TWI642366B - Spherical powder aggregate and method for manufacturing the same - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention provides a spherical powder aggregate comprising microcrystalline cellulose and a binder, and the powder agglomerate has a particle diameter of 1.0 to 6.0 mm, a breaking strength of 1.5 to 5.0 N, and a strain rate of 5.0 to 15.0%, and a production thereof. method.

Description

 Spherical powder agglomerate and method of producing the same  

The present invention relates to a spherical powder aggregate and a method for producing the same.

It is known to enjoy a taste or aroma, or both, by aspirating the powder in the filter. For example, Patent Document 1 discloses that a granular substance is accommodated in a chamber in a filter, and a granular substance is supplied to a delivery end through a fluid passage.

Further, in Patent Document 2, as for the technique of tobacco products, the solid particles composed of natural polysaccharides or derivatives thereof are encapsulated in the contents of the perfume.

Patent Document 3 describes tobacco beads containing tobacco particles which are disposed in a filter in order to remove at least one smoke component from mainstream smoke.

Patent Document 4 describes a smoking article in which a liquid discharge material of a continuous release property is incorporated in a filter unit group. The liquid release material described in Patent Document 4 contains a polymer matrix containing a matrix-forming polymer and a plasticizer. As the polymer forming the matrix, alginic acid and pectin have been described.

 [Previous Technical Literature]    [Patent Literature]  

[Patent Document 1] Japanese Laid-Open Patent Publication No. 60-192581

[Patent Document 2] Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 64-27461

[Patent Document 3] Japanese Patent Publication No. 2008-531008

[Patent Document 4] Japanese Patent Publication No. 2014-532435

The invention described in Patent Documents 1 and 2 uses a powder as a carrier of the fragrance itself or a fragrance.

However, none of the powders used in the inventions are formed by themselves, and the patent documents do not describe the spherical powder aggregates which form fine powder after the destruction. Further, in Patent Documents 1 and 2, microcrystalline cellulose as a powder raw material is not described.

In Patent Document 3, tobacco beads are described, but as described above, tobacco particles as essential components are contained therein. In Patent Document 3, microcrystalline cellulose is described as an arbitrary material when constituting tobacco beads, but beads containing microcrystalline cellulose as a main component and not containing tobacco particles are not described. Patent Document 3 describes that a material is subjected to extrusion molding to obtain tobacco beads.

Further, when the microcrystalline cellulose is compressed by a tableting machine, the particles are entangled and can be easily molded. Therefore, it has been widely known to use a nucleating agent such as a tablet.

Further, in a general molding method of a powder used in the field of foods and the like, a method including a wet extrusion granulation step and a granulation step, and a powder pelletized machine are used to form a powder into a spherical shape. Method of forming a product.

However, the conventional powder molding method used in the field of foods and the like, or the molded article obtained by the tableting method is very hard, and it is difficult to break into fine particles by human fingers. Therefore, it is expected that the tobacco beads described in Patent Document 3 by extrusion molding cannot be easily broken by a human finger. Originally, in Patent Document 3, it is not described at all that the tobacco beads are destroyed by a human finger.

Next, in the invention described in Patent Document 2 or 3, it is assumed that the person who carries the liquid fragrance does not specifically describe the problem that the liquid fragrance oozes out from the support after the liquid fragrance is carried. In this regard, in Patent Document 3, it is described that the volatile liquid compound is stored in the matrix of the tobacco beads, and the storage period is prolonged, but this is different from the oozing of the liquid fragrance.

On the other hand, in Patent Document 4, it is described that the user applies a specified force to release the flavor composition enclosed in the matrix structure of the flavor delivery material from the matrix structure, but the matrix structure is not powder, ion crosslinking Is the necessary polymer. Further, there is no description of the fact that the fragrance delivery material is destroyed by the user's hand.

In view of such circumstances, the subject of the present invention is to provide a smoking article or the like which has a hardness which can be broken by a human finger to form a fine grain and a feeling of being easily broken by a user. A method of producing a spherical agglomerate of powder and a method of producing the spherical powder agglomerate, which are suitable for displacement at the time of destruction, and at the same time, when the liquid is added, the absorbability is good.

As a result of active research by the inventors of the present invention, a spherical powder agglomerate composed of a material containing microcrystalline cellulose and a binder is known, and the particle size of the powder agglomerate is 1.0 to 6.0 mm, and the breaking strength is obtained. The strain rate is from 5.0 to 5.0 N, and the strain rate is from 5.0 to 15.0%, which can be easily broken by a human finger while producing a fine-grained powder after the destruction.

Further, the spherical powder aggregate having the above configuration is excellent in liquid absorbability.

Further, as a result of active research by the inventors of the present invention, a method for producing a spherical powder agglomerate is known which comprises: a powder which is dropped into a vibration by a slurry containing microcrystalline cellulose, a binder, and ethanol. a first step of forming a spherical intermediate composition composed of a slurry and a powder; and a second step of drying the liquid content of the spherical intermediate composition to 2% by weight or less; A spherical powder agglomerate having the above physical properties can be obtained.

