavor components, it is preferable that the moisture content is about 5 to 30% by weight. The moisture content in the tobacco raw material is measured by a known method, for example, a 1 g sample is taken, heated at 105°C, and the weight loss amount when heated until the weight change rate is 1 mg/min or less is taken as the moisture content. For example, a halogen heating moisture meter (Ohaus MB45, etc.) can be used for this measurement.

The tobacco extract content in the sheet is 15-50% by weight. This amount can be adjusted as appropriate, for example, to 20-40% by weight.

(2) Component (B): Non-wood fiber Non-wood fiber is a fiber not derived from wood, and is preferably a fiber other than tobacco fiber. Tobacco fiber is difficult to impart strength to the sheet and may impart an unpleasant flavor. As the non-wood fiber, dietary fiber is preferable. Dietary fiber is a food component that is not digested by human digestive enzymes, and is more preferably insoluble dietary fiber that does not dissolve in water. The dietary fiber may be porous, i.e., spongy. Porous fiber can increase the surface area of the sheet for smoking articles and improve the thermal conductivity of the sheet. From the viewpoint of availability, the fiber is preferably citrus fiber. Citrus fiber is a fiber whose main raw material is the albedo of citrus fruits. In addition, dietary fiber may be short fiber or columnar particles with a small aspect ratio. In particular, citrus fiber is preferable because it can impart strength to the sheet with a small amount of use. The moisture content in the non-wood fiber is measured, and the amount of non-wood fiber to be blended is determined so as to satisfy the above relationship. The moisture content in the non-wood fiber is measured by a known method, for example, the same method as the moisture content in the tobacco raw material. In one embodiment, the content of component (B) in the sheet is 10 to 30% by weight. Although wood fiber is known as a fibrous material, the use of non-wood fiber has the advantage of being superior in liquid carrying capacity compared to the use of wood fiber. Therefore, the amount of non-wood fiber added can be reduced, and the amount of components that contribute to the flavor and aroma can be increased.

(3) Component (C): Binder The binder may be, for example, carboxyalkyl cellulose or guar gum. The moisture content of the binder is measured by a known method, for example, the same method as that for the moisture content of the tobacco raw material.

The total amount of components (B) and (C) in the sheet is 23 to 50% by weight. If the amount is less than the lower limit, the sheet is not easy to handle and the strength of the sheet is insufficient. If the amount exceeds the upper limit, the flavor becomes weak or the unpleasant taste increases. Furthermore, processing such as cutting or folding the sheet becomes difficult. From this perspective, the lower limit of the total amount is preferably 24% by weight or more, and the upper limit is preferably 40% by weight or less, more preferably 30% by weight or less. The amounts of components (B) and (C) are determined so as to satisfy the above total amount, and in one embodiment, the amount of component (B) is 10 to 30% by weight or 13 to 25% by weight, and the amount of component (C) is 13 to 20% by weight or 10 to 25% by weight.

(4) Component (D): Aerosol Source Examples of the aerosol source include polyhydric alcohols such as glycerin or polyethylene glycol. The amount of moisture in the aerosol source is measured by a known method, for example, by the same method as that for the amount of moisture in tobacco raw materials. The amount of the aerosol source in the sheet is 10 to 60% by weight. If the amount is less than the lower limit, the amount of smoke produced during smoking is insufficient. If the amount is more than the upper limit, the handling of the sheet is reduced. From this viewpoint, the amount is preferably 15 to 50% by weight, more preferably 20 to 40% by weight.

(5) Others The sheet may contain wood fibers. Examples of wood fibers include softwood pulp, Vitacel FL400, and Vitacel L600/30 (all manufactured by J. Rettenmaier & Sohne GmbH). As described below, the mixture for producing the sheet preferably contains water, and the weight ratio of water to components other than water in the mixture is preferably (2 to 10):1. It is preferable to measure the moisture content in the wood fibers and determine the blending amount of the wood fibers so as to satisfy the relationship. The moisture content in the wood fibers is measured by a known method, for example, the same method as the moisture content in the tobacco raw material. In one embodiment, the content of the wood fibers in the sheet is 1 to 10% by weight.

The sheet may also contain a known fragrance. Examples of fragrances include menthol, but are not limited to this and the fragrances described below can also be used. The amount of fragrance may also be a known amount. These fragrances may be used alone or in combination of two or more types.

