Tobacco balls, methods for manufacturing tobacco balls, and smoking articles containing the tobacco balls.

Abstract

The present invention provides a smoking article comprising a tobacco ball and a smoking substance section filled with the tobacco ball. The tobacco ball comprises a tobacco ball core formed of a first tobacco powder and a tobacco ball coating layer formed by spraying a tobacco slurry, which is manufactured by mixing a second tobacco powder, water, and alcohol, onto the tobacco ball core, and the moisture content of the tobacco ball may be 3.0% to 4.2%.

Description

【Technical Field】 【0001】 The present invention relates to the field of tobacco products, and relates to tobacco balls, a method for manufacturing tobacco balls, and smoking articles including the tobacco balls. 【Background Art】 【0002】 Non-combustion heated tobacco is a newly emerged tobacco product. Its main feature is to utilize an external heat source to heat the tobacco without combustion, thereby releasing substances such as the aroma and taste components of the tobacco. Since the tobacco product does not burn, the generation of a large amount of harmful components due to pyrolysis can be prevented. Along with this, consumers can obtain a sense of satisfaction, there is less harm to the human body, and the pollution to the environment is reduced. 【0003】 On the other hand, the tobacco substance used in a non-combustion heated aerosol generating device is generally manufactured by drying a mixture of tobacco raw materials, aerosol generating substances, water, etc. On the other hand, the tobacco substance can be provided in various forms, for example, it can be provided in the form of balls. As the demand for tobacco balls in the form of balls containing a tobacco substance increases, the need for a stable manufacturing method through standardization and homogenization of the operating method of the manufacturing equipment used in the manufacturing process of tobacco balls and the quality measurement of tobacco balls has emerged. 【Summary of the Invention】 【Problems to be Solved by the Invention】 【0004】 One embodiment of the present invention aims to provide a method for manufacturing tobacco balls with standardized and stabilized manufacturing methods, with less quality deviation and improved quality. 【0005】 Also, it aims to provide tobacco balls manufactured through the above standardized and stabilized manufacturing method of tobacco balls, with improved quality and less deviation. 【0006】 Furthermore, the aim is to provide a smoking article that includes a smoking substance portion containing tobacco balls, which are manufactured through the standardized and stabilized tobacco ball manufacturing method described above, resulting in improved quality and less deviation. 【0007】 The technical problems of the present invention are not limited to those mentioned above, and any other technical problems not mentioned can be clearly understood by an ordinary person skilled in the art to which the present invention belongs from the following description. [Means for solving the problem] 【0008】 To achieve the above objectives, the present invention comprises a tobacco ball core formed of a first tobacco powder; and a tobacco ball coating layer formed by spraying a tobacco slurry, manufactured by mixing a second tobacco powder, water, and alcohol, onto the tobacco ball core, wherein the moisture content of the tobacco ball may be 3.0% to 4.2%. 【0009】 In some embodiments, the weight ratio of the second tobacco powder, the water, and the alcohol contained in the tobacco slurry may be 2-4:2-4:3-6. 【0010】 In some embodiments, the tobacco ball coating layer formed on the tobacco ball core may be manufactured by spraying the tobacco slurry onto the tobacco ball core, then performing primary drying for 1 to 2 hours with an inlet temperature of 70°C to 100°C and an internal temperature of 50°C to 70°C, and after the primary drying, spraying the tobacco slurry again, and then performing secondary drying for 1 to 2 hours with an inlet temperature of 70°C to 100°C and an internal temperature of 80°C to 90°C. 【0011】 In some embodiments, the moisture content of the tobacco ball can be in the range of 3.45% to 3.75%. 【0012】 In some embodiments, the size of the first tobacco powder may be 20 μm to 40 μm, and the size of the tobacco ball may be 600 μm to 850 μm. 【0013】 In some embodiments, the hardness of the tobacco ball can be 99% or higher. 【0014】 A smoking article of the present invention for achieving the aforementioned other objectives includes a smoking material section in which at least a portion of the area is filled with tobacco balls, and a filter section located downstream of the smoking material section, wherein the tobacco balls include a tobacco ball core formed of first tobacco powder, and a tobacco ball coating layer formed by spraying a tobacco slurry, which is manufactured by mixing second tobacco powder, water, and alcohol, onto the tobacco ball core, and the moisture content of the tobacco balls may be 3.0% to 4.2%. 【0015】 In some embodiments, the weight ratio of the second tobacco powder, the water, and the alcohol contained in the tobacco slurry may be 2-4:2-4:3-6. 【0016】 In some embodiments, the tobacco ball coating layer formed on the tobacco ball core may be manufactured by spraying the tobacco slurry onto the tobacco ball core, then performing primary drying for 1 to 2 hours with an inlet temperature of 70°C to 100°C and an internal temperature of 50°C to 70°C, and after the primary drying, spraying the tobacco slurry again, and then performing secondary drying for 1 to 2 hours with an inlet temperature of 70°C to 100°C and an internal temperature of 80°C to 90°C. [Effects of the Invention] 【0017】 The present invention's method for manufacturing tobacco balls enables the production and provision of tobacco balls with improved quality and minimal quality variations through a standardized and stabilized manufacturing process. 【0018】 Also, through the method for manufacturing the standardized and stabilized tobacco balls, a smoking article including a smoking substance part containing tobacco balls with improved quality and less deviation can be provided. Along with this, since the smoking article contains tobacco balls with less deviation in quality, the nicotine transfer amount during smoking is uniform, and thus the smoking satisfaction can be improved. 