CN117295409A

CN117295409A - Tobacco filler, tobacco product, tobacco refill and method for manufacturing tobacco filler

Info

Publication number: CN117295409A
Application number: CN202180097772.XA
Authority: CN
Inventors: 鹤泉隆太郎; 福村雄一郎; 白桥良修
Original assignee: Japan Tobacco Inc
Current assignee: Japan Tobacco Inc
Priority date: 2021-06-30
Filing date: 2021-06-30
Publication date: 2023-12-26
Also published as: WO2023276069A1; JPWO2023276069A1

Abstract

A tobacco filler having a tobacco powder containing composite particles each comprising tobacco particles and a binder, the tobacco powder having a bulk density of 25 to 50g/100 mL.

Description

Tobacco filler, tobacco product, tobacco refill and method for manufacturing tobacco filler

Technical Field

The present invention relates to a tobacco filler material, a tobacco product, a tobacco refill (tobacco refill) and a method of manufacturing a tobacco filler material.

Background

As a tobacco product, a heating type flavor inhaler for providing a user with a tobacco flavor by heating a tobacco filler such as cut tobacco without burning is known (for example, refer to patent document 1). The heating type flavor inhaler includes a tobacco filler and an aerosol source, and generates vapor from moisture of the tobacco filler and the aerosol source by heating, and tobacco flavor components are moved from the tobacco filler into the vapor, thereby generating aerosol (mainstream smoke). However, in the heating type flavor inhaler, since the tobacco filler is not burned, there is a problem in that it is difficult to release the tobacco flavor component from the tobacco filler.

As a tobacco filler, tobacco particles and tobacco flakes are known in addition to cut tobacco. "cut filler" refers to cured tobacco (i.e., tobacco leaves assembled as a source of tobacco flavor in a tobacco product) cut into articles of a specified size. The "tobacco particles" are articles obtained by forming a composition containing crushed cured tobacco leaves into a particle shape. The tobacco particles may be formed by a known method such as extrusion granulation. The "tobacco sheet" refers to an article obtained by forming a composition containing crushed cured tobacco leaves into a sheet shape. The tobacco sheet may be formed by a known method such as a paper-making method, a casting method, or a rolling method.

In the heating type flavor inhaler, in order to release tobacco flavor components from a tobacco filler efficiently, the tobacco filler has been improved. For example, patent document 2 discloses that tobacco flavor components are efficiently released from tobacco filler by reducing the density of each tobacco filler.

Prior art literature

Patent literature

Patent document 1: international publication No. 2010/110226

Patent document 2: international publication No. 2017/141406

Disclosure of Invention

Problems to be solved by the invention

It is an object of the present invention to provide a tobacco filler material capable of releasing a substantial amount of tobacco flavour components when used in a tobacco product.

Means for solving the problems

The present inventors have newly found that when tobacco particles having a low bulk density are produced using tobacco particles and a binder, the release of tobacco flavor components from the tobacco particles can be enhanced, and completed the present invention.

That is, according to one aspect, there is provided a tobacco filler comprising a tobacco powder containing composite particles each comprising tobacco particles and a binder, the tobacco powder having a bulk density of 25 to 50g/100 mL.

According to another aspect, there is provided a tobacco product comprising the tobacco filler material described above.

According to yet another aspect, there is provided a tobacco refill comprising the tobacco filler described above and a heat resistant container housing the tobacco filler.

According to a further aspect of the present invention,

provided is a method for producing a tobacco filler, comprising the steps of:

granulating a raw material containing tobacco particles by stirring and granulating while adding a granulating liquid to prepare a granulated product, wherein the raw material or the granulating liquid contains a binder; and

The granulated product is dried to obtain a tobacco powder having a bulk density of 25 to 50g/100 mL.

Effects of the invention

According to the present invention, a tobacco filler material capable of releasing a substantial amount of tobacco flavor components when used in a tobacco product can be provided.

Drawings

Fig. 1 is a schematic view showing an example of a tobacco powder.

Fig. 2 is a diagram showing an example of the internal structure of the stirring granulator.

Fig. 3 is a perspective view showing an example of the heating type fragrance absorber.

Fig. 4 is a perspective view of a power supply unit in the heating type fragrance absorber of fig. 3.

Fig. 5 is a cross-sectional view of the heated flavor extractor of fig. 3.

Fig. 6 is a block diagram showing a main part configuration of a power supply unit in the heating type fragrance absorber of fig. 3.

Fig. 7 is a graph showing the relationship between the number of puffs and the amount of smoke flavor delivered.

Fig. 8 is a graph showing the relationship between the number of puffs and the amount of smoke flavor delivered.

Fig. 9 is a graph showing the relationship between the number of puffs and the amount of smoke flavor delivered.

Detailed Description

The present invention will be described in detail below, but the following description is for the purpose of illustrating the present invention and is not intended to limit the present invention.

< 1 tobacco filler >

The tobacco filler has a tobacco powder containing composite particles each comprising tobacco particles and a binder, the tobacco powder having a bulk density of 25 to 50g/100 mL. The tobacco filler may be composed of only tobacco powder, or may be a combination of tobacco powder and other tobacco fillers. The tobacco powder may be composed of only composite particles, or may contain additional components (e.g., flavors) in addition to the composite particles.

In this specification, "tobacco filler" refers to filler that is assembled to a tobacco product as a source of tobacco flavor. The tobacco filler has a tobacco powder containing composite particles, and the composite particles respectively contain tobacco particles and a binder.

The "tobacco powder" includes an aggregate of composite particles. The term "tobacco powder" is a term that includes a medium occupying the space (void) between the composite particles and regards the composite particles as an aggregate. In the tobacco powder, a plurality of composite particles are independent without being bonded to each other. Thus, the tobacco powder has fluidity.

In the present specification, the "composite particles" refer to particles constituting a powder or granular body. By "composite particle" is meant that a plurality of tobacco particles are combined with a binder to form a larger particle. The term "composite particles" is a term indicating the particles themselves, and does not include spaces (voids) between the composite particles.

Fig. 1 schematically shows an example of a tobacco powder. In fig. 1, the tobacco powder 1 is an aggregate of composite particles 2, and each of the composite particles 2 has a structure in which a plurality of tobacco particles 3 are bonded by a binder (not shown).

"tobacco particles" are crushed pieces of cured tobacco (i.e., tobacco leaves that have completed preparation for assembly into a tobacco product as a source of tobacco flavor). The term "cured tobacco leaf" refers to tobacco leaves obtained by subjecting the leaves of a tobacco plant which has been cultivated and harvested to various processing treatments such as a drying step by a farmer, a long-term curing step in a raw material factory for 1 to several years thereafter, and mixing and chopping in a manufacturing factory thereafter. The pulverization may be performed using a known pulverizer, and may be dry pulverization or wet pulverization.

The tobacco particles may have an average particle diameter D50 of preferably 100 to 400 μm, more preferably 150 to 300 μm. The "average particle diameter D50" of the tobacco particles refers to the average particle diameter D50 of the particle size distribution based on the volume basis measured by the laser diffraction scattering particle size distribution measurement method. The measurement of the average particle diameter based on the laser diffraction scattering particle size distribution measurement method can follow JIS Z8825:2013 (particle size analysis-laser diffraction/scattering method). The average particle diameter D50 can be measured, for example, using a laser diffraction particle diameter distribution measuring apparatus (e.g., LA-950 of horiba, ltd.).

The tobacco particles may be contained in the composite particles in a proportion of 65 to 75 mass%, for example.

The "binder" functions to bind the tobacco particles to each other to form composite particles. The binder is preferably a cellulose derivative. More preferably, the binder is at least one selected from the group consisting of hydroxypropyl cellulose and carboxymethyl cellulose.

The binder may be contained in the composite particles in a proportion of, for example, 6 to 10 mass% relative to the tobacco particles.

The composite particles may also contain additives in addition to the tobacco particles and binder, respectively. Examples of the additive include a pH adjuster, a preservative, an antioxidant, an additional flavor component, and a bulking agent. For example, the composite particles may each also comprise a pH adjuster as an additive. Examples of the pH adjuster include potassium carbonate, sodium bicarbonate, and combinations thereof. The pH adjuster can adjust the pH of the composite particles to the alkaline side and promote release of tobacco flavor components contained in the tobacco particles.

The composite particles preferably have an average particle diameter D50 in the range of 300 to 850. Mu.m. The composite particles more preferably have an average particle diameter D50 in the range of 300 to 600. Mu.m. The "average particle diameter D50" of the composite particles refers to an average particle diameter D50 of the particle size distribution based on the volume basis measured by the laser diffraction scattering particle size distribution measurement method. The measurement of the average particle diameter based on the laser diffraction scattering particle size distribution measurement method can follow JIS Z8825:2013 (particle size analysis-laser diffraction/scattering method). The average particle diameter D50 can be measured, for example, using a laser diffraction particle diameter distribution measuring apparatus (e.g., LA-950 of horiba, ltd.).

The tobacco powder has a bulk density of 25 to 50g/100 mL. The tobacco powder particles have a bulk density of preferably 26 to 50g/100mL, more preferably 27 to 50g/100mL, still more preferably 28 to 50g/100mL, still more preferably 28.8 to 50g/100mL, still more preferably 29 to 50g/100mL, still more preferably 30 to 50g/100 mL.

