Method for producing flavor component-containing liquid, and method for producing tobacco flavor liquid

Abstract

A method for producing a flavor component-containing liquid for use in a flavor inhaler that generates an aerosol, the flavor component-containing liquid comprising an aerosol source and a flavor component derived from a tobacco material, and the flavor component-containing liquid being converted to the aerosol by the flavor inhaler, wherein the method comprises: heating the tobacco material at a temperature of the tobacco material within the range of 80-100°C to thereby reduce the water content of the tobacco material; heating the tobacco material with the reduced water content at a temperature of the tobacco material higher than 100°C to thereby vaporize a high-boiling-point flavor component from the tobacco material; and dissolving the vaporized high-boiling-point flavor component in a liquid serving as at least a portion of the aerosol source to thereby obtain a high-boiling-point flavor component-containing liquid.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The present invention relates to a method for producing a flavor component-containing liquid, and to a method for producing a tobacco flavor liquid.BACKGROUND ART

[0002] It is known for tobacco material to be heated to generate a flavor component-containing gas, which is then dissolved in a liquid to obtain a flavor component-containing liquid, and for this flavor component-containing liquid to be used as a tobacco flavor source in a flavor inhaler (e.g., PTL 1).CITATION LISTPATENT LITERATURE

[0003] PTL 1: WO 2017 / 144705 A1SUMMARY OF INVENTIONTECHNICAL PROBLEM

[0004] The objective of the present invention lies in providing technology for acquiring a flavor component-containing liquid with a low water content for use in a flavor inhaler that generates an aerosol.SOLUTION TO PROBLEM

[0005] A first aspect provides a method for producing a flavor component-containing liquid for use in a flavor inhaler that generates an aerosol, the flavor component-containing liquid comprising an aerosol source and a flavor component derived from a tobacco material, and the flavor component-containing liquid being converted to the aerosol by the flavor inhaler, wherein the method comprises: heating the tobacco material at a temperature of the tobacco material within the range of 80-100°C to thereby reduce the water content of the tobacco material; heating the tobacco material with the reduced water content at a temperature of the tobacco material higher than 100°C to thereby vaporize a high-boiling-point flavor component from the tobacco material; and dissolving the vaporized high-boiling-point flavor component in a liquid serving as at least a portion of the aerosol source to thereby obtain a high-boiling-point flavor component-containing liquid.

[0006] A second aspect provides a flavor component-containing liquid produced by means of the method according to the first aspect.

[0007] A third aspect provides: a method for producing a tobacco flavor liquid, the method comprising: producing multiple types of flavor component-containing liquids in accordance with the method according to the first aspect; and based on the flavor component content or flavor type, selecting from among the multiple types of flavor component-containing liquids: (a) one type of flavor component-containing liquid as a tobacco flavor liquid; or (b) selecting and mixing two or more types of flavor component-containing liquids to thereby prepare a tobacco liquid.

[0008] A fourth aspect provides a tobacco flavor liquid produced by means of the method according to the third aspect.

[0009] A fifth aspect provides a flavor inhaler containing the tobacco flavor liquid according to the fourth aspect.

[0010] A sixth aspect provides: a reconstituted tobacco material comprising: a tobacco flavor liquid produced by means of the method according to the third aspect; and a heated tobacco material obtained after the multiple types of flavor component-containing liquids have been obtained in the method according to the third aspect.

[0011] A seventh aspect provides a flavor inhaler containing the reconstituted tobacco material according to the sixth aspect.ADVANTAGEOUS EFFECTS OF INVENTION

[0012] The present invention provides technology for acquiring a flavor component-containing liquid with a low water content for use in a flavor inhaler that generates an aerosol.BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0013] Fig. 1 is a flowchart showing an example of a method for producing a flavor component-containing liquid. Fig. 2 is a schematic diagram showing an example of a flavor component recovery system. Fig. 3 is an oblique view showing an example of a heated flavor inhaler. Fig. 4 is an oblique view of a power supply unit in the heated flavor inhaler of fig. 3. Fig. 5 is a view in cross section of the heated flavor inhaler in fig. 3. Fig. 6 is a block diagram showing the main components of the power supply unit in the heated flavor inhaler in fig. 3. Fig. 7A is a schematic front view showing an example of an aerosol-generating device. Fig. 7B is a schematic top view of the aerosol-generating device shown in fig. 7A. Fig. 7C is a schematic bottom view of the aerosol-generating device shown in fig. 7A. Fig. 8 is a schematic view in side section showing an example of the flavor-generating article. Fig. 9 is a view in cross section along the line III-III of the aerosol-generating device shown in fig. 7B. Fig. 10 is a graph showing amounts of water contained in flavor component-containing liquids. Fig. 11 is a graph showing amounts of nicotine contained in flavor component-containing liquids. Fig. 12 is a radar chart showing amounts of aroma components contained in flavor component-containing liquids. Fig. 13 is a ternary graph showing a relationship between solvent composition and menthol solubility. DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

[0014] The present invention will be described in detail below, but the following description is intended to explain the present invention and is not intended to limit the present invention. The embodiments described below are more specific embodiments of any of the aspects above. The matters set out below may be incorporated, either alone or in combination, into each of the aspects above.1.Explanation of terms

[0015] The term "tobacco flavor liquid" in the present description refers to a liquid used as a tobacco flavor source in a flavor inhaler that generates an aerosol. The "tobacco flavor liquid" comprises a liquid serving as an aerosol source, and various flavor components derived from a tobacco material. When the "tobacco flavor liquid" is atomized in the flavor inhaler, the liquid serving as the aerosol source turns into a vapor, and the flavor components migrate into the vapor, resulting in an aerosol (tobacco vapor) being generated.

[0016] The term "aerosol source" in the present description refers to a source (liquid) for generating a vapor (gas) when the tobacco flavor liquid is atomized in the flavor inhaler. The term "aerosol source" refers to a source (liquid) for generating a dispersion medium (gas) of an aerosol (tobacco vapor), and does not include fine particles (such as flavor components) in the aerosol.

[0017] The term "flavor component-containing liquid" in the present description refers to a liquid used as a starting material for the tobacco flavor liquid. The "flavor component-containing liquid" may be used without modification as a tobacco flavor liquid, or multiple types of flavor component-containing liquids may be mixed to prepare a tobacco flavor liquid. The "flavor component-containing liquid" is therefore a liquid for use in a flavor inhaler that generates an aerosol. Similarly to the tobacco flavor liquid, the "flavor component-containing liquid" comprises a liquid serving as an aerosol source, and various types of flavor components derived from a tobacco material. Furthermore, similarly to the "tobacco flavor liquid", when the "flavor component-containing liquid" is atomized in the flavor inhaler, the liquid serving as the aerosol source turns into a vapor, and the flavor components migrate into the vapor, resulting in an aerosol (tobacco vapor) being generated.

[0018] When multiple types of flavor component-containing liquids are referred to separately in the present description, the following specific names will be used: "low-boiling-point flavor component-containing liquid", "high-boiling-point flavor component-containing liquid", "first high-boiling-point flavor component-containing liquid", and "second high-boiling-point flavor component-containing liquid". That is to say, the term "flavor component-containing liquid" serves as a general name for these specific flavor component-containing liquids.

[0019] In the present description, a heating temperature when the tobacco material is heated refers to the temperature of the tobacco material itself. The "temperature of the tobacco material" may be obtained by measuring the temperature at the surface of the tobacco material. The "temperature of the tobacco material" is also referred to as the product temperature in thistechnical field.2.Method for producing flavor component-containing liquid

[0020] The method for producing a flavor component-containing liquid for use in a flavor inhaler the generates an aerosol comprises: heating the tobacco material at a temperature of the tobacco material within the range of 80-100°C to thereby reduce the water content of the tobacco material; heating the tobacco material with the reduced water content at a temperature of the tobacco material higher than 100°C to thereby vaporize high-boiling-point flavor components from the tobacco material; and dissolving the vaporized high-boiling-point flavor components in a liquid serving as at least a portion of the aerosol source to thereby obtain a high-boiling-point flavor component-containing liquid.

[0021] The flavor component-containing liquid produced by means of this method comprises an aerosol source and a flavor component derived from the tobacco material, and is converted to an aerosol by the flavor inhaler.

[0022] In the method described above, one type of high-boiling-point flavor component-containing liquid may be acquired as the high-boiling-point flavor component-containing liquid, or multiple types of high-boiling-point flavor component-containing liquids may be acquired. In the latter case, the high-boiling-point flavor component is vaporized while the temperature of the tobacco material is being raised, and fractions of the high-boiling-point flavor component vaporized in different temperature zones are dissolved in separate liquids to thereby make it possible to obtain multiple types of high-boiling-point flavor component-containing liquids. When multiple types of high-boiling-point flavor component-containing liquids are acquired, there is no particular limitation as to the number of high-boiling-point flavor component-containing liquids, but 2-5 types of high-boiling-point flavor component-containing liquids may be acquired.

[0023] The abovementioned method will be described below using the example of acquiring two types of high-boiling-point flavor component-containing liquids. This example of the method is shown by the flowchart in fig. 1. That is to say, according to one embodiment, a method for producing flavor component-containing liquids for use in a flavor inhaler that generates an aerosol comprises: (S1) heating a tobacco material at a first temperature of the tobacco material within the range of 80-100°C to thereby vaporize a low-boiling-point flavor component from the tobacco material while also reducing the water content of the tobacco material; (S2) dissolving the vaporized low-boiling-point flavor component in a liquid serving as a portion of the aerosol source to thereby obtain a low-boiling-point flavor component-containing liquid; (S3) after heating at the first temperature, heating the tobacco material at a second temperature of the tobacco material higher than 100°C to thereby vaporize a first high-boiling-point flavor component from the tobacco material; (S4) dissolving the vaporized first high-boiling-point flavor component in a liquid serving as another portion of the aerosol source to thereby obtain a first high-boiling-point flavor component-containing liquid; (S5) after heating at the second temperature, heating the tobacco material at a third temperature of the tobacco material higher than the second temperature to thereby vaporize a second high-boiling-point flavor component from the tobacco material; and (S6) dissolving the vaporized second high-boiling-point flavor component in a liquid serving as another portion of the aerosol source to thereby obtain a second high-boiling-point flavor component-containing liquid.

[0024] Each of the flavor component-containing liquids produced by this method comprises an aerosol source and a flavor component derived from a tobacco material, and is converted to an aerosol by the flavor inhaler.

[0025] In this embodiment also, the "first temperature", "second temperature", and "third temperature" all refer to the temperature of the tobacco material itself. The heating temperature of the tobacco material and heating temperature zones will be mentioned in the following description, and these refer to the temperature of the tobacco material itself in all cases.

[0026] The method according to an embodiment will be described below in step order.First heating step (S1)

[0027] In the first heating step (S1), the tobacco material is heated at a first temperature within the range of 80-100°C. A "first temperature within the range of 80-100°C" in the first heating step (S1) refers to the temperature of the tobacco material. The low-boiling-point flavor component is vaporized from the tobacco material while the water content of the tobacco material is also reduced by means of the first heating step (S1) (see fig. 1).

[0028] Cut tobacco that is ready to be included in a tobacco product such as a combustion-type or heated flavor inhaler can be used as the "tobacco material." The expression "cut tobacco that is ready to be included in a tobacco product" refers to cut tobacco that has been made ready to be included in a tobacco product by way of: a drying process at a farm; a subsequent long-term aging process of one or more years at a raw material factory; and a variety of subsequent processes such as blending and cutting at a manufacturing plant.

[0029] Cut tobacco is cut leaf tobacco. The cut tobacco may be cut stemmed leaves, cut midrib, cut reconstituted tobacco (specifically, tobacco materials obtained when waste such as leaf waste, cut tobacco waste, midrib waste, and tobacco dust produced over the course of factory operations is processed into a reusable form), or mixtures thereof. The cut tobacco may be ground, and the resulting ground material may be used for the heating step (S1). The use of ground cut tobacco as tobacco material will allow flavor components to be more efficiently recovered from the tobacco material. This makes it possible to increase the content of flavor components in the flavor component-containing liquid or the tobacco flavor liquid.

[0030] Any variety of cut tobacco can be used, such as flue-cured, Burley, or Oriental varieties. A single variety or a mixture of different varieties of cut tobacco can be used.

[0031] The first heating step (S1) can preferably be carried out by supplying a heated gas to the tobacco material. The heated gas has a temperature of 105-250°C, for example. Here, the heated gas preferably comprises an inert gas, and preferably has an oxygen concentration of no greater than 10 vol%. A mixed gas of nitrogen and air having an oxygen concentration of no greater than 10 vol% may be used as the heated gas, for example. By using a gas with a low oxygen concentration in this way, it is possible to reduce exothermic reactions caused by oxygen, and to prevent any sudden rise in the temperature of the tobacco material. The temperature of the tobacco material can be reliably controlled by using a gas with a low oxygen concentration, which therefore enables flavor component-containing liquids of the desired quality to be stably produced.

[0032] As indicated above, the tobacco material is heated at the first temperature within the range of 80-100°C in the first heating step (S1). As indicated above, the "first temperature within the range of 80-100°C" in the first heating step (S1) refers to the temperature of the tobacco material. The temperature of the tobacco material may be obtained by measuring the temperature at the surface of the tobacco material by means of a contact thermometer, for example.

[0033] The first heating step (S1) can preferably be carried out by heating the tobacco material in a temperature zone within the range of 80-100°C. For example, the heating including the first heating step (S1) may be carried out by heating the tobacco material from room temperature (e.g., approximately 20°C) to 100°C while raising the temperature of the tobacco material.

[0034] Moisture contained in the tobacco material can be vaporized so as to reduce the water content of the tobacco material by means of the first heating step (S1). The first heating step (S1) is preferably carried out so that the water content of the tobacco material immediately after the heating (also referred to below as the "water content WC2") is no greater than 20% of the water content of the tobacco material immediately before the heating (also referred to below as the "water content WC1"). That is to say, the first heating step (S1) is preferably carried out so that the ratio of the water content WC2 to the water content WC1 is no greater than 20%. The first heating step (S1) is also preferably carried out so that the ratio of the water content WC2 to the water content WC1 is 8% or less. "Immediately before the heating" means a time of less than 2 hours before the start of the first heating step (S1), and preferably a time of less than 1 hour before the start of the first heating step (S1). "Immediately after the heating" means a time of less than 2 hours after the end of the first heating step (S1), and preferably a time of less than 1 hour after the end of the first heating step (S1).

[0035] The "water content WC1" of the tobacco material immediately before heating in the first heating step (S1) may be acquired by the procedure described below.

[0036] The tobacco material immediately before the heating in the first heating step (S1) is dried for 1 hour at 100°C under open conditions. The mass of a dried sample is measured, the difference between the mass of the dried sample and an undried sample is calculated, and the resulting difference is taken as the "moisture amount". The "water content" is calculated from the value of the "moisture amount" using the following formula. Water content WC 1 % = moisture amount / mass of undried sample × 100 .

[0037] The "water content WC2" of the tobacco material immediately after the heating in the first heating step (S1) may be acquired by the same procedure as for the "water content WC1", except that the tobacco material immediately before the drying in the first heating step (S1) is substituted for the tobacco material immediately after the drying in the first heating step (S1).

[0038] The ratio [%] of the water content WC2 to the water content WC1 may be calculated by means of the following formula. Ratio % = water content WC 2 / water content WC 1 × 100 .

[0039] Reducing the water content of the tobacco material by means of the first heating step (S1) makes it possible to lower the water content of the high-boiling-point flavor component-containing liquids (the first high-boiling-point flavor component-containing liquid and the second high-boiling-point flavor component-containing liquid in this embodiment) obtained by further heating of the tobacco material after the first heating step (S1).

[0040] Reducing the water content of the tobacco material by means of the first heating step (S1) also makes it possible to create a situation in which nicotine is easily vaporized when the tobacco material after the first heating step (S1) is further heated (see "fraction 2" in fig. 11). This effect is due to the fact that nicotine is not readily vaporized even by heating if a large amount of moisture remains in the tobacco material, but nicotine is easily vaporized by heating when the tobacco material has a low water content.

[0041] The first heating step (S1) may be carried out over a period of 0.5-60 minutes, and preferably 1-20 minutes, for example. This makes it possible to vaporize the moisture contained in the tobacco material so as to reduce the water content of the tobacco material.

[0042] The method according to the embodiment may further comprise adding a humectant to the tobacco material prior to heating the tobacco material in the first heating step (S1). Examples of humectants that may be used include glycerol, propylene glycol, 1,3-propanediol, and triacetin. The humectant may be added in an amount of 1-20 parts by mass with respect to 100 parts by mass of the tobacco material, for example. If the humectant is added before the first heating step (S1), a greater amount of nicotine can be vaporized in subsequent heating steps (a second heating step (S3) and a third heating step (S5) in this embodiment), even when the temperature of the tobacco material is 200°C or below.Low-boiling-point flavor component dissolution step (S2)

[0043] In the low-boiling-point flavor component dissolution step (S2), the low-boiling-point flavor component vaporized in the first heating step (S1) is dissolved in a liquid serving as a portion of the aerosol source (referred to below as a "first trapping liquid"). This makes it possible to obtain a low-boiling-point flavor component-containing liquid (see fig. 1).

[0044] A liquid that can be used as an aerosol source in a flavor inhaler may be used as the first trapping liquid. Examples of first trapping liquids that may be used include propylene glycol, glycerol, 1,3-propanediol, diacetin, polyethylene glycol, or a liquid mixture thereof. The first trapping liquid is preferably propylene glycol, glycerol, or a liquid mixture of propylene glycol and glycerol. The first trapping liquid is more preferably propylene glycol, or a liquid mixture of propylene glycol and glycerol. There is preferably a greater proportion of propylene glycol in the case of a liquid mixture of propylene glycol and glycerol. A mass ratio of propylene glycol and glycerol may be 9:1-1:9, and may preferably be 7:3-5:5.

[0045] The first trapping liquid described by way of example has lower polarity than water. The first trapping liquid described by way of example is suitable as a liquid for dissolving the flavor component because the flavor component has a relatively low polarity.

[0046] The dissolution step (S2) may preferably be carried out by bubbling the gas containing the low-boiling-point flavor component obtained in the first heating step (S1) through the first trapping liquid. In the dissolution step (S2), the first trapping liquid may be used in an amount of 0.5-20 mL, for example, per 10 g of tobacco material, preferably 2-10 mL, and more preferably 3-5 mL. Using the first trapping liquid in an amount in the ranges above enables the resulting flavor component-containing liquid to be used as a starting material for the tobacco flavor liquid without being concentrated.

[0047] A low-boiling-point flavor component-containing liquid is obtained by means of the dissolution step (S2). The low-boiling-point flavor component-containing liquid preferably has a water content of less than 25 mass%, and more preferably has a water content of 20 mass% or less. The water content of the low-boiling-point flavor component-containing liquid is 0.1 mass% or greater, for example. In the present description, the water content of the flavor component-containing liquid indicates a value measured by means of a gas chromatograph-thermal conductivity detector (GC-TCD). Specifically, a sample obtained by diluting the flavor component-containing liquid with methanol is passed through the GC where it is separated in the column, after which water is measured by means of the TCD. The water is quantified from the measured value obtained, and the water content of the flavor component-containing liquid is calculated. An example of the measurement conditions is described below. Apparatus:gilent 7890AColumn:DB-WAX (Agilent 122-7032)Carrier gas:HeliumFlow velocity:30 mL / minInjection port (Inlet) temperature:250°CInjection mode:SplitlessInjection amount:1 µLOven temperature:60°C → 130°C (5°C / min) → 250°C (10°C / min)TCD temperature:250°C.

[0048] Note that the dissolution step (S2) may be omitted when the low-boiling-point flavor component-containing liquid is not used as a starting material for the tobacco flavor liquid.Specific example

[0049] The first heating step (S1) and the dissolution step (S2) described above may be carried out by using a flavor component recovery system 2, which is illustrated in fig. 2, for example. As shown in fig. 2, the flavor component recovery system 2 comprises a heating apparatus 3, a dissolution apparatus 4, and a gas flow path 5 connecting these two apparatuses.

[0050] The heating apparatus 3 shown in fig. 2 comprises: a heating vessel 3B for accommodating a tobacco material 3A; a sintered filter 3C installed on a bottom face of the heating vessel 3B; a thermocouple 3D for measuring the temperature of the tobacco material 3A; a gas supply source 3E for accommodating a gas which is fed to the heating vessel 3B; a preheater 3F for heating the gas which is fed from the gas supply source 3E to the heating vessel 3B; and a gas flow path 3G for feeding the gas to the heating vessel 3B.

[0051] The dissolution apparatus 4 shown in fig. 2 is connected by way of the gas flow path 5 to the heating apparatus 3 shown in fig. 2. The dissolution apparatus 4 comprises a cooling vessel 4B for accommodating a trapping liquid 4A.

[0052] Operation of the flavor component recovery system 2 will be described below. The tobacco material 3A is first of all received in the heating vessel 3B. A gas is fed to the preheater 3F from the gas supply source 3E and preheated by means of the preheater 3F, after which the high-temperature gas is fed through the gas flow path 3G to a gas inflow hole provided in the bottom face of the heating vessel 3B. The sintered filter 3C installed on the bottom face of the heating vessel 3B is a porous body. The high-temperature gas which has entered the heating vessel 3B from the gas inflow hole is therefore supplied to the whole of the tobacco material 3A via the sintered filter 3C. The tobacco material 3A is heated by means of the high-temperature gas supplied. The temperature of the tobacco material 3A is measured by means of the thermocouple 3D. As indicated above, the gas fed to the heating vessel 3B comprises an inert gas, and preferably has an oxygen concentration of no greater than 10 vol%.

[0053] The heating vessel 3B may be accommodated in an oven (not depicted). The tobacco material 3A may be heated from the outside of the heating vessel 3B by this means. It should be noted that the first heating step (S1) is not limited to being carried out by using the heating apparatus 3 shown in fig. 2, provided that a flavor component can be vaporized from the tobacco material.

[0054] When the tobacco flavor material 3A is heated, the flavor component is vaporized from the tobacco material 3A, and a flavor component-containing gas is discharged through the gas flow path 5 from a gas discharge hole provided in an upper face of the heating vessel 3B.

[0055] The flavor component-containing gas is fed to the dissolution apparatus 4 through the gas flow path 5. The flavor component-containing gas may be fed to the dissolution apparatus 4 by the action of a pump. The flavor component-containing gas is bubbled into the trapping liquid 4A inside the cooling vessel 4B. As a result, the flavor component dissolves in the trapping liquid 4A, and a flavor component-containing liquid is obtained.

[0056] The temperature of the trapping liquid 4A rises when the flavor component-containing gas is bubbled into the trapping liquid 4A. The dissolution apparatus 4 may therefore further comprise an external vessel (not depicted) for accommodating iced water in order to cool the cooling vessel 4B from the outside. Furthermore, the dissolution apparatus 4 may further comprise a coiled cooling pipe (not depicted) joined to a tip end of the gas flow path 5. The cooling pipe is a stainless steel coiled pipe, for example. The gas is cooled as it passes through the cooling pipe. A rise in the temperature of the trapping liquid 4A may be prevented by these additional components.

[0057] It should be noted that the dissolution step (S2) is not limited to being carried out by using the dissolution apparatus 4 shown in fig. 2, provided that the flavor component-containing gas obtained in the first heating step (S1) can be dissolved in the trapping liquid 4A.Second heating step (S3)

[0058] In the second heating step (S3), the tobacco material following the first heating step (S1) is heated at a second temperature higher than 100°C. This causes a first high-boiling-point flavor component to be vaporized from the tobacco material (see fig. 1).

[0059] As indicated above, the "second temperature higher than 100°C" in the second heating step (S3) refers to the temperature of the tobacco material. The temperature of the tobacco material may be obtained by measuring the temperature at the surface of the tobacco material by means of a contact thermometer, for example. For example, in the second heating step (S3), the tobacco material following the first heating step (S1) may be heated at a temperature within the range of higher than 100°C and no greater than 200°C.

