CN117222329A

CN117222329A - Tobacco material piece comprising a flavour material and method for producing the tobacco material piece

Info

Publication number: CN117222329A
Application number: CN202280025594.4A
Authority: CN
Inventors: 张锡水; 郑淳焕; 金炫兑; 辛晙源; 韩大男; 金龙焕; 尹圣煜; 李承原
Original assignee: KT&G Corp
Current assignee: KT&G Corp
Priority date: 2021-04-08
Filing date: 2022-04-04
Publication date: 2023-12-12
Also published as: KR20220139732A; JP2024513254A; EP4287855A1; WO2022215972A1; US20240164435A1; CA3210836A1

Abstract

The present disclosure relates to a tobacco material piece comprising a flavor material and a method of making the tobacco material piece. The tobacco material piece may have a core-shell structure in which the core comprises a first tobacco mixture and flavour material and the core is surrounded by a shell comprising a second tobacco mixture such that an aerosol-generating article comprising the tobacco material piece produces a characteristic flavour.

Description

Tobacco material piece comprising a flavour material and method for producing the tobacco material piece

Technical Field

The present disclosure relates to tobacco material pieces comprising a flavor material and methods of making the tobacco material pieces.

Background

In recent years, there has been an increasing demand for alternatives to conventional cigarettes. For example, there is an increasing demand for aerosol-generating devices that generate an aerosol not by combustion, but by heating an aerosol-generating substance (e.g. a piece of tobacco material) in an aerosol-generating article (e.g. a cigarette).

Disclosure of Invention

Technical problem

There is a need for a tobacco material piece comprising a flavour material and a method of making the tobacco material piece.

Technical objects achieved by the present disclosure are not limited to the above objects, and other technical objects may be inferred from the following embodiments.

Solution to the technical problem

According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, a piece of tobacco material comprises: a core comprising a first tobacco mixture; and a shell formed around the core and comprising a second tobacco blend, wherein the first tobacco blend comprises first tobacco particles and a first flavor material, and the second tobacco blend comprises second tobacco particles.

According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, a method of making a piece of tobacco material comprises: a first operation of forming a core by enlarging (growth) the first composition; and a second operation of forming a shell around the core.

The beneficial effects of the invention are that

The tobacco material pieces according to embodiments of the present disclosure can effectively retain flavor and can continuously provide flavor to a user until smoking is completed.

In addition, according to the manufacturing method according to the embodiment, tobacco material pieces can be manufactured by a relatively simple process, and the production yield can be improved.

The effects of the present disclosure are not limited to the above description, and may include all effects that can be inferred from the configurations described below.

Drawings

Fig. 1 is a diagram illustrating a piece of tobacco material according to an embodiment.

Fig. 2A is a diagram illustrating a piece of tobacco material according to an embodiment.

Fig. 2B is a diagram illustrating a piece of tobacco material according to an embodiment.

Figure 3A is a diagram illustrating a smoking article according to an embodiment.

Figure 3B is a diagram illustrating a smoking article according to an embodiment.

Fig. 3C is a diagram illustrating a smoking article according to an embodiment.

Figure 3D is a diagram illustrating a smoking article according to an embodiment.

Fig. 4 is a flow chart of a method of making a piece of tobacco material according to an embodiment.

Fig. 5A is a diagram illustrating a first operation of a method of preparing a piece of tobacco material according to an embodiment.

Fig. 5B is a diagram illustrating a second operation of the method of preparing a piece of tobacco material according to an embodiment.

Detailed Description

Best mode for carrying out the invention

According to one aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided a piece of tobacco material comprising: a core comprising a first tobacco mixture; and a housing formed around the core and comprising a second tobacco blend, wherein the first tobacco blend comprises first tobacco particles and a first flavor material, and the second tobacco blend comprises second tobacco particles.

The tobacco material pieces may include 5.0 to 8.0 parts by weight of moisture with respect to 100 parts by weight of the total amount of the tobacco material pieces.

The second tobacco blend may also include a second flavor material.

The first tobacco blend may include the first flavor material in an amount of less than or equal to 20 parts by weight relative to 100 parts by weight of the first tobacco blend.

The core may have a diameter of 0.1mm to 0.5mm and the shell has a diameter of 0.4mm to 1.2 mm.

The tobacco material pieces may have a viscosity of 5cps to 200 cps.

