EP4643675A1

EP4643675A1 - Flavor inhalation article

Info

Publication number: EP4643675A1
Application number: EP23911249.3A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Hiroshi SHIBUICHI; Hiroyuki Torai; Toru Sakurai; Tetsuya Motodamari
Original assignee: Japan Tobacco Inc
Current assignee: Japan Tobacco Inc
Priority date: 2022-12-26
Filing date: 2023-08-17
Publication date: 2025-11-05
Also published as: WO2024142463A1; KR20250114362A; WO2024142465A1; TW202508474A; KR20250114073A; CN120390592A; JPWO2024142463A1; JPWO2024142465A1; EP4643669A1; CN120712028A; JPWO2024142464A1; EP4643674A1; WO2024142464A1; CN120659554A; KR20250114363A; US20260101923A1

Abstract

The flavor inhalation article (1) includes a substrate section (10) containing an aerosol source (11) and a mouthpiece segment (50) through which the aerosol generated from the substrate section (10) passes, and a tip paper (40) wrapped around the outside of the substrate section (10) and the mouthpiece segment (50) to connect the substrate section (10) and the mouthpiece segment (50). The mouthpiece segment (50) includes a filter (31) which is a paper filter, and an object (33) different from the filter (31) disposed inside the filter (31). A vent hole (80) is formed in the tip paper (40) to allow air to flow into the interior of the filter (31) from the outside.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present disclosure relates to a flavor inhalation article.

BACKGROUND ART

PTL 1 describes an aerosol delivery system comprising a housing having a mouthpiece with an air outlet and a consumable unit accommodated within the housing, the consumable unit being provided with a supply source for an aerosol-generating medium and an air flow path wall that forms an air flow path passing through the supply source for the aerosol-generating medium and terminating near the air outlet of the housing. In PTL 1, it is disclosed that the consumable unit includes at least one filter material selected from tobacco, cellulose acetate, and porous paper.

CITATION LIST

PATENT LITERATURE

PTL 1: JP 2022-528485 A

SUMMARY OF INVENTION

TECHNICAL PROBLEM

In flavor inhalation articles where a paper filter is used, for example, it is desirable to regulate the temperature of the aerosol while maintaining the efficiency of delivering the substances (such as nicotine or glycerol) generated from the aerosol source to provide a highly satisfactory aerosol to the user.
An objective of the present disclosure is to provide a flavor inhalation article that can regulate the temperature of an aerosol while maintaining the efficiency of delivering the generated substances.

SOLUTION TO PROBLEM

To achieve this objective, a first feature of the present disclosure is a flavor inhalation article comprising a substrate section including an aerosol source, a filter section through which aerosol generated from the substrate section passes, and a tip paper wrapped around the outside of the substrate section and the filter section to connect the substrate section and the filter section, wherein the filter section includes a paper filter and an object different from the paper filter disposed inside the paper filter, and a vent hole is formed in the tip paper to allow air to flow into the interior of the filter section from the outside.
A second feature is that the object may be a hollow member with at least one end open in the longitudinal direction of the filter section.
A third feature is that the object may be a hollow member with both ends open in the longitudinal direction of the filter section. A fourth feature is that the filter section may have a cylindrical member formed in a cylindrical shape between the substrate section and the paper filter, and the vent hole may be formed in the tip paper at a position corresponding to the paper filter.
A fifth feature is that position of the vent hole in a longitudinal direction of the filter section may not overlap the position of the object in the longitudinal direction.
A sixth feature is that the position of the vent hole in a longitudinal direction of the filter section may overlap the position of the object in the longitudinal direction.
A seventh feature is that a communication hole may be formed in the paper filter at a position in the longitudinal direction of the filter section which overlaps the position of the vent hole in the longitudinal direction, allowing air flowing in from the vent hole to communicate with the voids of the paper filter.
An eighth feature is that if the paper filter meets predetermined conditions, the communication hole may be made deeper compared to when the predetermined conditions are not met.
A ninth feature is that the filter section may have a cylindrical member formed in a cylindrical shape between the substrate section and the paper filter, the vent hole may be formed in the tip paper at a position corresponding to the cylindrical member, and a through-hole may be formed in the cylindrical member to allow air flowing in from the vent hole to flow inside.
A tenth feature is that the vent hole may be circular with a diameter of 0.3 mm or more and 2.0 mm or less, or elliptical with a major axis of 0.5 mm or more and 3.0 mm or less and a minor axis of 0.2 mm or more and 1.5 mm or less.
An eleventh feature is that multiple vent holes may be formed in the tip paper, the multiple vent holes may be formed to be arranged along the circumferential direction of the filter section, and the number of holes may be 8 or more and 30 or less.
A twelfth feature is that the air inflow ratio when the filter section is inhaled at 17.5 ml/sec may be 40% by volume or more and 60% by volume or less.
A thirteenth feature is that the paper filter may be a filter filled with a sheet member.
A fourteenth feature is that the paper filter may be a filter filled with a sheet member such that voids are formed across the longitudinal direction of the filter section.

ADVANTAGEOUS EFFECTS OF INVENTION

According to the first, thirteenth, and fourteenth features, it is possible to regulate the temperature of the aerosol while maintaining the efficiency of delivering the generated substances.
According to the second feature, it is possible to maintain the efficiency of delivering the generated substances compared to a configuration where the object is a solid member.
According to the third feature, it is possible to improve the efficiency of delivering the generated substances compared to a configuration where one end of the object is closed in the longitudinal direction of the filter section.
According to the fourth feature, it is possible to regulate the temperature of the aerosol while maintaining the efficiency of delivering the generated substances compared to a configuration where air does not flow into the interior of the paper filter from the outside.
According to the fifth feature, it is possible to facilitate the inflow of air from the outside compared to a configuration where a vent hole is provided in the region where the object is disposed in the longitudinal direction of the filter section.
According to the sixth feature, it is possible to promote the aerosolization of the generated substances compared to a configuration where external air does not flow into the region where the object is disposed.
According to the seventh feature, it is possible to improve the breathability of the filter section.
According to the eighth feature, it is possible to enhance the breathability of the filter section compared to a configuration that does not consider the state of the paper filter.
According to the ninth feature, it is possible to regulate the temperature of the aerosol while maintaining the efficiency of delivering the generated substances compared to a configuration where air does not flow into the interior of the cylindrical member from the outside.
According to the tenth and eleventh features, it is possible to enhance the breathability of the filter section.
According to the twelfth feature, it is possible to maintain the efficiency of delivering the generated substances.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

Figure 1 is a diagram showing a longitudinal section of a flavor inhalation article according to the first embodiment.
Figure 2 is a schematic diagram schematically showing a configuration example of an inhalation device according to the first embodiment.
Figure 3 is a diagram showing an example of the configuration of the filter section according to the first embodiment, where (A) is a cross-section of section I-I in Figure 1, and (B) is a cross-section of section II-II in Figure 1.
Figure 4 is a diagram showing another example of the configuration of the filter section according to the first embodiment, where (A) is a cross-section of section I-I in Figure 1, and (B) is a cross-section of section II-II in Figure 1.
Figure 5 is a diagram showing another example of the longitudinal section of the flavor inhalation article according to the first embodiment, where (A) shows an object with a sharp second side, and (B) shows an object that narrows from the first side to the second side.
Figure 6 is a diagram showing another example of the longitudinal section of the flavor inhalation article according to the first embodiment, where (A) shows a state where the object is positioned on the second side within the filter, and (B) shows a state where the object is positioned closer to the center within the filter.
Figure 7 is a diagram showing another example of the longitudinal section of the flavor inhalation article according to the first embodiment, where (A) shows a state where an object with the same size in the centerline direction as the filter is positioned within the filter, and (B) shows a state where multiple objects are positioned within the filter.
Figure 8 is a diagram showing a longitudinal section of a flavor inhalation article according to the second embodiment, where (A) shows a state where the object is positioned on the first side within the filter, and (B) shows a state where the object is positioned on the second side within the filter.
Figure 9 is a diagram showing another example of the longitudinal section of the flavor inhalation article according to the second embodiment, where (A) shows a state where the object is positioned on the first side within the filter, and (B) shows a state where the object is positioned on the second side within the filter.
Figure 10 is a diagram showing a longitudinal section of a flavor inhalation article according to the third embodiment, where (A) shows a state where the object is positioned on the first side of the aerosol modifier, (B) shows a state where the object is positioned on the second side of the aerosol modifier, and (C) shows a state where the object is positioned on both the first side and the second side of the aerosol modifier.
Figure 11 is a diagram showing a longitudinal section of a flavor inhalation article according to the fourth embodiment.
Figure 12 is a diagram showing a longitudinal section of a flavor inhalation article according to the fifth embodiment.
Figure 13 is a diagram showing a longitudinal section of a flavor inhalation article according to the sixth embodiment.
Figure 14 is a diagram showing another example of the longitudinal section of the flavor inhalation article according to the sixth embodiment, where (A) shows a state where the object is positioned on the second side within the filter, and (B) shows a state where the object is positioned closer to the center within the filter.
Figure 15 is a diagram showing another example of the longitudinal section of the flavor inhalation article according to the sixth embodiment, where (A) shows a state where an object with the same size in the centerline direction as the filter is positioned within the filter, and (B) shows a state where multiple objects are positioned within the filter.
Figure 16 is a diagram showing a longitudinal section of a flavor inhalation article according to the seventh embodiment, where (A) shows a state where the object is positioned on the first side within the filter, and (B) shows a state where the object is positioned on the second side within the filter.
Figure 17 is a diagram showing another example of the longitudinal section of the flavor inhalation article according to the seventh embodiment, where (A) shows a state where the object is positioned on the first side within the filter, and (B) shows a state where the object is positioned on the second side within the filter.
Figure 18 is a diagram showing a longitudinal section of a flavor inhalation article according to the eighth embodiment, where (A) shows a state where the object is positioned on the first side of the aerosol modifier, (B) shows a state where the object is positioned on the second side of the aerosol modifier, and (C) shows a state where the object is positioned on both the first side and the second side of the aerosol modifier.

DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present disclosure will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. In each drawing, the same reference numerals are used to denote the same parts.

Figure 1 is a diagram showing a longitudinal section of a flavor inhalation article 1 according to the first embodiment. Figure 2 is a schematic diagram schematically showing a configuration example of an inhalation device 100 according to the first embodiment.
The flavor inhalation article 1 according to the first embodiment includes a substrate section 10, a mouthpiece segment 50 as an example of a filter section, and a tip paper 40. The mouthpiece segment 50 includes a filter section 30 having a filter 31 which is a paper filter. The mouthpiece segment 50 may also include a cooling section 20, which is a member through which aerosol generated from the substrate section 10 passes. The mouthpiece segment 50 may be held in the mouth by the user during inhalation. The substrate section 10 is formed in a cylindrical shape. Hereinafter, the direction of the centerline CL of the substrate section 10 may be referred to as the "centerline direction." The flavor inhalation article 1 is wrapped with the tip paper 40 in a state where the substrate section 10 and the mouthpiece segment 50 are arranged in order along the centerline direction to integrate them. Hereinafter, one end side in the centerline direction (the left side in Figure 1) may be referred to as the first side, and the other end side in the centerline direction (the right side in Figure 1) may be referred to as the second side. The first side is the end side that is inserted into the inhalation device 100 and is the upstream side in the flow of aerosol during inhalation. The second side is the opposite side of the first side, which is the end side that the user holds in his or her mouth for inhalation, and is the downstream side in the flow of aerosol during inhalation. Additionally, a cross-section along the centerline direction is referred to as a "longitudinal section," and a cross-section cut on a plane orthogonal to the centerline direction is defined as a "cross-section."

(Usage Mode of Flavor Inhalation Article 1)

The flavor inhalation article 1 according to the first embodiment is used in a heat-not-burn inhalation device 100. As shown in Figure 2, the inhalation device 100 includes a power supply unit 111 that accumulates power and supplies power to each component of the inhalation device 100, a sensor unit 112 that detects various information related to the inhalation device 100, and a notification unit 113 that notifies the user of information. Additionally, the inhalation device 100 includes a memory unit 114 that stores various information for the operation of the inhalation device 100, a communication unit 115 for transmitting and receiving information between the inhalation device 100 and other devices, and a control unit 116 that controls the overall operation within the inhalation device 100. Furthermore, the inhalation device 100 includes a heating unit 121 for heating the flavor inhalation article 1, a holding section 140 for holding the flavor inhalation article 1, an opening 142 that communicates the internal space 141 with the outside, and a heat insulation section 144 that prevents heat transfer from the heating unit 121 to other components of the inhalation device 100. In the inhalation device 100, inhalation by the user is performed while the flavor inhalation article 1 is held in the holding section 140.
The heating unit 121 heats the substrate section 10 of the flavor inhalation article 1. The heating unit 121 is formed by any material such as a metal or polyimide. For example, the heating unit 121 is configured in a film shape and disposed so as to cover the outer circumference of the holding section 140. When the heating unit 121 generates heat, the aerosol source 11 contained in the flavor inhalation article 1 is heated from the outer circumference of the flavor inhalation article 1. The heating unit 121 generates heat when supplied with electricity from the power supply unit 111. As an example, power may be supplied when a predetermined user input is detected by the sensor unit 112. When the temperature of the flavor inhalation article 1 heated by the heating unit 121 reaches a predetermined temperature, inhalation by the user becomes possible. After this, the electrical supply may be stopped when the sensor unit 112 has detected that there has been predetermined user input. As another example, power may be supplied, and aerosol may be generated during the period when inhalation by the user is detected by the sensor unit 112.
The heat insulation section 144 is arranged to cover at least the outer circumference of the heating unit 121. For example, the heat insulation section 144 is configured by a vacuum insulating material or an aerogel insulation material, etc. It should be noted that a vacuum insulation material is a heat insulation material in which a state of high vacuum is created by wrapping glass wool and silica (silicon powder), etc. in a resin film, for example, so that heat conduction by gas is as close as possible to zero.

(Flavor Inhalation Article 1)

The flavor inhalation article 1 is a heat-not-burn flavor inhalation article.
The cross-section of the flavor inhalation article 1 is substantially circular, and its circumference can be appropriately changed according to the size of the product, but is usually 16 mm or more and 27 mm or less, and preferably 21 mm or more and 23 mm or less. Note that if the cross-section is not circular, the above circumference is applied by assuming a circle having the same area as that cross-section, and the circumference of that circle is used.
The size in the centerline direction of the flavor inhalation article 1 can be appropriately changed according to the size of the product, but is usually 40 mm or more and 100 mm or less, and preferably 50 mm or more and 70 mm or less.