[0060] The second heating step (S3) may preferably be carried out by heating the tobacco material following the first heating step (S1) in a temperature zone within the range of higher than 100°C and no greater than 200°C. For example, the second heating step (S3) may be carried out by heating the tobacco material following the first heating step (S1) from the final temperature in the first heating step (S1) (e.g., 100°C) up to 200°C, while raising the temperature of the tobacco material.

[0061] The second heating step (S3) may be carried out following the first heating step (S1) and by means of the same process as in the first heating step (S1). The second heating step (S3) can preferably be carried out by supplying a heated gas to the tobacco material. The heated gas has a temperature of 105-250°C, for example. Here, the heated gas preferably comprises an inert gas, and preferably has an oxygen concentration of no greater than 10 vol%. A mixed gas of nitrogen and air having an oxygen concentration of no greater than 10 vol% may be used as the heated gas, for example. By using a gas with a low oxygen concentration as described above, it is possible to reduce exothermic reactions caused by oxygen, and to prevent any sudden rise in the temperature of the tobacco material. The temperature of the tobacco material can be reliably controlled by using a gas with a low oxygen concentration, which therefore enables flavor component-containing liquids of the desired quality to be stably produced.

[0062] The second heating step (S3) may be carried out over a period of 0.5-60 minutes, and preferably 1-30 minutes, for example. Numerous types of flavor components contained in the tobacco material can be vaporized by means of the second heating step (S3) (see fig. 11 and 12). A flavor component-containing liquid containing numerous types of flavor components can therefore be obtained in a subsequent dissolution step (a first high-boiling-point flavor component dissolution step (S4) in this embodiment).First high-boiling-point flavor component dissolution step (S4)

[0063] In the first high-boiling-point flavor component dissolution step (S4), the first high-boiling-point flavor component vaporized in the second heating step (S3) is dissolved in a liquid serving as another portion of the aerosol source (referred to below as a "second trapping liquid"). This makes it possible to obtain a first high-boiling-point flavor component-containing liquid (see fig. 1).

[0064] A liquid having the same composition as the first trapping liquid may be used as the second trapping liquid. The dissolution step (S4) may preferably be carried out by bubbling the gas containing the first high-boiling-point flavor component obtained in the second heating step (S3) through the second trapping liquid. In the dissolution step (S4), the second trapping liquid may be used in an amount of 0.5-20 mL, for example, per 10 g of tobacco material, preferably 2-10 mL, and more preferably 3-5 mL. The second trapping liquid is preferably used in the same amount as the first trapping liquid. Using the second trapping liquid in an amount in the ranges above enables the resulting flavor component-containing liquid to be used as a starting material for the tobacco flavor liquid without being concentrated.

[0065] A first high-boiling-point flavor component-containing liquid is obtained by means of the dissolution step (S4). The first high-boiling-point flavor component-containing liquid preferably has a water content of less than 25 mass%, and more preferably has a water content of 20 mass% or less. The water content of the first high-boiling-point flavor component-containing liquid is 0.1 mass% or greater, for example. In the present description, the water content of the flavor component-containing liquid indicates a value measured by means of a gas chromatograph-thermal conductivity detector (GC-TCD), as described above.

[0066] The second heating step (S3) and the first high-boiling-point flavor component dissolution step (S4) may be carried out by using the flavor component recovery system shown in fig. 2. In this case, the first trapping liquid is recovered as the low-boiling-point flavor component-containing liquid, after which a new trapping liquid (i.e., the second trapping liquid) is introduced into the cooling vessel 4B, and the second heating step (S3) can be started by continuously heating the tobacco material following the first heating step (S1).Third heating step (S5)

[0067] In the third heating step (S5), the tobacco material following the second heating step (S3) is heated at a third temperature higher than the second temperature. This causes a second high-boiling-point flavor component to be vaporized from the tobacco material (see fig. 1).

[0068] As indicated above, the "third temperature higher than the second temperature" in the third heating step (S5) refers to the temperature of the tobacco material. The temperature of the tobacco material may be obtained by measuring the temperature at the surface of the tobacco material by means of a contact thermometer, for example. For example, in the third heating step (S5), the tobacco material following the second heating step (S3) may be heated at a temperature within the range of higher than 200°C and no greater than 250°C.

[0069] The third heating step (S5) may preferably be carried out by heating the tobacco material following the second heating step (S3) in a temperature zone within the range of higher than 200°C and no greater than 250°C. For example, the third heating step (S5) may be carried out by heating the tobacco material following the second heating step (S3) from the final temperature in the second heating step (S3) (e.g., 200°C) up to 250°C, while raising the temperature of the tobacco material.

[0070] The third heating step (S5) may be carried out following the second heating step (S3) and by means of the same process as in the second heating step (S3). The third heating step (S5) can preferably be carried out by supplying a heated gas to the tobacco material. The heated gas has a temperature of 105-250°C, for example. Here, the heated gas preferably comprises an inert gas, and preferably has an oxygen concentration of no greater than 10 vol%. A mixed gas of nitrogen and air having an oxygen concentration of no greater than 10 vol% may be used as the heated gas, for example. By using a gas with a low oxygen concentration as described above, it is possible to reduce exothermic reactions caused by oxygen, and to prevent any sudden rise in the temperature of the tobacco material. The temperature of the tobacco material can be reliably controlled by using a gas with a low oxygen concentration, which therefore enables flavor component-containing liquids of the desired quality to be stably produced.

[0071] The third heating step (S5) may be carried out over a period of 0.5-60 minutes, and preferably 1-30 minutes, for example. Numerous types of flavor components contained in the tobacco material can be vaporized by means of the third heating step (S5) (see fig. 11 and 12). A flavor component-containing liquid containing numerous types of flavor components can therefore be obtained in a subsequent dissolution step (a second high-boiling-point flavor component dissolution step (S6) in this embodiment).

[0072] It should be noted that the tobacco material remaining after the third heating step (S5) may be used to produce a reconstituted tobacco material. The reconstituted tobacco material will be described later.Second high-boiling-point flavor component dissolution step (S6)

[0073] In the second high-boiling-point flavor component dissolution step (S6), the second high-boiling-point flavor component vaporized in the third heating step (S5) is dissolved in a liquid serving as another portion of the aerosol source (referred to below as a "third trapping liquid"). This makes it possible to obtain a second high-boiling-point flavor component-containing liquid (see fig. 1).

[0074] A liquid having the same composition as the first trapping liquid and the second trapping liquid may be used as the third trapping liquid. The dissolution step (S6) may preferably be carried out by bubbling the gas containing the second high-boiling-point flavor component obtained in the third heating step (S5) through the third trapping liquid. In the dissolution step (S6), the third trapping liquid may be used in an amount of 0.5-20 mL, for example, per 10 g of tobacco material, preferably 2-10 mL, and more preferably 3-5 mL. The third trapping liquid is preferably used in the same amount as the first trapping liquid and the second trapping liquid. Using the third trapping liquid in an amount in the ranges above enables the resulting flavor component-containing liquid to be used as a starting material for the tobacco flavor liquid without being concentrated.

[0075] A second high-boiling-point flavor component-containing liquid is obtained by means of the dissolution step (S6). The second high-boiling-point flavor component-containing liquid preferably has a water content of less than 25 mass%, and more preferably has a water content of 20 mass% or less. The water content of the second high-boiling-point flavor component-containing liquid is 0.1 mass% or greater, for example. In the present description, the water content of the flavor component-containing liquid indicates a value measured by means of a gas chromatograph-thermal conductivity detector (GC-TCD), as described above.

[0076] The third heating step (S5) and the second high-boiling-point flavor component dissolution step (S6) may be carried out by using the flavor component recovery system shown in fig. 2. In this case, the second trapping liquid is recovered as the first high-boiling-point flavor component-containing liquid, after which a new trapping liquid (i.e., the third trapping liquid) is introduced into the cooling vessel 4B, and the third heating step (S5) can be started by continuously heating the tobacco material following the second heating step (S3).

[0077] Note that the third heating step (S5) and the second high-boiling-point flavor component dissolution step (S6) may be omitted when the second high-boiling-point flavor component-containing liquid is not used as a starting material for the tobacco flavor liquid.Flavor component-containing liquid

[0078] The "method for producing a flavor component-containing liquid" described above makes it possible to obtain a low-boiling-point flavor component-containing liquid and a high-boiling-point flavor component-containing liquid. The method according to the embodiment described above makes it possible to obtain a low-boiling-point flavor component-containing liquid, a first high-boiling-point flavor component-containing liquid, and a second high-boiling-point flavor component-containing liquid. The "method for producing a flavor component-containing liquid" described above thus makes it possible to obtain multiple types of flavor component-containing liquids. These flavor component-containing liquids will be referred to collectively as a "flavor component-containing liquid" in the present description.

[0079] Another aspect therefore provides a flavor component-containing liquid produced by means of the "method for producing a flavor component-containing liquid" described above. The flavor component-containing liquids may all have a low water content (see fig. 10).

[0080] In the embodiment described above, the tobacco material following the first heating step (S1) is heated in two temperature zones, and the vaporized flavor components are dissolved in separate traps so that two types of high-boiling-point flavor component-containing liquids are acquired. There is no limitation to such an embodiment, and the tobacco material following the first heating step (S1) may equally be heated in three temperature zones, with the vaporized flavor components being dissolved in separate traps so that three types of high-boiling-point flavor component-containing liquids are acquired. Alternatively, the tobacco material following the first heating step (S1) may be heated in one temperature zone, and the vaporized flavor component may be dissolved in a trapping liquid so that one type of high-boiling-point flavor component-containing liquid is acquired.3.Method for producing tobacco flavor liquid

[0081] As indicated above, the "flavor component-containing liquid" may be used as a starting material for a tobacco flavor liquid used in a flavor inhaler that generates an aerosol. The method for producing a tobacco flavor liquid therefore comprises: producing multiple types of flavor component-containing liquids in accordance with the abovementioned "method for producing a flavor component-containing liquid"; and based on the flavor component content or flavor type, selecting from among the multiple types of flavor component-containing liquids: (a) one type of flavor component-containing liquid as a tobacco flavor liquid; or (b) selecting and mixing two or more types of flavor component-containing liquids to thereby prepare a tobacco liquid.

[0082] In the method described above, a low-boiling-point flavor component-containing liquid and a high-boiling-point flavor component-containing liquid may be prepared as the multiple types of flavor component-containing liquids, or else multiple high-boiling-point flavor component-containing liquids may be prepared.

[0083] When one type of flavor component-containing liquid is selected from among multiple types of flavor component-containing liquids as the tobacco flavor liquid, a flavor component-containing liquid having a high content of flavor component (e.g., nicotine) may be selected as the tobacco flavor liquid. This makes it possible to prepare a tobacco flavor liquid with a low water content and a high content of flavor component.

[0084] When two or more types of flavor component-containing liquids are selected from among the multiple types of flavor component-containing liquids and are mixed, a flavor component-containing liquid having a high content of flavor component (e.g., nicotine) can be selected first of all, one more flavor component-containing liquids of the preferred flavor type can be selected next from among the remaining flavor component-containing liquids, then these flavor component-containing liquids can be mixed. In this case, the tobacco flavor liquid is preferably prepared by mixing the flavor component-containing liquids in such a way that a blending ratio (usage rate) of the flavor component-containing liquid selected first is greater than the blending ratio (usage rate) of all of the other flavor component-containing liquids. This makes it possible to prepare a tobacco flavor liquid with a low water content and a high content of flavor component.

[0085] For example, when a low-boiling-point flavor component-containing liquid, a first high-boiling-point flavor component-containing liquid, and a second high-boiling-point flavor component-containing liquid are prepared by means of the method according to the embodiment, the first high-boiling-point flavor component-containing liquid may be selected as the tobacco flavor liquid, or the first high-boiling-point flavor component-containing liquid and the second high-boiling-point flavor component-containing liquid may be selected, and these may then be mixed in such a way that the blending ratio (usage rate) of the first high-boiling-point flavor component-containing liquid is greater than that of the second high-boiling-point flavor component-containing liquid, to thereby prepare the tobacco flavor liquid. This makes it possible to prepare a tobacco flavor liquid with a low water content and a high content of flavor component (see fig. 10-12).

[0086] When the tobacco flavor liquid is prepared, it is preferable to select some of the flavor component-containing liquids having a high content of flavor component rather than selecting all of the multiple types of flavor component-containing liquids produced by the "method for producing a flavor component-containing liquid" described above. Alternatively, when all of the multiple types of flavor component-containing liquids produced by the "method for producing a flavor component-containing liquid" described above have been selected, the blending ratio (usage rate) is preferably adjusted so that the flavor component-containing liquid having a high content of flavor component has a larger blending ratio (usage rate). That is to say, when the tobacco flavor liquid is prepared, it is undesirable to mix all of the multiple types of flavor component-containing liquids produced by the "method for producing a flavor component-containing liquid" described above at the same blending ratio (usage rate). The effect described above (i.e., the effect of obtaining a tobacco flavor liquid with a low water content and a high content of flavor component) will be reduced if all of the multiple types of flavor component-containing liquids are mixed at the same blending ratio (usage rate).

[0087] Another aspect provides a tobacco flavor liquid produced by means of the abovementioned "method for producing a tobacco flavor liquid".4. Advantageous effectsWater content

[0088] The present inventors newly discovered that the amount of moisture which volatilizes when the tobacco material is heated until the temperature of the tobacco material reaches 100°C while the temperature is raised is roughly the same as the amount of moisture which volatilizes when the tobacco material is further heated at a temperature of the tobacco material higher than 100°C by further raising the temperature of the tobacco material. This is thought to be because when the product temperature of the tobacco material is 100°C or less, the moisture originally contained in the tobacco material (approximately 10-12 [% W.B.] of moisture) volatilizes and is recovered as a vapor component, but when the product temperature of the tobacco material exceeds 100°C, a dehydration reaction is produced within the tobacco material by the heating, and moisture generated by that reaction volatilizes and is recovered as a vapor component.

[0089] Based on these findings, the present inventors succeeded in acquiring a flavor component-containing liquid with a low water content. That is to say, low-boiling-point flavor component-containing liquids and high-boiling-point flavor component-containing liquids obtained by means of the "method for producing a flavor component-containing liquid" described above all have a low water content (see fig. 10).

[0090] A flavor component-containing liquid with a low water content can be stably vaporized when used as a tobacco flavor liquid (that is, an atomization liquid) in a flavor inhaler, which thereby allows an aerosol (tobacco vapor) to be stably generated.

[0091] A flavor component-containing liquid with a low water content furthermore has the advantage of allowing flavoring materials such as menthol to dissolve easily. Flavoring materials such as menthol are typically added to the atomization liquid in a flavor inhaler. The flavoring materials are mainly components of low polarity, and have poor solubility in atomization liquids of high polarity. Even if the flavoring materials are dissolved immediately after the atomization liquid has been produced, there is a possibility of low-polarity components precipitating if exposed to low temperatures during transportation or storage.

[0092] In view of this, the flavor component-containing liquid preferably has a low water content.

[0093] When a tobacco material is heated and the flavor component vaporized by the heating is recovered in a trapping liquid in accordance with a conventional method, the flavor component-containing liquid contains a large amount of moisture. A concentration step to volatilize the moisture is needed in order to reduce the water content of such a flavor component-containing liquid. In contrast to this, the "method for producing a flavor component-containing liquid" described above makes it possible to obtain a flavor component-containing liquid with a low water content without a concentration step being carried out. The "method for producing a flavor component-containing liquid" described above has the outstanding feature of making it possible to acquire a flavor component-containing liquid with a low water content by means of a simple process.Content of flavor component

[0094] Furthermore, when a concentration step is performed in the conventional method in order to volatilize the moisture in the flavor component-containing liquid, there is a possibility of the flavor component volatilizing from the flavor component-containing liquid, leading to a weaker flavor (nicotine and / or aroma component). In contrast to this, the "method for producing a flavor component-containing liquid" described above enables a flavor component-containing liquid to be obtained without a concentration step being carried out, therefore making it possible to prevent volatilization of the flavor component due to the concentration step. The "method for producing a flavor component-containing liquid" described above therefore makes it possible to obtain a flavor component-containing liquid with a low water content and containing a large amount of flavor components (nicotine and / or aroma components).

[0095] The "method for producing a flavor component-containing liquid" described above furthermore makes it possible to obtain multiple types of flavor component-containing liquids with different flavor component contents and flavor types, because the type of flavor component vaporized is different at each heating temperature (see fig. 11 and 12). Tobacco flavor liquids providing the desired tobacco flavor (e.g., the complex flavor obtained when leaf tobacco is heated at a high temperature) can therefore be compounded by selecting suitable flavor component-containing liquids from among those obtained and mixing these liquids in a suitable ratio, as required, in order to make it possible to provide the desired tobacco flavor.5. Reconstituted tobacco material

[0096] The tobacco flavor liquid may be used as an atomization liquid in an atomization flavor inhaler, or may be used in combination with the tobacco material remaining after the flavor component-containing liquid has been obtained in the "method for producing a tobacco flavor liquid" described above. In the method according to the embodiment above, the tobacco flavor liquid may be used in combination with the tobacco flavor material remaining after the third heating step (S5). Another aspect therefore provides a reconstituted tobacco material comprising: a tobacco flavor liquid produced by means of the "method for producing a tobacco flavor liquid" described above; and a heated tobacco material obtained after the multiple types of flavor component-containing liquids have been obtained in the "method for producing a tobacco flavor liquid" described above.

[0097] Specific examples of the reconstituted tobacco material will be described below.

[0098] For example, the reconstituted tobacco material may be a product obtained by drying a mixture comprising the tobacco flavor liquid and the tobacco material remaining after the flavor component-containing liquid has been obtained. This product can be used as a tobacco flavor source in a flavor inhaler.

[0099] Alternatively, the reconstituted tobacco material may be shaped tobacco obtained by shaping a mixture comprising the tobacco flavor liquid and the tobacco material remaining after the flavor component-containing liquid has been obtained, into a specific shape such as a sheet shape or a granular shape. The shaped tobacco can be used as a tobacco flavor source in a flavor inhaler.

[0100] Alternatively, the reconstituted tobacco material may be a tobacco powder obtained by drying a mixture comprising the tobacco flavor liquid and the tobacco material remaining after the flavor component-containing liquid has been obtained, and then grinding the dried material into a powder. The tobacco powder can be added to a tobacco material (e.g., stemmed leaves or leaf tobacco) to enhance the flavor of the tobacco material. The tobacco material with enhanced flavor can be used as a tobacco flavor source in a flavor inhaler.

[0101] Alternatively, the reconstituted tobacco material may be a tobacco slurry obtained by drying a mixture comprising the tobacco flavor liquid and the tobacco material remaining after the flavor component-containing liquid has been obtained, and grinding the dried material into a powder which is then suspended in water. The tobacco slurry can be added to a tobacco material (e.g., stemmed leaves or leaf tobacco) to enhance the flavor of the tobacco material. The tobacco material with enhanced flavor can be used as a tobacco flavor source in a flavor inhaler.

[0102] The reconstituted tobacco material may include additives such as binders, pH regulators, preservatives, and antioxidants, as required.

[0103] As indicated above, the tobacco flavor liquid may have a low water content and contain a large amount of flavor components (nicotine and / or aroma components). The user can therefore be provided with an outstanding flavor when a reconstituted tobacco material is produced by using the tobacco flavor liquid, and the reconstituted tobacco material is incorporated into a flavor inhaler.6. Flavor inhaler

[0104] The "tobacco flavor liquid" described above or the "reconstituted tobacco material" described above can be incorporated into any flavor inhaler that generates an aerosol. That is to say, another aspect provides a flavor inhaler containing the "tobacco flavor liquid" described above. Yet another aspect provides a flavor inhaler containing the "reconstituted tobacco material" described above. Flavor inhalers which may be cited include combustion-type flavor inhalers, heated flavor inhalers, and non-heated flavor inhalers.

[0105] A preferred aspect provides a flavor inhaler comprising the "tobacco flavor liquid" described above, and an atomization unit for atomizing the tobacco flavor liquid. The flavor inhaler is more preferably a heated flavor inhaler. A more preferable aspect provides a flavor inhaler comprising the "tobacco flavor liquid" described above, and an atomization unit for heating and atomizing the tobacco flavor liquid.

[0106] A preferred aspect provides a flavor inhaler comprising the "reconstituted tobacco material" described above, and an atomization unit for atomizing a liquid component contained in the reconstituted tobacco material. The flavor inhaler is more preferably a heated flavor inhaler. A more preferable aspect provides a flavor inhaler comprising the "reconstituted tobacco material" described above, and an atomization unit for heating the reconstituted tobacco material and atomizing a liquid component contained in the reconstituted tobacco material.

[0107] A "combustion-type flavor inhaler" is a flavor inhaler for providing a user with a tobacco flavor by burning a tobacco filler material (cut tobacco or shaped tobacco, etc.). Examples of combustion-type flavor inhalers that may be cited include cigarettes, pipes, "kiseru" (Japanese smoking pipes), cigars, and cigarillos, etc.

[0108] A "heated flavor inhaler" is a flavor inhaler for providing a user with a tobacco flavor by heating rather than burning a tobacco flavor source such as a tobacco filler material or a tobacco flavor liquid. Examples of heated flavor inhalers that may be cited include: a carbon heat source-type flavor inhaler which heats a tobacco filler material using the heat of combustion of a carbon heat source (e.g., see WO 2006 / 073065); an electrically-heated flavor inhaler comprising a tobacco stick that contains a tobacco filler material, and a heating device for electrically heating the tobacco stick (e.g., see WO 2010 / 110226); and a liquid-atomization flavor inhaler in which an aerosol is generated by heating a liquid aerosol source using a heater, and a flavor derived from a tobacco filler material is inhaled together with the aerosol (e.g., see WO 2015 / 046385), etc.

[0109] A "non-heated flavor inhaler" is a flavor inhaler for providing a user with a tobacco flavor without burning or heating a tobacco flavor source such as a tobacco filler material or a tobacco flavor liquid. An example of a non-heated flavor inhaler that may be cited is: a liquid-atomization flavor inhaler comprising a tobacco flavor liquid and an atomization unit for atomizing the tobacco flavor liquid using a surface acoustic wave (e.g., see WO 2017 / 167521).Representative example 1 of the flavor inhaler

[0110] An example of a heated flavor inhaler containing the abovementioned "tobacco flavor liquid" will be described below with the aid of fig. 3-6. Fig. 3 is an oblique view showing an example of a heated flavor inhaler. Fig. 4 is an oblique view of a power supply unit in the heated flavor inhaler of fig. 3. Fig. 5 is a view in cross section of the heated flavor inhaler in fig. 3. Fig. 6 is a block diagram showing the main components of the power supply unit in the heated flavor inhaler in fig. 3.

[0111] A heated flavor inhaler 1 shown in fig. 3-6 has a rod shape extending along a predetermined direction (referred to below as a "longitudinal direction A"). As shown in fig. 3, the heated flavor inhaler 1 is provided with a power supply unit 10, a first cartridge 20, and a second cartridge 30, in that order along the longitudinal direction A. The first cartridge 20 is detachable from the power supply unit 10, and the second cartridge 30 is detachable from the first cartridge 20. In other words, the first cartridge 20 and the second cartridge 30 are each replaceable.Power supply unit

[0112] As shown in fig. 4 and 5, the power supply unit 10 accommodates a power source 12, a charger 13, a control unit 50, and various types of sensors, etc., inside a cylindrical power supply unit case 11. The power source 12 is a rechargeable secondary battery, and is preferably a lithium ion secondary battery.

[0113] Discharge terminals 41 are provided on a top part 11a located on one end side (the first cartridge 20 side) of the power supply unit case 11 in the longitudinal direction A. The discharge terminals 41 are provided so as to protrude from an upper face of the top part 11a toward the first cartridge 20, and are configured to be electrically connectable to a load 21 in the first cartridge 20.

[0114] An air supply portion 42 for supplying air to the load 21 in the first cartridge 20 is furthermore provided on the upper face of the top part 11a in the vicinity of the discharge terminals 41.

[0115] A charging terminal (not depicted) which is electrically connectable to an external power source capable of charging the power source 12 is provided on a bottom part 11b located on another end side (the opposite side to the first cartridge 20) of the power supply unit case 11 in the longitudinal direction A.

