EP4140326A1

EP4140326A1 - Non-combustion-heated tobacco product and electrically heated tobacco product

Info

Publication number: EP4140326A1
Application number: EP21792469.5A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Takayuki NAKAZONO; Yuji Yamauchi; Tetsuya Yoshimura; Hiroki NAKAAE
Original assignee: Japan Tobacco Inc
Current assignee: Japan Tobacco Inc
Priority date: 2020-04-22
Filing date: 2021-04-22
Publication date: 2023-03-01
Also published as: WO2021215490A1; TW202145911A; JPWO2021215490A1; JP7280435B2; EP4140326A4

Abstract

Provided is a cylindrical non-combustion-heated tobacco product having a first filter part, a second filter part, and a wound paper that is wound around the filter parts so that a space section is formed between the first filter part and the second filter part, wherein: a particulate tobacco material is positioned in the space section so as to be capable of moving; the electricity-conduction resistance from the first filter part to the second filter part, when the non-combustion-heated tobacco product is placed so that either the first filter part or the second filter part forms a bottom surface, is 13-32 mm H2O; and the bulk specific density of the particulate tobacco material is 55 g/100 cc or higher.

Description

Technical Field

The present invention relates to a non-combustion-heating-type tobacco and an electrically heated tobacco product.

Background Art

A common cigarette (cigarette) is made as follows. A tobacco rod obtained by wrapping dried tobacco leaves shredded to a width of about 1 mm and added with a flavor, a humectant, and adequate moisture with a wrapper mainly made of paper into a cylindrical shape, and a mouthpiece rod obtained by wrapping fiber made of cellulose acetate or the like or accordion-fold paper with a wrapper made of paper into a cylindrical shape are butted end to end and connected with a lining paper.
When a common cigarette is used, a user lights up the end of the tobacco rod with a lighter or the like and inhales from the mouthpiece end to smoke. A torch at the distal end of the tobacco rod burns at a temperature over 800°C.
As an alternative to such a common cigarette, a non-combustion-heating-type smoking article and a non-combustion-heating-type tobacco flavor inhalation system that use electric heating without burning have been developed.
A general non-combustion-heating-type tobacco flavor inhalation system is made up of a cylindrical non-combustion-heating-type tobacco flavor inhalation article similar to a common cigarette, and a heating device including a battery, a controller, a heater, and the like. The heater may be of an electric resistance type or an IH type. For an electric resistance-type heater, a contact with the non-combustion-heating-type tobacco flavor inhalation article is configured to heat from outside the cylindrical non-combustion-heating-type tobacco flavor inhalation article or the contact in a needle shape or on a blade is configured to be inserted into a tobacco filling layer from the distal end of the non-combustion-heating-type tobacco flavor inhalation article.
In the non-combustion-heating-type tobacco flavor inhalation system (electrically heated tobacco product) that includes a tobacco filler for a non-combustion-heating-type tobacco, it is important to enhance the level of satisfaction during use of the system. Particularly, in an electrically heated tobacco product in a form in which a flavor component contained in a tobacco filler is volatilized together with aerosol-source material and delivered to the oral cavity of a user, it is desired to exhibit flavor close to an existing cigarette.
A tubular non-combustion-heating-type tobacco product in which both ends are sealed with filter materials and tobacco material is filled in the space between both ends is described as such a non-combustion-heating-type smoking article (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

Citation List

Patent Document

Patent Document 1: International Publication No. 2018/215781

Summary of Invention

Technical Problem

It is described that the tobacco product described in Patent Document 1 is able to be manufactured by using an existing manufacturing technology. It is also described that a pressure loss in the axial direction of the tobacco product is lower than 120 mmH₂O.
However, in the tobacco product described in Patent Document 1, the filling mode in which tobacco material is filled in the space between both ends is not described, and the relationship with the inhalation response of the tobacco product and the persistence of release of a flavor component is not described.
For this reason, the present invention is direct to providing a non-combustion-heating-type tobacco and the like capable of imparting a user with sufficient inhalation response and having good persistence of release of a flavor component.

Solution to Problem

As a result of diligent study of the inventors, the inventors found that a non-combustion-heating-type tobacco would be able to solve the above problem. The non-combustion-heating-type tobacco is a tubular non-combustion-heating-type tobacco comprising a first filter part, a second filter part, and a wrapping paper wrapping the filter parts such that a space section is formed between the first filter part and the second filter part. Particulate tobacco material is movably disposed in the space section. An air-flow resistance from the first filter part to the second filter part when the non-combustion-heating-type tobacco is positioned such that one of the first filter part and the second filter part serves as a bottom is 13 to 32 mmH₂O, and a volume specific gravity of the particulate tobacco material is 55 g/100 cc.
The summary of the present invention is as follows.

[1] A tubular non-combustion-heating-type tobacco comprisinga first filter part, a second filter part, and a wrapping paper wrapping the filter parts such that a space section is formed between the first filter part and the second filter part, wherein
- particulate tobacco material is movably disposed in the space section,
- an air-flow resistance from the first filter part to the second filter part when the non-combustion-heating-type tobacco is positioned such that one of the first filter part and the second filter part serves as a bottom is 13 to 32 mmH₂O, and
- a volume specific gravity of the particulate tobacco material is higher than or equal to 55 g/100 cc.
[2] The non-combustion-heating-type tobacco according to [1], wherein a total air-flow resistance of the first filter part and the second filter part is lower than 8 mmH₂O.
[3] The non-combustion-heating-type tobacco according to [1] or [2], wherein the ratio of a volume of the particulate tobacco material to an overall volume of the space section is higher than or equal to 30 vol% and lower than or equal to 70 vol% of the volume of the space section.
[4] The non-combustion-heating-type tobacco according to any one of [1] to [3], wherein the non-combustion-heating-type tobacco has a cylindrical shape, and a diameter of a circle of the cylinder is greater than or equal to 7.0 mm and less than or equal to 8.0 mm.
[5] The non-combustion-heating-type tobacco according to any one of [1] to [4], wherein the non-combustion-heating-type tobacco has a cylindrical shape, and a distance from the first end to the second end in the space section is greater than or equal to 10.0 mm and less than or equal to 20.0 mm.
[6] The non-combustion-heating-type tobacco according to any one of [1] to [5], wherein an average particle size of the particulate tobacco material is greater than or equal to 400 µm and less than or equal to 700 µm.
[7] The non-combustion-heating-type tobacco according to any one of [1] to [6], wherein a particle size of the particulate tobacco material, measured by a screen, is greater than 250 µm and less than 840 µm.
[8] The non-combustion-heating-type tobacco according to any one of [1] to [7], wherein a pH of the particulate tobacco material is higher than or equal to seven.
[9] The non-combustion-heating-type tobacco according to any one of [1] to [8], wherein the particulate tobacco material is tobacco granules.
[10] An electrically heated tobacco product comprising:
- an electric heating device that comprises a heater member, a battery unit serving as an electric power supply of the heater member, and a control unit for controlling the heater member, and
- the non-combustion-heating-type tobacco according to any one of [1] to [9], inserted so as to be in contact with the heater member.
[11] The electrically heated tobacco product according to [10], wherein
- the electric heating device comprises a housing and a mouthpiece, and
- the housing extends in an axial direction and has an opening at a first end in the axial direction, the housing has an accommodation space inside so as to communicate with the opening, the non-combustion-heating-type tobacco is accommodated in the accommodation space of the housing, and the mouthpiece comprises an engaging part and a holder.

Advantageous Effects of Invention

According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a non-combustion-heating-type tobacco and the like capable of imparting a user with sufficient inhalation response and having good persistence of release of a flavor component.

Brief Description of Drawings

[Fig. 1] Fig. 1 is a schematic diagram of a non-combustion-heating-type tobacco according to an embodiment of the present invention.
[Fig. 2A] Fig. 2A is a schematic diagram of a mode in which the non-combustion-heating-type tobacco according to the embodiment of the present invention and an additional segment are wrapped with an additional segment joining paper.
[Fig. 2B] Fig. 2B is a schematic diagram of a mode in which the non-combustion-heating-type tobacco according to the embodiment of the present invention and an additional segment are wrapped with an additional segment joining paper.
[Fig. 3] Fig. 3 is a perspective view showing one mode of an electrically heated tobacco product that accommodates the non-combustion-heating-type tobacco according to the embodiment of the present invention.
[Fig. 4] Fig. 4 is a perspective view of a state where a cap of the electrically heated tobacco product of Fig. 3 is removed.
[Fig. 5] Fig. 5 is a sectional view taken along the line III-III in Fig. 4.
[Fig. 6] Fig. 6 is a partially sectional view of a cartridge and a mouthpiece that are one mode of the non-combustion-heating-type tobacco according to the embodiment of the present invention.