The following are preferred fragrances: acetanisole, acetophenone, acetylpyrazine, 2-acetylthiazole, alfalfa extract, amyl alcohol, amyl butyrate, trans-anethole, star anise oil, apple juice, balsam of Peru oil, beeswax absolute, benzaldehyde, benzoin resinoid, benzyl alcohol, benzyl benzoate, benzyl phenylacetate, benzyl propionate, 2,3-butanedione, 2-butanol, butyl butyrate, butyric acid, caramel, cardamom oil, carob absolute, β-carotene, carrot juice, L-carvone, β-carotene Lyophyllene, cassia bark oil, cedarwood oil, celery seed oil, chamomile oil, cinnamaldehyde, cinnamic acid, cinnamyl alcohol, cinnamyl cinnamate, citronella oil, DL-citronellol, clary sage extract, cocoa, coffee, konjac oil, coriander oil, cuminaldehyde, davana oil, delta-decalactone, gamma-decalactone, decanoic acid, dill herb oil, 3,4-dimethyl-1,2-cyclopentanedione, 4,5-dimethyl-3-hydroxy-2,5-dihydrofuran-2-one, 3,7-dimethyl-6-octenoic acid, 2,3- Dimethylpyrazine, 2,5-dimethylpyrazine, 2,6-dimethylpyrazine, ethyl 2-methylbutyrate, ethyl acetate, ethyl butyrate, ethyl hexanoate, ethyl isovalerate, ethyl lactate, ethyl laurate, ethyl levulinate, ethyl maltol, ethyl octanoate, ethyl oleate, ethyl palmitate, ethyl phenylacetate, ethyl propionate, ethyl stearate, ethyl valerate, ethyl vanillin, ethyl vanillin glucoside, 2-ethyl-3,(5 or 6)-dimethylpyrazine, 5-ethyl-3-hydroxy-4-methyl-2(5H)-furanone, 2- Ethyl-3-methylpyrazine, eucalyptol, fenugreek absolute, gene absolute, gentian root infusion, geraniol, geranyl acetate, grape juice, guaiacol, guava extract, gamma-heptalactone, gamma-hexalactone, hexanoic acid, cis-3-hexen-1-ol, hexyl acetate, hexyl alcohol, phenylhexyl acetate, honey, 4-hydroxy-3-pentenoic acid lactone, 4-hydroxy-4-(3-hydroxy-1-butenyl)-3,5,5-trimethyl-2-cyclohexen-1-one, 4-( para-hydroxyphenyl)-2-butanone, sodium 4-hydroxyundecanoate, immortelle absolute, beta-ionone, isoamyl acetate, isoamyl butyrate, isoamyl phenylacetate, isobutyl acetate, isobutyl phenylacetate, jasmine absolute, cola nut tincture, labdanum oil, lemon terpeneless oil, licorice extract, linalool, linalyl acetate, lovage root oil, maltol, maple syrup, menthol, menthone, L-menthyl acetate, paramethoxybenzaldehyde, methyl-2-pyrrolyl ketone, anthraquinone, Methyl ranilate, methyl phenylacetate, methyl salicylate, 4'-methylacetophenone, methylcyclopentenolone, 3-methylvaleric acid, mimosa absolute, honeysuckle, myristic acid, nerol, nerolidol, gamma-nonalactone, nutmeg oil, delta-octalactone, octanal, octanoic acid, orange flower oil, orange oil, orris root oil, palmitic acid, omega-pentadecalactone, peppermint oil, petitgrain Paraguay oil, phenethyl alcohol, phenethyl phenylacetate, phenylacetic acid, piperonal, plum extract, propenyl guaiacol Ethol, propyl acetate, 3-propylidenephthalide, prune juice, pyruvic acid, raisin extract, rose oil, rum, sage oil, sandalwood oil, spearmint oil, styrax absolute, marigold oil, tea distillate, α-terpineol, terpinyl acetate, 5,6,7,8-tetrahydroquinoxaline, 1,5,5,9-tetramethyl-13-oxacyclo(8.3.0.0(4.9))tridecane, 2,3,5,6-tetramethylpyrazine, thyme oil, tomato extract, 2-tridecanone, triethyl citrate, 4-(2,6,6-trimethyl-1-cyclohexenyl) 2-buten-4-one, 2,6,6-trimethyl-2-cyclohexene-1,4-dione, 4-(2,6,6-trimethyl-1,3-cyclohexadienyl) 2-buten-4-one, 2,3,5-trimethylpyrazine, gamma-undecalactone, gamma-valerolactone, vanilla extract, vanillin, veratraldehyde, violet leaf absolute, N-ethyl-p-menthane-3-carboxamide (WS-3), ethyl-2-(p-menthane-3-carboxamide) acetate (WS-5).

2. Smoking Article Components The sheet is useful as a smoking article component. Smoking article components including the sheet include flavor sources, wrappers, paper tubes, filters, and containers. For example, the sheet can be folded or spirally shaped, or cut into strands or shreds, and used as a flavor source for smoking articles, i.e., a filler for tobacco rods. The strands have a rectangular shape and may be arranged along the longitudinal direction of the flavor source or randomly. The shreds are randomly arranged within the flavor source.