That is, the present invention is as follows.

[1] A spherical powder agglomerate comprising microcrystalline cellulose and a binder, the particle size of the powder agglomerate is 1.0 to 6.0 mm, the breaking strength of the powder agglomerate is 1.5 to 5.0 N, and the strain rate is 5.0 to 15.0%.

[2] The spherical powder agglomerate according to [1], wherein the powder agglomerate has a density of 0.2 to 0.8 g/cm ³ .

[3] The spherical powder aggregate according to the above [1], wherein the binder is one or more selected from the group consisting of starch, gelatin, gum arabic, polyvinyl alcohol, and carboxymethyl cellulose. Water soluble polymer.

[4] The spherical powder agglomerate according to any one of [1] to [3] wherein the total content of the microcrystalline cellulose and the binder in the powder aggregate is 70.5 to 98 by weight. %.

[5] The spherical powder aggregate according to any one of [1] to [4] wherein the powder agglomerate contains a fragrance.

[6] A method for producing a spherical powder agglomerate, comprising: a powder comprising a slurry of microcrystalline cellulose, a binder, and ethanol dropped into a vibration to form a slurry and a powder. a first step of the spherical intermediate composition; and a second step of drying the liquid content of the spherical intermediate composition to less than 2% by weight.

[7] The method for producing a spherical powder aggregate according to [6], wherein the powder is microcrystalline cellulose.

[8] The method for producing a spherical powder agglomerate according to [6], wherein the binder is selected from the group consisting of starch, gelatin, gum arabic, polyvinyl alcohol, and carboxymethyl cellulose. More than one water soluble polymer.

[9] The method for producing a spherical powder aggregate according to any one of [6] to [8] wherein the content of the microcrystalline cellulose in the slurry is 15 to 25% by weight.

[10] The method for producing a spherical powder agglomerate according to any one of [6] to [9] wherein the drying in the second step is performed by hot air drying.

[11] The method for producing a spherical powder aggregate according to any one of [6] to [10] wherein the spherical intermediate composition is dried while being vibrated in the second step.

The spherical powder agglomeration system of the present invention can be easily broken by human fingers and has a suitable breakage displacement for allowing a good feeling of destruction to be felt. Therefore, when the spherical powder aggregate of the present invention is disposed in a filter or the like used for a smoking article of a cigarette, when the spherical powder aggregate is destroyed by the finger of the smoker, the fragrance is contained therein. The mainstream smoke can be delivered to the user along with the perfume contained in the powder agglomerate. Moreover, the absorbability at the time of adding a liquid is favorable. Thereby, when the spherical powder aggregate of the present invention absorbs the liquid fragrance, it is expected to function as a fragrance carrier or a flavor retention agent, for example.

Further, according to the method for producing a spherical powder agglomerate of the present invention, it is possible to provide a powder agglomerate which is suitable for being easily broken by a human finger and for allowing a person to feel a good feeling of destruction. Displacement when broken.

1‧‧‧ Contactor of rheometer

2‧‧‧Spherical powder aggregates

3‧‧‧After the destruction of the powder aggregates

Fig. 1 is a view showing states of the powder agglomerates when the breaking strength of the spherical powder aggregates is measured.

Fig. 2 is a schematic view showing the relationship between the displacement of the contact body of the rheometer and the stress when the breaking strength of the spherical powder aggregate is measured.

Fig. 3 is a view showing each state (photograph) of the spherical powder aggregate before and after the destruction.

Fig. 4 is a graph showing the relationship between the load and the elapsed time when the powder agglomerates of the examples were measured by a rheometer.

Fig. 5 is a graph showing the relationship between the load and the elapsed time when a molded article formed by a pelletizer is measured by a rheometer.

Figure 6 is a graph showing the relationship between the load and the elapsed time when the Viscopearl A is measured by a rheometer.

Figure 7 is a graph showing the relationship between the load and the elapsed time when the Viscopearl P is measured by a rheometer.

In the following, the present invention is not limited to the embodiments and the examples, and the present invention is not limited to the embodiments and the examples, and the invention can be arbitrarily changed without departing from the scope of the invention.

The spherical powder aggregate of the present invention is composed of a material containing microcrystalline cellulose and a binder, and has a particle diameter of 1.0 to 6.0 mm, and is a rheometer (CR-3000EX-S manufactured by SUN Scientific Co., Ltd.). Under the condition of MODE3, the maximum stress of the load cell is 200N, and the breaking speed of the table is 20.0mm/min, and the breaking strength is 1.5 to 5.0N. The contact body for the compressive strength test was used for the test.

The above-mentioned breaking strength is preferably 2.0 to 4.0 N in terms of moderate breaking strength when the human hand is broken.