【0019】 The effects according to the technical idea of the present disclosure are not limited to the effects mentioned above, and other effects not mentioned will be clearly understood by those skilled in the art from the following description. 【Brief Description of the Drawings】 【0020】 [Figure 1] It is an exemplary diagram showing a manufacturing apparatus for tobacco balls according to an embodiment of the present invention. 【0021】 [Figure 2] It is a flowchart exemplarily showing a method for manufacturing tobacco balls according to an embodiment of the present invention. 【0022】 [Figure 3] It is a photograph of a twist screen for explaining the step of separating tobacco seeds and tobacco balls. 【0023】 [Figure 4] It is a drawing showing an exemplary configuration of a smoking article according to an embodiment of the present invention. 【0024】 [Figure 5] It is a drawing showing an exemplary configuration of a smoking article according to some other embodiments of the present invention. 【0025】 [Figure 6] It is a drawing showing an exemplary configuration of a smoking article according to some further other embodiments of the present invention. 【Modes for Carrying Out the Invention】 【0026】 Preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings. The advantages and features of the present invention, and how they are achieved, will become clearer with reference to the embodiments described in detail below, along with the accompanying drawings. However, the present invention is not limited to the embodiments presented below and can be embodied in a variety of different forms. These embodiments are provided merely to complete the presentation of the present invention and to fully inform those who are ordinary skill in the art to which the present invention pertains, and the present invention is defined only by the scope of the claims. Throughout the specification, the same reference numerals refer to the same components. 【0027】 Unless otherwise defined, all terms used herein (including technical and scientific terms) should be used in a sense that can be commonly understood by those skilled in the art to which the invention pertains. Furthermore, terms defined in commonly used dictionaries should not be interpreted ideally or excessively unless explicitly defined otherwise. 【0028】 Furthermore, in this specification, singular types may also include plural types unless otherwise specified in the text. The terms "comprises" and / or "comprising" used in this specification do not exclude the presence or addition of one or more other components, stages, operations, and / or elements of the components, stages, operations, and / or elements mentioned. 【0029】 Figure 1 is an illustrative diagram showing a tobacco ball manufacturing apparatus according to one embodiment of the present invention. 【0030】 Referring to Figure 1, the tobacco ball manufacturing apparatus 1 according to one embodiment may include a mixer tank 100, a raw material coating machine 200, a control module 300, a slurry nozzle 400, an air nozzle 500, and a twist screen 600. The tobacco ball manufacturing apparatus 1 may further include a cleaning device. 【0031】 In one embodiment, the mixer tank 100 may be a container in which the first tobacco powder, which is a powdered tobacco raw material, water, and auxiliary materials are stirred to form a tobacco slurry, as described later. The first tobacco powder, water, and auxiliary materials are each put into the mixer tank 100, and stirring is performed by the control module 300 to produce a tobacco slurry. The tobacco slurry produced in the mixer tank 100 can be flowed into the container of the raw material coating machine 200 by opening the lower valve 800. 【0032】 In some embodiments, the mixer tank 100 may include a housing that provides a space for tobacco slurry to be formed, and a slurry filter that filters out the tobacco material introduced into the housing of the mixer tank 100 from leaking to the outside. The slurry filter may be mounted inside the housing by a slurry fixing frame. 【0033】 The raw material coating machine 200 includes a container and a chamber fastened to the top of the container and connected to the container. The machine is capable of forming tobacco seeds or tobacco balls by loading a second tobacco powder, which is a tobacco raw material in powder form, into the container of the raw material coating machine 200, adjusting the tobacco slurry formed by the mixer tank 100 using a slurry nozzle 400 and an air nozzle 500, and spraying it onto the second tobacco powder through the slurry nozzle 400 to coat it. 【0034】 The method for spraying tobacco slurry onto the second tobacco powder fed into the raw material coating machine 200 can include a top spray method, a bottom spray method, and a tangential spray method, depending on the position and method of the nozzle. In some embodiments, when the tobacco slurry is sprayed using the top spray method, the slurry nozzle 400 is fastened to the chamber and the slurry nozzle 400 may consist of one nozzle. In some other embodiments, when the tobacco slurry is sprayed using the bottom spray method, the slurry nozzle 400 is fastened to the container and the slurry nozzle 400 may consist of three nozzles. 【0035】 As will be described later, according to the tobacco ball manufacturing method of the present invention, the slurry nozzle 400 is composed of three nozzles, fastened to a container, and can be sprayed in a bottom spray manner. 【0036】 Although not limited thereto, the raw material coating machine 200 can also perform the drying process of the tobacco seeds or tobacco balls formed inside the container within the container. 【0037】 In some embodiments, the raw material coating machine 200 may further include a temperature sensor for sensing the temperature inside the container. 【0038】 The control module 300 is a module that adjusts the setting value or on / off mode of each piece of equipment in the tobacco ball manufacturing apparatus 1, and may include each piece of equipment in the tobacco ball manufacturing apparatus 1, a display device that displays the setting value or on / off mode of each piece of equipment, and software. The user can set the setting value or on / off mode of each piece of equipment in the tobacco ball manufacturing apparatus 1 through the screen displayed on the display device, and can monitor each process in real time. 