Sustained-release menthol and manufacturing method for the same

Abstract

The present invention relates to a method for producing sustained-release menthol, comprising the steps of: S1 melting menthol; S2 producing a mixed liquid phase by mixing the melted menthol and glycerin; and S3 stirring the mixed liquid phase to produce a solid dispersion, wherein in step S2, the weight of the melted menthol is greater than the weight of the glycerin.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a sustained-release menthol and a method for producing the same.

Background Art

[0002] In order to satisfy the preferences of smokers, smoking articles are flavored in various ways. Examples of typical flavoring methods include directly adding (e.g., spraying) a flavor liquid to a smoking substance such as cut tobacco or a filter plug. <​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​The present invention provides a method for producing sustained-release menthol, wherein in step S2, the weight of the menthol is greater than the weight of the glycerin.

[0010] According to another embodiment of the present invention, the solid dispersion comprises menthol and glycerin,

[0011] The solid dispersion is one in which the menthol is uniformly dispersed in the glycerin.

[0012] The present invention provides a sustained-release menthol in which the weight of the menthol is greater than the weight of the glycerin.

[0013] According to another embodiment of the present invention, a smoking article comprising a medium, a filter, and a wrapper,

[0014] At least one of the components selected from the group consisting of the medium, filter, and wrapper contains sustained-release menthol.

[0015] The sustained-release menthol comprises a solid dispersion containing menthol and glycerin.

[0016] The solid dispersion is one in which the menthol is uniformly dispersed in the glycerin.

[0017] The present invention provides a smoking article in which the weight of menthol is greater than the weight of glycerin. [Effects of the Invention]

[0018] The present invention provides a method for producing sustained-release menthol, which allows for uniform dispersion of menthol and can be easily applied to the composition of smoking articles.

[0019] The sustained-release menthol produced by the manufacturing method of the present invention has excellent fragrance retention and storage properties, and can continuously release its fragrance without loss of fragrance.

[0020] The smoking article containing the sustained-release menthol of the present invention is excellent in aroma retention, storage property, and persistence.

[0021] The effects of the present invention are not limited to the above effects, and it should be understood to include all effects inferable from the configuration of the invention described in the detailed description or claims of the present invention.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0022] [Figure 1] It is a flowchart of a method for manufacturing a sustained-release menthol according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2] It is a diagram showing an image of a sustained-release menthol according to the weight ratio of menthol and glycerin.

Modes for Carrying Out the Invention

[0023] Hereinafter, embodiments will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. However, various changes can be made to the embodiments, and the scope of the patent application is not limited or restricted by these embodiments. It should be understood that all changes, equivalents, or alternatives to the embodiments are included in the scope of the rights.

[0024] The terms used in the embodiments are for illustrative purposes only and should not be construed as having an intention to limit. Singular expressions include plural expressions unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. In this specification, terms such as "comprising" or "having" specify the presence of the features, numbers, steps, operations, components, parts, or combinations thereof described in the specification, and do not preclude the presence or addition possibility of one or more other features, numbers, steps, operations, components, parts, or combinations thereof.

[0025] Unless otherwise defined, all terms used herein, including technical or scientific terms, shall have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which the embodiments pertain. Terms such as those defined in commonly used dictionaries shall be interpreted as having a meaning consistent with the context of the related art and shall not be interpreted in an idealized or overly formal sense unless clearly defined in this application.

[0026] In addition, when describing with reference to the accompanying drawings, regardless of the reference numerals, the same components shall be given the same reference signs, and duplicate descriptions thereof shall be omitted. When it is determined that a specific description of related known technologies may obscure the gist of the embodiments in describing the embodiments, the detailed description thereof shall be omitted.

[0027] Furthermore, when describing the components of the embodiments, terms such as first, second, A, B, (a), (b), etc. can be used. These terms are for distinguishing the components from other components, and the essence, order, or sequence of the components are not limited by such terms.

[0028] Components including functions common to the components included in any of the embodiments shall be described using the same names in other embodiments. Unless otherwise stated, the descriptions given in any of the embodiments can also be applied to other embodiments, and specific descriptions within the overlapping scope shall be omitted.

[0029] Throughout the specification, when a part states that a certain component "includes", this does not mean excluding other components, but rather means that it may further include other components.

