KR102265936B1 - Cigarette filter containing polylactide material and method of manufacturing the same - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention provides a cigarette filter made of polylactide and a method for manufacturing the same.

Description

Tobacco filter containing polylactide material and manufacturing method thereof {CIGARETTE FILTER CONTAINING POLYLACTIDE MATERIAL AND METHOD OF MANUFACTURING THE SAME}

It relates to a filter for cigarettes containing a polylactide material and a method for manufacturing the same.

Combustion cigarettes or non-combustion (heated) cigarettes include filters for filtering certain components contained in the aerosol or for cooling the aerosol. Recently, by changing the components constituting the filter or by changing the structure of the filter, research for improving the performance of the filter is in progress.

In the case of manufacturing mono filters and tube filters using the cellulose acetate (CA) tow used in conventional cigarettes, in general, a plasticizer or hardener is used to bond the fiber strands or partially melt the fiber itself to form a bonding point between the fibers. After hardening, the filter is manufactured.

However, in the case of a polylactide (PLA) material, it is difficult to form a bond between fibers only by using a plasticizer, so the development of a process technology suitable for the PLA material and the development of a modifier (plasticizer) are necessary.

US 10-2018-0088374 A

According to the embodiment, the above-described problem can be solved.

However, the technical problems are not limited to the above, and other technical problems may be inferred from the following examples.

A first aspect of the present invention provides a method for manufacturing a filter for cigarettes, the method comprising: preparing a material containing polylactide (PLA); adding a modifier to the material; supplying the material to a mold in which a rod for forming a hollow part of the filter for cigarettes is disposed; And heating and curing the material to prepare the filter for cigarettes; it can provide a method for manufacturing a filter for cigarettes, including a.

In embodiments, the modifier is at least one of acetyl tributyl citrate, tributyl citrate, triethyl citrate, and polyethylene glycol. may contain one.

In embodiments, the modifier may be added in an amount of 5 parts by weight to 35 parts by weight based on 100 parts by weight of the material.

In embodiments, the manufacturing of the filter for cigarettes by heating and curing the material may include heating the material using steam generated from a steam generator.

In embodiments, the heating temperature at which the material is heated through the steam generator may be 150 °C to 250 °C.

In embodiments, after heating the material, the method may further include cooling the material with compressed air.

In embodiments, after heating the material, the method may further include moving the material to a cooler along a transfer pipe that surrounds the material discharged from the mold and guides the movement of the material.

In embodiments, the method may further include forming a perforation in the manufactured filter for cigarettes.

A second aspect of the present invention, in the filter for cigarettes, the filter for cigarettes may include a material containing polylactide (PLA), and the material may provide a filter for cigarettes cured by heat. .

In embodiments, the filter for cigarettes is selected from among acetyl tributyl citrate, tributyl citrate, triethyl citrate, and polyethylene glycol. at least one denaturant.

In embodiments, the filter for cigarettes may have a hardness of 70% to 95% based on the cross-sectional direction of the filter.

In embodiments, when the aerosol passes through the filter for cigarettes, the maximum temperature of the filter for cigarettes may be 60 °C to 72 °C, and the average temperature of the filter for cigarettes may be 48 °C to 58 °C.

In embodiments, the filter for cigarettes has a hollow portion, the hollow portion may have a diameter of 1.8 mm to 4.4 mm.

In embodiments, the filter for cigarettes may further include a perforation formed in a vertical direction with respect to the longitudinal direction of the filter.

Means for solving the problem are not limited to the above, and may include all matters that can be inferred by a person skilled in the art throughout the present specification.

Cigarette filter according to the embodiment may be cured by a denaturant to improve the hardness of the filter. In addition, when the manufactured filter for cigarettes is transferred, it is possible to prevent a phenomenon from being caught in the drum, so that the manufacturing yield of the filter for cigarettes can be improved.

In addition, the filter for cigarettes according to the embodiment has an advantage in that both the cooling effect and the amount of nicotine transfer to the passing aerosol are complied with.

Effects of the present invention are not limited to the above, and may include all effects inferred from the configuration to be described later.

1 is a flowchart sequentially illustrating each step of a method for manufacturing a filter for cigarettes according to an embodiment.
2 is a view for explaining an apparatus for manufacturing a filter for cigarettes according to an embodiment.
Figure 3 is a view showing the mold of the device for manufacturing a filter for cigarettes according to an embodiment from the side.
4 is a view illustrating a curing machine of an apparatus for manufacturing a filter for cigarettes according to an embodiment.
5 is a view showing a filter for cigarettes according to an embodiment.
6 is a diagram illustrating an aerosol-generating article including a filter for cigarettes according to an embodiment.
7 is a view showing a comparison of the characteristics of the filter for cigarettes according to the comparative example and the filter for cigarettes according to the embodiment.

Terms used in the embodiments are selected as currently widely used general terms as possible while considering functions in the present invention, but may vary depending on intentions or precedents of those of ordinary skill in the art, emergence of new technologies, and the like. In addition, in a specific case, there is a term arbitrarily selected by the applicant, and in this case, the meaning will be described in detail in the description of the corresponding invention. Therefore, the term used in the present invention should be defined based on the meaning of the term and the overall content of the present invention, rather than the name of a simple term.