【0039】 The twist screen 600 may be a device for separating tobacco seeds or tobacco balls by size. In some embodiments, the tobacco seeds may include first tobacco seeds having a size of 30-40 mesh and second tobacco seeds having a size of 40 mesh or less, and the tobacco balls may have a size of 20-30 mesh. With the twist screen 600, the raw material coating machine 200 can separate the tobacco seeds or tobacco balls produced in the container by size into first tobacco seeds, second tobacco seeds, and tobacco balls, which can then be stored in separate storage areas. 【0040】 On the other hand, unless otherwise specified herein, Mesh may mean the number of grids contained on one side of a square with sides of 1 inch (25.4 mm). For example, 2 Mesh may mean that there are 2 grids on one side of a square with sides and lengths of 1 inch each. 【0041】 For example, if the mesh size is 20 Mesh or more, the particle size can be 850 μm or larger; if it is between 20 Mesh and 30 Mesh, the particle size can be between 600 μm and 850 μm; if it is between 30 Mesh and 40 Mesh, the particle size can be between 425 μm and 600 μm; and if it is 40 Mesh or less, the particle size can be in the range of 425 μm or less. 【0042】 Figure 2 is an illustrative flowchart showing a method for manufacturing tobacco balls according to one embodiment of the present invention, and Figure 3 is a photograph of a twist screen illustrating the step of separating tobacco seeds and tobacco balls. 【0043】 Referring to Figure 2, the method for manufacturing tobacco balls according to one embodiment may include the steps of preparing a tobacco ball manufacturing apparatus (S100), manufacturing tobacco slurry using a mixer tank (S200), introducing second tobacco powder into a raw material coating machine and spraying the tobacco slurry from a nozzle to manufacture tobacco seeds or tobacco balls (S300), drying the manufactured tobacco seeds or tobacco balls (S400), and separating the tobacco seeds and tobacco balls (S500). The method for manufacturing tobacco balls according to one embodiment may further include the step of cleaning the raw material coating machine and mixer tank and measuring the yield of tobacco seeds or tobacco balls after the step of separating the tobacco seeds and tobacco balls (S500) (S600). 【0044】 First, prepare the tobacco ball manufacturing apparatus. (S100) 【0045】 Specifically, the step of preparing the tobacco ball manufacturing apparatus (S100) may include the steps of cleaning the housing of the mixer tank 100, installing the slurry filter of the mixer tank 100 into the housing of the mixer tank 100 (S110), fastening the container and chamber of the raw material coating machine 200 (S120), fastening the slurry nozzle 400 to the raw material coating machine 200 (S130), and preheating the raw material coating machine 200 (S140). 【0046】 The step of preheating the raw material coating machine 200 (S140) is not limited to this, but can be performed using the display device of the control module 300. For example, it can be set using the icons for setting the initial values ​​of each piece of equipment of the tobacco ball manufacturing apparatus displayed on the display device of the control module 300. 【0047】 In some embodiments, the raw material coating machine 200 can be preheated under preheating conditions of an inlet temperature of 30°C to 60°C, an air flap ratio of 40% to 80%, and a blow rate of 30% to 60%, preferably an inlet temperature of 40°C to 50°C, an air flap ratio of 50% to 70%, and a blow rate of 40% to 50%. 【0048】 The preheating time may be 10 to 30 minutes, although this is not limited to the above. The air switching rate may mean injecting air into the raw material coating machine 200, and blowing may mean discharging air from the inside of the raw material coating machine 200 to the outside. 【0049】 Next, the tobacco slurry is manufactured using the mixer tank. (S200) 【0050】 Specifically, first tobacco powder, water, and alcohol are added to the mixer tank 100, and the mixture is stirred within the mixer tank 100 to produce a tobacco slurry. Although not limited to this, the control module 300's display can be used to monitor whether the first tobacco powder, water, and alcohol are being stirred properly within the mixer tank 100 while adding the first tobacco powder in small amounts. 【0051】 On the other hand, the first tobacco powder may be tobacco leaves in a powder state obtained by grinding tobacco raw materials to a fine particle size through a grinding process. The tobacco raw material contains tobacco substances and can include all forms of substances that contain components derived from tobacco leaves. The tobacco raw material may be one or more selected from the group consisting of fire-dried tobacco, sun-dried tobacco, yellow tobacco, Burley tobacco, and Oriental tobacco, but the tobacco varieties included in the tobacco raw material are not limited to these. The tobacco raw material may contain multiple varieties of tobacco or a single variety of tobacco. 【0052】 In some embodiments, the first tobacco powder may be a powder with a size of 20 to 40 microns (μm). 【0053】 In some embodiments, alcohol is an auxiliary material that can shorten the manufacturing time of tobacco seeds or tobacco balls, and may be a liquid substance with an ethanol content of 90% to 95%. 【0054】 In some embodiments, the order in which raw materials and auxiliary materials are introduced into the mixer tank 100 may be water, alcohol, and first tobacco powder. However, the order is not limited to this, and water and alcohol can be introduced into the mixer tank 100 via valve control using the display device of the control module 300, while the first tobacco powder can be introduced directly into the mixer tank 100 by an operator. The current amounts of raw materials and auxiliary materials, namely water, alcohol, and first tobacco powder, being introduced into the mixer tank 100 can be monitored through the upper load cell of the mixer tank 100. 【0055】 In some embodiments, the weight ratio of first tobacco powder, water, and alcohol introduced into the mixer tank 100 to produce the tobacco slurry may be 2-4:2-4:3-6. 【0056】 Next, the second tobacco powder is fed into the raw material coating machine, and the tobacco slurry is sprayed through a nozzle to produce tobacco seeds or tobacco balls. (S300) 【0057】 Specifically, the step (S300) of feeding the second tobacco powder into the raw material coating machine and spraying the tobacco slurry from a nozzle to produce tobacco seeds or tobacco balls is as follows: 【0058】 The process may include the steps of: feeding a second tobacco powder, which is a tobacco raw material in powder form, into a preheated raw material coating machine 200 (S310); and spraying a tobacco slurry onto the second tobacco powder fed into the raw material coating machine 200 (S320). 