In a preferred embodiment, the tobacco powder has a bulk density of 25 to 45g/100 mL. The tobacco powder particles preferably have a bulk density of 26 to 45g/100mL, more preferably 27 to 45g/100mL, still more preferably 28 to 45g/100mL, still more preferably 28.8 to 45g/100mL, still more preferably 29 to 45g/100mL, still more preferably 30 to 45g/100 mL.

The "loose bulk density" refers to the density of the tobacco powder particles present in the container when the tobacco powder particles are gently flowed into the container and ground into a predetermined volume, as defined in JIS Z2504 (2020). The bulk density can be measured by using a commercially available bulk density measuring instrument for measuring bulk density according to JIS Z2504 (2020).

The liquid content (generally, water content) of the tobacco powder particles is, for example, 10 to 20 mass%. The liquid content (generally, water content) of the tobacco powder or granule means a value defined by "liquid content (generally, water content) of the tobacco powder or granule" described later.

As described above, the tobacco filler of the present invention has a lower bulk density than conventional tobacco particles containing tobacco particles as a main component. Thus, the tobacco filler of the present invention is capable of releasing a substantial amount of tobacco flavor components when used in a tobacco product. Specifically, the tobacco filler of the present invention can release a relatively large amount of tobacco flavor components even when the amount of filler into a tobacco product is small. Thus, the amount of tobacco filler to be filled into the tobacco product can be reduced, and the cost can be reduced. In addition, the tobacco filler of the present invention, when used in a tobacco product, is capable of stably releasing tobacco flavor components during use of the tobacco product.

< 2. Method for producing tobacco filler >

The method for producing the tobacco filler is described below. According to one embodiment, the method for manufacturing a tobacco filler includes the steps of:

According to another aspect, the method for manufacturing a tobacco filler includes the steps of:

granulating a raw material containing tobacco particles by stirring and granulating while adding a granulating liquid to prepare a granulated product, wherein the raw material or the granulating liquid contains a binder;

drying the granules to obtain dried granules; and

a flavor is added to the dried granules to obtain a tobacco powder having a bulk density of 25 to 50g/100 mL.

(stirring granulation)

In this method, tobacco particles and binder are as described in the column < 1. Tobacco filler > column. The binder may be contained in the raw material or in the granulation liquid. That is, as the raw materials, a raw material containing tobacco particles and a binder may be used, or a raw material containing tobacco particles but not a binder may be used, and the binder may be dissolved and added to the granulation liquid.

The raw material comprising tobacco particles may also comprise. Additives in addition, the granulation liquid may also contain additives. Additives are as described in the column < 1. Tobacco filler > column. The raw material comprising tobacco particles is typically a raw material of a powder. The granulation liquid is generally a liquid of an aqueous matrix. The granulation liquid may be water, an aqueous solution containing a binder, an aqueous solution containing at least one of the above additives, or an aqueous solution containing a binder and an additive. The granulation liquid is, for example, an aqueous solution of a pH adjuster.

The stirring granulation is the following technique: the raw materials of the powder are put into a container, the raw materials of the powder are stirred by a rotating blade, and a granulating liquid is dripped into the raw materials in a state of stirring the raw materials, so that a granulated product is formed. The stirring granulation can be performed using a commercially available stirring granulator. The stirring granulation can be performed, for example, using a stirring granulator shown in fig. 2.

The stirring granulator 5 shown in fig. 2 includes a container main body 6a for storing a raw material therein, a lid 6b for closing an opening of the container main body 6a, stirring blades 7 disposed on a bottom surface of the container main body 6a, crushing blades 8 disposed on a side surface of the container main body 6a, and a discharge portion 9 disposed on a side surface of the container main body 6 a. The stirring blade 7 has the shape of 3 propellers. The crushing blade 8 has a shape in which a plurality of cross blades are mounted at regular intervals in a direction perpendicular to the rotation axis. The stirring blades 7 may for example have a blade diameter (diameter) of 300 to 500mm, preferably 400mm, and the crushing blades 8 may for example have a blade diameter (diameter) of 50 to 150mm, preferably 100 mm. In fig. 2, the stirring blade 7 has a pitch of, for example, 30 to 40 degrees, preferably 35 degrees, to more uniformly mix the raw materials.

The stirring granulator 5 processes the raw materials of the powder charged into the container main body 6a as follows. That is, the granulation liquid is supplied into the container body 6a in small amounts each time in a state where the raw materials of the powder are stirred by the stirring blade 7 and the crushing blade 8, whereby the raw materials of the powder are coagulated to form granules. More specifically, the powder stirred by the stirring blade 7 is coagulated by the supplied granulating liquid, and is sheared by the crushing blade 8, and the pulverization and coagulation are repeated to gradually form granules.

The granulation is not limited to the stirring granulator shown in fig. 2, and may be performed using a stirring granulator having stirring blades for stirring the raw material and crushing blades for crushing the raw material. That is, in a preferred embodiment, the raw material may be granulated while being crushed by the crushing blade while being stirred by the stirring blade. In a more preferred embodiment, the raw material may be granulated while being crushed by the crushing blade at a rotation speed of 1500 to 3000rpm while being stirred by the stirring blade at a stirring speed of 60 to 240 rpm.

The granulation liquid is preferably added to the raw material at a rate of 4 to 5 mass%/min with respect to the supply rate of the granulation liquid. When the raw material of the powder is 5kg, the granulation liquid is preferably added at a rate of, for example, 200 to 250 g/min.

The granulated material obtained by stirring granulation is preferably formulated to have a liquid content of 37.5 to 45.0 mass% on a moisture content basis. The moisture content of the granulated material as a reference refers to a value calculated by the following equation.

The moisture content of the granulated substance [% ] = [ (mass of liquid contained in granulating liquid) + (mass of liquid contained in raw material of powder)/(mass of raw material of powder) + (mass of granulating liquid) } ] ×100 based on the moisture content of the granulated substance

In the case where the granulation liquid is an aqueous solution of a pH adjuster, the granulated product obtained by stirring granulation is preferably formulated to have a water content of 37.5 to 45.0 mass% on a moisture content basis. The moisture content of the granulated material on a moisture basis is a value calculated by the following formula.

The moisture content [% ] = [ (mass of water contained in aqueous solution of pH adjuster) + (mass of water contained in raw material of powder)/(mass of raw material of powder) + (mass of aqueous solution of pH adjuster) } ] ×100 based on the moisture content of the granulated substance

The stirring granulation can be performed by adding a granulation liquid to the raw material of the powder, for example, over a period of 10 to 20 minutes.

(drying)

After stirring and granulating, the obtained granules are dried, and a tobacco powder having a bulk density of 25 to 50g/100mL can be obtained. Drying may be performed, for example, using a fluidized bed dryer.

The drying may be performed until the liquid content (generally, the water content) of the tobacco powder particles reaches, for example, 10 to 20 mass%. The liquid content of the tobacco powder can be obtained by using the following equation, using the mass W1 of the obtained tobacco powder and the mass W2 of the solid content in the starting material used to obtain the tobacco powder (i.e., the total mass of the raw material and the granulating liquid minus the mass of the liquid portion).

The liquid content of the tobacco powder particles [% ] = { (W1-W2)/W1 } ×100

After drying, the obtained tobacco powder may be classified, and the particle diameter of the tobacco powder may be adjusted. The classification can be performed by adjusting the particle diameter of the tobacco powder particles to a range of 300 to 850 μm, for example, using a sieve.

In the above method, the loose density of the tobacco powder or granule can be adjusted by adjusting the conditions of stirring granulation, for example, the amount of the granulation liquid (i.e., the liquid content of the granulated product obtained by stirring granulation), the rotational speeds of the stirring blade and the crushing blade, or the time of stirring granulation. Specifically, if the amount of the granulation liquid is increased, the bulk density tends to be increased. Further, if the rotational speeds of the stirring blade and the crushing blade are increased, the bulk density tends to increase. In addition, if the stirring and granulating time is prolonged, the bulk density tends to increase.

According to the above method, a tobacco filler having a lower bulk density can be produced as compared with conventional tobacco particles containing tobacco particles as a main component. The above method is excellent in that the mixing step and the granulating step can be performed by the same equipment and is a simple method because stirring granulation is used. In addition, as described above, the tobacco filler obtained by the above method is excellent in that it has a low bulk density and is therefore capable of releasing a large amount of tobacco flavor components when used in tobacco products.

< 3. Fragrance filling Material and method for producing the same

Although the "invention related to a tobacco filler containing tobacco particles" has been described, the above-described invention may be applied to particles containing a flavor component derived from plants instead of tobacco particles. That is, the above-described invention can be generalized as "flavor filler for tobacco products comprising particles containing flavor components derived from plants".

That is, according to a general invention, there is provided a flavor filler for tobacco products, the flavor filler comprising a powder containing composite particles, the composite particles each comprising a plant-derived particle containing a flavor component and a binder, the powder having a bulk density of 25 to 50g/100 mL.