In the entire specification, when a part "includes" a certain component, it means that other components may be further included, rather than excluding other components, unless otherwise stated. In addition, terms such as “…unit” and “…module” described in the specification mean a unit that processes at least one function or operation, which may be implemented as hardware or software, or a combination of hardware and software.

Hereinafter, with reference to the accompanying drawings, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail so that those of ordinary skill in the art can easily carry out the embodiments of the present invention. However, the present invention may be embodied in many different forms and is not limited to the embodiments described herein.

Throughout the specification, "A and/or B" means at least one of A and B.

Throughout the specification, "on" means that a member is disposed on one surface of another member, and includes cases in which a member is disposed in contact with or without contact with another member.

Throughout the specification, "modifier" means a drug or additive that changes the properties and properties of PLA tow.

Throughout the specification, "the hardness of the filter" is measured using a hardness meter, and is calculated through the following formula.

Hardness (%) = [D-a] / D*100

(D: filter diameter, a: distance at which the filter is pressed by the 300g weight (mm))

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

1 is a flowchart sequentially illustrating each step of a method for manufacturing a filter for cigarettes according to an embodiment.

A first aspect of the present invention provides a method for manufacturing a filter for cigarettes, the method comprising: preparing a material containing polylactide (PLA); adding a modifier to the material; supplying the material to a mold in which a rod for forming a hollow part of the filter for cigarettes is disposed; And heating and curing the material to prepare the filter for cigarettes; it can provide a method for manufacturing a filter for cigarettes, including a.

In the step of preparing a material containing polylactide (PLA) (S100), the material may be in the form of fibers or tows used in a filter for cigarettes. In the case of a polylactide material, it may have an improved aerosol cooling effect than a cellulose acetate material.

In the step (S200) of adding a denaturant to the polylactide material, the denaturant may include a citrate-based, phosphate-based, glycol-based, acetin-based compound. .

Specifically, the modifier is acetyl tributyl citrate (ATBC), tributyl citrate, triethyl citrate (TEC), tri-(2-ethylhexyl) phosphate ( tri-(2-ethylhexyl) phosphate), triphenyl phosphate, polyalkylene glycol, polyethylene glycol (PEG), polypropylene glycol (PG: polypropylene glycol), triacetin (TA) : triacetin), or glyceryl triacetate, but is not limited thereto.

Preferably, as a modifier added to the polylactide material, acetyl tributyl citrate, tributyl citrate, triethyl citrate, and polyethylene glycol (polyethylene) glycol) may be included.

In embodiments, the modifier may be added in an amount of about 5 parts by weight to about 35 parts by weight based on 100 parts by weight of the polylactide material. Specifically, the modifier is about 5 parts by weight to about 35 parts by weight, about 10 parts by weight to about 35 parts by weight, about 10 parts by weight to about 30 parts by weight, about 10 parts by weight to about 25 parts by weight, about 10 parts by weight to about 20 parts by weight, about 10 parts by weight to about 15 parts by weight, about 15 parts by weight to about 35 parts by weight, about 15 parts by weight to about 30 parts by weight, about 15 parts by weight to about 25 parts by weight, about 15 parts by weight to about 20 parts by weight, about 20 parts by weight to about 35 parts by weight, about 20 parts by weight to about 30 parts by weight, about 20 parts by weight to about 25 parts by weight, about 25 parts by weight to about 35 parts by weight, about 25 parts by weight to It may be included in an amount of about 30 parts by weight, about 30 parts by weight to about 35 parts by weight. When the denaturant is included in less than 5 parts by weight, the hardness of the filter is low, and distortion or cutting defects may occur. have. Preferably, based on 100 parts by weight of the polylactide material, about 25 parts by weight of triethyl citrate (TEC) may be added.

In the step (S300) of supplying the polylactide material to the mold in which the rod body for forming the hollow part of the cigarette filter is disposed, when the material is supplied to the mold, the rod body is disposed inside the material, A mold may be disposed outside. The mold will be described in detail below with reference to FIGS. 2 to 4 .

In the step of manufacturing a filter for cigarettes by heating and curing the polylactide material ( S400 ), the glass transition temperature of the polylactide material may be reduced by the modifier. In this state, when the polylactide material is heated and cured, the hardness of the cigarette filter manufactured while the fibers inside the material are aggregated may be improved.

Hereinafter, an apparatus and method for manufacturing a filter for cigarettes will be described in more detail with reference to FIG. 2 .

2 is a view for explaining an apparatus for manufacturing a filter for cigarettes according to an embodiment.

An apparatus for manufacturing a filter for cigarettes according to an embodiment may include a preprocessor 105 , a mold 120 , a curing machine 130 , and a cooler 140 . However, it is not necessary to include all components, and in some cases, a filter for cigarettes may be manufactured by combining some components. In addition, in the filter manufacturing apparatus shown in FIG. 2, only the structures related to this embodiment are shown. Accordingly, it can be understood by those of ordinary skill in the art related to the present embodiment that other general-purpose components other than those shown in FIG. 2 may be further included in the filter manufacturing apparatus.