Description of Embodiments

A non-combustion-heating-type tobacco according to an embodiment of the present invention is a tubular non-combustion-heating-type tobacco that includes a first filter part, a second filter part, and a wrapping paper wrapping the filter parts such that a space section is formed between the first filter part and the second filter part.
Fig. 1 shows an example of the non-combustion-heating-type tobacco according to the embodiment. Hereinafter, the non-combustion-heating-type tobacco according to the embodiment will be described with reference to the drawing. The direction of h in Fig. 1 is the long-axis direction of the non-combustion-heating-type tobacco according to the embodiments.
As shown in Fig. 1, the components of the non-combustion-heating-type tobacco 20 according to the embodiments include a first filter part 21, a second filter part 22, a wrapping paper 24 for forming a tubular shape by wrapping to form a space section 23 between these filter parts, and tobacco material T movably disposed in the space section. The components will be described later. A first filter part and a second filter part are distinguished from each other in the specification and the drawings for the sake of convenience. Unless otherwise specified, these are not distinguished from each other, and any one of the filter parts may be a first filter part or a second filter part.
In the specification, the phrase "the particulate tobacco material is movably disposed" means that the tobacco material moves in the space section when the non-combustion-heating-type tobacco is moved up and down or right and left. Therefore, particulate tobacco material has flowability.
Since particulate tobacco material has flowability, a user is able to freely change the arrangement of tobacco material in the space section of the non-combustion-heating-type tobacco by changing the orientation of the non-combustion-heating-type tobacco during use. By changing the arrangement of tobacco material present in the space section of the non-combustion-heating-type tobacco, it is possible to change the air-flow condition during use according to the preference of the user
As shown in Fig. 1, the non-combustion-heating-type tobacco preferably has a columnar shape. In this case, the aspect ratio expressed by the height of the non-combustion-heating-type tobacco in the long-axis direction to the width of the bottom at any one of the ends is preferably higher than or equal to one. $Aspect Ratio = h / w$
where w is the width of the bottom of the columnar body (in the specification, the width of the bottom of one of the ends of the non-combustion-heating-type tobacco) and h is the height, it is desirable that h ≥ w. However, in the present embodiment, as described above, it is defined that the long-axis direction is a direction indicated by h. Therefore, even in the case where w ≥ h, the direction indicated by h is referred to as long-axis direction for the sake of convenience.
The shape of the bottom is not limited and may be a polygonal shape, a rounded-corner polygonal shape, a circular shape, an elliptical shape, or the like. The width is a diameter when the bottom has a circular shape, a longitudinal diameter when the bottom has an elliptical shape, or the diameter of a circumcircle or the longitudinal diameter of a circumellipse when the bottom has a polygonal shape or a rounded-corner polygonal shape. For example, in the mode shown in Fig. 1, since the bottom has a circular shape, the diameter of the circle is able to be determined. The diameter is the width w, and the length in a direction perpendicular to the diameter is the height h.
The length h of the non-combustion-heating-type tobacco in the long-axis direction is not limited and is, for example, commonly greater than or equal to 15 mm and preferably greater than or equal to 20 mm. The length h is commonly less than or equal to 85 mm, preferably less than or equal to 60 mm, and more preferably less than or equal to 40 mm.
The width w of the bottom of the columnar body of the non-combustion-heating-type tobacco is not limited and is, for example, commonly greater than or equal to 5 mm and preferably greater than or equal to 5.5 mm. The width w is commonly less than or equal to 10 mm, preferably less than or equal to 9 mm, and more preferably less than or equal to 8 mm.
The non-combustion-heating-type tobacco preferably has a cylindrical shape, and the distance from the first filter part to the second filter part in the space section (the length of the space section in the long-axis direction) is preferably greater than or equal to 10.0 mm and less than or equal to 20.0 mm.
When the non-combustion-heating-type tobacco has a cylindrical shape, the diameter of the circle of the cylinder is preferably greater than or equal to 7.0 mm and less than or equal to 8.0 mm.
The volume of the space section of the non-combustion-heating-type tobacco is not limited. The volume of the space section may be set as needed in accordance with a relationship with other members that make up an electrically heated tobacco product other than the non-combustion-heating-type tobacco and a relationship with the amount of tobacco material disposed in the space section. The volume of the space section may be, for example, greater than or equal to 500 mm³ and less than or equal to 3000 mm³, or may be greater than or equal to 500 mm³ and less than or equal to 800 mm³.
As shown in Fig. 1, the first filter part and the second filter part preferably make up both ends of the non-combustion-heating-type tobacco. When both ends are made up of the filter parts, it is possible to prevent leakage of particulate tobacco material from the space section present between both filter parts.
The total air-flow resistance of the filter materials that make up the first filter part and the second filter part is preferably lower than 8 mmH₂O. When the total air-flow resistance of the filter materials that make up the first filter part and the second filter part is lower than 8 mmH₂O, inhalation response during use of the non-combustion-heating-type tobacco is not impaired.
The total air-flow resistance of the filter materials that make up the first filter part and the second filter part is obtained by adding up values obtained by separately measuring the air-flow resistances of the filter materials that respectively make up both ends. The air-flow resistance of a filter material is a pressure difference PD (mmH₂O) in the filter material when the filter material is covered with air-impermeable rubber such that air does not flow in from the side (outer periphery) of the filter material and inhalation is performed from one end of the filter material at a flow rate of 17.5 cm³/sec.
With reference to the long-axis direction of the non-combustion-heating-type tobacco, the ratio of the length of the space section to the length h of the non-combustion-heating-type tobacco is not limited. From the viewpoint of ensuring the amount of tobacco material within the range in which the advantageous effects of the present invention are exercised and from the viewpoint of achieving easy-inhalation air-flow resistance, the ratio is preferably higher than or equal to 0.1 and lower than or equal to 0.9, and more preferably higher than or equal to 0.4 and lower than or equal to 0.7.
In the non-combustion-heating-type tobacco according to the embodiment of the present invention, the air-flow resistance from the first filter part to the second filter part when the non-combustion-heating-type tobacco is positioned such that one of the first filter part and the second filter part serves as a bottom is 13 to 32 mmH₂O.
When the non-combustion-heating-type tobacco is positioned such that one of the first filter part and the second filter part serves as a bottom, the particulate tobacco material moves onto the inner surface of the bottom-side filter material in the space section of the non-combustion-heating-type tobacco. In this state, the air-flow resistance from the first filter part to the second filter part, that is, the air-flow resistance of the non-combustion-heating-type tobacco in the long-axis direction, is measured. Since the air-flow resistance is measured in a state where tobacco material is substantially uniformly present on the inner surface of the bottom-side filter material, the tobacco material interferes with air flow through the filter. Therefore, this air-flow resistance indicates the maximum value of the air-flow resistances in the long-axis method of the non-combustion-heating-type tobacco according to the embodiment of the present invention.
The air-flow resistance of the non-combustion-heating-type tobacco according to the embodiment of the present invention is a pressure difference PD (mmH₂O) in the non-combustion-heating-type tobacco when inhalation is performed at a flow rate of 17.5 cm³/s from the first end or the second end in a state where one of the first filter part and the second filter part serves as a bottom as described above. This air-flow resistance is also referred to as "downward air-flow resistance".

The form of tobacco material is not limited as long as the tobacco material is particulate. Examples of the form of tobacco material include (1) tobacco granules (also referred to as "tobacco material (A)"), and (2) the one made up of a composition including shredded tobacco or ground tobacco (also referred to as "tobacco material (B)"). The tobacco material (A) (tobacco granules) is preferable.
To implement an intended tobacco flavor, multiple kinds of tobacco leaves need to be blended and disposed in the space section of the non-combustion-heating-type tobacco. The tobacco material (B) tends to cause variations in blend ratio at the time of inserting tobacco material in the space section at high speed. In contrast, in the case of the tobacco material (A), since tobacco leaves are blended at a predetermined blend ratio and then granules are manufactured, there is a low possibility of variations in blend ratio at the time of inserting tobacco material into the space section of the non-combustion-heating-type tobacco at high speed. Breakage at the time of transport of tobacco material is also less likely in the case of the tobacco material (A), so variations in air-flow resistance are smaller when the tobacco material (A) is used. For these reasons, the tobacco material (A) is more preferable than the tobacco material (B).
The tobacco material may be made up of only the tobacco material (A) or the tobacco material (B), may be made up of a mixture of them, or may be a mixture containing another particulate tobacco material. However, from the viewpoint similar to the above, the tobacco material is preferably made up of only the tobacco material (A). When the tobacco material is made up of a mixture, the mixture ratio may be designed at any ratio.
Granules (also referred to as "tobacco granules") in the specification mean granulated tobacco.
The ratio of the volume of tobacco material to the overall volume of the space section is not limited and can be set as needed according to the form of the non-combustion-heating-type tobacco or the tobacco material. From the viewpoint of ensuring a suitable air-flow resistance, the ratio of the volume of tobacco material to the volume of the space section on volumetric basis is commonly higher than or equal to 25 vol%, preferably higher than or equal to 30 vol%, more preferably higher than or equal to 40 vol%, and further preferably higher than or equal to 50 vol%. When the ratio is higher than or equal to 30 vol%, a flavor component contained in the tobacco material is sufficiently released to a user. The ratio is commonly lower than or equal to 75 vol%, preferably lower than or equal to 70 vol%, more preferably lower than or equal to 65 vol%, and further preferably lower than or equal to 60 vol%. When the ratio is lower than or equal to 70 vol%, the air-flow resistance does not become excessive, so good inhalation response is ensured, and flowability of tobacco material in the space is ensured.
The ratio of the weight of tobacco material to the overall volume 100 vol% of the space section is not limited and can be set as needed according to the form of the non-combustion-heating-type tobacco or the tobacco material. From the viewpoint of ensuring a suitable air-flow resistance, the ratio of the weight of tobacco material is commonly higher than or equal to 0.1 g/cm³ and preferably higher than or equal to 0.3 g/cm³, and the ratio of the weight of tobacco material is commonly lower than or equal to 1.5 g/cm³, preferably lower than or equal to 1.0g/cm³, and more preferably lower than or equal to 0.6 g/cm³.
The particulate tobacco material used in the present embodiment is preferably classified by a screen having the following screen openings. For example, from the viewpoint that easiness of movement and high specific surface area in the space section are easily achieved, and, by extension, easy control of the air-flow resistance and the advantage of excellent flavor are easily obtained, the particulate tobacco material is preferably the one that commonly does not pass through a screen having a screen opening of 149 µm (> 149 µm (greater than 149 µm)) and that passes through a screen having a screen opening of 1680 µm (< 1680 µm (less than 1680 µm)). More preferably, the particulate tobacco material does not pass through a screen having a screen opening of 250 µm (> 250 µm (greater than 250 µm)) and passes through a screen having a screen opening of 840 µm (< 840 µm (less than 840 µm)).
An average particle size in the specification is able to be obtained by preparing several numbers of screen openings, that is, a screen opening near the lower limit of present particle sizes, a screen opening near the upper limit of present particle sizes, and a screen opening between the lower limit screen opening and the upper limit screen opening, classifying the tobacco material, measuring the weight of tobacco material remaining on each screen opening, and performing apportionment by weight.
The average particle size of the particulate tobacco material according to the embodiment of the present invention is preferably greater than or equal to 400 µm and less than or equal to 700 µm.
With such an average particle size, it is possible to ensure an appropriate flowability of tobacco material and to set the downward air-flow resistance of the non-combustion-heating-type tobacco to a desired range.
The average particle size of the particulate tobacco is able to be obtained by measuring the weights of tobacco material, obtained by classifying tobacco material by using screen openings of 850 µm, 710 µm, 600 µm, 500 µm, 425 µm, 300 µm, 212 µm, and 106 µm and then performing apportionment by weight.
The average particle size of the particulate tobacco material is able to be adjusted by classifying tobacco material used.
The volume specific gravity of the particulate tobacco material is higher than or equal to 55 g/100 cc. With such a volume specific gravity, it is possible to provide good inhalation response during use of the non-combustion-heating-type tobacco and to provide good persistence of release of flavor component. The volume specific gravity of the particulate tobacco material is, for example, more preferably higher than or equal to 58 g/100 cc. On the other hand, the volume specific gravity of the particulate tobacco material is preferably lower than or equal to 80 g/100 cc and more preferably lower than or equal to 70 g/100 cc.