In addition, according to the general invention,

there is provided a method of manufacturing a flavour filler for tobacco products comprising the steps of:

granulating a raw material comprising particles containing a flavor component derived from a plant by stirring and granulating while adding a granulation liquid to prepare a granulated product, wherein the raw material or the granulation liquid comprises a binder; and

the granulated material is dried to obtain a powder having a bulk density of 25 to 50g/100 mL.

In the general invention, as the particles containing a flavor component derived from a plant, for example, particles containing a flavor component derived from a plant part exemplified below, specifically, crushed materials of a plant part exemplified below can be used. The general invention can be carried out in the same manner as the "invention related to tobacco filler comprising tobacco particles" by replacing tobacco particles with particles containing a flavor component derived from a plant. As the particles containing a flavor component derived from a plant, pulverized organs or tissues of a plant containing a flavor component can be used.

Examples of the plant parts include roots (including scales, tubers, and bulbs), stems, bulbs, tubers, root stocks, bark (including stem bark, and the like), leaves and flowers (including petals, pistils, and stamens), trunks, and branches of trees, and the like.

Examples of the scales (bulbs) include onion, lycoris radiata, tulip, hyacinth, garlic, allium chinense, lily and the like. Examples of the corms include crocus sativus, gladiolus, pallium, iris, taro, konjak, and the like. Examples of tubers include cyclamen, anemone, begonia, manna, potato, and apios (broken stone beads). Examples of the rhizome include canna, lotus (lotus root), ginger, and the like. Examples of the tuberous root include dahlia, sweet potato, tapioca, and jerusalem artichoke. Examples of the root support include Dioscorea (yam such as Dioscorea japonica, dioscorea zingiberensis, and Dioscorea opposita). Examples of roots include turnip, burdock, carrot, white radish, and kudzu. Examples of the stems include konjak, asparagus, bamboo shoots, angelicae sinensis, white radish, yacon, and the like.

"parts of plants" used as herbs and spices can also be used. Specific examples thereof include: fructus Gardeniae, folium Citri sinensis, folium Nelumbinis, folium Artemisiae Argyi, wasabia Japonica Matsum, semen Apii Graveolentis, fructus Anisi Stellati, herba Medicaginis, echinacea purpurea, herba Alii Fistulosi, tarragon, flos Pyrethri, ramulus Sambuci Williamsii, fructus Foeniculi, rhizoma Iridis Tectori, rhizoma et radix Valerianae, radix et rhizoma Rhei, radix Angelicae sinensis, semen Aristolochiae, semen Caerulae, semen Caeruleae, semen Pisi Sativae Oregano, pericarpium Citri Junoris, flos Citri Junoris, folium Citri Junoris, fructus Capsici, flos Matricariae Chamomillae, roman flos Matricariae Chamomillae, fructus Amomi rotundus, curry leaf, bulbus Allii (Bulbus Allii), herba Nepetae Cathayensis, fructus Cari Carvi seed, cortex Cinnamomi, fructus Citri Tangerinae, fructus Citri Grandis, fructus Citri Tangerinae, fructus Foeniculi, fructus Citri Sarcodactylis, fructus Citri Tangerinae, fructus Citri Sarcodactylis, fructus Citri Junoris, fructus Citri Tangerinae, fructus Citri Junoris, fructus fennel, fennel seed, clove, green cardamon, green pepper, cornflower, saffron, cedar, cinnamon, jasmine, juniper, ghost pepper, ginger (ginger), star anise, spearmint, lacquer tree, sage, savory, celery seed, turmeric, thyme, tamarind, tarragon, coral parsley, chive, dill seed, tomato (dried tomato), fantasia aromatica, dried coriander nutmeg, hibiscus, havana capsicum, mexico capsicum, bird's eye pepper, basil, vanilla, coriander, parsley, red pepper powder, achyranthes bidentata, esperage pepper, pink pepper, fenugreek seed fennel, palm mustard, black cardamon, black grass, black pepper, vetiver, common mint, peppermint, horseradish, white pepper, white mustard, poppy seed, boletus, marjoram, mustard seed, and the like fennel, palm mustard, black cardamom, black grass, black pepper, vetiver, peppermint, and horseradish, white pepper, white mustard, poppy seed, bolete, marjoram, mustard seed, etc, golden capsicum, pricklyash peel (pericarpium Zanthoxyli), three hawk peppers, pricklyash peel, capsicum, pomelo and the like. In addition, various plant mixtures used as a spice mixture (for example, spice powder, galamer Ma Sala, morocco spice mixture, bali Gu Le, curry chickens Ma Sala, tang Duli Ma Sala, tetrad spice, provence vanilla), and Baihua spice can be used.

In addition, edible fruits (pulp portions) or seeds such as peach, blueberry, lemon, orange, apple, banana, pineapple, mango, grape, kumquat, melon, plum, almond, cocoa, coffee, peanut, sunflower, olive, walnut, and other nuts can also be used.

The following "parts of plants to be tea-based materials" may also be used. Specific examples thereof include tea tree, angelica keiskei koidz, hydrangea, aloe, ginkgo biloba, turmeric, liu Li, acanthopanax, plantain herb, glechoma longituba, persimmon, chamomile, bean tea cassia, papaya, chrysanthemum, gymnema sylvestre, guava, medlar, mulberry, black beans, geranium, brown rice, burdock, polymerized grass, kelp, sakura, saffron, lentinula edodes, perilla, jasmine, ginger, field horsetail, grassleaf sweelflag rhizome, swertia japonica, buckwheat, aralia elata, dandelion, houttuynia cordata, eucommia ulmoides, sword bean, elder fruit, ligustrum japonicum, coix seed, cassia seed, loquat, pine, maple, wheat, ginnale, mugwort, eucalyptus, momordica grosvenori, louis's fruit, balsam pear and the like.

In addition, teas (i.e., parts of plants that become tea beverages by water extraction) may also be used. Tea is different from tea when the plant to be the raw material is different, but even if the plant to be the raw material is the same, the tea is different depending on the processing method. Specific examples of the tea include Japanese tea, black tea, chinese angelica tea, sweet tea, gynostemma pentaphyllum tea, aloe tea, ginkgo leaf tea, oolong tea, turmeric tea, willow oak tea, acanthopanax tea, plantain tea, glechoma hedyotis tea, persimmon leaf tea, chamomile tea, bean tea, chaenomeles sinensis tea, chrysanthemum tea, gymnema tea, guava tea, medlar tea, mulberry leaf tea, black bean tea, geranium wilfordii tea, brown rice tea, burdock tea, lithospermum tea, kelp tea, cherry tea, etc saffron tea, mushroom tea, perilla tea, jasmine tea, ginger tea, horsetail tea, grassleaf sweetflag tea, japanese swertia herb tea, buckwheat tea, chinese aralia tea, dandelion tea, sweet tea, houttuynia tea, eucommia bark tea, sword bean tea, elderberry tea, privet tea, coix seed tea, cassia seed tea, loquat leaf tea, puer tea, safflower tea, pine needle tea, mate tea, wheat tea, acer palmatum tea, mugwort tea, eucalyptus tea, siraitia grosvenorii tea, louis, balsam pear tea and the like. These teas may be used either as teas before extraction or as tea grounds after drinking. If tea leaves or the like are used, expensive tea or the like can be reused and effectively used.

As concrete examples of the plant that can be used, kelp is cited, but of course, ulva, green seaweed, sargassum, ganoderma, eschka, ulva, gracilaria, boschniakia, porphyra, kelp root, sea grape, centipeda, kelp, porphyra yezoensis, japanese tree, bird black seaweed, hedychium, agar, TORORO kelp, ulva, thallus laminariae, cyrtymenia, monostroma, she Nang Undaria, ulva, enteromorpha, kelp, cloth, nemacystus, undaria pinnatifida, and the like can be used.

Specific examples of the plant that can be used include brown rice, but of course, other varieties of rice such as indica rice (indica, continental, long grain), african rice (oryzaglaberma), asian rice (o.sativa L), java (java, tropical island, large grain), japonica rice (japan, temperate island, short grain), african new rice (interspecific hybrid of asian and african rice) and the like can be used. In addition, rice flour or rice bran can be used.

Specific examples of plants that can be used include wheat, but of course, other wheat types such as millet, oat (cultivar of wild wheat, also called oats), barley, wild oat, broom corn millet, duck grass, wheat, finger grass, bran, pearl millet, highland barley (variety of barley), coix seed (fruit, non-seed), japanese barnyard grass, fonicorn rice, wild rice, waxy wheat (waxy rice seed of barley), sorghum (milo, sorghum), corn, rye, and the like can be used.

Specific examples of plants that can be used include black beans, but of course, other grains (seeds of leguminous crops) such as red beans, long-angle beans, kidney beans, peas, pigeon beans, guar beans, mucuna pruriens (Lathyrus sativus), black gem beans, cowpeas, four-edge beans, ground hard beans, broad beans, soybeans, red beans, jerusalem artichoke, tamarind beans, broad beans, sword beans, mucuna pruriens, banbala beans, chickpeas, lentils, purse beans, double-flower lentils (Macrotyloma uniflorum), aconite beans, lima beans, peanuts, mung beans, lupin beans, lentils, and small lentils can be used.

Specific examples of the plant that can be used include buckwheat, but other plants such as spica et al (amaranth, celestial rice), quinoa, and tartary buckwheat can be used.