[0116] An operating portion 14 operable by a user is furthermore provided on a side face of the top part 11a of the power supply unit case 11. The operating portion 14 is configured by a button-type switch or a touch panel, etc., and is utilized to activate / deactivate the control unit 50 and the various types of sensors to reflect the user's intention of use.

[0117] As shown in fig. 6, the control unit 50, which performs various types of control in the heated flavor inhaler 1, is connected to the charger 13, the operating portion 14, various types of sensor devices including an inhalation sensor 15 for detecting puffing (inhalation) actions, a voltage sensor 16 for measuring a voltage of the power source 12 and a temperature sensor 17 for detecting the temperature, and a memory 18 for storing the number of puffing actions or times of energization of the load 21, etc. The inhalation sensor 15 may be configured by a capacitor microphone or a pressure sensor, etc. The control unit 50 is specifically a processor (MCU: microcontroller unit). The structure of this processor is more specifically an electrical circuit combining circuit elements such as semiconductor elements.First cartridge

[0118] As shown in fig. 5, the first cartridge 20 comprises, inside a cylindrical cartridge case 27: a reservoir 23 for storing an abovementioned "tobacco flavor liquid" 22; the electrical load 21 for atomizing the tobacco flavor liquid 22; a wick 24 for drawing the tobacco flavor liquid from the reservoir 23 to the load 21; an aerosol flow path 25 through which an aerosol generated by atomization of the tobacco flavor liquid 22 flows toward the second cartridge 30; and an end cap 26 which accommodates part of the second cartridge 30.

[0119] The reservoir 23 is partitioned in such a way as to surround the periphery of the aerosol flow path 25, and stores the tobacco flavor liquid 22. The reservoir 23 may accommodate a porous body such as a resin web or cotton, and this porous body may be impregnated with the tobacco flavor liquid 22. The reservoir 23 may also store only the tobacco flavor liquid 22, without accommodating a porous body such as a resin web or cotton.

[0120] The wick 24 is a liquid-holding member which utilizes a capillary phenomenon to draw the tobacco flavor liquid 22 from the reservoir 23 to the load 21, and is formed by glass fibers or a porous ceramic, etc.

[0121] The load 21 atomizes the tobacco flavor liquid 22, without associated burning, by means of electrical power supplied from the power source 12 via the discharge terminals 41. The load 21 is configured by a heating wire (coil) wound at a predetermined pitch. It should be noted that the load 21 should be an element capable of generating an aerosol by atomizing the tobacco flavor liquid 22, and is a heating element or an ultrasonic generator, for example. Heating elements which may be cited include a heating resistor, a ceramic heater, and a dielectric heater, etc.

[0122] The aerosol flow path 25 is provided downstream of the load 21 on a center line L of the power supply unit 10

[0123] The end cap 26 comprises: a cartridge accommodating portion 26a for accommodating part of the second cartridge 30; and the communication path 26b providing communication between the aerosol flow path 25 and the cartridge accommodating portion 26a.Second cartridge

[0124] The second cartridge 30 stores a flavor source 31, as shown in fig. 5. The second cartridge 30 is detachably accommodated in the cartridge accommodating portion 26a provided in the end cap 26 of the first cartridge 20. An end portion of the second cartridge 30 on the opposite side to the first cartridge 20 forms a mouthpiece 32 for the user. It should be noted that the mouthpiece 32 is not limited to an inseparable construction which is integrated with the second cartridge 30, and it may also be detachable from the second cartridge 30. Configuring the mouthpiece 32 as a separate element from the power supply unit 10 and the first cartridge 20 enables the mouthpiece 32 to be kept hygienic.

[0125] The second cartridge 30 imparts an additional flavor to the aerosol generated as a result of the tobacco flavor liquid 22 being atomized by the load 21, by causing this aerosol to pass through the flavor source 31. A tobacco filler material such as sheet tobacco or tobacco granules may be used as the flavor source 31. The flavor source 31 may incorporate the "reconstituted tobacco material" described above. A flavoring material such as menthol may also be added to the flavor source 31.

[0126] In the heated flavor inhaler 1, an aerosol to which an additional flavor has been imparted can be generated by means of the tobacco flavor liquid 22, the flavor source 31, and the load 21. That is to say, the tobacco flavor liquid 22 and the flavor source 31 can be counted as an aerosol-generating source for generating an aerosol.

[0127] The heated flavor inhaler 1 has a configuration in which the tobacco flavor liquid 22 and the flavor source 31 are separate elements, but it may equally have a configuration in which the tobacco flavor liquid 22 and the flavor source 31 are formed as one element. Alternatively, the heated flavor inhaler 1 need not comprise the second cartridge 30. When the second cartridge 30 is omitted from the heated flavor inhaler 1 in this way, only an aerosol generated by atomization of the tobacco flavor liquid 22 is supplied to the mouthpiece.

[0128] In the heated flavor inhaler 1, air flowing in from an air intake port (not depicted) provided in the power supply unit case 11 passes from the air supply portion 42 through the vicinity of the load 21 in the first cartridge 20, as shown by the arrow B in fig. 5. The load 21 atomizes the tobacco flavor liquid 22 drawn in or moved from the reservoir 23 by means of the wick 24. The atomized aerosol which has been generated flows through the aerosol flow path 25 together with the air flowing in from the air intake port, and is supplied to the second cartridge 30 via the communication path 26b. The aerosol supplied to the second cartridge 30 has the additional flavor imparted thereto by passing through the flavor source 31, and is supplied to the mouthpiece 32.

[0129] The heated flavor inhaler 1 is furthermore provided with a notification unit 45 for notifying various types of information. The notification unit 45 may be configured by a light-emitting element, may be configured by a vibrating element, or may be configured by a sound output element. Furthermore, the notification unit 45 may be a combination of two or more elements from among a light-emitting element, a vibrating element, and a sound output element. The notification unit 45 may be provided in any of the power supply unit 10, the first cartridge 20, and the second cartridge 30, but is preferably provided in the power supply unit 10 in order to shorten conducting wires from the power source 12. For example, a configuration may be adopted in which the notification unit 45 is provided around the operating portion 14, with the area around the operating portion 14 being light transmissive, and the notification unit 45 emits light by means of a light-emitting element such as an LED.Representative example 2 of the flavor inhaler

[0130] An example of a heated flavor inhaler containing the abovementioned "reconstituted tobacco material" will be described below with the aid of fig. 7A, 7B, 7C, 8 and 9. In this example, a heat-not-burn flavor inhaler is configured by an aerosol-generating device 100 and a flavor-generating article 200. Fig. 7A is a schematic front view showing an example of an aerosol-generating device. Fig. 7B is a schematic top view of the aerosol-generating device shown in fig. 7A. Fig. 7C is a schematic bottom view of the aerosol-generating device shown in fig. 7A. Fig. 8 is a schematic view in side section of an example of the flavor-generating article. Fig. 9 is a view in cross section along the line III-III of the aerosol-generating device shown in fig. 7B.

[0131] An X-Y-Z orthogonal coordinate system may be applied to the drawings for convenience of description. In this coordinate system, the Z-axis is oriented vertically upwards, the X-Y plane is arranged cutting across the aerosol-generating device 100 in a horizontal direction, and the Y-axis is arranged extending from the front surface to the rear surface of the aerosol-generating device 100. The Z-axis may refer to a direction in which a flavor-generating article accommodated in a chamber 150 of an atomization unit 130 (described below) is inserted, or to an axial direction of the chamber 150. Furthermore, the X-axis is a direction orthogonal to the Y-axis and Z-axis, and the X-axis and Y-axis are radial directions orthogonal to the axial direction of the chamber 150, or a radial direction of the chamber 150.

[0132] The aerosol-generating device 100 is configured to generate an aerosol containing a flavor by heating a stick-type flavor-generating article having a flavor source containing the "reconstituted tobacco material" described above.

[0133] As shown in fig. 7A-7C, the aerosol-generating device 100 comprises an outer housing 101 (corresponding to an example of an enclosure), a slide cover 102, and a switch unit 103. The outer housing 101 constitutes the outermost housing of the aerosol-generating device 100, and is sized to fit in a user's hand. When the user is using the flavor inhaler, the user can manually hold the aerosol-generating device 100 to inhale the aerosol. The outer housing 101 may be configured by assembling a plurality of members. The outer housing 101 is, for example, made of resin, and may in particular be formed from, for example, a polycarbonate (PC), an acrylonitrile-butadiene styrene (ABS) resin, polyether ether ketone (PEEK), a polymer alloy containing a plurality of types of polymer, or a metal such as aluminum.

[0134] The outer housing 101 has an opening (not depicted) for receiving the flavor-generating article, and the slide cover 102 is slidably attached to the outer housing 101 so as to close this opening. Specifically, the slide cover 102 is configured to be movable along an outer surface of the outer housing 101 between a closed position (the position shown in fig. 7A and 7B) for closing the opening of the outer housing 101, and an open position (the position shown in fig. 9) for opening the opening. For example, the user can manually operate the slide cover 102 to move the slide cover 102 between the closed position and the open position. As a result, access to the inside of the aerosol-generating device 100 by the flavor-generating article can be permitted or restricted.

[0135] The switch unit 103 is used to switch operation of the aerosol-generating device 100 on and off. For example, a user may heat-not-burn the flavor-generating article by operating the switch unit 103, with the flavor-generating article inserted in the aerosol-generating device 100, to supply power to a heater (see reference sign 140 in fig. 9) from a power source (see reference sign 121 in fig. 9). It should be noted that the switch unit 103 may be a switch provided outside the outer housing 101, or may be a switch located inside the outer housing 101. If the switch is located inside the outer housing 101, the switch is indirectly pressed by pressing the switch unit 103 on the surface of the outer housing 101. In the example described here, the switch of the switch unit 103 is located inside the outer housing 101.

[0136] The aerosol-generating device 100 may further comprise a terminal (not depicted). The terminal may be an interface for connecting the aerosol-generating device 100 to an external power source, for example. If the power source included in the aerosol-generating device 100 is a rechargeable battery, connecting an external power source to the terminal allows a current to flow from the external power source to the power source, thereby charging the power source. A data transmission cable may also be connected to the terminal to allow data relating to the operation of the aerosol-generating device 100 to be sent to an external device.

[0137] The flavor-generating article used in the aerosol-generating device 100 will be described next. Fig. 8 is a schematic view in side section of an example of the flavor-generating article 200. In this example, the flavor inhaler is configured by the aerosol-generating device 100 and the flavor-generating article 200. As shown in fig. 8, the flavor-generating article 200 comprises a smokable material 201, a tubular member 204, a hollow filter portion 206, and a filter portion 205.

[0138] The smokable material 201 is wrapped with a first wrapping paper 202. The tubular member 204, the hollow filter portion 206, and the filter portion 205 are wrapped with a second wrapping paper 203 that is different from the first wrapping paper 202. The second wrapping paper 203 also wraps a part of the first wrapping paper 202 in which the smokable material 201 is wrapped. The tubular member 204, the hollow filter portion 206, and the filter portion 205 are connected to the smokable material 201 by this means. However, the second wrapping paper 203 may be omitted, and the first wrapping paper 202 may be used to connect the tubular member 204, the hollow filter portion 206, and the filter portion 205 to the smokable material 201. A lip-release agent 207 is applied to an outer surface of the second wrapping paper 203, near an end portion on the filter portion 205 side, to make it easier for the user's lips to separate from the second wrapping paper 203. The part of the flavor-generating article 200 to which the lip-release agent 207 is applied functions as a mouthpiece of the flavor-generating article 200.

[0139] The smokable material 201 contains the abovementioned "reconstituted tobacco material" as a tobacco flavor source. Moreover, the first wrapping paper 202 that wraps the smokable material 201 may be an air-permeable sheet member. The tubular member 204 may be a paper tube or a hollow filter. In this example, the flavor-generating article 200 comprises the smokable material 201, the tubular member 204, the hollow filter portion 206, and the filter portion 205, but the configuration of the flavor-generating article 200 is not limited thereto. For example, the hollow filter portion 206 may be omitted, and the tubular member 204 and filter portion 205 may be arranged adjacent to each other.

[0140] The internal structure of the aerosol-generating device 100 will be described next. Fig. 9 is a view in cross section along the line III-III of the aerosol-generating device 100 shown in fig. 7B. As shown in fig. 9, an inner housing 110 (corresponding to an example of an enclosure) is provided on the inside of the outer housing 101 of the aerosol-generating device 100. The inner housing 110 is, for example, made of resin, and may in particular be formed from e.g. a polycarbonate (PC), an acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS) resin, polyether ether ketone (PEEK), a polymer alloy containing multiple types of polymer, or a metal such as aluminum. Note that from the perspective of heat resistance and strength, the inner housing 110 is preferably PEEK. A power source unit 120 and the atomization unit 130 are provided in the interior space of the inner housing 110.

[0141] The power source unit 120 comprises a power source 121. The power source 121 may be a rechargeable battery or a non-rechargeable battery, for example. The power source 121 is electrically connected to the atomization unit 130. This allows the power source 121 to supply power to the atomization unit 130 to heat the flavor-generating article 200 appropriately.

[0142] As shown in fig. 9, the atomization unit 130 comprises: a metal chamber 150 (corresponding to an example of a tubular member) extending in the direction of insertion of the flavor-generating article 200 (Z-axis direction); a heater 140 covering a portion of the chamber 150; a heat insulating portion 132; and a substantially cylindrical insertion guide member 134 (corresponding to an example of a guide portion) abutting the opening of the chamber 150. The chamber 150 is configured to surround the periphery of the flavor-generating article 200. The heater 140 is configured to contact an outer circumferential surface of the chamber 150, and comprises a heating unit for heating the flavor-generating article 200 inserted in the chamber 150.

[0143] Furthermore, as shown in fig. 9, a bottom member 136 (corresponding to an example of an abutment portion) is provided on a bottom portion of the chamber 150. The bottom member 136 abuts the flavor-generating article 200 inserted in the chamber 150 in the insertion direction of the flavor-generating article 200, and may function as a stopper for positioning the flavor-generating article 200. Here, an accommodating portion for accommodating at least part of the flavor-generating article 200 is formed by the chamber 150 and the bottom member 136. The bottom member 136 may be formed by a resin material, for example. The bottom member 136 may have unevenness on the surface thereof which is abutted by the flavor-generating article 200, and this unevenness may define a first air flow path which enables air to be supplied to an air intake port of the flavor-generating article 200 (i.e., which communicates with the flavor-generating article 200 accommodated in the accommodating portion). The bottom member 136 is, for example, made of resin, and may in particular be formed from e.g. a polycarbonate (PC), an acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS) resin, polyether ether ketone (PEEK), a polymer alloy containing multiple types of polymer, or a metal such as aluminum. Note that the bottom member 136 is preferably formed by a material having low thermal conductivity, in order to inhibit heat transfer to the heat insulating portion 132, etc.

[0144] The heat insulating portion 132 is substantially cylindrical overall, and is arranged so as to cover the chamber 150. The heat insulating portion 132 may comprise an aerogel sheet, for example. The insertion guide member 134 is provided between the slide cover 102 in the closed position and the chamber 150. The insertion guide member 134 is, for example, made of resin, and may in particular be formed from e.g. a polycarbonate (PC), an acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS) resin, polyether ether ketone (PEEK), a polymer alloy containing multiple types of polymer, or a metal such as aluminum. Note that the insertion guide member 134 may be formed by a metal, glass or ceramic, etc. Furthermore, from the perspective of heat resistance, the insertion guide member 134 is preferably made of PEEK. The insertion guide member 134 communicates with the outside of the aerosol-generating device 100 when the slide cover 102 is in the open position, guiding insertion of the flavor-generating article 200 into the chamber 150 after the flavor-generating article 200 has been inserted into the insertion guide member 134. Providing the insertion guide member 134 allows the flavor-generating article 200 to be easily inserted into the chamber 150.

[0145] The aerosol-generating device 100 further comprises a first holding portion 137 and a second holding portion 138 for holding both ends of the chamber 150 and the heat insulating portion 132. The first holding portion 137 is arranged to hold end portions of the chamber 150 and the heat insulating portion 132 on the Z-axis negative direction side. The second holding portion 138 is arranged to hold end portions of the chamber 150 and the heat insulating portion 132 on the slide cover 102 side (Z-axis positive direction side).7. Preferred embodiments

[0146] Preferred embodiments are summarized below. [A1] A method for producing a flavor component-containing liquid for use in a flavor inhaler that generates an aerosol, the flavor component-containing liquid comprising an aerosol source and a flavor component derived from a tobacco material, and the flavor component-containing liquid being converted to the aerosol by the flavor inhaler, wherein the method comprises: heating the tobacco material at a temperature of the tobacco material within the range of 80-100°C to thereby reduce the water content of the tobacco material; heating the tobacco material with the reduced water content at a temperature of the tobacco material higher than 100°C to thereby vaporize a high-boiling-point flavor component from the tobacco material; and dissolving the vaporized high-boiling-point flavor component in a liquid serving as at least a portion of the aerosol source to thereby obtain a high-boiling-point flavor component-containing liquid. [A2] The method as disclosed in [A1], wherein the heating to reduce the water content of the tobacco material is carried out so that the water content of the tobacco material immediately after the heating is no greater than 20% of the water content of the tobacco material immediately before the heating. [A3] The method as disclosed in [A1] or [A2], wherein the heating to reduce the water content of the tobacco material is carried out so that the water content of the tobacco material immediately after the heating is no greater than 8% of the water content of the tobacco material immediately before the heating. [A4] The method as disclosed in any one of [A1]-[A3], wherein the high-boiling-point flavor component-containing liquid has a water content of less than 25 mass%. [A5] The method as disclosed in any one of [A1]-[A4], wherein the high-boiling-point flavor component-containing liquid has a water content of 20 mass% or less. [A6] The method as disclosed in any one of [A1]-[A5], wherein the heating to vaporize the high-boiling-point flavor component from the tobacco material comprises heating the tobacco material with the reduced water content at a temperature of the tobacco material within the range of higher than 100°C and no greater than 200°C. [A7] The method as disclosed in any one of [A1]-[A6], wherein the heating to vaporize the high-boiling-point flavor component from the tobacco material is carried out by heating the tobacco material with the reduced water content from 100°C to 200°C while raising the temperature of the tobacco material. [A8] The method as disclosed in any one of [A1]-[A7], further comprising adding a humectant to the tobacco material prior to heating the tobacco material at a temperature of the tobacco material within the range of 80-100°C. [A9] The method as disclosed in [A8], wherein the humectant is glycerol, propylene glycol, 1,3-propanediol, or triacetin. [A10] The method as disclosed in [A8] or [A9], wherein the humectant is added in an amount of 1-20 parts by mass with respect to 100 parts by mass of the tobacco material. [A11] The method as disclosed in any one of [A1]-[A10], wherein the heating to vaporize the high-boiling-point flavor component from the tobacco material is carried out by supplying a heated gas to the tobacco material. [A12] The method as disclosed in [A11], wherein the heated gas comprises an inert gas and has an oxygen concentration of no greater than 10 vol%. [A13] The method as disclosed in any one of [A1]-[A12], wherein the liquid for dissolving the high-boiling-point flavor component is propylene glycol, glycerol, 1,3-propanediol, diacetin, polyethylene glycol, or a liquid mixture thereof; preferably propylene glycol, glycerol, or a liquid mixture of propylene glycol and glycerol; and more preferably propylene glycol, or a liquid mixture of propylene glycol and glycerol. [A14] The method as disclosed in any one of [A1]-[A13], wherein the liquid for dissolving the high-boiling-point flavor component is a liquid in an amount of 0.5-20 mL per 10 g of the tobacco material, preferably 2-10 mL, and more preferably 3-5 mL. [A15] The method as disclosed in any one of [A1]-[A14], wherein the heating to reduce the water content of the tobacco material is carried out by heating the tobacco material from room temperature (e.g., 20°C) to 100°C while raising the temperature of the tobacco material. [A16] The method as disclosed in any one of [A1]-[A15], wherein the heating to reduce the water content of the tobacco material is carried out by supplying a heated gas to the tobacco material. [A17] The method as disclosed in [A16], wherein the heated gas comprises an inert gas and has an oxygen concentration of no greater than 10 vol%. [A18] The method as disclosed in any one of [A1]-[A17], further comprising dissolving, in a liquid serving as another portion of the aerosol source, a low-boiling-point flavor component vaporized from the tobacco material by heating the tobacco material at a temperature of the tobacco material within the range of 80-100°C, to thereby obtain a low-boiling-point flavor component-containing liquid. [A19] The method as disclosed in any [A18], wherein the low-boiling-point flavor component-containing liquid has a water content of less than 25 mass%. [A20] The method as disclosed in [A18]-[A19], wherein the low-boiling-point flavor component-containing liquid has a water content of 20 mass% or less. [A21] The method as disclosed in any one of [A18]-[A20], wherein the liquid for dissolving the low-boiling-point flavor component is propylene glycol, glycerol, 1,3-propanediol, diacetin, polyethylene glycol, or a liquid mixture thereof; preferably propylene glycol, glycerol, or a liquid mixture of propylene glycol and glycerol; and more preferably propylene glycol, or a liquid mixture of propylene glycol and glycerol. [A22] The method as disclosed in any one of [A18]-[A21], wherein the liquid for dissolving the low-boiling-point flavor component is a liquid in an amount of 0.5-20 mL per 10 g of the tobacco material, preferably 2-10 mL, and more preferably 3-5 mL. [A23] The method as disclosed in any one of [A1]-[A22], wherein the high-boiling-point flavor component is vaporized while the temperature of the tobacco material is being raised, and fractions of the high-boiling-point flavor component vaporized in different temperature zones are dissolved in separate liquids to thereby obtain multiple types of high-boiling-point flavor component-containing liquids. [A24] The method as disclosed in any one of [A1]-[A23], wherein the high-boiling-point flavor component is vaporized while the temperature of the tobacco material is being raised, and fractions of the high-boiling-point flavor component vaporized in 2-5 different temperature zones are dissolved in separate liquids to thereby obtain 2-5 types of high-boiling-point flavor component-containing liquids. [A25] The method as disclosed in any one of [A1]-[A24], wherein the high-boiling-point flavor component is vaporized while the temperature of the tobacco material is being raised, and fractions of the high-boiling-point flavor component vaporized in two different temperature zones are dissolved in separate liquids to thereby obtain two types of high-boiling-point flavor component-containing liquids. [A26] The method as disclosed in any one of [A23]-[A25], wherein each of the multiple types of high-boiling-point flavor component-containing liquids has a water content of less than 25 mass%. [B1] A method for producing a flavor component-containing liquid for use in a flavor inhaler that generates an aerosol, the flavor component-containing liquid comprising an aerosol source and a flavor component derived from a tobacco material, and the flavor component-containing liquid being converted to the aerosol by the flavor inhaler, wherein the method comprises: (S1) heating the tobacco material at a first temperature of the tobacco material within the range of 80-100°C to thereby vaporize a low-boiling-point flavor component from the tobacco material while also reducing the water content of the tobacco material; (S2) dissolving the vaporized low-boiling-point flavor component in a liquid serving as a portion of the aerosol source to thereby obtain a low-boiling-point flavor component-containing liquid; (S3) after heating at the first temperature, heating the tobacco material at a second temperature of the tobacco material higher than 100°C to thereby vaporize a first high-boiling-point flavor component from the tobacco material; (S4) dissolving the vaporized first high-boiling-point flavor component in a liquid serving as another portion of the aerosol source to thereby obtain a first high-boiling-point flavor component-containing liquid; (S5) after heating at the second temperature, heating the tobacco material at a third temperature of the tobacco material higher than the second temperature to thereby vaporize a second high-boiling-point flavor component from the tobacco material; and (S6) dissolving the vaporized second high-boiling-point flavor component in a liquid serving as another portion of the aerosol source to thereby obtain a second high-boiling-point flavor component-containing liquid. [B2] The method as disclosed in [B1], wherein the heating at the first temperature is carried out so that the water content of the tobacco material immediately after the heating is no greater than 20% of the water content of the tobacco material immediately before the heating. [B3] The method as disclosed in [B1] or [B2], wherein the heating at the first temperature is carried out so that the water content of the tobacco material immediately after the heating is no greater than 8% of the water content of the tobacco material immediately before the heating. [B4] The method as disclosed in any one of [B1]-[B3], wherein the first high-boiling-point flavor component-containing liquid has a water content of less than 25 mass%. [B5] The method as disclosed in any one of [B1]-[B4], wherein the first high-boiling-point flavor component-containing liquid has a water content of 20 mass% or less. [B6] The method as disclosed in any one of [B1]-[B5], wherein the heating at the second temperature comprises heating the tobacco material with the reduced water content at a temperature of the tobacco material within the range of higher than 100°C and no greater than 200°C. [B7] The method as disclosed in any one of [B1]-[B6], wherein the heating at the second temperature is carried out by heating the tobacco material with the reduced water content from 100°C to 200°C while raising the temperature of the tobacco material. [B8] The method as disclosed in any one of [B1]-[B7], further comprising adding a humectant to the tobacco material prior to heating the tobacco material at the first temperature. [B9] The method as disclosed in [B8], wherein the humectant is glycerol, propylene glycol, 1,3-propanediol, or triacetin. [B10] The method as disclosed in [B8] or [B9], wherein the humectant is added in an amount of 1-20 parts by mass with respect to 100 parts by mass of the tobacco material. [B11] The method as disclosed in any one of [B1]-[B10], wherein the heating at the second temperature is carried out by supplying a heated gas to the tobacco material. [B12] The method as disclosed in [B11], wherein the heated gas comprises an inert gas and has an oxygen concentration of no greater than 10 vol%. [B13] The method as disclosed in any one of [B1]-[B12], wherein the liquid for dissolving the first high-boiling-point flavor component is propylene glycol, glycerol, 1,3-propanediol, diacetin, polyethylene glycol, or a liquid mixture thereof; preferably propylene glycol, glycerol, or a liquid mixture of propylene glycol and glycerol; and more preferably propylene glycol, or a liquid mixture of propylene glycol and glycerol.

