WO2012117935A1

WO2012117935A1 - Stimuli presenting device

Info

Publication number: WO2012117935A1
Application number: PCT/JP2012/054399
Authority: WO
Inventors: 美紀若松; 幸夫曽根
Original assignee: 日本たばこ産業株式会社
Priority date: 2011-03-01
Filing date: 2012-02-23
Publication date: 2012-09-07
Also published as: TW201242524A; JPWO2012117935A1

Abstract

This stimuli presenting device comprises: a pipe member (12) which has a mouthpiece end (14), and is capable of releasing a taste stimulus component from the mouthpiece end (14); and a tube member (18) which has a release outlet (20), and is capable of releasing an olfactory stimulus component from the release outlet (20). When a user holds the mouthpiece end (14) of the pipe member (12) in the mouth, the tube member (18) extends from the pipe member (12) such that the release outlet (20) is positioned near the user's nostrils.

Description

Stimulus presentation device

The present invention relates to a stimulus presentation device that supplies different stimulating components to the user's oral cavity and nostril, respectively, and these stimulating components are selected to stimulate the user's taste and olfactory devices individually and suitably.

A suction device represented by a cigarette or the like is known as one of this type of stimulus presentation device. When this aspirator is inhaled by the user, it provides the user with a taste and aroma that is unique to the user, as well as somatosensory stimuli, and these taste, aroma and somatosensory stimuli are all important elements for the aspirator. For example, when the aspirator is a menthol cigarette, if any one of cigarette original bitterness and fragrance stimulation or menthol stimulation is absent, the user provides the stimulation provided by the menthol cigarette when smoking the menthol cigarette. I feel unsatisfactory.

By the way, in the case of a user, that is, a human, it is known that the gustatory device is concentrated on the tongue, while the olfactory device is concentrated on the nostril. However, most conventional stimulus presentation devices such as aspirators only provide a stimulus component to the user's mouth or nostril.

The following Patent Documents 1 to 4 each disclose an example of a stimulus presentation device. The suction pipe of Patent Document 1 supplies a stimulating component into the user's oral cavity, and the mask of Patent Document 2 supplies the stimulating component into the user's two nostrils. On the other hand, the tobacco substitute of patent document 3 supplies the pain irritation | stimulation by this irritation | stimulation component, and the component which relieves the odor simultaneously with a irritation | stimulation component with respect to a user's nostril. Furthermore, the mask of patent document 4 supplies the same irritation | stimulation component (medicine component) simultaneously to a user's oral cavity and nostril.

JP 2001-17152 (JP 2001-17152 A) JP-A-8-131146 (JP 1996-131146 A) JP 2004-229627 A (JP 2004-229627 A) JP 2002-143330 A (JP 2002-143330 A)

The suction pipe of Patent Document 1 directly supplies the stimulating component only to the user's oral cavity, while the mask of Patent Document 2 directly supplies the stimulating component only to the user's nostril. However, some of the stimulation components supplied from the oral cavity reach the nostril as a secondary olfactory stimulation component from the user's oral cavity via the nasopharynx, and conversely, some of the stimulation components supplied from the nostril There is a possibility of reaching the oral cavity from the user's nostril via the nasopharynx as a secondary taste stimulating component. Therefore, the user may feel an irritating component in both the oral cavity and nostril.

However, since the above-mentioned secondary olfactory or taste stimulating component is almost adsorbed by the nasopharynx in the process of passing through the nasopharynx, the secondary stimulating component that finally reaches the nostril or oral cavity The amount is slight. For example, Bruce P Halpern, Chemo sense Vol.6 No3, 1-7 (June 2004: E-Nose Pty
Ltd) reported the following research results.

That is, in the first case where the stimulating component is directly supplied only to the nostril, the minimum concentration of the stimulating component that the user can perceive the stimulating component, that is, the threshold value is A, and the stimulating component is supplied to the oral cavity. When the threshold value in the second case supplied to the nostril via the nasopharynx is B, B / A greatly differs depending on the type of the stimulation component. For example, when the stimulating component is citral, B / A is about 3, and when the stimulating component is vanillin, B / A is about 5.

