Tobacco material containing tobacco stem raw material

Abstract

To provide a novel tobacco material.SOLUTION: The tobacco material contains a tobacco stem raw material selected from the group consisting of a tobacco stem, a portion thereof, and a combination thereof.SELECTED DRAWING: None

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a tobacco material containing a tobacco stem material. [Background technology]

[0002] Tobacco stems account for approximately 50% of the weight of the above-ground part of a tobacco plant. Traditionally, tobacco stems have not been used directly in smoking articles because they are hard and difficult to handle, but have instead been processed and reused. For example, it is known that tobacco stems are burned and used as fertilizer. Patent Document 1 also discloses the use of tobacco stems as biofuel. Furthermore, Patent Document 2 proposes extracting fiber (cellulose) and nicotine-containing tobacco syrup from the liquid extracted from tobacco stems, and producing sheets from the obtained fiber. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] European Patent No. 3030098 [Patent Document 2] U.S. Patent Application No. 2019 / 0313690 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] Tobacco stems are hard and difficult to handle, so they have been reused as described in the above-mentioned patent documents. However, the inventors came up with the idea that tobacco stems could be used as tobacco materials such as tobacco flavoring materials. In view of the above circumstances, an objective of the present invention is to provide a novel tobacco material. [Means for solving the problem]

[0005] The above problems are solved by the present invention described below. Aspect 1 A tobacco material containing a tobacco stem raw material selected from the group consisting of a tobacco stem, a portion thereof, and a combination thereof. Aspect 2 2. The tobacco material according to claim 1, wherein the part is selected from the group consisting of the pith, the cortex, and the epidermis. Aspect 3 3. The tobacco material of claim 2, wherein the tobacco stem material comprises the pith. Aspect 4 A tobacco material according to any one of Aspects 1 to 3, wherein the tobacco stem raw material is in the form of a ground or non-ground material. Aspect 5 A tobacco material according to any one of Aspects 1 to 4, wherein the tobacco stem raw material is heat-treated or not heat-treated. Aspect 6 A tobacco material according to any one of Aspects 1 to 5, wherein the tobacco stem raw material is dried or not dried. Aspect 7 7. The tobacco material according to any one of Aspects 1 to 6, which is a tobacco flavoring material. Aspect 8 8. The tobacco material according to claim 7, comprising a backbone as the tobacco stem raw material. Aspect 9 A tobacco material according to any one of aspects 1 to 8, Tobacco raw materials, 1. A tobacco composition comprising: Aspect 10 A tobacco segment comprising the tobacco composition of embodiment 9. Aspect 11 A flavor inhalation article comprising a tobacco segment according to embodiment 10. Effect of the Invention

[0006] The present invention provides a novel tobacco material. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0007] [Figure 1] Diagram showing the outline of a tobacco plant [Diagram 2] FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an embodiment of a non-combustion heating type tobacco flavor inhalation article. [Diagram 3] FIG. 1 shows an embodiment of a non-combustion heating type tobacco flavor inhalation system. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0008] The present invention will be described in detail below. In the present invention, "X to Y" includes the extreme values ​​X and Y.

[0009] 1.Tobacco materials Tobacco materials are materials used in flavor inhalation articles. Tobacco materials can be used directly as a flavor source in the flavor inhalation article, or can be used as a tobacco flavoring agent that imparts a smoking flavor to the constituent materials of the flavor inhalation article.

[0010] (1) Tobacco stem material The tobacco material of the present invention contains a tobacco stem raw material. The tobacco stem raw material is selected from the group consisting of a tobacco stem, a part thereof, and a combination thereof. As shown in FIG. 1, the tobacco stem is a collective term for the stem of a tobacco plant and the midrib of a tobacco leaf. FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of a tobacco plant, in which 1 is a tobacco plant, 3 is a stem, and 5 is a midrib (midrib of a tobacco leaf). The stem 3 of a tobacco plant includes a remaining stem and other stems. As tobacco plants, those belonging to the genus Nicotiana, such as tabacum and rustica, can be suitably used. In one embodiment, the tobacco stem raw material can include the midrib, and in another embodiment, the tobacco stem raw material can be free of the midrib. The former embodiment can provide a better aroma and taste, and is therefore particularly suitable as a tobacco flavoring material.