[0147] [B14] The method as disclosed in any one of [B1]-[B13], wherein the liquid for dissolving the first high-boiling-point flavor component is a liquid in an amount of 0.5-20 mL per 10 g of the tobacco material, preferably 2-10 mL, and more preferably 3-5 mL.

[0148] [B15] The method as disclosed in any one of [B1]-[B14], wherein the heating at the first temperature is carried out by heating the tobacco material from room temperature (e.g., 20°C) to 100°C while raising the temperature of the tobacco material.

[0149] [B16] The method as disclosed in any one of [B1]-[B15], wherein the heating at the first temperature is carried out by supplying a heated gas to the tobacco material.

[0150] [B17] The method as disclosed in [B16], wherein the heated gas comprises an inert gas and has an oxygen concentration of no greater than 10 vol%.

[0151] [B18] The method as disclosed in any one of [B1]-[B17], wherein the low-boiling-point flavor component-containing liquid has a water content of less than 25 mass%.

[0152] [B19] The method as disclosed in any one of [B1]-[B18], wherein the low-boiling-point flavor component-containing liquid has a water content of 20 mass% or less.

[0153] [B20] The method as disclosed in any one of [B1]-[B19], wherein the liquid for dissolving the low-boiling-point flavor component is propylene glycol, glycerol, 1,3-propanediol, diacetin, polyethylene glycol, or a liquid mixture thereof; preferably propylene glycol, glycerol, or a liquid mixture of propylene glycol and glycerol; and more preferably propylene glycol, or a liquid mixture of propylene glycol and glycerol.

[0154] [B21] The method as disclosed in any one of [B1]-[B20], wherein the liquid for dissolving the low-boiling-point flavor component is a liquid in an amount of 0.5-20 mL per 10 g of the tobacco material, preferably 2-10 mL, and more preferably 3-5 mL.

[0155] [B22] The method as disclosed in any one of [B1]-[B21], wherein the heating at the third temperature comprises heating the tobacco material at a temperature of the tobacco material within the range of higher than 200°C and no greater than 250°C.

[0156] [B23] The method as disclosed in any one of [B1]-[B22], wherein the heating at the third temperature is carried out by heating the tobacco material from 200°C to 250°C while raising the temperature of the tobacco material.

[0157] [B24] The method as disclosed in any one of [B1]-[B23], wherein the heating at the third temperature is carried out by supplying a heated gas to the tobacco material.

[0158] [B25] The method as disclosed in [B24], wherein the heated gas comprises an inert gas and has an oxygen concentration of no greater than 10 vol%.

[0159] [B26] The method as disclosed in any one of [B1]-[B25], wherein the second high-boiling-point flavor component-containing liquid has a water content of less than 25 mass%.

[0160] [B27] The method as disclosed in any one of [B1]-[B26], wherein the second high-boiling-point flavor component-containing liquid has a water content of 20 mass% or less.

[0161] [B28] The method as disclosed in any one of [B1]-[B27], wherein the liquid for dissolving the second high-boiling-point flavor component is propylene glycol, glycerol, 1,3-propanediol, diacetin, polyethylene glycol, or a liquid mixture thereof; preferably propylene glycol, glycerol, or a liquid mixture of propylene glycol and glycerol; and more preferably propylene glycol, or a liquid mixture of propylene glycol and glycerol.

[0162] [B29] The method as disclosed in any one of [B1]-[B28], wherein the liquid for dissolving the second high-boiling-point flavor component is a liquid in an amount of 0.5-20 mL per 10 g of the tobacco material, preferably 2-10 mL, and more preferably 3-5 mL.

[0163] [C1] A flavor component-containing liquid produced by means of the method as disclosed in any one of [A1]-[A26] and [B1]-[B29].

[0164] [D1] A method for producing a tobacco flavor liquid, the method comprising: producing multiple types of flavor component-containing liquids in accordance with the method as disclosed in any one of [A18]-[A26] and [B1]-[B29]; and based on the flavor component content or flavor type, selecting from among the multiple types of flavor component-containing liquids: (a) one type of flavor component-containing liquid as a tobacco flavor liquid; or (b) selecting and mixing two or more types of flavor component-containing liquids to thereby prepare a tobacco liquid.

[0165] [D2] The method as disclosed in [D1], wherein the method does not comprise concentrating the flavor component-containing liquid.

[0166] [D3] A tobacco flavor liquid produced by means of the method as disclosed in [D1] or [D2].

[0167] [D4] A flavor inhaler containing the tobacco flavor liquid as disclosed in [D3].

[0168] [D5] A flavor inhaler comprising the tobacco flavor liquid as disclosed [D3], and an atomization unit for atomizing the tobacco flavor liquid.

[0169] [E1] A reconstituted tobacco material comprising: a tobacco flavor liquid produced by means of the method as disclosed in [D1] or [D2]; and a heated tobacco material obtained after the multiple types of flavor component-containing liquids have been obtained in the method as disclosed in [D1] or [D2].

[0170] [E2] A flavor inhaler containing the reconstituted tobacco material as disclosed in [E1].EXAMPLESEXAMPLE 1

[0171] In Example 1, a low-boiling-point flavor component-containing liquid and two types of high-boiling-point flavor component-containing liquids were prepared in accordance with the method according to the embodiments described above, and the water content, nicotine content and amount of aroma components of each flavor component-containing liquid were measured.1-1. Preparation of flavor component-containing liquid(1) Example of the present invention

[0172] Glycerol was added to Brazilian flue-cured cut tobacco in an amount of 20 mass% with respect to the cut tobacco. The cut tobacco with glycerol added was used as a tobacco material. A flavor component-containing liquid was prepared from the tobacco material using the flavor component recovery system shown in fig. 2. The specific process is described below.

[0173] First heating step and low-boiling-point flavor component dissolution step 13 g of the tobacco material were placed in the heating vessel 3B shown in fig. 2. 5 g of propylene glycol were placed in the cooling vessel 4B shown in fig. 2 as a first trapping liquid. A mixed gas comprising nitrogen and air (N 2 / air mixed gas) adjusted to an oxygen concentration of 8 vol% was fed from the gas supply source 3E to the preheater 3F and heated at 250°C. The heated gas was fed to the heating vessel 3B at a flow rate of 1 [L / min] and supplied to the tobacco material. Furthermore, the heating vessel 3B was placed in a hot-air oven set at 250°C, and the tobacco material was also heated from outside the vessel. When the tobacco material was heated, the flavor component was vaporized from the tobacco material, and a flavor component-containing gas was fed from the heating vessel 3B to the dissolution apparatus 4. The flavor component dissolved in the first trapping liquid in the dissolution apparatus 4.

[0174] The product temperature of the tobacco material was measured by means of the thermocouple 3D, and the first trapping liquid was replaced at the time when the product temperature of the tobacco material reached 100°C. Specifically, the first trapping liquid was recovered at the time when the product temperature of the tobacco material reached 100°C, and a new trapping liquid (second trapping liquid) was placed in the cooling vessel 4B. 5 g of propylene glycol were used as the second trapping liquid. The recovered first trapping liquid (that is, the low-boiling-point flavor component-containing liquid) will be referred to as "fraction 1". It should be noted that the "water content WC2" of the tobacco material immediately after the product temperature of the tobacco material had reached 100°C was no greater than 20% of the "water content WC1" of the tobacco material immediately before the heating.

[0175] Second heating step and first high-boiling-point flavor component dissolution step Heating of the tobacco material was continued after this, and the second trapping liquid was replaced at the stage when the product temperature of the tobacco material reached 200°C. Specifically, the second trapping liquid was recovered at the time when the product temperature of the tobacco material reached 200°C, and a new trapping liquid (third trapping liquid) was placed in the cooling vessel 4B. 5 g of propylene glycol were used as the third trapping liquid. The recovered second trapping liquid (that is, the first high-boiling-point flavor component-containing liquid) will be referred to as "fraction 2".

[0176] Third heating step and second high-boiling-point flavor component dissolution step Heating of the tobacco material was continued after this, the product temperature of the tobacco material reached 250°C, and the heating was stopped after a 10 minute hold. The third trapping liquid was recovered at the timing of stopping heating. The recovered third trapping liquid (that is, the second high-boiling-point flavor component-containing liquid) will be referred to as "fraction 3".(2) Comparative Example

[0177] Glycerol was added to Brazilian flue-cured cut tobacco in an amount of 20 mass% with respect to the cut tobacco. The cut tobacco with glycerol added was used as a tobacco material. A flavor component-containing liquid was prepared from the tobacco material using the flavor component recovery system shown in fig. 2. The specific process is described below.

[0178] 13 g of the tobacco material were placed in the heating vessel 3B shown in fig. 2. 5 g of propylene glycol were placed in the cooling vessel 4B shown in fig. 2 as a trapping liquid. A mixed gas comprising nitrogen and air (N 2 / air mixed gas) adjusted to an oxygen concentration of 8 vol% was fed from the gas supply source 3E to the preheater 3F and heated at 250°C. The heated gas was fed to the heating vessel 3B at a flow rate of 1 [L / min] and supplied to the tobacco material. Furthermore, the heating vessel 3B was placed in a hot-air oven set at 250°C, and the tobacco material was also heated from outside the vessel. When the tobacco material was heated, the flavor component was vaporized from the tobacco material, and a flavor component-containing gas was fed from the heating vessel 3B to the dissolution apparatus 4. The flavor component dissolved in the trapping liquid in the dissolution apparatus 4.

[0179] The product temperature of the tobacco material was measured by means of the thermocouple 3D, the product temperature of the tobacco material reached 250°C, and the heating was stopped after a 10 minute hold. The trapping liquid was recovered at the timing of stopping heating. The recovered trapping liquid will be referred to as the "comparative example recovered liquid".1-2. Measurement methods

[0180] The water content of "fraction 1", "fraction 2", "fraction 3", and the "comparative example recovered liquid" was measured by means of a gas chromatograph-thermal conductivity detector (GC-TCD). Furthermore, the nicotine content of "fraction 1", "fraction 2", "fraction 3", and the "comparative example recovered liquid" was measured by means of a gas chromatograph-flame ionization detector (GC-FID). Furthermore, the amount of aroma components in "fraction 1", "fraction 2", "fraction 3", and the "comparative example recovered liquid" was measured by means of a gas chromatograph-mass selective detector (GC-MSD). The amount of aroma components was measured by classification into seven types of fragrance families (amine, phenol, pyrazine, furan, ketone, vapor phase, organic acid, and hydrocarbon).1-3. Results

[0181] The water content measurement results are shown in fig. 10. The nicotine content measurement results are shown in fig. 11.

[0182] The water content of the "comparative example recovered liquid" was approximately 35 mass%, whereas the water contents of "fraction 1", "fraction 2"and "fraction 3" were no greater than 16 mass% in all cases. It can be seen from the results in fig. 10 that a flavor component-containing liquid with a low-water content can be produced by means of the method according to the present invention.

[0183] "Fraction 1" and "fraction 3" both had a low nicotine content of 0.5 mass%. Meanwhile, "fraction 2" had a high nicotine content of 3.6 mass%, which was higher than the nicotine content of the "comparative example recovered liquid". It can be seen from the results in fig. 10 and 11 that a flavor component-containing liquid with a low-water content and a high nicotine content can be produced by means of the method according to the present invention.

[0184] The results of measuring the amount of aroma components is shown in fig. 12. Fig. 12 is a radar chart showing amounts of aroma components contained in flavor component-containing liquids. In fig. 12, the amounts of aroma components in "fraction 1", "fraction 2"and "fraction 3" are expressed as relative values where the amount of aroma components in the "comparative example recovered liquid" is assumed to be 1. The amounts of aroma components are expressed by a logarithmic scale in fig. 12.

[0185] It can be seen from the results in fig. 12 that "fraction 1", "fraction 2"and "fraction 3" have different fragrance characteristics. "Fraction 1" had relatively high amounts of organic acids and hydrocarbons as compared to aroma components of other families. "Fraction 2" contained a good balance of aroma components of all families, similarly to the "comparative example recovered liquid". "Fraction 3" had a relatively low amount of pyrazine-based aroma component as compared to aroma components of other families.

[0186] Summarizing the results of fig. 10-12, "fraction 1", "fraction 2", "fraction 3", and the "comparative example recovered liquid" can be characterized as follows.

[0187] The "comparative example recovered liquid" had both a high water content and a high nicotine content, and exhibited the complex flavor which is obtained when leaf tobacco is heated at a high temperature (the complex tobacco flavor derived from leaf tobacco), but was judged to have an impression of burning. "Fraction 1" had a lower water content and also a considerably lower nicotine content than the "comparative example recovered liquid", and exhibited a green aroma with a fairly strong acidic odor. "Fraction 2" had a lower water content but a higher nicotine content than the "comparative example recovered liquid", and exhibited the complex flavor which is obtained when leaf tobacco is heated at a high temperature (the complex tobacco flavor derived from leaf tobacco), but with a weak impression of burning. "Fraction 3" had both a low water content and a low nicotine content, and produced a strong fragrant aroma and impression of burning.

[0188] By selecting "fraction 2" as a tobacco flavor liquid, it is possible to obtain a tobacco flavor liquid with a low water content and also with the complex tobacco flavor derived from leaf tobacco. Alternatively, by blending "fraction 3" in a small blending ratio with "fraction 2" as the main component, it is possible to compound a tobacco flavor liquid with a low water content and also with the complex tobacco flavor derived from leaf tobacco.EXAMPLE 2

[0189] The relationship between a solvent composition of the flavor component-containing liquid and menthol solubility was investigated in Example 2.2-1. Evaluation method.

[0190] The "comparative example recovered liquid" and "fraction 2" were prepared in the manner described in Example 1. A mixed solvent was furthermore prepared by mixing water, propylene glycol (PG), and glycerol (G) in various ratios. Here, the ratios of water, propylene glycol (PG) and glycerol (G) were varied at intervals of 5 mass%. Specifically, the ratio of water was varied from 0 mass% to 100 mass% at intervals of 5 mass%, and when the ratio of water was x mass%, the ratio of propylene glycol was varied from 0 mass% to (100-x) mass% at intervals of 5 mass%, with the total 100 mass% being made up by glycerol. 231 types of mixed solvents were prepared by this means.

[0191] 9 mass% of menthol was dissolved in each of the "comparative example recovered liquid", "fraction 2", and the "231 types of mixed solvents". Specifically, menthol was added to each liquid in an amount of 9 mass%, the liquids were shaken for 40 minutes at room temperature (approximately 20°C), and then subjected to an ultrasound treatment over the course of 30 minutes. The menthol solubility was then evaluated visually. When a liquid was in an emulsified state, when a liquid underwent phase separation, and when menthol precipitated in a liquid, menthol was evaluated as insoluble in that liquid.

[0192] The concentration of propylene glycol (PG) and the concentration of glycerol (G) were measured using an LC-RID (liquid chromatograph-refractive index detector) in order to establish the solvent compositions of the "comparative example recovered liquid" and "fraction 2".2-2. Results

[0193] The results of evaluating the menthol solubility for the "comparative example recovered liquid", "fraction 2", and the "231 types of mixed solvents" are shown in fig. 13. Fig. 13 is a ternary graph showing the relationship between solvent composition and menthol solubility. In fig. 13, the left-hand diagonal side of the triangle shows a solvent with 0 mass% water, and the vertex on the right of the triangle shows a solvent with 100 mass% water. In fig. 13, the righthand diagonal side of the triangle shows a solvent with 0 mass% propylene glycol (PG), and the vertex on the left of the triangle shows a solvent with 100 mass% propylene glycol (PG). In fig. 13, the bottom side of the triangle shows a solvent with 0 mass% glycerol (G), and the top vertex of the triangle shows a solvent with 100 mass% glycerol (G). In fig. 13, a solvent composition in which menthol dissolved is denoted by "∘", and a solvent composition in which menthol did not dissolve is denoted by "×".

[0194] It can be seen from the results of the "231 types of mixed solvents" that a solvent with a low proportion of moisture and a high proportion of propylene glycol is preferable as a solvent for dissolving menthol.

[0195] 9 mass% of menthol did not dissolve in the "comparative example recovered liquid". The solvent composition of the "comparative example recovered liquid" was 35 mass% water, 55 mass% propylene glycol, and 10% glycerol.

[0196] Meanwhile, 9 mass% of menthol dissolved in "fraction 2". After the menthol had been dissolved in "fraction 2", there was no precipitation of menthol even after the solution had been left to stand at 5°C. The solvent composition of "fraction 2" was 18.1 mass% water, 78.2 mass% propylene glycol, and 3.6% glycerol.

[0197] It can be seen from these results that a flavor component-containing liquid with a low water content has superior menthol solubility.REFERENCE SIGNS LIST

[0198] 2... Flavor component recovery system, 3... Heating apparatus, 3A... Tobacco material, 3B... Heating vessel, 3C... Sintered filter, 3D... Thermocouple, 3E... Gas supply source, 3F... Preheater, 3G... Gas flow path, 4... Dissolution apparatus, 4A... Trapping liquid, 4B... Cooling vessel, 5... Gas flow path 1... Heated flavor inhaler, 10... Power supply unit, 20... First cartridge, 30... Second cartridge, 11... Power supply unit case, 11a... Top part, 11b... Bottom part, 12... Power source, 13... Charger, 14... Operating portion, 15... Inhalation sensor, 16... Voltage sensor, 17... Temperature sensor, 18... Memory, 21... Load, 22... Tobacco flavor liquid, 23... Reservoir, 24... Wick, 25... Aerosol flow path, 26... End cap, 26a... Cartridge accommodating portion, 26b... Communication path, 27... Cartridge case, 31... Flavor source, 32 Mouthpiece, 41... Discharge terminal, 42... Air supply portion, 45... Notification unit, 50... Control unit 100... Aerosol-generating device, 101... Outer housing, 102... Slide cover, 103... Switch unit, 110... Inner housing, 120... Power source unit, 121... Power source, 130... Atomization unit, 132... Heat insulating portion, 134... Insertion guide member, 136... Bottom member, 137... First holding portion, 138... Second holding portion, 140... Heater, 150... Chamber, 200... Flavor-generating article, 201... Smokable material, 202... First wrapping paper, 203... Second wrapping paper, 204... Tubular member, 205... Filter portion, 206... Hollow filter portion, 207... Lip-release agent

Examples

specific example

[0049]The first heating step (S1) and the dissolution step (S2) described above may be carried out by using a flavor component recovery system 2, which is illustrated in fig. 2, for example. As shown in fig. 2, the flavor component recovery system 2 comprises a heating apparatus 3, a dissolution apparatus 4, and a gas flow path 5 connecting these two apparatuses.

[0050]The heating apparatus 3 shown in fig. 2 comprises: a heating vessel 3B for accommodating a tobacco material 3A; a sintered filter 3C installed on a bottom face of the heating vessel 3B; a thermocouple 3D for measuring the temperature of the tobacco material 3A; a gas supply source 3E for accommodating a gas which is fed to the heating vessel 3B; a preheater 3F for heating the gas which is fed from the gas supply source 3E to the heating vessel 3B; and a gas flow path 3G for feeding the gas to the heating vessel 3B.

[0051]The dissolution apparatus 4 shown in fig. 2 is connected by way of the gas flow path 5 to the heatin...

example 1

[0171]In Example 1, a low-boiling-point flavor component-containing liquid and two types of high-boiling-point flavor component-containing liquids were prepared in accordance with the method according to the embodiments described above, and the water content, nicotine content and amount of aroma components of each flavor component-containing liquid were measured.

1-1. Preparation of flavor component-containing liquid

(1) Example of the present invention

[0172]Glycerol was added to Brazilian flue-cured cut tobacco in an amount of 20 mass% with respect to the cut tobacco. The cut tobacco with glycerol added was used as a tobacco material. A flavor component-containing liquid was prepared from the tobacco material using the flavor component recovery system shown in fig. 2. The specific process is described below.

[0173]First heating step and low-boiling-point flavor component dissolution step 13 g of the tobacco material were placed in the heating vessel 3B shown in fig. 2. 5 g of propylen...

example 2

[0189]The relationship between a solvent composition of the flavor component-containing liquid and menthol solubility was investigated in Example 2.

2-1. Evaluation method.

[0190]The "comparative example recovered liquid" and "fraction 2" were prepared in the manner described in Example 1. A mixed solvent was furthermore prepared by mixing water, propylene glycol (PG), and glycerol (G) in various ratios. Here, the ratios of water, propylene glycol (PG) and glycerol (G) were varied at intervals of 5 mass%. Specifically, the ratio of water was varied from 0 mass% to 100 mass% at intervals of 5 mass%, and when the ratio of water was x mass%, the ratio of propylene glycol was varied from 0 mass% to (100-x) mass% at intervals of 5 mass%, with the total 100 mass% being made up by glycerol. 231 types of mixed solvents were prepared by this means.

[0191]9 mass% of menthol was dissolved in each of the "comparative example recovered liquid", "fraction 2", and the "231 types of mixed solvents". S...

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The present invention relates to a method for producing a flavor component-containing liquid, and to a method for producing a tobacco flavor liquid.BACKGROUND ART

[0002] It is known for tobacco material to be heated to generate a flavor component-containing gas, which is then dissolved in a liquid to obtain a flavor component-containing liquid, and for this flavor component-containing liquid to be used as a tobacco flavor source in a flavor inhaler (e.g., PTL 1).CITATION LISTPATENT LITERATURE

[0003] PTL 1: WO 2017 / 144705 A1SUMMARY OF INVENTIONTECHNICAL PROBLEM

[0004] The objective of the present invention lies in providing technology for acquiring a flavor component-containing liquid with a low water content for use in a flavor inhaler that generates an aerosol.SOLUTION TO PROBLEM

[0005] A first aspect provides a method for producing a flavor component-containing liquid for use in a flavor inhaler that generates an aerosol, the flavor component-containing liquid comprising an aerosol source and a flavor component derived from a tobacco material, and the flavor component-containing liquid being converted to the aerosol by the flavor inhaler, wherein the method comprises: heating the tobacco material at a temperature of the tobacco material within the range of 80-100°C to thereby reduce the water content of the tobacco material; heating the tobacco material with the reduced water content at a temperature of the tobacco material higher than 100°C to thereby vaporize a high-boiling-point flavor component from the tobacco material; and dissolving the vaporized high-boiling-point flavor component in a liquid serving as at least a portion of the aerosol source to thereby obtain a high-boiling-point flavor component-containing liquid.