[0030] Throughout this specification, "smoking article" may mean an object capable of generating aerosols, such as tobacco (cigars), cigars, etc. A smoking article may contain an aerosol-generating substance or an aerosol-forming substrate. Furthermore, a smoking article may contain solid substances based on tobacco raw materials, such as flat tobacco leaves, shredded tobacco, or reconstituted tobacco. A smoking substance may also contain volatile compounds.

[0031] Throughout this specification, "upstream" or "upstream direction" means the direction away from the mouth of the user inhaling the smoking article, and "downstream" or "downstream direction" means the direction towards the mouth of the user inhaling the smoking article.

[0032] Throughout the specification, "solid dispersion" can refer to a system in which an activating substance (menthol) is uniformly dispersed in solid glycerin, and is in a solid state.

[0033] According to one embodiment of the present invention, a method for producing sustained-release menthol can be provided. The method for producing sustained-release menthol includes the steps of: S1 melting menthol; S2 producing a mixed liquid phase by mixing the molten menthol and glycerin; and S3 stirring the mixed liquid phase to produce a solid dispersion (Figure 1). In this case, the weight of the molten menthol in step S2 may be greater than the weight of the glycerin.

[0034] The following explains each step in detail.

[0035] Step S1 is a step in which menthol is melted, and menthol can be melted at a temperature of 40°C to 50°C. Since the melting point of menthol is 42°C to 43°C, by proceeding with Step S1 within the above temperature range, solid menthol can be changed to liquid menthol.

[0036] Step S2 is the step of mixing molten menthol and glycerin to produce a mixed liquid phase.

[0037] When mixing powdered raw materials with each other, or mixing powdered raw materials with liquid raw materials, continuous research is necessary to determine the appropriate mixing ratios and methods for uniform mixing. For example, when dissolving powdered raw materials in liquid raw materials, dissolution will cease once a certain solubility level is reached, resulting in a suspension or precipitation. In this invention, by mixing liquid-dissolved menthol with glycerin to produce a solid dispersion, the menthol can be dispersed more uniformly than when using powdered raw materials.

[0038] In the mixed liquid phase, the weight of menthol must be greater than the weight of glycerin. Preferably, in step S2, the weight ratio of molten menthol to glycerin in the mixed liquid phase may be 6:4 to 9.9:0.1, more preferably 6:4 to 8:2. When the above weight ratio is satisfied, a solid dispersion in a solid state, which is the target of the present invention, can finally be obtained.

[0039] Only when the weight ratio of menthol to glycerin satisfies the range described above can a sustained-release menthol be produced that, while in a solid state, possesses both storability and aroma retention. Menthol is generally soluble in glycerin, but if the amount of menthol added to the mixed liquid phase is below the lower limit of the weight ratio of menthol to glycerin, it may remain in a liquid state or irreversibly change to a semi-solid state. On the other hand, if the amount of menthol added to the mixed liquid phase exceeds the upper limit of the weight ratio, the high sublimation properties of menthol may result in poor storability and aroma retention. Preferably, the menthol content is 80% by weight or less of the total content of menthol and glycerin.

[0040] Step S3 is a step to produce a solid dispersion, which can be produced by stirring the previously produced mixed liquid phase.

[0041] In step S3, the solid dispersion may be formed when the molten menthol is uniformly dispersed in the glycerin and solidifies. Specifically, when the mixed liquid phase is stirred at high speed, the mixed liquid phase of molten menthol and glycerin is uniformly mixed, the melting point of the mixed liquid phase is lowered, and the temperature of the mixed liquid phase can be lowered. As the temperature of the mixed liquid phase decreases, solid particles are generated, and if the temperature is further lowered by subsequent stirring, an irreversible change of state to a solid occurs. As a result, a large amount of menthol is finally uniformly dispersed in the glycerin, and a stable solidified solid dispersion can be produced.

[0042] In a method for producing sustained-release menthol according to one embodiment of the present invention, the method may further include a step of adding an excipient to the solid dispersion after step S3 to produce a morph.

[0043] The excipient comprises at least one selected from the group consisting of lactose, microcellulose, and a binder.

[0044] For example, when producing sustained-release menthol in the form of granules or cylindrical blocks of a certain size, lactose and microcellulose can be advantageous in forming and maintaining the aforementioned shape. In particular, when producing sustained-release menthol in the form of cylindrical blocks, there is an advantage in that it can be immediately applied as a component of smoking articles (such as a medium or filter) during the manufacturing of smoking articles.