The piece of tobacco material may have a surface roughness of 0.1 to 10.0.

According to another aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided a smoking article comprising: a tobacco rod comprising the tobacco material piece described above; a filter segment.

According to another aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided a method of preparing a piece of tobacco material, the method comprising: a first operation of forming a core by enlarging the first composition; and a second operation of forming a shell around the core.

The first operation may include introducing a first composition into the chamber; and enlarging the first composition under conditions of a temperature in the range of about 30 ℃ to about 60 ℃ and an air pressure of less than or equal to about 1.5 bar.

The second operation may include: placing the core in the chamber; introducing a second composition into the chamber; and enlarging the second composition around the core at a temperature in the range of about 50 ℃ to about 90 ℃ and at an air pressure of less than or equal to about 1.5 bar.

The first composition may include 0.1% to 20% by volume of the first fragrance material.

Aspects of the invention

As terms used for description in the various embodiments, general terms currently widely used are selected in consideration of functions of structural elements in the various embodiments of the present disclosure. However, the meaning of these terms may vary depending on the intent, judicial cases, the advent of new technology, and the like. In addition, in some cases, terms that are not commonly used may also be selected. In this case, the meaning of the term will be described in detail in the corresponding part in the description of the present disclosure. Thus, terms used in various embodiments of the present disclosure should be defined based on meanings of the terms and descriptions provided herein.

In addition, unless explicitly described to the contrary, the term "comprise" and variations such as "comprises" and "comprising" will be understood to mean inclusion of the stated element but not the exclusion of any other element. In addition, the terms "-means", "-means" and "module" described in the application document refer to a unit for processing at least one function and operation, and may be implemented by hardware components or software components, and combinations thereof.

Throughout this application, a "core-shell structure" refers to a structure in which the core is located inside and the shell is located outside the core. For example, a core-shell structure may refer to a bladder structure in which the core is surrounded by a membrane.

Throughout this application, "tobacco material piece" refers to all forms of material pieces that include components derived from tobacco plants.

Throughout this application, "tobacco particles" refer to particulate forms of ingredients derived from tobacco plants. For example, the tobacco particles may be tobacco particles or tobacco powder.

Throughout this application, "smoking article" refers to an article that is used by a user to smoke. The smoking article may be, for example, a burning cigarette, or may be an aerosol-generating article that is heated by the aerosol-generating device but does not burn.

Throughout this application, "surface roughness" refers to the roughness of the surface of an object. For example, the surface roughness may be expressed as center line average roughness Ra according to KS B0161 standard.

Throughout this application, unless otherwise indicated, the term "parts by weight" refers to calculated values relative to 100 parts by weight of tobacco material pieces.

Further, in the following embodiments, although terms such as "first", "second", and the like may be used to describe various components, these components are not necessarily limited to the above terms. The terms are used only to distinguish one element from another element.

Hereinafter, the present disclosure will now be described more fully with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which exemplary embodiments of the disclosure are shown so that those having ordinary skill in the art may readily implement the disclosure. This disclosure may, however, be embodied in many different forms and should not be construed as limited to the embodiments set forth herein.

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

Fig. 1 is a diagram illustrating a piece of tobacco material 100 according to an embodiment.

The tobacco material piece 100 may have a core-shell structure, and the tobacco material piece 100 may include: a core 110, the core 110 comprising a first tobacco mixture; and a housing 120, the housing 120 comprising a second tobacco mixture. Specifically, the first tobacco mixture may be located in the center of the piece of tobacco material 100, and the second tobacco mixture may be located outside of the piece of tobacco material 100. The second tobacco mixture may partially or completely surround the first tobacco mixture.

The core 110 may include a first tobacco blend. The first tobacco mixture may include first tobacco particles and a first flavor material.

The first tobacco particles may be, for example, tobacco powder having a size of about 0.1mm to about 0.3mm, but are not limited thereto.

The first tobacco particles can include various types of tobacco powder. The first tobacco particles can include, for example, at least one of flue-cured tobacco powder, burley tobacco powder, and natural tobacco powder (e.g., fire-cured tobacco powder, sun-cured tobacco powder, and air-dried tobacco powder).

The first fragrance material may be a material that emits a specific fragrance. For example, the first flavoring material may include plant flavoring agents such as cinnamon, sage, vanilla, chamomile, reed, chamomile, lavender, bergamot, lemon, orange, jasmine, ginger, vanilla, spearmint, peppermint, acacia, coffee, celery, sandalwood, cocoa, and the like.

