WO2025136031A1 - Smoking article containing lyocell filter - Google Patents

Abstract

A smoking article is provided. The smoking article comprises: a first segment; a second segment spaced apart from one side of the first segment; and a medium segment disposed between the first segment and the second segment and including a medium substrate including free nicotine, wherein at least one of the first segment, the second segment, and the medium segment includes a lyocell tow including a plurality of lyocell fibers.

Description

Smoking articles containing lyocell filters

The present invention relates to a smoking article including a lyocell filter having increased free nicotine retention and preventing discoloration of the filter portion.

Recently, interest in smokers' health has increased, and social perception of smokers has also changed accordingly. This change is leading to the development of new forms of smoking products that take smokers' health into consideration, moving away from smoking as a simple means of nicotine intake.

In particular, various studies are being conducted in the direction of enabling smokers to enjoy smoking more healthily by reducing harmful substances contained in smoking products and changing the method of nicotine inhalation. Among them, efforts are being made to improve the method of nicotine delivery by controlling the pH of tobacco raw materials to convert nicotine salts into free nicotine. Such improvement in the method of nicotine delivery is applied to the development of non-heat-type electronic cigarette sticks, minimizing harmful substances that may be generated at high temperatures while allowing smokers to maintain their existing smoking experience.

Non-heat-type electronic cigarette sticks are designed to allow users (consumers) to consume nicotine with fewer harmful substances by converting nicotine salts into pre-nicotine forms through pH adjustment of tobacco raw materials, thereby utilizing the characteristics (volatility) of pre-nicotine without heating.

On the other hand, due to the characteristics (volatility) of free nicotine, free nicotine that should remain in the cigarette stick may migrate to the outside, which may cause a problem in that the smoking quality may deteriorate. This problem may reduce the residual properties of free nicotine, which may have a negative effect on the long-term quality maintenance of smoking articles. In addition, the migration of free nicotine may cause discoloration of other components of smoking articles. Therefore, there is an increasing need to improve the residual properties of free nicotine and prevent discoloration of components due to the migration of free nicotine.

The problem to be solved by the present invention is to provide a smoking article including a lyocell filter, wherein the lyocell filter is disposed on a filter and/or segment which is disposed on at least one of both ends of a tobacco rod and/or a tobacco filter and/or a smoking article with a medium portion containing free nicotine (or free base nicotine) interposed therebetween, thereby providing a smoking article in which the retention of free nicotine in the tobacco rod and/or the smoking article is improved by the attractive force between the free nicotine and the lyocell filter.

Another problem to be solved by the present invention is a smoking article including a Lyocell filter, wherein the Lyocell filter is disposed on a filter and/or segment disposed on at least one of the ends of the tobacco rod and/or the tobacco filter and/or the smoking article, with a medium portion containing free nicotine (or free base nicotine) interposed therebetween, so that the content of free nicotine remaining in the smoking article even after a puff under non-heated conditions can be higher than the content of free nicotine transferred during a puff. Hereinafter, the meaning of free nicotine transferred during a puff in the present specification can mean free nicotine that is transferred to the outside of the smoking article and delivered to the user.

Accordingly, the retention of free nicotine is improved, thereby providing a smoking article having an increased number of puffs containing nicotine under non-heated conditions compared to a conventional cellulose acetate filter.

Another problem that the present invention seeks to solve is that smoking can be done even under non-heated conditions (or under low-temperature heating conditions) due to the volatile properties of free nicotine, thereby reducing the amount of harmful substances generated when a smoking article is burned, thereby providing a healthier form of smoking article to smokers.

According to one embodiment of the present invention for solving the above problem, a smoking article comprises a first segment, a second segment spaced apart from one side of the first segment, and a medium segment disposed between the first segment and the second segment and comprising a medium substrate comprising free nicotine, wherein at least one of the first segment, the second segment, and the medium segment comprises a lyocell tow comprising a plurality of lyocell fibers.

In some embodiments, each of the first segment and the second segment may include a lyocell filter comprised of the lyocell tow.

In some embodiments, the medium substrate may comprise tobacco granules having a pH in the range of 8 to 10 or slurry sheet having a pH in the range of 8 to 10.

In some embodiments, the medium substrate may comprise a slurry plate having a pH in the range of 8 to 10.

In some embodiments, the medium segment further comprises a lyocell filter comprising the lyocell tow, wherein the medium substrate can be filled in a dispersed form within the lyocell tow. This means that the lyocell tow can comprise the medium substrate in a dispersed form.

In some embodiments, the first segment or the second segment may be comprised of a lyocell filter comprised of the lyocell tow.

In some embodiments, the device may further include a third segment, which is a tubular structure having a hollow interior and is positioned between the medium segment and the second segment.

In some embodiments, free nicotine transferred from the medium segment may be adsorbed to the first segment or the second segment.

According to a smoking article according to one embodiment, by disposing a lyocell filter composed of lyocell tow including a plurality of lyocell fibers in a filter and/or filter segment, wherein a medium segment containing free nicotine (or free base nicotine) is disposed at at least one of both ends, the retention of free nicotine in the tobacco rod and/or the smoking article can be improved by the attractive force between the free nicotine and the lyocell filter.

Additionally, according to a smoking article according to one embodiment, the content of free nicotine remaining in the smoking article after a puff under non-heated conditions is higher than the content of free nicotine transferred during a puff, so that the number of puffs containing nicotine can be improved.

In addition, according to a smoking article according to one embodiment, smoking is possible even under non-heated conditions (or low-temperature heating conditions) due to the volatile properties of free nicotine, so that the amount of harmful substances generated when the smoking article is burned is reduced, thereby providing a healthier smoking article to smokers.