[0045] The binder can play a role in increasing cohesive force. The binder may be at least one selected from the group consisting of water-soluble polymers and gums. The water-soluble polymer may include, for example, at least one selected from the group consisting of starch, gelatin, and polyvinyl alcohol. The gums may include, for example, at least one selected from the group consisting of guar gum and gum arabic.

[0046] In one embodiment of the present invention, a sustained-release menthol can be provided, comprising a solid dispersion containing menthol and glycerin, wherein the solid dispersion is in which the menthol is uniformly dispersed in the glycerin, and the weight of the menthol is greater than the weight of the glycerin. By including the solid dispersion, the sustained-release menthol can have improved aroma retention and storage properties.

[0047] The glycerin in sustained-release menthol can play a role in transporting the menthol, which is the fragrance agent. For example, when heat is applied to sustained-release menthol, the solidified menthol liquefies, and the bond between menthol and glycerin breaks, causing menthol to be released.

[0048] The form of sustained-release menthol according to one embodiment of the present invention may be at least one selected from the group consisting of powder, granules, and cylindrical blocks, preferably granules or cylindrical blocks. Having such a form allows for the administration of menthol in various volumes over a wider content range, and makes it easier to set the volume of menthol. Sustained-release menthol can also be easily applied to smoking articles by being manufactured as a cylindrical block without a separate carrier and then inserted into a medium or filter section.

[0049] In one embodiment of the present invention, a smoking article can be provided that includes a medium, a filter, and a wrapper, wherein at least one selected from the group consisting of the medium, the filter, and the wrapper contains sustained-release menthol, the sustained-release menthol includes a solid dispersion containing menthol and glycerin, the solid dispersion is in which the menthol is uniformly dispersed in the glycerin, and the weight of the menthol is greater than the weight of the glycerin.

[0050] By heating a smoking article containing sustained-release menthol, menthol can be transferred from the sustained-release menthol. For example, the amount of heat applied to the smoking article by heating (heat transferred from the heat source, heat transferred to the outer wrapping paper, heat accumulated inside, etc.) causes the solidified sustained-release menthol to liquefy, breaking the bond between menthol and glycerin. The molten menthol can impregnate or permeate the components of the smoking article (medium, filter, wrapper, etc.). At this time, the glycerin can aerosolize and act as a menthol delivery body during inhalation. This process ensures that the amount of menthol transferred during smoking is uniform, so using sustained-release menthol can provide a smoking article with excellent aroma retention. Furthermore, when the smoking article is not heated, the sustained-release menthol has an irreversibly stable solid form, so menthol is not released, and this smoking article also has excellent aroma retention and storage properties.

[0051] The filter portion may be located at the downstream end of the smoking article and may be a monofilter or a composite filter. The filter portion may contain, but is not limited to, the examples described, at least one fiber selected from the group consisting of acetylcellulose, liocell, polypropylene, polyester, and polylactic acid. On the other hand, the filter portion may further contain activated carbon and a plasticizer.

[0052] The wrapper may include filter paper and cigar paper. The filter paper may have oil-resistant properties as it surrounds the filter portion, while the cigar paper surrounds the medium portion and is mainly made from flax, wood pulp, etc. Fillers may be added to the cigar paper. Fillers can increase whiteness and opacity and adjust porosity.

[0053] A smoking article according to one embodiment of the present invention may be heat-not burn. Heat-not burn smoking articles include electric smoking articles that are indirectly heated by electrical energy rather than by direct combustion.

[0054] In the case of an electric smoking article, it may include a non-combustible smoking article and an aerosol generating device into which the non-combustible smoking article can be inserted. The electric smoking article may be an article that uses electrical energy to heat the inserted smoking article to generate an aerosol, and smoking is performed in a manner in which the aerosol is inhaled by the user and then released.

[0055] A non-combustible smoking article according to one embodiment of the present invention may have various structures.

[0056] As an example, a smoking article according to one embodiment of the present invention may further include a support structure and a cooling structure between the medium portion and the filter portion.

[0057] The support structure may be positioned downstream of the medium and may be a tubular structure containing a hollow interior. The support structure can support the medium to prevent it from being pushed in when it is inserted into the aerosol generator and can also play a role in moving the atomization. The support structure can be manufactured using, for example, acetylcellulose, and its hardness can be adjusted by varying the content of the plasticizer added during its manufacture. Alternatively, the support structure can be manufactured by inserting a structure such as a film or tube of the same or different material into the hollow.