This means that the stimulating component is adsorbed in the process of reaching the nostril from the oral cavity through the nasopharynx. It is known that the lower the vapor pressure, the larger it becomes.
Also, in the second case described above, there is a delay before the secondary stimulus component reaches the nostril compared to the first case, so that the user can perceive the secondary stimulus component. It takes time.

On the other hand, when there are a plurality of stimulus components to be supplied to the user, the amount of the stimulus component adsorbed on the nasopharynx may vary depending on the type of the stimulus component. For example, Hiroshi Sakata, et al., Journal of Japanese Society of Food Science and Technology Vol.52 No.1, pages 19-26 (January 2005), reports the following research results.

That is, when considering a case where a mixture of a plurality of stimulating components is supplied from the oral cavity to the nostril via the nasopharynx, a difference occurs in the amount of each stimulating component contained in the mixture reaching the nostril. This means that even if the mixture is the same, the amount ratio of each irritant component when the mixture is supplied directly to the oral cavity, that is, the amount ratio of each irritant component contained in the mixture, and each irritant component of the mixture from the mouth It means that the amount ratio of each stimulus component at the nostril position when reaching the nostril via the nasopharynx is different. The same is true when the mixture is supplied from the nostril and each stimulating component of the mixture reaches the oral cavity from the nostril through the nasopharynx.

For this reason, in the suction pipe of Patent Document 1 and the mask of Patent Document 2, in order to present a desired secondary stimulus to the user, a secondary stimulus component that reaches the nostril or oral cavity via the nasopharynx However, although tuning in consideration of the amount is indispensable, such tuning is a complicated task.

In addition, some of the stimulation components are too strong for the olfactory organ, and such stimulation components cannot be supplied directly to the nostrils. Therefore, the mask of Patent Document 2 is restricted by usable stimulus components.
In order to avoid such a restriction, the tobacco substitute of Patent Document 3 includes a stimulating component and a masking agent that relieves the stimulus of the stimulating component. However, the user may feel uncomfortable with the stimulation of the masking agent itself.

Further, when a strong stimulation component is first supplied to the nostril, the user's sense is paralyzed, and it becomes difficult for the user to perceive the stimulation of the secondary stimulation component that reaches the subsequent oral cavity.
Furthermore, among taste stimulating components, there are many taste stimulating components having a relatively low vapor pressure, and such taste stimulating components are easily affected by the above-described adsorption.

On the other hand, when the mask of Patent Document 2 is compared with the mask of Patent Document 4, the mask of Patent Document 4 can directly supply the stimulating component to both the oral cavity and nostril of the user. However, in the case of the mask of Patent Document 4, the stimulus components supplied to the oral cavity and the nostril are the same, so that the usable stimulus components are limited in the same manner as the mask of Patent Document 2.

An object of the present invention is to supply different stimulation components to the user's oral cavity and nostril, respectively, thereby reducing the restrictions on usable stimulation components, while these stimulation components are individually and separately used by the user's taste and olfactory devices. An object of the present invention is to provide a stimulus presentation device capable of presenting various sensory qualities to a user by selecting a suitable stimulus.

The above-described object is achieved by the stimulus presentation device of the present invention.
A first distribution section capable of releasing a taste stimulating component for stimulating a user's taste organ, the first distribution section including a presentation unit for presenting the taste stimulating component to the user's oral cavity;
A second distribution section capable of releasing an olfactory stimulus component that stimulates the user's olfactory organ, wherein the olfactory stimulus component is different from the taste stimulus component and presents the olfactory stimulus component to the user's nostril A second distribution section including a presentation unit to
The first and second distribution sections have outlines for individually positioning the presentation parts in the vicinity of the user's mouth and nostril.