【0059】 In some embodiments, the second tobacco powder may include the exemplary substances of the first tobacco powder. The first and second tobacco powders may be the same tobacco leaf or different types of tobacco leaf. The second tobacco powder may be a powder with a size of 20 to 40 microns (μm). 【0060】 First, in the step of introducing the second tobacco powder, which is a tobacco raw material in powder form, into the preheated raw material coating machine 200 (S310), the second tobacco powder can be introduced into the container of the raw material coating machine 200 via a pneumatic transfer device (Denseveyor, or "pneumatic transfer"). 【0061】 In some embodiments, the step of loading the second tobacco powder into the container of the preheated raw material coating machine 200 can be carried out using a pneumatic transfer device, with the air opening / closing ratio adjusted to 30% to 40% under the preheating conditions in order to maintain a vacuum state when loading the second tobacco powder. 【0062】 In some embodiments, the weight of the second tobacco powder fed into the container of the raw material coating machine 200 can be 50 kg to 70 kg. 【0063】 Next, tobacco slurry is sprayed onto the second tobacco powder that has been fed into the raw material coating machine 200. (S320) 【0064】 Specifically, once the loading of the second tobacco powder into the raw material coating machine 200 is complete, the air opening / closing ratio is adjusted upward to 40% to 80%, and once the internal temperature of the raw material coating machine 200 reaches a preset temperature, the tobacco slurry can be sprayed onto the second tobacco powder. The preset temperature may be between 30°C and 60°C. 【0065】 In some embodiments, the step of spraying tobacco slurry onto the second tobacco powder (S320) is performed as follows: 【0066】 a) A step in which the second tobacco powder is fluidized in the raw material coating machine 200 under the following conditions: inlet temperature 70°C to 100°C, internal temperature (internal temperature of the raw material coating machine 200) 30°C to 60°C, air opening / closing ratio 40% to 80%, and blowing 30% to 70%; 【0067】 b) The step may include using the slurry nozzle 400 to spray tobacco slurry onto the second tobacco powder in the raw material coating machine 200 at a spraying speed of 1 kg / min to 5 kg / min and a spraying pressure of 1 Bar to 3 Bar. 【0068】 In some embodiments, the initial injection rpm in step b) is performed at a range of 2 rpm to 8 rpm, and once the stabilization of the internal temperature and flow rate is confirmed through monitoring, the injection rpm can be adjusted to a range of 5 rpm to 15 rpm. 【0069】 In some embodiments, the inlet temperature, internal temperature, air switching ratio, and blowing conditions in step b) can be the same as those in step a). 【0070】 On the other hand, the method of spraying tobacco slurry onto the second tobacco powder loaded into the container of the raw material coating machine 200 can include a top spray method, a bottom spray method, and a tangential spray method depending on the position and method of the nozzle, and it can be said that the spraying step is preferably carried out using the bottom spray method. 【0071】 The amount of tobacco slurry sprayed in the aforementioned spraying stage is 200 kg to 400 kg, and the amount of second tobacco powder and the amount of tobacco slurry sprayed can be adjusted according to the amount of tobacco balls produced. However, the amount of tobacco slurry sprayed in stage b) above may be 2 to 4 hours based on the weight of the second tobacco powder and tobacco slurry. 【0072】 By spraying tobacco slurry onto the second tobacco powder using a nozzle, it flows along with hot air, causing the tobacco slurry to aggregate and roll over the second tobacco powder, thereby increasing in size and producing tobacco seeds. 【0073】 Although not limited thereto, the step of nozzle-spraying tobacco slurry onto the second tobacco powder can be repeated. Specifically, the step of nozzle-spraying tobacco slurry onto the second tobacco powder can be repeated multiple times, in order to layer the tobacco slurry onto the second tobacco powder to form tobacco seeds or tobacco balls of a predetermined size or larger. In this way, by repeating the layering or coating process of tobacco slurry onto the second tobacco powder, tobacco balls according to one embodiment can be manufactured to have a predetermined size and hardness. 【0074】 Next, the manufactured tobacco seeds or tobacco balls are dried. (S400) 【0075】 The drying step of tobacco seeds or tobacco balls may be performed to adjust the moisture content. The drying step of the manufactured tobacco seeds or tobacco balls (S500) may include a primary drying step where the spraying operation is terminated and the product is dried under first drying conditions of an inlet temperature of 70°C to 100°C and an internal temperature of 50°C to 70°C, and a secondary drying step where the product is dried under second drying conditions of an inlet temperature of 70°C to 100°C and an internal temperature of 80°C to 90°C. In other words, the drying step of tobacco seeds or tobacco balls may be repeated twice. The primary drying step and the secondary drying step may each be performed for 1 to 2 hours. 【0076】 Specifically, the process involves repeatedly spraying tobacco slurry onto a second tobacco powder using a nozzle, followed by a primary drying step. Then, an additional step of spraying tobacco slurry onto tobacco seeds that have undergone the first drying step is performed, followed by a secondary drying step. By performing the drying step twice, the moisture content within the tobacco ball can be in the range of 3.0% to 4.2%, 3.1% to 4.1%, 3.2% to 4.0%, 3.3% to 3.7%, 3.4% to 3.8%, preferably 3.45% to 3.75%. The tobacco ball manufacturing method according to the present invention allows the moisture content within the tobacco ball to be adjusted to the above range by performing the drying step twice. 