For example, the filter manufacturing apparatus may further include a control unit (not shown). The control unit may control the overall operation of the filter manufacturing apparatus. For example, the controller may control operations of the preprocessor 105 , the mold 120 , the curing machine 130 , and the cooler 140 . The controller may include at least one processor. The processor may be implemented as an array of a plurality of logic gates, or may be implemented as a combination of a general-purpose microprocessor and a memory in which a program executable in the microprocessor is stored. In addition, it can be understood by those skilled in the art that the present embodiment may be implemented in other types of hardware.

The preprocessor 105 may include a material supply unit 100 , a roller 103 , and a stretching machine 110 . The preprocessor 105 may supply a material used for manufacturing a filter for cigarettes to the mold 120 . The material may be subjected to a pretreatment process necessary to be manufactured into a filter for cigarettes through the preprocessor 105 . For example, a modifier may be added to lower the glass transition temperature (Tg) of the material in the material supply unit 100 . In addition, the roller 103 may move the material prepared through the material supply unit 100 to the stretching machine 110 , and the stretching machine 110 may supply the material to the mold 120 after stretching the material.

The stretching machine 110 may include, for example, two pairs of rolls in which two rolls facing up and down are a pair. If the forward direction with respect to the direction in which the material moves is referred to as the front, the front roll and the rear roll may have different rotational speeds. The material passes between each of the two pairs of rolls and can be tensioned by the difference in the rotational speed of the two pairs of rolls. In this case, it may be preferable that the rotation speed of the front roll is higher than the rotation speed of the rear roll. Twisting may be formed in the fibers of the material while the material passes through the two pairs of rolls, and the two pairs of rolls may control the air permeability of the manufactured filter by controlling the degree of twisting of the fibers.

In the mold 120, the material may include a hollow therein. For example, while passing through a rod-shaped tube disposed in the mold 120 , a hollow column shape penetrating the material moving along the mold 120 may be formed inside the material. Also, for example, when the diameter of the outer frame of the mold 120 decreases, the material may be compressed while moving inside the mold 120 .

The material discharged from the mold 120 may be supplied to the curing machine 130 . A method of supplying heat to the curing machine 130 is not limited to any one of electrical and chemical methods.

The curing machine 130 may heat and harden the material. For example, if the inner diameter of the curing machine 130 is larger than the inner diameter of the mold 120, the material compressed in the process of moving along the inside of the mold 120 is discharged from the mold 120 and the curing machine ( 120) can be expanded as it is supplied. In addition, the expanded material may be heated and cured by receiving heat from the curing machine 130 .

For example, the curing machine 130 may be a steam generator. In one embodiment, the step of manufacturing the filter for cigarettes by heating and curing the polylactide material may include heating the material using steam generated from a steam generator. By using a steam generator, it is possible to improve the existing heating temperature of about 95 ° C. or less to about 350 ° C., and it is possible to solve the problem of material sticking that occurs when heat is supplied using a molding rod.

In one embodiment, the heating temperature at which the material is heated through the steam generator may be 150 ℃ to 250 ℃. Here, the heating temperature means the temperature of the heating unit 310 of FIG. 4 for heating the filter. In the above numerical range, aggregation reaction of the polylactide material may occur, and accordingly, the hardness of the filter may be improved by about 70% to about 95%. When the hardness of the filter is 70% or more, the pinching phenomenon in the drum can be reduced by having an appropriate hardness when the manufactured filter is transported.

In one embodiment, the curing machine 130 may not only heat the material, but also apply pressure to the material. For example, the pressure applied to the material may be about 0.8 bar to about 2.7 bar, specifically, about 1 bar to about 2.5 bar, and preferably about 1.5 bar. In the above numerical range, aggregation reaction of the polylactide material occurred, and accordingly, the hardness of the filter may be improved by about 70% to about 95%.

In embodiments, after heating the material, the method may further include cooling the material with compressed air. In addition, after heating the material, it may further include the step of moving the material to the cooler surrounding the material discharged from the mold along a transfer pipe that guides the movement of the material.

The material discharged by heat curing in the curing machine 130 may be supplied to the cooler 140 . At this time, the cooler 140 may apply compressed air to the material.

Some of the fibers constituting the material may be cured in a broken state, and others may be broken into small pieces during curing. Short fibers broken into small pieces may form fine dust on the outside or inside of the filter. The cooler 140 may cool the material by applying compressed air, and may remove fine dust adhered to the material. Accordingly, when the filter is packaged with a packaging material, a decrease in adhesive strength due to external fine dust can be prevented, and the quality of the product can be improved as fine dust is prevented from remaining in the ventilation passage inside the filter.

The material discharged from the cooler 140 may be manufactured as a cigarette filter 150 having a hollow therein.

In embodiments, the method of manufacturing a filter for cigarettes may further include forming a perforation in the manufactured filter for cigarettes. The perforation may further enhance the cooling effect of the filter for cigarettes, as will be described later.