FIG. 1 is a drawing showing a schematic configuration of a smoking article according to one embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a drawing showing a schematic configuration of a smoking article according to another embodiment of the present invention.

Figures 3 and 4 are drawings illustrating examples of smoking articles inserted into an aerosol generating device.

Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the present disclosure will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. The advantages and features of the present disclosure and the methods for achieving them will become apparent with reference to the embodiments described in detail below together with the accompanying drawings. However, the technical idea of the present disclosure is not limited to the following embodiments but may be implemented in various different forms, and the following embodiments are provided only to make the technical idea of the present disclosure complete and to fully inform a person having ordinary skill in the art to which the present disclosure belongs of the scope of the present disclosure, and the technical idea of the present disclosure is defined only by the scope of the claims.

When adding reference signs to components of each drawing, it should be noted that the same components are given the same signs as much as possible even if they are shown on different drawings. In addition, when describing the present disclosure, if it is determined that a specific description of a related known configuration or function may obscure the gist of the present disclosure, the detailed description is omitted.

Unless otherwise defined, all terms (including technical and scientific terms) used in this specification can be used in the meaning that can be commonly understood by a person of ordinary skill in the art to which this disclosure belongs. In addition, terms defined in commonly used dictionaries are not to be ideally or excessively interpreted unless explicitly specifically defined. The terminology used in this specification is for the purpose of describing embodiments and is not intended to limit this disclosure. In this specification, the singular also includes the plural unless specifically stated in the phrase.

Also, in describing components of the present disclosure, terms such as first, second, A, B, (a), (b), etc. may be used. These terms are only intended to distinguish the components from other components, and the nature, order, or sequence of the components are not limited by the terms. When it is described that a component is "connected," "coupled," or "connected" to another component, it should be understood that the component may be directly connected or connected to the other component, but another component may also be "connected," "coupled," or "connected" between each component.

As used herein, the terms “comprises” and/or “comprising” do not exclude the presence or addition of one or more other components, steps, operations and/or elements.

First, let us clarify some terms used in this specification.

As used herein, a "smoking article" may mean any smokeable product or any product capable of providing a smoking experience, whether based on tobacco, a tobacco derivative, expanded tobacco, reconstituted tobacco or a tobacco substitute. For example, smoking articles may include smokeable products such as cigarettes, cigars and cigarillos.

In this specification, “smoking material” may mean any type of material that can be used in a smoking article.

In this specification, “upstream” or “upstream direction” may mean a direction away from the smoker’s mouth, and “downstream” or “downstream direction” may mean a direction approaching the smoker’s mouth.

In this specification, "longitudinal direction" may mean a direction corresponding to the longitudinal axis of a smoking article. The "longitudinal axis" of a smoking article may mean an imaginary line extending along the main longitudinal direction of the smoking article. This axis typically runs from one end of the smoking article (e.g., the mouthpiece or filter end) to the opposite end (e.g., the combustion or heat source end).

As used herein, a "non-heated smoking article" may mean a smoking article configured to deliver nicotine and, optionally, a flavor and/or aroma without combustion and/or significant heating. "Without significant heating" may mean a temperature of less than 100°C, preferably less than 80°C, more preferably less than 40°C.

As used herein, "free nicotine" may mean an unbound and unprotonated form of nicotine. Free nicotine exists as a free base. In the context of this application, the terms "free nicotine" and "free base nicotine" may be used interchangeably.

As used herein, “Lyocell tow” comprises or consists of a plurality of Lyocell fibers.

In this specification, "Lyocell fiber" may mean a fiber made from cellulose. In particular, the Lyocell fiber may be a fiber made from cellulose derived from or mainly derived from wood pulp, particularly a semi-synthetic fiber.

In this specification, "plate leaves" may mean reconstituted tobacco leaves.

As used herein, "reconstituted tobacco leaf" may mean a sheet made by combining tobacco by-products selected from the group consisting of stems, dust, particulates and combinations thereof with a binder. In some embodiments, the reconstituted tobacco leaf is homogenized tobacco leaf.

As used herein, "puff" means an act of inhaling or drawing air through a smoking article to produce and inhale smoke or vapor. "Puff count" may mean the total number of inhalations or draws during use of the smoking article. Alternatively, or in addition, the puff count may represent the maximum number of inhalations or draws that the smoking article can provide before being completely consumed or ceasing to function. In particular, the puffs may be performed under CRM81 conditions.

In this specification, “segment” may mean a filter segment.

Hereinafter, various embodiments of the present disclosure will be described in detail with reference to the attached drawings.

FIG. 1 is a drawing showing a schematic configuration of a smoking article according to one embodiment of the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 1, a smoking article (12) according to one embodiment may include a first segment (121), a second segment (123) disposed spaced apart from and/or spaced from a side of the first segment (121), and a medium segment (122) disposed between the first segment (121) and the second segment (123). Meanwhile, it will be understood by those of ordinary skill in the art related to the present embodiment that other general components may be further included in the smoking article (12) in addition to the components illustrated in FIG. 1. In some embodiments, the smoking article (12) is composed of the first segment (121), the second segment (123), and the medium segment (122).

As described below, the smoking article (12) according to the present embodiment includes a medium substrate including free nicotine in the medium segment (122), so that volatile free nicotine can be transferred even under non-heated conditions or at relatively low temperatures due to the volatile properties of the free nicotine, thereby implementing a non-heated smoking article.

In some embodiments, the smoking article (12) may further include a wrapper (125) that surrounds at least one of the first segment (121), the second segment (123), and the medium segment (122). In some embodiments, the smoking article (12) comprises the first segment (121), the second segment (123), the medium segment (122), and the wrapper (125).