Further, the spherical powder agglomerates of the present invention have a strain rate of 5.0 to 15.0%. Here, the strain rate is a distance moved by contact between the contact body and the powder agglomerate until the powder aggregate is destroyed, and the particle size of the powder agglomerate is measured when the fracture strength is measured by the rheometer described above. The value obtained by multiplying by 100 is also called the displacement at break. The smaller the strain rate, the smaller the compression width of the powder agglomerates causes damage.

The strain rate of the spherical powder agglomerates can be exemplified in the range of 5.0 to 12.0%.

The term "powder aggregate" as used in the present invention means a group of crystal particles composed of materials constituting the same to form a spherical block. For example, the powder agglomerate produced by the production method of the present invention is a mixture of a slurry containing a mixture of ethanol and a powder, which is granulated by dropping into a powder as described later, and then evaporating the ethanol by a drying step. In the process, microcrystalline cellulose, a binder, and the like which are dissolved in the slurry are precipitated and aggregated as crystal particles or the like to form a spherical block. Due to such formation, the powder agglomerates of the present invention are porous.

The "spherical shape" in the spherical powder aggregate of the present invention is not limited to a true ball, and includes a slightly spherical shape and an ellipsoid.

The spherical powder agglomerates have a particle diameter of 1.0 to 6.0 mm. In the present invention, the particle size of the spherical powder agglomerates means the largest diameter. The particle size is preferably from 2.5 to 5.5 mm, more preferably from 3.0 to 4.5 mm, when used for cigarette use.

"Particle size" in this context means the largest diameter.

When the particle diameter of the spherical powder agglomerate is produced by a method described later, it can be adjusted by adjusting the diameter of a nozzle used when a material containing microcrystalline cellulose, a binder, and ethanol is dropped into the powder. .

The microcrystalline cellulose used in the present invention can be obtained by, for example, partially depolymerizing an α-cellulose obtained from a fibrous plant with an acid, and is a powder. Specifically, a commercially available ENDURANCE (trade name: Koyo Chamber of Commerce) can be used. As the microcrystalline cellulose, those having an average particle diameter of about 50 to 100 μm can be used.

In the spherical powder agglomerate, the content of the microcrystalline cellulose may be, for example, 70 to 95% by weight, preferably 75 to 90% by weight, based on the total amount of the spherical powder agglomerates.

When the content of the microcrystalline cellulose is in the above range, a value which is preferable as a breaking strength of the powder agglomerate can be obtained.

As the above-mentioned binder, a water-soluble polymer such as starch, gelatin, gum arabic, polyvinyl alcohol or carboxymethyl cellulose can be used. Among them, carboxymethylcellulose is preferably used.

In the spherical powder agglomerate, the content of the binder may be, for example, 10 to 20% by weight, preferably 13 to 18% by weight, based on the total amount of the spherical powder agglomerates.

When it is such a content, the breaking strength of the spherical powder aggregate can be obtained as a preferable value.

The spherical powder aggregate of the present invention may contain a sweetener such as sucrose or a flavoring agent. The flavoring agent is not particularly limited, and examples thereof include a single substance or a mixture of sucralose, edible oil, edible seasoning, flavorant, and oral cooling agent.

The content of such a flavoring agent in the spherical powder agglomerate may be, for example, 0.5 to 5.0% by weight in terms of the total amount of the spherical powder agglomerates.

Further, the spherical powder agglomerates of the present invention may contain a fragrance. The type of the fragrance is not particularly limited, and an existing fragrance can be used. Among them, suitable for powder flavors and oily flavors. The main powder flavors can be exemplified by chamomile, fenugreek, menthol, mint, cinnamon, vanilla, and the like. In addition, the main oily flavors are lavender, cinnamon, cardamom, celery, clove, bitter tree, nutmeg, sandalwood, bergamot, geranium, honey extract, rose oil, vanilla, lemon, citrus ( Orange), mint, cinnamon, coriander, brandy, jasmine, chamomile, menthol, cassia seed, ylang-ylang, sage, spearmint, fennel, green pepper, ginger, fennel, coriander, coffee, etc. These powder flavors and oily flavors may be used singly or in combination. When a powder flavor is used, the particle diameter thereof is preferably 500 μm or less. The perfume is preferably a liquid or a substance that is substantially soluble in the oral cavity. The amount of the flavor component added is preferably 10% by weight or less based on the microcrystalline cellulose.

When a liquid is used as the fragrance, the liquid fragrance can be added after the spherical powder aggregate of the present invention is produced. Since the spherical powder aggregate of the present invention is excellent in liquid absorbability, the liquid flavor is efficiently absorbed into the powder aggregate. Further, it is expected that the liquid fragrance temporarily absorbed is hard to bleed out to the outside of the powder agglomerate. This is a result of the fact that the powder agglomerates of the present invention are porous to the inside and do not have the properties of the conventionally known cellulose particles.

The total amount of the binder of the microcrystalline cellulose in the spherical powder agglomerates may be, for example, 70.5 to 98% by weight, preferably 85 to 92% by weight.