3 is a view showing the mold 120 of the device for manufacturing a filter for cigarettes according to an embodiment from the side.

Referring to FIG. 3 , the rod body 200 may be disposed inside the mold 120 . The material 250 that has undergone the pretreatment process may be discharged from the preprocessor 105 and supplied to the mold 120 . A portion of the mold 120 forming the outer shape of the rod body 200 and the material 250 disposed inside the mold 120 may be provided in a shape in which the diameter decreases along the moving direction of the material 250. have. Accordingly, the material 250 injected through the injection hole of the mold 120 may be compressed while moving along the inside of the mold 120 .

According to some embodiments, the inclinations of the mold 120 and the rod body 200 may be provided to be parallel to each other in a section in which the diameters of the mold 120 and the rod body 200 are reduced. Accordingly, the material 250 may smoothly move through the mold 120 .

In addition, the mold 120 and the rod body 200 may be provided in a cylindrical shape having one end and the other end having the same diameter. However, this is only an example, and is not limited thereto.

For example, when the diameter of the rod body 200 is small, a larger amount of the material 200 may be injected into the mold 120 . When the diameter reduction ratio of the mold 120 and the rod body 200 increases, the compressibility of the material 250 moving along the mold 120 may increase. For example, when the inclination in the section where the diameters of the mold 120 and the rod body 200 decreases, the compressibility of the material 250 moving along the mold 120 may increase. As described above, as the design of the shape of the mold 120 and the rod body 200 is changed, the injection amount and the degree of compression of the material 250 moving along the mold 120 may be determined.

As an example, the material 250 that is compressed while moving along the mold 120 is agglomerated at a high compression rate and formed with high density may be discharged through the outlet of the mold 120 .

4 is a view showing the curing machine 130 of the device for manufacturing a filter for cigarettes according to an embodiment.

Referring to FIG. 4 , the curing machine 130 may include a transfer pipe 300 , a rod body 200 , a steam supply pipe 320 , a heating unit 310 , and a heating cavity 326 . The material 250 discharged from the mold may be supplied to the curing machine 130 . The curing machine 130 may include a transfer pipe 300 that surrounds the material 250 and guides the movement of the material, and a rod 200 that forms a hollow inside the material 250 .

For example, the transfer pipe 300 may include a heating unit 310 including a heat transfer material, the heating unit 310 may be connected to the steam supply pipe 320, and the steam supply pipe 320 is a steam generator ( not shown) can be connected. Accordingly, the high-temperature steam generated by the steam generator may be transferred to the heating unit 310 along the steam supply pipe 320 .

For example, the heating unit 310 may be heated to a high temperature by steam to deform the material 250 moving along the transfer pipe 300 , and accordingly, the external shape of the material 250 may be deformed.

The curing machine 130 may include a steam supply pipe 320 for applying heat to the heating unit 310 . However, various methods for applying heat to the heating unit 310 may be provided.

For example, the steam supply pipe 320 includes a steam supply passage 322 and a steam discharge passage 324 therein, and the steam supply passage 322 and the steam discharge passage 324 are the heating cavity inside the transfer pipe 300 . (326) may be connected. The heating cavity 326 may be in contact with the heating unit 310 including a heat transfer material.

Specifically, when high-temperature steam is supplied through the steam supply passage 322 of the steam supply pipe 320, the steam enters the heating cavity 326 along the steam supply passage 322, and the steam is discharged through the steam discharge passage 324. The cycle to be discharged along the can be repeated. In a process in which the circulation of steam is repeated, high-temperature steam may remain in the heating cavity 326 , and in this process, the heating unit 310 in contact with the heating cavity 326 may be heated to a high temperature.

Since the heating unit 310 includes a heat transfer material, it may be rapidly heated by the high temperature of the heating cavity 326 . The heat transfer material includes a material having a high heat transfer coefficient, and may be a metal such as copper.

In this case, the material 250 may contain polylactide. The heating unit 310 may preferably be heated to a temperature at which polylactide is not completely melted, but is not limited thereto. The heating unit 310 may apply a temperature equal to or higher than the melting point of polylactide, and accordingly, melting of the material may occur.

For example, although not shown in the drawings, the curing machine 130 and the mold 120 may be connected. In this case, as the inner diameter at the inlet of the curing machine 130 increases compared to the inner diameter at the outlet of the mold 120 , the material 250 compressed in the mold 120 is discharged and then injected into the curing machine 130 . It can be expanded, heated, and hardened by restoring force.

In the case of FIG. 4 described above, the manufacturing apparatus of a hollow filter having a hollow part has been exemplarily described, but if the configuration of the rod body 200 is omitted in the manufacturing apparatus of FIG. 4, it can be used for manufacturing a general filter using PLA material. have.

5 is a view showing a filter 150 for cigarettes according to an embodiment.

A second aspect of the present invention may provide a filter for cigarettes that includes a material containing polylactide (PLA), wherein the material is cured by heat.