The above-described stimulus presentation device individually supplies a taste stimulus component and an olfactory stimulus component to the oral cavity and nostril of the user. Therefore, there is no need to consider a secondary stimulus component that passes through the user's nasopharynx, so the choice of taste stimulus component and olfactory stimulus component is greatly expanded. That is, the taste stimulating component and the olfactory stimulating component are different from each other, and are selected from stimulation components suitable for individually stimulating the gustatory device and the olfactory device. As a result, the stimulus presentation device of the present invention can provide various sensory qualities to the user.

The said outer shape of the first and second distribution sections is not deformable. In this case, the first distribution section is a pipe member, and has a pipe member having an outside air introduction port and a suction end as a presentation portion thereof, and the pipe member is positioned between the outside air introduction port and the suction end. And a first component generating source that releases the taste stimulating component, while the second distribution section is a tube member attached to the outer periphery of the pipe member, and the first component generating source A tube member having a proximal end located between the suction end and a discharge port as a presentation portion at the distal end thereof, and is accommodated in the tube member so as to be positioned between the proximal end and the discharge port; And a second component generation source that releases an olfactory stimulus component.

When the first and second component generation sources have air permeability, the first and second component generation sources occupy the entire cross-sectional area of the pipe member and the tube member, so that the pipe member and the tube member Each is housed inside.
The second distribution section may further include an internal flow path defined in the pipe member. In this case, the internal flow path communicates with the proximal end of the tube member, while the pipe member It has an end that extends along its axis and opens toward the inlet end.
In the case where such an internal flow path is provided in the pipe member, the first distribution section is configured such that the air from the suction end to the outside air introduction port through the first component generation source in the pipe member. It may further include a valve for blocking the flow of the gas.
Further, the second distribution section may further include a valve for blocking an air flow from the discharge port to the suction end through the second component generation source and the internal flow path in the tube member. .
On the other hand, the stimulus presentation device may further include an adsorbing element that adsorbs the user's bad breath component and taste stimulating component in the air flowing from the pipe member into the tube member. In this case, the adsorbing element has air permeability. Have.

Preferably, the stimulus presentation device further includes a heat generation source for heating at least one of the first and second component generation sources.
Meanwhile, the outer shapes of the first and second distribution sections may be deformable. In this case, each of the first and second distribution sections is a flexible cord, and the distal end portion is branched into two branch portions, and the first and second distribution sections each have a presentation portion of the first and second distribution sections at the distal ends of the branch portions. A cord and an ear mount connected to the proximal end of the flexible cord and attachable to one ear of the user.

Since the stimulus presentation device of the present invention separately supplies a taste stimulus component and an olfactory stimulus component to the user's mouth and nostril, the taste stimulus component and the olfactory stimulus component suitable for stimulating the user's taste device and olfactory device are provided. Selection is possible, and various sensory qualities can be provided to the user.

It is the perspective view which showed the use condition of the stimulus presentation apparatus of 1st Example. It is a longitudinal cross-sectional view of the stimulus presentation apparatus of FIG. It is the schematic which showed the test apparatus. It is the side view which showed the stimulus presentation apparatus of 2nd Example. It is the side view which showed the stimulus presentation apparatus of 3rd Example.

Referring to FIG. 1, the stimulus presentation device 10 of the first embodiment is in a state of being used by a user. Details of the stimulus presentation device 10 are shown in FIG. 2, and the stimulus presentation device 10 will be described below.
The stimulus presentation device 10 includes a pipe member 12 as a first distribution section. The pipe member 12 has a front end and a rear end, and both the front end and the rear end are opened. The front end forms an outside air inlet 13 and the rear end forms a suction end 14. A first component generation source 16 is accommodated in the pipe member 12, and the first component generation source 16 has air permeability. The first component generation source 16 can release a taste stimulating component that stimulates the user's taste device into the pipe member 12.

The taste stimulating component is selected from components that stimulate the user's gustatory organs, but it is desirable that the taste stimulating component does not have odor stimulating properties. Even if the taste stimulating component has olfactory stimuli and reaches the nostril as a secondary accessory, the olfactory stimuli here are so weak that the user's olfactory perception cannot be perceived, or It must be different from the intended irritation. In other words, a taste stimulating component that has secondary intended olfactory stimulating properties to the olfactory organ is not suitable for the first component generation source 16.