A sample is supplied to a screen (aperture 1.7 mm, wire diameter 0.8 mm), the screen is vibrated to pass the sample, the passed sample is filled in a 100cm³ cup container, a redundant sample is leveled off at the cup upper end, and the weight is measured. A powder tester PT-X made by Hosokawa Micron Corporation may be used as a measuring device.
The non-combustion-heating-type tobacco made by wrapping the filter parts and the tobacco material with the wrapping paper preferably has a columnar shape. In this case, the aspect ratio expressed by the height of the non-combustion-heating-type tobacco in the long-axis direction to the width of the bottom at any one of the ends is preferably higher than or equal to one.
The shape of the bottom is not limited and may be a polygonal shape, a rounded-corner polygonal shape, a circular shape, an elliptical shape, or the like. The width is a diameter when the bottom has a circular shape, a longitudinal diameter when the bottom has an elliptical shape, or the diameter of a circumcircle or the longitudinal diameter of a circumellipse when the bottom has a polygonal shape or a rounded-corner polygonal shape. For example, in the mode shown in Fig. 1, since the bottom has a circular shape, the diameter of the circle is able to be determined. The diameter is the width, and the length perpendicular to the diameter is the height.
The tobacco material may have a fitting part with a heater member or the like for heating the non-combustion-heating-type tobacco.

[Flavor Developing Agent]

A flavor developing agent may be added to tobacco material. The flavor developing agent includes at least one of carbonates, hydrogencarbonates, oxides, and hydroxides of alkali metal and/or alkaline earth metal. Preferably, the flavor developing agent is potassium carbonate or sodium carbonate. By adding the flavor developing agent, volatilization of tobacco contents that are mostly amines is ensured, so it is possible to develop sufficient tobacco flavor even with the non-combustion-heating-type tobacco of a type that is heated at a relatively low temperature.
By adding the flavor developing agent, the pH of tobacco material may be 7 to 10.
In the specification, pH is able to be measured by a pH meter (for example, IQ240 made by IQ Scientific Instruments, Inc.). For example, distilled water ten times as heavy as 2 to 10 g of tobacco material in weight ratio is added to the tobacco material, a mixture of water and the tobacco material is shaken at 200 rpm for ten minutes at room temperature (for example, 22°C) and left standing for five minutes, and then the pH of the obtained extract is measured with the pH meter.
The pH of the tobacco material is not limited. From the viewpoint of ensuring volatilization of tobacco contents that are mostly amines, including nicotine, the pH is commonly higher than or equal to 6.5, preferably higher than or equal to 7.0, and more preferably higher than or equal to 7.5, and the pH is commonly lower than or equal to 11.0 and preferably lower than or equal to 10.0. The pH tends to be determined mainly based on the type and amount of the above-described flavor developing agent and can also change based on another material.
The pH of the tobacco material used in a common cigarette or non-combustion-heating-type tobacco depends on the type of tobacco used or the type of flavor component added but the pH is about four to six due to contribution of various organic acids contained. In the case of such a small pH, that is, in an acid environment, tobacco contents that are mostly amines are difficult to be volatilized. In terms of this point, in a common cigarette or non-combustion-heating-type tobacco, the heating temperature during use is high, so a desired amount of volatilization of tobacco contents that are mostly amines is ensured. However, when the heating temperature during use is high, not only volatilization of aerosol-source material but also decomposition of another component occurs, with the result that white tobacco vapor is easily produced.
On the other hand, by setting the pH of the tobacco material to alkaline like the above-described range, a desired amount of volatilization of nicotine is ensured while the heating temperature during use is maintained at a low temperature, that is, reduction of white tobacco vapor is achieved.
Hereinafter, each of the tobacco material (A) and the tobacco material (B) will be specifically described; however, unless otherwise specified, various conditions and suitable ranges described in each of the tobacco materials can also be applied to the other tobacco material.

The tobacco material (A) is made up of tobacco granules.
The raw materials of the tobacco material (A) are not limited and may include (a) ground tobacco material, (b) moisture, (c) at least one-type flavor developing agent selected from a group consisting of potassium carbonate and sodium hydrogencarbonate, and (d) at least one-type binder selected from a group consisting of pullulan and hydroxypropyl cellulose.
The ground tobacco material (component (a)) included in the raw material of the tobacco material (A) includes the one obtained by grinding tobacco leaves, ground tobacco sheet, the tobacco material (B) (described later), or the like. The types of tobacco include a burley type, a flue cured type, and an oriental type. The ground tobacco material is preferably ground into sizes greater than or equal to 200 µm and less than or equal to 300 µm. The average particle diameter is able to be measured by using a particle counter (for example, Mastersizer made by Spectris).
The moisture (component (b)) contained in the tobacco material (A) is used to maintain the unity of tobacco granules.
The raw material mixture of the tobacco material (A) commonly contains moisture higher than or equal to 3 wt% and lower than or equal to 13 wt%. The tobacco material (A) commonly can contain moisture such that the value of drying loss is higher than or equal to 5 wt% and lower than or equal to 17 wt%. A drying loss means a change in weight before and after drying when part of a sample is collected for measurement and the sample is completely dried by evaporating all the moisture in the collected sample (for example, when dried at a certain temperature (105°C) for 15 minutes) and specifically means the percentage (wt%) of a total value of the amount of moisture contained in the sample and the amount of volatile component that volatilizes under the drying condition to a sample weight. In other words, the drying loss (wt%) is expressed by the following expression (1). $\begin{array}{l} Drying Loss (wt %) = \\ \{(Weight of Sample before Completely Dried) - (Weight of Sample after Completely Dried)\} \times 100 / (\begin{array}{l} Weight of Sample \\ before Completely Dried \end{array}) \end{array}$
The flavor developing agent (component (c)) contained in the tobacco material (A) is made of potassium carbonate, sodium hydrogencarbonate, or a mixture of them. These pH adjustors adjust the pH of the tobacco material (A) to the alkali side to thereby facilitate releasing flavor component contained in the tobacco material (A) from tobacco granules and provide taste that can be satisfied by a user.
The raw material mixture of the tobacco material (A) can commonly contain the pH adjustor higher than or equal to 5 wt% and lower than or equal to 20 wt%.
The binder (component (d)) contained in the tobacco material (A) is used to hold the unity of tobacco granules by binding the tobacco granule component. The binder is made of pullulan, gellan gum, carageenan, agar, guar gum, roast bean gum, hydroxypropyl cellulose (HPC), hydroxypropyl methylcellulose (HPMC), carboxymethyl cellulose (CMC), starch, modified starch, or a mixture of them.
The raw material mixture of the tobacco material (A) can commonly contain the binder higher than or equal to 0.5 wt% and lower than or equal to 15 wt%.
The tobacco material (A) can be made up of the components (a), (b), (c), and (d) and may further contain an additional component.
The additional component is (e) a volatile flavor (also referred to as "flavor component" or "flavor material", solid or liquid). The volatile flavor may be a selected flavor as a flavor capable of developing a flavor feeling at a low temperature about 100°C. A flavor feeling means that, when the non-combustion-heating-type tobacco is used, it is possible to feel flavor originated from the flavor. The flavor component may be one type selected from among 1-menthol, natural plant flavor (for example, cognac oil, orange oil, jasmine oil, spearmint oil, peppermint oil, aniseed oil, coriander oil, lemon oil, chamomile oil, labdanum, cuscus oil, rose oil, and lovage oil), esters (for example, menthyl acetate, isoamyl acetate, linalyl acetate, isoamyl propionate, benzyl butyrate, methyl salicylate, and the like), ketones (for example, menthone, ionone, ethyl maltol, and the like), alcohols (for example, phenylethyl alcohol, anethole, cis-6-nonen-1-ol, eucalyptol, and the like), aldehydes (for example, benzaldehyde, and the like), and lactones (for example, ω-pentadecalactone, and the like). Particularly preferable volatile flavors to be contained in the tobacco material include 1-menthol, anethole, menthyl acetate, eucalyptol, ω-pentadecalactone, and cis-6-nonen-1-ol. Alternatively, the volatile flavors to be contained in the tobacco material may be a mixture of two or more types selected from the above group.
The volatile flavors to be contained in the tobacco material (A) may be used in a solid state or may be dissolved or dispersed in an appropriate solvent, for example, propylene glycol, glycerine, ethyl alcohol, or benzyl alcohol, and used. Preferably, the volatile flavor may be a flavor of which a dispersed state tends to be formed in a solvent as a result of addition of emulsifier, for example, hydrophobic flavor, oil-soluble flavor, or the like. These flavor components may be used solely or may be used in a mixed state.
The raw material mixture of the tobacco material (A) can commonly contain the flavor material higher than or equal to 0.5 wt% and lower than or equal to 30 wt%. The flavor material may be added to the components (a), (b), (c), and (d) by being directly kneaded with the components or may be added to the components by being supported on a known host inclusion compound, such as cyclodextrin, to prepare an inclusion compound and kneading the inclusion compound with the above components. Alternatively, after the tobacco material (A) is produced without a flavor material added, the flavor material dissolved in a solvent may be added by spraying. Alternatively, after the tobacco material (A) is produced without a flavor material added, the flavor material dissolved in a solvent may be added by spraying.
The content of the flavor in the tobacco material (A), obtained from the above-described raw material mixture, is not limited. From the viewpoint of imparting good flavor, the content of the flavor is commonly lower than or equal to 100000 ppm, preferably lower than or equal to 40000 ppm, and more preferably lower than or equal to 25000 ppm.
When the tobacco material (A) is made up of the above components (a), (b), (c), (d), and (e), the raw material mixture of the tobacco material (A) can commonly contain the component (a) higher than or equal to about 20 wt% (lower than or equal to about 80 wt%).
The tobacco material (A) is obtained by mixing the components (a), (c), and (d), and, when desired, the component (e), adding the component (b) to the mixture and kneading the mixture, granulating the obtained kneaded product (into a long columnar shape) with a wet extrusion granulator, and then sizing the granules into a short columnar shape or a spherical shape.
In extrusion granulation, the kneaded product is preferably extruded at an ambient temperature under a pressure of higher than or equal to 2 kN. By extrusion under such a relatively high pressure, the temperature of the kneaded product at the outlet of the extrusion granulator instantaneously rapidly increases from the ambient temperature to, for example, higher than or equal to 90°C and lower than or equal to 100°C, and the moisture and the volatile component, higher than or equal to 2 wt% and lower than or equal to 4 wt%, vaporize. Therefore, water to be blended to produce a kneaded product is able to be used by a larger amount of vaporization as compared to a desired moisture in tobacco granules to be obtained.
Tobacco granules obtained by extrusion granulation may be further dried as needed to adjust moisture. For example, when the drying loss of the tobacco granules obtained by extrusion granulation is measured and the measured drying loss is higher than a desired drying loss (for example, higher than or equal to 5 wt% and lower than or equal to 17 wt%), the tobacco granules may be further dried to obtain the desired drying loss. A drying condition (temperature and time) for obtaining the desired drying loss is able to be set based on a drying condition (temperature and time) needed to reduce the drying loss by a predetermined value.
The tobacco material (A) may be made up of only the above-described tobacco granules and may further include an additional tobacco material. The additional tobacco material is commonly shreds or fine powder of tobacco leaves. The additional tobacco material may be mixed with tobacco granules and used.