Further, the weight ratio of the microcrystalline cellulose to the binder in the spherical powder agglomerates may be, for example, 9:1 to 7:2.

The liquid content in the spherical powder agglomerates is preferably from 0.3 to 2.0% by weight, further preferably from 0.5 to 1.5% by weight. When it is such a liquid content, it contributes to ensuring the breaking strength of the spherical powder agglomerates described below.

Further, when the spherical powder aggregate is produced by the method described below, the above liquid content means the total content of water and ethanol.

The breaking strength of the powder agglomerate of the present invention is 1.5 to 5.0 N as described above, and is such a range of the breaking strength that it means that the density of the powder agglomerates is low, and the powder is condensed by producing a state of low density and a large number of voids. In the case of adding a liquid fragrance after the preparation of the powder agglomerate, the liquid fragrance is efficiently absorbed into the powder agglomerate.

The density of the powder agglomerates of the present invention is such that it exhibits the above-described functions, and can be, for example, 0.2 to 0.8 g/cm ³ , preferably 0.3 to 0.6 g/cm ³ .

The density of the powder agglomerates was obtained by the following method. A plurality of measurement samples (for example, 10 particles) are prepared, and the sample height of each sample is measured by a rheometer, and the average value of each value is obtained as an average diameter. The calculated volume value is taken as the average volume according to its average diameter. The average weight of each powder agglomerate is divided by its average volume.

In the powder agglomerate of the present invention, the voids inside are not concentrated only in the central portion, but are uniformly present in the powder agglomerates, and crack-like voids are also present on the surface, thereby facilitating easy absorption or retention of, for example, perfume. a liquid substance. Therefore, it is expected that such a liquid substance does not ooze out from the powder agglomerate at all, or is suppressed.

The spherical powder aggregate of the present invention can absorb a liquid which is equal to or more than the weight of the powder agglomerate.

The spherical powder agglomerates of the present invention may be coated with a coating agent around them. As such a coating agent, for example, a fat or oil having a melting point of 50 ° C or more can be exemplified. When a liquid fragrance is added to a spherical powder agglomerate by containing a fat or oil having a melting point of 50 ° C or higher, bleeding around the periphery can be satisfactorily suppressed.

A grease having a melting point of 50 ° C or more can be exemplified by a hardened oil having a melting point of 50 ° C or more.

The hardened oil is a processing oil obtained by adding hydrogen to a liquid fat or oil at a normal temperature as a raw material. In the present invention, a hardened oil having a melting point of 50 ° C or higher is preferably used.

The hardening oil having a melting point of 50 ° C or more may, for example, be a hardened oil of palm extreme hardening oil, extremely hardened oil of high mustard species, extremely hardened oil of vegetable species, extremely hardened oil of soybean, animal hardened oil, and the like.

Only one type of fat or oil having a melting point of 50 ° C or more may be used, or two or more types may be used in combination.

The method for applying the spherical powder agglomerate of the present invention is not particularly limited, and a known method can be used.

<breaking strength and its determination method>

The spherical powder agglomeration system of the present invention has a breaking strength of 1.5 to 5.0 N.

The measurement of the breaking strength can be carried out in each state shown in (a) to (d) of Fig. 1 . Fig. 2 is a view schematically showing the relationship between the displacement (distance of strain) at each time point and the stress.

Fig. 1(a) shows a state in which the contact body of the rheometer is lowered, and the contact body contacts the spherical powder agglomerate (at the time point (a) of Fig. 2).

Fig. 1(b) shows a state in which the contact body of the rheometer continues to descend, and the spherical powder agglomerates start to strain and stress the contact body. As shown in (b) of Fig. 2, the relationship between the strain distance and the stress is substantially a straight line.

Fig. 1(c) shows a state in which the spherical powder agglomerates are destroyed after being strained to some extent. As shown in (c) of Fig. 2, the maximum value (maximum load) of the stress before being destroyed corresponds to the breaking strength, and the displacement at the time point is set as the displacement at the time of destruction. After the damage, the stress is released and it is close to 0N.

(d) of FIG. 1 shows a state in which the spheroidal powder agglomerates continue to be degraded and the contact body is lowered, and the rupture sheet of the spherical pulverized powder agglomerate (c) is further finely destroyed ( (d) of Figure 2). As shown in (d) of Fig. 2, stress from each of the fracture sheets is also generated at this stage.

Fig. 3 is a view showing a spherical powder agglomerate in the state of the above (a) and (b), a spherical powder agglomerate in a state of (c), and a spherical powder agglomerate in a state of (d) Photo.

For the rheometer to be used for measuring the breaking strength, for example, CR-3000EX-S manufactured by SUN Scientific Co., Ltd. can be used. The contact body for the compressive strength test was used for the test.

The descending speed of the contact body was 20.0 mm/min, and the particle size of the spherical powder agglomerates applied to the rheometer was 1.0 to 6.0 mm.