The first component generation source 16 includes a mixture having at least one of five raw taste materials such as sucrose, salt, citric acid, caffeine, and glutamic acid, for example, and each of the five raw taste ingredients has a specific taste stimulating component. In addition, the first component source 16 can include, for example, a mixture having an extract such as coffee or tobacco, and this extract releases a taste stimulating component specific to coffee or tobacco.

In the present invention, the taste stimulating component also includes components having somatic sensory stimulation such as menthol, allyl isothiocyanate, cinnamaldehyde, allicin, itilin, icilin, gingeron, gingerol and sanshool. Here, somatic sensory stimulation refers to what gives a user at least one sense of warm sensation, cold sensation, and pain sensation.

For example, the first component generation source 16 includes a support material such as a filter paper having liquid absorbability and a mixture supported on the support material. This mixture is impregnated into the support material in the form of a liquid and then dried.
On the other hand, a tube member 18 as a second distribution section is attached to the outer periphery of the pipe member 12, and this tube member 18 has a proximal end between the first component generation source 16 and the suction end 14, The member 12 extends obliquely from the outer periphery of the member 12 toward the inlet end 14.

The axis of the tube member 18 is inclined at a predetermined angle α with respect to the axis of the pipe member 12, and the tip of the tube member 18 is formed as a discharge port 20. As is clear from FIG. 2, the discharge port 20 and the suction end 14 are separated from each other by a predetermined distance along a plane including the axis of the pipe member 12.
A second component generation source 22 is accommodated in the tube member 18, and the second component generation source 22 also has air permeability. The second component generation source 22 can release an olfactory stimulation component that stimulates the user's olfactory organ into the tube member 18.

The olfactory stimulus component is selected from components that stimulate the user's olfactory organ, but it is preferable that the olfactory stimulus component does not have secondary stimuli that stimulate somatic sensations in the nostrils. In addition, even if the olfactory stimulating component has a taste stimulating property and reaches the oral cavity as a side effect, the taste stimulating property is extremely weak so that it cannot be perceived by the user, or the intended stimulating property to the taste organ Must be different. In other words, somatosensory stimulation that should not be applied to the user's nostrils or olfactory stimulation components that have the intended taste stimulation to the gustatory organs are not suitable for the second component generation source 22.

The second component generation source 22 includes, for example, a single fragrance material such as vanillin, limonene, camphor and linalool, lavender, peppermint, lemongrass, rosemary, sandalwood, ylang ylang, rose, jasmine, neroli, chamomile, lemon, Including complex fragrance materials such as orange and grapefruit, these fragrance materials release specific olfactory stimulating components.

For example, the second component generation source 22 includes a support material such as a filter paper having liquid absorption properties, and an aroma material supported on the support material. This fragrance material is soaked in the support material in the form of a liquid and then dried.
The proximal end of the tube member 18 communicates with an internal flow path 24 defined in the pipe member 12. The internal flow path 24 extends along the axis of the pipe member 12 and has an end that opens toward the suction end 14.

According to the stimulus presentation device 10 of the first embodiment described above, the user uses the stimulus presentation device 10 as follows. As can be seen from FIG. 1, the user grips the inlet end 14 of the pipe member 12 and positions the outlet 20 of the tube member 18 directly below the nostril. That is, the tube member 18 not only forms a holder for holding the second component generation source 22 but also an outer shape for disposing the discharge port 20 of the tube member 18 directly below the user's nostril when the stimulus presentation device 10 is used. (configuration) is provided to the stimulus presentation device 10.

When using the stimulus presentation device 10, when a user sucks air through the inlet end 14 of the pipe member 12, the pipe member 12 moves from the outside air inlet 13 at the tip of the pipe member 12 toward the inlet end 14 through the first component generation source 16. Air flow is generated. Therefore, in the case of the first embodiment, the taste stimulating component released from the first component generating source 16 is directly supplied into the user's oral cavity together with air through the mouth end 14 as a presentation unit.