The material of shredded tobacco contained in the tobacco material (B) is not limited and may be a known one, such as lamina and a midrib, may be used. For example, the dried tobacco leaves may be the one shredded into a width greater than or equal to 0.5 mm and less than or equal to 2.0 mm. The length of the shredded tobacco leaves falls within the range of greater than or equal to about 0.5 mm and less than or equal to about 10 mm. Alternatively, the dried tobacco leaves may be ground into ground tobacco with an average particle diameter greater than or equal to 20 µm and less than or equal to 200 µm, the one obtained by forming a sheet from the uniformed ground tobacco (hereinafter, also simply referred to as uniform sheet) may be shredded into a width greater than or equal to 0.5 mm and less than or equal to 2.0 mm. The average particle diameter of the ground tobacco is able to be measured by using a particle counter (for example, Mastersizer made by Spectris). The length of the shredded uniform sheet falls within the range greater than or equal to about 0.5 mm and less than or equal to about 10 mm. As for tobacco leaves used to manufacture the shredded tobacco or the uniform sheet, various types of tobacco may be used. Examples of the types of tobacco include a flue cured type, a burley type, an orient type, a local type, other nicotiana-tabacum-series species, nicotiana-rustica-series species, and mixtures of them. The mixtures may be used by appropriately blending the above-described species to attain an intended taste. The details of the species of the tobaccos are disclosed in "Tobacco Dictionary, Tobacco Research Center, 2009.3.31 ". The method of manufacturing a uniform sheet, that is, a method of grinding tobacco leaves and working the ground tobacco leaves into a uniform sheet, includes a plurality of existing methods. The first one is a method of manufacturing a paper-made sheet by using a paper-making process. The second one is a method of casting a uniformed product onto a metal plate or a metal plate belt with a thin thickness after an appropriate solvent, such as water, is mixed with the ground tobacco leaves to be uniformed and drying the uniformed product to form a cast sheet. The third one is a method of manufacturing a calendared sheet by extruding a product obtained by mixing an appropriate solvent, such as water, with the ground tobacco leaves and kneaded, into a sheet. The type of the uniform sheet is disclosed in detail in "Tobacco Dictionary, Tobacco Research Center, 2009.3.31".
The moisture content of the tobacco material (B) may be higher than or equal to 10 wt% and lower than or equal to 15 wt% with respect to the total amount of tobacco material and preferably higher than or equal to 11 wt% and lower than or equal to 13 wt%. With such a moisture content, occurrence of wrapping stains is reduced, and wrapping aptitude in manufacturing a non-combustion-heating-type tobacco is improved.
The size of shredded tobacco contained in the tobacco material (B) and its preparation method are not limited. For example, the dried tobacco leaves may be the one shredded into a width greater than or equal to 0.5 mm and less than or equal to 2.0 mm.
When a ground product of uniform sheet is used, dried tobacco leaves are ground into an average particle diameter of greater than or equal to about 20 µm and less than or equal to about 200 µm, a sheet is formed from the uniformed ground product, and the one obtained by shredding the sheet into a width of greater than or equal to 0.5 mm and less than or equal to 2.0 mm may be used.
The tobacco material (B) may contain the materials (a) to (e) in the above-described tobacco material (A). The types and contents of these materials and other usage modes may be designed similarly to those of the above-described tobacco material (A).
The above-described tobacco material (A) or tobacco material (B) may contain aerosol-source material or does not need to contain aerosol-source material. The type of the aerosol-source material is not limited. Extracted substances from various natural products and/or components of them may be selected according to an application. Examples of the aerosol-source material include glycerine, propylene glycol, triacetin, 1,3-butanediol, and mixtures of them.
The content in the case where aerosol-source material is contained may be, for example, lower than or equal to 10 wt% with respect to 100 wt% of tobacco material, may be lower than or equal to 8 wt% in another mode, may be lower than or equal to 5 wt% in further another mode, may be lower than or equal to 3 wt% in further another mode, may be lower than or equal to 1 wt% in further another mode, or may be no content (0 wt%).

