WO2024024083A1

WO2024024083A1 - Reconstituted tobacco for non-combustion heating-type flavor inhaler and method for manufacturing same, non-combustion heating-type flavor inhaler, and non-combustion heating-type flavor inhaling system

Info

Publication number: WO2024024083A1
Application number: PCT/JP2022/029285
Authority: WO
Inventors: 渓介春木
Original assignee: 日本たばこ産業株式会社
Priority date: 2022-07-29
Filing date: 2022-07-29
Publication date: 2024-02-01

Abstract

Provided is a reconstituted tobacco enabling control of power consumption per one non-combustion heating-type flavor inhaler during use. The reconstituted tobacco for a non-combustion heating-type flavor inhaler contains a tobacco material and a tobacco component, wherein the tobacco material has a maximum absorbance of 0.40 or more in the wavelength range of 3200 to 3600 cm^-1 in a FT-IR analysis, and the specific heat of the tobacco material is 5 mJ / mg ・℃ or less.

Description

Regenerated tobacco for non-combustion heated flavor inhaler and its manufacturing method, non-combustible heated flavor inhaler, and non-combustible heated flavor inhale system

The present invention relates to a regenerated tobacco for use in a non-combustion heating type flavor inhaler, a method for manufacturing the same, a non-combustion heating type flavor inhaler, and a non-combustion heating type flavor inhaler system.

In combustion-type flavor inhalers (cigarettes), flavor is obtained by burning tobacco filler containing leaf tobacco. As an alternative to the combustion type flavor inhaler, a non-combustion heating type flavor inhaler has been proposed, which obtains flavor by heating the tobacco filling instead of burning it. The heating temperature of the non-combustion heating type flavor inhaler is lower than the combustion temperature of the combustion type flavor inhaler, for example, about 400° C. or less. As described above, since the heating temperature of the non-combustion heating type flavor inhaler is low, an aerosol generating agent such as glycerin is added to the tobacco filling in the non-combustion heating type flavor inhaler from the viewpoint of increasing the amount of smoke. The aerosol generator is vaporized by heating and generates an aerosol. Since the aerosol is supplied to the user along with a flavor component such as a tobacco component, the user can obtain a sufficient flavor.

A non-combustion heated flavor inhaler can be used by heating a tobacco-containing segment filled with tobacco filler, for example, with a heater of a heating device. The heating device usually has a battery unit, and the heater is heated by supplying electric power from the battery unit. From the viewpoint of user convenience, when using a non-combustion heated flavor inhaler using a heating device, it is desirable to suppress power consumption and increase the usable time and number of usable flavor inhalers.

On the other hand, Patent Document 1 discloses that black liquor with a high vanillin content can be obtained by cooking tobacco raw materials under alkaline conditions.

Patent No. 6019216

One way to reduce power consumption without changing the size of the product is to improve the tobacco materials contained in non-combustion heated flavor inhalers, thereby reducing the amount of electricity consumed per non-combustion heated flavor inhaler. It is possible to suppress consumption.

An object of the present invention is to provide a regenerated cigarette, a non-combustion heating flavor suction device, and a non-combustion heating flavor suction system that can suppress power consumption per non-combustion heating flavor suction device during use. shall be.

The present invention includes the following embodiments.

[1] Regenerated tobacco for use in a non-combustion heating flavor inhaler, which includes a tobacco material and a tobacco component,
The tobacco material has a maximum absorbance of 0.40 or more at a wavelength of 3200 to 3600 cm ⁻¹ in FT-IR analysis,
Regenerated tobacco, wherein the tobacco material has a specific heat of 5 mJ/mg·°C or less.

[2] The recycled tobacco according to [1], wherein the tobacco material has a water absorption amount of 4.0 to 6.0 g/g when immersed in water at 23° C. for 900 seconds.

[3] The recycled tobacco according to [1] or [2], wherein the tobacco material has an angle of repose of 40° or less.

[4] The regenerated tobacco according to any one of [1] to [3], which contains a tobacco extract obtained by extracting tobacco components from tobacco raw materials.

[5] The recycled tobacco according to any one of [1] to [4], further comprising a binder.

[6] The recycled tobacco according to any one of [1] to [5], further comprising a fiber material.

[7] The recycled tobacco according to any one of [1] to [6], which is a sheet-shaped recycled tobacco or a shredded sheet-shaped recycled tobacco obtained by cutting the sheet-shaped recycled tobacco.

[8] A non-combustion heated flavor inhaler comprising a tobacco-containing segment filled with the recycled tobacco according to any one of [1] to [7].

[9] The non-combustion heated flavor inhaler according to [8],
a heating device for heating the tobacco-containing segment;
A non-combustion heated flavor suction system.

[10] The method for producing recycled tobacco according to any one of [1] to [7],
a step of extracting tobacco components from tobacco raw materials to obtain tobacco extract and tobacco residue;
After subjecting the tobacco residue to alkaline cooking treatment, adjusting the pH to 4.0 to 6.5;
Sprinkling the tobacco extract back onto the tobacco residue after pH adjustment;
including methods.

[11] The method according to [10], wherein the alkaline cooking treatment is a treatment in which an alkali metal hydroxide is added to the tobacco residue and heated at 130 to 230°C for 5 minutes to 6 hours.

According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a recycled tobacco, a non-combustion heating flavor suction device, and a non-combustion heating flavor suction system that can suppress power consumption per non-combustion heating flavor suction device during use. Can be done.

It is a cross-sectional view showing an example of a non-combustion heating type flavor inhaler according to the present embodiment. An example of the non-combustion heating type flavor suction system according to the present embodiment, showing (a) a state before the non-combustion heating type flavor suction device is inserted into the heating device, and (b) heating the non-combustion heating type flavor suction device. FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view showing a state in which the device is inserted into the device and heated. 2 is a graph showing the amount of nicotine delivered in each puff in Example 1, Comparative Example 1, and Comparative Example 3. 2 is a graph showing the amount of glycerin delivered in each puff in Example 1, Comparative Example 1, and Comparative Example 3. 2 is a graph showing the nicotine transfer rate to mainstream smoke per power consumption (energy) with respect to the specific heat of the base material of recycled cigarettes in Example 1, Comparative Example 1, and Comparative Example 3.