As another example, the first fragrance material may include an animal fragrance, such as musk, ambergris, civet, castoreum, and the like.

As another example, the first fragrance material may be an alcohol compound, such as menthol, geraniol, linalool, anethol, eugenol, and the like. In addition, the first fragrance material may be an aldehyde compound, such as vanillin, benzaldehyde, anisaldehyde, or the like. In addition, the first fragrance material may be an ester compound such as isoamyl acetate, linalyl acetate, isoamyl propionate, linalyl butyrate, or the like. Preferably, the first flavour material may be menthol.

The amount of the first flavor material may be equal to or less than about 20 parts by weight relative to 100 parts by weight of the first tobacco mixture. However, the present disclosure is not particularly limited thereto, and may include various weights of the first fragrance material.

The first tobacco mixture may be, for example, a tobacco paste comprising first tobacco particles and a first flavor material. The first tobacco blend may be formed with a suitable viscosity by using a solvent such as water or ethanol. The first tobacco mixture can retain moisture even after the solvent is removed. The process of preparing the first tobacco blend will be described in detail below.

The housing 120 may include a second tobacco blend. The second tobacco mixture may include second tobacco particles. The description given above of the first tobacco particles may be applied to the first tobacco particles in the same or similar manner.

The second tobacco mixture may be, for example, a tobacco paste including second tobacco particles. The second tobacco blend may be formed with a suitable viscosity by using a solvent such as water or ethanol. The second tobacco mixture can retain moisture even after the solvent is removed. The process of preparing the second tobacco blend will be described in detail below.

In embodiments, the second tobacco mixture may further comprise a second flavor material. The description given above of the first fragrance material may be applied to the second fragrance material in the same or similar manner.

When the second tobacco mixture further includes a second flavoring material, the tobacco material component 100 may also generate a flavoring on the surface of the housing 120. Thus, the tobacco material component 100 can produce a flavor even before and during the early stages of smoking.

The core 110 may have a diameter d1. The diameter d1 may be, for example, about 0.1mm to about 0.5mm, but is not necessarily limited thereto. The housing 120 may have a diameter d2. Further, d2 may be, for example, about 0.4mm to about 1.2mm, but is not necessarily limited thereto.

The tobacco material component 100 can comprise about 5.0 to about 8.0 parts by weight moisture. In the case where the tobacco material 100 contains moisture in the above-described numerical range, at least one of the hardness, flavor retention, and flavor expressivity of the tobacco material 100 can be improved. When the tobacco material 100 contains less than about 5.0 parts by weight of moisture, the flavor expressivity of the tobacco material 100 may be reduced. When the tobacco material piece 100 contains more than about 8.0 parts by weight of moisture, the tobacco material piece 100 may have a lower hardness.

Meanwhile, the core 110 may include about 8.0 to about 15.0 parts by weight of moisture. In the case where the core 110 includes moisture in the above-mentioned numerical range, at least one of the characteristics of the fragrance retention and fragrance expressivity of the core 110 can be improved. In addition, the moisture content of the core 110 is greater than that of the case 120, and thus the tobacco material member 100 can have excellent hardness, flavor retention, and flavor expressivity.

The piece of tobacco material 100 may not include an adhesive. Generally, to prepare a strong tobacco blend, the tobacco material component 100 may include a binder, such as hydroxypropyl methylcellulose (HPMC) or carboxymethyl cellulose (CMC). However, according to the present disclosure, the tobacco material piece 100 may have excellent characteristics such as durability, hardness, viscosity, and the like without including the above-described binder.

The tobacco material component 100 can have a viscosity of about 5cps to about 200 cps. In the case where the tobacco material member 100 has the viscosity in the above-described numerical range, at least one of the hardness, flavor retention, and flavor expressivity of the tobacco material member 100 can be improved. The viscosity of the tobacco material 100 may be adjusted according to the amount of moisture.

The tobacco material component 100 may have a hardness equal to or greater than about 90%. Specifically, the tobacco material component 100 may have a hardness of about 95% to about 99.9%. "hardness of a piece of tobacco material" is a physical property related to elasticity and recovery, and refers to the degree of resistance to pressure applied to the piece of tobacco material 100. "hardness of a piece of tobacco material" is measured using a durometer and is calculated by the following equation:

hardness (%) = [ D-a ] ×100/D

(D: diameter of tobacco material piece, and a: distance (mm) by which the tobacco material piece is pressed by a weight of 300 g).