The configuration of wrapping paper is not limited and may be a general wrapping paper or rolling paper.
Examples of the wrapping paper include the one containing pulp as a main component. Not only sheet is made from wood pulp, such as soft wood pulp and hard wood pulp, but also pulp may be made by mixing non-wood pulp generally used in rolling paper for a tobacco article, such as flax pulp, cannabis pulp, sisal pulp, and esparto.
Chemical pulp, ground pulp, chemiground pulp, thermomechanical pulp, or the like obtained by kraft cooking, acid, neutral, alkali sulfite cooking, soda salt cooking, or the like may be used as the type of pulp.
The length and thickness of fiber of pulp are not limited. Commonly, the length of fiber of pulp is greater than or equal to 0.1 mm and less than or equal to 5 mm, and the thickness of fiber of pulp is greater than or equal to 10 µm and less than or equal to 60 µm.
During a sheet making process performed by a Fourdrinier paper machine, a cylinder paper machine, a cylinder-tanmo complex paper machine, or the like by using the above-described pulp, formation is uniformed to produce wrapping paper Where necessary, a wet strength agent may be added to impart wrapping paper with water resistance or a sizing agent may be added to adjust the printing condition of wrapping paper. Furthermore, a paper internal agent, such as aluminum sulfate, various anionic, cationic, nonionic, or amphoteric yield enhancement agents, a freeness enhancement agent, and a paper strengthening agent, and a paper making additive, such as dye, a pH adjustor, an antifoamer, a pitch control agent, and a slime control agent, may be added.
The air permeability of wrapping paper is not limited. From the viewpoint of making it easy to suppress exudation of a liquid component in tobacco material from the wrapping paper, the air permeability of wrapping paper is commonly higher than or equal to zero CORESTA Unit and lower than or equal to 50 CORESTA Unit and preferably higher than or equal to zero CORESTA Unit and lower than or equal to 10 CORESTA Unit.
The air permeability in the specification means the flow rate of air flowed (permeated) per 1 min·1 cm² when air is passed from one side (2 cm²) of paper under a set pressure of 1 kPa.
A wrapping paper may be a single layer made up of only a paper layer made of the above-described material or may be laminated with an impermeable layer, such as a resin layer made of resin and a metal foil made of metal. A laminated layer may be made up of two layers including a paper layer and an impermeable layer. Preferably, a laminated layer is made up of three layers laminated by sandwiching a single impermeable layer with two paper layers or made up of three or more layers in which an adhesion layer is provided between these layers. The upper limit of the number of layers that make up a wrapping paper is not limited. From the viewpoint of easiness of working at the time of wrapping, the number of layers is preferably less than or equal to seven.
By providing an impermeable layer, it is easy to suppress exudation of a component in tobacco material from a wrapping paper. When a paper layer is provided as each of a front side layer and a back side layer, adhesion when a wrapping paper is wrapped becomes strong, and peeling is suppressed.
When the impermeable layer is a resin layer, the type of the resin layer is not limited. Examples of the type of the resin layer include polyethylene, polypropylene, PET, and polylactate.
A method of providing a resin layer is not limited. Sheet resin may be bonded to paper with a binder, sheet resin may be bonded to paper by using hot melt, or melted resin may be directly applied to paper. Examples of the binder to bond paper with resin include PVA, PVAc, EVA, CMC, HPMC, and HPC.
When sheet wrapping paper is finally used for wrapping, paper and paper or paper and resin are commonly bonded by using a binder. Examples of the binder to bond paper and paper include vinyl acetate and EVA.
The basis weight of the wrapping paper in the non-combustion-heating-type tobacco is, for example, commonly greater than or equal to 110 gsm and preferably greater than or equal to 120 gsm. On the other hand, the basis weight is commonly less than or equal to 180 gsm and preferably less than or equal to 160 gsm.
From the viewpoint of suppressing peeling of the bonded parts of the wrapping paper of the above-described non-combustion-heating-type tobacco manufactured with the wrapping machine, the thickness of the wrapping paper is preferably less than or equal to 300 µm and more preferably less than or equal to 250 µm. On the other hand, from the viewpoint of the capability of the mouthpiece of the non-combustion-heating-type tobacco product to hold the non-combustion-heating-type tobacco and the viewpoint that stains on the wrapping paper due to a flavor contained in tobacco material are not visually recognized, the thickness of the wrapping paper is preferably greater than or equal to 100 µm and more preferably greater than or equal to 120 µm.
When the wrapping paper has such a structure that the front side paper layer, the intermediate layer of the air-impermeable layer, and the back side paper layer are laminated in this order, for example, the following conditions can be set to bring the characteristics of the overall wrapping paper into the numeric ranges of the above-described characteristics.
The intermediate layer may be made up of two or more layers as long as the intermediate layer includes an air-impermeable layer made up of a resin layer, a metal layer, or the like.
The paper that is the front side paper layer of the wrapping paper has a basis weight preferably greater than or equal to 30 gsm and less than or equal to 100 gsm and more preferably greater than or equal to 40 gsm and less than or equal to 80 gsm.
The paper that is the front side paper layer of the wrapping paper has a thickness preferably greater than or equal to 30 µm and less than or equal to 100 µm and greater than or equal to 30 µm and less than or equal to 80 µm.
The paper that is the back side paper layer of the wrapping paper has a basis weight preferably greater than or equal to 20 gsm and less than or equal to 100 gsm and more preferably greater than or equal to 30 gsm and less than or equal to 60 gsm.
The paper that is the back side paper layer of the wrapping paper has a thickness preferably greater than or equal to 30 µm and less than or equal to 100 µm and more preferably greater than or equal to 40 µm and less than or equal to 70 µm.
The intermediate layer that includes the air-impermeable layer has a basis weight preferably greater than or equal to 15 gsm and less than or equal to 100 gsm and more preferably greater than or equal to 20 gsm and less than or equal to 60 gsm.
The intermediate layer that includes the air-impermeable layer has a thickness preferably greater than or equal to 10 µm and less than or equal to 100 µm and more preferably greater than or equal to 20 µm and less than or equal to 50 µm.
Examples of the shape of the wrapping paper of the non-combustion-heating-type tobacco include a square shape and a rectangular shape.
When a wrapping paper is used as a paper for wrapping the filter parts and the tobacco material, the size of the wrapping paper can be changed selectively according to an application. When the tobacco material is wrapped with a wrapping paper into a columnar shape, for example, one end of the wrapping paper in the w direction of Fig. 1 and its opposite-side end are overlapped with about 2 mm to be bonded into a columnar paper core shape. The size of the rectangular wrapping paper is able to be determined by the size of the completed non-combustion-heating-type tobacco.
Other than the above-described pulp, the paper of the wrapping paper according to the present embodiment may contain a filler. The content of the filler may be higher than or equal to 10 wt% and lower than 60 wt% and preferably higher than or equal to 15 wt% and lower than or equal to 45 wt% with respect to the total weight of the wrapping paper according to the embodiments of the present invention.
Examples of the filler include calcium carbonate, titanium dioxide, and kaolin. From the viewpoint of enhancing flavor and whiteness, and the like, calcium carbonate is preferably used. By containing a filler, the opacity of paper increases, the whiteness of paper increases, and the smoothness of paper increases.
A wrapping paper may be coated as needed.
A coating agent may be added to at least one side of the two front and back sides of the wrapping paper. The coating agent is not limited and is preferably a coating agent capable of forming a film on the surface of paper and reducing the permeability of liquid. Examples of the coating agent include polysaccharides, such as alginic acid and its salt (for example, sodium salt), and pectin, cellulose derivatives, such as ethyl cellulose, methyl cellulose, carboxymethyl cellulose, and nitrocellulose, and starches and their derivatives (for example, ether derivatives, such as carboxymethyl starch, hydroxyalkyl starch, and cationic starch, and ester derivatives, such as starch acetate, starch phosphate, and starch octenyl succinate).

The non-combustion-heating-type tobacco of the present embodiment has the first filter part and the second filter part, however, these are not distinguished from each other, a user is able to selectively choose which filter part is set for the inhalation port side or the heater side according to the form of the electrically heated tobacco product used during use. The following description of a filter part is applied to any of the first filter part and the second filter part unless otherwise specified. The configuration of the first filter part and the configuration of the second filter part may be different within a usable range or the same.
The filter part is a part that includes a filter (described later) and is not limited as long as the filter part has the function of a general filter. For example, the filter part may be made up of a single segment made of only a filter or may be made up of a plurality of segments made by a combination of a filter and another member.
The filter part may use a filter part including an additive releasing container (described later)
The size of the first filter part and the second filter part is not limited and may be set as needed in accordance with the form of the non-combustion-heating-type tobacco to be used during use or the form of the electrically heated tobacco product used during use. For example, the following mode may be used. In the filter part, the length of the non-combustion-heating-type tobacco in the long-axis direction is defined as "height".
From the viewpoint of ensuring good air-flow resistance, the height per one filter part is commonly greater than or equal to 3 mm, preferably greater than or equal to 4 mm, and is commonly less than or equal to 15 mm and preferably less than or equal to 10 mm.
When the non-combustion-heating-type tobacco is a columnar body, the filter part is also a columnar body; however, the diameter (width) is theoretically less than the width w of the bottom of the columnar body of the non-combustion-heating-type tobacco, and a value obtained by adding the width of the filter part of the columnar body to a value that is twice as large as the thickness of the above-described wrapping paper is the width w of the bottom of the columnar body of the non-combustion-heating-type tobacco.
The material of the filter may be obtained by working cellulose acetate tow into a cylindrical shape. The single yarn fineness and total fineness of cellulose acetate tow are not limited. In the case of a non-combustion-heating-type tobacco with a perimeter of 24.5 mm, the single yarn fineness is preferably greater than or equal to 5 g/9000 m and less than or equal to 20 g/9000 m, and the total fineness is preferably greater than or equal to 12000 g/9000 m and less than o equal to 35000 g/9000 m. The sectional shape of fiber of cellulose acetate tow may be a Y cross section or may be an R cross section. In the case of a filter filled with cellulose acetate tow, 5 wt% or higher and 10 wt% or lower of triacetin may be added to the weight of cellulose acetate tow to improve filter hardness.
A method of wrapping cellulose acetate tow with a filter wrapping paper may be used as a method of working cellulose acetate tow into a cylindrical shape. The physical property of the filter wrapping paper is not limited. Examples of the filter wrapping paper may include a high air permeability paper with an air permeability of 1000 C.U. or higher and a low air permeability paper with an air permeability of 100 C.U. A wrapping paper used for a common cigarette filter may be used as the filter wrapping paper. For example, a wrapping paper with a basis weight of 30 to 100 g/m² and a thickness of 30 to 100 µm may be used. Such a high air permeability paper is not limited. Examples of the air permeability paper may include LPWS-OLL (air permeability 1300 C.U., basis weight 26.5 gsm, thickness 48 µm), P-10000C (air permeability 10000 C.U., basis weight 24.0 gsm, thickness 60 µm), or plain paper (air permeability 0 C.U., basis weight 24 gsm, thickness 32 µm), produced by Nippon Paper Papylia Co., Ltd.
Other than the filter made of a tow, such as the above-described acetate tow, a filter filled with paper or nonwoven fabric sheet containing pulp as a main component may be used.
In manufacturing filter material, regulating air-flow resistance and adding additives (known adsorbent, flavor, flavor holder, and the like) are able to be designed as needed.
As described above, each of the first filter part and the second filter part may be made up of a single segment or may be made up of a plurality of segments. Even when the first filter part and/or the second filter part is made up of a plurality of segments, the wrapping paper wraps them to make up a non-combustion-heating-type tobacco.
When the first filter part and/or the second filter part is made up of a single segment, examples of the mode include a mode in which the filter part is made up of only a filter filled with cellulose acetate tow and a mode in which the filter part is made up of only a filter filled with paper or nonwoven fabric sheet containing pulp as a main component. Examples of the mode further include a mode in which an additive releasing container (described later) is included in each of these filters.
Examples of a mode in the case where the first filter part and/or the second filter part is made up of a plurality of segments include a mode in which the plurality of segments is made up of a plurality of the same or different filters. In this case, the filter may be the above-described one filled with acetate tow, may be the one filled with paper or nonwoven fabric sheet containing pulp as a main component, or may be the one including an additive releasing container (described later).
Examples of another mode in which the first and second filter parts each are made up of a plurality of segments include a mode in which each of the first and second filter parts is made up of a filter and another member. The "another member" is not limited. Examples of the "another member" include a paper core formed by working thick paper into a cylindrical shape. If the tobacco filling section length is increased at the time when the length of a non-combustion-heating-type tobacco is intended to be elongated, a more than necessary amount of tobacco material needs to be disposed, so, if the filter length is increased, the filter part air-flow resistance increases, with the result that easiness of inhalation is influenced. In this case, when a paper core is used, the length of the non-combustion-heating-type tobacco is able to be adjusted without receiving the above influence.
Any one of the first filter part and the second filter part may include a breakable additive releasing container (for example, a capsule) including a breakable outer shell, such as gelatin. In this case, the filter part that includes the additive releasing container is an inhalation port side. When the capsule is broken by the user of the non-combustion-heating-type tobacco before use, during use, or after use, the capsule releases liquid or substance (commonly, flavor material) contained in the capsule. Subsequently, the liquid or the substance is transferred by the smoke of tobacco while the non-combustion-heating-type tobacco is being used, and is transferred to an ambient environment after use.
The form of the additive releasing container is not limited. Examples of the form of the additive releasing container may include a capsule, such as an easily breakable capsule, and the shape of the capsule is preferably spherical. An additive contained in the additive releasing container may include the above-described selected additive and particularly preferably includes flavor material and activated carbon. One or more kinds of materials that help filtering smoke may be added as an additive. The form of the additive is not limited and is commonly liquid or solid. Using a capsule containing an additive is known in the technical field. An easily breakable capsule and its manufacturing method are known in the technical field.
Examples of the flavor material include menthol, spearmint, peppermint, fenugreek, and clove. These flavor materials may be used solely or may be used in combination.