Specific examples of the plant that can be used include Lentinus Edodes, but other mushrooms such as Tricholoma matsutake, lentinus Edodes, lactarius, lyophyllum shimeji, phlebopus Rosae Rugosae, agaricus bisporus, and Lentinus Edodes can be used.

Further, stems, branches, bark, leaves, roots, etc. of trees having an aromatic property such as sugarcane (or syrup-pressed residue), beet (beetroot), japanese cypress, pine, fir, cypress, camellia, sandalwood, etc. may also be used. Ferns, mosses, etc. can also be used as aromatic substrate plants. As the plant, for example, by-products in the production of fermented wines such as japanese wine and red wine, extrusion residues (lees, extrusion residues of grapes (including skins, seeds, fruit shafts, etc.) and the like) can be used. Furthermore, the above-described various plants may be used in combination. Of course, plants other than those listed herein may also be used.

Furthermore, drugs known as traditional Chinese medicines can also be used. As a specific example thereof, examples of the materials include blue grass, radix Rubiae, mallotus japonicus, aristolochia, benzonum, radix Clematidis, herba Artemisiae Scopariae, fructus Foeniculi, curcuma rhizome, mume fructus, radix Linderae, lithocarpi, bearberry, fructus Rosae Laevigatae, rhizoma corydalis, herba Rabdosiae Glaucocalycis, radix astragali, scutellariae radix, rhizoma Polygonati, cortex Phellodendri, japanese coptis, cherry bark, herba Hyperici Erythrosepalae, cortex et radix Polygalae, flos Sophorae Immaturus, bulbus Allii Macrostemi, prunellae Spica, fructus Chebulae, polygoni Multiflori radix, curcumae rhizoma, herba Agastaches, radix Puerariae, flos Chrysanthemi, radix Trichosanthis, fructus Trichosanthis, semen Trichosanthis, radix et rhizoma Rhei, radix Angelicae sinensis, radix et rhizoma Rhei, radix Angelicae sinensis, herba Pogostemonis, radix Angelicae sinensis, herba Pogostemonis, radix Cynanchi, radix Angelicae sinensis, fructus Canarii, and radix Pogostemonis dried ginger, liquorice, coltsfoot flower, mugwort leaf, platycodon grandiflorum, hovenia dulcis thunb, fructus aurantii, immature bitter orange, chrysanthemum, orange peel, notopterygium root, almond, kumquat, honeysuckle, lysimachia christinae, medlar leaves, kuh-seng, walnut, chinaberry bark, campholly leaf, fringed pink, mustard, cassia bark, cassia seed, pharbitis seed, figwort root, malt gum, safflower, cortex albiziae, rosewood, fermented soybean, elsholtzia, red ginseng, nutgrass galingale rhizome, polished round-grained rice, magnolia officinalis rhizoma Zingiberis, radix Glycyrrhizae, flos Farfarae, folium Artemisiae Argyi, radix Platycodonis, semen Hoveniae, fructus Aurantii Immaturus, flos Chrysanthemi, pericarpium Citri Reticulatae, rhizoma Et radix Notopterygii, semen Armeniacae amarum, kumquat, flos Lonicerae, herba Lysimachiae, fructus Lycii, folium Lycii, radix Sophorae Flavescentis, semen Juglandis, fructus Aurantii Immaturus, flos Chrysanthemi, semen Citri Reticulatae, and flos Lonicerae cortex Meliae, ramulus Cinnamomi Camphorae, herba Dianthi, semen Sinapis Albae, cortex Cinnamomi Japonici, semen Cassiae, semen Pharbitidis, radix scrophulariae, maltose, carthami flos, cortex Albiziae, lignum Dalbergiae Odoriferae, semen Sojae Preparatum, herba Moslae, ginseng radix Rubri, rhizoma Cyperi, semen oryzae Sativae, cortex Magnolia officinalis, and semen Ciceris Arietini, caulis Bambusae in Taenia, rhizoma Panacis Japonici, folium Bambusae, rhizoma anemarrhenae, radix Sangusorbae, flos Caryophylli, ramulus Uncariae cum Uncis, pericarpium Citri Tangerinae, rhizoma arisaematis, rhizoma Gastrodiae, radix asparagi, semen Benincasae, radix Angelicae sinensis, fructus Ricini, radix Codonopsis, medulla Junci, semen Persicae, pericarpium Citri Junoris, semen Cuscutae, japanese horse chestnut fruit, eucommiae cortex, radix Angelicae Pubescentis, radix Trichosanthis, cistanchis herba, semen Myristicae, radix Lonicerae, ginseng radix, bulbus Fritillariae Cirrhosae, fructus Hordei Germinatus, semen Platycladi, semen lablab album, radix Ophiopogonis, fructus Psoraleae, herba Menthae, guava, rhizoma Pinelliae Agkistrodon halys, radix Isatidis, herba Scutellariae Barbatae, bulbus Lilii, radix Angelicae Dahuricae, herba Hedyotidis Diffusae, radix Stemonae, rhizoma Atractylodis Macrocephalae, semen Arecae, radix Stephaniae Tetrandrae, rhizoma Imperatae, radix Saposhnikoviae, pollen Typhae, radix Taraxaci, cortex moutan, herba Ephedrae, fructus Cannabis, fructus Vitis Viniferae, colophonium, caulis Akebiae, fructus Chaenomelis, radix aucklandiae, myrrha, herba Equiseti hiemalis, rhizoma Belamcandae, fructus Alpiniae Oxyphyllae, caulis Polygoni Multiflori, fructus Siraitiae Grosvenorii, herba Orchidis, longan, radix Gentianae, rhizoma Alpiniae Officinarum, ganoderma, fructus forsythiae, herba Glechomae, semen Nelumbinis, and rhizoma Phragmitis.

< 4. Tobacco product and tobacco refill >)

The tobacco filler material described above may be incorporated into any tobacco product. That is, according to another aspect, there is provided a tobacco product comprising the tobacco filler material described above. The tobacco products include combustion type flavor pickups, heating type flavor pickups, non-heating type flavor pickups, and smokeless tobacco.

(Combustion type fragrance absorber)

The "combustion type flavor inhaler" is a flavor inhaler that provides a user with tobacco flavor by burning a tobacco filler. Examples of the combustion type flavor inhaler include cigarettes, pipes, pouches, cigarettes, cigarillos, and the like.

(heating type fragrance absorber)

The "heating type flavor extractor" is a flavor extractor that heats a tobacco filler material without burning, thereby providing a user with a tobacco flavor. According to one embodiment, a heated flavor extractor is provided that includes the tobacco filler material described above. In the case where the tobacco filler is incorporated into the heating type flavor inhaler, the tobacco filler may be incorporated into the heating type flavor inhaler body or may be incorporated into a replaceable tobacco product which is a component of the heating type flavor inhaler. As a specific example of the latter, the tobacco filler may be wound with a roll paper to produce a tobacco rod and assembled to the tobacco rod, or may be housed in a refill container to produce a tobacco refill and assembled to the tobacco refill. That is, according to another aspect, there is provided a tobacco rod comprising the tobacco filler material described above. In addition, according to another aspect, there is provided a tobacco refill comprising the tobacco filler described above and a heat-resistant container housing the tobacco filler.

Examples of the heating type flavor inhaler include:

a carbon heat source type suction device for heating a tobacco filler by combustion heat of a carbon heat source (for example, refer to WO 2006/073065);

an electrically heated suction device comprising a tobacco rod comprising a tobacco filler and a heating means for electrically heating the tobacco rod (see, for example, WO 2010/110226); or alternatively

A liquid atomizing type aspirator (for example, refer to WO 2015/046385) for generating aerosol by heating a liquid aerosol source with a heater and aspirating flavor from a tobacco filler together with the aerosol.

(non-heating type fragrance absorber)

The "non-heated flavor extractor" is a flavor extractor that does not burn nor heat the tobacco filler, but rather extracts tobacco flavor at room temperature by a user. As examples of non-heating type flavour extractors, there may be mentioned non-heating type cigarette flavour extractors (for example, see WO 2012/023515) comprising: a suction device main body having an air flow path through which air flows by suction; and the cigarette essence release particles are arranged in the air flow passage.

(smokeless tobacco)

"smokeless tobacco" is a product that a user directly contains in the nasal cavity, oral cavity to taste the flavor of tobacco. Examples of smokeless tobacco include snuff and chewing tobacco.

(an example of a heating type fragrance absorber)

An example of the heating type fragrance absorber will be described below with reference to fig. 3 to 6. Fig. 3 is a perspective view showing an example of the heating type fragrance absorber. Fig. 4 is a perspective view of a power supply unit in the heating type fragrance absorber of fig. 3. Fig. 5 is a cross-sectional view of the heated flavor extractor of fig. 3. Fig. 6 is a block diagram showing a main part configuration of a power supply unit in the heating type fragrance absorber of fig. 3.

The heating type fragrance absorber 100 shown in fig. 3 to 6 has a rod shape extending in a predetermined direction (hereinafter, referred to as a longitudinal direction a). As shown in fig. 3, the heating type flavor inhaler 100 is provided with a power supply unit 10, a first cartridge 20, and a second cartridge 30 in this order along the longitudinal direction a. The first cartridge 20 is detachable from the power supply unit 10, and the second cartridge 30 is detachable from the first cartridge 20. In other words, the first cartridge 20 and the second cartridge 30 are individually replaceable.