In some embodiments, the length of the first segment (121) can be 5-8 mm, preferably 5.5-7.5 mm, more preferably 7 mm, the length of the second segment (123) can be 13-15 mm, preferably 13.5-14.5 mm, more preferably 14 mm, and the length of the medium segment (122) can be 14-16 mm, preferably 14.5-15.5 mm, more preferably 15 mm.

The first segment (121) may be a segment adjacent to one side and/or the other side of the medium segment (122). The first segment (121) may prevent the medium segment (122) from escaping to the outside. In some embodiments, the first segment (121) may include at least one channel therein, and the cross-sectional shape of the channel may be manufactured in various ways. Here, the channel may mean a passage through which a gas (e.g., air) and/or an aerosol passes.

The second segment (123) may be arranged on one side of the first segment (121) with the medium segment (122) interposed therebetween. The second segment (123) may filter out a predetermined component generated during smoking. The predetermined component may be a component such as tar, particulate matter, nitroamines, carbon monoxide, volatile organic compounds, ammonia, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, and/or metals.

In one embodiment, the medium segment (122) is filled with a medium substrate, and at least one of the first segment (121), the second segment (123) and the medium segment (122) may include a lyocell tow comprising a plurality of lyocell fibers.

In one embodiment, the medium segment (122) can be filled with a medium substrate.

In an exemplary embodiment, the medium segment (122) may include a cavity, the cavity being filled with a medium substrate.

In another exemplary embodiment, the medium segment (122) may include a filter, and a medium substrate may be inserted and filled into the filter. Specifically, when the medium segment (122) includes a filter and a medium substrate inserted and filled into the filter, the medium substrate may be filled so as to be inserted into the filter when manufacturing the medium segment (122). For example, during the manufacturing process of the medium segment (122), the medium substrate may be inserted into or onto the tow constituting the filter while the tow is spread out, and the tow into which the medium substrate is inserted may be wrapped or rolled to form a predetermined shape such as a cylinder, thereby manufacturing the medium segment (122). Accordingly, the medium substrate may be inserted and filled so as to be randomly or uniformly distributed along the entire area or a portion of the interior of the tow constituting the filter. In other words, the medium substrate may be located in the space between the fibers constituting the tow, and may be filled in a dispersed form inside the tow constituting the filter.

When the above medium substrate is inserted into the filter, the filter included in the medium segment (122) may include at least one of a paper filter, a cellulose acetate filter, and a lyocell filter. Preferably, the medium segment (122) may include a lyocell filter and a medium substrate inserted and filled into the lyocell filter. Specifically, the medium segment (122) may include a lyocell filter composed of lyocell tow, and a medium substrate inserted so as to be uniformly or randomly distributed along the inside of the lyocell filter in the entire area or a part of the lyocell filter. That is, the medium substrate may be filled in a dispersed form inside the lyocell tow. Accordingly, the medium substrate may be positioned in the space between a plurality of lyocell fibers included in the lyocell tow, settled inside the lyocell tow, and filled inside the lyocell filter so as not to leak out outside in a form wrapped by the lyocell filter. In some embodiments, the medium substrate filled in the medium segment (122) may include a slurry plate containing free nicotine (or free base nicotine). However, without limitation, the medium substrate filled in the medium segment (122) may include at least one component of granular tobacco (tobacco granules), reconstituted tobacco, and tobacco cut filler. Without limitation, the medium segment (122) may also contain other additives, such as flavoring agents, humectants, and/or organic acids. Additionally, a flavoring agent, such as menthol or a humectant, may be added to the medium segment (122) by spraying it onto the medium segment (122).

In one embodiment, the medium filled in the medium segment (122) can be pH treated. For example, the medium substrate can be pH treated to have alkalinity by a pH adjuster, and the pH adjuster is alkaline and can include, for example, at least one of potassium carbonate (K ₂ CO ₃ ), sodium bicarbonate (NaHCO ₃ ), and calcium oxide (CaO). However, the material included in the pH adjuster is not limited to the examples described above, and a material that generates less negative odor during smoking can be used. In some embodiments, the pH adjuster is selected from the group consisting of potassium carbonate (K ₂ CO ₃ ), sodium bicarbonate (NaHCO ₃ ), and calcium oxide (CaO). The alkaline pH adjuster can increase the pH of the medium substrate included in the medium segment (122). In some embodiments, the pH treatment of the medium substrate includes mixing the medium substrate with the pH adjuster. Compared to a medium substrate that is not treated with an alkaline pH regulator, the release amount of nicotine increases in the medium substrate treated with an alkaline pH. That is, in the case of the medium substrate treated with an alkaline pH, a sufficient nicotine yield can be achieved from the medium segment (122) even at low temperatures.

In one embodiment, the medium segment (122) may include slurry sheet or paper sheet having a pH adjusted to a range of 7.0 to 11, preferably 7.5 to 10.5, more preferably 8 to 10. However, without limitation, the medium segment (122) may also include tobacco granules or tobacco cut tobacco having a pH adjusted to a range of 7.0 to 11, preferably 7.5 to 10.5, more preferably 8 to 10.

In one embodiment, the medium substrate filled in the medium segment (122) may include nicotine, and by subjecting it to an alkaline pH treatment, free nicotine can be transferred from the medium substrate (to the user) even under non-heated conditions or relatively low temperature conditions. That is, by adjusting the pH of the medium substrate of the medium segment (122) to a range of 7.0 to 11, preferably 7.5 to 10.5, and more preferably 8 to 10, volatile free nicotine can be transferred (to the user) under non-heated conditions (or low-temperature heating conditions), and a sufficient level of taste intensity can be implemented.