[0006] A second aspect provides a flavor component-containing liquid produced by means of the method according to the first aspect.

[0007] A third aspect provides: a method for producing a tobacco flavor liquid, the method comprising: producing multiple types of flavor component-containing liquids in accordance with the method according to the first aspect; and based on the flavor component content or flavor type, selecting from among the multiple types of flavor component-containing liquids: (a) one type of flavor component-containing liquid as a tobacco flavor liquid; or (b) selecting and mixing two or more types of flavor component-containing liquids to thereby prepare a tobacco liquid.

[0008] A fourth aspect provides a tobacco flavor liquid produced by means of the method according to the third aspect.

[0009] A fifth aspect provides a flavor inhaler containing the tobacco flavor liquid according to the fourth aspect.

[0010] A sixth aspect provides: a reconstituted tobacco material comprising: a tobacco flavor liquid produced by means of the method according to the third aspect; and a heated tobacco material obtained after the multiple types of flavor component-containing liquids have been obtained in the method according to the third aspect.

[0011] A seventh aspect provides a flavor inhaler containing the reconstituted tobacco material according to the sixth aspect.ADVANTAGEOUS EFFECTS OF INVENTION

[0012] The present invention provides technology for acquiring a flavor component-containing liquid with a low water content for use in a flavor inhaler that generates an aerosol.BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0013] Fig. 1 is a flowchart showing an example of a method for producing a flavor component-containing liquid. Fig. 2 is a schematic diagram showing an example of a flavor component recovery system. Fig. 3 is an oblique view showing an example of a heated flavor inhaler. Fig. 4 is an oblique view of a power supply unit in the heated flavor inhaler of fig. 3. Fig. 5 is a view in cross section of the heated flavor inhaler in fig. 3. Fig. 6 is a block diagram showing the main components of the power supply unit in the heated flavor inhaler in fig. 3. Fig. 7A is a schematic front view showing an example of an aerosol-generating device. Fig. 7B is a schematic top view of the aerosol-generating device shown in fig. 7A. Fig. 7C is a schematic bottom view of the aerosol-generating device shown in fig. 7A. Fig. 8 is a schematic view in side section showing an example of the flavor-generating article. Fig. 9 is a view in cross section along the line III-III of the aerosol-generating device shown in fig. 7B. Fig. 10 is a graph showing amounts of water contained in flavor component-containing liquids. Fig. 11 is a graph showing amounts of nicotine contained in flavor component-containing liquids. Fig. 12 is a radar chart showing amounts of aroma components contained in flavor component-containing liquids. Fig. 13 is a ternary graph showing a relationship between solvent composition and menthol solubility. DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

[0014] The present invention will be described in detail below, but the following description is intended to explain the present invention and is not intended to limit the present invention. The embodiments described below are more specific embodiments of any of the aspects above. The matters set out below may be incorporated, either alone or in combination, into each of the aspects above.1.Explanation of terms

[0015] The term "tobacco flavor liquid" in the present description refers to a liquid used as a tobacco flavor source in a flavor inhaler that generates an aerosol. The "tobacco flavor liquid" comprises a liquid serving as an aerosol source, and various flavor components derived from a tobacco material. When the "tobacco flavor liquid" is atomized in the flavor inhaler, the liquid serving as the aerosol source turns into a vapor, and the flavor components migrate into the vapor, resulting in an aerosol (tobacco vapor) being generated.

[0016] The term "aerosol source" in the present description refers to a source (liquid) for generating a vapor (gas) when the tobacco flavor liquid is atomized in the flavor inhaler. The term "aerosol source" refers to a source (liquid) for generating a dispersion medium (gas) of an aerosol (tobacco vapor), and does not include fine particles (such as flavor components) in the aerosol.

[0017] The term "flavor component-containing liquid" in the present description refers to a liquid used as a starting material for the tobacco flavor liquid. The "flavor component-containing liquid" may be used without modification as a tobacco flavor liquid, or multiple types of flavor component-containing liquids may be mixed to prepare a tobacco flavor liquid. The "flavor component-containing liquid" is therefore a liquid for use in a flavor inhaler that generates an aerosol. Similarly to the tobacco flavor liquid, the "flavor component-containing liquid" comprises a liquid serving as an aerosol source, and various types of flavor components derived from a tobacco material. Furthermore, similarly to the "tobacco flavor liquid", when the "flavor component-containing liquid" is atomized in the flavor inhaler, the liquid serving as the aerosol source turns into a vapor, and the flavor components migrate into the vapor, resulting in an aerosol (tobacco vapor) being generated.

[0018] When multiple types of flavor component-containing liquids are referred to separately in the present description, the following specific names will be used: "low-boiling-point flavor component-containing liquid", "high-boiling-point flavor component-containing liquid", "first high-boiling-point flavor component-containing liquid", and "second high-boiling-point flavor component-containing liquid". That is to say, the term "flavor component-containing liquid" serves as a general name for these specific flavor component-containing liquids.

[0019] In the present description, a heating temperature when the tobacco material is heated refers to the temperature of the tobacco material itself. The "temperature of the tobacco material" may be obtained by measuring the temperature at the surface of the tobacco material. The "temperature of the tobacco material" is also referred to as the product temperature in thistechnical field.2.Method for producing flavor component-containing liquid

[0020] The method for producing a flavor component-containing liquid for use in a flavor inhaler the generates an aerosol comprises: heating the tobacco material at a temperature of the tobacco material within the range of 80-100°C to thereby reduce the water content of the tobacco material; heating the tobacco material with the reduced water content at a temperature of the tobacco material higher than 100°C to thereby vaporize high-boiling-point flavor components from the tobacco material; and dissolving the vaporized high-boiling-point flavor components in a liquid serving as at least a portion of the aerosol source to thereby obtain a high-boiling-point flavor component-containing liquid.

[0021] The flavor component-containing liquid produced by means of this method comprises an aerosol source and a flavor component derived from the tobacco material, and is converted to an aerosol by the flavor inhaler.

[0022] In the method described above, one type of high-boiling-point flavor component-containing liquid may be acquired as the high-boiling-point flavor component-containing liquid, or multiple types of high-boiling-point flavor component-containing liquids may be acquired. In the latter case, the high-boiling-point flavor component is vaporized while the temperature of the tobacco material is being raised, and fractions of the high-boiling-point flavor component vaporized in different temperature zones are dissolved in separate liquids to thereby make it possible to obtain multiple types of high-boiling-point flavor component-containing liquids. When multiple types of high-boiling-point flavor component-containing liquids are acquired, there is no particular limitation as to the number of high-boiling-point flavor component-containing liquids, but 2-5 types of high-boiling-point flavor component-containing liquids may be acquired.

[0023] The abovementioned method will be described below using the example of acquiring two types of high-boiling-point flavor component-containing liquids. This example of the method is shown by the flowchart in fig. 1. That is to say, according to one embodiment, a method for producing flavor component-containing liquids for use in a flavor inhaler that generates an aerosol comprises: (S1) heating a tobacco material at a first temperature of the tobacco material within the range of 80-100°C to thereby vaporize a low-boiling-point flavor component from the tobacco material while also reducing the water content of the tobacco material; (S2) dissolving the vaporized low-boiling-point flavor component in a liquid serving as a portion of the aerosol source to thereby obtain a low-boiling-point flavor component-containing liquid; (S3) after heating at the first temperature, heating the tobacco material at a second temperature of the tobacco material higher than 100°C to thereby vaporize a first high-boiling-point flavor component from the tobacco material; (S4) dissolving the vaporized first high-boiling-point flavor component in a liquid serving as another portion of the aerosol source to thereby obtain a first high-boiling-point flavor component-containing liquid; (S5) after heating at the second temperature, heating the tobacco material at a third temperature of the tobacco material higher than the second temperature to thereby vaporize a second high-boiling-point flavor component from the tobacco material; and (S6) dissolving the vaporized second high-boiling-point flavor component in a liquid serving as another portion of the aerosol source to thereby obtain a second high-boiling-point flavor component-containing liquid.

[0024] Each of the flavor component-containing liquids produced by this method comprises an aerosol source and a flavor component derived from a tobacco material, and is converted to an aerosol by the flavor inhaler.

[0025] In this embodiment also, the "first temperature", "second temperature", and "third temperature" all refer to the temperature of the tobacco material itself. The heating temperature of the tobacco material and heating temperature zones will be mentioned in the following description, and these refer to the temperature of the tobacco material itself in all cases.

[0026] The method according to an embodiment will be described below in step order.First heating step (S1)

[0027] In the first heating step (S1), the tobacco material is heated at a first temperature within the range of 80-100°C. A "first temperature within the range of 80-100°C" in the first heating step (S1) refers to the temperature of the tobacco material. The low-boiling-point flavor component is vaporized from the tobacco material while the water content of the tobacco material is also reduced by means of the first heating step (S1) (see fig. 1).

[0028] Cut tobacco that is ready to be included in a tobacco product such as a combustion-type or heated flavor inhaler can be used as the "tobacco material." The expression "cut tobacco that is ready to be included in a tobacco product" refers to cut tobacco that has been made ready to be included in a tobacco product by way of: a drying process at a farm; a subsequent long-term aging process of one or more years at a raw material factory; and a variety of subsequent processes such as blending and cutting at a manufacturing plant.

[0029] Cut tobacco is cut leaf tobacco. The cut tobacco may be cut stemmed leaves, cut midrib, cut reconstituted tobacco (specifically, tobacco materials obtained when waste such as leaf waste, cut tobacco waste, midrib waste, and tobacco dust produced over the course of factory operations is processed into a reusable form), or mixtures thereof. The cut tobacco may be ground, and the resulting ground material may be used for the heating step (S1). The use of ground cut tobacco as tobacco material will allow flavor components to be more efficiently recovered from the tobacco material. This makes it possible to increase the content of flavor components in the flavor component-containing liquid or the tobacco flavor liquid.

[0030] Any variety of cut tobacco can be used, such as flue-cured, Burley, or Oriental varieties. A single variety or a mixture of different varieties of cut tobacco can be used.

[0031] The first heating step (S1) can preferably be carried out by supplying a heated gas to the tobacco material. The heated gas has a temperature of 105-250°C, for example. Here, the heated gas preferably comprises an inert gas, and preferably has an oxygen concentration of no greater than 10 vol%. A mixed gas of nitrogen and air having an oxygen concentration of no greater than 10 vol% may be used as the heated gas, for example. By using a gas with a low oxygen concentration in this way, it is possible to reduce exothermic reactions caused by oxygen, and to prevent any sudden rise in the temperature of the tobacco material. The temperature of the tobacco material can be reliably controlled by using a gas with a low oxygen concentration, which therefore enables flavor component-containing liquids of the desired quality to be stably produced.

[0032] As indicated above, the tobacco material is heated at the first temperature within the range of 80-100°C in the first heating step (S1). As indicated above, the "first temperature within the range of 80-100°C" in the first heating step (S1) refers to the temperature of the tobacco material. The temperature of the tobacco material may be obtained by measuring the temperature at the surface of the tobacco material by means of a contact thermometer, for example.

[0033] The first heating step (S1) can preferably be carried out by heating the tobacco material in a temperature zone within the range of 80-100°C. For example, the heating including the first heating step (S1) may be carried out by heating the tobacco material from room temperature (e.g., approximately 20°C) to 100°C while raising the temperature of the tobacco material.

[0034] Moisture contained in the tobacco material can be vaporized so as to reduce the water content of the tobacco material by means of the first heating step (S1). The first heating step (S1) is preferably carried out so that the water content of the tobacco material immediately after the heating (also referred to below as the "water content WC2") is no greater than 20% of the water content of the tobacco material immediately before the heating (also referred to below as the "water content WC1"). That is to say, the first heating step (S1) is preferably carried out so that the ratio of the water content WC2 to the water content WC1 is no greater than 20%. The first heating step (S1) is also preferably carried out so that the ratio of the water content WC2 to the water content WC1 is 8% or less. "Immediately before the heating" means a time of less than 2 hours before the start of the first heating step (S1), and preferably a time of less than 1 hour before the start of the first heating step (S1). "Immediately after the heating" means a time of less than 2 hours after the end of the first heating step (S1), and preferably a time of less than 1 hour after the end of the first heating step (S1).

[0035] The "water content WC1" of the tobacco material immediately before heating in the first heating step (S1) may be acquired by the procedure described below.

[0036] The tobacco material immediately before the heating in the first heating step (S1) is dried for 1 hour at 100°C under open conditions. The mass of a dried sample is measured, the difference between the mass of the dried sample and an undried sample is calculated, and the resulting difference is taken as the "moisture amount". The "water content" is calculated from the value of the "moisture amount" using the following formula. Water content WC 1 % = moisture amount / mass of undried sample × 100 .

[0037] The "water content WC2" of the tobacco material immediately after the heating in the first heating step (S1) may be acquired by the same procedure as for the "water content WC1", except that the tobacco material immediately before the drying in the first heating step (S1) is substituted for the tobacco material immediately after the drying in the first heating step (S1).

[0038] The ratio [%] of the water content WC2 to the water content WC1 may be calculated by means of the following formula. Ratio % = water content WC 2 / water content WC 1 × 100 .

[0039] Reducing the water content of the tobacco material by means of the first heating step (S1) makes it possible to lower the water content of the high-boiling-point flavor component-containing liquids (the first high-boiling-point flavor component-containing liquid and the second high-boiling-point flavor component-containing liquid in this embodiment) obtained by further heating of the tobacco material after the first heating step (S1).

[0040] Reducing the water content of the tobacco material by means of the first heating step (S1) also makes it possible to create a situation in which nicotine is easily vaporized when the tobacco material after the first heating step (S1) is further heated (see "fraction 2" in fig. 11). This effect is due to the fact that nicotine is not readily vaporized even by heating if a large amount of moisture remains in the tobacco material, but nicotine is easily vaporized by heating when the tobacco material has a low water content.

[0041] The first heating step (S1) may be carried out over a period of 0.5-60 minutes, and preferably 1-20 minutes, for example. This makes it possible to vaporize the moisture contained in the tobacco material so as to reduce the water content of the tobacco material.

[0042] The method according to the embodiment may further comprise adding a humectant to the tobacco material prior to heating the tobacco material in the first heating step (S1). Examples of humectants that may be used include glycerol, propylene glycol, 1,3-propanediol, and triacetin. The humectant may be added in an amount of 1-20 parts by mass with respect to 100 parts by mass of the tobacco material, for example. If the humectant is added before the first heating step (S1), a greater amount of nicotine can be vaporized in subsequent heating steps (a second heating step (S3) and a third heating step (S5) in this embodiment), even when the temperature of the tobacco material is 200°C or below.Low-boiling-point flavor component dissolution step (S2)

[0043] In the low-boiling-point flavor component dissolution step (S2), the low-boiling-point flavor component vaporized in the first heating step (S1) is dissolved in a liquid serving as a portion of the aerosol source (referred to below as a "first trapping liquid"). This makes it possible to obtain a low-boiling-point flavor component-containing liquid (see fig. 1).

[0044] A liquid that can be used as an aerosol source in a flavor inhaler may be used as the first trapping liquid. Examples of first trapping liquids that may be used include propylene glycol, glycerol, 1,3-propanediol, diacetin, polyethylene glycol, or a liquid mixture thereof. The first trapping liquid is preferably propylene glycol, glycerol, or a liquid mixture of propylene glycol and glycerol. The first trapping liquid is more preferably propylene glycol, or a liquid mixture of propylene glycol and glycerol. There is preferably a greater proportion of propylene glycol in the case of a liquid mixture of propylene glycol and glycerol. A mass ratio of propylene glycol and glycerol may be 9:1-1:9, and may preferably be 7:3-5:5.

[0045] The first trapping liquid described by way of example has lower polarity than water. The first trapping liquid described by way of example is suitable as a liquid for dissolving the flavor component because the flavor component has a relatively low polarity.

[0046] The dissolution step (S2) may preferably be carried out by bubbling the gas containing the low-boiling-point flavor component obtained in the first heating step (S1) through the first trapping liquid. In the dissolution step (S2), the first trapping liquid may be used in an amount of 0.5-20 mL, for example, per 10 g of tobacco material, preferably 2-10 mL, and more preferably 3-5 mL. Using the first trapping liquid in an amount in the ranges above enables the resulting flavor component-containing liquid to be used as a starting material for the tobacco flavor liquid without being concentrated.

[0047] A low-boiling-point flavor component-containing liquid is obtained by means of the dissolution step (S2). The low-boiling-point flavor component-containing liquid preferably has a water content of less than 25 mass%, and more preferably has a water content of 20 mass% or less. The water content of the low-boiling-point flavor component-containing liquid is 0.1 mass% or greater, for example. In the present description, the water content of the flavor component-containing liquid indicates a value measured by means of a gas chromatograph-thermal conductivity detector (GC-TCD). Specifically, a sample obtained by diluting the flavor component-containing liquid with methanol is passed through the GC where it is separated in the column, after which water is measured by means of the TCD. The water is quantified from the measured value obtained, and the water content of the flavor component-containing liquid is calculated. An example of the measurement conditions is described below. Apparatus:gilent 7890AColumn:DB-WAX (Agilent 122-7032)Carrier gas:HeliumFlow velocity:30 mL / minInjection port (Inlet) temperature:250°CInjection mode:SplitlessInjection amount:1 µLOven temperature:60°C → 130°C (5°C / min) → 250°C (10°C / min)TCD temperature:250°C.

[0048] Note that the dissolution step (S2) may be omitted when the low-boiling-point flavor component-containing liquid is not used as a starting material for the tobacco flavor liquid.Specific example

[0049] The first heating step (S1) and the dissolution step (S2) described above may be carried out by using a flavor component recovery system 2, which is illustrated in fig. 2, for example. As shown in fig. 2, the flavor component recovery system 2 comprises a heating apparatus 3, a dissolution apparatus 4, and a gas flow path 5 connecting these two apparatuses.

[0050] The heating apparatus 3 shown in fig. 2 comprises: a heating vessel 3B for accommodating a tobacco material 3A; a sintered filter 3C installed on a bottom face of the heating vessel 3B; a thermocouple 3D for measuring the temperature of the tobacco material 3A; a gas supply source 3E for accommodating a gas which is fed to the heating vessel 3B; a preheater 3F for heating the gas which is fed from the gas supply source 3E to the heating vessel 3B; and a gas flow path 3G for feeding the gas to the heating vessel 3B.

[0051] The dissolution apparatus 4 shown in fig. 2 is connected by way of the gas flow path 5 to the heating apparatus 3 shown in fig. 2. The dissolution apparatus 4 comprises a cooling vessel 4B for accommodating a trapping liquid 4A.

[0052] Operation of the flavor component recovery system 2 will be described below. The tobacco material 3A is first of all received in the heating vessel 3B. A gas is fed to the preheater 3F from the gas supply source 3E and preheated by means of the preheater 3F, after which the high-temperature gas is fed through the gas flow path 3G to a gas inflow hole provided in the bottom face of the heating vessel 3B. The sintered filter 3C installed on the bottom face of the heating vessel 3B is a porous body. The high-temperature gas which has entered the heating vessel 3B from the gas inflow hole is therefore supplied to the whole of the tobacco material 3A via the sintered filter 3C. The tobacco material 3A is heated by means of the high-temperature gas supplied. The temperature of the tobacco material 3A is measured by means of the thermocouple 3D. As indicated above, the gas fed to the heating vessel 3B comprises an inert gas, and preferably has an oxygen concentration of no greater than 10 vol%.

[0053] The heating vessel 3B may be accommodated in an oven (not depicted). The tobacco material 3A may be heated from the outside of the heating vessel 3B by this means. It should be noted that the first heating step (S1) is not limited to being carried out by using the heating apparatus 3 shown in fig. 2, provided that a flavor component can be vaporized from the tobacco material.

[0054] When the tobacco flavor material 3A is heated, the flavor component is vaporized from the tobacco material 3A, and a flavor component-containing gas is discharged through the gas flow path 5 from a gas discharge hole provided in an upper face of the heating vessel 3B.

[0055] The flavor component-containing gas is fed to the dissolution apparatus 4 through the gas flow path 5. The flavor component-containing gas may be fed to the dissolution apparatus 4 by the action of a pump. The flavor component-containing gas is bubbled into the trapping liquid 4A inside the cooling vessel 4B. As a result, the flavor component dissolves in the trapping liquid 4A, and a flavor component-containing liquid is obtained.

[0056] The temperature of the trapping liquid 4A rises when the flavor component-containing gas is bubbled into the trapping liquid 4A. The dissolution apparatus 4 may therefore further comprise an external vessel (not depicted) for accommodating iced water in order to cool the cooling vessel 4B from the outside. Furthermore, the dissolution apparatus 4 may further comprise a coiled cooling pipe (not depicted) joined to a tip end of the gas flow path 5. The cooling pipe is a stainless steel coiled pipe, for example. The gas is cooled as it passes through the cooling pipe. A rise in the temperature of the trapping liquid 4A may be prevented by these additional components.

[0057] It should be noted that the dissolution step (S2) is not limited to being carried out by using the dissolution apparatus 4 shown in fig. 2, provided that the flavor component-containing gas obtained in the first heating step (S1) can be dissolved in the trapping liquid 4A.Second heating step (S3)

[0058] In the second heating step (S3), the tobacco material following the first heating step (S1) is heated at a second temperature higher than 100°C. This causes a first high-boiling-point flavor component to be vaporized from the tobacco material (see fig. 1).

[0059] As indicated above, the "second temperature higher than 100°C" in the second heating step (S3) refers to the temperature of the tobacco material. The temperature of the tobacco material may be obtained by measuring the temperature at the surface of the tobacco material by means of a contact thermometer, for example. For example, in the second heating step (S3), the tobacco material following the first heating step (S1) may be heated at a temperature within the range of higher than 100°C and no greater than 200°C.

[0060] The second heating step (S3) may preferably be carried out by heating the tobacco material following the first heating step (S1) in a temperature zone within the range of higher than 100°C and no greater than 200°C. For example, the second heating step (S3) may be carried out by heating the tobacco material following the first heating step (S1) from the final temperature in the first heating step (S1) (e.g., 100°C) up to 200°C, while raising the temperature of the tobacco material.

[0061] The second heating step (S3) may be carried out following the first heating step (S1) and by means of the same process as in the first heating step (S1). The second heating step (S3) can preferably be carried out by supplying a heated gas to the tobacco material. The heated gas has a temperature of 105-250°C, for example. Here, the heated gas preferably comprises an inert gas, and preferably has an oxygen concentration of no greater than 10 vol%. A mixed gas of nitrogen and air having an oxygen concentration of no greater than 10 vol% may be used as the heated gas, for example. By using a gas with a low oxygen concentration as described above, it is possible to reduce exothermic reactions caused by oxygen, and to prevent any sudden rise in the temperature of the tobacco material. The temperature of the tobacco material can be reliably controlled by using a gas with a low oxygen concentration, which therefore enables flavor component-containing liquids of the desired quality to be stably produced.

[0062] The second heating step (S3) may be carried out over a period of 0.5-60 minutes, and preferably 1-30 minutes, for example. Numerous types of flavor components contained in the tobacco material can be vaporized by means of the second heating step (S3) (see fig. 11 and 12). A flavor component-containing liquid containing numerous types of flavor components can therefore be obtained in a subsequent dissolution step (a first high-boiling-point flavor component dissolution step (S4) in this embodiment).First high-boiling-point flavor component dissolution step (S4)

[0063] In the first high-boiling-point flavor component dissolution step (S4), the first high-boiling-point flavor component vaporized in the second heating step (S3) is dissolved in a liquid serving as another portion of the aerosol source (referred to below as a "second trapping liquid"). This makes it possible to obtain a first high-boiling-point flavor component-containing liquid (see fig. 1).

[0064] A liquid having the same composition as the first trapping liquid may be used as the second trapping liquid. The dissolution step (S4) may preferably be carried out by bubbling the gas containing the first high-boiling-point flavor component obtained in the second heating step (S3) through the second trapping liquid. In the dissolution step (S4), the second trapping liquid may be used in an amount of 0.5-20 mL, for example, per 10 g of tobacco material, preferably 2-10 mL, and more preferably 3-5 mL. The second trapping liquid is preferably used in the same amount as the first trapping liquid. Using the second trapping liquid in an amount in the ranges above enables the resulting flavor component-containing liquid to be used as a starting material for the tobacco flavor liquid without being concentrated.