[0058] The cooling structure may be positioned downstream of the support structure. When a smoker inhales the aerosol produced by heating the medium, heat can be generated, especially from the first puff, which can cause discomfort to the smoker. The cooling structure can act as a cooling member that cools the aerosol produced by heating the medium. This allows the smoker to inhale the aerosol cooled to an appropriate temperature.

[0059] As another example, a smoking article according to one embodiment of the present invention may further include not only a medium section and a filter section, but also a pre-filter segment and a support structure.

[0060] The pre-filter segment may be positioned upstream of the medium. The pre-filter segment can serve to indicate that the tobacco is a special smoking article used in the aerosol generating device. The pre-filter segment may, for example, be made of acetylcellulose. A hollow is formed in the center of the pre-filter segment, or only a fine channel is formed that prevents the tobacco medium in the medium from falling out and allows only an airflow path to be formed.

[0061] However, the examples described above are merely examples of non-combustible smoking articles in which the present invention is used, and are not limited to the examples described.

[0062] The aerosol generator may include some or all of the battery, control unit, vaporizer, and heater. The arrangement of the above components may be modified depending on the design of the aerosol generator. In addition to the configuration described above, the aerosol generator may further include general-purpose configurations.

[0063] The present invention will be described in more detail below with reference to embodiments, but the present invention is not limited to the embodiments described below.

[0064] 1. Manufacturing of sustained-release menthol

[0065] The sustained-release menthol in the examples and comparative examples was produced by the following method.

[0066] Example 1

[0067] First, 10 g of crystalline menthol (1R,2R,5R-2-isopropyl-5-methylcyclohexanol, MW156.27, melting point 42°C) was melted at 43°C (Step S1). 10 g of the melted menthol was added to 6.6 g of glycerin (menthol to glycerin weight ratio 6:4) and mixed (Step S2). The mixed liquid phase was stirred at a speed of 300-600 rpm at 40°C for 5 minutes, and then cooled to room temperature to produce sustained-release menthol (Step S3).

[0068] Example 2

[0069] In step S2, sustained-release menthol was produced in the same manner as in Example 1, except that the weight ratio of menthol to glycerin was mixed to 6.3:3.7.

[0070] Example 3

[0071] In step S2, sustained-release menthol was produced in the same manner as in Example 1, except that the weight ratio of menthol to glycerin was mixed to 8:2.

[0072] Comparative Example 1

[0073] In step S2, sustained-release menthol was produced in the same manner as in Example 1, except that the weight ratio of menthol to glycerin was mixed to 5.5:4.5.

[0074] Comparative Example 2

[0075] In step S2, sustained-release menthol was produced in the same manner as in Example 1, except that the weight ratio of menthol to glycerin was mixed to 4.9:5.1.

[0076] Comparative Example 3

[0077] In step S2, sustained-release menthol was produced in the same manner as in Example 1, except that the weight ratio of menthol to glycerin was mixed to 4.2:5.8.

[0078] Comparative Example 4

[0079] In step S2, sustained-release menthol was produced in the same manner as in Example 1, except that the weight ratio of menthol to glycerin was mixed to 4:6.

[0080] Comparative Example 5

[0081] In step S2, sustained-release menthol was produced in the same manner as in Example 1, except that the weight ratio of menthol to glycerin was mixed to 3.6:6.4.

[0082] Comparative Example 6

[0083] In step S2, sustained-release menthol was produced in the same manner as in Example 1, except that the weight ratio of menthol to glycerin was mixed to 3:7.

[0084] Comparative Example 7

[0085] In step S2, sustained-release menthol was produced in the same manner as in Example 1, except that the weight ratio of menthol to glycerin was mixed to 1.5:8.5.

[0086] 2. Experimental Example 1: Image comparison of sustained-release menthol based on the weight ratio of menthol and glycerin.

[0087] Figure 2 shows images of the sustained-release menthol in Example 1 and Comparative Example 4. As a result, it was confirmed that in the case of Example 1, the menthol was completely solidified, whereas in the case of Comparative Example 4, it was not completely solidified.

[0088] 3. Experimental Example 2: Comparison of the state of sustained-release menthol based on the weight ratio of menthol and glycerin.