Although not limited thereto, the temperature of the medium when smoking a smoking article according to one embodiment may be less than 100°C, preferably, but not limited thereto, room temperature as a non-heating condition. Room temperature may mean 20°C to 25°C.

In some embodiments, the slurry sheet including free nicotine can be prepared by adding potassium carbonate to a mixture for forming a slurry during the preparation of the slurry sheet, but is not limited thereto. Specifically, the slurry sheet including free nicotine is prepared by adding potassium carbonate to a slurry material including pulp and tobacco leaf as main ingredients and a moisturizer such as glycerin and a binder, and the amount of potassium carbonate added to the slurry material is 3 to 15%, preferably 3.5 to 14%, more preferably 4 to 13%, even more preferably 4.5 to 12%, even more preferably 5 to 11%, and even more preferably 6 to 10%, but is not limited thereto. Based on the total weight of the slurry material including potassium carbonate, the % may mean wt%.

Although not limited thereto, the content of free nicotine included in the medium segment (122) may be, but is not limited to, 1.5 mg to 4 mg, preferably 1.8 mg to 3.5 mg, more preferably 2.0 mg to 3.0 mg, and even more preferably 2.2 mg to 2.8 mg.

In one embodiment, the smoking article (12) may be surrounded by at least one wrapper (125). The wrapper (125) may have at least one hole formed therein through which outside air may be introduced or internal gas may be discharged, but is not limited thereto.

In one embodiment, at least one of the first segment (121) and the second segment (123) may be comprised of a lyocell filter. In some embodiments, the first segment (121) may be comprised of a lyocell filter and the second segment (123) may be comprised of a cellulose acetate filter. In some other embodiments, the first segment (121) may be comprised of a cellulose acetate filter and the second segment (123) may be comprised of a lyocell filter. In some other embodiments, both the first segment (121) and the second segment (123) may be comprised of a lyocell filter.

In some embodiments, free nicotine transferred from the medium segment (122) may be adsorbed onto the first segment (121) or the second segment (123). As described below, since at least one of the first segment (121) and the second segment (123) is composed of a Lyocell filter, even though the free nicotine contained in the medium segment (122) is transferred to the first and second segments (121, 123), the free nicotine may also be transferred and stably adsorbed within the first and second segments (121, 123) due to the weak attraction between the Lyocell filter and the free nicotine. Accordingly, the problem of free nicotine adsorbed and remaining in the first and second segments (121, 123) during storage being transferred to other components, such as a wrapper or a cigarette pack storing smoking articles, may be reduced.

In some embodiments, when the filters included in the first segment (121) and the second segment (123) are lyocell filters, the mono denier of the lyocell tow constituting the lyocell filter may be included in a range of 3.0 to 14.0, preferably 3.5 to 13.5, more preferably 4 to 13, even more preferably 4.5 to 12.5, and even more preferably 5 to 12, but is not limited thereto. In some embodiments, the single denier of the lyocell tow may be included in a range of 3.3 to 15.6 dtex, preferably 3.9 to 15.0 dtex, more preferably 4.4 to 14.4 dtex, even more preferably 5.0 to 13.9 dtex, and even more preferably 5.5 to 13.3 dtex.

In some embodiments, one of the first segment (121) and the second segment (123) may include at least one flavor capsule. For example, the second segment (123) may be a lyocell filter having at least one flavor capsule inserted therein. The flavor capsule may include a burst capsule comprising an outer shell and an inner core comprising an additive within the outer shell.

In some embodiments, the lyocell filter constituting either the first segment (121) or the second segment (123) may include a lyocell tow comprising a plurality of lyocell fibers, and an additive dispersed in the lyocell tow.

In addition, when the medium segment (122) includes a medium substrate and a filter into which the medium substrate is inserted and filled, and the filter of the medium segment (122) includes a lyocell filter, the lyocell filter may include lyocell tow including a plurality of lyocell fibers.

The lyocell fibers included in the lyocell tow constituting any one of the first segment (121), the second segment (123), and the medium segment (122) are environmentally friendly fibers made from cellulose extracted from wood pulp. The lyocell tow refers to a bundle formed by cross-linking adjacent lyocell fibers.

In some embodiments, the lyocell fibers may have a non-circular cross-section. A non-circular cross-section is defined as a cross-section whose shape is not circular but includes a plurality of protrusions. For example, a cross-section having a shape in which a plurality of protrusions extend from a center, particularly from the center of the cross-section, may be referred to as a non-circular cross-section.

In some embodiments, the lyocell fibers may have a Y-shaped cross-section having three protrusions branching and/or extending from the center and/or the center of the cross-section, a cruciform cross-section having four protrusions, a star-shaped cross-section having five or more protrusions, or may have an O-shaped cross-section, but are not limited thereto.

In one embodiment, the wrapper (125) may include a first wrapper (1251) wrapping the first segment (121), a second wrapper (1252) wrapping the medium segment (122), and a third wrapper (1253) wrapping the second segment (123). The wrapper (125) may further include a fourth wrapper (1255) wrapping the entire first segment (121), the second segment (123), and the medium segment (122). At least one of the first to fourth wrappers (1251, 1252, 1253, 1255) included in the wrapper (125) may have a basis weight within a range of 90 g/m ² or less. The basis weight may be determined by measuring the mass and area of the paper and/or wrapper and dividing the mass of the paper and/or wrapper by the area.