[0065] A first high-boiling-point flavor component-containing liquid is obtained by means of the dissolution step (S4). The first high-boiling-point flavor component-containing liquid preferably has a water content of less than 25 mass%, and more preferably has a water content of 20 mass% or less. The water content of the first high-boiling-point flavor component-containing liquid is 0.1 mass% or greater, for example. In the present description, the water content of the flavor component-containing liquid indicates a value measured by means of a gas chromatograph-thermal conductivity detector (GC-TCD), as described above.

[0066] The second heating step (S3) and the first high-boiling-point flavor component dissolution step (S4) may be carried out by using the flavor component recovery system shown in fig. 2. In this case, the first trapping liquid is recovered as the low-boiling-point flavor component-containing liquid, after which a new trapping liquid (i.e., the second trapping liquid) is introduced into the cooling vessel 4B, and the second heating step (S3) can be started by continuously heating the tobacco material following the first heating step (S1).Third heating step (S5)

[0067] In the third heating step (S5), the tobacco material following the second heating step (S3) is heated at a third temperature higher than the second temperature. This causes a second high-boiling-point flavor component to be vaporized from the tobacco material (see fig. 1).

[0068] As indicated above, the "third temperature higher than the second temperature" in the third heating step (S5) refers to the temperature of the tobacco material. The temperature of the tobacco material may be obtained by measuring the temperature at the surface of the tobacco material by means of a contact thermometer, for example. For example, in the third heating step (S5), the tobacco material following the second heating step (S3) may be heated at a temperature within the range of higher than 200°C and no greater than 250°C.

[0069] The third heating step (S5) may preferably be carried out by heating the tobacco material following the second heating step (S3) in a temperature zone within the range of higher than 200°C and no greater than 250°C. For example, the third heating step (S5) may be carried out by heating the tobacco material following the second heating step (S3) from the final temperature in the second heating step (S3) (e.g., 200°C) up to 250°C, while raising the temperature of the tobacco material.

[0070] The third heating step (S5) may be carried out following the second heating step (S3) and by means of the same process as in the second heating step (S3). The third heating step (S5) can preferably be carried out by supplying a heated gas to the tobacco material. The heated gas has a temperature of 105-250°C, for example. Here, the heated gas preferably comprises an inert gas, and preferably has an oxygen concentration of no greater than 10 vol%. A mixed gas of nitrogen and air having an oxygen concentration of no greater than 10 vol% may be used as the heated gas, for example. By using a gas with a low oxygen concentration as described above, it is possible to reduce exothermic reactions caused by oxygen, and to prevent any sudden rise in the temperature of the tobacco material. The temperature of the tobacco material can be reliably controlled by using a gas with a low oxygen concentration, which therefore enables flavor component-containing liquids of the desired quality to be stably produced.

[0071] The third heating step (S5) may be carried out over a period of 0.5-60 minutes, and preferably 1-30 minutes, for example. Numerous types of flavor components contained in the tobacco material can be vaporized by means of the third heating step (S5) (see fig. 11 and 12). A flavor component-containing liquid containing numerous types of flavor components can therefore be obtained in a subsequent dissolution step (a second high-boiling-point flavor component dissolution step (S6) in this embodiment).

[0072] It should be noted that the tobacco material remaining after the third heating step (S5) may be used to produce a reconstituted tobacco material. The reconstituted tobacco material will be described later.Second high-boiling-point flavor component dissolution step (S6)

[0073] In the second high-boiling-point flavor component dissolution step (S6), the second high-boiling-point flavor component vaporized in the third heating step (S5) is dissolved in a liquid serving as another portion of the aerosol source (referred to below as a "third trapping liquid"). This makes it possible to obtain a second high-boiling-point flavor component-containing liquid (see fig. 1).

[0074] A liquid having the same composition as the first trapping liquid and the second trapping liquid may be used as the third trapping liquid. The dissolution step (S6) may preferably be carried out by bubbling the gas containing the second high-boiling-point flavor component obtained in the third heating step (S5) through the third trapping liquid. In the dissolution step (S6), the third trapping liquid may be used in an amount of 0.5-20 mL, for example, per 10 g of tobacco material, preferably 2-10 mL, and more preferably 3-5 mL. The third trapping liquid is preferably used in the same amount as the first trapping liquid and the second trapping liquid. Using the third trapping liquid in an amount in the ranges above enables the resulting flavor component-containing liquid to be used as a starting material for the tobacco flavor liquid without being concentrated.

[0075] A second high-boiling-point flavor component-containing liquid is obtained by means of the dissolution step (S6). The second high-boiling-point flavor component-containing liquid preferably has a water content of less than 25 mass%, and more preferably has a water content of 20 mass% or less. The water content of the second high-boiling-point flavor component-containing liquid is 0.1 mass% or greater, for example. In the present description, the water content of the flavor component-containing liquid indicates a value measured by means of a gas chromatograph-thermal conductivity detector (GC-TCD), as described above.

[0076] The third heating step (S5) and the second high-boiling-point flavor component dissolution step (S6) may be carried out by using the flavor component recovery system shown in fig. 2. In this case, the second trapping liquid is recovered as the first high-boiling-point flavor component-containing liquid, after which a new trapping liquid (i.e., the third trapping liquid) is introduced into the cooling vessel 4B, and the third heating step (S5) can be started by continuously heating the tobacco material following the second heating step (S3).

[0077] Note that the third heating step (S5) and the second high-boiling-point flavor component dissolution step (S6) may be omitted when the second high-boiling-point flavor component-containing liquid is not used as a starting material for the tobacco flavor liquid.Flavor component-containing liquid

[0078] The "method for producing a flavor component-containing liquid" described above makes it possible to obtain a low-boiling-point flavor component-containing liquid and a high-boiling-point flavor component-containing liquid. The method according to the embodiment described above makes it possible to obtain a low-boiling-point flavor component-containing liquid, a first high-boiling-point flavor component-containing liquid, and a second high-boiling-point flavor component-containing liquid. The "method for producing a flavor component-containing liquid" described above thus makes it possible to obtain multiple types of flavor component-containing liquids. These flavor component-containing liquids will be referred to collectively as a "flavor component-containing liquid" in the present description.

[0079] Another aspect therefore provides a flavor component-containing liquid produced by means of the "method for producing a flavor component-containing liquid" described above. The flavor component-containing liquids may all have a low water content (see fig. 10).

[0080] In the embodiment described above, the tobacco material following the first heating step (S1) is heated in two temperature zones, and the vaporized flavor components are dissolved in separate traps so that two types of high-boiling-point flavor component-containing liquids are acquired. There is no limitation to such an embodiment, and the tobacco material following the first heating step (S1) may equally be heated in three temperature zones, with the vaporized flavor components being dissolved in separate traps so that three types of high-boiling-point flavor component-containing liquids are acquired. Alternatively, the tobacco material following the first heating step (S1) may be heated in one temperature zone, and the vaporized flavor component may be dissolved in a trapping liquid so that one type of high-boiling-point flavor component-containing liquid is acquired.3.Method for producing tobacco flavor liquid

[0081] As indicated above, the "flavor component-containing liquid" may be used as a starting material for a tobacco flavor liquid used in a flavor inhaler that generates an aerosol. The method for producing a tobacco flavor liquid therefore comprises: producing multiple types of flavor component-containing liquids in accordance with the abovementioned "method for producing a flavor component-containing liquid"; and based on the flavor component content or flavor type, selecting from among the multiple types of flavor component-containing liquids: (a) one type of flavor component-containing liquid as a tobacco flavor liquid; or (b) selecting and mixing two or more types of flavor component-containing liquids to thereby prepare a tobacco liquid.

[0082] In the method described above, a low-boiling-point flavor component-containing liquid and a high-boiling-point flavor component-containing liquid may be prepared as the multiple types of flavor component-containing liquids, or else multiple high-boiling-point flavor component-containing liquids may be prepared.

[0083] When one type of flavor component-containing liquid is selected from among multiple types of flavor component-containing liquids as the tobacco flavor liquid, a flavor component-containing liquid having a high content of flavor component (e.g., nicotine) may be selected as the tobacco flavor liquid. This makes it possible to prepare a tobacco flavor liquid with a low water content and a high content of flavor component.

[0084] When two or more types of flavor component-containing liquids are selected from among the multiple types of flavor component-containing liquids and are mixed, a flavor component-containing liquid having a high content of flavor component (e.g., nicotine) can be selected first of all, one more flavor component-containing liquids of the preferred flavor type can be selected next from among the remaining flavor component-containing liquids, then these flavor component-containing liquids can be mixed. In this case, the tobacco flavor liquid is preferably prepared by mixing the flavor component-containing liquids in such a way that a blending ratio (usage rate) of the flavor component-containing liquid selected first is greater than the blending ratio (usage rate) of all of the other flavor component-containing liquids. This makes it possible to prepare a tobacco flavor liquid with a low water content and a high content of flavor component.

[0085] For example, when a low-boiling-point flavor component-containing liquid, a first high-boiling-point flavor component-containing liquid, and a second high-boiling-point flavor component-containing liquid are prepared by means of the method according to the embodiment, the first high-boiling-point flavor component-containing liquid may be selected as the tobacco flavor liquid, or the first high-boiling-point flavor component-containing liquid and the second high-boiling-point flavor component-containing liquid may be selected, and these may then be mixed in such a way that the blending ratio (usage rate) of the first high-boiling-point flavor component-containing liquid is greater than that of the second high-boiling-point flavor component-containing liquid, to thereby prepare the tobacco flavor liquid. This makes it possible to prepare a tobacco flavor liquid with a low water content and a high content of flavor component (see fig. 10-12).

[0086] When the tobacco flavor liquid is prepared, it is preferable to select some of the flavor component-containing liquids having a high content of flavor component rather than selecting all of the multiple types of flavor component-containing liquids produced by the "method for producing a flavor component-containing liquid" described above. Alternatively, when all of the multiple types of flavor component-containing liquids produced by the "method for producing a flavor component-containing liquid" described above have been selected, the blending ratio (usage rate) is preferably adjusted so that the flavor component-containing liquid having a high content of flavor component has a larger blending ratio (usage rate). That is to say, when the tobacco flavor liquid is prepared, it is undesirable to mix all of the multiple types of flavor component-containing liquids produced by the "method for producing a flavor component-containing liquid" described above at the same blending ratio (usage rate). The effect described above (i.e., the effect of obtaining a tobacco flavor liquid with a low water content and a high content of flavor component) will be reduced if all of the multiple types of flavor component-containing liquids are mixed at the same blending ratio (usage rate).

[0087] Another aspect provides a tobacco flavor liquid produced by means of the abovementioned "method for producing a tobacco flavor liquid".4. Advantageous effectsWater content

[0088] The present inventors newly discovered that the amount of moisture which volatilizes when the tobacco material is heated until the temperature of the tobacco material reaches 100°C while the temperature is raised is roughly the same as the amount of moisture which volatilizes when the tobacco material is further heated at a temperature of the tobacco material higher than 100°C by further raising the temperature of the tobacco material. This is thought to be because when the product temperature of the tobacco material is 100°C or less, the moisture originally contained in the tobacco material (approximately 10-12 [% W.B.] of moisture) volatilizes and is recovered as a vapor component, but when the product temperature of the tobacco material exceeds 100°C, a dehydration reaction is produced within the tobacco material by the heating, and moisture generated by that reaction volatilizes and is recovered as a vapor component.

[0089] Based on these findings, the present inventors succeeded in acquiring a flavor component-containing liquid with a low water content. That is to say, low-boiling-point flavor component-containing liquids and high-boiling-point flavor component-containing liquids obtained by means of the "method for producing a flavor component-containing liquid" described above all have a low water content (see fig. 10).

[0090] A flavor component-containing liquid with a low water content can be stably vaporized when used as a tobacco flavor liquid (that is, an atomization liquid) in a flavor inhaler, which thereby allows an aerosol (tobacco vapor) to be stably generated.

[0091] A flavor component-containing liquid with a low water content furthermore has the advantage of allowing flavoring materials such as menthol to dissolve easily. Flavoring materials such as menthol are typically added to the atomization liquid in a flavor inhaler. The flavoring materials are mainly components of low polarity, and have poor solubility in atomization liquids of high polarity. Even if the flavoring materials are dissolved immediately after the atomization liquid has been produced, there is a possibility of low-polarity components precipitating if exposed to low temperatures during transportation or storage.

[0092] In view of this, the flavor component-containing liquid preferably has a low water content.

[0093] When a tobacco material is heated and the flavor component vaporized by the heating is recovered in a trapping liquid in accordance with a conventional method, the flavor component-containing liquid contains a large amount of moisture. A concentration step to volatilize the moisture is needed in order to reduce the water content of such a flavor component-containing liquid. In contrast to this, the "method for producing a flavor component-containing liquid" described above makes it possible to obtain a flavor component-containing liquid with a low water content without a concentration step being carried out. The "method for producing a flavor component-containing liquid" described above has the outstanding feature of making it possible to acquire a flavor component-containing liquid with a low water content by means of a simple process.Content of flavor component

[0094] Furthermore, when a concentration step is performed in the conventional method in order to volatilize the moisture in the flavor component-containing liquid, there is a possibility of the flavor component volatilizing from the flavor component-containing liquid, leading to a weaker flavor (nicotine and / or aroma component). In contrast to this, the "method for producing a flavor component-containing liquid" described above enables a flavor component-containing liquid to be obtained without a concentration step being carried out, therefore making it possible to prevent volatilization of the flavor component due to the concentration step. The "method for producing a flavor component-containing liquid" described above therefore makes it possible to obtain a flavor component-containing liquid with a low water content and containing a large amount of flavor components (nicotine and / or aroma components).

[0095] The "method for producing a flavor component-containing liquid" described above furthermore makes it possible to obtain multiple types of flavor component-containing liquids with different flavor component contents and flavor types, because the type of flavor component vaporized is different at each heating temperature (see fig. 11 and 12). Tobacco flavor liquids providing the desired tobacco flavor (e.g., the complex flavor obtained when leaf tobacco is heated at a high temperature) can therefore be compounded by selecting suitable flavor component-containing liquids from among those obtained and mixing these liquids in a suitable ratio, as required, in order to make it possible to provide the desired tobacco flavor.5. Reconstituted tobacco material

[0096] The tobacco flavor liquid may be used as an atomization liquid in an atomization flavor inhaler, or may be used in combination with the tobacco material remaining after the flavor component-containing liquid has been obtained in the "method for producing a tobacco flavor liquid" described above. In the method according to the embodiment above, the tobacco flavor liquid may be used in combination with the tobacco flavor material remaining after the third heating step (S5). Another aspect therefore provides a reconstituted tobacco material comprising: a tobacco flavor liquid produced by means of the "method for producing a tobacco flavor liquid" described above; and a heated tobacco material obtained after the multiple types of flavor component-containing liquids have been obtained in the "method for producing a tobacco flavor liquid" described above.

[0097] Specific examples of the reconstituted tobacco material will be described below.

[0098] For example, the reconstituted tobacco material may be a product obtained by drying a mixture comprising the tobacco flavor liquid and the tobacco material remaining after the flavor component-containing liquid has been obtained. This product can be used as a tobacco flavor source in a flavor inhaler.

[0099] Alternatively, the reconstituted tobacco material may be shaped tobacco obtained by shaping a mixture comprising the tobacco flavor liquid and the tobacco material remaining after the flavor component-containing liquid has been obtained, into a specific shape such as a sheet shape or a granular shape. The shaped tobacco can be used as a tobacco flavor source in a flavor inhaler.

[0100] Alternatively, the reconstituted tobacco material may be a tobacco powder obtained by drying a mixture comprising the tobacco flavor liquid and the tobacco material remaining after the flavor component-containing liquid has been obtained, and then grinding the dried material into a powder. The tobacco powder can be added to a tobacco material (e.g., stemmed leaves or leaf tobacco) to enhance the flavor of the tobacco material. The tobacco material with enhanced flavor can be used as a tobacco flavor source in a flavor inhaler.

[0101] Alternatively, the reconstituted tobacco material may be a tobacco slurry obtained by drying a mixture comprising the tobacco flavor liquid and the tobacco material remaining after the flavor component-containing liquid has been obtained, and grinding the dried material into a powder which is then suspended in water. The tobacco slurry can be added to a tobacco material (e.g., stemmed leaves or leaf tobacco) to enhance the flavor of the tobacco material. The tobacco material with enhanced flavor can be used as a tobacco flavor source in a flavor inhaler.

[0102] The reconstituted tobacco material may include additives such as binders, pH regulators, preservatives, and antioxidants, as required.

[0103] As indicated above, the tobacco flavor liquid may have a low water content and contain a large amount of flavor components (nicotine and / or aroma components). The user can therefore be provided with an outstanding flavor when a reconstituted tobacco material is produced by using the tobacco flavor liquid, and the reconstituted tobacco material is incorporated into a flavor inhaler.6. Flavor inhaler

[0104] The "tobacco flavor liquid" described above or the "reconstituted tobacco material" described above can be incorporated into any flavor inhaler that generates an aerosol. That is to say, another aspect provides a flavor inhaler containing the "tobacco flavor liquid" described above. Yet another aspect provides a flavor inhaler containing the "reconstituted tobacco material" described above. Flavor inhalers which may be cited include combustion-type flavor inhalers, heated flavor inhalers, and non-heated flavor inhalers.

[0105] A preferred aspect provides a flavor inhaler comprising the "tobacco flavor liquid" described above, and an atomization unit for atomizing the tobacco flavor liquid. The flavor inhaler is more preferably a heated flavor inhaler. A more preferable aspect provides a flavor inhaler comprising the "tobacco flavor liquid" described above, and an atomization unit for heating and atomizing the tobacco flavor liquid.

[0106] A preferred aspect provides a flavor inhaler comprising the "reconstituted tobacco material" described above, and an atomization unit for atomizing a liquid component contained in the reconstituted tobacco material. The flavor inhaler is more preferably a heated flavor inhaler. A more preferable aspect provides a flavor inhaler comprising the "reconstituted tobacco material" described above, and an atomization unit for heating the reconstituted tobacco material and atomizing a liquid component contained in the reconstituted tobacco material.

[0107] A "combustion-type flavor inhaler" is a flavor inhaler for providing a user with a tobacco flavor by burning a tobacco filler material (cut tobacco or shaped tobacco, etc.). Examples of combustion-type flavor inhalers that may be cited include cigarettes, pipes, "kiseru" (Japanese smoking pipes), cigars, and cigarillos, etc.

[0108] A "heated flavor inhaler" is a flavor inhaler for providing a user with a tobacco flavor by heating rather than burning a tobacco flavor source such as a tobacco filler material or a tobacco flavor liquid. Examples of heated flavor inhalers that may be cited include: a carbon heat source-type flavor inhaler which heats a tobacco filler material using the heat of combustion of a carbon heat source (e.g., see WO 2006 / 073065); an electrically-heated flavor inhaler comprising a tobacco stick that contains a tobacco filler material, and a heating device for electrically heating the tobacco stick (e.g., see WO 2010 / 110226); and a liquid-atomization flavor inhaler in which an aerosol is generated by heating a liquid aerosol source using a heater, and a flavor derived from a tobacco filler material is inhaled together with the aerosol (e.g., see WO 2015 / 046385), etc.

[0109] A "non-heated flavor inhaler" is a flavor inhaler for providing a user with a tobacco flavor without burning or heating a tobacco flavor source such as a tobacco filler material or a tobacco flavor liquid. An example of a non-heated flavor inhaler that may be cited is: a liquid-atomization flavor inhaler comprising a tobacco flavor liquid and an atomization unit for atomizing the tobacco flavor liquid using a surface acoustic wave (e.g., see WO 2017 / 167521).Representative example 1 of the flavor inhaler

[0110] An example of a heated flavor inhaler containing the abovementioned "tobacco flavor liquid" will be described below with the aid of fig. 3-6. Fig. 3 is an oblique view showing an example of a heated flavor inhaler. Fig. 4 is an oblique view of a power supply unit in the heated flavor inhaler of fig. 3. Fig. 5 is a view in cross section of the heated flavor inhaler in fig. 3. Fig. 6 is a block diagram showing the main components of the power supply unit in the heated flavor inhaler in fig. 3.

[0111] A heated flavor inhaler 1 shown in fig. 3-6 has a rod shape extending along a predetermined direction (referred to below as a "longitudinal direction A"). As shown in fig. 3, the heated flavor inhaler 1 is provided with a power supply unit 10, a first cartridge 20, and a second cartridge 30, in that order along the longitudinal direction A. The first cartridge 20 is detachable from the power supply unit 10, and the second cartridge 30 is detachable from the first cartridge 20. In other words, the first cartridge 20 and the second cartridge 30 are each replaceable.Power supply unit

[0112] As shown in fig. 4 and 5, the power supply unit 10 accommodates a power source 12, a charger 13, a control unit 50, and various types of sensors, etc., inside a cylindrical power supply unit case 11. The power source 12 is a rechargeable secondary battery, and is preferably a lithium ion secondary battery.

[0113] Discharge terminals 41 are provided on a top part 11a located on one end side (the first cartridge 20 side) of the power supply unit case 11 in the longitudinal direction A. The discharge terminals 41 are provided so as to protrude from an upper face of the top part 11a toward the first cartridge 20, and are configured to be electrically connectable to a load 21 in the first cartridge 20.

[0114] An air supply portion 42 for supplying air to the load 21 in the first cartridge 20 is furthermore provided on the upper face of the top part 11a in the vicinity of the discharge terminals 41.

[0115] A charging terminal (not depicted) which is electrically connectable to an external power source capable of charging the power source 12 is provided on a bottom part 11b located on another end side (the opposite side to the first cartridge 20) of the power supply unit case 11 in the longitudinal direction A.

[0116] An operating portion 14 operable by a user is furthermore provided on a side face of the top part 11a of the power supply unit case 11. The operating portion 14 is configured by a button-type switch or a touch panel, etc., and is utilized to activate / deactivate the control unit 50 and the various types of sensors to reflect the user's intention of use.

[0117] As shown in fig. 6, the control unit 50, which performs various types of control in the heated flavor inhaler 1, is connected to the charger 13, the operating portion 14, various types of sensor devices including an inhalation sensor 15 for detecting puffing (inhalation) actions, a voltage sensor 16 for measuring a voltage of the power source 12 and a temperature sensor 17 for detecting the temperature, and a memory 18 for storing the number of puffing actions or times of energization of the load 21, etc. The inhalation sensor 15 may be configured by a capacitor microphone or a pressure sensor, etc. The control unit 50 is specifically a processor (MCU: microcontroller unit). The structure of this processor is more specifically an electrical circuit combining circuit elements such as semiconductor elements.First cartridge

[0118] As shown in fig. 5, the first cartridge 20 comprises, inside a cylindrical cartridge case 27: a reservoir 23 for storing an abovementioned "tobacco flavor liquid" 22; the electrical load 21 for atomizing the tobacco flavor liquid 22; a wick 24 for drawing the tobacco flavor liquid from the reservoir 23 to the load 21; an aerosol flow path 25 through which an aerosol generated by atomization of the tobacco flavor liquid 22 flows toward the second cartridge 30; and an end cap 26 which accommodates part of the second cartridge 30.

[0119] The reservoir 23 is partitioned in such a way as to surround the periphery of the aerosol flow path 25, and stores the tobacco flavor liquid 22. The reservoir 23 may accommodate a porous body such as a resin web or cotton, and this porous body may be impregnated with the tobacco flavor liquid 22. The reservoir 23 may also store only the tobacco flavor liquid 22, without accommodating a porous body such as a resin web or cotton.

[0120] The wick 24 is a liquid-holding member which utilizes a capillary phenomenon to draw the tobacco flavor liquid 22 from the reservoir 23 to the load 21, and is formed by glass fibers or a porous ceramic, etc.