[0011] The tobacco stem part refers to tissues constituting the tobacco stem, and includes the pith, cortex, and epidermis. The pith refers to the internal basic tissue surrounded by the vascular ring. The cortex is a tissue system present between the epidermis and the pith, and becomes lignified as the plant grows. The cortex includes a portion of the vascular tissue. The epidermis is a general term for the tissue system that covers the body surface of a plant. In one embodiment, the tobacco material includes the tobacco stem and the pith, cortex, or epidermis, which are parts of the tobacco stem. In another embodiment, the tobacco material includes the tobacco stem. In yet another embodiment, the tobacco material includes the pith, cortex, or epidermis, which are parts of the tobacco stem. The pith, cortex, or epidermis can be derived from the stem or midrib.

[0012] The tobacco stem material may be ground or unground. When the tobacco stem material is ground, its size is not limited, but for example, its average particle size D50 may be preferably 30 to 120 μm, more preferably 50 to 100 μm. The grinding may be performed using a known grinder, and may be either dry grinding or wet grinding. In the present invention, the average particle size is determined by a laser diffraction / scattering method, and specifically, is measured using a laser diffraction particle size distribution measuring device (for example, HORIBA LA-950).

[0013] The tobacco stem material may or may not be heat-treated. When it is desired to increase the burnt sweet odor, it is preferable to heat-treat the tobacco stem material. However, if the treatment is performed at an excessively high temperature, the aroma and flavor of the tobacco stem material will be impaired. From this viewpoint, the heat treatment temperature is preferably 40 to 200°C, more preferably 50 to 300°C. The treatment time is not limited, but is preferably 5 to 60 minutes, more preferably 10 to 30 minutes.

[0014] The tobacco stem material may be dried or undried. Drying makes it suitable for storage.

[0015] The tobacco material may contain no components other than the tobacco stem raw material, or may contain components other than the tobacco stem raw material. Such components include components other than the tobacco stem raw material described below, such as solvents or dispersion media such as water or organic solvents.

[0016] (2) Tobacco flavoring materials Tobacco stem raw materials are particularly useful as tobacco flavoring materials. Tobacco flavoring materials are tobacco materials that impart a smoking taste to tobacco raw materials such as tobacco shreds, or constituent materials such as cigarette paper. Specifically, the tobacco stem raw materials described above can be used by directly adding them to the tobacco raw materials. Alternatively, the tobacco stem raw materials described above can be dispersed or dissolved in a medium such as water or an organic solvent, and the liquid can be sprayed onto or impregnated into the tobacco raw materials or constituent materials. Tobacco materials containing a backbone can impart a better smoking taste, and are therefore particularly suitable as tobacco flavoring materials. When the tobacco material is a material other than a tobacco flavoring material, the tobacco stem raw material can be free of a backbone.

[0017] (3) Tobacco composition A composition containing tobacco raw materials and the tobacco material of the present invention is also referred to as a tobacco composition. The content of the tobacco material in the tobacco composition is appropriately adjusted depending on the desired flavor and taste. In one embodiment, the content of the tobacco material is adjusted so that the lower limit of the tobacco stem material in the tobacco composition is preferably 0.1% by weight or more, more preferably 0.3% by weight or more. In particular, when the amount is 0.3% by weight or more, the effect of the present invention is remarkable. As the amount increases, the effect becomes more remarkable, but from the viewpoint of cost, etc., the content of the tobacco material is adjusted so that the upper limit of the tobacco stem material in the tobacco composition is preferably 20% by weight or less, more preferably 10% by weight or less, even more preferably 5% by weight or less, and particularly preferably 1% by weight or less.

[0018] Tobacco raw materials are raw materials derived from Nicotiana plants, and examples thereof include tobacco raw materials such as tobacco leaves, aged tobacco leaves, tobacco shreds, and tobacco powder, as well as processed products or waste products obtained by subjecting tobacco raw materials to processing. Tobacco leaves are a general term for harvested tobacco leaves before they undergo aging. One form of aging includes curing. Tobacco shreds are aged tobacco leaves, etc. that have been chopped into a specified size. Tobacco powder is obtained by pulverizing tobacco leaves, etc.

[0019] 2. Flavor suction article In the present invention, the term "flavor inhalation article" refers to an article for a user to inhale a flavor. Among flavor inhalation articles, those containing tobacco or components derived from tobacco are also referred to as "tobacco flavor inhalation article". Tobacco flavor inhalation articles are broadly classified into "combustion type tobacco flavor inhalation article" (also simply referred to as "smoking article") that generates a flavor by combustion, and "non-combustion type tobacco flavor inhalation article" that generates a flavor without combustion. Furthermore, non-combustion type tobacco flavor inhalation articles are broadly classified into "non-combustion heating type tobacco flavor inhalation article" that generates a flavor by heating, and "non-combustion non-heating type tobacco flavor inhalation article" that generates a flavor without heating. The tobacco segment containing the tobacco material of the present invention is suitable for combustion type tobacco flavor inhalation article (smoking article) and non-combustion heating type tobacco flavor inhalation article. As the smoking article, a known article having a tobacco segment and a filter part can be used. Hereinafter, the combustion heating type tobacco flavor inhalation article will be described.