【0077】 Next, separate the tobacco seeds and tobacco balls. (S500) 【0078】 Specifically, tobacco seeds and tobacco balls produced in the container of the raw material coating machine 200 can be separated by size using the twist screen 600 shown in Figure 3. As mentioned above, in some embodiments, the tobacco seeds may include first tobacco seeds having a size of 30-40 mesh and second tobacco seeds having a size of 40 mesh or less, and the tobacco balls may have a size of 20-30 mesh. Accordingly, the tobacco seeds and tobacco balls produced in the container of the raw material coating machine 200 are moved to the twist screen 600 and separated by size into first tobacco seeds, second tobacco seeds, and tobacco balls using the twist screen 600, and then stored in storage. Although not limited to this, the separation step can be carried out for 20-40 minutes. 【0079】 On the other hand, the method for manufacturing tobacco balls may further include the step (S600) of cleaning the raw material coating machine and mixer tank and measuring the yield of tobacco seeds or tobacco balls. 【0080】 Specifically, the step of cleaning the raw material coating machine and mixer tank and measuring the yield of tobacco seeds or tobacco balls (S600) may include a step of terminating the software (S610) and a step of removing the hardware (S620). 【0081】 In some embodiments, the step of terminating the software (S710) may include deactivating each piece of equipment in the tobacco ball manufacturing apparatus, and the step of removing the hardware (S620) may include separating the temperature sensor in the container of the raw material coating machine 200, separating the slurry nozzle and air nozzle, cleaning the inside of the mixer tank 100 and the slurry nozzle, measuring the yield of tobacco seeds or tobacco balls located inside the container of the raw material coating machine 200, measuring the amount of fine powder remaining in the container of the raw material coating machine 200 after the tobacco seeds or tobacco balls have been removed, and cleaning the inside of the container of the raw material coating machine 200. 【0082】 In some embodiments, the step of measuring the yield of tobacco seeds or tobacco balls located inside the container of the raw material coating machine 200 can be performed by moving the tobacco seeds or tobacco balls located inside the container of the raw material coating machine 200 to a temporary storage area, and measuring the weight of the tobacco seeds or tobacco balls in the temporary storage area to measure the yield. Alternatively, after measuring the weight of the tobacco seeds or tobacco balls in the temporary storage area to measure the yield, the tobacco seeds and tobacco balls in the temporary storage area can be moved to a twist screen 600. 【0083】 In some embodiments, the step of measuring the amount of fine powder remaining in the container of the raw material coating machine 200 from which tobacco seeds or tobacco balls have been removed can be performed by mounting the container of the raw material coating machine 200 from which tobacco seeds or tobacco balls have been removed into the manufacturing equipment, performing system operation, filter sealing operation, and container sealing operation, then turning on filter shaking to remove any remaining fine powder from the filter, and finally measuring the amount of fine powder. 【0084】 In one embodiment, the tobacco ball core may be formed from a second tobacco powder, and tobacco seeds may be formed by spraying a slurry-like tobacco slurry, prepared by mixing a first tobacco powder, water, and alcohol, onto the second tobacco powder. Tobacco seeds may be produced as the tobacco slurry coats the second tobacco powder while being sprayed, or as the second tobacco powder and tobacco slurry aggregate with each other to form particles. 【0085】 On the other hand, the step of spraying the tobacco slurry onto the second tobacco powder can be repeated many times. Accordingly, the tobacco slurry can be layered on the second tobacco powder in multiple layers, producing particles with a larger particle size than the second tobacco powder. However, the step of spraying the tobacco slurry onto the second tobacco powder can be performed seven times before the drying step is carried out. 【0086】 In some embodiments, the weight ratio of first tobacco powder, water, and alcohol in the tobacco slurry may be 2-4:2-4:3-6. The tobacco slurry having a weight ratio of 2-4:2-4:3-6 can be sprayed multiple times onto the second tobacco powder. 【0087】 While not limited to this, the total weight of the second tobacco powder is 50kg to 70kg at the stage where tobacco slurry is sprayed onto the second tobacco powder multiple times, and the total weight of tobacco slurry sprayed at each spraying stage may be 200kg to 400kg. 【0088】 In some embodiments, the step of spraying the tobacco slurry onto the second tobacco powder can be performed by at least one of the following methods, depending on the position and method of the nozzle: top spray, bottom spray, or tangential spray, and preferably by bottom spray. 【0089】 On the other hand, the size of the second tobacco powder introduced during the injection phase is 20-40 microns (μm), and the size of the first tobacco powder contained within the tobacco surari may also be 20-40 microns (μm). 【0090】 The manufactured tobacco seeds are then subjected to primary drying, followed by secondary drying. The primary drying stage is carried out for 1 to 2 hours with the inlet temperature set to 70°C to 100°C and the internal temperature set to 30°C to 60°C, while the secondary drying stage can be carried out for 1 to 2 hours with the inlet temperature set to 70°C to 100°C and the internal temperature set to 50°C to 70°C. 【0091】 In some embodiments, the moisture content in the tobacco balls produced by the above manufacturing method can be in the range of 3.0% to 4.2%, 3.1% to 4.1%, 3.2% to 4.0%, 3.3% to 3.7%, 3.4% to 3.8%, preferably 3.45% to 3.75%. 【0092】 In some embodiments, the hardness of the tobacco ball can be 99% or higher. 【0093】 The configuration of the present invention and its effects will be explained in more detail below through examples and comparative examples. However, these examples are provided to illustrate the present invention more concretely, and the scope of the present invention is not limited to these examples. 