Envelopes or packaging materials
By employing grass and straw fibers with biodegradable coatings, the packaging materials for cigarettes and non-combustion heating articles achieve improved environmental sustainability and barrier properties, addressing the limitations of traditional wood-derived cellulose and synthetic coatings.
Patent Information
- Application Number
- JP2025511444
- Authority / Receiving Office
- JP · JP
- Patent Type
- Applications
- Current Assignee / Owner
- Priority Date
- 2022-09-14
- Filing Date
- 2023-09-08
- Publication Date
- 2025-09-25
AI Technical Summary
Existing packaging materials for cigarettes and non-combustion heating articles, including mouthpiece lining papers and inner liners, often rely on wood-derived cellulose fibers and synthetic coatings, which are not environmentally friendly and lack effective barriers against moisture, oxygen, and oil, while also containing microplastics and petroleum-based components.
Utilizing fiber substitutes from grass and straw, combined with biodegradable functional coatings derived from renewable resources, to create base papers with enhanced barrier properties against water vapor, oxygen, and oil, and replacing synthetic coatings with plant-based alternatives.
The use of grass and straw fibers with biodegradable coatings provides sustainable, effective barriers against moisture, oxygen, and oil, while eliminating microplastics and petroleum-based materials, enhancing the environmental sustainability and performance of packaging materials.
Smart Images

Figure 2025531685000001_ABST
Abstract
Description
[Technical Field]
[0001] The present invention relates to packaging or packaging materials for cigarettes, non-combustion heating articles, or tobacco products. [Background technology]
[0002] The cigarette and the non-combustion heating article each comprise an aerosol-generating substrate, for example in the form of a tobacco rod, and a filter. The cigarette and the non-combustion heating article each comprise a mouthpiece lining paper present in at least the region of the filter.
[0003] CN114875720 relates to an insert sheet for a cigarette case containing Tencel fiber, softwood pulp fiber, and tobacco fiber.
[0004] DE 102019100112 A1 relates to a segment of a smoking article in the form of a filter or cooling segment wrapped in a wrapping material. DE 102019100112 A1 lists possible sources of pulp fibre for the segment. However, it only states that the wrapping material may consist of paper.
[0005] CN112779818 relates to cigarette paper for wrapping tobacco rods. The cigarette paper contains, inter alia, 60-85 parts ultra-fine tobacco powder and 15-40 parts cellulose fiber. Furthermore, grass and straw are mentioned in the list of many possible sources of cellulose fiber. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]
[0006] [Patent Document 1] Chinese Patent Application Publication No. 114875720 [Patent Document 2] German Patent Application Publication No. 102019100112 [Patent Document 3] Chinese Patent Application Publication No. 112779818 Summary of the Invention
[0007] In a first embodiment, the present invention relates to a mouthpiece lining paper for the mouthpiece of a cigarette or non-combustion heating consumer article, or generally an aerosol-generating consumer article.
[0008] Mouthpiece lining paper, often called "tipping paper" or simply "tipping," is the part of an aerosol-generating consumer article that comes into contact with a person's lips when smoking a filter cigarette or heating a non-combustion heating consumer article. The mouthpiece lining paper encases the filter portion and typically also protrudes slightly in the longitudinal direction of the consumer article into the longitudinal region of the tobacco rod or aerosol-generating substrate, where it encases the cigarette paper or aerosol-generating substrate wrapping material. The mouthpiece lining paper forms the outermost wrapping material of the aerosol-generating consumer article and, unlike cigarette paper, does not burn when the consumer article is used.
[0009] In most cases, the mouthpiece lining paper is indeed paper, but it may also be foil or a composite material made up of several layers of different materials.
[0010] Mouthpiece lining papers are often printed, for example the printing can resemble cork, however mouthpiece lining papers that are white in the lip contact area are also used.
[0011] In a second embodiment, the present invention relates to a packaging material for cigarettes, non-combustion heating consumer goods, or tobacco products. In particular, the second embodiment relates to an inner liner. The inner liner is a flexible inner shell of a package consisting of several shells arranged one inside the other, with the shell surrounding the inner liner usually made of a more rigid material. Pouches, filter covers, and outer packaging can be designed as additional packaging materials using the present invention. The packaging material according to the present invention can particularly replace packaging materials originally present as plastic films.
[0012] Common to both embodiments is that a base paper containing a fiber substitute is used as a starting point, to which a functional coating is applied. The fiber substitute is a fiber material obtained not from wood but from other plant sources. The fiber substitute preferably consists of grass fiber or straw fiber, in particular wheat straw fiber.