The tobacco material piece 100 may have a density of about 0.60g/cc to about 0.90 g/cc. Preferably, the tobacco material component 100 can have a density of from about 0.62g/cc to about 0.75 g/cc.

The tobacco material component 100 can have a surface roughness Ra of about 0.1 to about 10.0. The surface roughness of the tobacco material member 100 will be described in detail with reference to fig. 2A and 2B.

The tobacco material component 100 may produce a flavor during combustion or heating by including a flavor material in the core 110. As an example, when no flavor material is included in the housing 120, the tobacco material component 100 may not produce a flavor during an early stage of smoking.

As another example, when the first flavor material is included in the core 110 and the second flavor material is included in the housing 120, the tobacco material piece 100 may generate flavor through the second flavor material in an early stage of smoking, and thereafter may generate flavor through the first flavor material. Thus, a smoker can receive a flavor that varies over time while smoking.

Fig. 2A is a diagram illustrating a piece of tobacco material 200 according to an embodiment.

Referring to fig. 2A, a piece of tobacco material 200 includes a core 210 and a shell 220. The core 210 may include a first tobacco blend and the shell 220 may include a second tobacco blend. The description given above with reference to fig. 1 may be applied to the core 210 and the housing 220 in the same or similar manner.

The tobacco material piece 200 may have a spherical shape as a whole. The core 210 has a spherical shape, and thus the case 220 formed around the core 210 may also have a spherical shape. The surface of the housing 220 may have a surface roughness Ra of about 0.1 to about 10.0, for example. In the case where the surface of the housing 220 has the surface roughness Ra in the above-mentioned numerical range, the flavor expressivity of the tobacco material piece 200 can be improved, and a relatively smooth surface can be formed. Thus, the number of pieces of tobacco material 200 filled in a smoking article (not shown) may be increased.

In addition, by adjusting the porosity of the surface of the housing 220, the flavor expressivity of the tobacco material 200 can be adjusted.

Fig. 2B is a diagram illustrating a piece of tobacco material 300 according to an embodiment.

Referring to fig. 2B, a piece of tobacco material 300 includes a core 310 and a shell 320. The core 310 may include a first tobacco blend and the shell 320 may include a second tobacco blend. The description given above with reference to fig. 1 may be applied to the core 310 and the housing 320 in the same or similar manner.

The tobacco material 300 may have an atypical shape as a whole. When the shape of the core 310 is not entirely spherical, the shape of the housing 320 that becomes larger around the core 310 during the preparation of the piece of tobacco material 300 may also not be entirely spherical. Thus, as shown in fig. 2B, the piece of tobacco material 300 may have a non-uniform shape. In this case, the surface of the case 320 may have a surface roughness Ra of about 5.0 to about 10.0. As the surface roughness Ra of the surface of the case 320 increases, the fragrance expressive force may be improved. In addition, when the smoking article (not shown) is filled with the plurality of tobacco material pieces 300, the plurality of tobacco material pieces 300 may be stably held in the smoking article by frictional force. Furthermore, the surface area of the tobacco material 300 increases, and thus the amount of nicotine transferred during heating may increase.

Fig. 3A is a diagram illustrating a smoking article 400 according to an embodiment. The smoking article 400 may be, for example, a burning cigarette.

Referring to fig. 3A, a smoking article 400 may include a first portion 410 and a second portion 420. The first portion 410 may be a tobacco rod and the second portion 420 may be a filter segment.

The first portion 410 may include a plurality of pieces 411 of tobacco material. The tobacco material 411 may have the core-shell structure described above. The first portion 410 may be ignited and burned by a user.

The second portion 420 may be a filter segment. The second portion 420 may comprise filter material. For example, the second portion 420 may be a cellulose acetate filter. The second portion 420 may be a cylindrical filter or a hollow filter, but the shape of the second portion 420 is not particularly limited. The user may smoke while holding the second portion 420 in his/her mouth.

When the first portion 410 burns, a flavor may be generated from the plurality of pieces 411 of tobacco material. For example, when the piece of tobacco material 411 includes menthol in the core, menthol flavour may not be generated during the early stages of smoking, but may be generated as smoking progresses.