On the other hand, when the user exhales into the pipe member 12 through the suction end 14, a part of this exhalation flows into the tube member 18 through the internal flow path 24. That is, an air flow is generated in the tube member 18 from its proximal end to the distal discharge port 20 through the second component generation source 22. Therefore, the olfactory stimulation component released from the second component generation source 22 is directly supplied from the discharge port 20 as the presentation unit into the user's nostril.

Unlike the above-described suction pipe of Patent Document 1 and the mask of Patent Document 2, the stimulus presentation device 10 of the first embodiment individually supplies a taste stimulus component and an olfactory stimulus component to the oral cavity and nostril of the user. Therefore, in the case of the stimulus presentation device 10, there is no need to consider the secondary stimulus component and the amount thereof that reach the nostril or oral cavity via the user's nasopharynx, and the first and second component generation sources The amount of stimulating component released required for 16 and 22 is small.

Further, when the first and second

component generation sources

16 and 22 each release a plurality of types of stimulation components at a predetermined ratio, these stimulation components are directly supplied to the oral cavity or nostril while maintaining the ratio. The Furthermore, since the olfactory stimulus component that is not suitable for supply to the oral cavity can be supplied only to the nostril, while the taste stimulus component that is not suitable for supply to the nostril can be supplied only to the oral cavity, the taste stimulus component and olfactory stimulus component that can be used. The options are greatly expanded.
As a result, various combinations of the taste stimulus component and the olfactory stimulus component are possible, and the stimulus presentation device 10 of the first embodiment can present various sensory qualities to the user.

The present inventors created a test apparatus as shown in FIG. 3 in order to verify the function of the stimulus presentation apparatus 10.
The test apparatus includes a holder 60, which holds

pipes

62 and 64, respectively. A first emission source 66 that emits a taste stimulating component can be accommodated in the lower pipe 64, while a second emission source 68 that emits an olfactory stimulation component can be accommodated in the upper pipe 62.

The suction member 70 is attached to the base end of the pipe 64, and the tester can hold the suction member 70 with the mouth. On the other hand, a sniffing port 72 is attached to the proximal end of the pipe 62, and the sniffing port 72 can cover the tester's nose. Furthermore, air can be introduced into the pipe 62 from its tip at a flow rate of 2 L / min.

The first emission source 66 includes a 1 cm × 3 cm filter paper and a first solution impregnated in the filter paper. On the other hand, the second emission source 68 includes a 1 cm × 3 cm filter paper and a second solution impregnated in the filter paper.

In conducting the test using the above-described test apparatus, the first and second emission sources 66E and 68E of the example and the first and second emission sources 66C and 68C of the comparative example were prepared, respectively.
The first emission source 66E includes a 2% allyl isothiocyanate solution (solvent: ethanol) as the first solution, and the filter paper is impregnated with 30 μL of the allyl isothiocyanate solution. The second emission source 68E includes a 10% vanillin solution (solvent: propylene glycol) as the second solution, and the vanillin solution is impregnated by 20 μL on the filter paper.

On the other hand, the first emission source 66C includes 10% vanillin solution (solvent: propylene glycol) + 2% allyl isothiocyanate solution (solvent: ethanol) as the first solution, and these solutions are added to the filter paper in a total of 20 μL and 30 μL, respectively. Only 50 μL is impregnated. The second emission source 68C includes a propylene glycol (odorless) liquid having a purity of 98% or more as the second solution, and the propylene glycol liquid is impregnated by 20 μL on the filter paper.
As is apparent from the above description, the first and second emission sources 66E, 68E of the example individually supply different stimulating components to the examiner's oral cavity and nostril, while the first and second emission of the comparative example. Sources 66C and 68C simultaneously provide different stimulating components only to the oral cavity.