[0013] Other fiber substitutes, such as hemp, flax, tobacco, and / or coconut fiber, can also be used to partially replace the cellulose in paper pulp.
[0014] The base paper preferably has a thickness of 20 to 300 g / m 2 , preferably 30 to 60 g / m 2 The weight range is:
[0015] The base paper preferably contains the following components within the specified value ranges: Fiber substitute: 1 to 50% by weight Cellulose fiber: 50-99% by weight
[0016] In a preferred embodiment, the fiber substitute is derived from wheat straw and / or grass. In most cases, both materials are locally available in sufficient quantities. These are by-products or waste products of wheat production and grass harvesting, and can be judiciously used as part of the base paper.
[0017] Wheat straw in particular provides natural impregnation of oils and waxes in the paper mass, which is traditionally achieved by treatment with fluorochemicals, and therefore natural impregnation with fiber substitutes, especially wheat straw, is environmentally friendly and sustainable.
[0018] Such impregnation provides a good basis for further treatment with a biodegradable functional coating which in combination produces an excellent barrier effect against water vapor, oxygen, and moisture and / or oil.
[0019] The base paper preferably contains the following components within the specified value ranges: Wheat straw fiber and / or grass fiber: 5-40% by weight Cellulose fiber: 60-95% by weight
[0020] coating Due to the fiber substitute, the base paper already has improved oil and water impregnation, which according to the invention is further improved by the functional coating. Preferably, a KIT value of 5 to 12 is achieved by the coating.
[0021] The functional coating is preferably 0.1 to 20 g / m 2 , preferably 3 to 10 g / m 2 is applied in an amount of
[0022] The functional coating preferably contains only ingredients derived from renewable resources or of natural or plant origin.
[0023] In one embodiment, the functional coating comprises a coating of polylactic acid (PLA).
[0024] In one embodiment, the functional coating comprises a coating with polyvinyl alcohol (PVA, PVOH).
[0025] In one embodiment, the functional coating comprises vegetable paraffin.
[0026] In one embodiment, the functional coating comprises a vegetable dye.
[0027] In one embodiment, the functional coating comprises algae.
[0028] In one embodiment, the functional coating comprises nanocellulose.
[0029] In one embodiment, the functional coating comprises nano-graphite.
[0030] In one embodiment, the functional coating comprises ethyl cellulose.
[0031] In one embodiment, the functional coating comprises a vegetable resin, particularly shellac.
[0032] In one embodiment, the functional coating comprises sea foam (sepiolite).
[0033] In one embodiment, the functional coating comprises a plant protein, in particular an algal protein or a fungal protein.
[0034] The functional coating preferably contains the following components within the specified value ranges: Binder: 50-60% by weight Solvent and / or water: 40 to 50% by weight Functional materials: 5~20% by weight
[0035] printing The functionally coated base paper can then be printed on, and can be printed with known or conventional inks.
[0036] In one embodiment of the present invention, printing is preferably performed with vegetable oil ink or vegan ink. These inks are free of added microplastics and petroleum-based plastics or waxes. The solvent of these inks is preferably ethanol, in particular recycled ethanol. These inks preferably contain only components derived from renewable resources or of natural or plant origin.
[0037] Ethyl cellulose or shellac is preferably used for the print. The print can also contain ethyl cellulose and shellac.
[0038] The print preferably contains the following components within the specified value ranges: Talc: 0.1 to 5% by weight Pigment: 0.1 to 50% by weight Ethyl cellulose and / or shellac: 5 to 50% by weight Ethanol and / or water: 5 to 90% by weight
[0039] In a preferred embodiment, the base paper comprises 70-80% by weight of pulp and 20-30% by weight of grass and / or wheat straw. The grass and / or wheat straw is preferably provided with a resin and a binder. In one embodiment, the base paper is sized. In another embodiment, the base paper is unsized.
[0040] In one embodiment, the functional coating comprises nanocellulose embedded in a mixture of a binder and a solvent or water to close the capillaries.
[0041] The functional coating can be applied in several layers, in one embodiment two coatings are applied with different solvents, preferably a solvent-based varnish followed by a water-based varnish or vice versa.
[0042] In one embodiment, the functional coating comprises nanographite or seafoam, which can provide a reduction in contaminants in the smoke or vapor mixture.
[0043] The coating preferably comprises vegetable resin, PLA, PVOH, ethyl cellulose, and / or vegetable paraffin to form a dense layer and a barrier against oil, fat, water vapor, and oxygen, as well as fragrances.
[0044] In one embodiment, the optional printing comprises a binder-solvent or binder-water or binder-solvent-water mixture based on PLA, PVOH, ethylcellulose, and / or shellac, with coloring, preferably comprising pigments from plant ingredients, in particular turmeric, beetroot, spirulina, carrot, or algae.