【0094】 Example 1 【0095】 For the example, several tobacco balls were manufactured for testing purposes. Specifically, the tobacco balls were prepared by repeatedly spraying a tobacco slurry, which was made by mixing 60 kg of second tobacco powder with 90 kg, 120 kg, and 90 kg of first tobacco powder, alcohol, and water, respectively, using a nozzle, seven times. The mixture was then primary dried for 2 hours with the inlet temperature set to 80°C and the internal temperature to 70°C. After re-spraying the tobacco slurry, which was made by mixing 90 kg, 120 kg, and 90 kg of first tobacco powder, alcohol, and water, respectively, using the nozzle, the mixture was secondary dried for 1 hour and 40 minutes with the inlet temperature set to 90°C and the internal temperature set to 80°C. Tobacco balls with a size of 20 Mesh to 30 Mesh, i.e., a particle size of 600 μm to 850 μm, were selected. 【0096】 Comparative Example 1 【0097】 The procedure was carried out in the same manner as in Example 1, but the steps of re-injecting the tobacco slurry after primary drying and the secondary drying were omitted, and tobacco balls with a size of 20 Mesh to 30 Mesh, i.e., a particle size of 600 μm to 850 μm, were selected. 【0098】 Experimental Example 1: Evaluation of hardness and moisture content of Example 1 and Comparative Example 1 【0099】 The average particle size, hardness, moisture content, and yield of tobacco balls that meet the size requirements for Comparative Example 1 and Example 1, in which the tobacco slurry re-injection and secondary drying steps were omitted, were measured and are shown in Table 1 below. 【0100】 [Table 1] [Table 1] 【0101】 Referring to Table 1, Example 1 can produce tobacco balls with excellent moisture content and hardness that satisfy the tobacco ball quality standards, with a hardness of 99% or more and a moisture content of less than 4%, and the yield of tobacco balls produced by Example 1 may be higher than that of tobacco balls produced by Comparative Example 1. On the other hand, in this specification, the yield of tobacco balls can be defined as the ratio of the distribution of tobacco balls (size 20 Mesh to 30 Mesh, i.e., particle size 600 μm to 850 μm) to the total distribution of tobacco balls and tobacco seeds produced by each manufacturing method. Furthermore, in this specification, "hardness of tobacco balls" is a physical property related to elasticity and resilience, and may mean the degree to which the tobacco ball resists pressure applied perpendicular to the surface of the tobacco ball. The tobacco balls of Example 1 can ensure a stable hardness at the level required for commercialization compared to the tobacco hardness of the tobacco balls of Comparative Example 1. In other words, Example 1 can improve the production yield of tobacco balls that satisfy the tobacco ball quality standards compared to Comparative Example 1 and provide stable tobacco balls. 【0102】 Figure 4 is a diagram illustrating an exemplary configuration of a smoking article according to one embodiment of the present invention. 【0103】 Referring to Figure 4, the smoking article 100K may include a smoking substance portion 110K wrapped with a smoking substance wrapper 110Ka, a filter portion 120K wrapped with a filter wrapper 120Ka, and a tipping paper 130K connecting the smoking substance portion 110K and the filter portion 120K. In some embodiments, the smoking article 100K may be a combustible cigarette in which the smoking substance portion 100K is burned, generating and transmitting an aerosol to the user. 【0104】 The smoking material portion 110K of the present invention may be filled entirely with the aforementioned tobacco balls. Alternatively, the smoking material portion 110K may be filled with a mixture comprising the aforementioned tobacco balls and at least two of the following: raw tobacco leaves in sheet or shredded tobacco form and reconstituted tobacco leaves. The smoking material portion 110K may have the form of an elongated rod, and its length, circumference, and diameter may vary. 【0105】 In some embodiments, the tobacco balls filled into the smoking material section 100K may be tobacco balls manufactured by the methods described with reference to Figures 1 to 5. That is, the tobacco balls may include a tobacco ball core and a tobacco ball coating layer formed by coating on the tobacco ball core. 【0106】 In some embodiments, the tobacco ball core is a second tobacco powder, which is tobacco leaves in a powder state obtained by grinding tobacco raw materials to a fine particle size through a grinding process, and is in powder form with a size of 20 to 40 microns (μm), and the tobacco ball containing the tobacco ball core may be 20 mesh to 30 mesh, i.e., have a particle size of 600 μm to 850 μm. 【0107】 In some embodiments, the tobacco ball coating layer coated on the tobacco ball core may be a coating layer formed by spraying and drying a tobacco slurry, which is in the form of a slurry produced by stirring a first tobacco powder, water, and alcohol, onto the tobacco ball core, which is a second tobacco powder. 【0108】 In some embodiments, the tobacco ball coating layer may contain a first tobacco powder, which may be tobacco leaves in a powder state obtained by grinding tobacco raw materials to a fine particle size through a grinding process. In some embodiments, the second tobacco powder constituting the tobacco ball core and the first tobacco powder constituting the tobacco ball coating layer may be the same tobacco leaf, or they may be different types of tobacco leaves. 【0109】 In some embodiments, the weight ratio of the first tobacco powder, water, and alcohol contained in the tobacco slurry may be 2-4:2-4:3-6. 【0110】 The smoking material portion 110K can be packaged with a smoking material wrapper 110Ka. On the other hand, the tobacco balls produced by the embodiments of the present invention described above have appropriate levels of hardness and moisture content, and the deviation in the size of each average particle of the tobacco balls is small, making them easy to fill, and minimizing damage to the tobacco balls filled in the smoking material portion 110K. 【0111】 The filter section 120K is located downstream of the smoking substance section 110K and may be the region through which the aerosol substance generated in the smoking substance section 110K passes immediately before the user inhales it. 【0112】 The filter section 120K can be formed from a variety of materials, but for example, the filter section 120K may be a cellulose acetate filter. 【0113】 In some embodiments, the filter section 120K may be a cellulose acetate filter that has not been treated with fragrance substances, but is not limited thereto, and the filter section 120K may be a TJNS (transfer jet nozzle system) filter that has been treated with fragrance substances. 