First, a discrimination test was performed using the above-described test apparatus. In this identification test, the ten testers first identify the first and second emission sources 66E and 68E of the embodiment and the first and second emission sources 66C and 68C of the comparative example.
For example, the first tester uses the test apparatus having the first and

second emission sources

66 and 68 of the example or the comparative example for the first time and is emitted from the first and

second emission sources

66 and 68. The stimulating component is taken in simultaneously with the oral cavity and nostril, and the stimulating component here is confirmed as the target stimulating component.

Thereafter, the tester uses the test apparatus having the first and

second emission sources

66 and 68 of the example or the comparative example for the second time, and the stimulating component emitted from the first and

second emission sources

66 and 68 is used. Are simultaneously taken in by the mouth and nostril, and it is determined whether or not the stimulation component at this time matches the first target stimulation component. Here, at the first time and the second time, it is randomly selected which of the first and

second emission sources

66 and 68 of the example or the comparative example is presented to the tester.
The above-described determination process is performed by checking whether or not the positive determination result continues three times. When the tester makes an erroneous determination even once during the test, the test is terminated on the assumption that the tester cannot distinguish the first and

second emission sources

66 and 68 of the example and the comparative example. Such an identification test is similarly performed on the remaining testers.

After the discrimination test, each tester uses the test apparatus including the first and second emission sources 66E and 68E of the embodiment and the test apparatus including the first and second emission sources 66C and 68C of the comparative example, respectively. Then, which of the first and

second emission sources

66 and 68 in the example and the comparative example is “like” and the reason is answered, the results obtained are as follows.

10 out of 10 testers were able to distinguish between the first and second emission sources 66E and 68E of the example and the first and second emission sources 66C and 68C of the comparative example. In addition, of the 10 testers, 8 testers “like” the first and second emission sources 66E and 68E of the embodiment than the first and second emission sources 66C and 68C of the comparative example. The reason is that, in the case of the first and second emission sources 66C and 68C of the comparative example, each time the stimulation component released from the first and second emission sources 66C and 68C is taken in, It is mentioned that the stimulus received changes. Such a result indicates to the tester that the first and second emission sources 66E and 68E of the example and the first and second emission sources 66C and 68C of the comparative example provide at least different feelings of use. .

In addition, a tester's response test to the stimulating component was performed using the test apparatus described above.
Here, each time a single tester uses the test apparatus having the first and second emission sources 66E and 68E of the embodiment and inhales one puff, the tester asks "How does it feel?" Answer the question. When the tester's response included the words “sweet” or “vanilla” for the first time, suggesting that the aroma of vanillin from the second emission source 68E was detected, the number of puffs at this point was recorded. The

A similar response test was repeated using the test apparatus with the first and second emission sources 66C, 68C of the comparative example, and the tester's answer suggests the aroma of vanillin contained in the first emission source 66C. When words such as “sweet” and “vanilla” are included for the first time, the number of puffs at this point is recorded.
The above-described response test is performed on 10 testers, and the results are as follows.

In the case of the test apparatus including the first and second emission sources 66E and 68E of the embodiment, the number of puffs of all the testers is the first puff, whereas the first and second emission sources 66C and 68C of the comparative example are used. In the case of the test apparatus equipped with the tester, the number of puffs of six testers was the second puff, and the number of puffs of the four testers was the third puff.
This result shows that when a comparative example in which vanillin is simultaneously supplied to the oral cavity together with other stimulating ingredients is compared with an example in which vanillin is supplied alone directly to the nostril, the tester shows the odor of vanillin in the comparative example. Indicates that there is a delay in the response until you feel it.

In the case of the stimulus presentation device 10 of the first embodiment, since the user's exhalation is used to supply the olfactory stimulation component to the nostril, the remaining portion of the exhalation passes through the first component generation source 16 and the outside air inlet of the pipe member 12. 13 is released. As a result, the taste stimulating component released from the first component generation source 16 is undesirably consumed together with the release of the exhalation. In order to prevent such consumption, the stimulus presentation apparatus 10 of the present embodiment can include a check valve 25 as shown in FIG. The check valve 25 is disposed in the pipe member 12, that is, between the first component generation source 16 and the proximal end of the tube member 18, and prevents exhalation from flowing toward the first component generation source 16.