((Substrate Section 10))

The substrate section 10 includes an aerosol source 11 that generates vapor when heated, and a wrapping paper 12 that covers the outer circumference of the aerosol source 11. Additionally, the substrate section 10 may include a tip member 13 that prevents the aerosol source 11 from falling off from the end face on the first side of the substrate section 10. The substrate section 10 is formed in a cylindrical shape by wrapping the aerosol source 11 and the tip member 13 with the wrapping paper 12. The aerosol source 11 may be tobacco-derived, such as processed products formed into granules, sheets, or powders from shredded tobacco or tobacco raw materials. The aerosol source 11 may also include non-tobacco-derived materials made from plants other than tobacco (e.g., mint and herbs). As an example, the aerosol source 11 may include a fragrance. The type of fragrance is not particularly limited, but menthol is particularly preferred from the viewpoint of imparting a good flavor. These fragrances may be used alone, or two or more may be used in combination. If the inhalation device 100 is a medical inhaler, the aerosol source 11 may include a drug for the patient to inhale. Note that the aerosol source 11 is not limited to solids and may be a liquid such as polyhydric alcohols like glycerol and propylene glycol, as well as water. At least a part of the substrate section 10 is accommodated in the internal space 141 of the holding section 140 when the flavor inhalation article 1 is held in the holding section 140.
The substrate section 10, formed by wrapping the aerosol source 11 with the wrapping paper 12, preferably has a cylindrical shape that satisfies an aspect ratio of 1 or more as defined by Formula 1. $Aspect ratio = h / w$
In Formula 1, w is the width of the cross-section of the substrate section 10, and h is the size in the centerline direction of the substrate section 10, and it is preferable that h ≥ w. The shape of the cross-section is not limited and may be polygonal, rounded polygonal, circular, elliptical, etc.; in the case of a circular cross-section, the width w is the diameter; in the case of an elliptical cross-section, it is the major axis; and in the case of a polygonal or rounded polygonal cross-section, it is the diameter of the circumscribed circle or the major axis of the circumscribed ellipse. The width of the cross-section of the aerosol source 11 constituting the substrate section 10 is preferably 4 mm or more and 9 mm or less.
The size h in the centerline direction of the substrate section 10 can be appropriately changed according to the size of the product, but is usually 8 mm or more, and preferably 10 mm or more. Additionally, the size h in the centerline direction of the substrate section 10 is usually 70 mm or less, and preferably 30 mm or less.
Furthermore, the ratio of the size h of the substrate section 10 to the size of the flavor inhalation article 1 in the centerline direction is not particularly limited, but from the viewpoint of balancing delivery amount and aerosol temperature, this is usually 10% or more, preferably 20% or more, more preferably 25% or more, and even more preferably 30% or more. Moreover, the ratio of the size h of the substrate section 10 to the size of the flavor inhalation article 1 is usually 80% or less, preferably 70% or less, more preferably 60% or less, even more preferably 50% or less, particularly preferably 45% or less, and most preferably 40% or less.
The content of the aerosol source 11 in the substrate section 10 is not particularly limited, but examples include 200 mg or more and 800 mg or less, with 250 mg or more and 600 mg or less being preferred. This range is particularly suitable for a substrate section 10 with a circumference of 22 mm and a size of 20 mm in the centerline direction.
Here, the aerosol source 11 including shredded tobacco will be described. The material of the shredded tobacco included in the aerosol source 11 is not particularly limited, and known materials such as lamina and midrib can be used. Additionally, dried tobacco leaves can be pulverized to an average particle size of 20 µm or more and 200 µm or less to create a tobacco powder, which is then homogenized and sheet-processed (hereinafter simply referred to as a homogenized sheet) and shredded. Furthermore, a so-called strand type, in which a homogenized sheet with a size approximately the same as the size in the centerline direction of the substrate section 10 is shredded horizontally in the centerline direction of the substrate section 10 and filled as the aerosol source 11, may also be used.
The width of the shredded tobacco is preferably 0.5 mm or more and 2.0 mm or less for filling in the aerosol source 11.
Regarding the tobacco leaves used for producing shredded tobacco and homogenized sheets, various types of tobacco can be used. Examples include yellow, burley, oriental, native varieties, other Nicotiana tabacum varieties, Nicotiana rustica varieties, and mixtures thereof. For mixtures, each variety can be appropriately blended and used to achieve the desired flavor. Details on tobacco varieties are disclosed in "Dictionary of Tobacco, Tobacco Academic Studies Center, March 31, 2009". There are several conventional methods for producing homogenized sheets, i.e., methods for processing pulverized tobacco leaves into homogenized sheets. According to a first method, a paper sheet is produced using a papermaking process. According to a second method, a suitable solvent such as water is mixed with pulverized tobacco leaves and the mixture is homogenized, after which the homogenized material is thinly cast on a metal plate or a metal plate belt and dried, to produce a cast sheet. According to a third method, a suitable solvent such as water is mixed with pulverized tobacco leaves and the mixture is homogenized, and the homogenized material is then extruded into the form of a sheet and shaped to produce a rolled sheet. Details of the types of homogenized sheets are disclosed in "Dictionary of Tobacco, Tobacco Academic Studies Center, March 31, 2009".
The moisture content of the aerosol source 11 can be 10% by mass or more and 15% by mass or less relative to the total amount of the aerosol source 11, with 11% by mass or more and 13% by mass or less being preferred. Such a moisture content suppresses the occurrence of roll stains and improves the winding suitability during the production of the substrate section 10.
The aerosol source 11 is not particularly limited and may include extracts and/or their components from various natural substances according to the application. Examples of extracts and/or their components include glycerol, propylene glycol, triacetin, 1,3-butanediol, and mixtures thereof.
The content of extracts and/or their components in the aerosol source 11 is not particularly limited, but from the viewpoint of sufficiently generating aerosol and imparting a good flavor, it is usually 5% by mass or more, preferably 10% by mass or more, relative to the total amount of the aerosol source 11. Additionally, the content of extracts and/or their components in the aerosol source 11 is usually 50% by mass or less, preferably 15% by mass or more, and 25% by mass or less.
The filling density of the aerosol source 11 is not particularly limited, but from the viewpoint of ensuring the performance of the flavor inhalation article 1 and imparting a good flavor, it is usually 250 mg/cm³ or more, preferably 300 mg/cm³ or more. Additionally, the filling density of the aerosol source 11 is usually 400 mg/cm³ or less, preferably 350 mg/cm³ or less.
The aerosol source 11 may also be composed of tobacco sheets. The number of tobacco sheets may be one or more.
In the case where the aerosol source 11 is composed of a single tobacco sheet, an example mode is a so-called gather sheet, where a tobacco sheet with one side having a size approximately the same as the size in the centerline direction of the filled object is filled in a state of being folded back multiple times horizontally in the centerline direction of the filled object. Another example mode is where a tobacco sheet with one side having a size approximately the same as the size in the centerline direction of the filled object is filled in a state of being wound in a direction orthogonal to the centerline direction of the filled object.
In the case where the aerosol source 11 is composed of two or more tobacco sheets, an example mode is where multiple tobacco sheets, each having one side with a size approximately the same as the size in the centerline direction of the filled object, are filled in a state of being wound in a direction orthogonal to the centerline direction of the filled object so that they are arranged concentrically. "Arranged concentrically" means that the centers of all the tobacco sheets are positioned at approximately the same location.
The two or more tobacco sheets may all have the same composition or physical properties, or some or all of the tobacco sheets may have different compositions or physical properties. Additionally, the thickness of each tobacco sheet may be the same or different.
There are no restrictions on the thickness of each tobacco sheet, but from the viewpoint of balancing heat transfer efficiency and strength, a thickness of 150 µm or more and 1000 µm or less is preferred, with 200 µm or more and 600 µm or less being more preferred.
The aerosol source 11 can be manufactured by preparing multiple tobacco sheets with different widths, forming a laminate that narrows from the first side to the second side, and then winding it through a winding tube.
According to this manufacturing method, multiple tobacco sheets extend in the centerline direction and are arranged concentrically around the centerline CL.
In this manufacturing method, it is preferable that the laminate is prepared so that a non-contact portion is formed between adjacent tobacco sheets after winding. If there is a non-contact portion (gap) where the tobacco sheets do not contact each other between multiple tobacco sheets, it is possible to secure a flavor flow path and enhance the delivery efficiency of flavor components. On the other hand, since heat from the heating unit 121 can be transferred to the outer tobacco sheets through the contact portions of multiple tobacco sheets, high heat transfer efficiency can be ensured.
To provide a non-contact portion between multiple tobacco sheets, for example, methods such as using embossed tobacco sheets, laminating without bonding the entire surface of adjacent tobacco sheets, bonding part of adjacent tobacco sheets, or lightly bonding the entire surface or part of adjacent tobacco sheets so that they peel off after winding can be used to prepare the laminate.
When preparing the substrate section 10 including the wrapping paper 12, the wrapping paper 12 may be placed on the end face of the first side of the laminate.
Tobacco sheets can be appropriately manufactured by known methods such as papermaking, slurry, rolling, etc. The aforementioned homogenized sheet can also be used.
In the case of sheet-forming, the tobacco sheet may be produced by a method comprising the following steps. 1) Dried tobacco leaf is coarsely ground, extracted with water and then separated into water extract and residue. 2) The water extract is dried under reduced pressure and concentrated. 3) Pulp is added to the residue, the materials are fibrillated in a refiner and then formed into paper. 4) The concentrated water extract is added to a sheet formed from the paper and dried to form a tobacco sheet. In this case, a step of removing some of the components such as nitrosamine may also be added (see JP 2004-510422 A ).
In the case of a slurry process, the tobacco sheet may be produced by a method comprising the following steps. 1) Crushed tobacco leaf is mixed with water, pulp, and a binder. 2) The mixture is thinly spread (cast) and dried. In this case, a step may be added where the slurry that has been obtained by mixing the crushed tobacco leaf with water, pulp, and a binder is exposed to ultraviolet or X-ray radiation to remove some components such as nitrosamine.
In addition to the above, a nonwoven fabric tobacco sheet produced by means of a method comprising the following steps may also be used, as disclosed in WO 2014/104078 A1 . 1) Granular tobacco leaf and a binder are mixed. 2) The mixture is interposed between nonwoven fabrics. 3) The laminate is molded into a fixed shape by means of thermal fusion bonding, and a tobacco sheet in the form of a nonwoven fabric is obtained.
The types of tobacco leaves used as raw materials in each of the above methods can be the same as those described for the aerosol source 11 including shredded tobacco.
The composition of the tobacco sheet is not particularly limited, but for example, the content of tobacco raw material (tobacco leaves) is preferably 50% by mass or more and 95% by mass or less relative to the total mass of the tobacco sheet. The tobacco sheet may also include a binder, and examples of such binders include guar gum, xanthan gum, carboxymethyl cellulose, sodium salt of carboxymethyl cellulose, etc. The amount of binder is preferably 1% by mass or more and 10% by mass or less relative to the total mass of the tobacco sheet. The tobacco sheet may further comprise other additives. Examples of other additives which may be cited include fillers such as pulp.
The material of the wrapping paper 12 used in the substrate section 10 is not particularly limited and can be of a general type, for example, one having pulp as the main component. As for pulp, in addition to being made from wood pulp such as softwood pulp and hardwood pulp, it can also be made by mixing non-wood pulp commonly used for wrapping paper 12 in tobacco products, such as flax pulp, hemp pulp, sisal pulp, esparto, etc.
Types of pulp include chemical pulp made by kraft pulping, acid, neutral, or alkaline sulfite pulping, soda pulping, etc., groundwood pulp, chemigroundwood pulp, thermomechanical pulp, etc.
Using pulp, the wrapping paper 12 is manufactured by adjusting and homogenizing the formation during the papermaking process using a Fourdrinier machine, cylinder machine, or twin-wire machine. If necessary, a wet strength agent can be added to impart water resistance to the wrapping paper 12, or a sizing agent can be added to adjust the printability of the wrapping paper 12. Furthermore, papermaking additives such as sulfuric acid bands, various anionic, cationic, nonionic, or amphoteric retention aids, drainage aids, and paper strength agents, as well as papermaking additives such as dyes, pH adjusters, defoamers, pitch control agents, and slime control agents can be added.
The basis weight of the base paper for wrapping paper 12 is usually 20 gsm or more, preferably 25 gsm or more. On the other hand, the basis weight is usually 65 gsm or less, preferably 50 gsm or less, and more preferably 45 gsm or less.
The thickness of the wrapping paper 12 is not particularly limited, but from the viewpoint of rigidity, breathability, and ease of adjustment during papermaking, it is usually 10 µm or more, preferably 20 µm or more, and more preferably 30 µm or more. Additionally, the thickness of the wrapping paper 12 is usually 100 µm or less, preferably 75 µm or less, and more preferably 50 µm or less.
The shape of the wrapping paper 12 can be square or rectangular.
When used as wrapping paper 12 to wrap the aerosol source 11 and the tip member 13, the length of one side can be about 8 mm or more and 70 mm or less, and the length of the other side can be 15 mm or more and 28 mm or less, with a preferred length of 22 mm or more and 24 mm or less, and more preferably about 23 mm. When wrapping the aerosol source 11 cylindrically with the wrapping paper 12, for example, in the circumferential direction, the ends of the wrapping paper 12 can be overlapped by about 2 mm and glued to form a cylindrical paper tube shape, with the aerosol source 11 filled inside. The size of the rectangular wrapping paper 12 can be determined based on the size of the substrate section 10.
In addition to the above pulp, the wrapping paper 12 may include fillers. The content of fillers can be 10% by mass or more and 60% by mass or less relative to the total mass of the wrapping paper 12, with 15% by mass or more and 45% by mass or less being preferred.
In the preferred basis weight range of the wrapping paper 12 (25 gsm or more and 45 gsm or less), it is preferred that the filler content is 15% by mass or more and 45% by mass or less.
Furthermore, when the basis weight is 25 gsm or more and 35 gsm or less, it is preferred that the filler content is 15% by mass or more and 45% by mass or less, and when the basis weight is 35 gsm or more and 45 gsm or less, it is preferred that the filler content is 25% by mass or more and 45% by mass or less.
Fillers such as calcium carbonate, titanium dioxide, and kaolin can be used, but calcium carbonate is preferred from the viewpoint of enhancing flavor and whiteness.
Various additives other than base paper and fillers may be added to the wrapping paper 12, such as water resistance enhancers to improve water resistance. Water resistance enhancers include wet strength agents (WS agents) and sizing agents. Examples of wet strength agents include urea-formaldehyde resin, melamine-formaldehyde resin, and polyamide epichlorohydrin (PAE). Examples of sizing agents include rosin soap, alkyl ketene dimer (AKD), alkenyl succinic anhydride (ASA), and highly saponified polyvinyl alcohol with a saponification degree of 90% or more.
Additives such as paper strength enhancers may also be added, including polyacrylamide, cationic starch, oxidized starch, CMC, polyamide epichlorohydrin resin, and polyvinyl alcohol. In particular, it is known that using a very small amount of oxidized starch can improve air permeability (see JP 2017-218699 A ).
The wrapping paper 12 may have a coating agent added to at least one of its two surfaces, the front and back. There is no particular restriction on the coating agent, but it is preferably a coating agent that is capable of forming a film on the surface of the paper and of reducing liquid permeability. Examples include polysaccharides such as alginic acid and its salts (e.g., sodium salt), and pectin, cellulose derivatives such as ethyl cellulose, methyl cellulose, carboxymethyl cellulose, and nitrocellulose, and starch and its derivatives (e.g., ether derivatives such as carboxymethyl starch, hydroxyalkyl starch, and cationic starch, ester derivatives such as acetate starch, phosphate starch, and octenyl succinate starch).