[0089] The state of sustained-release menthol in Examples 1-3 and Comparative Examples 1-7 was observed. The state of sustained-release menthol was observed after rapidly stirring the mixed liquid phase of menthol and glycerin during the manufacturing process and leaving it at room temperature. The results are shown in Table 1 below. To compare the state of sustained-release menthol in Examples 1-3 and Comparative Examples 1-7, a menthol-MCT mixture was also prepared by mixing menthol with medium-chain triglycerides (MCT), an oil used in fragrance capsules for smoking products, instead of glycerin.

[0090] [Table 1]

[0091] Examples 1-3 and Comparative Examples 1-7 confirmed that the state of sustained-release menthol produced can be controlled by varying the menthol content. Specifically, glycerin is normally in a liquid state at room temperature (18-23°C). However, even when only a small amount of menthol is added to glycerin, a semi-solid sustained-release menthol is irreversibly produced (Comparative Examples 6 and 7), and it was confirmed that the solid sustained-release menthol desired in the present invention is produced when the weight of menthol is 60% by weight or more (Examples 1-3).

[0092] On the other hand, unlike sustained-release menthol, when menthol was mixed with MCT, a rapid change of state occurred from liquid to solid because the weight of menthol became greater than the weight of MCT.

[0093] The sustained-release menthol, which has solidified into a powder form, can be made into granules or cylindrical blocks by adding lactose and microcellulose. Furthermore, the cohesiveness of the solid can be increased by adding a binder. When heat is applied to the sustained-release menthol, the glycerin melts, releasing the menthol.

[0094] From the above experimental examples 1 and 2, it is predicted that by using the method for producing sustained-release menthol described in the claims, sustained-release menthol can be easily applied to the composition of smoking articles. Sustained-release menthol produced by such a method has excellent fragrance retention and storage properties. Smoking articles containing sustained-release menthol not only have excellent fragrance retention and storage properties, but can also continuously release their fragrance without loss of menthol aroma.

[0095] As described above, the embodiments have been illustrated with limited drawings, but a person with ordinary skill in the art can apply various technical modifications and variations based on the above. For example, the described techniques may be performed in a different order than described, and / or the components of the described systems, structures, devices, circuits, etc. may be combined or assembled in a different manner than described, or substituted or replaced by other components or equivalents, and still achieve the desired results.

[0096] Therefore, other implementations, other embodiments, and those equivalent to the claims described below also fall within the scope of the claims.

Claims

1. Step S1: Dissolving menthol; Step S2 to produce a mixed liquid phase by mixing molten menthol and glycerin; and Step S3 includes stirring the mixed liquid phase to produce a solid dispersion; A method for producing sustained-release menthol, wherein the weight of the molten menthol in step S2 is greater than the weight of the glycerin.

2. The method for producing sustained-release menthol according to claim 1, wherein step S1 is carried out at a temperature of 40°C to 50°C.

3. The method for producing sustained-release menthol according to claim 1, wherein in step S2, the weight ratio of menthol to glycerin in the mixed liquid phase is 6:4 to 9.9:0.

1.

4. In step S3, the solid dispersion is formed when the molten menthol is uniformly dispersed in the glycerin and solidifies, according to the method for producing sustained-release menthol according to claim 1.

5. A method for producing sustained-release menthol according to claim 1, further comprising step S4 after step S3, by adding an excipient to the solid dispersion to produce a form.

6. The method for producing sustained-release menthol according to claim 5, wherein in step S4, the excipient comprises at least one selected from the group consisting of lactose, microcellulose, and a binder.

7. A solid dispersion containing menthol and glycerin, The solid dispersion is one in which the menthol is uniformly dispersed in the glycerin. The menthol is a sustained-release type in which the weight of the menthol is greater than the weight of the glycerin.

8. The sustained-release menthol according to claim 7, further comprising an excipient.

9. The sustained-release menthol according to claim 7, wherein the form of the sustained-release menthol is at least one selected from the group consisting of powder, granules, and cylindrical blocks.

10. A smoking article comprising a medium, a filter, and a wrapper, At least one of the components selected from the group consisting of the medium, filter, and wrapper contains sustained-release menthol. The sustained-release menthol comprises a solid dispersion containing menthol and glycerin. The solid dispersion is one in which the menthol is uniformly dispersed in the glycerin. A smoking article wherein the weight of the menthol is greater than the weight of the glycerin.

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