[0020] FIG. 2 shows one embodiment of a non-combustion heating tobacco flavor inhalation article. As shown in the figure, the non-combustion heating tobacco flavor inhalation article 20 includes a tobacco segment 20A, a cylindrical cooling section 20B having perforations on the circumference, and a filter section 20C. The non-combustion heating tobacco flavor inhalation article 20 may include other members. The axial length of the non-combustion heating tobacco flavor inhalation article 20 is not limited, but is preferably 40 to 90 mm, more preferably 50 to 75 mm, and even more preferably 50 to 60 mm or less. The circumferential length of the non-combustion heating tobacco flavor inhalation article 20 is preferably 16 to 25 mm, more preferably 20 to 24 mm, and even more preferably 21 to 23 mm. For example, an embodiment in which the tobacco segment 20A has a length of 20 mm, the cooling section 20B has a length of 20 mm, and the filter section 20C has a length of 7 mm can be mentioned. The lengths of these individual members can be appropriately changed according to the manufacturing suitability, the required quality, and the like. FIG. 2 shows an embodiment in which the first segment 25 is disposed, but it is also possible to dispose the first segment 25 and to dispose only the second segment 26 downstream of the cooling section 20B.

[0021] 1) Tobacco segment 20A The tobacco filler 21 in the tobacco segment 20A contains the tobacco material. The method of filling the tobacco filler 21 into the wrapper 22 is not particularly limited, and for example, the tobacco filler 21 may be wrapped in the wrapper 22, or the tobacco filler 21 may be filled into a cylindrical wrapper 22. When the tobacco material has a longitudinal direction, such as a rectangular shape, it may be filled so that the longitudinal direction is in an unspecified direction within the wrapper 22, or may be filled so that it is aligned in the axial direction of the tobacco segment 20A or in a direction perpendicular thereto. When the tobacco segment 20A is heated, the tobacco components, aerosol-generating substrate, and water contained in the tobacco filler 21 are vaporized and available for inhalation.

[0022] 2) Cooling section 20B The cooling section 20B is preferably constructed of a tubular member. The tubular member may be, for example, a cardboard tube 23 formed by processing cardboard into a cylindrical shape. The cooling section 20B may also be formed by a sheet of thin material that is wrinkled and then pleated, gathered, or folded to form a channel. As such a material, for example, a sheet material selected from the group consisting of polyethylene, polypropylene, polyvinyl chloride, polyethylene terephthalate, polylactic acid, cellulose acetate, and aluminum foil may be used. The total surface area of ​​the cooling section 20B is appropriately adjusted taking into account the cooling efficiency, but may be, for example, 300 to 1000 mm 2 / mm. The cooling section 20B is preferably provided with perforations 24. The presence of the perforations 24 allows outside air to be introduced into the cooling section 20B during inhalation. As a result, the vaporized components of the aerosol generated by heating the tobacco segment 21A come into contact with the outside air, and as their temperature drops, they are liquefied, forming an aerosol. The diameter (diameter) of the perforations 24 is not particularly limited, but may be, for example, 0.5 to 1.5 mm. The number of perforations 24 is not particularly limited, and may be one or two or more. For example, a plurality of perforations 24 may be provided on the circumference of the cooling section 20B.

[0023] The cooling section 20B may be rod-shaped with an axial length of, for example, 7 to 28 mm. For example, the axial length of the cooling section 20B may be 18 mm. The cooling section 20B may have a substantially circular axial cross-sectional shape with a diameter of 5 to 10 mm. For example, the diameter of the cooling section may be about 7 mm.

[0024] 3) The filter part 20C The configuration of the filter part 20C is not particularly limited, and may be composed of one or more packed layers. The outside of the packed layers may be wrapped with one or more wrapping papers. The airflow resistance of the filter part 20C can be appropriately changed depending on the amount, material, etc. of the filter packing filled in the filter part 20C. For example, when the filter packing is cellulose acetate fiber, the airflow resistance can be increased by increasing the amount of cellulose acetate fiber filled in the filter part 20C. When the filter packing is cellulose acetate fiber, the packing density of the cellulose acetate fiber is 0.13 to 0.18 g / cm. 3 The airflow resistance is a value measured by an airflow resistance measuring device (product name: SODIMAX, manufactured by SODIM).