< Power Unit >)

As shown in fig. 4 and 5, the power supply unit 10 accommodates a power supply 12, a charger 13, a control unit 50, various sensors, and the like in a cylindrical power supply unit case 11. The power supply 12 is a chargeable secondary battery, preferably a lithium ion secondary battery.

The discharge terminal 41 is provided at the top 11a of the power supply unit case 11 located at one end side (first cartridge 20 side) in the longitudinal direction a. The discharge terminal 41 protrudes from the upper surface of the top 11a toward the first cartridge 20, and is configured to be electrically connectable to the load 21 of the first cartridge 20.

In addition, an air supply portion 42 for supplying air to the load 21 of the first cartridge 20 is provided near the discharge terminal 41 on the upper surface of the top 11 a.

A charging terminal (not shown) that can be electrically connected to an external power supply that can charge the power supply 12 is provided at the bottom 11b of the power supply unit case 11 on the other end side (the side opposite to the first cartridge 20) in the longitudinal direction a.

Further, an operation portion 14 operable by a user is provided on a side surface of the top portion 11a of the power supply unit case 11. The operation unit 14 is configured by a button switch, a touch panel, or the like, and is used when the control unit 50 and various sensors are activated and deactivated in response to the user's intention.

As shown in fig. 6, the control unit 50 is connected to various sensor devices such as a charger 13, an operation unit 14, an intake sensor 15 for detecting a suction (intake) operation, a voltage sensor 16 for measuring a voltage of the power supply 12, a temperature sensor 17 for detecting a temperature, and the like, and a memory 18 for storing the number of suction operations, the time of energization to the load 21, and the like, and performs various controls of the heating type fragrance absorber 100. The intake sensor 15 may be constituted by a condenser microphone, a pressure sensor, or the like. The control unit 50 is specifically a processor (MCU: micro controller unit). The structure of the processor is more specifically an electronic circuit in which circuit elements such as semiconductor elements are combined.

< first cartridge >)

As shown in fig. 5, the first cartridge 20 includes a reservoir 23 for storing the aerosol source 22, an electric load 21 for atomizing the aerosol source 22, a tube core 24 for introducing the aerosol source from the reservoir 23 to the load 21, an aerosol flow path 25 for allowing the aerosol generated by atomizing the aerosol source 22 to flow to the second cartridge 30, and an end cap 26 for accommodating a part of the second cartridge 30 in the cylindrical cartridge case 27.

The reservoir 23 is formed so as to surround the aerosol flow path 25, and stores the aerosol source 22. A porous body such as a resin mesh or cotton may be accommodated in the reservoir 23, and the aerosol source 22 may be impregnated into the porous body. The reservoir 23 may not contain a porous body such as a resin mesh or cotton, and only the aerosol source 22 may be stored. The aerosol source 22 comprises a liquid such as glycerin, propylene glycol, water, and the like.

The wick 24 is a liquid holding member for introducing the aerosol source 22 from the reservoir 23 to the load 21 by capillary phenomenon, and is made of, for example, glass fiber, porous ceramic, or the like.

The load 21 is atomized by the aerosol source 22 without being burned by the electric power supplied from the power supply 12 via the discharge terminal 41. The load 21 is constituted by heating wires (coils) wound at a predetermined pitch. The load 21 may be any element capable of atomizing the aerosol source 22 to generate an aerosol, and may be a heating element or an ultrasonic generator, for example. Examples of the heating element include a heat generating resistor, a ceramic heater, and an induction heating type heater.

The aerosol flow path 25 is provided on the downstream side of the load 21 and is on the center line L of the power supply unit 10.

The end cap 26 includes a cartridge housing portion 26a that houses a part of the second cartridge 30 and a communication path 26b through which the upper aerosol flow path 25 communicates with the cartridge housing portion 26a.

< second cartridge >)

The second cartridge 30 stores a source of flavour 31 as shown in figure 5. The second cartridge 30 is detachably accommodated in a cartridge accommodating portion 26a provided in the end cap 26 of the first cartridge 20. The end of the second cartridge 30 on the opposite side to the first cartridge 20 side becomes the user's mouthpiece 32. The mouthpiece 32 is not limited to the case of being integrally and inseparably constituted with the second cartridge 30, and may be constituted to be detachable from the second cartridge 30. The mouthpiece 32 is thus configured separately from the power supply unit 10 and the first cartridge 20, so that the mouthpiece 32 can be hygienically held.

The second cartridge 30 imparts a fragrance to the aerosol by passing the aerosol generated by the aerosol source 22 by the atomization of the load 21 through the fragrance source 31. As the flavor source 31, the tobacco filler of the present invention or the flavor filler of the present invention can be used. A fragrance such as menthol may be added to the fragrance source 31.

In the heating type flavor inhaler 100, the aerosol source 22, the flavor source 31, and the load 21 can generate an aerosol to which flavor is added. That is, the aerosol source 22 and the flavour source 31 may be referred to as aerosol generating sources that generate aerosols.

The heating type fragrance dispenser 100 has a structure in which the aerosol source 22 and the fragrance source 31 are separated from each other, but may have a structure in which the aerosol source 22 and the fragrance source 31 are integrally formed.

In the heating type flavor inhaler 100 thus configured, as shown by an arrow B in fig. 5, air flowing in from an air intake port (not shown) provided in the power unit case 11 passes from the air supply portion 42 to the vicinity of the load 21 of the first cartridge 20. The load 21 atomizes an aerosol source 22 that is introduced or moved from a reservoir 23 using a wick 24. The aerosol generated by atomization and the air flowing in from the air intake port flow through the aerosol flow path 25, and are supplied to the second cartridge 30 through the communication path 26 b. The aerosol supplied to the second cartridge 30 is given a fragrance by the fragrance source 31, and is supplied to the mouthpiece 32.

The heating type flavor inhaler 100 is provided with a reporting unit 45 for reporting various information. The reporting unit 45 may be constituted by a light emitting element, a vibrating element, or a sound output element. The reporting unit 45 may be a combination of 2 or more of the light emitting element, the vibration element, and the sound output element. The reporting unit 45 may be provided in any one of the power supply unit 10, the first cartridge 20, and the second cartridge 30, but is preferably provided in the power supply unit 10 in order to shorten the wire from the power supply 12. For example, the reporting unit 45 may be provided around the operation unit 14, and the periphery of the operation unit 14 may have light transmittance and emit light by a light emitting element such as an LED.

< 5. Preferred embodiment >

Hereinafter, preferred embodiments will be collectively described.

[A1] A tobacco filler having a tobacco powder containing composite particles each comprising tobacco particles and a binder, the tobacco powder having a bulk density of 25 to 50g/100 mL.

[A2] The tobacco filler according to [ A1], wherein the tobacco powder contains a flavor in addition to the composite particles.

[A3] The tobacco filler according to [ A1] or [ A2], wherein the tobacco particles are pulverized tobacco leaves.

[A4] The tobacco filler according to any one of [ A1] to [ A3], wherein the tobacco particles have an average particle diameter D50 in the range of 100 to 400. Mu.m, preferably 150 to 300. Mu.m.

[A5] The tobacco filler according to any one of [ A1] to [ A4], wherein the tobacco particles are contained in the composite particles in a proportion of 65 to 75 mass%.

[A6] The tobacco filler according to any one of [ A1] to [ A5], wherein the composite particles have an average particle diameter D50 in the range of 300 to 850. Mu.m, preferably 300 to 600. Mu.m.

[A7] The tobacco filler of any one of [ A1] to [ A6], each of the composite particles further comprising a pH adjuster.

[A8] The tobacco filler material of [ A7], wherein the pH adjustor is potassium carbonate, sodium bicarbonate, or a combination thereof.

[A9] The tobacco filler of any one of [ A1] to [ A8], wherein the binder is a cellulose derivative.

[A10] The tobacco filler according to any one of [ A1] to [ A9], wherein the binder is at least one selected from the group consisting of hydroxypropyl cellulose and carboxymethyl cellulose.

[A11] The tobacco filler according to any one of [ A1] to [ A10], wherein the binder is contained in the composite particles in a proportion of 6 to 10 mass%.

[A12] The tobacco filler according to any one of [ A1] to [ A11], wherein the tobacco powder has a liquid content of 10 to 20% by mass, preferably a liquid content of 10 to 20% by mass.

[A13] The tobacco filler according to any one of [ A1] to [ A12], wherein the tobacco powder has a bulk density of 26 to 50g/100mL, preferably 27 to 50g/100mL, more preferably 28 to 50g/100mL, still more preferably 28.8 to 50g/100mL, still more preferably 29 to 50g/100mL, still more preferably 30 to 50g/100 mL.

[A14] The tobacco filler according to any one of [ A1] to [ A12], wherein the tobacco powder has a bulk density of 25 to 45g/100mL, preferably 26 to 45g/100mL, more preferably 27 to 45g/100mL, still more preferably 28 to 45g/100mL, still more preferably 28.8 to 45g/100mL, still more preferably 29 to 45g/100mL, still more preferably 30 to 45g/100 mL.