The method for producing a spherical powder aggregate of the present invention comprises the following steps.

a first step of forming a spherical intermediate composition composed of a slurry and a powder by dropping a slurry containing microcrystalline cellulose, a binder, and ethanol into a vibrating powder; and forming a first spherical shape The second step of obtaining a spherical powder agglomerate is obtained by reducing the liquid content of the intermediate composition to 2% by weight or less.

In the first step, first, a slurry containing microcrystalline cellulose, a binder, and ethanol is prepared.

The slurry system can be prepared by adding microcrystalline cellulose and a binder to the ethanol. A suitable disperser can be used to modulate the slurry.

The purity of ethanol is preferably 90% by weight or more, more preferably nearly 100%. In other words, it is preferable to contain as little water as possible as possible, but ethanol is usually obtained as aqueous ethanol (having a moisture content of about 7 wt%).

The content of the ethanol in the slurry is based on the total amount of the slurry (hereinafter, also referred to as the slurry for dropping) which is dropped into the powder in the vibration, and can be exemplified by 65 to 80% by weight. From the viewpoint of imparting a moderate viscosity to the slurry for dropping, it is preferably 70 to 75% by weight.

The content of the microcrystalline cellulose can be, for example, 15 to 25 wt% with respect to the total amount of the slurry for dropping, from the viewpoint of imparting a moderate breaking strength and an appropriate density to the spherical powder agglomerates of the final product. In view, it is preferably from 20 to 25% by weight. When the content of the microcrystalline cellulose is increased relative to the total amount of the slurry for dropping, the breaking strength of the spherical powder aggregate can be improved.

The content of the binder may be, for example, 2 to 6% by weight with respect to the total amount of the slurry for dropping, from the viewpoint of imparting a moderate breaking strength to the spherical powder agglomerates of the final product, from 3 to 5% by weight is preferred.

As the binder, a water-soluble polymer such as starch, gelatin, gum arabic, polyvinyl alcohol or carboxymethyl cellulose can be used. Among them, carboxymethylcellulose is preferably used.

In the first step, a slurry containing the aforementioned material is dropped into the powder in the vibration (dropped into the powder). For the dropwise addition, a state in which a nozzle having an appropriate nozzle diameter is used can be exemplified. The amount of the powder is adjusted in such a manner that the powder is excessively present with respect to the slurry with respect to the slurry to be dropped.

The powder to be dropped into the slurry is the same as the microcrystalline cellulose contained in the spherical powder agglomerate, and the microcrystalline cellulose of the powder can be exemplified. When microcrystalline cellulose is used as the powder to be dropped into the target, when the slurry is dropped into the powder, the compatibility between the slurry and the powder is improved, and the spherical powder agglomerates of the final product are stable. Therefore, it is better. On the other hand, even if the nucleating agent contained in the slurry to be dropped is different from the powder to be dropped into the target, the compatibility between the slurry and the powder at the time of dropping the slurry is good, and it can be produced. The first spherical intermediate composition which causes the spherical powder agglomerates may be used, and the material of the powder is not particularly limited.

When the slurry is dropped into the powder, the number of drops per unit time: 180 to 200 drops/min, and the weight of each drop: 25 to 30 mg/drip.

The slurry system is dropped into the powder in the vibration. By dropping the powder in the vibration, the droplets of the slurry directly maintain the spherical shape or the slightly spherical shape and quickly absorb the powder surrounding the surrounding, thereby producing the first spherical intermediate composition. The number of vibrations of the vibrating feeder is not particularly limited as long as the first spherical intermediate composition can maintain a spherical shape. For example, the number of vibrations is 40 to 60 Hz.

The means for vibrating the powder can be exemplified by a vibrating feeder. When the vibrating feeder is used as a conveying means, the slurry can be fixed by dropping the slurry into the nozzle, and the powder that has fallen into the target vibrates while moving, continuously dropping into the slurry to continuously generate The first spherical intermediate composition. Further, when a vibration feeder having a conveying means is used, the generated first spherical intermediate composition can be recovered to a recovery container disposed at the delivery end. Further, by changing the diameter of the nozzle used for dropping the slurry, the particle size of the spherical powder aggregate of the final product can be adjusted.

The spherical intermediate composition is added to the instilled slurry by the powder dropped into the target. The timing of the dropping and the conveying speed of the vibrating feeder having the conveying means can be appropriately adjusted, but it is, for example, a speed at which the spherical intermediate composition is generated at 180 parts/min.

The spherical intermediate composition described above is dried in the second step in such a manner that its content is reduced to 2% by weight or less. The means for reducing the liquid content to 2% by weight or less can be exemplified by using a hot air generating device, and the spherical intermediate composition is dried by hot air. When it is dried by hot air, it is preferable to carry out the spherical intermediate composition while vibrating. By receiving the hot air while vibrating, the spherical intermediate composition can be uniformly subjected to warm air, and localization of ethanol does not cause local unevenness. The condition of the vibration is not particularly limited, but the vibration number is 20 to 50 Hz.

The above liquid content is the total amount of ethanol and water.