<Additional Segments

As shown in Fig. 2A and Fig. 2B, the above-described non-combustion-heating-type tobacco 1 may be wrapped with an additional segment joining paper 26 together with an additional segment 25 provided adjacent to the first filter part 21 and/or the second filter part 22. By providing the additional segment 25, a further additional function is able to be imparted to the non-combustion-heating-type tobacco.
The mode of the additional segment is not limited and may be, for example, a filter or a paper core. By providing a filter as an additional segment, it is possible to increase air-flow resistance. By providing a paper core at the inhalation port-side filter part as an additional segment, from the viewpoint that the distance between an electrically heated tobacco product in which the non-combustion-heating-type tobacco is inserted and the mouth of the user preferably ensures a length to some extent, it is possible to improve easiness to handle during use, such as easiness to hold in the mouth.
When a filter is provided at the inhalation port-side filter part as an additional segment, an additive releasing container may be provided inside the filter.
The mode described in the above-described filter part may be applied similarly to the mode of each of the filter, paper core, and additive releasing container, and its advantageous effects are those described in the above-described filter part.
The additional segment joining paper is not limited as long as the additional segment joining paper is able to join the non-combustion-heating-type tobacco with the additional segment. Examples of the additional segment joining paper include a chip paper.
The mode of the chip paper is not limited and may be a known chip paper.
The mode of the chip paper at the time of wrapping is not limited. For example, as shown in Fig. 2A, the chip paper may wrap to cover part of the non-combustion-heating-type tobacco and the entire surface of the additional segment or, as shown in Fig. 2B, the chip paper may wrap to cover part of the non-combustion-heating-type tobacco and part of the additional segment.

A mouthpiece may be engaged with the non-combustion-heating-type tobacco. Even when no mouthpiece is used, it is possible to use the non-combustion-heating-type tobacco. In this case, the non-combustion-heating-type tobacco and the mouth of a user directly contact with each other, so the tobacco, particularly, the inhalation port end filter, tends to get wet. Thus, there are a problem that the air-flow resistance increases and a problem that a feeling deteriorates. To improve these problems, it is desirable to use a mouthpiece.
In terms of easiness of handling during use, such as easiness of holding in a mouth, the distance between an electrically heated tobacco product in which the non-combustion-heating-type tobacco is inserted and the mouth of the user preferably ensures a length to some extent, so it is preferable to use a mouthpiece in terms of this point.
The mouthpiece may be directly engaged with the non-combustion-heating-type tobacco or may be indirectly engaged via the above-described additional segment.
The material of the mouthpiece is not limited, and may be any one of a polymer material, such as resin and rubber, a metal material, and an inorganic material. From the viewpoint of easiness of manufacturing and lightweight, the material of the mouthpiece is preferably resin.
The shape of the mouthpiece is not limited as long as a flow path s2 through which tobacco vapor to be inhaled by a user flows is ensured. The shape of the mouthpiece may be a cylindrical shape or a polygonal tubular shape. From the viewpoint of improving inhalation easiness, the inhalation port side is preferably narrow. As shown in Fig. 4, the mouthpiece is not uniformly narrowed, and is preferably narrowed such that the shape of a cross section orthogonal to the long-axis direction of the inhalation port end becomes a flat shape so as to be adapted to the shape of the lip of the user. With this configuration, when the user holds the mouthpiece in the mouth, the opening of the lip in the up and down direction reduces, so it is possible to reduce flow of air into the oral cavity through the gap between each end of the lip in the right and left direction and the mouthpiece.
The shape of the cross section of a hole that directly goes to the long-axis direction of an engaging part with the non-combustion-heating-type tobacco is not limited. If the shape of the cross section of the hole is a circle, the non-combustion-heating-type tobacco to be engaged tends to rotate and is easily removed, so the shape of the cross section of the hole is preferably such a shape that has a protruding part to apply pressure (catch) such that a part to be engaged with the non-combustion-heating-type tobacco deflects. To uniform the force that the mouthpiece applies to the non-combustion-heating-type tobacco, the shape of the hole of the engaging part and the arrangement of the protruding part are preferably symmetric.
Providing a protruded part (finger hook 311) present at a part where the mouthpiece of Fig. 6 is narrowed is preferable because removal of the mouthpiece is easy.
The length of the mouthpiece in the long-axis direction is not limited. From the viewpoint of ensuring easiness of inhalation, the length of the mouthpiece in the long-axis direction may be greater than or equal to 20 mm and less than or equal to 50 mm or may be greater than or equal to 25 mm and less than or equal to 30 mm.
In the non-combustion-heating-type tobacco, the length in the long-axis direction, of the part to be engaged with the mouthpiece, is not limited, and is commonly higher than or equal to 10% and lower than or equal to 30% with respect to the length h of the non-combustion-heating-type tobacco and is preferably about 20%.
Since the non-combustion-heating-type tobacco is not able to be repeatedly used, the mouthpiece is preferably able to be engaged at the time of the start of use of the non-combustion-heating-type tobacco and removed at the time of the end of use, that is, the mouthpiece is detachable from the non-combustion-heating-type tobacco.