[0121] The load 21 atomizes the tobacco flavor liquid 22, without associated burning, by means of electrical power supplied from the power source 12 via the discharge terminals 41. The load 21 is configured by a heating wire (coil) wound at a predetermined pitch. It should be noted that the load 21 should be an element capable of generating an aerosol by atomizing the tobacco flavor liquid 22, and is a heating element or an ultrasonic generator, for example. Heating elements which may be cited include a heating resistor, a ceramic heater, and a dielectric heater, etc.

[0122] The aerosol flow path 25 is provided downstream of the load 21 on a center line L of the power supply unit 10

[0123] The end cap 26 comprises: a cartridge accommodating portion 26a for accommodating part of the second cartridge 30; and the communication path 26b providing communication between the aerosol flow path 25 and the cartridge accommodating portion 26a.Second cartridge

[0124] The second cartridge 30 stores a flavor source 31, as shown in fig. 5. The second cartridge 30 is detachably accommodated in the cartridge accommodating portion 26a provided in the end cap 26 of the first cartridge 20. An end portion of the second cartridge 30 on the opposite side to the first cartridge 20 forms a mouthpiece 32 for the user. It should be noted that the mouthpiece 32 is not limited to an inseparable construction which is integrated with the second cartridge 30, and it may also be detachable from the second cartridge 30. Configuring the mouthpiece 32 as a separate element from the power supply unit 10 and the first cartridge 20 enables the mouthpiece 32 to be kept hygienic.

[0125] The second cartridge 30 imparts an additional flavor to the aerosol generated as a result of the tobacco flavor liquid 22 being atomized by the load 21, by causing this aerosol to pass through the flavor source 31. A tobacco filler material such as sheet tobacco or tobacco granules may be used as the flavor source 31. The flavor source 31 may incorporate the "reconstituted tobacco material" described above. A flavoring material such as menthol may also be added to the flavor source 31.

[0126] In the heated flavor inhaler 1, an aerosol to which an additional flavor has been imparted can be generated by means of the tobacco flavor liquid 22, the flavor source 31, and the load 21. That is to say, the tobacco flavor liquid 22 and the flavor source 31 can be counted as an aerosol-generating source for generating an aerosol.

[0127] The heated flavor inhaler 1 has a configuration in which the tobacco flavor liquid 22 and the flavor source 31 are separate elements, but it may equally have a configuration in which the tobacco flavor liquid 22 and the flavor source 31 are formed as one element. Alternatively, the heated flavor inhaler 1 need not comprise the second cartridge 30. When the second cartridge 30 is omitted from the heated flavor inhaler 1 in this way, only an aerosol generated by atomization of the tobacco flavor liquid 22 is supplied to the mouthpiece.

[0128] In the heated flavor inhaler 1, air flowing in from an air intake port (not depicted) provided in the power supply unit case 11 passes from the air supply portion 42 through the vicinity of the load 21 in the first cartridge 20, as shown by the arrow B in fig. 5. The load 21 atomizes the tobacco flavor liquid 22 drawn in or moved from the reservoir 23 by means of the wick 24. The atomized aerosol which has been generated flows through the aerosol flow path 25 together with the air flowing in from the air intake port, and is supplied to the second cartridge 30 via the communication path 26b. The aerosol supplied to the second cartridge 30 has the additional flavor imparted thereto by passing through the flavor source 31, and is supplied to the mouthpiece 32.

[0129] The heated flavor inhaler 1 is furthermore provided with a notification unit 45 for notifying various types of information. The notification unit 45 may be configured by a light-emitting element, may be configured by a vibrating element, or may be configured by a sound output element. Furthermore, the notification unit 45 may be a combination of two or more elements from among a light-emitting element, a vibrating element, and a sound output element. The notification unit 45 may be provided in any of the power supply unit 10, the first cartridge 20, and the second cartridge 30, but is preferably provided in the power supply unit 10 in order to shorten conducting wires from the power source 12. For example, a configuration may be adopted in which the notification unit 45 is provided around the operating portion 14, with the area around the operating portion 14 being light transmissive, and the notification unit 45 emits light by means of a light-emitting element such as an LED.Representative example 2 of the flavor inhaler

[0130] An example of a heated flavor inhaler containing the abovementioned "reconstituted tobacco material" will be described below with the aid of fig. 7A, 7B, 7C, 8 and 9. In this example, a heat-not-burn flavor inhaler is configured by an aerosol-generating device 100 and a flavor-generating article 200. Fig. 7A is a schematic front view showing an example of an aerosol-generating device. Fig. 7B is a schematic top view of the aerosol-generating device shown in fig. 7A. Fig. 7C is a schematic bottom view of the aerosol-generating device shown in fig. 7A. Fig. 8 is a schematic view in side section of an example of the flavor-generating article. Fig. 9 is a view in cross section along the line III-III of the aerosol-generating device shown in fig. 7B.

[0131] An X-Y-Z orthogonal coordinate system may be applied to the drawings for convenience of description. In this coordinate system, the Z-axis is oriented vertically upwards, the X-Y plane is arranged cutting across the aerosol-generating device 100 in a horizontal direction, and the Y-axis is arranged extending from the front surface to the rear surface of the aerosol-generating device 100. The Z-axis may refer to a direction in which a flavor-generating article accommodated in a chamber 150 of an atomization unit 130 (described below) is inserted, or to an axial direction of the chamber 150. Furthermore, the X-axis is a direction orthogonal to the Y-axis and Z-axis, and the X-axis and Y-axis are radial directions orthogonal to the axial direction of the chamber 150, or a radial direction of the chamber 150.

[0132] The aerosol-generating device 100 is configured to generate an aerosol containing a flavor by heating a stick-type flavor-generating article having a flavor source containing the "reconstituted tobacco material" described above.

[0133] As shown in fig. 7A-7C, the aerosol-generating device 100 comprises an outer housing 101 (corresponding to an example of an enclosure), a slide cover 102, and a switch unit 103. The outer housing 101 constitutes the outermost housing of the aerosol-generating device 100, and is sized to fit in a user's hand. When the user is using the flavor inhaler, the user can manually hold the aerosol-generating device 100 to inhale the aerosol. The outer housing 101 may be configured by assembling a plurality of members. The outer housing 101 is, for example, made of resin, and may in particular be formed from, for example, a polycarbonate (PC), an acrylonitrile-butadiene styrene (ABS) resin, polyether ether ketone (PEEK), a polymer alloy containing a plurality of types of polymer, or a metal such as aluminum.

[0134] The outer housing 101 has an opening (not depicted) for receiving the flavor-generating article, and the slide cover 102 is slidably attached to the outer housing 101 so as to close this opening. Specifically, the slide cover 102 is configured to be movable along an outer surface of the outer housing 101 between a closed position (the position shown in fig. 7A and 7B) for closing the opening of the outer housing 101, and an open position (the position shown in fig. 9) for opening the opening. For example, the user can manually operate the slide cover 102 to move the slide cover 102 between the closed position and the open position. As a result, access to the inside of the aerosol-generating device 100 by the flavor-generating article can be permitted or restricted.

[0135] The switch unit 103 is used to switch operation of the aerosol-generating device 100 on and off. For example, a user may heat-not-burn the flavor-generating article by operating the switch unit 103, with the flavor-generating article inserted in the aerosol-generating device 100, to supply power to a heater (see reference sign 140 in fig. 9) from a power source (see reference sign 121 in fig. 9). It should be noted that the switch unit 103 may be a switch provided outside the outer housing 101, or may be a switch located inside the outer housing 101. If the switch is located inside the outer housing 101, the switch is indirectly pressed by pressing the switch unit 103 on the surface of the outer housing 101. In the example described here, the switch of the switch unit 103 is located inside the outer housing 101.

[0136] The aerosol-generating device 100 may further comprise a terminal (not depicted). The terminal may be an interface for connecting the aerosol-generating device 100 to an external power source, for example. If the power source included in the aerosol-generating device 100 is a rechargeable battery, connecting an external power source to the terminal allows a current to flow from the external power source to the power source, thereby charging the power source. A data transmission cable may also be connected to the terminal to allow data relating to the operation of the aerosol-generating device 100 to be sent to an external device.

[0137] The flavor-generating article used in the aerosol-generating device 100 will be described next. Fig. 8 is a schematic view in side section of an example of the flavor-generating article 200. In this example, the flavor inhaler is configured by the aerosol-generating device 100 and the flavor-generating article 200. As shown in fig. 8, the flavor-generating article 200 comprises a smokable material 201, a tubular member 204, a hollow filter portion 206, and a filter portion 205.

[0138] The smokable material 201 is wrapped with a first wrapping paper 202. The tubular member 204, the hollow filter portion 206, and the filter portion 205 are wrapped with a second wrapping paper 203 that is different from the first wrapping paper 202. The second wrapping paper 203 also wraps a part of the first wrapping paper 202 in which the smokable material 201 is wrapped. The tubular member 204, the hollow filter portion 206, and the filter portion 205 are connected to the smokable material 201 by this means. However, the second wrapping paper 203 may be omitted, and the first wrapping paper 202 may be used to connect the tubular member 204, the hollow filter portion 206, and the filter portion 205 to the smokable material 201. A lip-release agent 207 is applied to an outer surface of the second wrapping paper 203, near an end portion on the filter portion 205 side, to make it easier for the user's lips to separate from the second wrapping paper 203. The part of the flavor-generating article 200 to which the lip-release agent 207 is applied functions as a mouthpiece of the flavor-generating article 200.

[0139] The smokable material 201 contains the abovementioned "reconstituted tobacco material" as a tobacco flavor source. Moreover, the first wrapping paper 202 that wraps the smokable material 201 may be an air-permeable sheet member. The tubular member 204 may be a paper tube or a hollow filter. In this example, the flavor-generating article 200 comprises the smokable material 201, the tubular member 204, the hollow filter portion 206, and the filter portion 205, but the configuration of the flavor-generating article 200 is not limited thereto. For example, the hollow filter portion 206 may be omitted, and the tubular member 204 and filter portion 205 may be arranged adjacent to each other.

[0140] The internal structure of the aerosol-generating device 100 will be described next. Fig. 9 is a view in cross section along the line III-III of the aerosol-generating device 100 shown in fig. 7B. As shown in fig. 9, an inner housing 110 (corresponding to an example of an enclosure) is provided on the inside of the outer housing 101 of the aerosol-generating device 100. The inner housing 110 is, for example, made of resin, and may in particular be formed from e.g. a polycarbonate (PC), an acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS) resin, polyether ether ketone (PEEK), a polymer alloy containing multiple types of polymer, or a metal such as aluminum. Note that from the perspective of heat resistance and strength, the inner housing 110 is preferably PEEK. A power source unit 120 and the atomization unit 130 are provided in the interior space of the inner housing 110.

[0141] The power source unit 120 comprises a power source 121. The power source 121 may be a rechargeable battery or a non-rechargeable battery, for example. The power source 121 is electrically connected to the atomization unit 130. This allows the power source 121 to supply power to the atomization unit 130 to heat the flavor-generating article 200 appropriately.

[0142] As shown in fig. 9, the atomization unit 130 comprises: a metal chamber 150 (corresponding to an example of a tubular member) extending in the direction of insertion of the flavor-generating article 200 (Z-axis direction); a heater 140 covering a portion of the chamber 150; a heat insulating portion 132; and a substantially cylindrical insertion guide member 134 (corresponding to an example of a guide portion) abutting the opening of the chamber 150. The chamber 150 is configured to surround the periphery of the flavor-generating article 200. The heater 140 is configured to contact an outer circumferential surface of the chamber 150, and comprises a heating unit for heating the flavor-generating article 200 inserted in the chamber 150.

[0143] Furthermore, as shown in fig. 9, a bottom member 136 (corresponding to an example of an abutment portion) is provided on a bottom portion of the chamber 150. The bottom member 136 abuts the flavor-generating article 200 inserted in the chamber 150 in the insertion direction of the flavor-generating article 200, and may function as a stopper for positioning the flavor-generating article 200. Here, an accommodating portion for accommodating at least part of the flavor-generating article 200 is formed by the chamber 150 and the bottom member 136. The bottom member 136 may be formed by a resin material, for example. The bottom member 136 may have unevenness on the surface thereof which is abutted by the flavor-generating article 200, and this unevenness may define a first air flow path which enables air to be supplied to an air intake port of the flavor-generating article 200 (i.e., which communicates with the flavor-generating article 200 accommodated in the accommodating portion). The bottom member 136 is, for example, made of resin, and may in particular be formed from e.g. a polycarbonate (PC), an acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS) resin, polyether ether ketone (PEEK), a polymer alloy containing multiple types of polymer, or a metal such as aluminum. Note that the bottom member 136 is preferably formed by a material having low thermal conductivity, in order to inhibit heat transfer to the heat insulating portion 132, etc.

[0144] The heat insulating portion 132 is substantially cylindrical overall, and is arranged so as to cover the chamber 150. The heat insulating portion 132 may comprise an aerogel sheet, for example. The insertion guide member 134 is provided between the slide cover 102 in the closed position and the chamber 150. The insertion guide member 134 is, for example, made of resin, and may in particular be formed from e.g. a polycarbonate (PC), an acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS) resin, polyether ether ketone (PEEK), a polymer alloy containing multiple types of polymer, or a metal such as aluminum. Note that the insertion guide member 134 may be formed by a metal, glass or ceramic, etc. Furthermore, from the perspective of heat resistance, the insertion guide member 134 is preferably made of PEEK. The insertion guide member 134 communicates with the outside of the aerosol-generating device 100 when the slide cover 102 is in the open position, guiding insertion of the flavor-generating article 200 into the chamber 150 after the flavor-generating article 200 has been inserted into the insertion guide member 134. Providing the insertion guide member 134 allows the flavor-generating article 200 to be easily inserted into the chamber 150.

[0145] The aerosol-generating device 100 further comprises a first holding portion 137 and a second holding portion 138 for holding both ends of the chamber 150 and the heat insulating portion 132. The first holding portion 137 is arranged to hold end portions of the chamber 150 and the heat insulating portion 132 on the Z-axis negative direction side. The second holding portion 138 is arranged to hold end portions of the chamber 150 and the heat insulating portion 132 on the slide cover 102 side (Z-axis positive direction side).7. Preferred embodiments

[0146] Preferred embodiments are summarized below. [A1] A method for producing a flavor component-containing liquid for use in a flavor inhaler that generates an aerosol, the flavor component-containing liquid comprising an aerosol source and a flavor component derived from a tobacco material, and the flavor component-containing liquid being converted to the aerosol by the flavor inhaler, wherein the method comprises: heating the tobacco material at a temperature of the tobacco material within the range of 80-100°C to thereby reduce the water content of the tobacco material; heating the tobacco material with the reduced water content at a temperature of the tobacco material higher than 100°C to thereby vaporize a high-boiling-point flavor component from the tobacco material; and dissolving the vaporized high-boiling-point flavor component in a liquid serving as at least a portion of the aerosol source to thereby obtain a high-boiling-point flavor component-containing liquid. [A2] The method as disclosed in [A1], wherein the heating to reduce the water content of the tobacco material is carried out so that the water content of the tobacco material immediately after the heating is no greater than 20% of the water content of the tobacco material immediately before the heating. [A3] The method as disclosed in [A1] or [A2], wherein the heating to reduce the water content of the tobacco material is carried out so that the water content of the tobacco material immediately after the heating is no greater than 8% of the water content of the tobacco material immediately before the heating. [A4] The method as disclosed in any one of [A1]-[A3], wherein the high-boiling-point flavor component-containing liquid has a water content of less than 25 mass%. [A5] The method as disclosed in any one of [A1]-[A4], wherein the high-boiling-point flavor component-containing liquid has a water content of 20 mass% or less. [A6] The method as disclosed in any one of [A1]-[A5], wherein the heating to vaporize the high-boiling-point flavor component from the tobacco material comprises heating the tobacco material with the reduced water content at a temperature of the tobacco material within the range of higher than 100°C and no greater than 200°C. [A7] The method as disclosed in any one of [A1]-[A6], wherein the heating to vaporize the high-boiling-point flavor component from the tobacco material is carried out by heating the tobacco material with the reduced water content from 100°C to 200°C while raising the temperature of the tobacco material. [A8] The method as disclosed in any one of [A1]-[A7], further comprising adding a humectant to the tobacco material prior to heating the tobacco material at a temperature of the tobacco material within the range of 80-100°C. [A9] The method as disclosed in [A8], wherein the humectant is glycerol, propylene glycol, 1,3-propanediol, or triacetin. [A10] The method as disclosed in [A8] or [A9], wherein the humectant is added in an amount of 1-20 parts by mass with respect to 100 parts by mass of the tobacco material. [A11] The method as disclosed in any one of [A1]-[A10], wherein the heating to vaporize the high-boiling-point flavor component from the tobacco material is carried out by supplying a heated gas to the tobacco material. [A12] The method as disclosed in [A11], wherein the heated gas comprises an inert gas and has an oxygen concentration of no greater than 10 vol%. [A13] The method as disclosed in any one of [A1]-[A12], wherein the liquid for dissolving the high-boiling-point flavor component is propylene glycol, glycerol, 1,3-propanediol, diacetin, polyethylene glycol, or a liquid mixture thereof; preferably propylene glycol, glycerol, or a liquid mixture of propylene glycol and glycerol; and more preferably propylene glycol, or a liquid mixture of propylene glycol and glycerol. [A14] The method as disclosed in any one of [A1]-[A13], wherein the liquid for dissolving the high-boiling-point flavor component is a liquid in an amount of 0.5-20 mL per 10 g of the tobacco material, preferably 2-10 mL, and more preferably 3-5 mL. [A15] The method as disclosed in any one of [A1]-[A14], wherein the heating to reduce the water content of the tobacco material is carried out by heating the tobacco material from room temperature (e.g., 20°C) to 100°C while raising the temperature of the tobacco material. [A16] The method as disclosed in any one of [A1]-[A15], wherein the heating to reduce the water content of the tobacco material is carried out by supplying a heated gas to the tobacco material. [A17] The method as disclosed in [A16], wherein the heated gas comprises an inert gas and has an oxygen concentration of no greater than 10 vol%. [A18] The method as disclosed in any one of [A1]-[A17], further comprising dissolving, in a liquid serving as another portion of the aerosol source, a low-boiling-point flavor component vaporized from the tobacco material by heating the tobacco material at a temperature of the tobacco material within the range of 80-100°C, to thereby obtain a low-boiling-point flavor component-containing liquid. [A19] The method as disclosed in any [A18], wherein the low-boiling-point flavor component-containing liquid has a water content of less than 25 mass%. [A20] The method as disclosed in [A18]-[A19], wherein the low-boiling-point flavor component-containing liquid has a water content of 20 mass% or less. [A21] The method as disclosed in any one of [A18]-[A20], wherein the liquid for dissolving the low-boiling-point flavor component is propylene glycol, glycerol, 1,3-propanediol, diacetin, polyethylene glycol, or a liquid mixture thereof; preferably propylene glycol, glycerol, or a liquid mixture of propylene glycol and glycerol; and more preferably propylene glycol, or a liquid mixture of propylene glycol and glycerol. [A22] The method as disclosed in any one of [A18]-[A21], wherein the liquid for dissolving the low-boiling-point flavor component is a liquid in an amount of 0.5-20 mL per 10 g of the tobacco material, preferably 2-10 mL, and more preferably 3-5 mL. [A23] The method as disclosed in any one of [A1]-[A22], wherein the high-boiling-point flavor component is vaporized while the temperature of the tobacco material is being raised, and fractions of the high-boiling-point flavor component vaporized in different temperature zones are dissolved in separate liquids to thereby obtain multiple types of high-boiling-point flavor component-containing liquids. [A24] The method as disclosed in any one of [A1]-[A23], wherein the high-boiling-point flavor component is vaporized while the temperature of the tobacco material is being raised, and fractions of the high-boiling-point flavor component vaporized in 2-5 different temperature zones are dissolved in separate liquids to thereby obtain 2-5 types of high-boiling-point flavor component-containing liquids. [A25] The method as disclosed in any one of [A1]-[A24], wherein the high-boiling-point flavor component is vaporized while the temperature of the tobacco material is being raised, and fractions of the high-boiling-point flavor component vaporized in two different temperature zones are dissolved in separate liquids to thereby obtain two types of high-boiling-point flavor component-containing liquids. [A26] The method as disclosed in any one of [A23]-[A25], wherein each of the multiple types of high-boiling-point flavor component-containing liquids has a water content of less than 25 mass%. [B1] A method for producing a flavor component-containing liquid for use in a flavor inhaler that generates an aerosol, the flavor component-containing liquid comprising an aerosol source and a flavor component derived from a tobacco material, and the flavor component-containing liquid being converted to the aerosol by the flavor inhaler, wherein the method comprises: (S1) heating the tobacco material at a first temperature of the tobacco material within the range of 80-100°C to thereby vaporize a low-boiling-point flavor component from the tobacco material while also reducing the water content of the tobacco material; (S2) dissolving the vaporized low-boiling-point flavor component in a liquid serving as a portion of the aerosol source to thereby obtain a low-boiling-point flavor component-containing liquid; (S3) after heating at the first temperature, heating the tobacco material at a second temperature of the tobacco material higher than 100°C to thereby vaporize a first high-boiling-point flavor component from the tobacco material; (S4) dissolving the vaporized first high-boiling-point flavor component in a liquid serving as another portion of the aerosol source to thereby obtain a first high-boiling-point flavor component-containing liquid; (S5) after heating at the second temperature, heating the tobacco material at a third temperature of the tobacco material higher than the second temperature to thereby vaporize a second high-boiling-point flavor component from the tobacco material; and (S6) dissolving the vaporized second high-boiling-point flavor component in a liquid serving as another portion of the aerosol source to thereby obtain a second high-boiling-point flavor component-containing liquid. [B2] The method as disclosed in [B1], wherein the heating at the first temperature is carried out so that the water content of the tobacco material immediately after the heating is no greater than 20% of the water content of the tobacco material immediately before the heating. [B3] The method as disclosed in [B1] or [B2], wherein the heating at the first temperature is carried out so that the water content of the tobacco material immediately after the heating is no greater than 8% of the water content of the tobacco material immediately before the heating. [B4] The method as disclosed in any one of [B1]-[B3], wherein the first high-boiling-point flavor component-containing liquid has a water content of less than 25 mass%. [B5] The method as disclosed in any one of [B1]-[B4], wherein the first high-boiling-point flavor component-containing liquid has a water content of 20 mass% or less. [B6] The method as disclosed in any one of [B1]-[B5], wherein the heating at the second temperature comprises heating the tobacco material with the reduced water content at a temperature of the tobacco material within the range of higher than 100°C and no greater than 200°C. [B7] The method as disclosed in any one of [B1]-[B6], wherein the heating at the second temperature is carried out by heating the tobacco material with the reduced water content from 100°C to 200°C while raising the temperature of the tobacco material. [B8] The method as disclosed in any one of [B1]-[B7], further comprising adding a humectant to the tobacco material prior to heating the tobacco material at the first temperature. [B9] The method as disclosed in [B8], wherein the humectant is glycerol, propylene glycol, 1,3-propanediol, or triacetin. [B10] The method as disclosed in [B8] or [B9], wherein the humectant is added in an amount of 1-20 parts by mass with respect to 100 parts by mass of the tobacco material. [B11] The method as disclosed in any one of [B1]-[B10], wherein the heating at the second temperature is carried out by supplying a heated gas to the tobacco material. [B12] The method as disclosed in [B11], wherein the heated gas comprises an inert gas and has an oxygen concentration of no greater than 10 vol%. [B13] The method as disclosed in any one of [B1]-[B12], wherein the liquid for dissolving the first high-boiling-point flavor component is propylene glycol, glycerol, 1,3-propanediol, diacetin, polyethylene glycol, or a liquid mixture thereof; preferably propylene glycol, glycerol, or a liquid mixture of propylene glycol and glycerol; and more preferably propylene glycol, or a liquid mixture of propylene glycol and glycerol.

[0147] [B14] The method as disclosed in any one of [B1]-[B13], wherein the liquid for dissolving the first high-boiling-point flavor component is a liquid in an amount of 0.5-20 mL per 10 g of the tobacco material, preferably 2-10 mL, and more preferably 3-5 mL.