A smoking article according to the present invention comprises a medium segment (122) comprising a slurry plate-shaped leaf or tobacco granules including free nicotine, and a first segment (121) and a second segment (123) respectively arranged on both sides of the medium segment (122) with the medium segment (122) interposed therebetween, and at least one of the medium segments (122) comprising a lyocell filter including lyocell tow, so that a weak attractive force is generated between the lyocell filter having a hydrophilic property compared to a cellulose acetate filter and the free nicotine included in the medium segment (122), thereby increasing the retention of free nicotine in the smoking article. Specifically, the lyocell filter has a hydrophilic property compared to a cellulose acetate filter, and the free nicotine has some hydrophilic terminal groups therein, so that a weak attractive force can be generated between the lyocell filter and the hydrophilic terminal groups in the free nicotine. Accordingly, the retention of free nicotine in smoking articles during storage is increased, thereby satisfying the smoker's smoking satisfaction when smoking, and increasing the storage and preservation period of non-heated smoking articles.

In some embodiments, the medium segment (122) may comprise a slurry plate comprising free nicotine (or free base nicotine), the first segment (121) may comprise a lyocell filter comprised of lyocell tow comprising a plurality of lyocell fibers, and the second segment (123) may comprise a cellulose acetate filter.

In some other embodiments, the medium segment (122) may comprise a slurry plate comprising free nicotine (or free base nicotine), the first segment (121) may comprise a cellulose acetate filter, and the second segment (123) may comprise a lyocell filter comprised of lyocell tow comprising a plurality of lyocell fibers.

In some other embodiments, the medium segment (122) may comprise a slurry plate comprising free nicotine (or free base nicotine), and the first and second segments (121, 123) may comprise a lyocell filter comprised of lyocell tow comprising a plurality of lyocell fibers.

In some other embodiments, the medium segment (122) may include a lyocell filter and a slurry plate containing free nicotine (or free base nicotine) inserted and filled into the lyocell filter. In this case, the first and second segments (121, 123) may include a cellulose acetate filter, the first and second segments (121, 123) may include a lyocell filter, or one of the first and second segments (121, 123) may include a lyocell filter and the other may include a cellulose acetate filter.

Even in this case, since at least one of the first segment (121) and the second segment (123) arranged on each end side of the medium segment (122) including free nicotine and the medium segment (122) is configured with a lyocell filter, the amount of free nicotine retained in the smoking article can be increased compared to a smoking article including only a cellulose acetate filter due to the weak attractive force between the free nicotine included in the medium segment and the lyocell filter.

In addition, due to the volatile nature of free nicotine, it can be smoked even under non-heated conditions (or low-temperature heating conditions), so there is an advantage in that the type and/or amount of compounds generated when a smoking article is burned or heated at high temperatures is reduced.

Fig. 2 is a drawing showing a schematic configuration of a smoking article according to another embodiment of the present invention. Hereinafter, for the convenience of explanation of Fig. 1, only the differences from the smoking article will be described, and descriptions of the same configuration will be omitted.

Referring to FIG. 2, the smoking article (12) may further include a third segment (127) disposed between the medium segment (122) and the second segment (123). The third segment (127) may include a tube-shaped structure including a hollow portion therein. When the smoking article (12) and/or the aerosol generating device (1) using the smoking article (12) are heated and used, the third segment (127) may perform a cooling effect of the aerosol generated by heating. The third segment (127) is not limited to a tube-shaped structure including a hollow portion, but may include a segment of paper tube manufactured from a hard paper having heat stability in a tube shape. The advantage obtained by further adding the third segment (127) between the medium segment (122) and the second segment (123) is that the suction resistance of the medium segment (122) can be controlled and the heat stability can be improved.

In some embodiments, the smoking article (12) comprises a first segment (121), a second segment (122), a third segment (127), a medium segment (122), and a wrapper (125).

In some embodiments, when the smoking article (12) further comprises a third segment (127), the length of the first segment (121) may be 5-8 mm, preferably 5.5-7.5 mm, more preferably 7 mm, the length of the second segment (123) may be 13-15 mm, preferably 13.5-14.5 mm, more preferably 14 mm, the length of the medium segment (122) may be 14-16 mm, preferably 14.5-15.5 mm, more preferably 15 mm, and the length of the third segment (127) may be 11-13 mm, preferably 11.5-12.5 mm, more preferably 12 mm.

In order to measure the free nicotine content of smoking articles according to the storage period and analyze the free nicotine content before/after smoking according to one embodiment of the present invention, smoking articles were manufactured as shown in Table 1 below.

division Weight (mg) Circumference (mm) Air dilution rate (%) PDO(mmH ₂ 0) PDC(mmH ₂ 0) Example 1 559.6 22.692 15.98 110.2 118.3

(In the above table, PDC may mean a value of suction resistance measured in a state where the medium segment is open, the perforation of the second segment and/or the third segment is blocked, and the inflow of outside air is blocked, and PDO may mean a value of suction resistance measured in a state where the medium segment is open, the second segment and/or the third segment is not blocked, and the inflow of outside air is allowed.)

In the above Example 1, the first segment (121) was configured to be a 7 mm long Lyocell filter, the second segment (123) was configured to be a 14 mm long Lyocell filter, the medium segment (122) was configured to be 15 mm long by filling a slurry plate-shaped leaf containing free nicotine, a 12 mm long tube was arranged between the medium segment (122) and the second segment (123), and the above configurations were wrapped with a wrapper to manufacture a smoking article. The medium segment (122) was manufactured by adding 6-10% of potassium carbonate to a mixed slurry for manufacturing the slurry plate-shaped leaf to generate free nicotine. Based on the total weight of the mixed slurry, the % may mean weight %.