<Electrically Heated Tobacco Products

The non-combustion-heating-type tobacco according to the embodiment of the present invention is able to be used as a cartridge to be accommodated in the electrically heated tobacco product as will be described below. The electrically heated tobacco product according to the embodiment of the present invention will be described.
Hereinafter, the non-combustion-heating-type tobacco according to the embodiment of the present invention is referred to as "cartridge".
An embodiment of the electrically heated tobacco product according to the present invention includes a housing and a mouthpiece. The housing extends in an axial direction and has an opening at a first end in the axial direction. The housing has an accommodation space inside, and the accommodation space communicates with the opening. The non-combustion-heating-type tobacco (cartridge) in which a flavor component is contained is accommodated in the accommodation space of the housing. The mouthpiece includes an engaging part and a holder. The engaging part is engaged with the opening.
The holder is configured to hold the non-combustion-heating-type tobacco.
According to the present embodiment, in replacing the non-combustion-heating-type tobacco, when the mouthpiece is removed from the housing, engagement of the engaging part of the mouthpiece with the opening of the housing is released, and the non-combustion-heating-type tobacco held by the holder of the mouthpiece is removed from the housing together with the mouthpiece. Thus, it is not necessary to remove the cartridge separately from the mouthpiece, so replacement of the cartridge is easily performed.
In the electrically heated tobacco product according to the present embodiment, the mouthpiece is configured to extend toward both sides of the opening in the axial direction in a state of being engaged with the opening. According to this mode, when the mouthpiece is removed from the housing, the part protruding outward from the opening of the housing in the mouthpiece can be held, so work for removing the mouthpiece is easy.
Fig. 3 is a perspective view of the electrically heated tobacco product (flavor inhaler; hereinafter, also simply referred to as inhaler) according to the embodiment of the present invention.
As shown in Fig. 3, the inhaler 1 that is an example of the electrically heated tobacco product according to a first embodiment is used to taste the flavor of tobacco leaves by inhaling vapor generated by heating tobacco leaves.
Fig. 4 is a perspective view of a state where a cap 40 is removed from the inhaler 1.
As shown in Fig. 4, the inhaler 1 includes a main unit 10, a cartridge 20, a mouthpiece 30, and the cap 40 (see Fig. 3). The cartridge 20 of each of the embodiments and modifications, as described above, is typically made up of a wrapping paper and two filter materials and has elasticity or flexibility.
The outer shape of the inhaler 1 is formed in a substantially square prism shape with a central axis set to an axis O. The main unit 10, the cartridge 20, the mouthpiece 30, and the cap 40 are disposed so as to be aligned in the axis O. In the following description, in an axis O direction (a direction along the axis O, axial direction), a direction heading from the main unit 10 toward the mouthpiece 30 is referred to as inhalation port side, and a direction heading from the mouthpiece 30 toward the main unit 10 is referred to as anti-inhalation port side. A direction that intersects with the axis O in plan view in the axis O direction is referred to as radial direction. In the radial direction, a direction to approach the axis O is referred to as inner side, and a direction to move away from the axis O is referred to as outer side. A direction to orbit around the axis O is referred to as circumferential direction. In the specification, the "direction" means two orientations, and, when one orientation of the "direction" is indicated, the one orientation is referred to as "side".
Fig. 5 is a sectional view taken along the line III-III in Fig. 4.
As shown in Fig. 5, the main unit 10 includes a housing 11, a power supply unit 15, and a heater 16. The housing 11 has a housing body 110, a mouthpiece support member 120, and a cartridge accommodation member 130.
The housing body 110 has an outer housing 111 and a bottom cap 116.
The outer housing 111 is formed in a substantially square tube shape with the central axis set to the axis O. The outer housing 111 makes up the outer surface of the inhaler 1. The shape of the outer housing 111 may be set as needed as long as the outer housing 111 extends in the axis O direction.
An inhalation port-side opening 111a extending through in the axis O direction is formed at the inhalation port-side end of the outer housing 111. An anti-inhalation port-side opening 111b extending through in the axis O direction is formed at the anti-inhalation port-side end of the outer housing 111. A switch opening 111c extending through in the radial direction is formed at part of the outer housing 111 in the circumferential direction. A switch 112 is provided at the switch opening 111c.
Here, in the present embodiment, of the radial direction, a direction connecting the axis O with the switch opening 111c is referred to as front and back direction. In this case, the switch opening 111c side with respect to the axis O is defined as front side, and a side opposite to the switch opening 111c with respect to the axis O is referred to as back side.
The bottom cap 116 is provided at the anti-inhalation port-side opening 111b of the outer housing 111. The bottom cap 116 is formed in a substantially rectangular shape in plan view when viewed in the axis O direction. The bottom cap 116 closes the anti-inhalation port-side opening 111b of the outer housing 111. The shape of the bottom cap 116 is able to be set as needed as long as the bottom cap 116 closes the anti-inhalation port-side opening 111b of the outer housing 111.
An inner tubular member 117 is provided inside the housing body 110. The inner tubular member 117 extends in the axis O direction and is formed in a substantially square tube shape. The inner tubular member 117 is made up of a pair of half members divided along the axis O direction. The overall length (the length along the axis O direction) of the inner tubular member 117 is shorter than the overall length of the outer housing 111. The shape of the inner tubular member 117 is able to be set as needed.
A partition wall 118 is provided inside the inner tubular member 117 so as to separate a space in which the battery 151 is accommodated from a space in which the heater 16 is accommodated.
The partition wall 118 has an inhalation port-side partition wall part 118a and a side partition wall part 118b. With this configuration, flow of air heated by the heater 16 into the space that accommodates the battery 151 is reduced. Thus, an increase in the temperature of the battery 151 is suppressed.
The inhalation port-side partition wall part 118a is disposed on the inhalation port side with respect to the battery 151. The side partition wall part 118b is disposed so as to cover the outer side of the battery 151 in the circumferential direction.
The mouthpiece support member 120 is provided at the inhalation port-side opening 111a of the outer housing 111.
Fig. 6 is a sectional view of the part including the mouthpiece 30 and the cartridge 20, taken along the width direction.
As shown in Fig. 6, in the engaging circumferential wall 33, an anti-inhalation port-side part 331 is thinner than an inhalation port-side part 332. With this configuration, a step 333 is formed at the boundary between the anti-inhalation port-side part 331 and the inhalation port-side part 332. The step 333 is formed in a substantially annular shape in plan view when viewed in the O direction. As shown in Fig. 6, the inhalation port-side end 20a of the cartridge 20 is in contact with the step 333 of the engaging circumferential wall 33 of the mouthpiece 30. At the connecting part of the inhalation port 31 with the proximal part 32, the opening width widens from the inhalation port side toward the anti-inhalation port side. A space section s3 is formed between the inhalation port-side end 20a of the cartridge 20 and the anti-inhalation port-side face of the inhalation port 31 of the mouthpiece 30. With this configuration, the closed area of the inhalation port-side end 20a of the cartridge 20 reduces, and the air-flow resistance is reduced.
As shown in Fig. 6, the inhalation port-side end 20a of the cartridge 20 is in contact with the step 333 of the engaging circumferential wall 33 of the mouthpiece 30. At the connecting part of the inhalation port 31 with the proximal part 32, the opening width widens from the inhalation port side toward the anti-inhalation port side. A space section s3 is formed between the inhalation port-side end 20a of the cartridge 20 and the anti-inhalation port-side face of the inhalation port 31 of the mouthpiece 30. With this configuration, the closed area of the inhalation port-side end 20a of the cartridge 20 reduces, and the air-flow resistance is reduced.
The cartridge 20 includes the filter material 21 of the first filter part, the filter material 22 of the second filter part, the space section 23, and the wrapping paper 24.
the finger hook 311 is provided on the outer periphery of the inhalation port 31. The finger hook 311 protrudes outward in the radial direction from the outer periphery of the inhalation port 31. The finger hook 311 is provided all around the outer periphery of the inhalation port 31 in the circumferential direction.
The flow path s2 extending through in the axis O direction is formed in the mouthpiece 30. Vapor generated from the cartridge 20 is able to flow through the flow path s2.
The heater member 16 of an electric heating device 10 may be, for example, a sheet heater, a flat heater, or a tubular heater. A sheet heater is a flexible sheet-shaped heater. Examples of the sheet heater include a heater that includes a film (of which the thickness is greater than or equal to about 20 µm and less than or equal to about 225 µm) made of heat-resistant polymer, such as polyimide. A flat heater is a rigid flat heater (of which the thickness is greater than or equal to about 200 µm and less than or equal to about 500 µm). Examples of the flat heater include a heater in which a resistance circuit is provided on a flat substrate and this part is regarded as a heat generating part. A tubular heater is a hollow or solid tubular heater. Examples of the tubular heater include a heater (of which the thickness is greater than or equal to about 200 µm and less than or equal to about 500 µm) that has a resistance circuit on the outer periphery of a tube made of, for example, metal and this part is regarded as a heat generating part. Examples of the heater include a prism heater and a cone heater made of, for example, metal, which has a resistance circuit inside and this part is regarded as a heat generating part. The sectional shape of the tubular heater may be a circular shape, an elliptical shape, a polygonal shape, a rounded-corner polygonal shape, or the like.
Where the length of the long-axis direction of the non-combustion-heating-type tobacco is L mm, the length of the heater member in the long-axis direction is able to fall within the range of L ± 5.0 mm.
A heating strength, that is, the heating time and heating temperature, on the non-combustion-heating-type tobacco 20 with the heater member 16 is able to be set in advance for each electrically heated tobacco product 1. For example, the heating strength may be set such that, after the non-combustion-heating-type tobacco 20 is inserted in the electric heating device 10, pre-heating is performed for a set time, the non-combustion-heating-type tobacco 20 is heated until the temperature of at least part of the tobacco material in the non-combustion-heating-type tobacco 20 becomes X(°C), and then the temperature is maintained at a set temperature lower than or equal to X(°C).
The X(°C) is preferably higher than or equal to 80°C and lower than or equal to 200°C from the viewpoint of delivery of the volatile component of tobacco. Specifically, the X(°C) may be set to 80°C, 90°C, 100°C, 110°C, 120°C, 130°C, 140°C, 150°C, 160°C, 170°C, 180°C, 190°C, or 200°C.
In the electrically heated tobacco product 1, as a result of heating of the heater member 16, vapor containing a flavor component and the like generated from tobacco material disposed in the space section passes through the inhalation port end-side filter and reaches the inside of the oral cavity of a user
The relationship between the mouthpiece and the electric heating device during use is not limited. The mouthpiece may be in contact with the outer side of the electric heating device, or may be fitted to a mouthpiece fitting part provided in the electric heating device. From the viewpoint of preventing drop of the mouthpiece during use, the fitting mode is preferable.
As described above, a mode in which engagement of the non-combustion-heating-type tobacco with the mouthpiece is enhanced by providing the mouthpiece with a protruding part is preferable because the non-combustion-heating-type tobacco and the mouthpiece are removed from the electric heating device at a time in removing the non-combustion-heating-type tobacco from the electric heating device. Specifically, static friction force applied between the mouthpiece and the non-combustion-heating-type tobacco is preferably greater than static friction force applied between the inner wall of the electric heating device and the non-combustion-heating-type tobacco.
The electrically heated tobacco product may include another component other than the above-described components. Examples of the other component include a temperature sensor and a gas concentration sensor (chemical sensor).

EXAMPLES

[Raw Materials of Tobacco Material]

▪Ground tobacco material 1; flue cured type, average particle diameter 70 µm (measured by the particle counter (Mastersizer made by Spectris))
▪ Ground tobacco material 2; burley type, average particle diameter 70 µm (measured by the particle counter (Mastersizer made by Spectris))
▪Water
▪Flavor developing agent; potassium carbonate
▪Binder; hydroxypropyl cellulose (HPC)
▪Primary flavor material; 1-menthol
▪Secondary flavor material; ethanol
▪Aerosol-source material; glycerine

[Wrapping Paper]

Of the outermost two layers of a wrapping paper, paper OPN#85 (produced by Nippon Paper Papylia Co., Ltd, thickness: 97 µm) was prepared as the layer (the front side layer of the wrapping paper) that was the outer peripheral side of the non-combustion-heating-type tobacco, and paper S52-7000 (produced by Nippon Paper Papylia Co., Ltd, thickness: 110 µm) was prepared as the layer (the back side layer of the wrapping paper) on the side opposite to the front side layer. A laminate layer (produced by Nippon Paper Papylia Co., Ltd, thickness: 20 µm) that was a film made of polyethylene resin was prepared as the intermediate layer (air-impermeable layer) of the wrapping paper. These were cut into a rectangular shape of which the length of one side that would be the long-axis direction of the non-combustion-heating-type tobacco was 20 mm and the length of another side orthogonal to the one side was 27.0 mm.
A wrapping paper 1 (basis weight: 124.7 gsm, thickness: 157 µm) was obtained by stacking the cut three layers and pressurizing the stacked layers while applying heat (laminating) to the stacked layers. As a result that the paper layer is compressed during lamination and part of the paper layer is embedded in the thermoplastic resin layer (here, laminate layer), the obtained wrapping paper is thinner than the total thickness of the thicknesses of the layers before lamination.

[Filter]

▪A cylindrical filter blank was prepared from cellulose acetate tow with a single yarn fineness of 12 g/9000 m and a total yarn fineness of 28000 g/9000 m as a raw material by using a filter production machine (FRA3SE) made by Sanjo Machine Works, Ltd. Subsequently, a filter blank with a filter wrapping paper with a perimeter of 24.5 mm and a height of 80 mm was prepared by wrapping the filter blank with the filter wrapping paper (name: LPWS-OLL, air permeability: 1300 C.U., basis weight: 26.5 gsm, thickness: 48 µm, produced by Nippon Paper Papylia Co., Ltd.). Subsequently, the filter blank with the filter wrapping paper was cut into a height of 4 mm to prepare a cylindrical filter with an air-flow resistance in the height direction of 3.7 mmH₂O.