【0114】 In some embodiments, the filter section 120K may be a tubular structure containing a hollow interior. Alternatively, the filter section 120K may be manufactured by inserting a structure such as a film or tube of the same or different material into its interior (for example, hollow). 【0115】 On the other hand, the hardness of the filter section 120K can be adjusted by adjusting the plasticizer content during the manufacturing of the filter section 120K. Triacetin may be used as the plasticizer, but the type and content of the plasticizer are not limited to this and can be appropriately adjusted as needed. 【0116】 In this embodiment, the filter section 120K is shown as a monofilter consisting of a single filter, but it is not limited to this. For example, the filter section 120K can of course be provided as a dual filter or triple filter equipped with two acetate filters to increase the filtering efficiency. 【0117】 The aforementioned filter section 120K is positioned downstream of the smoking substance section 110K and acts as a filter through which the aerosol substance generated in the smoking substance section 110K passes just before the user inhales it. 【0118】 The filter portion 120K may be wrapped by a filter wrapper 120Ka. In some embodiments, the filter wrapper 120Ka may be made of oil-resistant wrapping paper. The filter wrapper 120Ka may be made of oil-resistant wrapping paper to prevent the liquid contents of the capsule, which may be released outside the capsule when the capsule contained in the filter portion 120K is crushed by the smoker, from passing through the filter wrapper 120Ka. In some embodiments, aluminum foil may be further included on the inner surface of the filter wrapper 120Ka. 【0119】 The filter portion 120K, wrapped by the filter wrapper 120Ka, and the smoking substance portion 110K, wrapped by the smoking substance wrapper 110Ka, can be combined and packaged with tipping paper 130K. That is, the tipping paper 130K can enclose at least a portion of the smoking substance wrapper 110Ka (for example, a portion of the downstream area) and the outer casing of the filter wrapper 120Ka. On the other hand, the tipping paper 130K can also contain a non-combustible material to prevent the filter portion 120K from burning due to the combustion of the smoking substance portion 110K. 【0120】 Figure 5 is a diagram illustrating an exemplary configuration of a smoking article according to some other embodiments of the present invention. 【0121】 Referring to Figure 5, the smoking article 200K may include a smoking substance section 210K, a support structure 220K, a cooling structure 230K, a mouthpiece section 240K, and a wrapper 260K. In some embodiments, the smoking article 200K may be a non-combustible (or heated) cigarette used with an aerosol generating device (not shown), such as an e-cigarette device. 【0122】 The smoking material portion 210K of the present invention may be partially or entirely filled with tobacco balls as described with reference to Figures 1 to 3. The smoking material portion 210K may have a configuration substantially similar to the smoking material portion 210K described with reference to Figure 4, and a detailed explanation thereof will be omitted. 【0123】 The support structure 220K may be a tubular structure containing a hollow 220KH inside. The support structure 220K may be manufactured using cellulose acetate, which in turn prevents the internal material of the smoking substance section 210K from being pushed backward (i.e., downstream) when the heater (not shown) of the aerosol generating device is inserted, and also allows for the generation of a cooling effect on the aerosol. 【0124】 In some embodiments, the hardness of the support structure 220K can be adjusted by adjusting the plasticizer content during the manufacturing of the support structure 220K. Alternatively, the support structure 220K may be manufactured by inserting a structure such as a film or tube of the same or different material into its interior (i.e., the hollow 220KH). 【0125】 The cooling structure 230K has a boundary adjacent to the support structure 220K and can be located downstream of the support structure 220K. The cooling structure 230K can perform the role of a cooling member that cools the aerosol produced when the heater (not shown) of the aerosol generating device heats the smoking substance section 210K. As a result, the user can inhale the aerosol cooled to an appropriate temperature. 【0126】 The cooling structure 230K may be produced by one or more steps, with the additional step of wrapping the outside of the cooling structure 230K with a wrapper made of paper or a polymer material. Here, the polymer material includes, but is not limited to, gelatin, polyethylene (PE), polypropylene (PP), polyurethane (PU), fluorinated ethylene propylene (FEP), and combinations thereof. 【0127】 On the other hand, the cooling structure 230K may be a tubular structure containing a hollow 230KH inside, as shown in Figure 5. The cross-sectional shape of the hollow may be polygonal or circular, but in this case, the inner diameter of the cooling structure 230K may be larger than the inner diameter of the support structure 220K. For example, the inner diameter of the support structure 220K may be approximately 2.5 mm, and the inner diameter of the cooling structure 230K may be approximately 4.2 mm, but the size and shape of the hollow are not limited to this. 【0128】 The mouthpiece portion 240K, located at the downstream end of the smoking article 200K, can perform its role as a mouthpiece that ultimately delivers the aerosol transmitted from upstream to the user. In some embodiments, the mouthpiece portion 240K may be a cellulose acetate filter. Although not shown, the mouthpiece portion 240K may be made of a recess filter. 【0129】 The wrapper 260K may be porous or non-porous wrapping paper. On the other hand, at least one of the smoking material portion 210K, support structure 220K, cooling structure 230K, and mouthpiece portion 240K may be individually wrapped in a separate wrapper before being wrapped by the wrapper 260K. For example, the smoking material portion 210K may be wrapped in a smoking material wrapper (not shown), and the support structure 220K, cooling structure 230K, and mouthpiece portion 240K may be wrapped in a first filter wrapper (not shown), a second filter wrapper (not shown), and a third filter wrapper (not shown), respectively, but the method of wrapping the smoking article 200K and its constituent parts with wrappers is not limited thereto. 