Experimental Example 1. Measurement of free nicotine content in medium segments by period

To produce free nicotine, potassium carbonate was added at 6-10% to a mixed slurry for producing a slurry plate, and a slurry plate was produced. The components of free nicotine in the slurry plate were analyzed to determine the content of free nicotine. The results are shown in Table 2 below. Here, based on the total weight of the slurry, the % may mean weight %.

Storage period Immediately after manufacturing 1 week later 2 weeks later 4 weeks later Free nicotine content (%) 1.38 1.58 1.61 1.57

As shown in Table 2 above, it can be confirmed that the amount of prenicotine in the slurry plate-shaped leaf increases immediately after manufacturing by reacting with potassium carbonate, and that it stably maintains a similar level even up to the 4th week.

Experimental Example 2. Measurement of Free Nicotine Content in Smoking Items Before and After Smoking

The smoking article according to Example 1 was smoked under low-temperature heating conditions (room temperature conditions), and the content of free nicotine in each segment of the smoking article before and after smoking was measured, and the results are shown in Table 3 below.

Specifically, the experiment was conducted in a smoking room with a temperature of about 22±2℃ and a humidity of about 60±5% (specifically, a temperature of about 21.9℃ and a humidity of 64.3%) for the smoking article according to Example 1, inhaling 55 ml for 3 seconds and waiting for 30 seconds under the CRM81 condition, which is a standard measurement method for liquid electronic cigarettes, for a total of 14 puffs, and the content of free nicotine (unit: mg) in each segment before/after smoking was measured, which is shown in Table 3 below. The content of free nicotine (unit: mg) in each segment before/after smoking was measured by immersing each segment before/after smoking in water for 1 day, extracting it, and analyzing it with GC/MS equipment.

division Segment 1 Medium segment 3rd segment+
2nd segment entire Before smoking 0.12mg 2.57mg 0.34mg 3.03mg After smoking 0.07mg 2.23mg 0.38mg 2.68mg

As shown in Table 3 above, it can be confirmed that the content of free nicotine in the smoking article before/after smoking under low-temperature heating conditions decreased from 3.03 mg to 2.68 mg, and particularly, from 2.57 mg to 2.23 mg in the medium segment. That is, the free nicotine included in the medium segment before smoking is partially transferred to the first segment and the second segment composed of the lyocell filter included in the smoking article, but is transferred to the outside as it passes through the first segment medium segment to the second segment by the puff, so that it can be confirmed that the transfer of the free nicotine to the wrapper or other components (e.g., cigarette pack) can be prevented. In addition, since the content of free nicotine remaining in the smoking article even after smoking (14 puffs) is greater than the content of free nicotine reduced by smoking, it can be confirmed that the number of puffs containing nicotine of the user (consumer) with one smoking article is improved.

Experimental Example 3. Analysis of smoke components after smoking

The smoking article according to Example 1 was puffed under low-temperature heating conditions (room temperature conditions) to measure the total particulate matter (TPM) and nicotine components, which are shown in Table 4 below.

Specifically, the experiment was conducted in a smoking room with a temperature of about 22±2℃ and a humidity of about 60±5% (specifically, a temperature of about 21.9℃ and a humidity of 64.3%) for a smoking article according to Example 1, and a total of 14 puffs were performed under the CRM81 conditions, which are standard measurement methods for liquid electronic cigarettes, of inhaling 55 ml for 3 seconds and waiting for 30 seconds, and the generated smoke was captured on a Cambridge filter (pad) and analyzed. The total particulate matter (TPM) is a value obtained by measuring the change in the weight of the Cambridge filter before smoking and after smoking using the smoking device, and the contents of the remaining components were confirmed by analyzing the captured smoke using GC (Gas Choromatography). Specifically, the GC analysis was performed by immersing a Cambridge filter (pad) containing smoke components in methanol, treating it with a shaker device, passing it through a PTFE filter to remove impurities, and then measuring the nicotine content using a GC/MS device.

division TPM(mg) Free nicotine (mg) Example 1 24.49 0.20

Referring to Tables 3 and 4 above, the free nicotine content described in Table 4 can be understood as the content of free nicotine captured in the generated smoke when analyzed based on 14 puffs, and the content of free nicotine delivered to the user through the puff. Referring to Table 4, the content of free nicotine transferred at 14 puffs is 0.2 mg, and referring to Table 3, the content of free nicotine remaining in the smoking article after 14 puffs is 2.68 mg, and in particular, the content of free nicotine remaining in the medium segment is 2.23 mg, so it can be confirmed that the content of free nicotine remaining in the smoking article after 14 puffs is higher than the content of free nicotine transferred at 14 puffs. That is, it can be confirmed that the smoking article according to the present embodiment has an advantage in that the retention of free nicotine is improved by arranging the lyocell filter at each end of the medium segment including free nicotine, that is, by arranging the lyocell filter in the first segment and/or the second segment, thereby increasing the number of puffs under non-heated conditions compared to the conventional cellulose acetate filter.

Hereinafter, various examples of inhalation using the smoking article (12) of the present invention described above will be described with reference to FIGS. 3 and 4.

Figures 3 and 4 are drawings illustrating examples of smoking articles inserted into an aerosol generating device.

Referring to FIGS. 3 and 4, the aerosol generating device (1) includes a battery (11), a control unit (15), a vaporizer (14), and a heater (13). A smoking article (12) can be inserted into the internal space of the aerosol generating device (1).

The aerosol generating device (1) illustrated in FIGS. 3 and 4 illustrates components related to the present embodiment. Accordingly, a person having ordinary skill in the art related to the present embodiment will understand that, in addition to the components illustrated in FIGS. 3 and 4, other general-purpose components may be further included in the aerosol generating device (1).