Further, when the user sucks through the mouth end 14, the olfactory stimulus component released from the second component generation source 22 may be guided into the user's oral cavity together with the taste stimulus component. A check valve 27 can also be arranged in the passage 24. In this case, the check valve 27 is positioned upstream of the second component generation source 22 and blocks the flow of air from the discharge port 20 through the second component generation source 22 and the internal flow path 24 into the pipe member 12.

Further, the tube member 18 or the internal flow path 24 can be provided with an adsorption element 29 (see FIG. 2) made of activated carbon or the like inside, and the adsorption element 29 has air permeability. 24. Such an adsorbing element 29 adsorbs the bad breath component and taste stimulating component contained in exhaled breath, and prevents the bad breath component and taste stimulating component from being supplied to the user's nostril.
The presence of the

check valves

25 and 27 and the adsorbing element 29 described above allows the taste stimulating component and the olfactory stimulating component released from the first component generation source 16 and the second component generation source 22 to be respectively present in the user's oral cavity and nostril. Guarantee that it is supplied exclusively.

Further, the stimulus presentation device 10 of the first embodiment can include a heat source 31 for the first and second

component generation sources

16 and 22 as shown by a two-dot chain line in FIG. These heat generation sources 31 surround the outer peripheral portions of the pipe member 12 and the tube member 18 corresponding to the first and second

component generation sources

16 and 22, and heat the first and second

component generation sources

16 and 22. The release of the stimulation component from the first and second

component generation sources

16 and 22 is promoted. For example, a silicone rubber heater is suitable as the heat source 31.

Furthermore, the manner of presenting the stimulation components released from the first and second

component generation sources

16 and 22 to the user's oral cavity and nostril is not limited to the above presentation method, and various forms are conceivable.
For example, FIG. 4 shows the stimulus presentation device 26 of the second embodiment, and this stimulus presentation device 26 is a pipe type similar to the stimulus presentation device 10 of the first embodiment.

The stimulus presentation device 26 of the second embodiment includes a valve atomizer 30. The valve atomizer 30 has a valve attached to the tube member 18, and air containing an olfactory stimulation component released from the second component generation source 22 when the valve is crushed by a user's hand. Is discharged from the discharge port 20 of the tube member 18. In the case of this second embodiment, the olfactory stimulation component is stored in the tube member 18 in the form of a liquid.
As is apparent from the above description, in the case of the stimulus presentation device 26 of the second embodiment, the pipe member 12 and the tube member 18 are not in communication with each other because the pipe member 12 does not require the internal flow path 24. The

check valves

25 and 27 and the adsorption element 29 are not necessary.

In presenting an olfactory stimulus component, the stimulus presentation device may include a filter carrying the olfactory stimulus component as a presentation unit. In this case, the user can squeeze the filter with a finger and release the olfactory stimulus component from the filter.
Furthermore, although the structure of the stimulus presentation device is complicated, the stimulus presentation device may release the stimulus component with the help of high-pressure gas or in the form of an aerosol. In this case, the release of the stimulation component is controlled by an electromagnetically controlled on / off valve.
Such an electromagnetically controlled on-off valve is a controller for regulating the release of stimulation components together with the valve atomizer 30 described above.

FIG. 5 shows a stimulus presentation device 38 of the third embodiment.
Unlike the first and second embodiments, the stimulus presentation device 38 is an ear-mounted type. Specifically, the stimulus presentation device 38 includes, for example, an earphone-type ear mount 40. The ear mount 40 is attached by being inserted into one ear of the user. A flexible cord 42 extends from the ear mount 40. While this flexible cord 42 can be freely bent, its bent state can be stably maintained.

The leading end of the flexible cord 42 is branched into two

branch portions

42a and 42b. A suction member 44 and a nose tip member 46 are attached to the ends of the

branch portions

42a and 42b, respectively. The suction member 44 includes the first component generation source 16 described above, and has a suction end 48 and a vent 49. In addition, the nose tip member 46 has the discharge port 50 and the vent hole 51 while incorporating the second component generation source 22 described above.