In an embodiment, the filter for cigarettes is at least one of acetyl tributyl citrate, tributyl citrate, triethyl citrate, and polyethylene glycol. may contain a denaturant of

Referring to FIG. 5 , the filter for cigarettes 150 may include a hollow part 151 therein. When a user inhales an aerosol-generating article (not shown) including the filter 150 for cigarettes, a vortex phenomenon in which air is strongly rotated in the hollow part 151 of the filter may occur. Accordingly, the content of the aerosol generated from the aerosol-generating article can be kept constant to some extent, and the user can feel the rich flavor.

In embodiments, the hollow portion 151 of the filter for tobacco 150 may be circular or oval, and may have a diameter of about 1.8 mm to about 4.4 mm. Specifically, the hollow part 151 may have a diameter of about 2.0 mm to about 4.2 mm. However, it is not particularly limited thereto, and the numerical range may be appropriately adjusted by those skilled in the art.

For example, the hollow portion 151 may have an inner diameter of about 2.5 mm or an inner diameter of about 4.2 mm. If, when the hollow part 151 has an inner diameter of about 4.2 mm, the amount of aerosol transfer per unit time, such as nicotine or glycerin, may be increased compared to the case where the hollow part 151 has an inner diameter of about 2.5 mm.

In embodiments, the hollow portion 151 of the filter 150 for cigarettes is not limited to a circular or oval shape. For example, the hollow part 151 may have a diamond shape, a cat shape, a honeycomb shape, a cross shape, a tobacco leaf shape, or a human (人) shape.

In addition, as the filter is formed at a high density, a unique tactile feel can be provided when the user inhales the aerosol-generating article including the filter 150 for cigarettes as the hollow part 151 is provided therein. And it may be easy to maintain a target suction resistance by adjusting the blowing speed during the manufacture of the filter 150 for cigarettes.

In embodiments, when the aerosol passes through filter 150 for tobacco, the maximum temperature of filter for tobacco 150 is about 60° C. to about 72° C., and the average temperature of filter 150 for tobacco is about 48 °C to about 58 °C. Cigarette filter 150 includes a hollow part 151, and by including a polylactide material, the cooling effect on the aerosol can be increased.

In addition, the filter for cigarettes 150 may further include a perforation (not shown) formed in a vertical direction with respect to the longitudinal direction of the hollow portion 151 . As will be described later, the perforation may further increase the cooling effect on the aerosol of the filter 150 for cigarettes.

6 is a diagram illustrating an aerosol-generating article 400 comprising a filter for a cigarette according to an embodiment.

Referring to FIG. 6 , an aerosol-generating article 400 may include an aerosol-generating material 410 , an intermediate structure 420 , a cooling structure 430 , a filter segment 440 , and a packaging material 450 .

The aerosol-generating material 410 may include, for example, at least one of glycerin, propylene glycol, ethylene glycol, dipropylene glycol, diethylene glycol, triethylene glycol, tetraethylene glycol, and oleyl alcohol.

The aerosol-generating material 410 may have an elongated rod shape, and the length may vary. In an optional embodiment, the length may be about 5 to about 60 millimeters, for example, about 12 millimeters, but is not particularly limited thereto. In addition, the diameter of the aerosol-generating material 410 may be about 5 to about 10 millimeters, for example, may be about 7.2 millimeters, but is not particularly limited thereto.

As an alternative embodiment, the aerosol-generating material 410 may contain flavoring agents, wetting agents, and/or other additive materials such as acetate compounds. For example, flavoring agents include licorice, sucrose, fructose syrup, isosweet, cocoa, lavender, cinnamon, cardamom, celery, fenugreek, cascarilla, sandalwood, bergamot, geranium, honey essence, rose oil, vanilla, lemon oil, orange oil, mint oil, cinnamon, caraway, cognac, jasmine, chamomile, menthol, cinnamon, ylang-ylang, sage, spearmint, ginger, coriander or coffee and the like. In addition, the wetting agent may include glycerin or propylene glycol, and the like. In addition, the aerosol-generating material 410 is prepared in the form of a slurry by mixing a solvent and various additives after pulverizing the tobacco raw material, and then dried to form a sheet, and then processed the sheet to form a reconstituted tobacco having pieces such as rods material may be included.

For example, the aerosol-generating material 410 comprises a plurality of strands of tobacco material, one strand about 1-16 millimeters long, about 0.8 to about 1.2 millimeters wide (eg about 0.9 millimeters) and The thickness may be from about 0.17 to about 0.23 millimeters (eg, about 0.2 millimeters).

Since the aerosol-generating material 410 includes a plurality of strands of different lengths processed into a wide tobacco sheet, the density of the tobacco material filled in the aerosol-generating material 410 may be increased. Accordingly, the aerosol generated from the aerosol-generating material 410 may be increased, and the manufacturing characteristics of the aerosol-generating material 410 may be improved.

The filter segment 440 may be disposed in a direction facing the aerosol-generating material 410 , and may correspond to a region through which the aerosol material generated from the aerosol-generating material 410 passes immediately before being inhaled by the user.