In addition, although FIGS. 3 and 4 illustrate that the aerosol generating device (1) includes a heater (13), the heater (13) may be omitted if necessary.

Even when the aerosol generating device (1) does not include a heater (13), the smoking article (12) according to the present invention is inserted into the aerosol generating device (1) and includes a medium segment containing free nicotine (or free base nicotine), so that smoking can be performed not only under heating conditions but also under non-heating conditions or low-temperature heating conditions (15° C. to 30° C., preferably 18° C. to 28° C., more preferably 20° C. to 25° C.) due to the volatile properties of the free nicotine. Alternatively, as described below, the aerosol generated by heating the liquid composition by the vaporizer (14) may pass through the smoking article (12) and be delivered to the user.

In the following, the description will be based on the assumption that the aerosol generating device (1) includes a heater (13).

Meanwhile, in FIG. 3, the battery (11), the control unit (15), the vaporizer (14), and the heater (13) are illustrated as being arranged in a row and/or sequentially, and in FIG. 4, the vaporizer (14) and the heater (13) are illustrated as being arranged in parallel. However, the internal structure of the aerosol generating device (1) is not limited to that illustrated in FIGS. 3 and 4. In other words, depending on the design of the aerosol generating device (1), the arrangement of the battery (11), the control unit (15), the heater (13), and the vaporizer (14) may be changed.

When a smoking article (12) according to the present invention is inserted into an aerosol generating device (1), the aerosol generating device (1) can generate an aerosol by operating a heater (13) and/or a vaporizer (14). The aerosol generated by the heater (13) and/or the vaporizer (14) passes through the smoking article (12) and is delivered to a user (consumer).

If necessary, the aerosol generating device (1) can heat the heater (13) even when the smoking article (12) is not inserted into the aerosol generating device (1).

The battery (11) supplies power used to operate the aerosol generating device (1). For example, the battery (11) can supply power so that the heater (13) or the vaporizer (14) can be heated, and can supply power required for the control unit (15) to operate. In addition, the battery (11) can supply power required for the display, sensor, motor, etc. installed in the aerosol generating device (1) to operate.

The control unit (15) controls the overall operation of the aerosol generating device (1). Specifically, the control unit (15) controls the operation of not only the battery (11), the heater (13), and the vaporizer (14), but also other components included in the aerosol generating device (1). In addition, the control unit (15) can also check the status of each component of the aerosol generating device (1) to determine whether the aerosol generating device (1) is in an operable state.

The control unit (15) includes at least one processor. The processor may be implemented as an array of a plurality of logic gates, or may be implemented as a combination of a general-purpose microprocessor and a memory storing a program that can be executed by the microprocessor. In addition, it will be understood by those skilled in the art to which the present embodiment pertains that the processor may be implemented as other types of hardware.

The heater (13) can be heated by power supplied from the battery (11). For example, when the smoking article (12) is inserted into the aerosol generating device (1), the heater (13) can be located outside the smoking article (12). Accordingly, the heated heater (13) can increase the temperature of the aerosol generating material inside the smoking article (12).

Meanwhile, since the smoking article (12) according to the present invention can be smoked even under low-temperature heating conditions due to the volatile properties of free nicotine, the heating temperature of the heater (13) can be controlled at a lower temperature than that of existing smoking articles, that is, within the range of 15°C to 30°C, preferably 18°C to 28°C, and more preferably 20°C to 25°C. However, the present invention is not limited thereto, and the smoking article (12) can be heated to a temperature higher than room temperature (20°C to 25°C) (for example, higher than 30°C) and smoked according to the user's needs.

The heater (13) may be an electrical resistance heater. For example, the heater (13) may include an electrically conductive track, and the heater (13) may be heated as current flows through the electrically conductive track. However, the heater (13) is not limited to the above-described example, and may be applied without limitation as long as it can be heated to a desired temperature. Here, the desired temperature may be preset in the aerosol generating device (1), or may be set to a desired temperature by the user. For example, when a user inserts a smoking article (12) according to the present invention, the user may set the heating temperature within a range of 15° C. to 30° C., preferably 18° C. to 28° C., and more preferably 20° C. to 25° C., and may also smoke by heating to a temperature higher than room temperature (20° C. to 25° C.) (for example, higher than 30° C.) depending on the user's needs (or tastes). Meanwhile, as another example, the heater (13) may be an induction heating heater.

For example, the heater (13) may include a tubular heating element, a plate-shaped heating element, a needle-shaped heating element, or a rod-shaped heating element, and may heat the inside or outside of the smoking article (12) at a low temperature depending on the shape of the heating element. In addition, a plurality of heaters (13) may be arranged in the aerosol generating device (1).

The vaporizer (14) can heat the liquid composition to generate an aerosol, and the generated aerosol can pass through the smoking article (12) and be delivered to the user. In other words, the aerosol generated by the vaporizer (14) can travel along the airflow passage of the aerosol generating device (1), and the airflow passage can be configured so that the aerosol generated by the vaporizer (14) can pass through the smoking article (12) and be delivered to the user. The vaporizer (14) can heat the liquid composition to generate an aerosol, and can emit the aerosol toward the smoking article so that the aerosol passes through the smoking article inserted into the smoking article insert.

Meanwhile, the aerosol generated from the liquid composition heated by the vaporizer (14) passes through the smoking article (12), and the free nicotine in the smoking article (12) according to the present invention can be volatilized depending on the temperature of the aerosol and delivered to the user together with the aerosol. That is, the smoking article (12) according to the present invention can deliver the nicotine component volatilized by the aerosol generated by the vaporizer (14) to the user together with the aerosol even when the smoking article (12) is heated to a low temperature (e.g., 20° C. to 25° C.) or not.

For example, the vaporizer (14) may include, but is not limited to, a liquid reservoir, a liquid delivery means, and a heating element. For example, the liquid reservoir, the liquid delivery means, and the heating element may be included in the aerosol generating device (1) as independent modules.

The liquid reservoir can store a liquid composition. For example, the liquid composition can be a liquid containing a tobacco-containing material including a volatile tobacco flavoring component, or can be a liquid containing a non-tobacco material. The liquid reservoir can be constructed to be detachable from/attachable to the vaporizer (14), or can be constructed integrally with the vaporizer (14).

For example, the liquid composition can include water, a solvent, ethanol, a plant extract, a flavor, a flavoring agent, and/or a vitamin mixture. The flavoring agent can include, but is not limited to, menthol, peppermint, spearmint oil, and/or various fruit-flavored ingredients. The flavoring agent can include ingredients that can provide a variety of flavors or tastes to the user. The vitamin mixture can include, but is not limited to, a mixture of at least one of vitamin A, vitamin B, vitamin C, and vitamin E. Additionally, the liquid composition can include an aerosol forming agent, such as glycerin and propylene glycol.

The liquid transfer means can transfer the liquid composition from the liquid storage to the heating element. For example, the liquid transfer means can be a wick such as, but not limited to, cotton fibers, ceramic fibers, glass fibers, or porous ceramics.

The heating element is an element for heating a liquid composition delivered by a liquid delivery means. For example, the heating element may be, but is not limited to, a metal heating wire, a metal heating plate, a ceramic heater, etc. In addition, the heating element may be composed of a conductive filament such as a nichrome wire, and may be arranged in a structure that is wound around the liquid delivery means. The heating element may be heated by supplying current, and may transfer heat to a liquid composition in contact with the heating element, thereby heating the liquid composition. As a result, an aerosol may be generated. For example, the vaporizer (14) may be referred to as, but is not limited to, a cartomizer or an atomizer.

Meanwhile, the aerosol generating device (1) may further include general-purpose components in addition to the battery (11), the control unit (15), the heater (13), and the vaporizer (14). For example, the aerosol generating device (1) may further include a display capable of outputting visual information and/or a motor for outputting tactile information. In addition, the aerosol generating device (1) may include at least one sensor (a puff detection sensor, a temperature detection sensor, a smoking article insertion detection sensor, etc.). In addition, the aerosol generating device (1) may be manufactured with a structure in which external air may be introduced or internal gas may be discharged even when the smoking article (12) is inserted.

The entire medium segment (122) of the smoking article (12) may be inserted into the interior of the aerosol generating device (1), and a portion of the second segment (123) or the third segment (127) may be exposed to the outside. Alternatively, only a portion of the medium segment (122) may be inserted into the interior of the aerosol generating device (1).

In some embodiments, a user may insert a smoking article (12) into an aerosol generating device (1) that does not have a heater and inhale smoke generated from the smoking article (12) in a non-heated mode without operating the vaporizer (14).

In some other embodiments, a user may insert a smoking article (12) into an aerosol generating device (1) that does not have a heater, operate the vaporizer (14), and inhale the aerosol generated by the vaporizer (14) as it passes through the smoking article (12) along with smoke generated by the aerosol.

In some other embodiments, a user may insert a smoking article (12) into an aerosol generating device (1) having a heater (13), and inhale smoke generated from the smoking article (12) in a low temperature heating mode (e.g., 20° C. to 25° C.) by operating the heater (13) but not operating the vaporizer (14).

In some other embodiments, a user may insert a smoking article (12) into an aerosol generating device (1) having a heater, and operate the vaporizer (14) and the heater (13) to inhale smoke generated by the heater (13) and aerosol generated by the vaporizer (14) together.

In one aspect, the present invention provides an aerosol generating device (1) including a smoking article (12). The aerosol generating device (1) and the smoking article (12) are as described above.

Although the embodiments of the present disclosure have been described with reference to the attached drawings, those skilled in the art to which the present disclosure pertains will understand that the present disclosure can be implemented in other specific forms without changing the technical ideas or essential features thereof. Therefore, it should be understood that the embodiments described above are exemplary and not restrictive in all respects. The protection scope of the present disclosure should be interpreted by the following claims, and all technical ideas within a scope equivalent thereto should be interpreted as being included in the scope of rights of the technical ideas defined by the present disclosure.

Claims (8)

Segment 1; a second segment spaced apart from one side of the first segment; and A medium segment comprising a medium substrate including free nicotine, and disposed between the first segment and the second segment, wherein: At least one of the first segment, the second segment, and the medium segment comprises a lyocell tow comprising a plurality of lyocell fibers. Smoking items. In the first paragraph, Each of the first segment and the second segment comprises a lyocell filter composed of the lyocell tow. Smoking items. In the first paragraph, The above medium substrate comprises tobacco granules having a pH in the range of 8 to 10 or slurry plate-shaped leaves having a pH in the range of 8 to 10. Smoking items. In the third paragraph, The above medium substrate comprises a slurry plate having a pH in the range of 8 to 10. Smoking items. In the first paragraph, The above medium segment further comprises a lyocell filter composed of the above lyocell tow, The above medium material is filled in a dispersed form inside the lyocell tow. Smoking items. In clause 5, The first segment or the second segment is composed of a lyocell filter composed of the lyocell tow. Smoking items. In the first paragraph, Further comprising a third segment, which is a tube-shaped structure having a hollow space therein and is positioned between the medium segment and the second segment. Smoking items. In the first paragraph, In the first segment or the second segment, free nicotine transferred from the medium segment is adsorbed, Smoking items.

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