[0148] [B15] The method as disclosed in any one of [B1]-[B14], wherein the heating at the first temperature is carried out by heating the tobacco material from room temperature (e.g., 20°C) to 100°C while raising the temperature of the tobacco material.

[0149] [B16] The method as disclosed in any one of [B1]-[B15], wherein the heating at the first temperature is carried out by supplying a heated gas to the tobacco material.

[0150] [B17] The method as disclosed in [B16], wherein the heated gas comprises an inert gas and has an oxygen concentration of no greater than 10 vol%.

[0151] [B18] The method as disclosed in any one of [B1]-[B17], wherein the low-boiling-point flavor component-containing liquid has a water content of less than 25 mass%.

[0152] [B19] The method as disclosed in any one of [B1]-[B18], wherein the low-boiling-point flavor component-containing liquid has a water content of 20 mass% or less.

[0153] [B20] The method as disclosed in any one of [B1]-[B19], wherein the liquid for dissolving the low-boiling-point flavor component is propylene glycol, glycerol, 1,3-propanediol, diacetin, polyethylene glycol, or a liquid mixture thereof; preferably propylene glycol, glycerol, or a liquid mixture of propylene glycol and glycerol; and more preferably propylene glycol, or a liquid mixture of propylene glycol and glycerol.

[0154] [B21] The method as disclosed in any one of [B1]-[B20], wherein the liquid for dissolving the low-boiling-point flavor component is a liquid in an amount of 0.5-20 mL per 10 g of the tobacco material, preferably 2-10 mL, and more preferably 3-5 mL.

[0155] [B22] The method as disclosed in any one of [B1]-[B21], wherein the heating at the third temperature comprises heating the tobacco material at a temperature of the tobacco material within the range of higher than 200°C and no greater than 250°C.

[0156] [B23] The method as disclosed in any one of [B1]-[B22], wherein the heating at the third temperature is carried out by heating the tobacco material from 200°C to 250°C while raising the temperature of the tobacco material.

[0157] [B24] The method as disclosed in any one of [B1]-[B23], wherein the heating at the third temperature is carried out by supplying a heated gas to the tobacco material.

[0158] [B25] The method as disclosed in [B24], wherein the heated gas comprises an inert gas and has an oxygen concentration of no greater than 10 vol%.

[0159] [B26] The method as disclosed in any one of [B1]-[B25], wherein the second high-boiling-point flavor component-containing liquid has a water content of less than 25 mass%.

[0160] [B27] The method as disclosed in any one of [B1]-[B26], wherein the second high-boiling-point flavor component-containing liquid has a water content of 20 mass% or less.

[0161] [B28] The method as disclosed in any one of [B1]-[B27], wherein the liquid for dissolving the second high-boiling-point flavor component is propylene glycol, glycerol, 1,3-propanediol, diacetin, polyethylene glycol, or a liquid mixture thereof; preferably propylene glycol, glycerol, or a liquid mixture of propylene glycol and glycerol; and more preferably propylene glycol, or a liquid mixture of propylene glycol and glycerol.

[0162] [B29] The method as disclosed in any one of [B1]-[B28], wherein the liquid for dissolving the second high-boiling-point flavor component is a liquid in an amount of 0.5-20 mL per 10 g of the tobacco material, preferably 2-10 mL, and more preferably 3-5 mL.

[0163] [C1] A flavor component-containing liquid produced by means of the method as disclosed in any one of [A1]-[A26] and [B1]-[B29].

[0164] [D1] A method for producing a tobacco flavor liquid, the method comprising: producing multiple types of flavor component-containing liquids in accordance with the method as disclosed in any one of [A18]-[A26] and [B1]-[B29]; and based on the flavor component content or flavor type, selecting from among the multiple types of flavor component-containing liquids: (a) one type of flavor component-containing liquid as a tobacco flavor liquid; or (b) selecting and mixing two or more types of flavor component-containing liquids to thereby prepare a tobacco liquid.

[0165] [D2] The method as disclosed in [D1], wherein the method does not comprise concentrating the flavor component-containing liquid.

[0166] [D3] A tobacco flavor liquid produced by means of the method as disclosed in [D1] or [D2].

[0167] [D4] A flavor inhaler containing the tobacco flavor liquid as disclosed in [D3].

[0168] [D5] A flavor inhaler comprising the tobacco flavor liquid as disclosed [D3], and an atomization unit for atomizing the tobacco flavor liquid.

[0169] [E1] A reconstituted tobacco material comprising: a tobacco flavor liquid produced by means of the method as disclosed in [D1] or [D2]; and a heated tobacco material obtained after the multiple types of flavor component-containing liquids have been obtained in the method as disclosed in [D1] or [D2].

[0170] [E2] A flavor inhaler containing the reconstituted tobacco material as disclosed in [E1].EXAMPLESEXAMPLE 1

[0171] In Example 1, a low-boiling-point flavor component-containing liquid and two types of high-boiling-point flavor component-containing liquids were prepared in accordance with the method according to the embodiments described above, and the water content, nicotine content and amount of aroma components of each flavor component-containing liquid were measured.1-1. Preparation of flavor component-containing liquid(1) Example of the present invention

[0172] Glycerol was added to Brazilian flue-cured cut tobacco in an amount of 20 mass% with respect to the cut tobacco. The cut tobacco with glycerol added was used as a tobacco material. A flavor component-containing liquid was prepared from the tobacco material using the flavor component recovery system shown in fig. 2. The specific process is described below.

[0173] First heating step and low-boiling-point flavor component dissolution step 13 g of the tobacco material were placed in the heating vessel 3B shown in fig. 2. 5 g of propylene glycol were placed in the cooling vessel 4B shown in fig. 2 as a first trapping liquid. A mixed gas comprising nitrogen and air (N 2 / air mixed gas) adjusted to an oxygen concentration of 8 vol% was fed from the gas supply source 3E to the preheater 3F and heated at 250°C. The heated gas was fed to the heating vessel 3B at a flow rate of 1 [L / min] and supplied to the tobacco material. Furthermore, the heating vessel 3B was placed in a hot-air oven set at 250°C, and the tobacco material was also heated from outside the vessel. When the tobacco material was heated, the flavor component was vaporized from the tobacco material, and a flavor component-containing gas was fed from the heating vessel 3B to the dissolution apparatus 4. The flavor component dissolved in the first trapping liquid in the dissolution apparatus 4.

[0174] The product temperature of the tobacco material was measured by means of the thermocouple 3D, and the first trapping liquid was replaced at the time when the product temperature of the tobacco material reached 100°C. Specifically, the first trapping liquid was recovered at the time when the product temperature of the tobacco material reached 100°C, and a new trapping liquid (second trapping liquid) was placed in the cooling vessel 4B. 5 g of propylene glycol were used as the second trapping liquid. The recovered first trapping liquid (that is, the low-boiling-point flavor component-containing liquid) will be referred to as "fraction 1". It should be noted that the "water content WC2" of the tobacco material immediately after the product temperature of the tobacco material had reached 100°C was no greater than 20% of the "water content WC1" of the tobacco material immediately before the heating.

[0175] Second heating step and first high-boiling-point flavor component dissolution step Heating of the tobacco material was continued after this, and the second trapping liquid was replaced at the stage when the product temperature of the tobacco material reached 200°C. Specifically, the second trapping liquid was recovered at the time when the product temperature of the tobacco material reached 200°C, and a new trapping liquid (third trapping liquid) was placed in the cooling vessel 4B. 5 g of propylene glycol were used as the third trapping liquid. The recovered second trapping liquid (that is, the first high-boiling-point flavor component-containing liquid) will be referred to as "fraction 2".

[0176] Third heating step and second high-boiling-point flavor component dissolution step Heating of the tobacco material was continued after this, the product temperature of the tobacco material reached 250°C, and the heating was stopped after a 10 minute hold. The third trapping liquid was recovered at the timing of stopping heating. The recovered third trapping liquid (that is, the second high-boiling-point flavor component-containing liquid) will be referred to as "fraction 3".(2) Comparative Example

[0177] Glycerol was added to Brazilian flue-cured cut tobacco in an amount of 20 mass% with respect to the cut tobacco. The cut tobacco with glycerol added was used as a tobacco material. A flavor component-containing liquid was prepared from the tobacco material using the flavor component recovery system shown in fig. 2. The specific process is described below.

[0178] 13 g of the tobacco material were placed in the heating vessel 3B shown in fig. 2. 5 g of propylene glycol were placed in the cooling vessel 4B shown in fig. 2 as a trapping liquid. A mixed gas comprising nitrogen and air (N 2 / air mixed gas) adjusted to an oxygen concentration of 8 vol% was fed from the gas supply source 3E to the preheater 3F and heated at 250°C. The heated gas was fed to the heating vessel 3B at a flow rate of 1 [L / min] and supplied to the tobacco material. Furthermore, the heating vessel 3B was placed in a hot-air oven set at 250°C, and the tobacco material was also heated from outside the vessel. When the tobacco material was heated, the flavor component was vaporized from the tobacco material, and a flavor component-containing gas was fed from the heating vessel 3B to the dissolution apparatus 4. The flavor component dissolved in the trapping liquid in the dissolution apparatus 4.

[0179] The product temperature of the tobacco material was measured by means of the thermocouple 3D, the product temperature of the tobacco material reached 250°C, and the heating was stopped after a 10 minute hold. The trapping liquid was recovered at the timing of stopping heating. The recovered trapping liquid will be referred to as the "comparative example recovered liquid".1-2. Measurement methods

[0180] The water content of "fraction 1", "fraction 2", "fraction 3", and the "comparative example recovered liquid" was measured by means of a gas chromatograph-thermal conductivity detector (GC-TCD). Furthermore, the nicotine content of "fraction 1", "fraction 2", "fraction 3", and the "comparative example recovered liquid" was measured by means of a gas chromatograph-flame ionization detector (GC-FID). Furthermore, the amount of aroma components in "fraction 1", "fraction 2", "fraction 3", and the "comparative example recovered liquid" was measured by means of a gas chromatograph-mass selective detector (GC-MSD). The amount of aroma components was measured by classification into seven types of fragrance families (amine, phenol, pyrazine, furan, ketone, vapor phase, organic acid, and hydrocarbon).1-3. Results

[0181] The water content measurement results are shown in fig. 10. The nicotine content measurement results are shown in fig. 11.

[0182] The water content of the "comparative example recovered liquid" was approximately 35 mass%, whereas the water contents of "fraction 1", "fraction 2"and "fraction 3" were no greater than 16 mass% in all cases. It can be seen from the results in fig. 10 that a flavor component-containing liquid with a low-water content can be produced by means of the method according to the present invention.

[0183] "Fraction 1" and "fraction 3" both had a low nicotine content of 0.5 mass%. Meanwhile, "fraction 2" had a high nicotine content of 3.6 mass%, which was higher than the nicotine content of the "comparative example recovered liquid". It can be seen from the results in fig. 10 and 11 that a flavor component-containing liquid with a low-water content and a high nicotine content can be produced by means of the method according to the present invention.

[0184] The results of measuring the amount of aroma components is shown in fig. 12. Fig. 12 is a radar chart showing amounts of aroma components contained in flavor component-containing liquids. In fig. 12, the amounts of aroma components in "fraction 1", "fraction 2"and "fraction 3" are expressed as relative values where the amount of aroma components in the "comparative example recovered liquid" is assumed to be 1. The amounts of aroma components are expressed by a logarithmic scale in fig. 12.

[0185] It can be seen from the results in fig. 12 that "fraction 1", "fraction 2"and "fraction 3" have different fragrance characteristics. "Fraction 1" had relatively high amounts of organic acids and hydrocarbons as compared to aroma components of other families. "Fraction 2" contained a good balance of aroma components of all families, similarly to the "comparative example recovered liquid". "Fraction 3" had a relatively low amount of pyrazine-based aroma component as compared to aroma components of other families.

[0186] Summarizing the results of fig. 10-12, "fraction 1", "fraction 2", "fraction 3", and the "comparative example recovered liquid" can be characterized as follows.

[0187] The "comparative example recovered liquid" had both a high water content and a high nicotine content, and exhibited the complex flavor which is obtained when leaf tobacco is heated at a high temperature (the complex tobacco flavor derived from leaf tobacco), but was judged to have an impression of burning. "Fraction 1" had a lower water content and also a considerably lower nicotine content than the "comparative example recovered liquid", and exhibited a green aroma with a fairly strong acidic odor. "Fraction 2" had a lower water content but a higher nicotine content than the "comparative example recovered liquid", and exhibited the complex flavor which is obtained when leaf tobacco is heated at a high temperature (the complex tobacco flavor derived from leaf tobacco), but with a weak impression of burning. "Fraction 3" had both a low water content and a low nicotine content, and produced a strong fragrant aroma and impression of burning.

[0188] By selecting "fraction 2" as a tobacco flavor liquid, it is possible to obtain a tobacco flavor liquid with a low water content and also with the complex tobacco flavor derived from leaf tobacco. Alternatively, by blending "fraction 3" in a small blending ratio with "fraction 2" as the main component, it is possible to compound a tobacco flavor liquid with a low water content and also with the complex tobacco flavor derived from leaf tobacco.EXAMPLE 2

[0189] The relationship between a solvent composition of the flavor component-containing liquid and menthol solubility was investigated in Example 2.2-1. Evaluation method.

[0190] The "comparative example recovered liquid" and "fraction 2" were prepared in the manner described in Example 1. A mixed solvent was furthermore prepared by mixing water, propylene glycol (PG), and glycerol (G) in various ratios. Here, the ratios of water, propylene glycol (PG) and glycerol (G) were varied at intervals of 5 mass%. Specifically, the ratio of water was varied from 0 mass% to 100 mass% at intervals of 5 mass%, and when the ratio of water was x mass%, the ratio of propylene glycol was varied from 0 mass% to (100-x) mass% at intervals of 5 mass%, with the total 100 mass% being made up by glycerol. 231 types of mixed solvents were prepared by this means.

[0191] 9 mass% of menthol was dissolved in each of the "comparative example recovered liquid", "fraction 2", and the "231 types of mixed solvents". Specifically, menthol was added to each liquid in an amount of 9 mass%, the liquids were shaken for 40 minutes at room temperature (approximately 20°C), and then subjected to an ultrasound treatment over the course of 30 minutes. The menthol solubility was then evaluated visually. When a liquid was in an emulsified state, when a liquid underwent phase separation, and when menthol precipitated in a liquid, menthol was evaluated as insoluble in that liquid.

[0192] The concentration of propylene glycol (PG) and the concentration of glycerol (G) were measured using an LC-RID (liquid chromatograph-refractive index detector) in order to establish the solvent compositions of the "comparative example recovered liquid" and "fraction 2".2-2. Results

[0193] The results of evaluating the menthol solubility for the "comparative example recovered liquid", "fraction 2", and the "231 types of mixed solvents" are shown in fig. 13. Fig. 13 is a ternary graph showing the relationship between solvent composition and menthol solubility. In fig. 13, the left-hand diagonal side of the triangle shows a solvent with 0 mass% water, and the vertex on the right of the triangle shows a solvent with 100 mass% water. In fig. 13, the righthand diagonal side of the triangle shows a solvent with 0 mass% propylene glycol (PG), and the vertex on the left of the triangle shows a solvent with 100 mass% propylene glycol (PG). In fig. 13, the bottom side of the triangle shows a solvent with 0 mass% glycerol (G), and the top vertex of the triangle shows a solvent with 100 mass% glycerol (G). In fig. 13, a solvent composition in which menthol dissolved is denoted by "∘", and a solvent composition in which menthol did not dissolve is denoted by "×".

[0194] It can be seen from the results of the "231 types of mixed solvents" that a solvent with a low proportion of moisture and a high proportion of propylene glycol is preferable as a solvent for dissolving menthol.

[0195] 9 mass% of menthol did not dissolve in the "comparative example recovered liquid". The solvent composition of the "comparative example recovered liquid" was 35 mass% water, 55 mass% propylene glycol, and 10% glycerol.

[0196] Meanwhile, 9 mass% of menthol dissolved in "fraction 2". After the menthol had been dissolved in "fraction 2", there was no precipitation of menthol even after the solution had been left to stand at 5°C. The solvent composition of "fraction 2" was 18.1 mass% water, 78.2 mass% propylene glycol, and 3.6% glycerol.

[0197] It can be seen from these results that a flavor component-containing liquid with a low water content has superior menthol solubility.REFERENCE SIGNS LIST

[0198] 2... Flavor component recovery system, 3... Heating apparatus, 3A... Tobacco material, 3B... Heating vessel, 3C... Sintered filter, 3D... Thermocouple, 3E... Gas supply source, 3F... Preheater, 3G... Gas flow path, 4... Dissolution apparatus, 4A... Trapping liquid, 4B... Cooling vessel, 5... Gas flow path 1... Heated flavor inhaler, 10... Power supply unit, 20... First cartridge, 30... Second cartridge, 11... Power supply unit case, 11a... Top part, 11b... Bottom part, 12... Power source, 13... Charger, 14... Operating portion, 15... Inhalation sensor, 16... Voltage sensor, 17... Temperature sensor, 18... Memory, 21... Load, 22... Tobacco flavor liquid, 23... Reservoir, 24... Wick, 25... Aerosol flow path, 26... End cap, 26a... Cartridge accommodating portion, 26b... Communication path, 27... Cartridge case, 31... Flavor source, 32 Mouthpiece, 41... Discharge terminal, 42... Air supply portion, 45... Notification unit, 50... Control unit 100... Aerosol-generating device, 101... Outer housing, 102... Slide cover, 103... Switch unit, 110... Inner housing, 120... Power source unit, 121... Power source, 130... Atomization unit, 132... Heat insulating portion, 134... Insertion guide member, 136... Bottom member, 137... First holding portion, 138... Second holding portion, 140... Heater, 150... Chamber, 200... Flavor-generating article, 201... Smokable material, 202... First wrapping paper, 203... Second wrapping paper, 204... Tubular member, 205... Filter portion, 206... Hollow filter portion, 207... Lip-release agent

Examples

specific example

[0049]The first heating step (S1) and the dissolution step (S2) described above may be carried out by using a flavor component recovery system 2, which is illustrated in fig. 2, for example. As shown in fig. 2, the flavor component recovery system 2 comprises a heating apparatus 3, a dissolution apparatus 4, and a gas flow path 5 connecting these two apparatuses.

[0050]The heating apparatus 3 shown in fig. 2 comprises: a heating vessel 3B for accommodating a tobacco material 3A; a sintered filter 3C installed on a bottom face of the heating vessel 3B; a thermocouple 3D for measuring the temperature of the tobacco material 3A; a gas supply source 3E for accommodating a gas which is fed to the heating vessel 3B; a preheater 3F for heating the gas which is fed from the gas supply source 3E to the heating vessel 3B; and a gas flow path 3G for feeding the gas to the heating vessel 3B.

[0051]The dissolution apparatus 4 shown in fig. 2 is connected by way of the gas flow path 5 to the heatin...

example 1

[0171]In Example 1, a low-boiling-point flavor component-containing liquid and two types of high-boiling-point flavor component-containing liquids were prepared in accordance with the method according to the embodiments described above, and the water content, nicotine content and amount of aroma components of each flavor component-containing liquid were measured.

1-1. Preparation of flavor component-containing liquid

(1) Example of the present invention

[0172]Glycerol was added to Brazilian flue-cured cut tobacco in an amount of 20 mass% with respect to the cut tobacco. The cut tobacco with glycerol added was used as a tobacco material. A flavor component-containing liquid was prepared from the tobacco material using the flavor component recovery system shown in fig. 2. The specific process is described below.

[0173]First heating step and low-boiling-point flavor component dissolution step 13 g of the tobacco material were placed in the heating vessel 3B shown in fig. 2. 5 g of propylen...

example 2

[0189]The relationship between a solvent composition of the flavor component-containing liquid and menthol solubility was investigated in Example 2.

2-1. Evaluation method.

[0190]The "comparative example recovered liquid" and "fraction 2" were prepared in the manner described in Example 1. A mixed solvent was furthermore prepared by mixing water, propylene glycol (PG), and glycerol (G) in various ratios. Here, the ratios of water, propylene glycol (PG) and glycerol (G) were varied at intervals of 5 mass%. Specifically, the ratio of water was varied from 0 mass% to 100 mass% at intervals of 5 mass%, and when the ratio of water was x mass%, the ratio of propylene glycol was varied from 0 mass% to (100-x) mass% at intervals of 5 mass%, with the total 100 mass% being made up by glycerol. 231 types of mixed solvents were prepared by this means.

[0191]9 mass% of menthol was dissolved in each of the "comparative example recovered liquid", "fraction 2", and the "231 types of mixed solvents". S...

Claims

1. A method for producing a flavor component-containing liquid for use in a flavor inhaler that generates an aerosol, the flavor component-containing liquid comprising an aerosol source and a flavor component derived from a tobacco material, and the flavor component-containing liquid being converted to the aerosol by the flavor inhaler, wherein the method comprises: heating the tobacco material at a temperature of the tobacco material within the range of 80-100°C to thereby reduce the water content of the tobacco material; heating the tobacco material with the reduced water content at a temperature of the tobacco material higher than 100°C to thereby vaporize a high-boiling-point flavor component from the tobacco material; and dissolving the vaporized high-boiling-point flavor component in a liquid serving as at least a portion of the aerosol source to thereby obtain a high-boiling-point flavor component-containing liquid.

2. The method as claimed in claim 1, wherein the heating to reduce the water content of the tobacco material is carried out so that the water content of the tobacco material immediately after the heating is no greater than 20% of the water content of the tobacco material immediately before the heating.

3. The method as claimed in claim 1 or 2, wherein the high-boiling-point flavor component-containing liquid has a water content of less than 25 mass%.

4. The method as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the heating to vaporize the high-boiling-point flavor component from the tobacco material comprises heating the tobacco material with the reduced water content at a temperature of the tobacco material within the range of higher than 100°C and no greater than 200°C.

5. The method as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 4, further comprising adding a humectant to the tobacco material prior to heating the tobacco material at a temperature of the tobacco material within the range of 80-100°C.

6. The method as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the heating to vaporize the high-boiling-point flavor component from the tobacco material is carried out by supplying a heated gas to the tobacco material.

7. The method as claimed in claim 6, wherein the heated gas comprises an inert gas and has an oxygen concentration of no greater than 10 vol%.

8. The method as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 7, further comprising dissolving, in a liquid serving as another portion of the aerosol source, a low-boiling-point flavor component vaporized from the tobacco material by heating the tobacco material at a temperature of the tobacco material within the range of 80-100°C, to thereby obtain a low-boiling-point flavor component-containing liquid.

9. The method as claimed in claim 8, wherein the low-boiling-point flavor component-containing liquid has a water content of less than 25 mass%.

10. The method as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 9, wherein the high-boiling-point flavor component is vaporized while the temperature of the tobacco material is being raised, and fractions of the high-boiling-point flavor component vaporized in different temperature zones are dissolved in separate liquids to thereby obtain multiple types of high-boiling-point flavor component-containing liquids.

11. The method as claimed in claim 10, wherein each of the multiple types of high-boiling-point flavor component-containing liquids has a water content of less than 25 mass%.

12. A flavor component-containing liquid produced by means of the method as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 11.

13. A method for producing a tobacco flavor liquid, the method comprising: producing multiple types of flavor component-containing liquids in accordance with the method as claimed in any one of claims 8 to 11; and based on the flavor component content or flavor type, selecting from among the multiple types of flavor component-containing liquids: (a) one type of flavor component-containing liquid as a tobacco flavor liquid; or (b) selecting and mixing two or more types of flavor component-containing liquids to thereby prepare a tobacco liquid.

14. A tobacco flavor liquid produced by means of the method as claimed in claim 13.

15. A flavor inhaler containing the tobacco flavor liquid as claimed in claim 14.

16. A flavor inhaler comprising the tobacco flavor liquid as claimed in claim 14, and an atomization unit for atomizing the tobacco flavor liquid.

17. A reconstituted tobacco material comprising: a tobacco flavor liquid produced by means of the method as claimed in claim 13; and a heated tobacco material obtained after the multiple types of flavor component-containing liquids have been obtained in the method as claimed in claim 13.

18. A flavor inhaler containing the reconstituted tobacco material as claimed in claim 17.

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