[0025] The circumferential length of the filter part 20C is not particularly limited, but is preferably 16 to 25 mm, more preferably 20 to 24 mm, and even more preferably 21 to 23 mm. The axial length of the filter part 20C (horizontal direction in FIG. 2) can be selected from 4 to 10 mm, and is selected so that the airflow resistance is 15 to 60 mmH2O / seg. The axial length of the filter part 20C is preferably 5 to 9 mm, and more preferably 6 to 8 mm. The cross-sectional shape of the filter part 20C is not particularly limited, but can be, for example, a circle, an ellipse, a polygon, etc. In addition, a destructible capsule containing a fragrance, fragrance beads, or a fragrance may be directly added to the filter part 20C.

[0026] The filter part 20C may have a center hole part as the first segment 25. The center hole part is composed of a first packed layer 25a having one or more hollow parts and an inner plug wrapper (inner wrapping paper) 25b that covers the packed layer. The center hole part has a function of increasing the strength of the mouthpiece part. The center hole part may not have an inner plug wrapper 25b and may maintain its shape by thermoforming. The filter part 20C may have a second segment 26. The second segment 26 is composed of a second packed layer 26a and an inner plug wrapper (inner wrapping paper) 26b that covers the packed layer. The second packed layer 26a can be, for example, a rod with an inner diameter of φ5.0 to φ1.0 mm, which is packed with cellulose acetate fibers at a high density and hardened by adding 6 to 20% by weight of a plasticizer containing triacetin to the weight of the cellulose acetate. Since the second packed layer has a high fiber packing density, air and aerosol flow only through the hollow parts during inhalation, and hardly flow through the second packed layer. Since the second filling layer inside the center hole portion is a fiber filling layer, the feel from the outside during use is less likely to cause discomfort to the user.

[0027] The first filling layer 25a and the second filling layer 26a are connected by an outer plug wrapper (outer wrapping paper) 27. The outer plug wrapper 27 can be, for example, a cylindrical paper. The tobacco segment 20A, the cooling section 20B, and the first filling layer 25a and the second filling layer 26a that have already been connected are connected by a mouthpiece lining paper 28. These connections can be made, for example, by applying a glue such as a vinyl acetate glue to the inner surface of the mouthpiece lining paper 28 and wrapping the three components. These components may be connected in multiple separate instances using multiple lining papers.

[0028] A combination of a non-combustion heating type tobacco flavor inhalation article and a heating device for generating an aerosol is also referred to as a non-combustion heating type tobacco flavor inhalation system. An example of the system is shown in Fig. 3. In the figure, the non-combustion heating type tobacco flavor inhalation system includes a non-combustion heating type tobacco flavor inhalation article 20 and a heating device 10 that heats a tobacco segment 20A from the outside.

[0029] The heating device 10 includes a body 11, a heater 12, a metal tube 13, a battery unit 14, and a control unit 15. The body 11 has a cylindrical recess 16, and the heater 12 and the metal tube 13 are disposed at a position corresponding to the tobacco segment 20A to be inserted therein. The heater 13 may be a heater using electric resistance, and is heated by being supplied with power from the battery unit 14 in response to an instruction from a control unit 15 that controls temperature. The heat generated by the heater 12 is transferred to the tobacco segment 20A through the metal tube 13, which has high thermal conductivity. In the figure, the heating device 10 is shown as heating the tobacco segment 20A from the outside, but may be heating from the inside. The heating temperature by the heating device 10 is not particularly limited, but is preferably 400°C or less, more preferably 150 to 400°C, and even more preferably 200 to 350°C. The heating temperature refers to the temperature of the heater of the heating device 10. EXAMPLES

[0030] [Example 1] Tobacco stems, a type of tobacco stem, were decomposed into the pith, cortex, and epidermis, and each part was then dispersed in water to prepare a dispersion. 1) Preparation of Combustion-Type Tobacco Flavor Inhalation Article 1A Tobacco shreds were prepared, and the dispersion liquid in which the pith was dispersed was added to the tobacco shreds to prepare a tobacco material. The amount of the pith added to the tobacco shreds was 1% by weight. Using the tobacco material, a combustion-type tobacco flavor inhalation article 1A was manufactured according to a conventional method. 2) Combustion-type tobacco flavor inhalation articles 1B, 1C, and 1D Except for using the cortex, epidermis, and midrib instead of the pith, combustible tobacco flavor inhalation articles 1B, 1C, and 1D were manufactured in the same manner as described in 1). Smoking tests were conducted on these articles by five well-trained panelists. The results are shown below.