The filter segment 440 may be formed of various materials, for example, may include cellulose acetate. As an alternative embodiment, the filter segment 440 may be made of a recessed filter including a hollow part. As an alternative embodiment, the length of the filter segment 440 may be between about 5 millimeters and about 15 millimeters. Filter segment 440 may include at least one capsule (not shown). The capsule (not shown) provided in the filter segment 440 may have a structure in which the liquid containing the fragrance is wrapped with a film, for example, may have a spherical or cylindrical shape.

The intermediate structure 420 is disposed between the filter segment 440 and the aerosol-generating material 410 , and may be disposed adjacent to the aerosol-generating material 410 , for example.

The intermediate structure 420 may be formed of various materials, for example, may include cellulose acetate.

As an optional embodiment, the intermediate structure 420 may be in the form of a tube including a hollow part therein. The length of the intermediate structure 420 may be from about 7 millimeters to about 15 millimeters, for example, about 10 millimeters. However, the present invention is not necessarily limited thereto, and the length of the intermediate structure 420 may be variously set, and the entire length of the aerosol generating material 410 may be controlled according to the length of the intermediate structure 420 .

The cooling structure 430 may be disposed between the aerosol generating material 410 and the filter segment 440 , specifically, between the intermediate structure 420 and the filter segment 440 . In an alternative embodiment, the cooling structure 430 may abut the intermediate structure 420 and the filter segment 440 .

The cooling structure 430 may cool the aerosol generated from the aerosol-generating material 410 . This allows the user to inhale an aerosol with an appropriate and safe temperature that is not too high.

For example, when the aerosol-generating article 400 is inserted into an aerosol-generating device (not shown) and used by a user, the heater provided in the aerosol-generating device heats the aerosol-generating material 410 to cool the aerosol generated. can

The length of the cooling structure 430 may be about 10 millimeters to about 20 millimeters, for example, about 14 millimeters, but is not particularly limited thereto.

The cooling structure 430 may be formed of various materials, and may contain, for example, polylactide or polylactic acid.

The cooling structure 430 may be manufactured in various ways, and as an embodiment, it may be manufactured (eg, a hollow tube) using fibers containing polylactide or polylactic acid, and in this case, the cooling structure ( 430) may be deformed by an external impact or the risk of loss of function may be reduced. In addition, by changing a method of combining fibers, the cooling structure 430 having various shapes may be manufactured. In addition, by fabricating the cooling structure 430 using the fibers, the surface area in contact with the aerosol may be increased. Accordingly, the aerosol cooling effect of the cooling structure 430 may be further improved.

In an embodiment, the filter for cigarettes manufactured by the above-described manufacturing method may be applied to the intermediate structure 420 , the cooling structure 430 , or the filter segment 440 of FIG. 6 .

In embodiments without perforations, preferably, cooling structure 430 is formed of a PLA tube filter having an inner diameter of about 4.2 mm, and filter segment 440 is formed of a CA filter having an inner diameter of about 3.4 mm. can In this case, the amount of nicotine and glycerin transfer of the aerosol-generating article 400 may be enhanced to about 1.34 and about 4.82, and the cooling effect of the aerosol may be enhanced with maximum and average temperatures of about 70.8° C. and about 56.2° C. .

In a perforated embodiment, preferably, the cooling structure 430 is formed of a PLA tube filter having an inner diameter of about 4.2 mm, and the filter segment 440 is formed of a CA filter having an inner diameter of about 2.5 mm. can In this case, the amount of nicotine and glycerin transfer of the aerosol-generating article 400 may be enhanced to about 1.09 and about 3.14, and the cooling effect of the aerosol may be enhanced with maximum and average temperatures of about 60.3° C. and about 48.3° C. .

The packaging material 450 may be formed to surround the aforementioned aerosol-generating material 410 , the intermediate structure 420 , the cooling structure 430 , and the filter segment 440 .

7 is a table showing the comparison of the characteristics of the filter for cigarettes according to the comparative example and the filter for cigarettes according to the embodiment.

In the case of the PLA cigarette filter before the improvement, the filter had a low hardness, so that the filter was broken during cutting, jam occurred, the transfer foot was caught, and the arrangement after cutting was poor. However, in the case of the PLA cigarette filter after improvement, the above-mentioned problems can be solved.

<Examples and Experimental Examples>

1. Search for modifiers for hardening of PLA tow and evaluation by modifiers (Lab-test conditions)

Evaluation of each modifier for curing PLA tow (Lab-test conditions)

PLA tow: 8.0/20K (Suction resistance: 52 mmH ₂ O)

Denaturant treatment: Apply 20% of the weight of PLA tow filter rod by spray spraying

(Evaluation conditions) Temperature 120℃, 130℃, 140℃, 180℃ / Treatment time: 5 minutes, 10 minutes, 20 minutes

[Table 1] Comparison table of temperature conditions and aggregate reaction by denaturant

(X: no aggregation, △: partial aggregation in progress, O: aggregation between fibers, recording: complete recording of fibers (not available)

As a result of review: ATBC, TBC, TEC, and PEG, when 10 minutes have elapsed from 140°C, aggregation between fibers (distinguished by hard touch) occurs, and melting at 180°C.