The regenerated tobacco according to the present embodiment is a regenerated tobacco for use in a non-combustion heating type flavor inhaler that includes a tobacco material and a tobacco component. Here, the tobacco material has a maximum absorbance of 0.40 or more at a wavelength of 3200 to 3600 cm ⁻¹ as determined by FT-IR analysis. Further, the specific heat of the tobacco material is 5 mJ/mg·°C or less.

The present inventors have found that by using a tobacco material with a low specific heat as the tobacco material contained in a non-combustion heated flavor inhaler, the heating efficiency is improved, and as a result, the We thought that it would be possible to suppress power consumption. As a result of intensive studies, the present inventors have found that tobacco materials with a maximum absorbance of 0.40 or more at a wavelength of 3200 to 3600 cm ^-1 in FT-IR analysis and a specific heat of 5 mJ/mg・℃ or less, and tobacco It has been found that by using recycled tobacco containing these ingredients as the tobacco material for a non-combustion heating flavor inhaler, it is possible to suppress the power consumption per non-combustion heating flavor inhaler. In FT-IR analysis, absorption at wavelengths of 3200 to 3600 cm ⁻¹ is derived from stretching vibrations of hydroxyl groups. For example, by subjecting the tobacco raw material to an alkaline cooking treatment and neutralization treatment, the amount of hydroxyl groups in the resulting tobacco material increases, and the maximum absorbance can be increased. In this case, since the tobacco raw material is neutralized after the alkaline cooking treatment, the increase in maximum absorbance is not derived from free OH but from hydroxyl groups covalently bonded to the tobacco material. Thus, it has been found that when the amount of hydroxyl groups in the tobacco material exceeds a certain level, the specific heat of the tobacco material decreases. By using the tobacco material as a base material for recycled tobacco, the specific heat of the recycled tobacco can be reduced, and when heating the recycled tobacco, the temperature of the recycled tobacco can be increased with less electric power. Therefore, the power consumption per non-combustion heated flavor inhaler can be suppressed. Note that "regenerated tobacco" refers to tobacco materials that are reconstituted by mixing tobacco components and other materials.

The recycled tobacco according to the present embodiment can contain, for example, a binder, a fiber material, an aerosol generator, etc. in addition to the tobacco material and tobacco components.

(Tobacco material)
The tobacco material according to this embodiment has a maximum absorbance of 0.40 or more at a wavelength of 3200 to 3600 cm ⁻¹ in FT-IR analysis. By having a maximum absorbance of 0.40 or more in the wavelength range of 3200 to 3600 cm ^-1 , which is derived from the stretching vibration of hydroxyl groups, the specific heat of the tobacco material can be reduced, and the specific heat of the entire recycled tobacco can be reduced, so non-combustion heating The power consumption per one type flavor inhaler can be suppressed. The maximum absorbance at the wavelength of 3200 to 3600 cm ⁻¹ is preferably 0.42 or more, more preferably 0.45 or more. The upper limit of the range of maximum absorbance at wavelengths of 3200 to 3600 cm ⁻¹ is not particularly limited, but may be, for example, 1.0 or less.

FT-IR analysis of tobacco materials can be performed by the following method. A sample of tobacco material is brought into close contact with a diamond crystal for ATR measurement, and an infrared absorption spectrum is measured. As the measuring device, a Fourier transform infrared spectrometer (trade name: Thermo Scientific Nicolet iS50, manufactured by Thermo Scientific) can be used. Measurement method: ATR method, resolution: 4 cm ⁻¹ , number of integrations: 32 times (n=2).

As a method for making the maximum absorbance of the tobacco material 0.40 or more, for example, a method of subjecting the tobacco raw material to an alkaline cooking treatment and then neutralizing it can be mentioned. Examples of tobacco raw materials include leaf tobacco, tobacco leaf veins, stems, roots, and flowers, which may be shredded or powdered. The type of leaf tobacco is not particularly limited, and any variety can be used, but examples include yellow tobacco, burley tobacco, native tobacco, orient leaf, and fermented leaves thereof. One type of these tobacco raw materials may be used, or two or more types may be used in combination. In particular, the tobacco raw material to be subjected to the alkaline cooking treatment is preferably tobacco residue after extracting a tobacco extract containing tobacco components from the tobacco raw material. This is because tobacco residue, which would normally be discarded, can be reused, reducing environmental impact and being cost-effective. Furthermore, the obtained tobacco extract can be used as a tobacco component of recycled tobacco. Examples of the alkali cooking treatment and neutralization method include the alkali cooking treatment and neutralization method in the method for producing recycled tobacco according to the present embodiment, which will be described later.

The specific heat of the tobacco material is 5 mJ/mg·°C or less. When the specific heat is 5 mJ/mg·° C. or less, the specific heat of the entire recycled tobacco can be sufficiently reduced, and the power consumption per non-combustion heating flavor inhaler can be suppressed. The specific heat is preferably 4 mJ/mg·°C or less, more preferably 3 mJ/mg·°C or less, and even more preferably 2 mJ/mg·°C or less. The lower the specific heat is, the more preferable it is, and the lower limit of the range of the specific heat is not particularly limited, but can be, for example, 0.1 mJ/mg·°C or more. Note that the specific heat of the tobacco material can be reduced to 5 mJ/mg·° C. or less by, for example, setting the maximum absorbance at a wavelength of 3200 to 3600 cm ⁻¹ to 0.40 or more in FT-IR analysis.

The specific heat of the tobacco material is indicated by the maximum specific heat capacity (mJ/mg·° C.) up to 300° C., measured by DSC (differential scanning calorimetry). For example, it can be measured using a differential scanning calorimeter (trade name: DSC7020, manufactured by Hitachi High-Tech Science Co., Ltd.) under the following conditions. Temperature increase rate: 10° C./min, holding time: 2 minutes, pan: Al, sample mass: 10 mg, reference: Al ₂ O ₃ .

The amount of water absorbed when the tobacco material is immersed in water at 23° C. for 900 seconds is preferably 4.0 to 6.0 g/g. When the water absorption amount is 4.0 to 6.0 g/g, there is little stickiness and excellent handling properties, making it easier to input the raw materials. Further, it becomes easier to roll up the product when manufacturing a non-combustion heated flavor inhaler. The water absorption amount is more preferably 4.2 to 5.8 g/g, and even more preferably 4.5 to 5.5 g/g.

The water absorption amount of the tobacco material can be measured by the following method. A cylindrical container with 19 holes of 1 mm diameter in a stainless steel tube of φ55×80 mm is prepared. A filter paper is placed in the cylindrical container, and 3 to 6 g of the tobacco material sample is placed thereon. Fill a vat with tap water, place the cylindrical container in the vat, measure the mass after 900 seconds, and measure the amount of water absorbed per 1 g. This measurement is carried out three times, and the average value is taken as the water absorption amount.

The angle of repose of the tobacco material is preferably 40° or less. When the angle of repose is 40° or less, it becomes easier to input the raw material when inputting the raw material in the production of recycled tobacco, which is preferable in terms of production. The angle of repose is more preferably 10 to 40°, and even more preferably 20 to 30°.

The angle of repose of tobacco materials can be measured by the following method. A sample of tobacco material was dropped using a funnel from 4 cm above a 25 mm x 25 mm measuring table (peak material). Once the sample is dropped from the measuring table to the extent that it spills, a photograph is taken and the angle is measured using image analysis software (Keyence Microscope). This measurement is carried out three times, and the average value is taken as the value of the angle of repose.

The amount of tobacco material contained in the recycled tobacco is preferably 20 to 80% by mass, more preferably 20 to 65% by mass, and 30 to 50% by mass when the mass of the recycled tobacco is 100% by mass. % is more preferable.

(Tobacco ingredient)
The tobacco component is a tobacco-derived component contained in the tobacco raw material, and main components include components that contribute to aroma and taste. Although the recycled tobacco according to the present embodiment may contain the tobacco component alone, it is preferably contained as a tobacco extract obtained by extracting the tobacco component from the tobacco raw material. In this case, the tobacco residue after extracting the tobacco extract can be used as a raw material for tobacco materials, which reduces environmental impact and is also advantageous in terms of cost. The amount of tobacco components contained in the recycled tobacco can be appropriately set depending on the desired flavor.

(binder)
The recycled tobacco according to this embodiment preferably contains a binder. Since the recycled tobacco contains a binder, each raw material can be bonded together, and the recycled tobacco can be suitably molded into a desired shape. The type of binder is not particularly limited, but examples include guar gum, xanthan gum, CMC (carboxymethylcellulose), CMC-Na (sodium salt of carboxymethylcellulose), waxy corn starch, and potato. These may be used alone or in combination of two or more. The amount of binder contained in the recycled tobacco is preferably 1 to 10% by mass, more preferably 3 to 6% by mass, when the mass of the recycled tobacco is 100% by mass.

(fiber material)
The recycled tobacco according to this embodiment preferably contains a fiber material. Since the recycled tobacco contains the fiber material, the recycled tobacco can be easily formed and its shape can be maintained. Although the type of fiber material is not particularly limited, an example thereof is pulp. As the pulp, in addition to wood pulp such as softwood pulp and hardwood pulp, non-wood pulps such as flax pulp, sisal pulp, and espart, which are generally used for wrapping paper for tobacco products, may be used in combination. The amount of fiber material contained in the recycled tobacco is preferably 1 to 15% by mass, more preferably 3 to 10% by mass, when the mass of the recycled tobacco is 100% by mass.

(aerosol generator)
The recycled tobacco according to this embodiment can contain an aerosol generator. The aerosol generator refers to a material that generates an aerosol by being heated and then cooled. Examples of the aerosol generator include polyhydric alcohols such as glycerin, propylene glycol, sorbitol, xylitol, and erythritol, triacetin, and 1,3-butanediol. These may be used alone or in combination of two or more. The amount of the aerosol generating agent contained in the recycled tobacco is preferably 5 to 40% by mass, more preferably 10 to 25% by mass, when the mass of the recycled tobacco is 100% by mass.

(Other materials)
In addition to the tobacco material, the tobacco component, the binder, the fiber material, and the aerosol generator, the regenerated tobacco according to the present embodiment can contain other materials such as a flavoring agent. The type of flavoring agent is not particularly limited, and from the viewpoint of imparting good flavor, menthol is particularly preferred. Moreover, one type of fragrance may be used alone, or two or more types may be used in combination. The amount of other materials contained in the recycled tobacco is preferably 10% by mass or less, more preferably 5% by mass or less, when the mass of the recycled tobacco is 100% by mass. The recycled tobacco according to this embodiment does not need to contain any other materials.

(Shape of recycled cigarettes)
The recycled tobacco according to the present embodiment is preferably a sheet-shaped recycled tobacco, or a sheet-shaped recycled tobacco obtained by cutting the sheet-shaped recycled tobacco. Because recycled tobacco is in sheet form, each component such as tobacco material, tobacco components, binder, and aerosol generator can be homogenized, and when heated, the aerosol generator and flavor components are efficiently heated and atomized. be able to. Further, by cutting the sheet into pieces, it is possible to obtain manufacturing suitability such as increased efficiency during winding. When the recycled tobacco is in the form of a sheet, the length and width of the sheet are not particularly limited and can be adjusted as appropriate depending on the manner of filling. When the recycled tobacco is cut into sheets, the width of the cut sheets can be 0.4 to 1.5 mm, and the length of the cut sheets can be 5 to 15 mm, for example. The thickness of the sheet or sheet cut is preferably 50 to 800 μm, more preferably 100 to 600 μm, in view of the balance between heat transfer efficiency and strength.

Furthermore, the recycled tobacco according to this embodiment may be a nonwoven tobacco sheet (laminate sheet). A laminate sheet is obtained by sandwiching a mixture containing a tobacco material, a tobacco component, and a binder between nonwoven fabrics, and molding the resulting laminate into a certain shape by heat welding.

[Method for manufacturing recycled cigarettes]
The method for producing recycled tobacco according to this embodiment includes the following steps. Step of extracting tobacco components from tobacco raw materials to obtain tobacco extract and tobacco residue (hereinafter also referred to as "extraction step"); After subjecting the tobacco residue to an alkali cooking treatment, the pH is adjusted to 4.0 to 6.5. (hereinafter also referred to as "alkaline cooking treatment step"); step of applying the tobacco extract back onto the tobacco residue after pH adjustment (hereinafter also referred to as "returning step"). According to the method, the recycled tobacco according to the present embodiment can be manufactured simply and efficiently. Moreover, environmental load and costs can be reduced. The method according to the present embodiment may include other steps, such as a molding step, in addition to the extraction step, the alkali cooking treatment step, and the feeding back step.

(Extraction process)
In this step, tobacco components are extracted from tobacco raw materials to obtain tobacco extract and tobacco residue. The method for extracting tobacco components from tobacco raw materials is not particularly limited, but for example, tobacco components can be extracted by immersing tobacco raw materials in a solvent. Alternatively, tobacco components may be volatilized from the tobacco raw material by heating the tobacco raw material, and the vapor may be recovered.

When tobacco components are extracted by immersing tobacco raw materials in a solvent, examples of the solvent include water, alcohol such as ethanol, and ethyl acetate. The extraction temperature and extraction time depend on the extraction solvent, but can be, for example, 10 to 60°C for 1 to 3 hours. When heating tobacco raw materials to volatilize tobacco components from the tobacco raw materials and recovering the vapor, the heating temperature of the tobacco materials can be, for example, 150 to 300°C. The steam recovery method is not particularly limited, but for example, the generated steam may be cooled and recovered, or the generated vapor may be passed through a solvent such as distilled water, ethanol, hexane, 2-propanol, 1-propanol, propylene glycol, or glycerin. Examples include methods such as collecting the product in the solvent, collecting the product using an adsorbent, column, filter, etc., and then eluting it.

(Alkali cooking process)
In this step, the tobacco residue obtained in the extraction step is subjected to an alkali cooking treatment, and then the pH is adjusted to 4.0 to 6.5. Alkaline cooking treatment refers to adding an alkaline substance to raw materials and heat-treating them. Alkaline cooking treatments include the kraft pulp method using a mixture of sodium hydroxide and sodium sulfate, the soda pulp method using an aqueous sodium hydroxide solution, the acid sulfite method using bisulfite and sulfur dioxide gas, etc. Examples include the neutral sulfite method using sodium and bisulfite. The alkaline substance is not particularly limited, but alkali metal hydroxides are preferred, such as sodium hydroxide. The alkaline substance may be added as an aqueous solution of the alkaline substance. When an alkaline substance is added as an aqueous solution (chemical solution) of an alkaline substance, the amount of the chemical solution added depends on the pH of the chemical solution, but for example, the ratio of tobacco residue (g) to the chemical solution (mL) is 1:2 to 2. The ratio is preferably 1:100, more preferably 1:3 to 1:100, even more preferably 1:3 to 1:50, even more preferably 1:5 to 1:50. , 1:10 to 1:50 is particularly preferred.

Alkaline cooking treatment is generally performed at 120 to 180°C. In this embodiment as well, it is possible to carry out the reaction at the above-mentioned general temperature, but the temperature is preferably 130 to 230°C, more preferably 150 to 180°C. Further, the treatment time of the alkaline cooking treatment is not particularly limited as long as it is a time that allows the tobacco residue to be sufficiently digested. Although it varies depending on the pH of the chemical solution used, etc., for example, it is preferably from 5 minutes to 6 hours, more preferably from 30 minutes to 6 hours, and even more preferably from 1 hour to 6 hours.

After the alkaline cooking treatment, the pH of the tobacco residue is adjusted to 4.0 to 6.5. The pH can be adjusted using a pH adjuster such as citric acid, hydrochloric acid, sulfuric acid, or nitric acid. The pH is preferably 4.5 to 6.0, more preferably 5.0 to 6.0. Note that the pH of tobacco residue can be measured by the following method. Add 10 mL of ultrapure water to 1 g of tobacco residue sample, and shake at 200 rpm for 10 minutes. The pH of the obtained liquid is measured with a tabletop pH meter (trade name: SS211, manufactured by HORIBA).

(Returning process)
In this step, the tobacco extract liquid is poured back onto the tobacco residue after pH adjustment. Through this step, the tobacco components previously removed from the tobacco raw material are returned to tobacco residue. Regenerated tobacco with a low specific heat can be obtained by using tobacco residue with a low specific heat as a base material and returning tobacco components to the base material. The method of applying the tobacco extract back onto the tobacco residue is not particularly limited. For example, the tobacco residue can be recombined by adding and mixing a tobacco extract to the tobacco residue and allowing the tobacco extract to soak into the tobacco residue. After recoating, the tobacco residue containing the tobacco extract may be dried.

(molding process)
In the method according to the present embodiment, the obtained recycled tobacco may be formed into a sheet shape, shredded sheet shape, or the like. For example, it is possible to mix tobacco residue containing tobacco components obtained by the re-feeding process, the binder, and the fiber material, and form the mixture into a sheet by a known method such as a papermaking method, a casting method, or a rolling method. can. Furthermore, by cutting recycled tobacco that has been formed into a sheet, it can be formed into a shredded sheet.

[Non-combustion heated flavor inhaler]
The non-combustion heated flavor inhaler according to the present embodiment includes a tobacco-containing segment filled with the recycled tobacco according to the present embodiment. Since the non-combustion heated flavor inhaler according to the present embodiment includes the tobacco-containing segment filled with the recycled tobacco according to the present embodiment, when heating the tobacco-containing segment, the temperature of the tobacco-containing segment can be increased with less electric power. can be raised. Therefore, the power consumption per non-combustion heated flavor inhaler can be suppressed.

FIG. 1 shows an example of the non-combustion heating type flavor inhaler according to this embodiment. A non-combustion heated flavor inhaler 1 shown in FIG. 1 includes a tobacco-containing segment 2 filled with recycled tobacco according to the present embodiment, a cylindrical cooling segment 3 having perforations 8 on the circumference, and a center hole segment. 4 and a filter segment 5. The non-combustion heated flavor inhaler according to the present embodiment may have other segments in addition to the tobacco-containing segment, the cooling segment, the center hole segment, and the filter segment.

The axial length of the non-combustion heated flavor inhaler according to this embodiment is not particularly limited, but is preferably 40 mm or more and 90 mm or less, more preferably 50 mm or more and 75 mm or less, 50 mm or more, More preferably, it is 60 mm or less. Further, the circumferential length of the non-combustion heating type flavor inhaler is preferably 16 mm or more and 25 mm or less, more preferably 20 mm or more and 24 mm or less, and even more preferably 21 mm or more and 23 mm or less. For example, an embodiment may be mentioned in which the tobacco-containing segment has a length of 20 mm, the cooling segment has a length of 20 mm, the center hole segment has a length of 8 mm, and the filter segment has a length of 7 mm. Note that the length of the filter segment can be selected within the range of 4 mm or more and 10 mm or less. Further, the ventilation resistance of the filter segment at this time can be selected to be 15 mmH ₂ O/seg or more and 60 mmH ₂ O/seg or less per segment. These individual segment lengths can be changed as appropriate depending on manufacturing suitability, required quality, etc. Furthermore, even if only the filter segment is disposed downstream of the cooling segment without using the center hole segment, it is possible to function as a non-combustion heated flavor inhaler.

(Tobacco-containing segment)
In the tobacco-containing segment 2, recycled tobacco according to the present embodiment is filled in a wrapping paper (hereinafter also referred to as a wrapper). The method of filling the recycled tobacco into the paper is not particularly limited, but for example, the recycled tobacco may be wrapped in a wrapper, or the recycled tobacco may be filled in a cylindrical wrapper. When the shape of the recycled tobacco has a longitudinal direction such as a rectangular shape, the recycled tobacco may be packed so that the longitudinal direction is in an unspecified direction within the wrapper, and the recycled tobacco may be packed in the axial direction of the tobacco-containing segment 2 or They may be packed in alignment in a direction perpendicular to the axial direction.

(cooling segment)
As shown in FIG. 1, the cooling segment 3 may include a cylindrical member 7. The cylindrical member 7 may be, for example, a paper tube made of cardboard processed into a cylindrical shape.

The cylindrical member 7 and the mouthpiece lining paper 12, which will be described later, are provided with perforations 8 that pass through them both. Due to the presence of the perforations 8, outside air is introduced into the cooling segment 3 during suction. As a result, the vaporized aerosol component generated by heating the tobacco-containing segment 2 comes into contact with the outside air, and as its temperature decreases, it liquefies and forms an aerosol. The diameter (cross-length) of the perforation 8 is not particularly limited, but may be, for example, 0.5 mm or more and 1.5 mm or less. The number of perforations 8 is not particularly limited, and may be one or two or more. For example, a plurality of perforations 8 may be provided around the circumference of the cooling segment 3.

The amount of outside air introduced through the perforations 8 is preferably 85% by volume or less, more preferably 80% by volume or less, based on the volume of the entire gas sucked by the user. When the ratio of the amount of outside air is 85% by volume or less, reduction in flavor due to dilution by outside air can be sufficiently suppressed. Note that this is also called the ventilation ratio in another way. From the viewpoint of cooling performance, the lower limit of the ventilation ratio range is preferably 55% by volume or more, more preferably 60% by volume or more.

The cooling segment may also be a segment comprising a sheet of suitable construction material that is crimped, pleated, gathered, or folded. The cross-sectional profile of such elements may exhibit randomly oriented channels. The cooling segment may also include a bundle of longitudinally extending tubes. Such cooling segments may be formed, for example, from pleated, gathered, or folded sheet material wrapped in a paper wrapper.

The axial length of the cooling segment can be, for example, 7 mm or more and 28 mm or less, and can be, for example, 18 mm. The cooling segment may also be substantially circular in its axial cross-sectional shape, and its diameter may be, for example, greater than or equal to 5 mm and less than or equal to 10 mm, such as about 7 mm.

(center hole segment)
The center hole segment is composed of a filling layer having one or more hollow portions and an inner plug wrapper covering the filling layer. For example, as shown in FIG. 1, the center hole segment 4 includes a first filling layer 9 having a hollow portion and a first inner plug wrapper 10 covering the first filling layer 9. The center hole segment 4 has the function of increasing the strength of the mouthpiece segment 6. The first packed layer 9 has an inner diameter of 1.0 mm, for example, filled with cellulose acetate fibers at high density and hardened by adding a plasticizer containing triacetin from 6% by mass to 20% by mass based on the mass of cellulose acetate. As described above, the rod can have a diameter of 5.0 mm or less. Since the first packed layer 9 has a high packing density of fibers, during suction, air and aerosol flow only through the hollow portion, and hardly flow inside the first packed layer 9. Since the first filling layer 9 inside the center hole segment 4 is a fiber filling layer, the feel of the device from the outside during use is less likely to cause discomfort to the user. Note that the center hole segment 4 may not have the first inner plug wrapper 10 and its shape may be maintained by thermoforming.

(filter segment)
The structure of the filter segment 5 is not particularly limited, but may be composed of a single or plural filling layers. The outside of the packed layer may be wrapped with one or more wrapping papers. The ventilation resistance per segment of the filter segment 5 can be changed as appropriate depending on the amount of filler filled in the filter segment 5, the material, etc. For example, if the filling is cellulose acetate fibers, increasing the amount of cellulose acetate fibers filled into the filter segment 5 can increase the ventilation resistance. When the filling is cellulose acetate fibers, the packing density of the cellulose acetate fibers can be 0.13-0.18 g/cm ³ . Note that the ventilation resistance is a value measured by a ventilation resistance measuring device (trade name: SODIMAX, manufactured by SODIM).

The circumferential length of the filter segment 5 is not particularly limited, but is preferably 16 to 25 mm, more preferably 20 to 24 mm, and even more preferably 21 to 23 mm. The length of the filter segment 5 in the axial direction can be selected from 4 to 10 mm, and is selected so that its ventilation resistance is 15 to 60 mmH ₂ O/seg. The length of the filter segment 5 in the axial direction is preferably 5 to 9 mm, more preferably 6 to 8 mm. The cross-sectional shape of the filter segment 5 is not particularly limited, but may be, for example, circular, elliptical, polygonal, or the like. Further, a rupturable capsule containing a fragrance, fragrance beads, or a fragrance may be directly added to the filter segment 5.

As shown in FIG. 1, the center hole segment 4 and the filter segment 5 can be connected with an outer plug wrapper (outer wrapping paper) 11. The outer plug wrapper 11 can be, for example, cylindrical paper. Further, the tobacco-containing segment 2, the cooling segment 3, and the connected center hole segment 4 and filter segment 5 can be connected by a mouthpiece lining paper 12. These connections can be made, for example, by applying glue such as vinyl acetate glue to the inner surface of the mouthpiece lining paper 12, inserting the three segments, and winding the paper. Note that these segments may be connected multiple times using multiple lining papers.

[Non-combustion heated flavor suction system]
The non-combustion heating type flavor inhaler system according to the present embodiment includes the non-combustion heating type flavor inhaler according to the present embodiment, and a heating device that heats the tobacco-containing segment of the non-combustion heating type flavor inhaler. Since the non-combustion heated flavor suction system according to the present embodiment includes the non-combustion heated flavor suction device according to the present embodiment, it is possible to suppress power consumption per non-combustion heated flavor suction device. . The non-combustion heating type flavor suction system according to this embodiment may have other configurations in addition to the non-combustion heating type flavor inhaler and the heating device according to this embodiment.

An example of the non-combustion heating type flavor suction system according to this embodiment is shown in FIG. 2. The non-combustion heated flavor suction system shown in FIG. 2 includes a non-combustion heated flavor suction device 1 according to the present embodiment, and a heating device 13 that heats the tobacco-containing segment of the non-combustion heated flavor suction device 1 from the outside. Equipped with.

FIG. 2(a) shows the state before the non-combustion heating type flavor inhaler 1 is inserted into the heating device 13, and FIG. 2(b) shows the state before the non-combustion heating type flavor inhaler 1 is inserted into the heating device 13 and heated. Indicates the state of The heating device 13 shown in FIG. 2 includes a body 14, a heater 15, a metal tube 16, a battery unit 17, and a control unit 18. The body 14 has a cylindrical recess 19, and a heater 15 and a metal tube are placed on the inner side surface of the recess 19 at a position corresponding to the tobacco-containing segment of the non-combustion heated flavor inhaler 1 inserted into the recess 19. 16 are arranged. The heater 15 can be an electric resistance heater, and electric power is supplied from the battery unit 17 according to instructions from a control unit 18 that performs temperature control, and the heater 15 is heated. Heat emitted from the heater 15 is transferred to the tobacco-containing segment of the non-combustion heated flavor inhaler 1 through a metal tube 16 with high thermal conductivity.

In FIG. 2(b), since it is schematically illustrated, there is a gap between the outer periphery of the non-combustion heating type flavor inhaler 1 and the inner periphery of the metal tube 16, but in reality, heat can be efficiently dissipated. For the purpose of transmitting flavor, it is preferable that there be no gap between the outer periphery of the non-combustion heating type flavor inhaler 1 and the inner periphery of the metal tube 16. Although the heating device 13 heats the tobacco-containing segment of the non-combustion heating flavor inhaler 1 from the outside, it may also heat the tobacco-containing segment from the inside.

The heating temperature by the heating device is not particularly limited, but is preferably 400°C or less, more preferably 150°C or more and 400°C or less, and even more preferably 200°C or more and 350°C or less. Note that the heating temperature refers to the temperature of the heater of the heating device.

Hereinafter, the present embodiment will be described in detail with reference to examples, but the present embodiment is not limited to these examples. The measurement of the maximum absorbance at a wavelength of 3200 to 3600 cm ^-1 in the FT-IR analysis, the measurement of water absorption, the measurement of the angle of repose, the measurement of specific heat, and the evaluation of stickiness were carried out by the following methods.

[Measurement of maximum absorbance at wavelength 3200 to 3600 cm ⁻¹ in FT-IR analysis]
The maximum absorbance at a wavelength of 3200 to 3600 cm ⁻¹ in FT-IR analysis of tobacco materials was measured by the following method. A sample of tobacco material was brought into close contact with a diamond crystal for ATR measurement, and an infrared absorption spectrum was measured. As a measuring device, a Fourier transform infrared spectrometer (trade name: Thermo Scientific Nicolet iS50, manufactured by Thermo Scientific) was used. Measurement method: ATR method, resolution: 4 cm ⁻¹ , number of integrations: 32 times (n=2).

[Measurement of water absorption]
The water absorption amount of the tobacco material was measured by the following method. A cylindrical container with 19 holes of 1 mm in diameter was prepared in a stainless steel tube of φ55×80 mm. A filter paper was placed in the cylindrical container, and 3 to 6 g of the tobacco material sample was placed thereon. A vat was filled with tap water, the cylindrical container was placed in the vat, and the mass was measured after 900 seconds to measure the amount of water absorbed per 1 g. The measurement was carried out three times, and the average value was taken as the amount of water absorbed at each time.

[Measurement of angle of repose]
The angle of repose of tobacco materials was measured by the following method. A sample of tobacco material was dropped using a funnel from 4 cm above a 25 mm x 25 mm measuring table (peak material). When the sample was dropped from the measuring table to the extent that it spilled, a photograph was taken and the angle was measured using image analysis software (Keyence Microscope). This measurement was carried out three times, and the average value was taken as the value of the angle of repose.

[Measurement of specific heat]
As the specific heat of the tobacco material, the maximum specific heat capacity (mJ/mg·°C) up to 300°C was measured by DSC (differential scanning calorimetry). Specifically, the measurement was performed using a differential scanning calorimeter (trade name: DSC7020, manufactured by Hitachi High-Tech Science Co., Ltd.) under the following conditions. Temperature increase rate: 10° C./min, holding time: 2 minutes, pan: Al, sample mass: 10 mg, reference: Al ₂ O ₃ .

[Evaluation of stickiness]
The stickiness of the tobacco material was evaluated by five panelists who touched the tobacco material with their hands and evaluated it using a five-point method (n=1). Specifically, the evaluation was made on a scale of 0 to 5, with 0 points being ``not sticky at all'' and 5 points being ``very sticky''. It has been confirmed that the panelists have been sufficiently trained and that the threshold values for evaluation regarding stickiness are the same and standardized among the panelists.

[Example 1]
(Preparation of recycled tobacco)
Yellow leaves were prepared as tobacco raw material. Water in an amount 12 times the mass of the raw material was added to the tobacco raw material, and the mixture was stirred at 50° C. and 300 rpm for 1 hour. Thereafter, the extract was collected by hand squeezing. Thereby, tobacco components were extracted from the tobacco raw material, and tobacco extract and tobacco residue were obtained. Next, 100 g/L of a 2 mol/L aqueous sodium hydroxide solution was added to the tobacco residue and heated at 180° C. for 3 hours. Thereafter, citric acid was added to adjust the pH to 5.6 to obtain a tobacco material. Regarding the tobacco material, the maximum absorbance at a wavelength of 3200 to 3600 cm ^-1 in FT-IR analysis, water absorption, angle of repose, and specific heat were measured, and stickiness was evaluated using the above method. The results are shown in Table 1.

Using the obtained tobacco material as a base material, the tobacco extract was poured back onto the tobacco material. 100 parts by mass of tobacco material on which tobacco extract has been applied, 3.7 parts by mass of guar gum as a binder, 3.7 parts by mass of softwood pulp as a fiber material, and 14 parts of glycerin as an aerosol generator. 6 parts by mass were mixed and formed into a sheet by a casting method. As described above, a sheet-shaped recycled tobacco was prepared. The thickness of the recycled tobacco was 428 μm, the density was 0.67 mg WB/mm ³ , the basis weight was 285 g WB/m ² , the glycerin content was 12.7 mass % WB, and the water content was 12.1 mass % WB.

(evaluation)
The sheet-shaped recycled tobacco was filled into the tobacco-containing segment 2 of the non-combustion heating type flavor inhaler 1 shown in FIG. 1 to obtain a non-combustion heating type flavor inhaler. A heating test was conducted on the non-combustion heated flavor inhaler, and the amount of nicotine delivered and the amount of glycerin delivered were measured. Specifically, the non-combustion heating type flavor inhaler 1 was inserted into the heating device 13 shown in FIG. 2, and the tobacco-containing segment was heated to 200°C. After preheating for 30 seconds, the amount of nicotine and glycerin contained in the inhaled mainstream smoke was measured by inhaling from the mouthpiece of the non-combustion heating type flavor inhaler 1. A suction machine (trade name: RM-20, manufactured by Borgwaldt) was used for suction. Suction (puffing) was performed once every 30 seconds with 55 ml for 2 seconds, a total of 10 times, and the amount of nicotine and glycerin was measured for each puff. The nicotine amount and glycerin amount were measured using GC-FID. The amount of nicotine delivered in each puff is shown in FIG. 3, and the amount of glycerin delivered in each puff is shown in FIG. 4. Furthermore, Table 1 shows the nicotine transfer rate to mainstream smoke per unit of power consumption (energy). However, nicotine and glycerin are shown as indicators of components from among a plurality of components contained in the recycled tobacco in this embodiment, and nicotine and glycerin are not particularly easily delivered.

[Comparative example 1]
Yellow leaves were prepared as tobacco raw material. Water in an amount 12 times the weight of the raw material was added to the tobacco raw material, and the mixture was stirred at 50° C. and 300 rpm for 1 hour. Thereafter, the extract was collected by hand squeezing. As a result, tobacco components were extracted from the tobacco raw material, and tobacco extract and tobacco residue were obtained. Next, the tobacco residue was placed in an oven, and the tobacco residue was heated at 230° C. while flowing a mixed gas of N ₂ :Air=92%:8% (oxygen concentration: 1.7%) at a rate of 1 L/min. Heated for 1 hour. As a result, the tobacco residue was carbonized to obtain carbonized tobacco. Regarding the carbonized tobacco, the maximum absorbance at a wavelength of 3200 to 3600 cm ^-1 in FT-IR analysis, the angle of repose, and the specific heat were measured, and the stickiness was evaluated using the above method. The results are shown in Table 1.

Using the obtained carbonized tobacco as a base material, the tobacco extract was poured back onto the carbonized tobacco. 100 parts by mass of carbonized tobacco on which tobacco extract has been applied, 3.7 parts by mass of guar gum as a binder, 3.7 parts by mass of softwood pulp as a fiber material, and 14 parts of glycerin as an aerosol generator. 6 parts by mass were mixed and molded into a sheet by a casting method. As described above, a sheet-shaped recycled tobacco was prepared. A non-combustion heated flavor inhaler was produced using the recycled tobacco in the same manner as in Example 1, and evaluated. The results are shown in FIG. 3, FIG. 4, and Table 1.

[Comparative example 2]
The tobacco extract obtained in Example 1 was added to activated carbon (trade name: Kuraray Coal, manufactured by Kuraray Co., Ltd.). A sheet-shaped regenerated tobacco was prepared in the same manner as in Example 1, except that the activated carbon was used in place of the tobacco residue on which the tobacco extract had been applied. Table 1 shows the measurement results of the specific heat and water absorption of the activated carbon itself, and the evaluation results of stickiness.

[Comparative example 3]
A tobacco extract and tobacco residue were obtained in the same manner as in Example 1. Thereafter, the tobacco extract was poured back onto the tobacco residue without subjecting the tobacco residue to an alkali cooking treatment. Other than that, a sheet-shaped recycled tobacco was prepared and evaluated in the same manner as in Example 1. Table 1 shows the measurement results of each physical property of the tobacco residue itself. Furthermore, the evaluation results of the non-combustion heating type flavor inhaler are shown in FIGS. 3, 4, and Table 1.

As shown in Figures 3 and 4, the tobacco material is based on FT-IR analysis which shows a maximum absorbance of 0.40 or more at a wavelength of 3200 to 3600 cm ^-1 and a specific heat of 5 mJ/mg・℃ or less. In Example 1, in which regenerated tobacco was prepared using the regenerated tobacco, it was found in the evaluation of the non-combustion heated flavor inhaler containing the regenerated tobacco that the amount of nicotine and glycerin delivered was particularly large when the number of puffs increased. Additionally, the rate of nicotine transfer to mainstream smoke per unit of power consumption (energy) was also high (Table 1). On the other hand, a comparison was made in which recycled tobacco was prepared using a tobacco material with a maximum absorbance of less than 0.40 at a wavelength of 3200 to 3600 cm ^-1 or a specific heat of more than 5 mJ/mg/°C as determined by FT-IR analysis. In Examples 1 and 3, the amounts of nicotine and glycerin delivered were smaller than in Example 1 in the evaluation of the non-combustion heated flavor inhaler containing the recycled tobacco (FIGS. 3 and 4). Therefore, the nicotine transfer rate to mainstream smoke per unit of power consumption (energy) was lower than in Example 1 (Table 1). As shown in the graph of FIG. 5, which shows the nicotine transfer rate to mainstream smoke per power consumption (energy) with respect to the specific heat of the base material of recycled cigarettes, in Example 1, the maximum It can be understood that by having an absorbance of 0.40 or more and a specific heat of 5 mJ/mg·° C. or less, the nicotine transfer rate to mainstream smoke per unit of power consumption (energy) was improved. Further, from Table 1, it was found that the base material of Example 1 had a lower angle of repose than the base materials of Comparative Examples 1 and 3, making it easier to input the raw material at the time of inputting the raw material, and having excellent manufacturing suitability. Furthermore, the base material of Example 1 exhibited water absorption equivalent to that of the base materials of Comparative Examples 1 and 3, and the evaluation of stickiness was equivalent to that of the base materials of Comparative Examples 1 and 3. From this, it was found that there was no major change in the stickiness of the base material even if the alkali cooking treatment was performed, and the handling property was similarly excellent, and the raw material was easy to input.

1 Non-combustion heated flavor inhaler 2 Tobacco-containing segment 3 Cooling segment 4 Center hole segment 5 Filter segment 6 Mouthpiece segment 7 Cylindrical member 8 Perforation 9 First filling layer 10 First inner plug wrapper 11 Outer plug wrapper 12 Mouthpiece lining paper 13 Heating device 14 Body 15 Heater 16 Metal tube 17 Battery unit 18 Control unit 19 Recess

Claims

A recycled tobacco for use in a non-combustion heated flavor inhaler, which includes a tobacco material and a tobacco component,
The tobacco material has a maximum absorbance of 0.40 or more at a wavelength of 3200 to 3600 cm −1 in FT-IR analysis,
Regenerated tobacco, wherein the tobacco material has a specific heat of 5 mJ/mg·°C or less.
The regenerated tobacco according to claim 1, wherein the tobacco material has a water absorption amount of 4.0 to 6.0 g/g when immersed in water at 23° C. for 900 seconds.
The regenerated tobacco according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the tobacco material has an angle of repose of 40° or less.
The regenerated tobacco according to any one of claims 1 to 3, comprising a tobacco extract obtained by extracting tobacco components from tobacco raw materials.
The recycled tobacco according to any one of claims 1 to 4, further comprising a binder.
The regenerated tobacco according to any one of claims 1 to 5, further comprising a fiber material.
The regenerated tobacco according to any one of claims 1 to 6, which is a regenerated tobacco sheet or a shredded regenerated tobacco obtained by cutting the regenerated tobacco sheet.
A non-combustion heated flavor inhaler comprising a tobacco-containing segment filled with the recycled tobacco according to any one of claims 1 to 7.
The non-combustion heated flavor inhaler according to claim 8;
a heating device for heating the tobacco-containing segment;
A non-combustion heated flavor suction system.
The method for producing recycled tobacco according to any one of claims 1 to 7, comprising:
a step of extracting tobacco components from tobacco raw materials to obtain tobacco extract and tobacco residue;
After subjecting the tobacco residue to alkaline cooking treatment, adjusting the pH to 4.0 to 6.5;
Sprinkling the tobacco extract back onto the tobacco residue after pH adjustment;
including methods.
The method according to claim 10, wherein the alkaline cooking treatment is a treatment in which an alkali metal hydroxide is added to the tobacco residue and heated at 130 to 230°C for 5 minutes to 6 hours.