[B1] A tobacco product comprising the tobacco filler material of any one of [ A1] to [ a14 ].

[B2] A heated flavor extractor comprising the tobacco filler of any one of [ A1] to [ A14 ].

[B3] A tobacco refill comprising the tobacco filler of any one of [ A1] to [ a14] and a heat resistant container housing the tobacco filler.

[C1] A method of making a tobacco filler comprising the steps of:

[C2] A method of making a tobacco filler comprising the steps of:

drying the granules to obtain dried granules; and

[C3] The method of [ C1] or [ C2], wherein the raw material comprises a binder.

[C4] The method according to [ C1] or [ C2], wherein the granulating liquid comprises a binder.

[C5] The method according to any one of [ C1] to [ C4], wherein the tobacco particles are pulverized tobacco leaves.

[C6] The method according to any one of [ C1] to [ C5], wherein the tobacco particles have an average particle diameter D50 in the range of 100 to 400. Mu.m, preferably 150 to 300. Mu.m.

[C7] The method according to any one of [ C1] to [ C6], wherein the tobacco particles are contained in the composite particles in a proportion of 65 to 75 mass%.

[C8] The method according to any one of [ C1] to [ C7], wherein the composite particles have an average particle diameter D50 in the range of 300 to 850. Mu.m, preferably 300 to 600. Mu.m.

[C9] The method according to any one of [ C1] to [ C8], wherein the binder is a cellulose derivative.

[C10] The method according to any one of [ C1] to [ C9], wherein the binder is at least one selected from the group consisting of hydroxypropyl cellulose and carboxymethyl cellulose.

[C11] The method according to any one of [ C1] to [ C10], wherein the binder is contained in the composite particles in a proportion of 6 to 10 mass%.

[C12] The method according to any one of [ C1] to [ C11], wherein the tobacco powder or granule has a liquid content of 10 to 20% by mass, preferably a liquid content of 10 to 20% by mass.

[C13] The method according to any one of [ C1] to [ C12], wherein the tobacco powder has a bulk density of 26 to 50g/100mL, preferably 27 to 50g/100mL, more preferably 28 to 50g/100mL, still more preferably 28.8 to 50g/100mL, still more preferably 29 to 50g/100mL, still more preferably 30 to 50g/100 mL.

[C14] The method according to any one of [ C1] to [ C12], wherein the tobacco powder or granule has a bulk density of 25 to 45g/100mL, preferably 26 to 45g/100mL, more preferably 27 to 45g/100mL, still more preferably 28 to 45g/100mL, still more preferably 28.8 to 45g/100mL, still more preferably 29 to 45g/100mL, still more preferably 30 to 45g/100 mL.

[C15] The method according to any one of [ C1] to [ C14], wherein the granulated material is prepared to have a liquid content of 37.5 to 45.0 mass% on a moisture content basis.

[C16] The method according to any one of [ C1] to [ C14], wherein the granulated material is prepared to have a water content of 37.5 to 45.0 mass% on a moisture content basis.

[C17] The method according to any one of [ C1] to [ C16], wherein the granulation liquid is a liquid of an aqueous matrix, preferably water, an aqueous solution containing a binder, an aqueous solution containing an additive, or an aqueous solution containing a binder and an additive.

[C18] The method according to any one of [ C1] to [ C17], wherein the granulation liquid is an aqueous solution of a pH adjuster.

[C19] The method of [ C18], wherein the pH adjustor is potassium carbonate, sodium bicarbonate, or a combination thereof.

[C20] The method according to any one of [ C1] to [ C19], wherein the granulation liquid is added at a rate of 4 to 5 mass%/min relative to the raw material.

[C21] The method according to any one of [ C1] to [ C20], wherein the granulating is performed while the raw material is crushed by a crushing blade while the raw material is stirred by a stirring blade.

[C22] The method according to any one of [ C1] to [ C21], wherein the granulating is performed while the raw material is being crushed by a crushing blade at a rotation speed of 1500 to 3000rpm while the raw material is being stirred by the stirring blade at a stirring speed of 60 to 240 rpm.

[C23] The method according to any one of [ C1] to [ C22], wherein the granulating is performed using a stirring granulator comprising:

A container body for accommodating the raw material therein;

a lid for closing the opening of the container body;

a stirring blade disposed on the bottom surface of the container body;

crushing blades arranged on the side surface of the container main body; and

and a discharge portion disposed on a side portion of the container body.

[C24] The method according to any one of [ C1] to [ C23], wherein the stirring blade has a blade diameter (diameter) of 300 to 500 mm.

[C25] The method according to any one of [ C1] to [ C24], wherein the crushing blade has a blade diameter (diameter) of 50 to 150 mm.

[C26] The method according to any one of [ C1] to [ C25], wherein the drying is performed until the liquid content (preferably the water content) of the tobacco powder or particle is 10 to 20 mass%.

[C27] The method according to any one of [ C1] to [ C26], further comprising a step of classifying the tobacco powder and particle size to adjust the particle diameter of the tobacco powder and particle size.

[D1] A flavor filler for tobacco products, comprising particles comprising composite particles each comprising a plant-derived flavor-containing particle and a binder, wherein the particles have a bulk density of 25-50 g/100 mL.

[D2] The flavor filler according to [ D1], wherein the powder or granule contains a flavor in addition to the composite particles.

[D3] The flavor filler according to [ D1] or [ D2], wherein the particles containing a flavor component are pulverized products of organs or tissues of a flavor component-containing plant.

[D4] The flavor filler according to any one of [ D1] to [ D3], wherein the particles containing the flavor component have an average particle diameter D50 in the range of 100 to 400. Mu.m, preferably 150 to 300. Mu.m.

[D5] The flavor filler according to any one of [ D1] to [ D4], wherein the particles containing the flavor component are contained in the composite particles in a proportion of 65 to 75 mass%.

[D6] The flavor filler according to any one of [ D1] to [ D5], wherein the composite particles have an average particle diameter D50 in the range of 300 to 850. Mu.m, preferably 300 to 600. Mu.m.

[D7] The flavor packing material according to any one of [ D1] to [ D6], wherein each of the composite particles further comprises a pH adjustor.

[D8] The flavor filler material of [ D7], wherein the pH adjustor is potassium carbonate, sodium bicarbonate, or a combination thereof.

[D9] The flavor filler according to any one of [ D1] to [ D8], wherein the binder is a cellulose derivative.

[D10] The flavor filler according to any one of [ D1] to [ D9], wherein the binder is at least one selected from the group consisting of hydroxypropyl cellulose and carboxymethyl cellulose.

[D11] The flavor filler according to any one of [ D1] to [ D10], wherein the binder is contained in the composite particles in a proportion of 6 to 10 mass%.

[D12] The flavor filler according to any one of [ D1] to [ D11], wherein the powder or granule has a liquid content of 10 to 20% by mass, preferably a liquid content of 10 to 20% by mass.

[D13] The flavor filler according to any one of [ D1] to [ D12], wherein the powder or granule has a bulk density of 26 to 50g/100mL, preferably 27 to 50g/100mL, more preferably 28 to 50g/100mL, still more preferably 28.8 to 50g/100mL, still more preferably 29 to 50g/100mL, still more preferably 30 to 50g/100 mL.

[D14] The flavor filler according to any one of [ D1] to [ D12], wherein the powder or granule has a bulk density of 25 to 45g/100mL, preferably 26 to 45g/100mL, more preferably 27 to 45g/100mL, still more preferably 28 to 45g/100mL, still more preferably 28.8 to 45g/100mL, still more preferably 29 to 45g/100mL, still more preferably 30 to 45g/100 mL.

[E1] A method of manufacturing a flavour filler for tobacco products, comprising the steps of:

[E2] A method of making a tobacco filler comprising the steps of:

granulating a raw material comprising particles containing a flavor component derived from a plant by stirring and granulating while adding a granulation liquid to prepare a granulated product, wherein the raw material or the granulation liquid comprises a binder;

drying the granules to obtain dried granules; and

a flavor is added to the dried granules to obtain a powder having a bulk density of 25 to 50g/100 mL.

[E3] The method of [ E1] or [ E2], wherein the feedstock further comprises a binder.

[E4] The method according to [ E1] or [ E2], wherein the granulating liquid comprises a binder.

[E5] The method according to any one of [ E1] to [ E4], wherein the aroma-containing particles are pulverized organs or tissues of an aroma-containing plant.

[E6] The method according to any one of [ E1] to [ E5], wherein the particles containing the flavor component have an average particle diameter D50 in the range of 100 to 400. Mu.m, preferably 150 to 300. Mu.m.

[E7] The method according to any one of [ E1] to [ E6], wherein the particles containing a flavor component are contained in the composite particles in a proportion of 65 to 75 mass%.

[E8] The method according to any one of [ E1] to [ E7], wherein the composite particles have an average particle diameter D50 in the range of 300 to 850. Mu.m, preferably 300 to 600. Mu.m.

[E9] The method according to any one of [ E1] to [ E8], wherein the binder is a cellulose derivative.