[0045] The pigments are preferably food grade. Film-forming or non-film-forming pigments can be used.
[0046] The solids content of the optional printing, especially in the form of vegetable oil ink, is preferably 10 to 30%, in particular 15 to 25%.
[0047] The invention is illustrated by the drawings. [Brief explanation of the drawings]
[0048] [Figure 1] 1 shows a base paper with a functional coating. [Figure 2] 1 shows a base paper with a functional coating when used in a filter cigarette. [Figure 3] 1 shows a base paper with a functional coating and additional printing.
[0049] 1 shows a cross-sectional view of a base paper 1 provided with a functional coating 2. As shown, the functional coating 2 can cover the entire surface of the base paper 1. In embodiments not shown, the functional coating 2 can be applied to only some areas of the base paper 1. It is also possible to provide different functional coatings 2 on different parts of the base paper 1. The functional coating 2 preferably forms a film on the surface of the base paper 1.
[0050] FIG. 2 shows, in cross section, the use of base paper 1 having a functional coating 2 in a filter cigarette. However, base paper 1 having a functional coating 2 can be used broadly as a packaging or packaging material for cigarettes, non-combustion heating articles, or tobacco products. In the case of a filter cigarette or non-combustion heating article, base paper 1 having a functional coating 2 preferably surrounds the filter 3 of the filter cigarette or non-combustion heating article, i.e., particularly the area that comes into contact with the user's lips. Furthermore, the filter cigarette or non-combustion heating article has an aerosol-generating segment 4 that may be surrounded by additional packaging material 5. In embodiments not shown, the additional packaging material 5 may also be formed from base paper 1 having a functional coating 2 according to the present invention. In addition to the filter 3 and the aerosol-generating segment 4, the non-combustion heating article may include other segments, such as a cooling segment and a hollow segment, one or more of which may be wrapped by base paper 1 having a functional coating 2 or packaging material 5. The functional coating 2 is preferably present on the exterior of the filter cigarette or non-combustion heating article.
[0051] The base paper 1 in question comprises at least one fiber substitute in the form of wheat straw fibers and / or grass fibers from grass clippings in a proportion of 5-40% by weight, and the base paper 1 further comprises cellulose fibers in a proportion of 60-95% by weight. The functional coating in question comprises a coating weight of 0.1-20 g / m 2 is present in an amount of
[0052] Figure 3 shows a cross-section of a base paper 1 provided with a functional coating 2 and a printing 6. The base paper 1 and functional coating 2 are present in the embodiment described with respect to Figure 1. As shown, the printing 6 can cover the entire surface of the functional coating 2 on the base paper 1. In embodiments not shown, the printing 6 can be applied to only some areas of the base paper 1 or to only some areas of the functional coating 2. It is also possible to provide different printings 6 on different parts of the base paper 1. The printing 6 can be over the entire area or in the form of lines, letters or patterns.
Claims
1. A packaging or packing material for cigarettes, non-combustion heating articles or tobacco products, comprising a base paper (1) and a functional coating (2) on said base paper (1), said base paper (1) comprising at least one fiber substitute, said functional coating (2) having a coating density of 0.1 to 20 g / m 2 wherein the base paper (1) contains wheat straw fibers and / or grass fibers from grass clippings in an amount of 5 to 40% by weight and cellulose fibers in an amount of 60 to 95% by weight.
2. 2. The packaging or packing material according to claim 1, characterized in that the base paper (1) contains straw fibers.
3. 2. The packaging or packing material according to claim 1, characterized in that the base paper (1) contains grass fibers.
4. 2. The packaging or packing material according to claim 1, characterized in that the base paper (1) contains straw and grass fibers.
5. Packaging or packaging material according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the functional coating (2) contains only components from renewable resources.
6. The functional coating (2) has a coating weight of 3 to 10 g / m 2 6. The packaging or packing material according to claim 1, wherein the amount of
7. 7. Packaging or packaging material according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that there is a printing (6) above the functional coating (2).
8. 8. Packaging or packaging material according to claim 7, characterized in that the print (6) contains only components from renewable resources.
9. The printing (6) is 0.1 to 10 g / m 2 , preferably 0.5 to 5 g / m 2 9. The packaging or packing material according to claim 7 or 8, characterized in that it is present in an amount of
Citation Information
Patent Citations
Heated tobacco cigarette paper and preparation method thereof
CN112779818A
Tobacco type lining base paper as well as preparation method and application thereof
CN114875720A
Biodegradable segment of a smoking product
DE102019100112A1