Selection of modifier materials that can be used for manufacturing PLA tow: TEC, PEG, TBC, ATBC

It is necessary to supply a high-temperature/high-pressure heat source (steam) for PLA filter manufacturing -> It is necessary to improve the existing NWA filter facilities.

PLA filter can be manufactured because PLA fiber strands are aggregated (bonded) with each other through a high-temperature thermal reaction.

[Table 2] Comparison of PLA fiber properties according to heater and discharge temperature

(Here, the discharge temperature means the 'heating temperature' described above.)

(Pressure factor) Evaluation of PLA tow plasticization according to steam pressure

· Pressure conditions: Increased PLA fiber aggregation when the pressure is raised (requires appropriate conditions)

Proportional relationship between steam pressure and temperature: temperature rises when steam pressure rises

[Table 3] Comparison of PLA tow plasticization according to steam pressure

(denaturant factor) PLA tow plasticization evaluation according to denaturant content

Modifier (TEC) conditions: PLA denaturation (cohesion) and hardness increase according to TEC content

[Table 4] Evaluation of PLA tow denaturation according to denaturant content

Selecting the minimum conditions for PLA tow melting point: steam temperature 190℃ / pressure 1.5bar / TEC 15%

When applying PLA tube filter cigarette, the hardness needs to be increased for continuous process -> Need to improve the quality of PLA tube filter

Evaluation of SEM (electron microscope) analysis for each fiber according to PLA tow aggregation

SEM measurement before/after plasticization/aggregation of CA tow (plasticizer TA 8%) and PLA tow (denaturant TEC 15%)

Cross-sectional analysis of tow fibers: plasticizer (CA tow) / denaturant (PLA tow) treatment and then plasticization/cohesion confirmation

[Table 5] Comparison of cross-sectional SEM photos by tow fiber

[Table 6] Comparison of longitudinal cross-sectional SEM photos by tow fiber

Plasticizer (CA tow) / denaturant (PLA tow) treatment and plasticization/cohesion confirmation

Evaluation by modifier content to improve PLA tow filter hardness

Filter workability and quality evaluation result

As the TEC content increases, the tube filter hardness increases

When TEC 25% level is applied, filter manufacturing workability and filter hardness are good.

-> Continuous process possible without the phenomenon of being caught in the drum due to cracking or denting of the tube filter during the filter and tobacco manufacturing process

[Table 7] Comparison of PLA tow filter hardness by modifier content

[Table 8] Comparison of hardness and inner diameter of PLA tube when TEC 25% is applied

1st PLA tube -> for 5% TEC content, 2nd PLA tube -> for 25% TEC content

For TEC 25%, the hardness and inner diameter shape of PLA tube are significantly improved

PLA tube filter quality improvement with increasing PLA denaturant content

Importance of filter hardness: In the case of PLA tube filters with low hardness during the filter and tobacco manufacturing process, the filter breaks or dents during cutting, which makes continuous processing difficult due to the occurrence of a phenomenon that the filter gets stuck in the drum.

· (Improve filter hardness) TEC content condition: TEC content 25%

-> No pinching of segments in the transfer foot after cutting PLA tube due to improved hardness

-> Improvement of filter manufacturing facility and establishment of PLA tow tube manufacturing process conditions, improved to a level similar to general CA tube filter manufacturing speed

2. Manufacture of PLA tube filter-applied sticks and evaluation of cigarettes

- Analysis of general smoke components and cooling effect according to company C's product application

Purpose: To review the cooling effect and the effect of increasing the amount of atomization through the application of PLA tube filter

PLA tube filter manufacturing conditions (steam temperature 190℃, pressure 1.5bar)

By denaturant (TEC) content: 5%, 15%, 25%, 35%

· Perforated treatment: non-porous, perforated wrapping paper

By size of PLA tube inner diameter: Φ2.5, Φ3.4, Φ4.2

Evaluation of cigarette manufacturability by application of PLA tube

When replacing PLA tube compared to current cooling unit (PLA woven fabric, CA tube), current manufacturing speed is maintained and workability is equal

Results of cooling effect of PLA tube filter stick by TEC content (no perforation)

Increase cooling effect according to TEC content -> Increase cooling effect according to the amount of glass transition temperature (Tg)

· When more than 25% of TEC is applied, it is at a similar or higher level than the current one

In the case of TEC 5%, the cooling effect was high due to the occurrence of hairy inside the filter due to distortion of the filter and poor cutting, but it was not applicable due to the appearance of the filter and the occurrence of cracks when applying the process

[Table 9] Comparison of cooling effect by denaturant content of sticks applied by Company C

Evaluation result of smoke component applied by PLA tube filter stick by TEC content

The amount of smoke transfer according to the TEC content is at a similar level

In the case of PLA tube filter, the amount of smoke transfer is reduced compared to the current -> Expected to increase when the inner diameter of the PLA tube is enlarged

[Table 10] Evaluation result of smoke component applied to PLA tube filter stick by TEC content

Evaluation of cooling effect depending on whether or not perforation is applied

· Non-perforated condition Current vs PLA tube: Similar to current

Perforation conditions Current vs PLA tube: Increased cooling effect when PLA tube is applied compared to current

-> In the case of the current PLA woven fabric, perforation is not applicable, but in the case of PLA tube, perforation technology can be applied.