[0031] 1A (pith added): A soft and heavy lactone-like sweetness was felt. The aroma shifted to the brighter side, and it also had the effect of suppressing the bitter astringency of the base itself. 1B (cortex added): The aroma was good, and in addition to the lactone-like sweetness, it also had a nutty feel. The aroma was a little light brown. There was some concern about the slight fibrous smell and the decrease in aroma and flavor in the latter half of the smoking process. 1C (skin added): Although weaker than the pith, lactone-like sweetness was felt. Although there was a slight fibrous smell and a grassy smell, the complexity increased. The aroma was not affected. 1D (backbone added): The effect was milder than that of 1B, but the same smoking taste effect as 1B was confirmed.

[0032] [Example 2] The following mixtures were prepared by combining the pith, cortex, and epidermis prepared in Example 1. Tobacco materials were prepared by adding 0.3% by weight of each mixture to the shreds, and combustible tobacco flavor inhalation articles were manufactured according to standard methods. Smoking tests were conducted for each article by five well-trained panelists. As a result, all combinations were able to produce a flavor that could not be obtained from normal tobacco leaves. In particular, the combinations containing pith exhibited a lactone-like sweet flavor. Epidermis:Cortex:Pith=4:13:3 Epidermis:Skin layer=4:13 Cortex:pith=13:3 Epidermis:pith=4:3 Epidermis:Cortex:Pith=1:1:1 Epidermis:Skin layer=1:1 Cortex:pith=1:1 Epidermis:pith=1:1

[0033] [Example 3] The pith prepared in Example 1 was weighed out into three containers, each of 10 g. The pith in the container was heat-treated at 50°C for 15 minutes, 150°C for 15 minutes, and 250°C for 15 minutes, respectively. Similarly, the skin and the epidermis were also heat-treated to obtain a total of nine types of heat-treated materials. Each material was added to tobacco shreds in the same manner as in Example 1 to produce a combustion-type tobacco flavor inhalation article. In addition, the tobacco shreds to which each material was added were used to produce a non-combustion heating-type flavor inhalation article shown in Figure 2 according to a standard method. Five well-trained panelists conducted a smoking test on these articles. As a result, it was confirmed that in all cases, a burnt sweet odor was imparted and the sweetness was also made more complex. The panelists' comments were as follows. Addition of 50℃ processed product: There was a slight burnt sweet smell. The lactone-like sweetness was strong. 150℃: The burnt sweet smell increased and the lactone-like sweetness became more complex. Addition of 250℃ processed product: There was a burnt sweet smell, but it seemed a little over-processed. The lactone-like sweetness tended to decrease slightly. [Explanation of symbols]

[0034] 1. Tobacco plant 3. Stem 5. Backbone 10 Heating device 11. Body 12 Heater 13 Metal tube 14 Battery unit 15 Control Unit 16 Recess 17 Ventilation holes 20 Non-combustion heating type flavor inhalation products 20A Tobacco Segment 20B Cooling section 20C Filter section 21 Tobacco filling 22 Scroll Paper 23 Paper tube 24 perforation 25 First Segment 25a 1st packed bed 25b Inner plug wrapper 26 Second Segment 26a 2nd packed bed 26b Inner plug wrapper 27 Outer plug wrapper 28 Lining Paper

Claims

1. A tobacco material containing a tobacco stem raw material selected from the group consisting of a tobacco stem, a portion thereof, and a combination thereof.

2. 2. The tobacco material according to claim 1, wherein the part is selected from the group consisting of the pith, the cortex, and the epidermis.

3. The tobacco material according to claim 2 , wherein the tobacco stem material comprises the pith.

4. The tobacco material according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the tobacco stem raw material is in the form of a ground or non-ground material.

5. The tobacco material according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the tobacco stem raw material is heat-treated or not heat-treated.

6. The tobacco material according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the tobacco stem raw material is dried or not dried.

7. The tobacco material according to any one of claims 1 to 6, which is a tobacco flavoring material.

8. The tobacco material according to claim 7 , comprising a midrib as the tobacco stem raw material.

9. A tobacco material according to any one of claims 1 to 8, Tobacco raw materials, 1. A tobacco composition comprising:

10. A tobacco segment comprising the tobacco composition of claim 9.

11. A flavor inhalation article comprising the tobacco segment according to claim 10.

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