((Tip Paper 40))

The tip paper 40 is wrapped around the outer peripheral surface of the substrate section 10 and the mouthpiece segment 50.
The shape of the tip paper 40 is not particularly limited and can be, for example, square or rectangular.
The basis weight of the tip paper 40 is not particularly limited, but is usually 32 gsm or more and 60 gsm or less, preferably 33 gsm or more and 55 gsm or less, and more preferably 34 gsm or more and 53 gsm or less.
The air permeability of the tip paper 40 is not particularly limited, but is usually 0 Coresta units or more and 30,000 Coresta units or less, preferably more than 0 Coresta units and 10,000 Coresta units or less. Here, "air permeability" is a value measured in accordance with ISO 2965:2009, expressed as the flow rate (cm³) of gas passing through an area of 1 cm² per minute when the differential pressure on both sides of the paper is 1 kPa. One Coresta unit (1 Coresta unit, 1 C.U.) is cm³/(min·cm²) at 1 kPa.
The material of the tip paper 40 is not particularly limited and can be of a general type, for example, one having pulp as the main component. As regards the pulp, in addition to being made from wood pulp such as softwood pulp and hardwood pulp, it can also be made by mixing non-wood pulp commonly used for wrapping paper in tobacco products, such as flax pulp, hemp pulp, sisal pulp, esparto, etc. These pulps can be used alone or in combination of multiple types in any ratio.
Types of pulp include chemical pulp made by kraft pulping, acid, neutral, or alkaline sulfite pulping, soda pulping, etc., groundwood pulp, chemigroundwood pulp, thermomechanical pulp, etc. The tip paper 40 can be manufactured by the above-mentioned manufacturing methods or commercial products can be used.
In addition to the above materials, the tip paper 40 may contain fillers, such as metal carbonates like calcium carbonate and magnesium carbonate, metal oxides like titanium oxide, titanium dioxide and aluminum oxide, metal sulfates like barium sulfate and calcium sulfate, metal sulfides like zinc sulfide, quartz, kaolin, talc, diatomaceous earth, gypsum, etc., with calcium carbonate being preferred from the viewpoint of improving whiteness, opacity, and heating rate. These fillers can be used alone or in combination of two or more.
In addition to the above materials and fillers, various additives may be added to the tip paper 40, such as water resistance enhancers to improve water resistance. Water resistance enhancers include wet strength agents (WS agents) and sizing agents. Examples of wet strength agents include urea-formaldehyde resin, melamine-formaldehyde resin, and polyamide epichlorohydrin (PAE). Examples of sizing agents include rosin soap, alkyl ketene dimer (AKD), alkenyl succinic anhydride (ASA), and highly saponified polyvinyl alcohol with a saponification degree of 90% or more.
The tip paper 40 may have a coating agent added to at least one of its two surfaces, the front and back. There are no particular restrictions on the coating agent, but a coating agent that can form a film on the surface and reduce the permeability of liquids is preferred.
A portion of the outer surface of the tip paper 40 may be coated with a lip release material. The lip release material is designed to facilitate easy separation without substantial adhesion between the lips and the tip paper 40 when the user holds the filter section 30 of the flavor inhalation article 1 in their mouth. The lip release material may include, for example, ethyl cellulose, methyl cellulose, or nitrocellulose. For instance, the outer surface of the tip paper 40 may be coated with a lip release material by applying an ethyl cellulose-based or methyl cellulose-based ink.
Vent holes 80 (also referred to as "ventilation filters (Vf)" in this technical field) are formed in the tip paper 40. The vent holes 80 are openings that allow air to flow into the interior of the filter section 30 from outside the flavor inhalation article 1.
The shape of the vent holes 80 can be appropriately varied, with examples including polygonal, rounded polygonal, circular, and elliptical shapes. From the perspective of ease of manufacturing and inflow efficiency, it is preferred that the vent holes 80 are circular with a diameter of 0.3 mm or more and 2.0 mm or less, or elliptical with a major axis of 0.5 mm or more and 3.0 mm or less and a minor axis of 0.2 mm or more and 1.5 mm or less.
The position of the vent holes 80 in the centerline direction is a position where air can flow in from outside the flavor inhalation article 1, in other words, a position that protrudes from the opening 142 when the flavor inhalation article 1 is held in the holding section 140 of the inhalation device 100. Additionally, it is preferred that the position of the vent holes 80 in the centerline direction is a position within the mouthpiece segment 50 that is less likely to be held in the mouth by the user during inhalation. For example, it is preferred that the position of the vent holes 80 in the centerline direction is 8 mm or more away from the end face on the second side of the mouthpiece segment 50.
Furthermore, the position where the vent holes 80 are formed is selected within the region corresponding to the aforementioned position in the centerline direction, from the perspective of improving the delivery efficiency of substances (products) generated by heating and ensuring a cooling function. Specifically, the position where the vent holes 80 are formed is selected based on the positional relationship between the object 33 within the filter 31, which will be described later, and the vent holes 80, as well as the distance in the centerline direction from the boundary between the mouthpiece segment 50 and the substrate section 10.
It is preferred that multiple vent holes 80 are formed in the tip paper 40, and it is more preferred that the number of vent holes 80 is 8 or more and 30 or less. It is preferred that the multiple vent holes 80 are formed concentrically in the circumferential direction of the mouthpiece segment 50 in the region where the mouthpiece segment 50 is located. In other words, it is preferred that the multiple vent holes 80 are formed to be arranged along the circumferential direction of the mouthpiece segment 50, and the number of holes is 8 or more and 30 or less.
When multiple vent holes 80 that exist concentrically in the tip paper 40 are treated as one group of vent holes, there may be one group of vent holes, or there may be two or more.
In the case where the flavor inhalation article 1 is in a form where the substrate section 10 and the mouthpiece segment 50 are wrapped with the tip paper 40, it is preferred that the mouthpiece segment 50 is provided with an inflow hole at a position overlapping with the vent holes 80 provided in the tip paper 40. When manufacturing such a flavor inhalation article 1, a tip paper 40 with vent holes 80 overlapping with the inflow hole may be prepared and wrapped, but from the perspective of ease of manufacturing, it is preferred to first manufacture a flavor inhalation article 1 without an inflow hole, and then create a hole that penetrates both the mouthpiece segment 50 and the tip paper 40 simultaneously.
The presence of the vent holes 80 allows air to flow into the interior of the mouthpiece segment 50 from the outside during inhalation, which can lower the temperature of the vapor and air flowing in from the substrate section 10. Furthermore, providing vent holes 80 in the mouthpiece segment 50 not only enhances cooling capacity but also suppresses the retention of substances generated by heating within the mouthpiece segment 50. In other words, the presence of the vent holes 80 allows for temperature regulation of the aerosol while maintaining the efficiency of delivering the generated substances. Additionally, when the substrate section 10 is heated, the vapor generated using the aerosol as a condensation nucleus can come into contact with air from the outside, causing the temperature to drop and liquefy, thereby promoting the generation of aerosol.
Moreover, the presence of the vent holes 80 allows for the adjustment of the concentration of flavor components and aerosol being inhaled. By adjusting the concentration of flavor components and aerosol inhaled through the vent holes 80, the variety of flavor inhalation articles can be increased.
Additionally, the presence of multiple vent holes 80 allows air to efficiently flow into the interior of the mouthpiece segment 50 from the outside during inhalation, enhancing the aforementioned effects.
It is preferred that the vent holes 80 are provided such that the air inflow ratio from the vent holes 80 when the mouthpiece segment 50 is inhaled at 17.5 ml/sec with an automatic smoking machine is 10% by volume or more and 90% by volume or less. This "air inflow ratio" is the volume ratio of air flowing in from the vent holes 80 when the ratio of air inhaled from the end on the second side (mouthpiece end) in the centerline direction is set to 100% by volume. An air inflow ratio of 40% by volume or more and 60% by volume or less is preferred for expressing a suitable flavor with a standard dilution ratio. These air inflow ratios can be achieved by selecting, for example, the position where the vent holes 80 are formed, the number of vent holes 80 per group of vent holes, the shape and size of the vent holes 80, and the combination of these selections.
The air inflow ratio can be measured using a wrapping quality measuring device (SODIMAX D74/SODIM manufactured by S.A.S) in accordance with ISO 9512.

((Mouthpiece Segment 50))

The mouthpiece segment 50 is formed in a columnar shape with a size in the centerline direction larger than the width of the cross-section. Therefore, the mouthpiece segment 50 is arranged so that the longitudinal direction is in the centerline direction.
In this embodiment, the mouthpiece segment 50, as an example of the filter section, includes a cooling section 20 and a filter section 30. The mouthpiece segment 50 is connected (linked) to the substrate section 10 by being wrapped together with the substrate section 10 using the tip paper 40.
The cross-section of the mouthpiece segment 50 is substantially circular, and its circumference can be appropriately adjusted according to the size of the product, but is preferably approximately the same as the circumference of the filter 31 included in the filter section 30, which will be described later. Note that if the cross-section is not circular, the above circumference is applied by assuming a circle having the same area as that cross-section, and the circumference of that circle is used.
The size of the mouthpiece segment 50 in the centerline direction can be appropriately adjusted according to the size of the product, but is usually 5 mm or more and 60 mm or less, and preferably 25 mm or more and 40 mm or less.
The mouthpiece segment 50, as will be described in detail later, is formed with an inflow hole for allowing air to flow into the interior of the mouthpiece segment 50 from outside the flavor inhalation article 1 during inhalation. This inflow hole allows air to flow into the interior of the mouthpiece segment 50 through the vent holes 80 formed in the tip paper 40 and sends the air into the filter section 30. The shape of the hole can be polygonal, rounded polygonal, circular, elliptical, etc., but is preferably the same shape as the vent holes 80.
The inflow hole is preferably provided such that the air inflow ratio from the inflow hole when the mouthpiece segment 50 is inhaled at 17.5 ml/sec with an automatic smoking machine is 10% by volume or more and 90% by volume or less. An air inflow ratio of 40% by volume or more and 60% by volume or less is preferred for expressing a suitable flavor with a standard dilution ratio. These air inflow ratios can be achieved by selecting, for example, the position where the inflow hole is formed, the number, shape, and size of the inflow holes, and the combination of these selections.

((Cooling Section 20))

The cooling section 20 is positioned adjacent to the substrate section 10 and the filter section 30 and is formed into a part with a hollow (cavity) cross-section such as a cylinder by wrapping a sheet 21. The cooling section 20 cools the vapor generated by heating the substrate section 10 to produce aerosol.
The cross-section of the cooling section 20 is substantially circular, and the circumference can be appropriately adjusted according to the size of the product, but is preferably approximately the same as the circumference of the filter 31, which will be described later. Note that if the cross-section is not circular, the above circumference is applied by assuming a circle having the same area as that cross-section, and the circumference of that circle is used.
The size of the cooling section 20 in the centerline direction can be appropriately adjusted according to the size of the product, but it is usually 5 mm or more, preferably 10 mm or more, and more preferably 15 mm or more. Additionally, the size of the cooling section 20 in the centerline direction is usually 35 mm or less, preferably 30 mm or less, and more preferably 25 mm or less. Furthermore, it is preferred that the size of the cooling section 20 in the centerline direction satisfies any combination of the above lower and upper limits. By setting the size of the cooling section 20 in the centerline direction to be above the aforementioned lower limit, sufficient cooling effect can be ensured to obtain a good flavor, and by setting it to be below the aforementioned upper limit, loss due to vapor and aerosol adhering to the sheet 21 can be suppressed.
For example, the cooling section 20 is a paper tube formed by wrapping a sheet 21 made of paper.
Specifically, the cooling section 20 is a paper tube, known as a spiral paper tube, formed by laminating multiple sheets 21, including at least paper, and winding them spirally. In the manufacturing method of the spiral paper tube, it is possible to easily form a paper tube with a circular cross-section. By adopting a spiral paper tube for the cooling section 20, the area of the cooling section 20 can be reduced while improving the strength of the cooling section 20. Additionally, by laminating sheet materials containing fragrance components, flavor components, tobacco powder, etc., with paper, new aromatic flavors can be imparted to the aerosol.
Alternatively, the cooling section 20 may be a paper tube, known as a straight paper tube, formed by wrapping paper in multiple layers in a cylindrical shape. In the manufacturing method of the straight paper tube, compared to the manufacturing method of the spiral paper tube, the amount of glue used for attaching the paper can be reduced.
Furthermore, the cooling section 20 may be a paper tube formed by laminating multiple sheets 21, including at least paper. By laminating multiple sheets 21, the strength of the cooling section 20 can be maintained even when the basis weight of each sheet 21 is small.
The thickness of the sheet 21 is not particularly limited and may be, for example, 50 µm or more and 500 µm or less, and may also be 100 µm or more and 250 µm or less. The material of the sheet 21 is not particularly limited and may be, for example, a material with pulp as the main component, or a material with polyethylene, polypropylene, polyvinyl chloride, polyethylene terephthalate, polylactic acid, cellulose acetate, and aluminum foil as the main component, or any combination thereof.
The cooling section 20 is a part formed by wrapping the sheet 21, but it is an example of a cylindrical member formed in a cylindrical shape, and it is not limited to this configuration as long as the cross-section is hollow. The cooling section 20 may be formed, for example, by a tube of synthetic resin or the like that already has a hollow cross-section.