For example, when the spherical intermediate composition is dried while vibrating, it is preferred to carry the first spherical intermediate composition on a material having a good air permeability such as a sieve.

The temperature of the hot air used for drying is preferably about 85 to 95 ° C, more preferably about 88 to 92 ° C. In such a temperature range, ethanol can be removed from the spherical intermediate composition as quickly as possible, so that voids can be uniformly generated in the spherical intermediate composition.

Further, as long as the liquid content in the spherical intermediate composition can be reduced to 2% by weight or less, the drying time is not limited, but may be carried out, for example, between 3 and 10 minutes, preferably between 4 and 8 minutes.

After the second step, a spherical powder agglomerate having a liquid content of 2% by weight or less can be obtained.

The liquid content of the obtained spherical powder agglomerates has a significant influence on the breaking strength.

After the obtained spherical powder agglomeration system is subjected to the second step, only the powder agglomerates having a predetermined particle diameter can be classified by a known classification means.

For example, in the range of the particle diameter of 1.0 to 6.0 mm, it is classified into a particle size range having a desired particle size range, for example, 2.5 to 4.5 mm.

Further, after the second step described above, a step of adding a fragrance to the spherical powder agglomerate may be further included. When the fragrance is added, for example, a spray of a liquid fragrance is used, or an impregnation method is used to impregnate a liquid fragrance.

Further, the step of applying a coating agent to the spherical powder agglomerates may be carried out after the step of adding the fragrance or without the step of adding the fragrance. After the addition of the fragrance, when the powder agglomerates are coated with the coating agent, the bleeding of the fragrance from the spherical powder aggregates can be more satisfactorily suppressed.

The breaking strength of the obtained spherical powder aggregates can be measured by the same method as the measurement method described in the above 1. The resulting spherical powder agglomerates have a breaking strength of 1.5 to 5.0 N. This breaking strength can be adjusted by adjusting the drying conditions in the second step described above.

The method of using the spherical powder agglomerate of the present invention can be exemplified for use in a smoking article, and more specifically, it can be used by arranging a powder agglomerate to carry a fragrance and then arranging it in a filter of a smoking article.

In a more specific aspect of the smoking article, a smoking article comprising a tobacco rod comprising tobacco yarn and a filter passing through the outer paper to the end of the tobacco rod, the filter having the spherical shape of the present invention a powder agglomerate, a filter region in which the spherical powder agglomerate is disposed, the filter region may be filled with a filter material, or may be a cavity shape, and the filter may be composed of a single filter region, or may be composed of A plurality of filter zones are formed.

In this case, the spherical powder agglomerates remain in the filter when not in use. On the other hand, when used, the smoker destroys the spherical powder agglomerates in the filter by applying an external force to the filter, and when the fragrance is encapsulated in the powder agglomerate, the mainstream smoke and the powder agglomerate can be used. The inner package of spices is delivered to the user together.

Further, the powder agglomerate of the present invention is used when external pressure is applied for the purpose of destruction, since it is broken in the range of pressure which is easily broken by a person, and has an appropriate breakage displacement when a person can feel the feeling of being easily broken. You get the feeling of being uniquely and easily broken.

 [Examples]  

The present invention is more specifically described by the examples, but the present invention is not limited to the scope of the gist of the invention.

<Example 1>

Modulation is carried out to prepare a slurry of a material of spherical powder aggregates.

40 parts by weight of hydroxypropylmethylcellulose and 230 parts by weight of microcrystalline cellulose (ENDURANCE MCC VE-090: Guangyang Chamber of Commerce) were added to 730 parts by weight of ethanol (aqueous ethanol: moisture content: about 7% by weight), and dispersed. The machine (HOMOGENIZING DISPER) was stirred at 3000 to 5000 rpm for 5 minutes to obtain a slurry.

The obtained slurry is dropped into a slurry, and the powdered microcrystalline cellulose (same as the one contained in the slurry) is added to the slurry in an excess amount with respect to the instilled slurry, and the vibration is used as a powder. In the feeder. The vibration of the vibrating feeder when dropping into the slurry is 55 Hz to vibrate

The dropping speed of the slurry is applied to 180 to 200 drops/min, and the weight of each drop is 25 to 30 mg/drip.

If the slurry is continuously dropped into the vibrating feeder at the above speed, the dropped droplets are buried in the powdery microcrystalline cellulose, and are entrained in the surrounding microcrystalline cellulose to form a spherical composition instantaneously. Object (spherical intermediate composition).

The spherical intermediate composition is transported from the upstream side to the downstream side while vibrating on the vibrating feeder, and is collected in a recovery container disposed at the downstream end.

In the next step, the resulting spherical intermediate composition is dried by hot air. When drying by hot air, the spherical intermediate composition was placed on a vibrating screen, and the feed gas temperature was applied at 90 ° C for 5 minutes. At the time of drying, the sieve in which the spherical intermediate composition was disposed was vibrated (phase: 8 (20 to 30 Hz)), and the intermediate spherical composition on the sieve was vibrated, thereby being uniformly subjected to hot air.