According to the stimulus presentation device 38 described above, the user wears the ear mount 40 on his / her ear, and uses the flexibility of the flexible cord 42 to bring the mouthpiece member 44 and the nose tip member 46 close to the user's mouth and nostril. Each is positioned and the inlet end 48 of the inlet member 44 is gripped.
In this state, the user sucks air through the mouth and takes the taste stimulating component released from the mouth end 48 of the mouthpiece member 44 into the oral cavity, while taking the olfactory stimulating component released from the outlet 50 into the nostril. .
Further, the stimulus presentation device 38 can include a heat source for the first and second

component generation sources

16 and 22, as with the stimulus presentation device 10 of the first embodiment.

12 Pipe member (first distribution section)
14 mouth end (presentation part)
16 First component generation source 18 Tube member (second distribution section)
20 Release port (presentation part)
25 Check valve 29 Adsorption element 30 Valve atomizer 31 Heat source 40 Ear mount (first and second distribution sections)
42 Flexible cord (first and second distribution section)
44 Suction member (first and second distribution section)
46 Nose tip (first and second dispensing sections)
48 Suction end (presentation part)
50 Release port (presentation part)

Claims

A first distribution section capable of releasing a taste stimulating component for stimulating a user's taste organ, the first distribution section including a presentation unit for presenting the taste stimulating component to the user's oral cavity;
A second distribution section capable of releasing an olfactory stimulus component that stimulates the user's olfactory organ, wherein the olfactory stimulus component is different from the taste stimulus component and presents the olfactory stimulus component to the user's nostril A second distribution section including a presentation unit to
The stimulus presentation device, wherein the first and second distribution sections have outer shapes for individually positioning the presentation units in the vicinity of the user's mouth and nostril, respectively.
The stimulus presentation device according to claim 1, wherein the outer shapes of the first and second distribution sections are not deformable.
The first distribution section is a pipe member, and has a pipe member having an outside air inlet and a suction end as a presentation portion thereof, and is positioned between the outside air inlet and the mouth end in the pipe member. A first component source that is contained and releases the taste stimulating component,
The second distribution section is a tube member attached to the outer periphery of the pipe member, and a base end located between the first component generation source and the suction end, and a discharge port as a presentation portion at the distal end thereof And a second component generation source that is disposed in the tube member between the proximal end and the discharge port and that releases the olfactory stimulation component. 2. The stimulus presentation device according to 2.
4. The stimulus presentation device according to claim 3, wherein the first and second component generation sources have air permeability.
The second distribution section further includes an internal flow path defined in the pipe member. The internal flow path communicates with the proximal end of the tube member, while the pipe member has an axis along the axis thereof. The stimulus presentation device according to claim 4, wherein the stimulus presentation device has an end that extends and opens toward the mouth end.
The said 1st distribution section further contains the valve which blocks | prevents the flow of the air which goes to the said external air inlet through the said 1st component generation source from the said suction end in the said pipe member. The stimulus presentation device described.
The second distribution section further includes a valve for blocking an air flow from the discharge port toward the suction end through the second component generation source and the internal flow path in the tube member. The stimulus presentation device according to claim 6.
8. The adsorbing element that adsorbs a user's bad breath component and the taste stimulating component in the air flowing into the tube member from the pipe member, and the adsorbing element has air permeability. The stimulus presentation device described.
2. The stimulus presentation device according to claim 1, wherein the outer shapes of the first and second distribution sections are deformable.
The first and second distribution sections are:
A flexible cord having a distal end portion branched into two branch portions, and having the presentation portions of the first and second distribution sections at the distal ends of the branch portions,
The stimulus presentation apparatus according to claim 9, further comprising an ear mount connected to a proximal end of the flexible cord and attachable to one ear of a user.
The stimulus presentation apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a heat source for heating at least one of the first and second component generation sources.