[Table 11] Comparison of cooling effect with or without perforation

- Results of evaluation of smoke components and cooling effects applied to our products

PLA tube filter manufacturing conditions: steam temperature 190℃, pressure 1.5bar, TEC 25%

Smoke transition amount according to the presence or absence of perforation and the size of the inner diameter of the PLA tube

[Table 12] S company product results (selection criteria: medium weight 273±10, PD 66±5, vent 16.5±2)

[Table 13] Company C product results (selection criteria: medium weight 270±10, PD 74±5)

The smaller the inner diameter of the CTF, the lower the transfer amount -> Slightly increase the amount of smoke transfer when the PLA tube inner diameter is enlarged

If the inner diameter of the cooling part (CTF) is smaller than the inner diameter of the MT part, the amount of smoke transfer is reduced due to the occurrence of a blocking phenomenon

Cooling effect: The maximum temperature is somewhat lower when replacing PLA tube compared to the current one.

- Consumer evaluation result according to PLA tube application of company C's product (Moadic test, number of panels: 102)

· CCI (Product Competitiveness Index) analysis result, when PLA tube filter is applied, it is equivalent to the current level

· CCI analysis result: rated as “very positive (about 80 points)”

· Four main attributes: Amount of atomization before and after crushing (need to increase) / Consistency of flavor / Overall satisfaction equal

[Table 14] Cooling effect according to the decrease in thermal sensation of the stick before/after crushing the PLA tube filter capsule

-> Completion of review of the possibility of replacing the current PLA woven fabric with PLA tow tube filter as the cooling effect and consumer survey results were evaluated at a comparable level

Although the description of the above-described embodiments has been described as an example of a tube filter for cigarettes using PLA, the technical idea of the present invention can be equally applied to the manufacture of a general filter using PLA material.

The description of the above-described embodiments is merely exemplary, and it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various modifications and equivalent other embodiments are possible therefrom. Accordingly, the true scope of protection of the invention should be defined by the appended claims, and all differences within the scope of equivalents to those described in the claims should be construed as being included in the scope of protection defined by the claims.

100: material supply unit
103: roller
105: preprocessor
110: stretching machine
120: mold
130: curing machine
140: cooler
150: filter for cigarettes
200: rod body
250: material
300: transfer pipe
310: heating unit
320: steam supply pipe
400: aerosol-generating article
410: aerosol-generating substances
420: intermediate structure
430: cooling structure
440: filter segment

Claims (14)

A method for manufacturing a filter for cigarettes, the method comprising:
preparing a material containing polylactide (PLA);
adding a modifier to the material;
supplying the material to a mold in which a rod for forming a hollow part of the filter for cigarettes is disposed; and
manufacturing the filter for tobacco by heating and curing the material;
including,
The modifier includes at least one of acetyl tributyl citrate, tributyl citrate, triethyl citrate, and polyethylene glycol,
The method for manufacturing a filter for cigarettes in which the material is aggregated by the heating. delete The method of claim 1,
The modifier, based on 100 parts by weight of the material, is added by 5 parts by weight to 35 parts by weight, a method of manufacturing a filter for cigarettes. The method of claim 1,
The manufacturing method of the filter for cigarettes by heating and curing the material comprises heating the material using steam generated from a steam generator. 5. The method of claim 4,
The heating temperature at which the material is heated through the steam generator is 150 ℃ to 250 ℃, the manufacturing method of the filter for cigarettes. The method of claim 1,
After heating the material, the method of manufacturing a filter for cigarettes further comprising the step of cooling the material with compressed air. The method of claim 1,
After heating the material, surrounding the material discharged from the mold and further comprising the step of moving the material to a cooler along a transfer pipe guiding the movement of the material, the manufacturing method of a filter for cigarettes. The method of claim 1,
Further comprising the step of forming a perforation in the manufactured filter for cigarettes, the manufacturing method of the filter for cigarettes. In the cigarette filter,
The filter for cigarettes includes a material containing polylactide (PLA),
The material is cured by heat,
The filter for cigarettes includes at least one modifier of acetyl tributyl citrate, tributyl citrate, triethyl citrate, and polyethylene glycol. and,
The material is a filter for tobacco that is gathered by the heat. delete 10. The method of claim 9,
The filter for cigarettes, based on the cross-sectional direction of the filter, having a hardness of 70% to 95%, tobacco filter. 10. The method of claim 9,
When the aerosol passes through the filter for tobacco, the maximum temperature of the filter for tobacco is 60 °C to 72 °C, and the average temperature of the filter for tobacco is 48 °C to 58 °C, for tobacco filter. 10. The method of claim 9,
The filter for tobacco has a hollow portion, wherein the hollow portion has a diameter of 1.8 mm to 4.4 mm, a filter for tobacco. 10. The method of claim 9,
The filter for cigarettes, further comprising a perforation formed in a vertical direction with respect to the longitudinal direction of the filter, tobacco filter.

Images