By this drying, the liquid content of the spherical intermediate composition is reduced to 2% by weight or less to obtain a spherical powder aggregate.

<Measurement of Destructive Strength>

The CR-3000EX-S by a rheometer (SUN Scientific Co., Ltd.) was used for the obtained spherical agglomerates, and the test of each state shown in FIG. 1 was performed.

The rate of decrease of the contact body when measured by a rheometer was 20.0 mm/min. The contact system uses the compressive strength test user.

In addition, in the comparative example, the molded article formed by the pelletizer was measured by a commercially available cellulose particle (Viscopearl A, Viscopearl P: either manufactured by RENGO) and a method described later, and the damage was measured. Strength and strain rate.

For each of the samples of the spherical powder aggregate of the present invention, Viscopearl A, Viscopearl P, and the pellet-formed machine, 5 to 10 samples were prepared, and the sample height was measured by the rheometer described above ( Particle size), maximum load (destructive strength), moving distance, strain rate. The strain rate indicates the ratio of the distance (movement distance) of the contact body movement from the particle diameter of the particle to the time of destruction, indicating that the larger the strain rate is, the more the particle collapses as the particle is broken.

The results are shown in Table 1 below.

Viscopearl A used in the above-mentioned test, the raw material of the porous agent is added to the muscose fiber, and the pressure is lowered from the nozzle toward the acid bath to be solidified into a spherical shape, and the gas is foamed at the same time. The solidified raw material is made porous. A specific description of the method for producing such cellulose granules is disclosed in Japanese Laid-Open Patent Publication No. 2005-232379.

On the other hand, Viscopearl P is not a slime fiber, but is made by adding a binder and granulating it to wood pulp or various fibers.

The molded article formed by the pelletizer described above was produced in the following order.

First, in order to obtain a plate-like kneaded material attached to a pelletizer, water (40% by weight), microcrystalline cellulose (57% by weight), and HPMC (hydroxypropylmethylcellulose) were mixed in a stirring mixer ( The order of 3 wt%) was carried out, and the mixture was kneaded at room temperature for 1 hour.

Next, the obtained clay-like kneaded material was molded into a plate shape and attached to a pelletizer.

The granulated clay-like kneaded material was obtained by pelletizing the gap between the drum in the pelletizing machine and the forming plate to 4.0 mm.

The obtained spheroidized clay-like kneaded material was exposed to hot air at 70 ° C to dry the moisture content to 0.8% by weight or less to obtain a spherical molded product as a final product.

As shown by the results of Table 1 above, similar to the powder agglomerates of the present invention, commercially available cellulose particles or shaped articles formed by pelletizing machines, only the particle size thereof and the powder agglomerates of the present invention Similar, but the load required to destroy is very large and cannot be easily destroyed by human fingers. On the other hand, the spherical powder agglomeration system of the present invention has a small load required for destruction and a small strain rate, so that the human finger can be easily broken, and the user can be easily crushed. Further, after the powder aggregate of the present invention is destroyed, it is broken to the fine powder as shown in (d) after the third diagram (c).

The relationship between the load and the elapsed time when the measurement was carried out by the rheometer to obtain the results shown in Table 1 is shown in Figures 4 to 7. In Figures 4 to 7, the vertical axis represents the load (N) and the horizontal axis represents time (seconds).

From the fourth graph (the result of the powder agglomerate of the present invention), it is found that although the spherical powder agglomerates are broken when the maximum load is applied, the broken individual fragments are soft, scattered, and contacted. The body resists and at the same time collapses with a weak force. The strain is very small, and the contact body is broken about 0.5 to 1.0 second after contact with the powder agglomerate.

From the fifth figure (the result of the formed product formed by the pelletizer), it is found that the maximum load is very large (about 38 to about 60 N), and the hardness is not broken by a human finger. If it is broken, it breaks into pieces, but almost all of the pieces become about the size of the uncontacted body after about 1 second. From this it is known that the fragments are further pressed by the contact body, but the individual fragments are not broken and have a certain degree of strength.

From the 6th figure (the result of Viscopearl A), it is known that the maximum load is very large (about 30N). After touching the contact body until it is broken, the object is deformed while being pressed, and it is not as broken as it is broken.

From the 7th figure (the result of Viscopearl P), it is known that the maximum load is larger than Viscopearl A. Further, after the object contacts the contact body, it is pressed and continuously deformed (continuous application of load).

<Liquid absorption>

Using the powder agglomerate of the present invention and the molded article obtained by using the above-described pelletizer as a comparative example, a test for confirming the absorbability of the liquid was carried out.

A sample of 1.0 g of each sample was weighed in a beaker, and an excess amount of water or oil (medium chain fatty acid triglyceride: 2 to 3 g) was dropped into the sample in the beaker. After 30 seconds, the surface of the granules was wiped with Kim Wipes and weighed. The amount of adsorption per 1 g of each particle is shown in Table 2 below.