((Filter Section 30))

Figure 3 is a diagram showing an example of the configuration of the filter section 30 according to the first embodiment, where (A) is a cross-section of section I-I in Figure 1, and (B) is a cross-section of section II-II in Figure 1. Figure 4 is a diagram showing another example of the configuration of the filter section 30 according to the first embodiment, where (A) is a cross-section of section I-I in Figure 1, and (B) is a cross-section of section II-II in Figure 1.
The filter section 30 is formed in a columnar shape with a size in the centerline direction larger than the width of the cross-section. Therefore, the filter section 30 is arranged so that the longitudinal direction is in the centerline direction.
The filter section 30 includes a filter 31 through which aerosol passes, an object 33 different from the filter 31, and a winding paper 35 that exists between the filter 31 and the tip paper 40 and is wrapped around the outer peripheral surface of the filter 31. The filter 31 is formed with a communication hole 70 as an example of an inflow hole. The filter section 30 is connected (linked) to the cooling section 20 by being wrapped together with the cooling section 20 using the tip paper 40. Note that the winding paper 35 may not be included.
The form of the winding paper 35 is not particularly limited and may include seams containing one or more rows of adhesive. The adhesive may include hot melt adhesive, and the hot melt adhesive may include polyvinyl alcohol. Additionally, when the filter section 30 consists of two or more members, it is preferable to wrap each of these members with winding paper and then further wrap them together with another winding paper.
The material of the winding paper 35 is not particularly limited and known materials can be used, and it may include fillers such as calcium carbonate.
The thickness of the winding paper 35 is not particularly limited, usually being 20 µm or more and 140 µm or less, preferably 30 µm or more and 130 µm or less, and more preferably 30 µm or more and 120 µm or less.
The basis weight of the winding paper 35 is not particularly limited, usually being 20 gsm or more and 100 gsm or less, preferably 22 gsm or more and 95 gsm or less, and more preferably 23 gsm or more and 90 gsm or less.
The air permeability of the winding paper 35 is not particularly limited, but is usually 0 Coresta units or more and 30,000 Coresta units or less, preferably more than 0 Coresta units and 10,000 Coresta units or less.
Additionally, the winding paper 35 may or may not be coated, but from the perspective of imparting functions other than strength and structural rigidity, it is preferable that it is coated with a desired material.
The cross-section of the filter 31 in the filter section 30 is substantially circular, and its circumference can be appropriately adjusted according to the size of the product, but it can be 22 mm or more and 25 mm or less. Note that if the cross-section is not circular, the above circumference is applied by assuming a circle having the same area as that cross-section, and the circumference of that circle is used.
The size of the filter section 30 in the centerline direction can be appropriately adjusted according to the size of the product, but it is usually 5.0 mm or more and 30.0 mm or less, preferably 12.5 mm or more and 27.5 mm or less, and more preferably 15.0 mm or more and 25.0 mm or less.
The air resistance per 10 mm in the centerline direction of the filter section 30 is not particularly limited, but is usually 0 mmH₂O or more and 100 mmH₂O or less, preferably 10 mmH₂O or more and 80 mmH₂O or less, and more preferably 10 mmH₂O or more and 50 mmH₂O or less.
The air resistance is measured according to the ISO standard method (ISO 6565), for example, using a filter air resistance measuring device manufactured by Cerulean. The air resistance of the filter section 30 refers to the pressure difference between the first side and the second side when a predetermined air flow rate (17.5 cc/min) of air is passed from the first side to the second side in a state where air does not permeate through the side surface of the filter section 30. The unit is generally expressed in mmH₂O.
The filter 31 is a so-called paper filter, and during inhalation, aerosol passes through the filter 31 in the centerline direction. The filter 31 is a paper filter in which voids 31b are formed as channels through which aerosol can pass. For example, the filter 31 is a paper filter formed by filling and molding a sheet member 31a. Specifically, the filter 31 is a paper filter formed by filling and molding a sheet member 31a to secure a passage path for aerosol extending in the centerline direction.
The filling density of the sheet member 31a is not particularly limited, but from the perspective of balancing air resistance and filtration rate, it is usually 80 mg/cm³ or more and 720 mg/cm³ or less, for example. As shown in Figure 3(A), the filling density of the sheet member 31a in the region where the object 33 is not disposed is preferably 80 mg/cm³ or more and 380 mg/cm³ or less, and more preferably 150 mg/cm³ or more and 240 mg/cm³ or less. Additionally, as shown in Figure 3(B), the filling density of the sheet member 31a in the region where the object 33 is disposed is preferably 105 mg/cm³ or more and 720 mg/cm³ or less, and more preferably 170 mg/cm³ or more and 480 mg/cm³ or less.
Note that the filling density of the sheet member 31a is an example of the density of the filter 31.
The density of the sheet member 31a itself is not particularly limited, but from the perspective of balancing the filtration capacity and air resistance of the filter 31, the lower limit is preferably 0.05 g/cm³ or more, more preferably 0.5 g/cm³ or more, and the upper limit is preferably 1.50 g/cm³ or less. Additionally, it is preferred that the density of the sheet member 31a itself satisfies any combination of the above lower and upper limits. The higher the density of the sheet member 31a, the fewer gaps there are between the fibers of the sheet member 31a, reducing the amount of aerosol that enters the gaps between the fibers of the sheet member 31a.
The thickness of the sheet member 31a is not particularly limited, but from the perspective of balancing the filtration capacity and air resistance of the filter 31, the lower limit is preferably 0.03 mm or more, more preferably 0.05 mm or more, and the upper limit is preferably 1.20 mm or less, more preferably 0.5 mm or less. Additionally, it is preferred that the thickness of the sheet member 31a satisfies any combination of the above lower and upper limits.
The material of the sheet member 31a is not particularly limited as long as it can realize the general functions of a filter, but it is preferably paper or nonwoven fabric with pulp as the main component, and paper is more preferred. Additionally, materials such as polymer sheets or metal sheets may be used for the sheet member 31a. Note that the general functions of a filter include, for example, adjusting the amount of air mixed during aerosol inhalation, reducing flavor, and reducing nicotine and tar, but it is not necessary to have all of these functions. Furthermore, in heat-not-burn flavor inhalation articles 1, which tend to have fewer generated components and a lower filling rate of the aerosol source 11 compared to cigarette products, it is also important to prevent the detachment of components contained within the flavor inhalation article 1 while suppressing the filtration function.
In this embodiment, the filter 31 is formed by a sheet member 31a that is folded or provided with wrinkles or gathers, and is filled to secure a passage path for aerosol extending in the centerline direction. Specifically, as shown in Figure 3(A), the filter 31 is a paper filter in which the sheet member 31a is filled so that voids 31b are formed across the longitudinal direction of the filter section 30, and the sheet member 31a is a gathered paper filter. Here, "gathered" means that the sheet member is filled in a state of being folded back multiple times horizontally in the centerline direction of the filter 31.
The sheet member 31a may be a single sheet or two or more sheets. Additionally, folds or pleats are not necessary as long as a passage path for aerosol extending in the centerline direction is secured. Specifically, as shown in Figure 4(A), the filter 31 may be a paper filter filled with strip-shaped sheet members 31a.
By crimping the entire sheet member 31a, voids can be efficiently formed in the sheet member 31a. Crimping is a process of providing wrinkles on the sheet. For example, by passing the sheet member to be processed between a pair of rollers having multiple protrusions on the surface, wrinkles extending orthogonally to the sheet transport direction can be provided on both the front and back surfaces of the sheet member.
Note that the filter 31 is not limited to the configuration of this embodiment and may be any paper filter formed from the same material as the sheet member 31a. Specifically, the filter 31 may be a paper filter formed from the aforementioned material, and does not need to be formed by filling the sheet member 31a. For example, the filter 31 may be a paper filter formed by filling and molding string-like or spherical members made of the aforementioned material.
The object 33 is a member disposed within the filter 31 and is different from the filter 31. Specifically, the object 33 is a member whose density within the object 33 differs from the density of the region of the filter 31 where the object 33 is disposed, or a member whose material differs from the material of the filter 31. By disposing the object 33 within the filter 31, the flow path of aerosol within the filter 31 is controlled.
The shape of the outer periphery of the object 33 in the cross-section can be appropriately changed according to the shape of the product, but examples include circular, elliptical, polygonal, and rounded polygonal shapes.
Additionally, the ratio of the area of the object 33 to the area of the filter section 30 in the cross-section is not particularly limited, but can be 15% or more and 50% or less, with 20% or more and 40% or less being preferred. If multiple objects 33 are disposed within the filter 31, it is preferred that the total area ratio of the multiple objects 33 to the area of the filter section 30 in one cross-section is within the above range. Furthermore, if the outer periphery of the object 33 in the cross-section is substantially circular, the circumference can be appropriately adjusted according to the size of the product, but is usually 6 mm or more and 15 mm or less, and more preferably 9 mm or more and 11 mm or less. Additionally, the ratio of the circumference of the object 33 to the circumference of the filter 31 is usually 0.20 or more and less than 0.70, and more preferably 0.35 or more and 0.50 or less. Note that if the cross-section is not circular, the above circumference is applied by assuming a circle having the same area as that cross-section, and the circumference of that circle is used.
The size of the object 33 in the centerline direction can be appropriately changed according to the size of the product, but it is preferred not to be larger than the size of the filter 31 in the centerline direction. For example, the size of the object 33 in the centerline direction is preferably smaller than the size of the filter 31 in the centerline direction to make the end face of the filter 31 appear similar to that of a flavor inhalation article without the object 33. Additionally, to ensure that the object 33 is not visible from at least one end of the filter 31 in the centerline direction, it is preferred to make the object 33 at least 2 mm smaller than the filter 31 in the centerline direction.
The shape of the object 33 in appearance is cylindrical or columnar in the example shown in Figure 1. The shape of the object 33 in appearance may also be spherical. Additionally, in the example shown in Figure 1, the size of the object 33 in the centerline direction is larger than the size in the direction orthogonal to the centerline direction, but it is not limited to this and may be the same as the size in the direction orthogonal to the centerline direction.
The object 33 may be one or more. Specifically, as shown in Figure 3(B), one object 33 may be disposed within the filter 31, or as shown in Figure 4(B), multiple objects 33 may be disposed within the filter 31.
Additionally, the object 33 disposed within the filter 31 may modify the aerosol. "Modification" refers to altering or removing some components contained in the generated aerosol or adding new components that affect the flavor of the aerosol inhaled by the user.
If the object 33 is a hollow member with a hollow cross-section, it is preferably a hollow member with at least one end open in the centerline direction, and more preferably a hollow member with both ends open in the centerline direction. By making the object 33 a hollow member, aerosol can pass through the filter section 30 more easily compared to when it is a solid member. Additionally, by making the object 33 a hollow member with at least one end open in the centerline direction, the filtration function for aerosol passing through the filter section 30 can be suppressed, allowing the efficiency of delivering the generated substances to be maintained even if the filter 31 is a paper filter. Furthermore, by making the object 33 a hollow member with both ends open in the centerline direction, it is possible to reduce the filtration rate of aerosol passing through the object 33 compared to the filtration rate of the filter 31, or to make it 0%. Additionally, by making the object 33 a hollow member with both ends open in the centerline direction, the filtration function for passing aerosol can be suppressed compared to a member with one end closed, improving the efficiency of delivering the generated substances.
For example, the hollow member is a tube formed by wrapping a sheet member containing the material constituting the filter 31 so that the cross-section becomes hollow, such as a cylinder. Specifically, the object 33 is a paper tube formed by wrapping paper. By making the object 33 a paper tube, the material constituting the object 33 can be made substantially the same as the filter 31.
The object 33 is a spiral paper tube, which is a paper tube formed by laminating multiple sheet members, at least including paper, and winding them spirally. In the manufacturing method of the spiral paper tube, it is possible to easily form a paper tube with a circular cross-section. By adopting a spiral paper tube for the object 33, the ratio of the area of the object 33 to the area of the filter section 30 can be reduced while improving the strength of the object 33. Additionally, by laminating sheet materials containing fragrance components, flavor components, tobacco powder, etc., with paper, new aromatic flavors can be imparted to the aerosol.
Alternatively, the object 33 may be a straight paper tube, which is a paper tube formed by wrapping paper in multiple layers in a cylindrical shape. In the manufacturing method of the straight paper tube, compared to the manufacturing method of the spiral paper tube, the amount of glue used for attaching the paper can be reduced.
Furthermore, the object 33 may be a paper tube formed by laminating multiple sheet members, at least including paper. By laminating multiple sheet members, the strength of the object 33 can be maintained even when the basis weight of each sheet member is small.
Note that the hollow member is not limited to a paper tube formed by wrapping paper and may be formed by a tube of synthetic resin or the like that already has a hollow cross-section. The wall thickness of this tube is not particularly limited, usually being 50 µm or more and 500 µm or less, and preferably 100 µm or more and 250 µm or less. For example, when sheet members overlap, the total thickness of the overlapped sheet members should be within the above range. By setting the wall thickness of the tube within the above range, deformation of the object 33 due to pressure from external sources such as the filter 31 can be suppressed.
If the object 33 is a solid member with a solid cross-section, it is preferred that the solid member has a lower filtration rate for aerosol than the filter 31. For example, the object 33 may be a solid member with a solid cross-section, such as cellulose acetate fibers, which have a lower filtration rate than paper. By making the object 33 a solid member with a lower filtration rate for aerosol than the filter 31, the strength of the filter section 30 can be maintained or improved while maintaining the efficiency of delivering the generated substances.
Additionally, the object 33 may be a hollow member with both ends closed in the centerline direction, which is less permeable or impermeable to aerosol compared to the voids 31b, or a solid member that is less permeable or impermeable to aerosol compared to the voids 31b. For example, the object 33 may be a member made of a material substantially the same as the filter 31, or a member formed using materials such as woven or nonwoven fabric, paper, resin, fiber, inorganic adsorbent, polymer porous body, rubber, metal, gelling agent, etc.
By making the object 33 a hollow member with both ends closed in the centerline direction, the weight of the flavor inhalation article 1 can be reduced compared to when a solid member is used. Additionally, by making the object 33 a solid member, the content of the material used for the object 33 in the flavor inhalation article 1 can be increased compared to a hollow member, enhancing the effects attributed to this material. For example, if the object 33 is a capsule that releases its contents when broken, the user can control whether or not to restrict the aerosol flow path of the filter 31. Additionally, for example, if the object 33 is a thread, the difficulty of aerosol passing through the object 33 can be adjusted according to the gaps between the threads or fibers or the number of threads. Furthermore, if the object 33 is a cord, which is thicker than thread, the number of cords used can be reduced, making manufacturing easier. If the object 33 is a rope, manufacturing becomes even easier.
Additionally, the shape of the ends of the object 33 in the centerline direction, when the shape is cylindrical or columnar, is planar in the example shown in Figure 1, but it is not limited to this and may not be planar.
Figure 5 is a diagram showing another example of the longitudinal section of the flavor inhalation article 1 according to the first embodiment, where (A) shows an object 33 with a sharp second side, and (B) shows an object 33 that narrows from the first side to the second side.
For example, the shape of the ends of the object 33 in the centerline direction may be planar on the first side and sharp on the second side, as shown in Figure 5(A). Additionally, for example, as shown in Figure 5(B), the width of the object 33 may be relatively smaller in the second side region compared to the first side region.
The communication hole 70, as an example of an inflow hole, is a hole that allows air flowing in from the vent holes 80 formed in the tip paper to communicate with the voids 31b (see Figure 4). In this embodiment, the position of the communication hole 70 in the centerline direction overlaps with the position of the vent holes 80, and the shape of the opening of the communication hole 70 is the same as the shape of the vent holes 80. Additionally, multiple communication holes 70 are formed in the circumferential direction of the filter 31 and concentrically.
The presence of the communication holes 70 can improve the breathability of the filter section 30. Additionally, the presence of multiple communication holes 70 allows air to flow into the interior of the filter 31 from the outside during inhalation, lowering the temperature of the aerosol inhaled by the user. Furthermore, the presence of multiple communication holes 70 can lower the temperature within the filter section 30, preventing the stable adhesion of aerosol within the filter section 30 and maintaining the efficiency of delivering the generated substances.
The size of the communication hole 70 in the direction orthogonal to the centerline direction is not particularly limited, but it is preferably based on the state of the filter 31 in order to efficiently allow the inflow of external air through the vent holes 80 into the filter 31. Specifically, if the filter 31 meets predetermined conditions, the size of the communication hole 70 in the direction orthogonal to the centerline direction is increased compared to when the predetermined conditions are not met. In other words, if the filter 31 meets predetermined conditions, the communication hole 70 is made deeper compared to when the predetermined conditions are not met. Note that the communication hole 70 may penetrate the filter 31.
Predetermined conditions include the configuration of the filter 31, such as material and shape, meeting specific requirements, or the density of the filter 31 being above a threshold. Additionally, predetermined conditions include the ratio of the area of the voids 31b to the area of the filter 31 in the cross-section of the region where the communication hole 70 is formed being below a threshold, or the distance from the outer peripheral surface of the filter 31 to the outer peripheral surface of the object 33 being below a threshold. Furthermore, predetermined conditions may include the distance from the outer peripheral surface of the filter 31 to the outer peripheral surface of the object 33 being above a threshold. By setting the size of the communication hole 70 in the direction orthogonal to the centerline direction on consideration of the state of the filter 31, the breathability of the filter section 30 can be efficiently improved.
Additionally, if the filter section 30 is in a form where the filter 31 is wrapped with winding paper 35, it is preferred that the winding paper 35 is provided with an opening at a position overlapping with the communication hole 70 provided in the filter 31. When manufacturing such a filter section 30, it is possible to prepare winding paper 35 with openings that overlap with the communication holes 70 and wrap it, but from the perspective of ease of manufacturing, it is preferable to first produce a filter section 30 without openings and then create holes that penetrate both the filter 31 and the winding paper 35 simultaneously. Furthermore, it is more preferable to first produce a flavor inhalation article 1 without communication holes 70 and openings, and then create holes that penetrate the filter 31, winding paper 35, and tip paper 40 simultaneously.
Here, using Figures 1, 6, and 7, specific examples of the positional relationship between the object 33 and the vent holes 80 will be explained.
Figure 6 is a diagram showing another example of the longitudinal section of the flavor inhalation article 1 according to the first embodiment, where (A) shows a state where the object 33 is positioned on the second side within the filter 31, and (B) shows a state where the object 33 is positioned closer to the center within the filter 31.
Figure 7 is a diagram showing another example of the longitudinal section of the flavor inhalation article 1 according to the first embodiment, where (A) shows a state where the object 33 with the same size in the centerline direction as the filter 31 is positioned within the filter 31, and (B) shows a state where multiple objects 33 are positioned within the filter 31.
It is preferred that the object 33 is arranged so that the end face on the second side of the object 33 does not protrude from the end face on the second side of the filter 31.
In this embodiment, the vent holes 80 are formed at positions corresponding to the filter 31, which is a paper filter. Specifically, the vent holes 80 are formed in the region of the tip paper 40 where the filter 31 is located. This allows air to flow into the interior of the filter 31, which is a paper filter, from outside the flavor inhalation article 1. By allowing external air to flow into the interior of the filter 31, it is possible to regulate the temperature of the aerosol while maintaining the efficiency of delivering the generated substances. Additionally, compared to when external air does not directly flow into the interior of the filter 31, temperature regulation of the aerosol becomes easier.
In the example shown in Figure 1, the position of the vent holes 80 in the centerline direction does not overlap with the position of the object 33 in the centerline direction. Specifically, the object 33, which is smaller than the size of the filter 31 in the centerline direction, is positioned on the first side (substrate section 10 side) within the filter 31, and the vent holes 80 are formed on the second side (downstream side) relative to the object 33. In other words, the vent holes 80 are formed in the region on the second side (downstream side) within the filter 31 relative to the object 33.
By forming the vent holes 80 at a position that does not overlap with the position of the object 33 in the centerline direction, air can be allowed to flow into the interior of the filter 31 while avoiding the region with the highest density of the filter 31 (see Figure 3(B)). Specifically, air can be allowed to flow into the interior of the filter 31 from a region where the ratio of the area of the voids 31b to the area of the filter 31 in the cross-section is higher than the region where the object 33 is disposed (see Figure 3(B)). If the vent holes 80 are formed at a position that overlaps with the position of the object 33 in the centerline direction, the size of the voids 31b communicating with the communication holes 70 becomes smaller, making it difficult for external air to flow in through the vent holes 80. Therefore, by forming the vent holes 80 at a position that does not overlap with the position of the object 33 in the centerline direction, the size of the voids 31b communicating with the communication holes 70 becomes greater than a predetermined size, facilitating the inflow of external air through the vent holes 80.
Additionally, by forming the vent holes 80 in the region on the second side within the filter 31 relative to the object 33, the air flowing in from the outside can efficiently contact the aerosol whose flow path is controlled by the object 33, thereby improving the efficiency of aerosol temperature regulation.
In the example shown in Figure 6(A), the object 33, which is smaller than the size of the filter 31 in the centerline direction, is positioned on the second side (downstream side) within the filter 31, and the vent holes 80 are formed on the first side (substrate section 10 side) relative to the object 33. In other words, the vent holes 80 are formed in the region on the first side (upstream side) within the filter 31 relative to the object 33. By forming the vent holes 80 in the region on the first side within the filter 31 relative to the object 33, the air flowing in from the outside can contact the aerosol in a state filled within the filter 31, thereby improving the temperature regulation function of the aerosol. Since the aerosol that controls the flow path during inhalation has already undergone temperature regulation, the aerosol is stabilized, and the efficiency of delivering the generated substances through flow path control can be improved. Additionally, by positioning the object 33 in the region on the second side within the filter 31, the strength of the region of the mouthpiece segment 50 that the user holds in their mouth can be enhanced.
Note that when the object 33 is positioned on the second side within the filter 31, the end face on the second side of the object 33 may be positioned at the end face on the second side of the filter 31, or it may be spaced apart from the end face on the second side of the filter 31. If it is desired to make the object 33 invisible from the end face on the second side of the filter 31 in the centerline direction of the filter section 30, it is preferred that the end face on the second side of the object 33 is spaced 2 mm or more from the end face on the second side of the filter 31.
In the example shown in Figure 6(B), the object 33, which is smaller than the size of the filter 31 in the centerline direction, is positioned closer to the center within the filter 31 in the centerline direction, and the vent holes 80 are formed on the first side (substrate section 10 side) relative to the object 33. In other words, the vent holes 80 are formed in the region on the first side (upstream side) within the filter 31 relative to the object 33. This allows the strength of the region corresponding to the user's teeth when the mouthpiece segment 50 is bitten to be enhanced while improving the efficiency of delivering the generated substances through aerosol temperature regulation and flow path control.
Additionally, the object 33, which is smaller than the size of the filter 31 in the centerline direction, may be positioned on the second side (downstream side) within the filter 31 or closer to the center within the filter 31 in the centerline direction, and the vent holes 80 may be formed on the second side (downstream side) relative to the object 33. By forming the vent holes 80 in the region on the second side within the filter 31 relative to the object 33, the strength of the region of the mouthpiece segment 50 that the user holds in their mouth can be enhanced while improving the efficiency of aerosol temperature regulation.
Additionally, if the object 33, which is smaller than the size of the filter 31 in the centerline direction, is positioned on the first side (substrate section 10 side) within the filter 31, and the end face on the first side of the object 33 is spaced apart from the end face on the first side of the filter 31, the vent holes 80 may be formed on the first side (upstream side) relative to the object 33.
In the example shown in Figure 7(A), the position of the vent holes 80 in the centerline direction overlaps with the position of the object 33 in the centerline direction. Specifically, the object 33 is positioned within the filter 31, and the vent holes 80 are formed in the region where the object 33 is positioned.
By forming the vent holes 80 at a position that overlaps with the position of the object 33 in the centerline direction, air can be allowed to flow into the region with a high density of the filter 31 (see Figure 3(B)). Specifically, air can be allowed to flow into a region with a low ratio of the area of the voids 31b to the area of the filter 31 in the cross-section (see Figure 3(B)), which is a region where heat tends to accumulate. Vapor or aerosol passing through a region with a high density of the filter 31 is not sufficiently cooled compared to when passing through a region with a low density of the filter 31, resulting in adhesion to the filter 31 and a decrease in the efficiency of delivering the generated substances. Therefore, by allowing air to flow into a region where heat tends to accumulate through the vent holes 80, the temperature within the filter 31 in the region where heat tends to accumulate can be lowered, promoting the aerosolization of the generated substances. In other words, compared to a configuration where air from outside does not flow into the region where the object 33 is positioned through the vent holes 80, the aerosolization of the generated substances can be promoted.
Additionally, in the example shown in Figure 7(A), the position of the communication hole 70 in the centerline direction overlaps with the position of the object 33 in the centerline direction. Specifically, the communication hole 70 is formed in a region with a high density of the filter 31 and a low ratio of the area of the voids 31b to the area of the filter 31 in the cross-section (see Figure 3(B)). To efficiently allow the inflow of external air through the vent holes 80 into the filter 31, the communication hole 70 shown in Figure 7(A) is deeper than when the position of the communication hole 70 in the centerline direction does not overlap with the position of the object 33 in the centerline direction (see Figure 1). By increasing the size of the communication hole 70 in the direction orthogonal to the centerline direction, it is possible to make the breathability within the filter section 30 equivalent to when the position of the communication hole 70 in the centerline direction does not overlap with the position of the object 33 in the centerline direction.
The object 33 should be arranged so that the end face on the second side of the object 33 does not protrude from the end face on the second side of the filter 31; as shown in Figure 7(A), an object 33 with the same size in the centerline direction as the filter 31 may be positioned within the filter 31. Additionally, when arranging multiple objects 33, the arrangement of the objects 33 is not limited to the same region in the centerline direction, as shown in Figure 4(B). As shown in Figure 7(B), objects 33 may be positioned in multiple regions within the filter 31. By increasing the proportion of the object 33 relative to the filter 31, the effects of the object 33 can be enhanced.
As described above, the flavor inhalation article 1 includes a substrate section 10 containing an aerosol source 11, a mouthpiece segment 50 through which the aerosol passes, and a tip paper 40 wrapped around the outside of the substrate section 10 and the mouthpiece segment 50. The mouthpiece segment 50 includes a cooling section 20 that cools the vapor generated by heating the substrate section 10 to produce aerosol, and a filter section 30 that includes a paper filter. The filter section 30 includes the filter 31, which is a paper filter, and an object 33 different from the filter 31 disposed inside the filter 31. Additionally, the tip paper 40 is formed with vent holes 80. Note that the flavor inhalation article 1 may not include the cooling section 20 from the perspective of compactness in the centerline direction.
The vent holes 80 allow air to flow into the interior of the mouthpiece segment 50 from outside the flavor inhalation article 1.
This allows air to flow into the interior of the mouthpiece segment 50 from the outside during inhalation while controlling the flow path of the aerosol inhaled by the user through the object 33. Therefore, it is possible to regulate the temperature of the aerosol while maintaining the efficiency of delivering the generated substances.