【0130】 The wrapper 260K can prevent the smoking item 200K from burning. For example, if the smoking substance section 210K is heated by a heater (not shown) of the aerosol generating device, the smoking item 200K may burn. More specifically, if the temperature of any one of the substances contained in the smoking substance section 210K rises above its ignition point, the smoking item 200K may burn. Even in such cases, the wrapper 260K contains a non-combustible material and can prevent the smoking item 200K from burning. 【0131】 Figure 6 is a diagram illustrating an exemplary configuration of a smoking article according to yet another embodiment of the present invention. 【0132】 Referring to Figure 6, the smoking article 300K may include a front filter segment (or front plug; 350K), a smoking substance section 310K, a support structure 320K, a mouthpiece section 340K, and a wrapper 360K. The smoking article 300K may be a non-combustible (or heated) cigarette used with an aerosol generating device (not shown), such as an e-cigarette device. 【0133】 The smoking substance portion 310K, the support structure 320K, the mouthpiece portion 340K, and the wrapper 360K can have substantially similar configurations to the smoking substance portion 210K, the support structure 220K, the mouthpiece portion 240K, and the wrapper 260K, respectively, as described with reference to Figure 5. In the following explanation, for the sake of simplicity, we will focus on the differences from the smoking article 200K described with reference to Figure 5. 【0134】 Unlike the smoking articles 100K and 200K described with reference to Figures 4 and 5, the smoking article 300K may further include a front-end filter segment 350K that borders the smoking material section 310K upstream of the smoking material section 310K. 【0135】 The front filter segment 350K can be made of cellulose acetate. The front filter segment 350K can physically block the smoking substance section 310K from detaching from the smoking article 300K, and can also prevent the liquefied aerosol from the smoking substance section 310K from flowing into an aerosol generating device (not shown) during smoking. 【0136】 On the other hand, the front filter segment 350K may include a hollow or channel 350KH extending from the upstream end to the downstream end, as shown in Figure 6. The channel 350KH can be located in the center of the front filter segment 350K. For example, the center of the channel 350KH can coincide with the center of the front filter segment 350K. 【0137】 When the front filter segment 350K is equipped with a channel 350KH, the aerosol flowing into the upstream end of the front filter segment 350K can more easily exit to the downstream end of the front filter segment 350K, allowing the user to easily inhale the aerosol. 【0138】 In this embodiment, channel 350KH is shown with a circular cross-sectional shape, but the cross-sectional shape of channel 350KH is not limited to this. For example, the cross-sectional shape of channel 350KH may be a three-leaf shape. 【0139】 Although preferred embodiments of the present invention have been described in detail above, the technical scope of the present invention is not limited to the embodiments described above and should be interpreted according to the claims. In this regard, it should be considered that many modifications and variations are possible without departing from the scope of the present invention for those with ordinary skill in the art.

Claims

[Claim 1] A tobacco ball comprising: a tobacco ball core formed of a first tobacco powder; and a tobacco ball coating layer formed by spraying a tobacco slurry, manufactured by mixing a second tobacco powder, water, and alcohol, onto the tobacco ball core, The tobacco ball has a moisture content of 3.0% to 4.2%. [Claim 2] The tobacco ball according to claim 1, wherein the weight ratio of the second tobacco powder, the water, and the alcohol contained in the tobacco slurry is 2-4:2-4:3-6. [Claim 3] The tobacco ball coating layer formed on the tobacco ball core is After spraying the tobacco slurry onto the tobacco ball core, the inlet temperature is set to 70°C to 100°C and the internal temperature to 50°C to 70°C, and the mixture is subjected to primary drying for 1 to 2 hours. The tobacco ball according to claim 1, wherein after the primary drying, the tobacco slurry is sprayed, and then the inlet temperature is set to 70°C to 100°C and the internal temperature to 80°C to 90°C, and the tobacco ball is manufactured by secondary drying for 1 to 2 hours. [Claim 4] The tobacco ball according to claim 1, wherein the moisture content of the tobacco ball is in the range of 3.45% to 3.75%. [Claim 5] The size of the first tobacco powder is 20 μm to 40 μm. The tobacco ball according to claim 1, wherein the size of the tobacco ball is 600 μm to 850 μm. [Claim 6] The tobacco ball according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the hardness of the tobacco ball is 99% or more. [Claim 7] A smoking material section in which at least a portion of the area is filled with tobacco balls; and Although it includes a filter section located downstream of the aforementioned smoking substance section, The aforementioned tobacco ball is A tobacco ball core formed from first tobacco powder; and The tobacco ball core includes a tobacco ball coating layer formed by spraying a tobacco slurry, which is manufactured by mixing a second tobacco powder, water, and alcohol, onto the tobacco ball core. A smoking article wherein the moisture content of the tobacco ball is 3.0% to 4.2%. [Claim 8] The smoking article according to claim 7, wherein the weight ratio of the second tobacco powder, the water, and the alcohol contained in the tobacco slurry is 2-4:2-4:4-6. [Claim 9] The tobacco ball coating layer formed on the tobacco ball core is After spraying the tobacco slurry onto the tobacco ball core, the inlet temperature is set to 70°C to 100°C and the internal temperature to 50°C to 70°C, and the mixture is subjected to primary drying for 1 to 2 hours. The smoking article according to claim 8, wherein after the primary drying, the tobacco slurry is sprayed, and then the inlet temperature is set to 70°C to 100°C and the internal temperature to 80°C to 90°C, and the smoking article is manufactured by secondary drying for 1 to 2 hours.

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