As a result of the results of Table 2, the powder agglomerates of the present invention are excellent in water absorbability and liquid absorbency, and can absorb a liquid of an equal amount or more by weight. On the other hand, such a liquid absorbing property cannot be obtained by using a molded article obtained by a conventional pelletizer. It is believed that the amount of voids present in the particles or the difference in the state of existence of the voids is caused.

<Density determination>

The density of the powder agglomerates of the present invention and the spherical shaped articles formed by the pelletizer described above were measured. Spherical powder agglomerates of 10 pellets were prepared by a separate method to obtain an average diameter and an average weight. The average volume of the spherical powder aggregates was calculated from the average diameter thereof, and the average density was calculated by calculation of (average weight) ÷ (average volume).

‧ powder aggregates of the invention

Diameter (1 capsule): 3.70mm (10 capsules = 3.70cm)

Volume (1 capsule): 0.02650cm ³

Density: 0.48g/cm ³

‧Spheroidal formed by pellet machine

Diameter (1 capsule): 3.65mm (10 capsules = 3.65cm)

Volume (1 capsule): 0.02544cm ³

Density: 1.29g/cm ³

As shown by the results of the calculation, the powder agglomerates of the present invention and the spherical shaped articles formed by the pelletizer have a large difference in density. This shows that the amount of voids present in the particles or the difference in the state of existence of the voids is produced by the method, and by virtue of the difference in the state of existence, the powder agglomerated system of the present invention has a breaking strength which can be easily broken by human fingers, and at the same time After the destruction, it is not a bulk and becomes a spherical aggregate of powder which produces fine particles.

 [Industry use possibility]  

In the spherical powder aggregate of the present invention, the breaking strength is such that it can be easily broken by a human finger, and the fine particles of the spherical powder aggregate are generated after the destruction. Therefore, when the spherical powder agglomerate of the present invention is disposed in a filter such as a cigarette-like smoking article in a filter having a passage toward the suction end or a filter portion in the vicinity of the nozzle portion, smoking is performed. The fine particles destroyed by the fingers of the person can easily reach the mouth of the smoker, whereby the powdery flavor source can increase the transmission efficiency of the smoker.

Further, the spherical powder agglomerates of the present invention have good absorbability when liquid is added, and can be expected to suppress subsequent bleeding.

Therefore, when the spherical powder agglomerate of the present invention absorbs the liquid fragrance, it can be expected to be placed in the filter of the smoking article or between the filter sections, for example, as a fragrance carrier or a fragrance retaining agent. When it is destroyed, it is expected that the aroma component carried or retained can be released to the outside of the powder agglomerate.

Further, according to the method for producing a spherical powder agglomerate of the present invention, it is possible to provide an appropriate breakage displacement having a breaking strength which can be easily broken by a human finger and a feeling that a person can feel the feeling of being easily broken, and After the destruction, it is not a large block but a spherical agglomerate of fine particles. Further, by this production method, it is not necessary to carry out a chemical reaction such as a step of performing gas foaming to obtain a porous structure, and it is easy to manufacture by mechanical stability.

Claims (11)

A spherical powder agglomerate comprising microcrystalline cellulose and a binder, the powder agglomerate having a particle diameter of 1.0 to 6.0 mm, the powder agglomerate having a breaking strength of 1.5 to 5.0 N and a strain rate of 5.0 to 15.0%. The spherical powder agglomerate according to claim 1, wherein the powder agglomerate has a density of 0.2 to 0.8 g/cm ³ . The spherical powder aggregate according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the binder is selected from the group consisting of starch, gelatin, gum arabic, polyvinyl alcohol, and carboxymethyl cellulose. polymer. The spherical powder aggregate according to claim 1 or 2, wherein a total content of the microcrystalline cellulose and the binder in the powder aggregate is 70.5 to 98% by weight. The spherical powder agglomerate according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the powder agglomerate contains a fragrance. A method for producing a spherical powder agglomerate comprising: injecting a slurry containing microcrystalline cellulose, a binder, and ethanol into a vibrating powder to form a spherical intermediate portion composed of a slurry and a powder a first step of the composition; and a second step of drying the liquid content of the spherical intermediate composition to less than 2% by weight. The method for producing a spherical powder aggregate according to claim 6, wherein the powder is microcrystalline cellulose. The method for producing a spherical powder aggregate according to the above aspect of the invention, wherein the binder is one or more selected from the group consisting of starch, gelatin, gum arabic, polyvinyl alcohol, and carboxymethyl cellulose. Water soluble polymer. The method for producing a spherical powder agglomerate according to claim 6 or 7, wherein the content of the microcrystalline cellulose in the slurry is 15 to 25% by weight. The method for producing a spherical powder agglomerate according to claim 6 or 7, wherein the drying in the second step is carried out by hot air drying. The method for producing a spherical powder aggregate according to claim 6 or 7, wherein the spherical intermediate composition is dried while being vibrated in the second step.