[EXAMPLE 1]

The ground tobacco material 1 and tobacco material 2, the pH adjustor, and the binder were prepared as raw materials and mixed, kneaded with addition of water, and the obtained kneaded product was granulated by a wet extrusion granulator (made by Dalton Corporation; mesh size φ0.9mm, temperature of a kneaded product at the extrusion outlet 50 to 60°C).
The contents of the components in the raw materials were 50.00 wt% of tobacco material 1, 12.50 wt% of tobacco material 2, 25.00 wt% of water, 7.50 wt% of flavor developing agent, and 5.00 wt% of binder. The kneaded product was dried with a drier until 12.50 wt% of water, and then classified by a grinding classifier (made by Freund-Turbo Corporation; mesh size upstream φ710 mm, downstream φ250 mm). The average particle size of the obtained granules was 530 µm.
After that, the flavor material was added with a pipet such that the content of the flavor material in the tobacco granules was 9.09 wt%, and rotationally agitated for 24 hours or longer in a vial container under an environment of 22°C to be uniformly dispersed. The pH of the obtained tobacco granules was 9.5 (measurement temperature 22°C).
The contents of the components in the obtained tobacco granules were 53.03 wt% of tobacco material 1, 13.26 wt% of tobacco material 2, 11.36 wt% of water, 7.95 wt% of pH adjustor, 5.30 wt% of binder, and 9.09 wt% of flavor material.
The tobacco granules were disposed between two filters, and these were wrapped with the wrapping paper 1 to obtain the cylindrical non-combustion-heating-type tobacco (cartridge). Vinyl acetate was used as a binder at the time of bonding the first paper layer and the third paper layer of the wrapping paper into a cylindrical shape. In the non-combustion-heating-type tobacco 1, the diameter of the bottom was 7.8 mm, the height in the long-axis direction was 20 mm, and the volume ratio (packing fraction) of tobacco material in the space section was adjusted as shown in Table 1 by changing the filling amount of the tobacco material. The volume specific gravity of each tobacco material is shown in Table 1. The air-flow resistance of each non-combustion-heating-type tobacco in the long-axis direction was as shown in Table 1. The measurement was performed by disposing one of the filters as a bottom. Then, tobacco material was moved such that the tobacco material was substantially uniformly dispersed on the inner surface of the filter serving as the bottom.
As shown in Table 1, each non-combustion-heating-type tobacco (cartridge) was manufactured by changing the type and filling amount of tobacco material. The average particle size of tobacco granules of Lot2 was 630 µm, and the average particle size of tobacco granules of Lot3 was 250 µm.

In smoking test, the above-described cartridge was inserted in the flavor inhalation system (electrically heated tobacco product) shown in Fig. 3 and the like, a panelist took a single non-count puff after a lapse of three minutes from the time point (heating start time point) at which the heater switch was turned on, took a first evaluation puff (55 to 110 ml/2 sec that is a flow rate at the time of use of a general user) at the time point (evaluation start time point) after a lapse of three minutes and 30 seconds from the heating start time point, and made a sensory evaluation at a similar flow rate in the subsequent puffs (count/30 sec).

In Table 1, for "Inhalation Response" in sensory evaluation, evaluations were performed based on the criteria that 5 points: Very Favorable, 4 points: Favorable, 3 points: Allowable, 2 points: Unfavorable, and 1 point: Very Unfavorable.
In Table 1, for "Persistence" in sensory evaluation, evaluations were performed based on the criteria that 5 points: Satisfied 18 puffs (persistent up to 18 puffs), 4 points: Satisfied 15 Puffs, 3 points: Satisfied 12 Puffs, 2 points: Satisfied 9 Puffs, and 1 point: 8 Puffs or smaller.

The above-described cartridge was inserted in the flavor inhalation system (electrically heated tobacco product) shown in Fig. 3, a tobacco rod inhalation port end was inserted in a five-link-type rotary automatic smoker made by Borgwaldt. Then, after a lapse of 30 seconds from the time point (heating start time point) at which the heater switch was turned on, smoking was started. Measurement was performed under the conditions of Health Canada smoking method (smoking with a smoking amount of 55 cc/2 sec, a smoking time of 2 sec, a smoking interval of 30 sec, and the number of times of smoking of 13). Main-stream smoke components were trapped by preinstalled glass fiber filters (trapping Cambridge filters (produced by Borgwaldt, 400 Filter 44 mm)). These filters were subjected to shaking extraction for 20 minutes in 10 mL of isopropanol. The amounts of water, nicotine, and menthol were measured by a gas chromatograph (GC-FID/TCD (6890 N, made by Agilent)).

[Table 1]

Cartridge Number		Volume Specific Gravity of Tobacco Material (g/100 cc)	Filling Amount of Tobacco Material (mg)	Packing Fraction of Tobacco Material in Space Section (vol%)	Air-Flow Resistance of Cartridge /mmH₂O	Amount of Component in Smoke (mg)		Sensory Evaluation
					Air-Flow Resistance of Cartridge /mmH₂O	Nicotine	Menthol	Sensory Evaluation
					17.5 cc/s	Nicotine	Menthol	Inhalation Response	Persistence	Total
1	1-1	65.5	60	18.0	11.3	0.13	1.04	2.3	1.3	3.7
	1-2		90	27.0	13.7	0.18	1.31	3.0	3.0	6.0
	1-3		120	36.0	16.0	0.26	1.88	5.0	5.0	10.0
	1-4		150	45.0	17.3	0.28	2.22	5.0	5.0	10.0
	1-5		180	54.1	17.0	0.36	2.83	5.0	5.0	10.0
	1-6		210	63.1	21.0	0.27	2.48	3.0	5.0	8.0
	1-7		240	72.1	21.7	0.23	2.62	2.0	5.0	7.0
2	2-1	59.1	60	20.0	12.7	0.15	1.15	2.3	1.3	3.7
	2-2		90	29.9	14.7	0.17	1.49	3.0	3.0	6.0
	2-3		120	39.9	16.0	0.26	2.08	4.0	4.0	8.0
	2-4		150	49.9	18.3	0.23	2.29	5.0	5.0	10.0
	2-5		180	59.9	19.0	0.26	2.88	4.0	4.0	8.0
	2-6		210	69.9	20.7	0.22	2.77	3.0	5.0	8.0
	2-7		240	79.9	22.3	0.17	2.74	2.0	5.0	7.0
3	3-1	52.3	60	22.6	18.3	0.19	1.53	1.0	1.0	2.0
	3-2		90	33.9	20.0	0.28	2.33	2.0	1.0	3.0
	3-3		120	45.2	26.0	0.29	2.84	1.0	5.0	6.0
	3-4		150	56.5	32.0	0.29	3.30	1.3	5.0	6.3

From the results of Table 1, when the value of the air-flow resistance (downward air-flow resistance) of the non-combustion-heating-type tobacco was lower than 13 mmH₂O, only the undesirable result was obtained. Even when the downward air-flow resistance fell within a predetermined range, but when the volume specific gravity of tobacco material was lower than 55 g/100 cc, a satisfactory sensory evaluation was not obtained. When the packing fraction of tobacco material in the space section was higher than 70%, the tendency of slightly poor "inhalation response" was observed.

Reference Signs List

1: non-combustion-heating-type tobacco (inhaler)
10: electric heating device (main unit)
11: housing
15: power supply unit
16: heater member
20: cartridge
21: first filter part
22: second filter part
23: space section
24: wrapping paper
25: additional segment
26: additional segment j oining paper
T: tobacco material
30: mouthpiece (pull-out jig)
31: inhalation port
32: proximal part
33: engaging circumferential wall
40: cap
110: housing body
111: outer housing
111a: inhalation port-side opening
117: inner tubular member
120: mouthpiece support member
125: mouthpiece opening (opening)
130: cartridge accommodation member
140: cartridge support member
151: battery
152: control unit
311: finger hook
s2: flow path

Claims

A tubular non-combustion-heating-type tobacco comprising a first filter part, a second filter part, and a wrapping paper wrapping the filter parts such that a space section is formed between the first filter part and the second filter part, wherein
particulate tobacco material is movably disposed in the space section,

an air-flow resistance from the first filter part to the second filter part when the non-combustion-heating-type tobacco is positioned such that one of the first filter part and the second filter part serves as a bottom is 13 to 32 mmH₂O, and

a volume specific gravity of the particulate tobacco material is higher than or equal to 55 g/100 cc.
The non-combustion-heating-type tobacco according to claim 1, wherein a total air-flow resistance of the first filter part and the second filter part is lower than 8 mm/H₂O.
The non-combustion-heating-type tobacco according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the ratio of a volume of the particulate tobacco material to an overall volume of the space section is higher than or equal to 30 vol% and less than or equal to 70 vol% of the volume of the space section.
The non-combustion-heating-type tobacco according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the non-combustion-heating-type tobacco has a cylindrical shape, and a diameter of a circle of the cylinder is greater than or equal to 7.0 mm and less than or equal to 8.0 mm.
The non-combustion-heating-type tobacco according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the non-combustion-heating-type tobacco has a cylindrical shape, and a distance from the first end to the second end in the space section is greater than or equal to 10.0 mm and less than or equal to 20.0 mm.
The non-combustion-heating-type tobacco according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein an average particle size of the particulate tobacco material is greater than or equal to 400 µm and less than or equal to 700 µm.
The non-combustion-heating-type tobacco according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein a particle size of the particulate tobacco material, measured by a screen, is greater than 250 µm and less than 840 µm.
The non-combustion-heating-type tobacco according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein a pH of the particulate tobacco material is higher than or equal to 7.
The non-combustion-heating-type tobacco according to any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein the particulate tobacco material is tobacco granules.
An electrically heated tobacco product comprising:
an electric heating device that comprises a heater member, a battery unit serving as an electric power supply of the heater member, and a control unit for controlling the heater member, and

the non-combustion-heating-type tobacco according to any one of claims 1 to 9, inserted so as to be in contact with the heater member.
The electrically heated tobacco product according to claim 10, wherein
the electric heating device comprises a housing and a mouthpiece, and

the housing extends in an axial direction and has an opening at a first end in the axial direction, the housing has an accommodation space inside so as to communicate with the opening, the non-combustion-heating-type tobacco is accommodated in the accommodation space of the housing, and the mouthpiece comprises an engaging part and a holder.