3. Smoking Articles The smoking article member is useful for smoking articles. For example, a combustion-type smoking article or a non-combustion-heating-type smoking article can be prepared that includes the tobacco rod and the mouthpiece member. The mouthpiece may include a cooling section for promoting aerosolization of the vapor generated from the flavor source, and a filter. The cooling section may be composed of a paper tube. The paper tube may be filled with a material for promoting cooling (e.g., a polylactic acid sheet) to provide a plurality of flow paths that communicate in the longitudinal direction. Furthermore, an opening for taking in outside air may be provided on the periphery of the cooling section. The filter may be composed of an acetate filter, a paper filter, a center hole filter, or a combination thereof.

An acetate filter, paper filter, center hole filter, etc. may be placed upstream of the tobacco rod as a tip plug. Upstream refers to the direction opposite to the mouth end.

4. Manufacturing Method The sheet of the present embodiment is preferably manufactured by a method including step 1 of preparing a mixture of a tobacco extract liquid containing component (A) (tobacco extract), component (B) (non-wood fiber), component (C) (binder), and component (D) (aerosol source), and step 2 of forming the mixture into a sheet.

(1) Step 1
(1-1) Preparation of Tobacco Extract In this step, the tobacco raw material described above is subjected to extraction to prepare a tobacco extract containing the tobacco extract as an active ingredient and a medium. It is preferable to use water as the medium. The extraction temperature is not limited, but is preferably 60 to 100°C, and more preferably 70 to 90°C from the viewpoint of smoking taste. The extraction time is preferably 20 to 40 minutes.

(1-2) Mixing Mixing can be carried out by a known method, for example, the mixture can be prepared by mixing each component with a mixer or the like. The mixture preferably contains water, and the weight ratio of water to other components is preferably (2-10):1. The water may be water contained in the tobacco extract, or may be water added separately. In particular, when the content of non-wood fibers is increased, it is preferable to also increase the content of water. Preferred embodiments are described below.

[When using a laminate sheet]
There are three methods:
1) Tobacco extract and a binder are mixed to prepare mixture X. If water is to be added, the additional water is also mixed to prepare mixture X. An aerosol source such as glycerin is mixed with other solid components to prepare mixture Y. Next, mixture X and mixture Y are mixed. The other solid components are specifically the above-mentioned component (B) or the above-mentioned other components.
2) Mix the tobacco extract with an aerosol source such as glycerin. Add a binder to the mixture and mix. If water is to be added, mix the water in at this time. Then, mix the other solids into the mixture.
3) Mix an aerosol source such as glycerin with a binder. Mix the mixture with tobacco extract (if water is added, mix water in at this time). Then mix with other solids.

The above method involves mixing the binder with the tobacco extract (and mixing with water if water is added). By mixing in this way, it is possible to avoid the solids preferentially absorbing water, and the binder does not form lumps and can be dissolved in water, allowing the binder function to be fully exerted. The method of mixing the binder with the aerosol source first is particularly unlikely to cause the binder to form lumps. "Forming lumps" refers to a state in which the components do not disperse or dissolve and exist as lumps.

[In the case of cast sheets]
Tobacco extract and an aerosol source such as glycerin are mixed. If water is to be added, the water is also mixed at this time. A binder is mixed into the mixture, and after confirming that the binder is evenly mixed, other solid ingredients are mixed in. If solid ingredients containing a binder are mixed together first, the binder will form lumps, and this condition is difficult to resolve. With this method, the binder and aerosol source are mixed first, so the binder is less likely to form lumps.

(2) Step 2
The sheeting can be carried out by a known method. For example, the sheeting can be carried out by using a casting method or a rolling method. In the casting method, the mixture is cast on a substrate to form a wet sheet. The wet sheet is then dried to obtain a sheet. The drying temperature is preferably 50 to 100° C. The sheet obtained by this method is also called a "cast sheet."

In the case of the rolling method, the mixture is sandwiched between two base films and passed between a pair of rollers using a calendaring device (e.g., manufactured by Yuri Roll Machinery Co., Ltd.) until the mixture reaches a specified thickness (more than 100 μm), and then pressed to obtain a laminate in which a wet sheet is present between two base films. Pressing with the rollers can be carried out multiple times. The base film is preferably a non-adhesive film such as a fluorine-based polymer film, and a specific example is Teflon (registered trademark) film.

Next, one of the substrate films in the laminate is peeled off. The laminate is dried using a forced-air dryer. The drying temperature is preferably 50 to 100°C, and the drying time can be 1 to 2 minutes. The remaining substrate film is then peeled off, and the laminate is further dried under the above conditions to obtain a sheet. By drying in this manner, it is possible to prevent the sheet from adhering to other substrates.

The sheet obtained by this method is also called a "laminated sheet." Laminated sheets are preferable because they have a smooth surface and prevent chipping when they come into contact with other materials. This method is also suitable for producing sheets with a thickness of 300 μm or less.

In the case of the rolling method, it is preferable to adjust the amount of water in the mixture obtained in step 1 to preferably 20 to 80% by weight, more preferably 20 to 40% by weight, to obtain a wet powder (powder in a wet state). Then, it is preferable to knead the wet powder using a single-axis or multi-axis kneader, such as a kneader (Dalton DG-1, etc.), and then use it for preparing the laminate.

[Example 1]
As tobacco raw materials, ground flue-cured and Orient-cured tobacco leaves were prepared. Extraction was performed at room temperature using 500% by weight of water based on the dry weight of the tobacco leaves to obtain a tobacco extract.

Helvacel AQ Plus CF-D/100 (DSP Gokyo Food & Chemical Co., Ltd.) was used as the non-wood fiber, carboxyalkyl cellulose (CMCF30MC, Nippon Paper Industries Co., Ltd.) was used as the binder, and glycerin was used as the aerosol source. These were mixed in the ratio shown in Table 1 to obtain a mixture. The total amount of water in the mixture: the total amount of components other than water was 1:4. The total amount of water here refers to the total weight of water contained in each component. The weight of water in each component was determined using the method described above.

The mixture thus obtained was cast on a stainless steel plate and dried in an oven at 80°C to prepare a cast sheet with a thickness of 0.25 mm. The dried sheet was then conditioned at 22°C and 60% RH for at least one night. At that time, the sheet was evaluated for its ability to support the liquid, its stickiness, and the seepage of the liquid onto the sheet surface. The results are shown in Table 1. All weights in the table are dry weights.
Evaluation criteria: a: No liquid seeps out and the sheet is not very sticky. b: No liquid seeps out, but the sheet is very sticky. c: The liquid seeps out.

[Examples 2 to 6]
A cast sheet was prepared and evaluated in the same manner as in Example 1, except that the composition of each component was changed as shown in Table 1.

[Comparative Examples 1 to 7]
A cast sheet was prepared and evaluated in the same manner as in Example 1, except that the composition of each component was changed as shown in Table 1.

It is clear that the sheets obtained in the examples have excellent handling properties.

The following describes an embodiment.
Aspect 1
(A) 15 to 50% by weight of a tobacco extract;
(B) non-wood fibers;
(C) a binder; and
(D) 10 to 60 weight percent of an aerosol source; and
Including,
The total amount of (B) and (C) is 23 to 50% by weight.
Aerosol generating sheet.
Aspect 2
The sheet according to aspect 1, wherein (B) is dietary fiber.
Aspect 3
The sheet according to claim 2, wherein (B) is a citrus fiber.
Aspect 4
The sheet according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein (C) is carboxyalkyl cellulose or guar gum.
Aspect 5
A component for a smoking article selected from the group consisting of a flavor source, a wrapper, a paper tube, a filter, and a container, comprising the sheet according to any one of aspects 1 to 4.
Aspect 6
A smoking article comprising the member according to aspect 5.
Aspect 7
preparing a mixture of a tobacco extract solution containing the tobacco extract, non-wood fibers, a binder, and an aerosol source;
forming the mixture into a sheet;
A method for producing an aerosol-generating sheet according to any one of Aspects 1 to 5, comprising:
Aspect 8
8. The method according to claim 7, wherein the mixture contains water, and the weight ratio of water to components other than water in the mixture is (2-10):1.

Claims (8)

(A) 15 to 50% by weight of a tobacco extract;
(B) non-wood fibers;
(C) a binder; and
(D) 10 to 60 weight percent of an aerosol source; and
Including,
The total amount of (B) and (C) is 23 to 50% by weight.
Aerosol generating sheet. The sheet according to claim 1, wherein (B) is dietary fiber. The sheet according to claim 2, wherein (B) is citrus fiber. The sheet according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein (C) is carboxyalkyl cellulose or guar gum. A smoking article component selected from the group consisting of a flavor source, a wrapper, a paper tube, a filter, and a container, comprising the sheet according to any one of claims 1 to 4. A smoking article comprising the member described in claim 5. preparing a mixture of the tobacco extract liquid containing the tobacco extract, the non-wood fibers, the binder, and the aerosol source;
forming the mixture into a sheet;
The method for producing the aerosol-generating sheet according to any one of claims 1 to 5, comprising: The method of claim 7, wherein the mixture contains water and the weight ratio of water to components other than water in the mixture is (2-10):1.