[E10] The method according to any one of [ E1] to [ E9], wherein the binder is at least one selected from the group consisting of hydroxypropyl cellulose and carboxymethyl cellulose.

[E11] The method according to any one of [ E1] to [ E10], wherein the binder is contained in the composite particles in a proportion of 6 to 10 mass%.

[E12] The method according to any one of [ E1] to [ E11], wherein the powder or granule has a liquid content of 10 to 20% by mass, preferably a water content of 10 to 20% by mass.

[E13] The method according to any one of [ E1] to [ E12], wherein the powder or granule has a bulk density of 26 to 50g/100mL, preferably 27 to 50g/100mL, more preferably 28 to 50g/100mL, still more preferably 28.8 to 50g/100mL, still more preferably 29 to 50g/100mL, still more preferably 30 to 50g/100 mL.

[E14] The method according to any one of [ E1] to [ E12], wherein the powder or granule has a bulk density of 25 to 45g/100mL, preferably 26 to 45g/100mL, more preferably 27 to 45g/100mL, still more preferably 28 to 45g/100mL, still more preferably 28.8 to 45g/100mL, still more preferably 29 to 45g/100mL, still more preferably 30 to 45g/100 mL.

[E15] The method according to any one of [ E1] to [ E14], wherein the granulated material is prepared to have a liquid content of 37.5 to 45.0 mass% on a moisture content basis.

[E16] The method according to any one of [ E1] to [ E14], wherein the granulated material is prepared to have a water content of 37.5 to 45.0 mass% on a moisture content basis.

[E17] The method according to any one of [ E1] to [ E16], wherein the granulation liquid is a liquid of an aqueous matrix, preferably water, an aqueous solution containing a binder, an aqueous solution containing an additive, or an aqueous solution containing a binder and an additive.

[E18] The method according to any one of [ E1] to [ E17], wherein the granulation liquid is an aqueous solution of a pH adjuster.

[E19] The method of [ E18], wherein the pH adjustor is potassium carbonate, sodium bicarbonate, or a combination thereof.

[E20] The method according to any one of [ E1] to [ E19], wherein the granulation liquid is added at a rate of 4 to 5 mass% per minute relative to the raw material.

[E21] The method according to any one of [ E1] to [ E20], wherein the granulating is performed while the raw material is crushed by a crushing blade while the raw material is stirred by a stirring blade.

[E22] The method according to any one of [ E1] to [ E21], wherein the granulating is performed while the raw material is being crushed by a crushing blade at a rotation speed of 1500 to 3000rpm while the raw material is being stirred by the stirring blade at a stirring speed of 60 to 240 rpm.

[E23] The method according to any one of [ E1] to [ E22], wherein the granulating is performed using a stirring granulator comprising:

a container body for accommodating the raw material therein;

a lid for closing the opening of the container body;

a stirring blade disposed on the bottom surface of the container body;

crushing blades arranged on the side surface of the container main body; and

and a discharge portion disposed on a side portion of the container body.

[E24] The method according to any one of [ E1] to [ E23], wherein the drying is performed until a liquid content (preferably a water content) of the powder or granular material reaches 10 to 20 mass%.

[E25] The method according to any one of [ E1] to [ E24], further comprising the step of classifying the powder and granular material to adjust a particle diameter of the powder and granular material.

[ example ]

The amount of released tobacco flavor components was evaluated by using the tobacco filler of the present invention in a heated flavor inhaler. In the following description, the amount of released tobacco flavor components is also referred to as "tobacco flavor delivery amount".

[1] Preparation of tobacco filler

< example 1 >

(raw materials for powder)

4167g tobacco particles (average particle size D50:220 μm)

333g of carboxymethyl cellulose

(granulating liquid)

500g of potassium carbonate was dissolved in 2280mL of water to prepare an aqueous potassium carbonate solution.

(modulation method)

The raw materials (tobacco particles and carboxymethyl cellulose) of the powder were charged into a stirring granulator (VG-25, powrex, co., ltd.) shown in FIG. 2, and the stirring blade (blade) and the crushing blade (cross screw) were rotated and mixed for 1 minute. The capacity of the vessel of the stirring granulator was 25L, the blade diameter (diameter) of the stirring blade was 400mm, and the blade diameter (diameter) of the crushing blade was 100mm. The stirring blades were rotated at a stirring speed of 240rpm, and the crushing blades were rotated at a stirring speed of 3000 rpm.

The mixture was stirred while dropping a granulation liquid (aqueous potassium carbonate solution) into the obtained mixture. The granulation liquid was dropped at a feed rate of 200 g/min. That is, the granulation liquid was dropped at a supply rate of about 4.4 mass%/min with respect to the raw material of the powder. The stirring blades were rotated at a stirring speed of 60rpm, and the crushing blades were rotated at a stirring speed of 1500 rpm.

The stirring was stopped at the end of the dripping of the aqueous potassium carbonate solution. That is, stirring granulation was performed for 13 minutes and 54 seconds. The granulated substance obtained by stirring granulation had a water content of 37.5 mass% on a wet basis.

The obtained pellets were dried by a fluidized bed dryer until the moisture content of the dried pellets was 10 to 15 mass%.

The obtained dry granulated material was classified in a region of 300 to 850. Mu.m, using a vibrating screen. The tobacco filler (i.e., tobacco powder) of example 1 was prepared by adding a flavoring liquid to the obtained classified product. The perfuming liquid was added in an amount of 7% by mass with respect to the fractionated product.

< example 2 >

The tobacco filler of example 2 (i.e., the tobacco powder) was prepared in the same manner as the tobacco filler of example 1, except that the granulation liquid was prepared as follows. In example 2, 500g of potassium carbonate was dissolved in 2590mL of water to prepare a granulation liquid.

The stirring granulation was carried out for 15 minutes and 27 seconds. The granulated substance obtained by stirring granulation had a water content of 40.0 mass% on a wet basis.

< example 3 (control 1) >

(raw materials)

4167g tobacco particles (average particle size D50:220 μm)

333g of hydroxypropyl cellulose

500g of potassium carbonate

1180mL of water

(modulation method)

The above raw materials were granulated by extrusion granulation to prepare extrusion granules. The tobacco filler (i.e., tobacco powder) of example 3 (control 1) was prepared by adding a flavoring liquid to the extruded pellets in the same amount as in example 1. The pellets obtained by extrusion granulation had a water content of 26.0 mass% on a moisture content basis.

< example 4 >

The tobacco filler of example 4 (i.e., a tobacco powder) was prepared in the same manner as the tobacco filler of example 1, except that the granulation liquid was prepared and the flavoring liquid was added in an amount of 12 mass%, as described below. In example 4, 500g of potassium carbonate was dissolved in 2950mL of water to prepare a granulation liquid.

The stirring granulation was carried out for 17 minutes 15 seconds. The granulated substance obtained by stirring granulation had a water content of 42.5 mass% on a wet basis.

< example 5 (control 2) >

(raw materials)

4167g tobacco particles (average particle size D50:220 μm)

333g of carboxymethyl cellulose

500g of potassium carbonate

1180mL of water

(modulation method)

The above raw materials were granulated by extrusion granulation to prepare extrusion granules. The tobacco filler (i.e., the tobacco powder) of example 5 (control 2) was prepared by adding the flavoring liquid to the extruded pellets in the same amount as in example 4. The pellets obtained by extrusion granulation had a water content of 26.0 mass% on a moisture content basis.

[2] Determination of the bulk Density

[2-1] method

The bulk density of the tobacco filler of examples 1 to 5 was measured in accordance with JIS Z2504 (2020). Specifically, the bulk density was measured as follows. The bulk density was measured using a bulk density measuring instrument KAM-01 (ASONE). The funnel was charged with tobacco filler material and was dropped into a 100mL container by free fall. The bulk density (g/100 mL) was calculated by measuring the weight (g) of the container contents using a glass rod scratch.

[2-2] results

The tobacco filler of example 1, the tobacco filler of example 2, and the tobacco filler of example 4 were produced by stirring and granulating, and had a bulk density of 28.8g/100mL, 37.3g/100mL, and 43.1g/100mL, respectively. On the other hand, the tobacco filler of example 3 (control 1) and the tobacco filler of example 5 (control 2) were produced by extrusion granulation, and had a bulk density of 57g/100 mL.

[3] Manufacture of fragrance absorber

Tobacco filler of example 1

The flavor inhaler 1-1 was produced by filling 260mg of the tobacco filler in example 1 into the second cartridge 30 of the heating type flavor inhaler shown in fig. 3 to 6.

The flavor inhaler 1-2 was produced by filling 230mg of the tobacco filler of example 1 into the second cartridge 30 of the heating type flavor inhaler shown in fig. 3 to 6.

< tobacco filler of example 2 >

The flavor inhaler 2-1 was produced by filling 350mg of the tobacco filler in example 2 into the second cartridge 30 of the heating type flavor inhaler shown in fig. 3 to 6.

The flavor inhaler 2-2 was produced by filling 320mg of the tobacco filler of example 2 into the second cartridge 30 of the heating type flavor inhaler shown in fig. 3 to 6.

The flavor extractor 2-3 was produced by filling 290mg of the tobacco filler of example 2 into the second cartridge 30 of the heating type flavor extractor shown in fig. 3 to 6.