As another example, when the piece of tobacco material 411 contains menthol in the core and also in the surface of the shell, the menthol flavour may be generated before the start of smoking and in an early stage of smoking, and the menthol flavour may be continuously generated throughout the remainder of the smoking.

Fig. 3B is a diagram illustrating a smoking article 500 according to an embodiment. The smoking article 500 may be, for example, an article that generates an aerosol without burning when heated.

The smoking article 500 can comprise a first portion 510, a second portion 520, a third portion 530, and a fourth portion 540. The first portion 510 and the second portion 520, the third portion 530 and the fourth portion 540 may be arranged in sequence in the longitudinal direction of the smoking article 500.

The first portion 510 may include a piece of tobacco material 511. The tobacco material piece 511 may be a tobacco material piece having the core-shell structure described above. The first portion 510 may also include an aerosol-generating substance. For example, an aerosol-generating substance may be applied to the surface of the piece of tobacco material 511. The aerosol-generating substance may be, for example, at least one of glycerol, propylene glycol, ethylene glycol, dipropylene glycol, diethylene glycol, triethylene glycol, tetraethylene glycol, and oleyl alcohol. The first portion 510 may be heated by an aerosol-generating device (not shown).

The second portion 520 may serve as a support for supporting the smoking article 500. As a specific example, the second portion 520 may be a hollow filter. The second portion 520 may be used to connect and support the first portion 510 and the third portion 530.

The third portion 530 may be a cooling portion that cools the airflow (i.e., aerosol). As a specific example, the third portion 530 may be a hollow tube or a paper tube. The hollow tube or paper tube may include a ventilation zone (not shown) that introduces external air into the smoking article 500. The third portion 530 may be used to cool the aerosol generated from the first portion 510.

The fourth portion 540 may be a filter segment. The fourth portion 540 may comprise filter material. For example, the fourth portion 540 may be a cellulose acetate filter. The fourth portion 540 may be a cylindrical filter or a hollow filter, but the shape of the fourth portion 540 is not particularly limited. The user may smoke while holding the fourth portion 540 in his/her mouth.

Fig. 3C is a diagram illustrating a smoking article 600 according to an embodiment. The smoking article 600 may generate an aerosol without burning when heated.

Referring to fig. 3C, the smoking article 600 can comprise a first portion 610, a second portion 620, a third portion 630, and a fourth portion 640. The first portion 610, the second portion 620, the third portion 630, and the fourth portion 640 may be arranged in order in the longitudinal direction of the smoking article 600.

The first portion 610 may be a filter segment. For example, the first portion 610 may be a cellulose acetate filter including a specifically shaped hollow. As a specific example, the first portion 610 may be a cellulose acetate filter comprising a herringbone hollow portion. However, the present disclosure is not necessarily limited thereto.

The second portion 620 may include a tobacco material piece 621. The tobacco material piece 621 may have the core-shell structure described above. The second portion 620 may also include an aerosol-generating substance. For example, an aerosol-generating substance may be applied to the surface of the tobacco material piece 621. The aerosol-generating substance may be, for example, at least one of glycerol, propylene glycol, ethylene glycol, dipropylene glycol, diethylene glycol, triethylene glycol, tetraethylene glycol, and oleyl alcohol. The second portion 620 may be heated by an aerosol-generating device (not shown).

The third portion 630 may be a cooling portion that cools the airflow. As a specific example, the third portion 630 may be a hollow tube or a paper tube. The hollow tube or paper tube may include a ventilation zone (not shown) that introduces external air into the smoking article 600. The third portion 630 may be used to cool the aerosol.

The fourth portion 640 may be a filter segment. The fourth portion 640 may comprise filter material. For example, the fourth portion 640 may be a cellulose acetate filter. The fourth portion 640 may be a cylindrical filter or a hollow filter, but the shape of the fourth portion 640 is not particularly limited. The user may smoke while holding the fourth portion 640 in his/her mouth.

Fig. 3D is a diagram illustrating a smoking article 700 according to an embodiment. The smoking article 700 may generate an aerosol without burning when heated.

Referring to fig. 3D, the smoking article 700 can comprise a first portion 710, a second portion 720, a third portion 730, and a fourth portion 740. The first portion 710, the second portion 720, the third portion 730, and the fourth portion 740 may be arranged in order in the longitudinal direction of the smoking article 700.

The first portion 710 may be an aerosol-generating portion. The aerosol-generating portion may comprise, for example, a paper sheet impregnated with an aerosol-generating substance. The aerosol-generating substance may be, for example, at least one of glycerol, propylene glycol, ethylene glycol, dipropylene glycol, diethylene glycol, triethylene glycol, tetraethylene glycol, and oleyl alcohol. The first portion 710 may be heated by an aerosol-generating device (not shown).

The second portion 720 may be a nicotine-generating portion. The second portion 720 may include a tobacco material component 721. The tobacco material component 721 may have the core-shell structure described above. In addition, the second portion 720 may comprise, for example, a paper sheet impregnated with the tobacco material 721 and the aerosol-generating substance. The second portion may be heated by aerosol-generating means (not shown).

The third portion 730 may be a cooling portion that cools the airflow. As a specific example, the third portion 730 may be a hollow tube or a paper tube. The hollow tube or paper tube may include a ventilation zone (not shown) that introduces external air into the smoking article 700. The third portion 730 may be used to cool the aerosol.

The fourth portion 740 may be a filter segment. The fourth portion 740 may comprise filter material. For example, the fourth portion 740 may be a cellulose acetate filter. The fourth portion 740 may be a cylindrical filter or a hollow filter, but the shape of the fourth portion 740 is not particularly limited. The user may smoke while holding the fourth portion 740 in his/her mouth.

Fig. 4 is a flow chart of a method S100 of preparing a piece of tobacco material, according to an embodiment. Referring to fig. 4, a method S100 of preparing a piece of tobacco material may include a first operation S110 and a second operation S120.

The first operation S110 may be an operation of forming a core of the tobacco material piece by enlarging the first composition. The first composition may include tobacco powder, water, and a flavor material. In particular, the first composition may include from about 0.1% to about 20% by volume of the fragrance material. For example, the first composition may be a tobacco paste comprising a flavour material.

Specifically, in the first operation S110, the first composition may float in the chamber and may be dried by hot air for about 6 hours while receiving water having a temperature of about 60 ℃ or less.

The second operation S120 may be an operation of forming a housing around the core of the tobacco material piece. The second composition may be used to form a housing. The second composition may include tobacco powder and water. Specifically, the second composition may include about 40% to about 70% by volume of tobacco powder and about 30% to about 60% by volume of water. For example, the second composition may be a tobacco paste.

The tobacco material pieces prepared through the first and second operations S110 and S120 may have a core-shell type structure.

The core prepared in the first operation S110 may have a moisture content of about 8% to about 15% with respect to the total weight of the tobacco material piece. In addition, the core may have a hardness of about 85% to about 95%.

The case prepared in the second operation S120 has a relatively low moisture content and a high hardness when compared with the core. The piece of tobacco material produced by the second operation 120 may have a moisture content of about 5% to about 8% relative to the total weight. Additionally, the housing may have a hardness of about 95% to about 99.9%. Thus, the tobacco material piece may have a hardness of about 95% to about 99.9%.

The first operation S110 and the second operation S120 will be described in more detail below with reference to fig. 5A and 5B.

Fig. 5A is a diagram illustrating a first operation S110 of a method of preparing a piece of tobacco material according to an embodiment.

Referring to fig. 5A, an apparatus for preparing pieces of tobacco material may include a reservoir 1100, a feeder 1200, and a chamber 1300. Reservoir 1100 may store a first composition A1. The feeder 1200 may feed the first composition A1 from the reservoir 1100 to the chamber 1300. The chamber 1300 may be where the first composition A1 is formed into a core S of a piece of tobacco material. The chamber 1300 may include an inlet 1310 into which air flows from the outside.

The first operation S110 may include moving the first composition A1 from the reservoir 1100 to the dispenser 1200. Thus, the first composition A1 may be introduced into the chamber 1300 from the feeder 1200.

The first composition A1 may become larger in the chamber 1300 at a temperature in the range of about 30 ℃ to about 60 ℃ and at an air pressure equal to or less than about 1.5 bar. External air may flow from the outside to the inside of the chamber 1300 through the inlet 1310. Thus, the first composition A1 may become larger by agglomeration, thereby forming the core S of the tobacco material piece.

Fig. 5B is a diagram illustrating a second operation S120 of a method of preparing a piece of tobacco material according to an embodiment. The description above with reference to fig. 5A may be applied in the same or similar manner to an apparatus for preparing pieces of tobacco material.

Referring to fig. 5B, in the second operation S120, the core S formed in the first operation S110 may be located in the chamber 1300, and the second composition A2 may be input into the chamber 1300 from the supply unit 1200.

The second composition A2 may become larger around the core S in the chamber 1300 at a temperature in the range of about 50 ℃ to about 90 ℃ and an air pressure equal to or less than about 1.5 bar. External air may be introduced from the outside of the chamber 1300 to the inside through the inlet 1310. Thus, the second composition A2 may agglomerate around the core S to become a shell. Through the first operation S120 and the second operation S120, a tobacco material piece of a core-shell structure can be obtained.

Unlike the first composition A1, the second composition A2 may include ethanol. Accordingly, the drying time of the case can be reduced, and the hardness and roughness of the case can be appropriately adjusted. In addition, the housing can be sterilized and the odor can be removed.

In an embodiment, the first composition A1 in the first operation S110 may become larger at a lower temperature than the second composition A2 in the second operation S120. The first composition A1 comprises the first flavour material and thus becoming larger at a lower temperature than the temperature of the second composition A2 may be advantageous for improving the flavour retention and flavour expression of the tobacco material pieces.

Although not shown in fig. 5B, the method of preparing a piece of tobacco material may also include a third operation. The third operation may be an operation of adding the second flavor material to the surface of the tobacco material piece having the core-shell structure formed in the second operation S120. The second flavour material may be, for example, a material that is useful as the first flavour material, and the second flavour material may be sprayed onto the surface of the shell of the piece of tobacco material.

In an embodiment, when the tobacco material piece of the core-shell structure prepared by the first to third operations is heated or burned, the tobacco material piece may emit flavor by the second flavor material before smoking and in an early stage of smoking, and flavor by the first flavor material throughout the rest of smoking.

It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art to which the present embodiment relates that the present embodiment may be implemented in modified form within the scope of not departing from the essential characteristics described above. Accordingly, the disclosed embodiments should be regarded as illustrative rather than restrictive. The scope of the disclosure is indicated in the appended claims rather than by the foregoing description, and all differences within the scope of the equivalents of the claims are intended to be construed as being included in the disclosure.

Claims

1. A piece of tobacco material, the piece of tobacco material comprising:

a core comprising a first tobacco mixture; and

a housing formed around the core, and including a second tobacco mixture,

wherein the first tobacco mixture comprises first tobacco particles and a first flavoring material, and

the second tobacco mixture includes second tobacco particles.

2. The tobacco material component of claim 1, wherein the tobacco material component comprises 5.0 to 8.0 parts by weight moisture relative to 100 parts by weight of the tobacco material component.

3. The piece of tobacco material of claim 1, wherein the second tobacco mixture further comprises a second flavor material.

4. The piece of tobacco material according to claim 1, wherein the first tobacco mixture comprises the first flavor material in an amount of less than or equal to 20 parts by weight relative to 100 parts by weight of the first tobacco mixture.

5. A piece of tobacco material according to claim 1, wherein the core has a diameter of 0.1mm to 0.5mm and the shell has a diameter of 0.4mm to 1.2 mm.

6. The piece of tobacco material of claim 1, wherein the piece of tobacco material has a viscosity of 5cps to 200 cps.

7. The piece of tobacco material according to claim 1, wherein the piece of tobacco material has a surface roughness of 0.1 to 10.0.

8. A smoking article, the smoking article comprising:

a tobacco rod comprising a piece of tobacco material according to claim 1; and

a filter segment.

9. A method of making a piece of tobacco material, the method comprising:

a first operation of forming a core by enlarging a first composition; and

a second operation of forming a shell around the core.

10. The method of claim 9, wherein the first operation comprises:

introducing the first composition into a chamber; and

the first composition is enlarged at a temperature in the range of about 30 ℃ to about 60 ℃ and at an air pressure of less than or equal to about 1.5 bar.

11. The method of claim 9, wherein the second operation comprises:

placing the core in a chamber;

introducing a second composition into the chamber; and

the second composition is enlarged around the core in the chamber at a temperature in the range of about 50 ℃ to about 90 ℃ and under air pressure of less than or equal to about 1.5 bar.

12. The method of claim 9, wherein the first composition comprises the first fragrance material in an amount of 0.1% to 20% by volume.

13. The method of claim 9, further comprising a third operation of adding a second fragrance material to a surface of the formed shell.