Figure 8 is a diagram showing a longitudinal section of a flavor inhalation article 2 according to the second embodiment, where (A) shows a state where the object 33 is positioned on the first side within the filter 31, and (B) shows a state where the object 33 is positioned on the second side within the filter 31.
The flavor inhalation article 2 according to the second embodiment differs from the flavor inhalation article 1 according to the first embodiment in that the mouthpiece segment 250 corresponding to the mouthpiece segment 50 is different. Specifically, the mouthpiece segment 250 according to the second embodiment differs from the mouthpiece segment 50 according to the first embodiment in that the filter section 230 corresponding to the filter section 30 is different. The differences from the first embodiment will be described below. The same reference numerals are used for the same components in the first and second embodiments, and detailed descriptions are omitted.
The filter section 230 includes a filter 31, which is a paper filter, a separate filter 32 that is an independent filter separate from the filter 31, an object 33 different from the filter 31, and a winding paper 35 that exists between the filter 31 and the tip paper 40 and is wrapped around the outer peripheral surface of the filter 31. The filter 31 is formed with a communication hole 70 as an example of an inflow hole. The filter section 230 is connected (linked) to the cooling section 20 by being wrapped together with the cooling section 20 using the tip paper 40. Note that it is preferable for the filter 31 and the separate filter 32 to be wrapped with separate winding papers 35 and then further wrapped together with another winding paper 35.
The cross-section of the separate filter 32 in the filter section 230 is substantially circular, and its circumference can be appropriately adjusted according to the size of the product, but it can be 22 mm or more and 27 mm or less. Note that if the cross-section is not circular, the above circumference is applied by assuming a circle having the same area as that cross-section, and the circumference of that circle is used.
The air resistance and size in the centerline direction of the filter section 230 can be exemplified as being the same as the air resistance and size in the centerline direction of the filter section 30. The shape and dimensions of the filter 31 and the separate filter 32 can be appropriately adjusted to fall within the above ranges for the filter section 230.
The separate filter 32 includes a filter material and is not particularly limited as long as it has the general functions of a filter. The general functions of a filter include, for example, adjusting the amount of air mixed during aerosol inhalation, reducing flavor, and reducing nicotine and tar, but it is not necessary to have all of these functions. Furthermore, in heat-not-burn flavor inhalation articles 2, which tend to have fewer generated components and a lower filling rate of the aerosol source 11 compared to cigarette products, it is also important to prevent the detachment of components contained within the flavor inhalation article 2 while suppressing the filtration function.
The filter material constituting the separate filter 32 is, for example, a filling material such as cellulose acetate fibers, nonwoven fabric, or pulp paper formed into a cylindrical shape. It may also be a paper filter filled with sheet-like pulp paper. Additionally, in addition to these filling materials, inorganic adsorbents such as activated carbon, sepiolite, palygorskite, zeolite, activated carbon fibers, activated alumina, sepiolite mixed paper, silica gel, activated clay, vermiculite, diatomaceous earth, etc., and polymer porous bodies such as pulp, various fibers, ion exchange resins, etc. can be used.
The filling density of the filter material constituting the separate filter 32 is not particularly limited, but is usually 90 mg/cm³ or more and 360 mg/cm³ or less, and preferably 150 mg/cm³ or more and 240 mg/cm³ or less.
In the example shown in Figure 8(A), the filter section 230 includes the filter 31 and a separate filter 32 positioned on the first side of the filter 31. In other words, the separate filter 32 is positioned on the upstream side, and the filter 31 is positioned on the downstream side within the filter section 230. Additionally, an object 33 smaller than the size of the filter 31 in the centerline direction is positioned on the first side (substrate section 10 side) within the filter 31, and the vent holes 80 are formed on the second side (downstream side) relative to the object 33. In other words, the vent holes 80 are formed in the region on the second side (downstream side) within the filter section 230 relative to the object 33.
Additionally, as shown in Figure 8(B), an object 33 smaller than the size of the filter 31 in the centerline direction may be positioned on the second side (downstream side) within the filter 31. The object 33 may be positioned in the region on the second side (downstream side) within the filter 31, and the vent holes 80 may be formed on the first side (upstream side) relative to the object 33.
The configuration of the filter section 230 is not limited to the examples shown in Figures 8(A) and 8(B), and the positional relationship between the filter 31 and the separate filter 32 may be altered. For instance, as shown in Figure 9, the filter section 230 may have the filter 31 positioned on the upstream side and the separate filter 32 on the downstream side.
Figure 9 is a diagram showing another example of the longitudinal section of the flavor inhalation article 2 according to the second embodiment, where (A) shows a state where the object 33 is positioned on the first side within the filter 31, and (B) shows a state where the object 33 is positioned on the second side within the filter 31.
When the filter section 230 includes the filter 31 and a separate filter 32 positioned on the second side of the filter 31, an object 33 smaller than the size of the filter 31 in the centerline direction may be positioned on the first side (substrate section 10 side) within the filter 31, as shown in Figure 9(A), and the vent holes 80 may be formed on the second side (downstream side) relative to the object 33. Additionally, an object 33 smaller than the size of the filter 31 in the centerline direction may be positioned on the second side (downstream side) within the filter 31, as shown in Figure 9(B), and the vent holes 80 may be formed on the first side (upstream side) relative to the object 33.
The vent holes 80 need only be formed in the region where the filter section 230 is located and are not limited to the examples shown in Figures 8 and 9. For example, the vent holes 80 may be formed in the region where the separate filter 32 is located. Additionally, the vent holes 80 may be formed in both the region where the filter 31 is located and the region where the separate filter 32 is located.
As described above, the filter section 230 of the flavor inhalation article 2 according to the second embodiment includes a filter 31, which is a paper filter, a separate filter 32 that is an independent filter separate from the filter 31, and an object 33 different from the filter 31 disposed inside the filter 31. Additionally, the tip paper 40 is formed with vent holes 80 at positions corresponding to the filter section 230. The presence of the separate filter 32 in addition to the filter 31 can improve the efficiency of delivering the generated substances. Furthermore, it allows for diversification of aerosol temperature regulation.
Note that in the above examples, the filter section 230 has a dual structure with the filter 31, which is a paper filter, and the separate filter 32, but it is not limited to this. The filter section 230 may include two or more types of filters in addition to the filter 31, which is a paper filter,.

Figure 10 is a diagram showing a longitudinal section of a flavor inhalation article 3 according to the third embodiment, where (A) shows a state where the object 33 is positioned on the first side of the aerosol modifier 34, (B) shows a state where the object 33 is positioned on the second side of the aerosol modifier 34, and (C) shows a state where the object 33 is positioned on both the first side and the second side of the aerosol modifier 34.
The flavor inhalation article 3 according to the third embodiment differs from the flavor inhalation article 1 according to the first embodiment in that the mouthpiece segment 350 corresponding to the mouthpiece segment 50 is different. Specifically, the mouthpiece segment 350 according to the third embodiment differs from the mouthpiece segment 50 according to the first embodiment in that the filter section 330 corresponding to the filter section 30 has multiple objects with different forms. The differences from the first embodiment will be described below. The same reference numerals are used for the same components in the first and third embodiments, and detailed descriptions are omitted.
The filter section 330 includes a filter 31, which is a paper filter, an object 33 different from the filter 31, an aerosol modifier 34 that modifies the aerosol, and a winding paper 35 that exists between the filter 31 and the tip paper 40 and is wrapped around the outer peripheral surface of the filter 31. The filter 31 is formed with a communication hole 70 as an example of an inflow hole. The filter section 330 is connected (linked) to the cooling section 20 by being wrapped together with the cooling section 20 using the tip paper 40. Note that the winding paper 35 may not be included.
The aerosol modifier 34, as an example of an object, is disposed within the filter 31 of the filter section 330 and is an object different from the filter 31. The aerosol modifier 34 modifies the aerosol passing through the filter 31.
"Modification of the aerosol" is not particularly limited as long as the quality of the aerosol before passing through the aerosol modifier 34 differs from the quality of the aerosol after passing through the aerosol modifier 34, but it is preferred that the quality of the aerosol after passing through the aerosol modifier 34 is improved compared to the quality of the aerosol before passing through the aerosol modifier 34.
For example, the aerosol modifier 34 releases components that affect flavor, changing the flavor of the aerosol perceived by the user. Additionally, the aerosol modifier 34 may improve the quality of the aerosol by adsorbing and removing some components contained in the contacted aerosol. The components contained in the aerosol are, for example, substances generated by heating the substrate section 10. Furthermore, the aerosol modifier 34 may improve the quality of the aerosol by denaturing some components contained in the contacted aerosol.
The aerosol modifier 34 is, for example, a destructive capsule that releases contents containing fragrance components when external force is applied.
The aerosol modifier 34 is preferably embedded in a position where the contents do not leak from the end face on the first side and the end face on the second side of the filter 31. In other words, the aerosol modifier 34 is preferably positioned so that the diffusion of the contents is contained within the filter section 330.
The aerosol modifier 34 includes contents containing at least one of flavor components and fragrance components, and a capsule body that holds the contents. The aerosol modifier 34 is crushed by the user, causing the capsule body to be destroyed and the contents inside to be released. Crushing involves, for example, pressing the winding paper 35 and the tip paper 40 with the thumb and index finger to apply pressure to the aerosol modifier 34, which is a destructive capsule.
Examples of flavor components include citric acid, tartaric acid, monosodium glutamate, neotame, thaumatin, stevia, sorbitol, xylitol, erythritol, aspartame, rutin, hesperidin, oxalic acid, tannic acid, catechin, naringin, quinine, quinic acid, limonin, caffeine, capsaicin, vitamins, amino acids, polyphenols, alginic acid, flavonoids, lecithin, etc. Flavor components are preferably liquid or substantially soluble in the oral cavity.
Fragrance components are not particularly limited and may include, for example, powdered fragrances, oily fragrances, etc. Main powdered fragrances include chamomile, fenugreek, menthol, mint, cinnamon, herbs, etc., in powdered form. Main oily fragrances include lavender, cinnamon, cardamom, celery, clove, cascarilla, nutmeg, sandalwood, bergamot, geranium, honey essence, rose oil, vanilla, lemon, orange, mint, cinnamon, caraway, cognac, jasmine, chamomile, menthol, cassia, ylang-ylang, sage, spearmint, fennel, pimento, ginger, anise, coriander, coffee, tobacco, etc. Fragrance components may be used alone or in combination of two or more. When using powdered fragrances, it is preferred that the particle size is 500 µm or less. Fragrance components are preferably liquid or substantially soluble in the oral cavity.
The contents may include at least one of flavor components and fragrance components, and may also contain colorants such as synthetic colorants and natural colorants. Preferred colorants include food additives such as Red No. 3 and No. 106, Beta-Carotene, Copper Chlorophyllin, Gardenia Blue, Yellow No. 4, etc.
The contents may further include a solvent for dissolving the flavor components, fragrance components, and colorants. Examples of solvents include medium-chain triglycerides, glycerol, propylene glycol, water, ethanol, etc.
When the contents are liquid or gel-like, they may penetrate the filter 31 and the winding paper 35, so it is preferred that the viscosity is 20 mPa·s or more, and 30 mPa·s or more. Additionally, it is preferred that the viscosity of the contents is 120 mPa·s or less, and 90 mPa·s or less. Having the viscosity of the contents above the lower limit allows the contents to spread within the flavor inhalation article 3, imparting new flavors to the aerosol. Additionally, having the viscosity of the contents below the upper limit prevents the contents from penetrating the filter 31 and the winding paper 35 too quickly, which could cause the contents to seep out to the outside of the flavor inhalation article 3 during use.
Furthermore, if the liquid amount of the contents per unit area of the cross-section of the filter 31 is less than 0.2 µl/mm², there is a risk that the contents may not sufficiently penetrate the filter 31. On the other hand, if the liquid amount of the contents per unit area of the cross-section of the filter 31 is more than 2.2 µl/mm², there is a risk that the contents may reach the end face on the second side of the flavor inhalation article 3 and adhere to the user. Therefore, it is preferred that the liquid amount of the contents per unit area of the cross-section of the filter 31 is 0.2 µl/mm² or more and 2.2 µl/mm² or less, and more preferably 0.3 µl/mm² or more and 0.7 µl/mm² or less.
Materials for the capsule body include, for example, starch, dextrin, polysaccharides, agar, gellan gum, gelatin, polyvinyl chloride, polyvinylidene chloride, polystyrene, styrene-acrylonitrile copolymer, styrene-butadiene-acrylonitrile copolymer, polyethylene, polypropylene, cellulose acetate, polyethylene terephthalate, polyamide, ethylene-acrylic acid plastic, ethylene-vinyl acetate plastic, ethylene-vinyl alcohol plastic, various natural gelling agents, etc. The capsule body may include, in addition to the above materials, fragrance components, plasticizers, colorants, etc.
When the aerosol modifier 34 is a destructive capsule, its shape is not particularly limited and may be spherical, cylindrical, frustoconical, etc. Examples of destructive capsules include spherical shapes with a diameter of 2.5 mm or more and 4.0 mm or less, cylindrical shapes with a size in the centerline direction of 5 mm or more and 10 mm or less and a diameter of 5 mm or more and 7 mm or less. Additionally, when arranging multiple spherical destructive capsules, it is preferred that the destructive capsules have a diameter of 3.5 mm or less.
The manufacturing method of the destructive capsule is not particularly limited, but it is preferred to use a dropping method capable of producing destructive capsules with a seamless capsule body.
The aerosol modifier 34 is described as a destructive capsule that releases contents containing fragrance components when external force is applied, but it is not limited to this as long as it modifies the aerosol.
For example, the aerosol modifier 34 may be an adsorbent with the function of adsorbing and removing substances generated by heating the substrate section 10. Adsorbents are not particularly limited and may include activated carbon, sepiolite, palygorskite, zeolite, activated carbon fibers, activated alumina, sepiolite mixed paper, silica gel, activated clay, vermiculite, diatomaceous earth, ion exchange resins, etc. As the aerosol modifier 34, a granular adsorbent may be added to the filter 31, or an adsorbent granulated into a spherical shape with a diameter of 2.5 mm or more and 4.0 mm or less may be positioned in the filter 31.
Additionally, for example, the aerosol modifier 34 may be a fragrance carrier that releases fragrance components when moisture or heat is applied. Fragrance carriers are not particularly limited and may include those in which fragrance components are carried on carriers such as dextrin, cyclodextrin, etc. As the aerosol modifier 34, a sheet-like fragrance carrier may be positioned in the filter 31, or a fragrance carrier granulated into a spherical shape with a diameter of 2.5 mm or more and 4.0 mm or less may be positioned in the filter 31.
The position of the aerosol modifier 34 in the longitudinal section of the filter section 330 is not particularly limited, but it is preferred to be arranged in a straight line with the object 33 in the centerline direction. In other words, it is preferred that the aerosol modifier 34 is arranged in a straight line in the longitudinal direction of the filter section 330 with the object 33.
Specifically, it is preferred that the aerosol modifier 34 is arranged at a location corresponding to the object 33, such as a location through which the aerosol passes having passed through the object 33, or a location where the aerosol passes through the object 33 having collided with the aerosol modifier 34. By arranging the aerosol modifier 34 at a location corresponding to the object 33, it is possible not only to control the flow path of the aerosol but also to improve the efficiency of delivering the modified aerosol.
In the example shown in Figure 10(A), the filter section 330 has an aerosol modifier 34 positioned on the second side (downstream side) relative to an object 33 that is smaller than the size of the filter 31 in the centerline direction, and the aerosol modifier 34 is arranged in a straight line with the object 33 in the centerline direction. Additionally, the vent holes 80 are positioned on the second side (downstream side) relative to the object 33, which is located on the first side (upstream side) within the filter 31, and are formed on the first side (upstream side) relative to the aerosol modifier 34.
By allowing air flowing in from the outside through the vent holes 80 to efficiently contact the aerosol whose flow path is controlled by the object 33, the stabilized aerosol can be modified.
As shown in Figure 10(B), the filter section 330 may have an aerosol modifier 34 positioned on the first side (substrate section 10 side) relative to an object 33 that is smaller than the size of the filter 31 in the centerline direction, and the aerosol modifier 34 is arranged in a straight line with the object 33 in the centerline direction. Additionally, the vent holes 80 may be formed on the first side (upstream side) relative to the object 33, which is located on the second side (downstream side) within the filter 31, and on the second side (downstream side) relative to the aerosol modifier 34.
By allowing air flowing in from the outside through the vent holes 80 to contact the modified aerosol in a state filled within the filter 31, the efficiency of delivering the generated substances and new flavors through flow path control can be improved.
As shown in Figure 10(C), the filter section 330 may have an aerosol modifier 34 positioned in the region between multiple objects 33, and the aerosol modifier 34 is arranged in a straight line with the multiple objects 33 in the centerline direction. When there are multiple objects 33, for example, vent holes 80 may be formed in the region between the object 33 on the first side (upstream side) within the filter 31 and the aerosol modifier 34, and vent holes 80 may not be formed in the region between the object 33 on the second side (downstream side) within the filter 31 and the aerosol modifier 34. Alternatively, for example, vent holes 80 may not be formed in the region between the object 33 on the first side (upstream side) within the filter 31 and the aerosol modifier 34, and vent holes 80 may be formed in the region between the object 33 on the second side (downstream side) within the filter 31 and the aerosol modifier 34. Additionally, for example, vent holes 80 may be formed in both the region between the object 33 on the first side (upstream side) within the filter 31 and the aerosol modifier 34, and the region between the object 33 on the second side (downstream side) within the filter 31 and the aerosol modifier 34.
Note that the region where the vent holes 80 are formed may be a region different from the region between the object 33 and the aerosol modifier 34 within the region where the filter 31 is located.
As described above, the filter section 330 of the flavor inhalation article 3 according to the third embodiment includes a filter 31, which is a paper filter, an object 33 different from the filter 31, and an aerosol modifier 34 that modifies the aerosol. Additionally, the tip paper 40 is formed with vent holes 80 at positions corresponding to the filter section 330. By having the aerosol modifier 34 within the filter section 330, the aerosol generated from the substrate section 10 can be modified during inhalation.

Figure 11 is a diagram showing a longitudinal section of a flavor inhalation article 4 according to the fourth embodiment.
The flavor inhalation article 4 according to the fourth embodiment differs from the flavor inhalation article 1 according to the first embodiment in that the mouthpiece segment 450 corresponding to the mouthpiece segment 50 and the vent holes 480 corresponding to the vent holes 80 are different. Specifically, the flavor inhalation article 4 according to the fourth embodiment differs from the flavor inhalation article 1 according to the first embodiment in that no vent holes are formed in the region where the filter section 430 of the mouthpiece segment 450 is located, and vent holes 480 are formed in the region where the cooling section 420 is located. The differences from the first embodiment will be described below. The same reference numerals are used for the same components in the first and fourth embodiments, and detailed descriptions are omitted.
The vent holes 480 are holes formed in the tip paper 40 and are holes for allowing air to flow into the interior of the filter section 430 from outside the flavor inhalation article 4. The shape and number of the vent holes 480 can be exemplified as being the same as the vent holes 80 formed in the tip paper 40 according to the first embodiment. The shape and dimensions of the vent holes 480 can be appropriately adjusted according to the shape and dimensions of the flavor inhalation article 4.
The mouthpiece segment 450 includes a cooling section 420 and a filter section 430. The mouthpiece segment 450 is connected (linked) to the substrate section 10 by being wrapped together with the substrate section 10 using the tip paper 40. The shape and dimensions of the mouthpiece segment 450 can be exemplified as being the same as the mouthpiece segment 50 according to the first embodiment. Note that the shape and dimensions of the mouthpiece segment 450 can be appropriately adjusted according to the shape and dimensions of the flavor inhalation article 4.
The filter section 430 includes a filter 31 through which aerosol passes, an object 33 different from the filter 31, and a winding paper 35 that exists between the filter 31 and the tip paper 40 and is wrapped around the outer peripheral surface of the filter 31. The filter section 430 is connected (linked) to the cooling section 420 by being wrapped together with the cooling section 420 using the tip paper 40. Note that the winding paper 35 may not be included. In this embodiment, the filter 31 is not formed with a communication hole 70 (see Figure 1).
The cooling section 420, as an example of a cylindrical member, is positioned adjacent to the substrate section 10 and the filter section 430 and is formed into a part with a hollow (cavity) cross-section such as a cylinder by wrapping a sheet 21. The cooling section 420 is formed with a through-hole 60 as an example of an inflow hole. Additionally, the shape and dimensions of the cooling section 420 can be exemplified as being the same as the cooling section 20 according to the first embodiment.
Note that the cooling section 420 may be formed by a tube of synthetic resin or the like that already has a hollow cross-section, as long as the cross-section is hollow.
The through-hole 60, as an example of an inflow hole, is a hole that penetrates the sheet 21 and allows air flowing in from the vent holes 480 formed in the tip paper to flow into the cooling section 420. In this embodiment, the position of the through-hole 60 in the centerline direction overlaps with the position of the vent holes 480 in the centerline direction, and the shape of the through-hole 60 can be exemplified as being the same as the shape of the vent holes 480. Additionally, multiple through-holes 60 are formed in the circumferential direction of the cooling section 420 and concentrically.
The presence of the through-holes 60 can improve the breathability of the cooling section 420. Additionally, the presence of multiple through-holes 60 allows air to flow into the interior of the cooling section 420 from the outside during inhalation, lowering the temperature of the vapor and air flowing in from the substrate section 10, and enabling temperature regulation of the aerosol. Furthermore, by positioning the through-hole 60 in the cooling section 420 at a location 4 mm or more from the boundary between the cooling section 420 and the filter section 430 in the direction of the cooling section 420, not only can the cooling capacity be improved, but the retention of the substances generated by heating within the cooling section 420 can be suppressed, thereby improving the amount of generated substances delivered.
Additionally, by forming the through-hole 60 and the vent hole 480 in the region of the cooling section 420, the stabilized aerosol can pass through the filter section 430. Compared to a configuration where air does not flow into the interior of the cooling section 420 from the outside, it is possible to regulate the temperature of the aerosol while maintaining the efficiency of delivering the generated substances.
Note that when the substrate section 10 is heated, the vapor generated using the aerosol as a condensation nucleus can come into contact with air from the outside, causing the temperature to drop and liquefy, thereby promoting the generation of aerosol.
When treating multiple through-holes 60 that exist concentrically in the cooling section 420 as one group of through-holes, there may be one group of through-holes, or there may be two or more. When there are two or more groups of through-holes, from the perspective of improving the delivery amount of components generated by heating, it is preferable not to provide a group of through-holes in the region less than 4 mm from the boundary between the cooling section 420 and the filter section 430 in the direction of the cooling section 420.
Additionally, when the flavor inhalation article 4 is in a form where the substrate section 10, the cooling section 420, and the filter section 430 are wrapped with the tip paper 40, it is preferable that the tip paper 40 is provided with a vent hole 480 directly above the through-hole 60 provided in the cooling section 420. When manufacturing such a flavor inhalation article 4, a tip paper 40 with a vent hole 480 overlapping with the through-hole 60 may be prepared and wrapped, but from the perspective of ease of manufacturing, it is preferable to first produce a flavor inhalation article 4 without a through-hole 60, and then create a hole that penetrates both the cooling section 420 and the tip paper 40 simultaneously.
The region where the through-hole 60 is located is not particularly limited as long as it is 4 mm or more from the boundary between the cooling section 420 and the filter section 430 in the direction of the cooling section 420, from the perspective of improving the delivery amount of the substances generated by heating; however, from the perspective of further improving the amount of generated substances delivered, it is preferable that the region is 4.5 mm or more, more preferably 5 mm or more, and even more preferably 5.5 mm or more. Additionally, from the perspective of ensuring the cooling function, it is preferable that the region where the through-hole 60 is located is 15 mm or less from the boundary between the cooling section 420 and the filter section 430, more preferably 10 mm or less, and even more preferably 7 mm or less.
Furthermore, considering the boundary between the cooling section 420 and the substrate section 10 as a reference, when the size of the cooling section 420 in the centerline direction is 20 mm or more, it is preferable that the region where the through-hole 60 is located is 5 mm or more from the boundary between the cooling section 420 and the substrate section 10 in the direction of the cooling section 420, more preferably 10 mm or more, and even more preferably 13 mm or more, from the perspective of ensuring the cooling function. Additionally, from the perspective of improving the delivery amount of the product generated by heating, it is preferable that the region where the through-hole 60 is located is 16 mm or less from the boundary between the cooling section 420 and the substrate section 10, more preferably 15.5 mm or less, even more preferably 15 mm or less, and particularly preferably 14.5 mm or less.
As described above, the mouthpiece segment 450 of the flavor inhalation article 4 according to the fourth embodiment includes a cooling section 420 and a filter section 430. The cooling section 420 is formed with a through-hole 60 as an example of an inflow hole. The filter section 430 includes a filter 31, which is a paper filter, and an object 33 different from the filter 31. Additionally, the tip paper 40 is formed with a vent hole 480 at a position corresponding to the cooling section 420. By forming the through-hole 60 and the vent hole 480 in the region of the cooling section 420, the stabilized aerosol can pass through the filter section 430, whose flow path is controlled by the object 33. Therefore, it is possible to regulate the temperature of the aerosol while maintaining or improving the efficiency of delivering the generated substances.

Figure 12 is a diagram showing a longitudinal section of a flavor inhalation article 5 according to the fifth embodiment.
The flavor inhalation article 5 according to the fifth embodiment differs from the flavor inhalation article 4 according to the fourth embodiment in that the mouthpiece segment 550 corresponding to the mouthpiece segment 450 is different. Specifically, the mouthpiece segment 550 according to the fifth embodiment differs from the mouthpiece segment 450 according to the fourth embodiment in that each of the multiple groups of flow holes is formed in different regions. The differences from the fourth embodiment will be described below. The same reference numerals are used for the same components in the fourth and fifth embodiments, and detailed descriptions are omitted.
The mouthpiece segment 550 includes a cooling section 420 and a filter section 30. The mouthpiece segment 550 is connected (linked) to the substrate section 10 by being wrapped together with the substrate section 10 using the tip paper 40. The shape and dimensions of the mouthpiece segment 550 can be exemplified as being the same as the mouthpiece segment 50 according to the first embodiment. Note that the shape and dimensions of the mouthpiece segment 550 can be appropriately adjusted according to the shape and dimensions of the flavor inhalation article 5.
In this embodiment, multiple vent holes 80 and 480 are formed in the tip paper 40. The vent holes 80 are formed in the region where the filter section 30 is located, and the filter 31 of the filter section 30 is formed with a communication hole 70. Additionally, the vent holes 480 are formed in the region where the cooling section 420 is located, and the sheet 21 of the cooling section 420 is formed with a through-hole 60. It can be exemplified that the position in the centerline direction of the vent holes 80 overlaps with the position in the centerline direction of the communication hole 70, and the position in the centerline direction of the vent holes 480 overlaps with the position in the centerline direction of the through-hole 60.
In the example shown in Figure 12, an object 33 smaller than the size of the filter 31 in the centerline direction is positioned on the first side (substrate section 10 side) within the filter 31, and the vent holes 80 are formed on the second side (downstream side) relative to the object 33. Additionally, the vent holes 480 are formed on the first side (upstream side) relative to the object 33 and on the first side (upstream side) relative to the filter 31. In other words, in the example shown in Figure 12, the vent holes 80 are formed in the region where the filter 31 containing the object 33 is located, and the vent holes 480 are formed in the region where the cooling section 420 is located. By allowing air to flow in from the outside through multiple vent holes 80 and 480, the efficiency of delivering the generated substances and the temperature regulation function of the aerosol can be improved.
Note that the position of the object 33 within the filter 31, the size of the object 33 in the centerline direction, and the positional relationship in the centerline direction of the vent holes 80 and the communication hole 70 relative to the object 33 are not limited to the example shown in Figure 12 and can be appropriately adjusted. Additionally, as long as air flows into the filter 31 from the outside through multiple vent holes 80 and 480, the position of the vent holes 80 does not need to overlap with the communication hole 70, and the position of the vent holes 480 does not need to overlap with the through-hole 60.
As described above, the mouthpiece segment 550 of the flavor inhalation article 5 according to the fifth embodiment includes a cooling section 420 and a filter section 30. The filter section 30 includes a filter 31, which is a paper filter, and an object 33 different from the filter 31. Additionally, the cooling section 420 is formed with a through-hole 60, and the filter 31 of the filter section 30 is formed with a communication hole 70. Furthermore, the tip paper 40 is formed with multiple vent holes 80 and 480 that overlap with the through-hole 60 and the communication hole 70. By forming each of the multiple vent holes 80 and 480 in the regions of the filter 31 and the cooling section 420, the amount of air flowing in from outside the flavor inhalation article 5 can be increased. Additionally, by forming each of the multiple vent holes 80 and 480 in different regions, multiple opportunities for the aerosol to contact the air from outside can be provided. Therefore, it is possible to regulate the temperature of the aerosol while maintaining or improving the efficiency of delivering the generated substances.

Figure 13 is a diagram showing a longitudinal section of a flavor inhalation article 6 according to the sixth embodiment.
Figure 14 is a diagram showing another example of the longitudinal section of the flavor inhalation article 6 according to the sixth embodiment, where (A) shows a state where the object 33 is positioned on the second side within the filter 31, and (B) shows a state where the object 33 is positioned closer to the center within the filter 31.
Figure 15 is a diagram showing another example of the longitudinal section of the flavor inhalation article 6 according to the sixth embodiment, where (A) shows a state where the object 33 with the same size in the centerline direction as the filter 31 is positioned within the filter 31, and (B) shows a state where multiple objects 33 are positioned within the filter 31.
The flavor inhalation article 6 according to the sixth embodiment differs from the flavor inhalation article 1 according to the first embodiment in terms of usage. Additionally, the flavor inhalation article 6 according to the sixth embodiment differs from the flavor inhalation article 1 according to the first embodiment in that the mouthpiece segment 650 corresponding to the mouthpiece segment 50 is different. The differences from the first embodiment will be described below. The same reference numerals are used for the same components in the first and sixth embodiments, and detailed descriptions are omitted.
The flavor inhalation article 6 is a combustion-type flavor inhalation article. It is used by burning the end face on the first side, which is the side opposite to the second side that the user holds in their mouth for inhalation. The aerosol source 11 contained in the substrate section 10 generates vapor, which is used to produce aerosol through heating associated with combustion.
The cross-section of the flavor inhalation article 6 is substantially circular, and its circumference can be appropriately adjusted according to the size of the product, but it is usually 16 mm or more and 27 mm or less, and preferably 22 mm or more and 25 mm or less. Note that if the cross-section is not circular, the above circumference is applied by assuming a circle having the same area as that cross-section, and the circumference of that circle is used.
The size of the flavor inhalation article 6 in the centerline direction can be appropriately adjusted according to the size of the product, but it is usually 60 mm or more and 120 mm or less, and preferably 80 mm or more and 100 mm or less.
The mouthpiece segment 650 is composed of the filter section 30.
The size of the mouthpiece segment 650 in the centerline direction can be appropriately adjusted according to the size of the product, but it is usually 20 mm or more and 40 mm or less, and preferably 25 mm or more and 30 mm or less.
In the example shown in Figure 13, the object 33 is positioned on the first side (substrate section 10 side) within the filter 31, and the communication hole 70 and the vent holes 80 are formed on the second side (downstream side) relative to the object 33. In other words, the communication hole 70 and the vent holes 80 are formed in the region on the second side (downstream side) within the filter 31 relative to the object 33.
Additionally, when the object 33 is positioned on the second side (downstream side) within the filter 31, as shown in Figure 14(A), the communication hole 70 and the vent holes 80 may be provided in the upstream region relative to the object 33.
Furthermore, when the object 33 is positioned closer to the center within the filter 31 in the centerline direction, as shown in Figure 14(B), the communication hole 70 and the vent holes 80 may be provided in the upstream region relative to the object 33. Note that the communication hole 70 and the vent holes 80 may also be provided in the downstream region relative to the object 33.
Additionally, as shown in Figure 15(A), the communication hole 70 and the vent holes 80 may be provided at a position overlapping with the position of the object 33 in the centerline direction. The object 33 should be arranged so that the end face on the second side of the object 33 does not protrude from the end face on the second side of the filter 31, and the size of the object 33 in the centerline direction may be smaller than or the same as the size of the filter 31 in the centerline direction. Additionally, as shown in Figure 15(B), objects 33 may be positioned in multiple regions within the filter 31.
As described above, the flavor inhalation article 6 according to the sixth embodiment includes a substrate section 10 containing an aerosol source 11, a mouthpiece segment 650 through which the aerosol passes, and a tip paper 40 wrapped around the outside of the substrate section 10 and the mouthpiece segment 650. The mouthpiece segment 650 includes a filter section 30 that includes a paper filter. The filter section 30 includes the filter 31, which is a paper filter, and an object 33 different from the filter 31 disposed inside the filter 31. Additionally, vent holes 80 are formed in the tip paper 40 in the region where the mouthpiece segment 650 is located. When a paper filter is used in a combustion-type flavor inhalation article, it is therefore possible to regulate the temperature of of the aerosol while maintaining the efficiency of delivering the generated substances.

Figure 16 is a diagram showing a longitudinal section of a flavor inhalation article 7 according to the seventh embodiment, where (A) shows a state where the object 33 is positioned on the first side within the filter 31, and (B) shows a state where the object 33 is positioned on the second side within the filter 31.
Figure 17 is a diagram showing another example of the longitudinal section of the flavor inhalation article 7 according to the seventh embodiment, where (A) shows a state where the object 33 is positioned on the first side within the filter 31, and (B) shows a state where the object 33 is positioned on the second side within the filter 31.
The flavor inhalation article 7 according to the seventh embodiment differs from the flavor inhalation article 6 according to the sixth embodiment in that the mouthpiece segment 750 corresponding to the mouthpiece segment 650 is different. The differences from the sixth embodiment will be described below. The same reference numerals are used for the same components in the sixth and seventh embodiments, and detailed descriptions are omitted.
The mouthpiece segment 750 is composed of the filter section 230. Specifically, the filter section 230 of the mouthpiece segment 750 includes a filter 31, which is a paper filter, a separate filter 32 that is an independent filter separate from the filter 31, an object 33 different from the filter 31, and a winding paper 35 that exists between the filter 31 and the tip paper 40 and is wrapped around the outer peripheral surface of the filter 31. Note that it is preferable for the filter 31 and the separate filter 32 to be wrapped with separate winding papers 35 and then further wrapped together with another winding paper 35.
The shape and dimensions of the mouthpiece segment 750 can be exemplified as being the same as the mouthpiece segment 650 according to the sixth embodiment. Additionally, the shape and dimensions of the filter section 230 can be appropriately adjusted to fall within the aforementioned range by adjusting the shape and dimensions of the filter 31 and the separate filter 32.
In the example shown in Figure 16(A), the filter section 230 of the mouthpiece segment 750 includes the filter 31 and a separate filter 32 positioned on the first side of the filter 31. In other words, the separate filter 32 is positioned on the upstream side, and the filter 31 is positioned on the downstream side. Additionally, an object 33 is positioned on the first side (substrate section 10 side) within the filter 31, and the communication hole 70 and the vent holes 80 are formed on the second side (downstream side) relative to the object 33. In other words, the communication hole 70 and the vent holes 80 are formed in the region on the second side (downstream side) within the filter section 230 relative to the object 33.
Additionally, as shown in Figure 16(B), the object 33 may be positioned on the second side (downstream side) within the filter 31. The communication hole 70 and the vent holes 80 may be formed on the first side (upstream side) relative to the object 33 positioned in the region on the second side (downstream side) within the filter 31.
In the example shown in Figure 17(A), the filter section 230 of the mouthpiece segment 750 may include the filter 31 and a separate filter 32 positioned on the second side of the filter 31. In other words, the filter 31 may be positioned on the upstream side, and the separate filter 32 may be positioned on the downstream side within the filter section 230. Additionally, an object 33 is positioned on the first side (substrate section 10 side) within the filter 31, and the communication hole 70 and the vent holes 80 may be formed on the second side (downstream side) relative to the object 33.
Additionally, as shown in Figure 17(B), the object 33 may be positioned on the second side (downstream side) within the filter 31. The communication hole 70 and the vent holes 80 may be formed on the first side (upstream side) relative to the object 33 positioned in the region on the second side (downstream side) within the filter 31.
Note that the communication hole 70 and the vent holes 80 need only be formed in the region where the filter section 230 is located and are not limited to the examples shown in Figures 16 and 17. The communication hole 70 and the vent holes 80 may be formed, for example, in the region of the separate filter 32 or in both the region of the filter 31 and the region of the separate filter 32.
As described above, the filter section 230 of the flavor inhalation article 7 according to the seventh embodiment includes a filter 31, which is a paper filter, a separate filter 32 that is an independent filter separate from the filter 31, and an object 33 different from the filter 31 disposed inside the filter 31. Additionally, vent holes 80 are formed in the tip paper 40 at positions corresponding to the filter section 230. Note that in the above examples, the filter section 230 of the flavor inhalation article 7 has a dual structure with the filter 31, which is a paper filter, and the separate filter 32, but it is not limited to this, and there may be two or more types of filters in addition to the filter 31, which is a paper filter.

Figure 18 is a diagram showing a longitudinal section of a flavor inhalation article 8 according to the eighth embodiment, where (A) shows a state where the object 33 is positioned on the first side of the aerosol modifier 34, (B) shows a state where the object 33 is positioned on the second side of the aerosol modifier 34, and (C) shows a state where the object 33 is positioned on both the first side and the second side of the aerosol modifier 34.
The flavor inhalation article 8 according to the eighth embodiment differs from the flavor inhalation article 6 according to the sixth embodiment in that the mouthpiece segment 850 corresponding to the mouthpiece segment 650 is different. The differences from the sixth embodiment will be described below. The same reference numerals are used for the same components in the sixth and eighth embodiments, and detailed descriptions are omitted.
The mouthpiece segment 850 is composed of the filter section 330. Specifically, the filter section 330 of the mouthpiece segment 850 includes a filter 31, which is a paper filter, an object 33 different from the filter 31, an aerosol modifier 34 that modifies the aerosol, and a winding paper 35 that exists between the filter 31 and the tip paper 40 and is wrapped around the outer peripheral surface of the filter 31.
The shape and dimensions of the mouthpiece segment 850 can be exemplified as being the same as the mouthpiece segment 650 according to the sixth embodiment. Additionally, the shape and dimensions of the filter section 330 can be appropriately adjusted to fall within the aforementioned range.
In the example shown in Figure 18(A), the filter section 330 of the mouthpiece segment 850 has an aerosol modifier 34 positioned on the second side (downstream side) relative to the object 33, and the aerosol modifier 34 is arranged in a straight line with the object 33 in the centerline direction. Additionally, the communication hole 70 and the vent holes 80 are formed on the second side (downstream side) relative to the object 33 positioned on the first side (upstream side) within the filter 31, and on the first side (upstream side) relative to the aerosol modifier 34.
Additionally, as shown in Figure 18(B), the aerosol modifier 34 may be positioned on the first side (upstream side) relative to the object 33, and the aerosol modifier 34 is arranged in a straight line with the object 33 in the centerline direction. The communication hole 70 and the vent holes 80 may be formed on the first side (upstream side) relative to the object 33 positioned in the region on the second side (downstream side) within the filter 31, and on the second side (downstream side) relative to the aerosol modifier 34.
Additionally, as shown in Figure 18(C), the aerosol modifier 34 may be positioned on both the first side (substrate section 10 side) and the second side (downstream side) relative to the object 33, and the aerosol modifier 34 is arranged in a straight line with multiple objects 33 in the centerline direction. The communication hole 70 and the vent holes 80 may be formed in the region between the object 33 on the first side (upstream side) within the filter 31 and the aerosol modifier 34, and vent holes 80 may not be formed in the region between the object 33 on the second side (downstream side) within the filter 31 and the aerosol modifier 34.
Note that the communication hole 70 and the vent holes 80 need only be formed in the region where the filter section 330 is located and are not limited to the examples shown in Figure 18. The communication hole 70 and the vent holes 80 may be formed, for example, in a region different from the region between the object 33 and the aerosol modifier 34 within the region where the filter 31 is located. Additionally, the communication hole 70 and the vent holes 80 may be formed in multiple regions within the region where the filter 31 is located.
As described above, the filter section 330 of the flavor inhalation article 8 according to the eighth embodiment includes a filter 31, which is a paper filter, an object 33 different from the filter 31, and an aerosol modifier 34 that modifies the aerosol. Additionally, vent holes 80 are formed in the tip paper 40 at positions corresponding to the filter section 330. By having the aerosol modifier 34 within the filter section 330, the aerosol generated from the substrate section 10 can be modified during inhalation.

The present disclosure includes the following configurations.

(1) A flavor inhalation article comprising: a substrate section including an aerosol source; a filter section through which aerosol generated from the substrate section passes; and a tip paper wrapped around the outside of the substrate section and the filter section to connect the substrate section and the filter section, wherein the filter section includes a paper filter and an object different from the paper filter disposed inside the paper filter, and a vent hole is formed in the tip paper to allow air to flow into the interior of the filter section from the outside.
(2) The flavor inhalation article according to (1), wherein the object is a hollow member with at least one end open in the longitudinal direction of the filter section.
(3) The flavor inhalation article according to (2), wherein the object is a hollow member with both ends open in the longitudinal direction of the filter section.
(4) The flavor inhalation article according to any one of (1) to (3), wherein the filter section has a cylindrical member formed in a cylindrical shape between the substrate section and the paper filter, and the vent hole is formed in the tip paper at a position corresponding to the paper filter.
(5) The flavor inhalation article according to (4), wherein the position of the vent hole in a longitudinal direction of the filter section does not overlap the position of the object in the longitudinal direction.
(6) The flavor inhalation article according to (4), wherein the position of the vent hole in a longitudinal direction of the filter section overlaps the position of the object in the longitudinal direction.
(7) The flavor inhalation article according to any one of (1) to (6), wherein a communication hole is formed in the paper filter at a position in the longitudinal direction of the filter section which overlaps the position of the vent hole in the longitudinal direction, allowing air flowing in from the vent hole to communicate with the voids of the paper filter.
(8) The flavor inhalation article according to (7), wherein if the paper filter meets predetermined conditions, the communication hole is made deeper compared to when the predetermined conditions are not met.
(9) The flavor inhalation article according to any one of (1) to (4), wherein the filter section has a cylindrical member formed in a cylindrical shape between the substrate section and the paper filter, the vent hole is formed in the tip paper at a position corresponding to the cylindrical member, and a through-hole is formed in the cylindrical member to allow air flowing in from the vent hole to flow inside.
(10) The flavor inhalation article according to any one of (1) to (9), wherein the vent hole is circular with a diameter of 0.3 mm or more and 2.0 mm or less, or elliptical with a major axis of 0.5 mm or more and 3.0 mm or less and a minor axis of 0.2 mm or more and 1.5 mm or less.
(11) The flavor inhalation article according to any one of (1) to (10), wherein multiple vent holes are formed in the tip paper, the multiple vent holes are formed to be arranged along the circumferential direction of the filter section, and the number of holes is 8 or more and 30 or less.
(12) The flavor inhalation article according to any one of (1) to (11), wherein the air inflow ratio when the filter section is inhaled at 17.5 ml/sec is 40% by volume or more and 60% by volume or less.
(13) The flavor inhalation article according to any one of (1) to (12), wherein the paper filter is a filter filled with a sheet member.
(14) The flavor inhalation article according to (13), wherein the paper filter is a filter filled with a sheet member such that voids are formed across the longitudinal direction of the filter section.

The present application claims priority based on PCT applications PCT/JP2022/47985 , PCT/JP2022/47988 , and PCT/JP2022/47989 filed on December 26, 2022 , the contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.

REFERENCE SIGNS LIST

1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8... Flavor inhalation article, 10... Substrate section, 11... Aerosol source, 20, 420... Cooling section, 30, 230, 330, 430... Filter section, 31... Filter, 32... Separate filter, 33... Object, 34... Aerosol modifier, 35... Winding paper, 40... Tip paper, 50, 250, 350, 450, 550, 650, 750, 850... Mouthpiece segment, 60... Through-hole, 70... Communication hole, 80, 480... Vent hole

Claims

A flavor inhalation article comprising a substrate section including an aerosol source, a filter section through which aerosol generated from the substrate section passes, and a tip paper wrapped around the outside of the substrate section and the filter section to connect the substrate section and the filter section, wherein the filter section includes a paper filter and an object different from the paper filter disposed inside the paper filter, and a vent hole is formed in the tip paper to allow air to flow into the interior of the filter section from the outside.
The flavor inhalation article according to claim 1, wherein the object is a hollow member with at least one end open in the longitudinal direction of the filter section.
The flavor inhalation article according to claim 2, wherein the object is a hollow member with both ends open in the longitudinal direction of the filter section.
The flavor inhalation article according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the filter section has a cylindrical member formed in a cylindrical shape between the substrate section and the paper filter, and the vent hole is formed in the tip paper at a position corresponding to the paper filter.
The flavor inhalation article according to claim 4, wherein the position of the vent hole in a longitudinal direction of the filter section does not overlap the position of the object in the longitudinal direction.
The flavor inhalation article according to claim 4, wherein the position of the vent hole in a longitudinal direction of the filter section overlaps the position of the object in the longitudinal direction.
The flavor inhalation article according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein a communication hole is formed in the paper filter at a position in the longitudinal direction of the filter section which overlaps the position of the vent hole in the longitudinal direction, allowing air flowing in from the vent hole to communicate with the voids of the paper filter.
The flavor inhalation article according to claim 7, wherein if the paper filter meets predetermined conditions, the communication hole is made deeper compared to when the predetermined conditions are not met.
The flavor inhalation article according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the filter section has a cylindrical member formed in a cylindrical shape between the substrate section and the paper filter, the vent hole is formed in the tip paper at a position corresponding to the cylindrical member, and a through-hole is formed in the cylindrical member to allow air flowing in from the vent hole to flow inside.
The flavor inhalation article according to any one of claims 1 to 9, wherein the vent hole is circular with a diameter of 0.3 mm or more and 2.0 mm or less, or elliptical with a major axis of 0.5 mm or more and 3.0 mm or less and a minor axis of 0.2 mm or more and 1.5 mm or less.
The flavor inhalation article according to any one of claims 1 to 10, wherein multiple vent holes are formed in the tip paper, the multiple vent holes are formed to be arranged along the circumferential direction of the filter section, and the number of holes is 8 or more and 30 or less.
The flavor inhalation article according to any one of claims 1 to 11, wherein the air inflow ratio when the filter section is inhaled at 17.5 ml/sec is 40% by volume or more and 60% by volume or less.
The flavor inhalation article according to any one of claims 1 to 12, wherein the paper filter is a filter filled with a sheet member.
The flavor inhalation article according to claim 13, wherein the paper filter is a filter filled with a sheet member such that voids are formed across the longitudinal direction of the filter section.