The flavor extractor 2-4 was produced by filling 260mg of the tobacco filler of example 2 into the second cartridge 30 of the heating type flavor extractor shown in fig. 3 to 6.

The flavor extractor 2-5 was produced by filling 230mg of the tobacco filler of example 2 into the second cartridge 30 of the heating type flavor extractor shown in fig. 3 to 6.

< tobacco filler of example 3 >

The flavor inhaler 3 (control 1) was produced by filling 350mg of the tobacco filler of example 3 (control 1) with the second cartridge 30 of the heating type flavor inhaler shown in fig. 3 to 6.

< tobacco filler of example 4 >

The flavor inhaler 4-1 was produced by filling 350mg of the tobacco filler of example 4 into the second cartridge 30 of the heating type flavor inhaler shown in fig. 3 to 6.

The flavor inhaler 4-2 was produced by filling 320mg of the tobacco filler of example 4 into the second cartridge 30 of the heating type flavor inhaler shown in fig. 3 to 6.

The flavor inhaler 4-3 was produced by filling 290mg of the tobacco filler of example 4 into the second cartridge 30 of the heating type flavor inhaler shown in fig. 3 to 6.

The flavor inhaler 4-4 was produced by filling 260mg of the tobacco filler of example 4 into the second cartridge 30 of the heating type flavor inhaler shown in fig. 3 to 6.

The flavor inhaler 4-5 was manufactured by filling 230mg of the tobacco filler of example 4 into the second cartridge 30 of the heating type flavor inhaler shown in fig. 3 to 6.

< tobacco filler of example 5 >

The flavor inhaler 5 (control 2) was produced by filling 350mg of the tobacco filler of example 5 (control 2) with the second cartridge 30 of the heating type flavor inhaler shown in fig. 3 to 6.

[4] Measurement of smoke flavor delivery amount

[4-1] method

The flavor extractor was extracted to a total of 50 times of extraction in units of 10 times of extraction by an automatic extractor, and the mainstream smoke was adsorbed to the filter. The amount of released tobacco flavor components (i.e., the amount of delivered tobacco flavor) in the smoke was measured by gas chromatography by extracting tobacco flavor components from the filter that has adsorbed mainstream smoke with ethanol.

[4-2] results

The amounts of smoke flavor delivered obtained by the respective puffs were summed up to obtain a "total amount of smoke flavor delivered". The following formula was substituted with the total value of the amounts of smoke and flavor transferred from 1 to 10 puffs and the total value of the amounts of smoke and flavor transferred from 41 to 50 puffs, to obtain the "rate of decrease in the amounts of smoke and flavor transferred".

Reduction ratio of smoke flavor delivery amount (%) = [ { (total value of smoke flavor delivery amounts from 1 to 10 puffs) - (total value of smoke flavor delivery amounts from 41 to 50 puffs) }/(total value of smoke flavor delivery amounts from 1 to 10 puffs) ] ×100

The "total smoke flavor delivery amount" and the "rate of decrease in smoke flavor delivery amount" are shown in table 1 below.

[ Table 1 ]

The relationship between the number of times of suction in the flavor inhaler 1-1, flavor inhaler 1-2, flavor inhaler 3 (control 1) and the amount of smoke flavor delivery is shown in fig. 7. The relationship between the number of times of suction in the flavor inhaler 2-1, flavor inhaler 2-4, flavor inhaler 3 (control 1) and the amount of smoke flavor delivery is shown in fig. 8. The relationship between the number of puffs in the flavor inhaler 4-1, flavor inhaler 4-3, flavor inhaler 5 (control 2) and the amount of smoke flavor delivered is shown in fig. 9.

In fig. 7 to 9, the total value of the amounts of smoke and flavor transferred from 1 to 10 puffs, the total value of the amounts of smoke and flavor transferred from 11 to 20 puffs, the total value of the amounts of smoke and flavor transferred from 21 to 30 puffs, the total value of the amounts of smoke and flavor transferred from 31 to 40 puffs, and the total value of the amounts of smoke and flavor transferred from 41 to 50 puffs are plotted.

Tobacco filler of example 1

The tobacco filler of example 1 was able to release a larger amount of tobacco flavor component (see flavor extractor 1-1, flavor extractor 1-2, flavor extractor 3, and fig. 7) even when the amount of filler into the flavor extractor was small, as compared with the tobacco filler of example 3 (control 1). In addition, the tobacco filler of example 1 was able to stably release tobacco flavor components during the period of extraction (see fig. 7).

< tobacco filler of example 2 >

The tobacco filler of example 2 was able to release a larger amount of tobacco flavor component than the tobacco filler of example 3 (control 1) even when the amount of filler to the flavor extractor was the same (see flavor extractor 2-1 and flavor extractor 3 in table 1, and fig. 8). The tobacco filler of example 2 was able to release a larger amount of tobacco flavor component (see flavor extractor 2-2, flavor extractor 2-3, and flavor extractor 3 in table 1) even when the amount of filler to the flavor extractor was 320mg and 290mg or less than the tobacco filler of example 3 (control 1). Even when the amount of the tobacco filler to be filled into the flavor inhaler is as small as 260mg, the tobacco filler of example 2 can release the same amount of the tobacco flavor component as in the case of the tobacco filler of example 3 (control 1) filled with 350mg (see flavor extractors 2 to 4 and 3 and fig. 8 in table 1). The tobacco filler of example 2 was able to stably release tobacco flavor components during the period of suction (see fig. 8).

< tobacco filler of example 4 >

The tobacco filler of example 4 was able to release a larger amount of tobacco flavor component than the tobacco filler of example 5 (control 2) even when the amount of filler to the flavor extractor was the same (see flavor extractor 4-1 and flavor extractor 5 in table 1, and fig. 9). The tobacco filler of example 4 was able to release a larger amount of tobacco flavor component (see flavor extractor 4-2 and flavor extractor 5 in table 1) even when the amount of filler to the flavor extractor was as small as 320mg, when compared with the tobacco filler of example 5 (control 2). Even when the amount of the tobacco filler to be filled into the flavor extractor was as small as 290mg, the tobacco filler of example 4 was able to release the same amount of the tobacco flavor component as in the case of the tobacco filler of example 5 (control 2) filled with 350mg (see flavor extractor 4-3 and flavor extractor 5 in table 1, and fig. 9). In addition, the tobacco filler of example 4 was able to stably release tobacco flavor components during the period of suction (see fig. 9).

< summary >

The above results indicate that when the tobacco filler of the present invention is used in a flavor inhaler, a large amount of tobacco flavor components can be released as compared with conventional tobacco fillers. Thus, the amount of tobacco filler to be filled into the flavor inhaler can be reduced, resulting in cost reduction. In addition, the above results indicate that the tobacco filler of the present invention can stably release tobacco flavor components during the period of suction, similarly to the conventional tobacco filler.

Claims

1. A tobacco filler having a tobacco powder containing composite particles each comprising tobacco particles and a binder, the tobacco powder having a bulk density of 25 to 50g/100 mL.

2. The tobacco filler material of claim 1,

the tobacco powder particle contains a flavor in addition to the composite particles.

3. The tobacco filler material of claim 1 or 2,

the composite particles have an average particle diameter D50 in the range of 300 to 850 μm.

4. A tobacco filler material according to any one of claim 1 to 3,

the composite particles each further comprise a pH adjuster.

5. The tobacco filler material of any one of claims 1 to 4,

the binder is a cellulose derivative.

6. The tobacco filler material of any one of claims 1 to 5,

the binder is at least one selected from the group consisting of hydroxypropyl cellulose and carboxymethyl cellulose.

7. A tobacco product comprising the tobacco filler material of any one of claims 1-6.

8. A heated flavor extractor comprising the tobacco filler material of any one of claims 1-6.

9. A tobacco refill comprising the tobacco filler of any one of claims 1-6 and a heat resistant container housing the tobacco filler.

10. A method of making a tobacco filler comprising the steps of:

11. A method of making a tobacco filler comprising the steps of:

drying the granules to obtain dried granules; and

12. The method according to claim 10 or 11,

the granulated material is prepared to have a liquid content of 37.5 to 45.0 mass% on a moisture basis.

13. The method according to any one of claim 10 to 12,

the granulation liquid is an aqueous solution of a pH adjuster.

14. The method according to any one of claim 10 to 13,

The granulation liquid is added at a rate of 4 to 5 mass%/min relative to the raw material.

15. The method according to any one of claim 10 to 14,

the granulation is performed while the raw material is being stirred by the stirring blade and crushed by the crushing blade.

16. The method according to any one of claim 10 to 15,

the granulation is performed while the raw material is being stirred by a stirring blade at a stirring speed of 60 to 240rpm, and the raw material is being crushed by a crushing blade at a rotation speed of 1500 to 3000 rpm.

17. The method according to any one of claim 10 to 16,

the method further comprises a step of classifying the tobacco powder and particle size to adjust the particle diameter of the tobacco powder and particle size.

18. A flavor filler for tobacco products, comprising particles comprising composite particles each comprising a plant-derived flavor-containing particle and a binder, wherein the particles have a bulk density of 25-50 g/100 mL.

19. A method of manufacturing a flavour filler for tobacco products, comprising the steps of: