Fragrance sheet for aerosol-generating article and method of making same

Abstract

The present invention relates to a method for manufacturing a fragrance sheet for an aerosol-generating article, the method comprising the steps of: impregnating a natural fragrance raw material in a plasticizer to prepare an impregnation solution (step S1); mixing a hydrocolloid with the impregnation solution to prepare a mixed solution (step S2); and manufacturing a sheet by pouring and drying the mixed solution (step S3).

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a flavor sheet for use in aerosol-generating products and a method for making the same. Background Art

[0002] In order to satisfy user preferences, aerosol generating products are flavored in various ways. A representative example of the flavoring method is to directly add (eg, spray) a flavoring liquid onto an aerosol generating material such as tobacco or onto a filter (Korean Patent Publication No. 2010-0116791).

[0003] However, flavorants have a volatile nature and thus the taste of the cigarette will continue to deteriorate as the flavorant evaporates during dispensing and consumption of the aerosol-generating article.

[0004] In addition, naturally derived flavors are more natural and have better aroma than those made by mixing chemical flavoring substances. Therefore, users who like fragrance prefer natural flavors. Naturally derived flavors are extracted from natural substances by methods such as reduced pressure distillation and solvent extraction, and then applied to aerosol-generating products. However, applying naturally derived flavors to aerosol-generating products by this method is a complicated process, and the extraction method includes a concentration step, etc., so the taste may change with the individual extraction process. Summary of the invention

[0005] Technical issues to be solved In order to solve the above problems, the present disclosure provides a method for manufacturing a flavor sheet for an aerosol-generating product, which is not difficult to process, can produce a flavor close to a natural flavor, and can improve the flavor retention and sustainability.

[0006] However, the technical problems to be solved by the present invention are not limited to the problems mentioned above, and other problems not mentioned will be clearly understood by ordinary technicians in this field through the following description.

[0007] Technical means of solving problems According to one embodiment of the present invention, a method for manufacturing a flavor sheet for an aerosol generating product is provided, the method comprising the following steps: impregnating a natural flavor raw material in a plasticizer to prepare an impregnation solution (step S1); mixing a hydrocolloid with the impregnation solution to prepare a mixed solution (step S2); and manufacturing a sheet by pouring and drying the mixed solution (step S3).

[0008] According to another embodiment of the present invention, a flavor sheet for an aerosol generating product manufactured according to the manufacturing method of one embodiment of the present invention is provided, comprising: a natural flavor raw material; a plasticizer; and a hydrocolloid, wherein the natural flavor raw material is in powder form.

[0009] Effects of the Invention When using the method for manufacturing a flavor sheet for an aerosol-generating article disclosed herein, the process flow can be simplified by directly manufacturing the sheet without a separate step of extracting the flavor; and since there is no need to use expensive raw materials required for flavor extraction, a more economical method can be used to prepare the flavor; and since the preparation of the mixed solution is very easy, the flavor sheet can be easily manufactured.

[0010] The fragrance sheet for aerosol-generating products manufactured by the manufacturing method disclosed herein does not need to undergo a heating and concentration process when extracting fragrance, thereby obtaining a fragrance close to natural fragrance, and the fragrance retention and sustainability are excellent.

[0011] It should be understood that the effects of the present disclosure are not limited to the above-mentioned effects but are construed as including all effects that can be inferred from the inventive constitution described in the following description of the present disclosure or the claims. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0012] Figure 1 The flowchart is a method for manufacturing a flavor sheet according to an embodiment of the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0013] Hereinafter, the embodiments will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. However, various changes can be made to the embodiments, and the scope of the invention is not limited or defined by the embodiments. All changes, equivalents or substitutes of the embodiments are included in the scope of the rights.

[0014] The terms used in the embodiments are for descriptive purposes only and should not be construed as limiting. In the absence of special instructions in the content, singular expressions include plural meanings. In this specification, the terms "including" or "having" are used to express the presence of features, numbers, steps, operations, constituent elements, parts or combinations thereof recorded in the specification, and do not exclude the possibility of having one or more other features, numbers, steps, operations, constituent elements, parts or combinations thereof, or additional possibilities.

[0015] In the absence of other definitions, all terms used herein, including technical or scientific terms, have the common meanings understood by ordinary technicians in the field. For terms defined in commonly used dictionaries, they should be understood as meanings consistent with the context of the relevant technology, and should not be overly idealized or interpreted as formal meanings if not explicitly mentioned in this application.

[0016] Furthermore, in the process of describing with reference to the accompanying drawings, the same components are given the same reference numerals regardless of the reference numerals, and repeated descriptions thereof are omitted. In the process of describing the embodiments, when it is determined that the detailed description of the related known technology will unnecessarily confuse the embodiments, the detailed description thereof is omitted.

[0017] In addition, in the description of the constituent elements of the embodiments, terms such as first, second, A, B, (a), (b), etc. may be used. These terms are only used to distinguish the constituent element from another constituent element, and the nature, sequence or order of the corresponding constituent elements is not limited by these terms.

[0018] For constituent elements having the same functions as constituent elements included in a certain embodiment, the same names may be used to describe in another embodiment. Unless otherwise mentioned, the description of a certain embodiment may be applicable to other embodiments, and its detailed description will be omitted within the scope of repetition.

[0019] Throughout the specification, when a part “includes” a certain constituent element, it does not mean that it excludes other constituent elements but means that it may also include other constituent elements.

[0020] Throughout the specification, the term "aerosol generating article" may refer to an article that can generate an aerosol. The aerosol generating article may include an aerosol generating material or an aerosol forming substrate. In addition, the aerosol generating article may include solid materials based on tobacco raw materials (e.g., tobacco flakes, tobacco slices, or reconstituted tobacco, etc.), non-tobacco materials, or both. The aerosol generating material may include volatile compounds.

[0021] Throughout the specification, “upstream” or “upstream direction” refers to a direction away from the mouth of a user using an aerosol-generating article, while “downstream” or “downstream direction” refers to a direction towards the mouth of a user using an aerosol-generating article.

[0022] Throughout the specification, "flavor sheet" may refer to a flavor-containing material manufactured in the form of a sheet.

[0023] According to one embodiment of the present invention, a method for manufacturing a flavor sheet for an aerosol-generating product may be provided. The method for manufacturing a flavor sheet for an aerosol-generating product may include the following steps: impregnating a natural flavor raw material in a plasticizer to prepare an impregnation solution (step S1); mixing a hydrocolloid with the impregnation solution to prepare a mixed solution (step S2); and manufacturing a sheet by pouring and drying the mixed solution (step S3) (refer to Figure 1 ).

[0024] Each step is described in detail below.

[0025] Step S1 is a step of preparing an impregnation solution, which can be prepared by impregnating natural flavor raw materials in a plasticizer. The impregnation solution can be placed at a temperature of 4° C. to 40° C. for 12 to 50 hours, preferably 12 hours.

[0026] When the extraction temperature is higher than the above numerical range, the immersion time can be shortened; when the extraction temperature is lower, the immersion time can be extended. The immersion time and temperature can be optimized according to the type and characteristics of the natural product to be extracted.

[0027] There is no restriction on the raw materials of natural flavors, as long as they are natural substances from which natural flavors can be extracted.

[0028] Plasticizers can be extracted from natural flavor raw materials to capture natural flavors. In addition, plasticizers can be added to make it into sheet form.

[0029] In order to achieve the above functions, the content of the plasticizer added in step S1 can be 0.5 to 2 times the content of the natural flavor raw material.

[0030] Step S2 is a step of preparing a mixed solution, and the mixed solution can be prepared by mixing and stirring a hydrocolloid with a previously prepared impregnation solution. Specifically, step S2 may include the following steps: preparing a hydrocolloid solution (step a1); preparing a mixed solution by mixing the hydrocolloid solution and the impregnation solution (step a2); and placing the mixed solution (step a3).

[0031] In step a1, the hydrocolloid may be a sheet forming agent for forming a sheet, or a substance for coating and fixing the fragrance. The hydrocolloid may be dissolved in a solvent and prepared in the state of a hydrocolloid solution. The hydrocolloid solution may further include a filler, and the filler may be dextrin. In this case, the solvent may include at least one selected from the group consisting of water and alcohol.

[0032] In step a2, the mixed solution may be prepared by mixing the previously prepared impregnation solution and the hydrocolloid solution and stirring them sufficiently.

[0033] In step a3, the mixed solution may be left for 20 to 30 hours, during which time bubbles generated when the mixed solution is stirred may be removed.

[0034] The mixed solution can be not only in a liquid state but also in a mixed state of a liquid and a solid (for example, a slurry state).

[0035] At this time, the content of the impregnation solution in the mixed solution can be 2 to 30% by weight, preferably 10 to 15% by weight. Among them, the content of the natural flavor raw material can account for 1 to 15% by weight of the total weight of the mixed solution, preferably 5 to 10% by weight. Relative to the total weight of the mixed solution, the content of the plasticizer can be 1 to 15% by weight, preferably 5 to 10% by weight. The weight ratio of the natural flavor raw material to the plasticizer can be 2:1 to 1:2.

[0036] In addition, the content of the hydrocolloid solution in the mixed solution can account for 80 to 97 weight percent of the total weight of the mixed solution. Among them, the content of the hydrocolloid can account for 5 to 10 weight percent of the total weight of the mixed solution. By adjusting the content of the impregnation solution, the content of water can be adjusted to 60 to 80 weight percent of the total weight of the mixed solution, preferably 65 to 75 weight percent. Water can be a component for adjusting the viscosity of the mixed solution.

[0037] Step S3 may be a step of manufacturing a flavor sheet. Specifically, step S3 may include the following steps: pouring the mixed solution into a certain thickness (step b1); and drying the poured mixed solution at 60° C. to 80° C. (step b2).

[0038] In step b1, the mixed solution may be cast on a predetermined substrate, and the substrate may be, for example, a release film.

[0039] In step b2, the mixed solution may be dried at a temperature of, for example, 60°C to 70°C.

[0040] According to another embodiment of the present disclosure, a flavor sheet for an aerosol-generating article manufactured by the above manufacturing method may be provided. Since the manufacturing method of the flavor sheet for an aerosol-generating article according to an embodiment of the present invention does not include a step of concentrating by heating during the flavor extraction process, a fragrance close to natural fragrance may be achieved using the flavor sheet of the present invention.

[0041] Fragrance tablets for use in aerosol-generating articles may include natural flavor raw materials, plasticizers, hydrocolloids, and water.

[0042] At this time, the natural flavor raw material can be in powder form. When the natural flavor raw material is in powder form, it is not necessary to undergo the heating process required for reduced pressure distillation and solvent extraction, so that the unique fragrance of the unmodified natural raw material can be obtained. In addition, the powdered flavor raw material can be clearly seen in the final product, thereby bringing visual satisfaction to the user.

[0043] In the flavor sheet for aerosol generating products according to one embodiment of the present invention, the natural flavor raw materials are not limited as long as they are natural products. For example, they can include at least one selected from the group consisting of menthol, licorice, sucrose, fructose syrup, isosweet, cocoa, lavender, cinnamon, cardamom, celery, fenugreek, cascarilla, sandalwood, bergamot, geranium, honey essence, rose oil, vanilla, lemon oil, orange oil, peppermint oil, caraway, cognac, jasmine, chamomile, cassia, ylang-ylang, sage, spearmint, ginger, coriander and coffee.

[0044] In the flavor sheet for aerosol generating products according to one embodiment of the present invention, the content of the natural flavor raw material may account for 10 to 40% by weight of the total weight of the flavor sheet, preferably, 13 to 37% by weight. When the content of the natural flavor raw material is less than the above numerical range, the intensity of the flavor expression is low, which is difficult to satisfy the user. In addition, when the content of the natural flavor raw material exceeds the above numerical range, the quality of the flavor sheet for aerosol generating products may be reduced due to the reduction in the amount of hydrocolloid and plasticizer added.

[0045] In a flavor sheet for an aerosol generating product according to an embodiment of the present invention, the plasticizer can be extracted from a natural flavor raw material and capture a natural flavor, and can be used to form a sheet. The plasticizer can include at least one selected from the group consisting of medium chain triglyceride (MCTG), polypropylene glycol (PG) and glycerin. Preferably, the plasticizer can be a medium chain triglyceride.

[0046] In the flavor sheet for an aerosol generating article according to an embodiment of the present invention, the content of the plasticizer may account for 10 to 40 wt % of the total weight of the flavor sheet, preferably, 13 to 37 wt %.

[0047] The content of plasticizer can be 0.5 to 2 times the content of natural flavor raw materials.

[0048] When the content of the plasticizer is lower than the above range, the fragrance may not be fully captured, and the fragrance expression intensity after the fragrance sheet is manufactured may be low, which may lead to poor manufacturing quality of the aerosol-generating article, and the fragrance sheet may be easily damaged during processing due to reduced flexibility of the sheet. In addition, when the content of the plasticizer exceeds the above range, it may be difficult to manufacture it into a sheet form.

[0049] In a flavor sheet for an aerosol-generating product according to an embodiment of the present invention, the hydrocolloid may be a material extracted from natural substances, or a natural polymer material processed from materials extracted from natural substances. For example, the hydrocolloid may include at least one selected from the group consisting of carrageenan, agar, gellan gum, pectin, guar gum, xanthan gum, tamarind gum, psyllium gum, xanthan gum, konjac glucomannan, starch, hydroxypropylmethylcellulose (HPMC), methylcellulose (MC), ethylcellulose (EC) and carboxymethylcellulose (CMC). The starch may include various raw materials and modified starch. Preferably, the hydrocolloid may be methylcellulose (MC).

[0050] In the flavor sheet for aerosol generating products according to one embodiment of the present invention, the content of the hydrocolloid may account for 20 to 55% by weight of the total weight of the flavor sheet. When the content of the hydrocolloid is lower than the above range, the sheet may not be well formed. In addition, when the content of the hydrocolloid exceeds the above range, the intensity of the flavor expression may decrease as the content of the natural flavor raw materials and the plasticizer decreases.

[0051] In addition, preferably, in order to ensure that the flavor sheet has appropriate tensile strength, the content of the hydrocolloid may be 25 to 40% by weight.

[0052] In the flavor sheet for aerosol-generating products according to an embodiment of the present invention, the flavor sheet for aerosol-generating products may further include a filler. For example, the filler may be dextrin.

[0053] In the flavor sheet for an aerosol generating article according to an embodiment of the present invention, the content of the filler may account for 5 to 15 weight % of the total weight of the flavor sheet, preferably, 7 to 10 weight %.

[0054] In the fragrance sheet for aerosol generating products according to one embodiment of the present invention, the fragrance sheet for aerosol generating products may be included in at least one selected from the group consisting of a medium part, a filter part, and a packaging material. That is, the aerosol generating products can be scented by using the fragrance sheet for aerosol generating products according to one embodiment of the present invention. At the same time, since the manufacturing method of the fragrance sheet includes the step of immersing the natural fragrance raw material in the plasticizer, the retention and sustainability of the fragrance can be improved compared with the use by spraying the fragrance liquid.

[0055] At this time, the flavor sheet for the aerosol-generating article can be applied to the aerosol-generating article by cutting, folding or coating. For example, the flavor sheet can be cut or folded and applied to the medium part and / or the filter part of the aerosol-generating article. For the packaging material, the flavor sheet can be manufactured by combining the flavor sheet with the packaging paper, or by a coating process in which the mixed solution is directly poured onto the packaging paper and then dried.

[0056] Hereinafter, the present invention will be described in more detail with reference to Examples, but the present invention is not limited to the following Examples.

[0057] 1. Method for manufacturing spice tablets The flavor sheets of Examples 1 to 5 were produced in the following manner. The ingredients and contents added during the production of the Examples and Comparative Examples are shown in Table 1. If no plasticizer is added, the sheet cannot be produced.

[0058] (1) Step S1: preparing an impregnation solution 2 g of coffee powder was infused in 2 g of medium chain triglyceride (MCTG) and left at 25° C. for 48 hours to prepare an infusion solution.

[0059] (2) Step S2: Preparing a mixed solution First, 8 g of methyl cellulose (MC) and 2 g of dextrin were dissolved in a solvent to prepare a hydrocolloid solution. At this time, the solvent was a mixture of 70 g of water and 10 g of alcohol.

[0060] The hydrocolloid solution and the impregnation solution are mixed and stirred to prepare a mixed solution.

[0061] The mixed solution was placed at 25°C for 24 hours to remove air bubbles.

[0062] (3) Step S3: Making spice tablets The mixed solution is poured onto a release film at a certain thickness and then dried at a temperature of 60° C. to 80° C. to produce a flavor sheet.

[0063] Example 2 The same method as in Example 1 was followed except that 5 g of coffee powder and 5 g of medium chain triglyceride (MCTG) were added.

[0064] Example 3 The production was carried out in the same manner as in Example 1 except that 10 g of coffee powder, 5 g of medium chain triglycerides (MCTG) and 65 g of water were added.

[0065] Example 4 The production was carried out in the same manner as in Example 1 except that 5 g of coffee powder, 10 g of medium chain triglycerides (MCTG) and 65 g of water were added.

[0066] Example 5 The production was carried out in the same manner as in Example 1 except that 10 g of coffee powder, 10 g of medium chain triglycerides (MCTG) and 60 g of water were added.

[0067] [Table 1]

[0068] 2. Experimental Example 1: Composition of Spice Tablets After preparing Examples 1 to 5, the ingredients and contents contained in the flavor tablets are shown in Table 2 below.

[0069] [Table 2]

[0070] 3. Experimental Example 2: Evaluation of preparation difficulty and sheet quality In the process of preparing Examples 1 to 5, a comprehensive evaluation experiment was conducted on the difficulty of preparing the mixed solution and the quality of the prepared flavor tablets. The evaluation was performed according to the following three levels. The results are shown in Table 3.

[0071] ○: Excellent △: Good X: Bad [Table 3]

[0072] The flavor sheets of the above-mentioned Examples and Comparative Examples are all excellent in terms of easy preparation of mixed solutions.

[0073] However, since the tensile strength of the prepared flavor sheet of Example 5 was reduced, it was evaluated as having poor quality of the flavor sheet.

[0074] 4. Experimental Example 3: Evaluation of aroma retention In order to confirm the flavor retention and sustainability of Examples 1 to 5, a sensory evaluation was performed. The sensory evaluation was performed by evaluating the degree of expression of the flavor felt by the user during use. At this time, the aerosol-generating product was made into a cigarette form of a non-combustion aerosol-generating product by cutting the flavor sheet into small pieces and heating it with an apparatus. The sensory evaluation was performed by a panel member with more than 5 years of smoking experience, and the evaluation panel members were 12 to 20 people. The evaluation was performed according to the following three levels, and the results are shown in Table 4.

[0075] ○: Excellent △: Good X: Bad [Table 4]

[0076] The experimental results show that the fragrance intensity of Example 1 is low, and the fragrance retention and sustainability are poor.

[0077] The aroma intensity of Examples 2 to 4, which have excellent quality and aroma retention of the spice tablets, was evaluated and increased in the order of Example 4 < Example 2 < Example 3. That is, the aroma intensity of Example 3, which has the largest amount of coffee powder added, is slightly higher than that of Examples 2 and 4.

[0078] It can be seen from the above experimental examples that by using the flavor sheet manufacturing method described in the claims, not only can the flavor sheets be easily manufactured in a simple and economical manner, but the flavor sheets manufactured in this manner can also achieve a flavor close to that of natural flavors and have excellent flavor retention and sustainability, thereby providing an aerosol-generating product that can improve user satisfaction.

[0079] In summary, the embodiments are described through limited drawings, and a person skilled in the art can make various changes and modifications based on the description. For example, the described techniques are performed in a different order from the described method, and / or the described systems, structures, devices, circuits and other components are combined or combined in a different form from the described method, or replaced or substituted by other components or equivalents, and appropriate results can also be obtained.

[0080] Therefore, other embodiments, other examples and equivalents of the claims are all within the scope of the claims of the present invention.

Claims

1. A method for producing a flavor tablet for an aerosol-generating product, characterized in that: The following steps are involved: The natural flavor raw material is impregnated in a plasticizer to prepare an impregnation solution (step S1); mixing the hydrocolloid with the impregnation solution to prepare a mixed solution (step S2); and A sheet is manufactured by casting and drying the mixed solution (step S3 ).

2. The method for producing a flavor sheet for an aerosol-generating product according to claim 1, characterized in that: The plasticizer in step S1 is extracted from natural flavor raw materials and captures natural flavors.

3. The method for producing a flavor sheet for an aerosol-generating product according to claim 1, wherein: The impregnation solution in step S1 is placed at 4° C. to 40° C. for 12 to 50 hours.

4. The method for producing a flavor sheet for an aerosol-generating product according to claim 1, wherein: The step S2 comprises the following steps: preparing a hydrocolloid solution (step a1); preparing a mixed solution by mixing the hydrocolloid solution and the impregnation solution (step a2); and The mixed solution is allowed to stand (step a3).

5. The method for producing a flavor sheet for an aerosol-generating product according to claim 1, wherein: The step S3 comprises the following steps: Casting the mixed solution into a certain thickness (step b1); and The cast mixed solution is dried at 60° C. to 80° C. (step b2).

6. A flavor sheet for an aerosol-generating product manufactured according to the method of claim 1, characterized in that: include: Natural flavor ingredients; Plasticizers; and Hydrocolloids, The natural flavor raw material is in powder form.

7. The flavor sheet for an aerosol-generating product according to claim 6, wherein: The natural flavor raw materials include at least one selected from the group consisting of menthol, licorice, sucrose, fructose syrup, special sweeteners, cocoa, lavender, cinnamon, cardamom, celery, fenugreek, West Indian bittersweet tree, sandalwood, bergamot, geranium, honey essence, rose oil, vanilla, lemon oil, orange oil, peppermint oil, caraway, cognac, jasmine, chamomile, cassia, ylang-ylang, sage, spearmint, ginger, coriander and coffee.

8. The flavor sheet for an aerosol-generating product according to claim 6, wherein: The plasticizer includes at least one selected from the group consisting of medium chain triglycerides, propylene glycol and glycerin.

9. The flavor sheet for an aerosol-generating product according to claim 6, wherein: The hydrocolloid is a material extracted from natural substances, or a natural polymer material processed from materials extracted from natural substances.

10. The flavor sheet for an aerosol-generating product according to claim 6, wherein: The hydrocolloid includes at least one selected from the group consisting of carrageenan, agar, gellan gum, pectin, guar gum, xanthan gum, tamarind gum, psyllium gum, xanthan gum, konjac glucomannan, starch, hydroxypropyl methylcellulose, methylcellulose, ethyl cellulose and carboxymethyl cellulose.

11. The flavor sheet for an aerosol-generating product according to claim 6, wherein: The content of the natural flavor raw materials accounts for 10-40% by weight of the total weight of the flavor tablets.

12. The flavor sheet for an aerosol-generating product according to claim 6, wherein: The content of the plasticizer accounts for 10-40% by weight of the total weight of the spice tablet.

13. The flavor sheet for an aerosol-generating product according to claim 6, wherein: The content of the hydrocolloid accounts for 20-55% by weight of the total weight of the flavor tablet.

14. The flavor sheet for an aerosol-generating product according to claim 6, wherein: The aerosol-generating article is used for the aerosol-generating article, which is included in at least one selected from the group consisting of a media portion, a filter portion and a packaging material.

15. The flavor sheet for an aerosol-generating product according to claim 6, wherein: The flavor sheet for aerosol-generating products is applied to the aerosol-generating products by cutting, folding or coating.

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