Cigarette wrapper using nanocellulose film

Abstract

The present invention provides a tobacco wrapper comprising a nanocellulose film, a smoking article comprising the same, and a method for making a tobacco wrapper comprising a nanocellulose film. This has the advantage of minimizing the paper odor and steamy odor of existing cigarette papers, reducing the discomfort felt by smokers, and improving the satisfaction of smoking.

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to tobacco wrappers utilizing nanocellulose films and tobacco articles containing the same. [Background technology]

[0002] Generally, tobacco refers to a perennial plant of the Solanaceae family of dicotyledonous plants, but in recent times it has come to refer to a product manufactured for smoking, in which tobacco leaves are wrapped in cigarette paper and a filter is formed on one side. There are thousands of such types of cigarettes on the market worldwide, with various patterns and shapes.

[0003] A cigarette consists of a tobacco rod and at least one filter. The cigarette is then wrapped in cigarette paper (wrapper). Currently used cigarette paper contains a mixture of various components, including lignin and hemicellulose, excluding cellulose.

[0004] The cigarette paper used in traditional cigarettes and / or e-cigarettes, due to the unique nature of its material and the presence of many other components other than cellulose (particularly lignin, hemicellulose, etc.), produces an unpleasant odor known as a "paper odor" when smoking, which is perceived as unpleasant by consumers. The aerosol product (tobacco sticks) used in e-cigarettes also not only produces soot during the heating process, but also produces a "steaming odor," which, along with the paper odor, induces an unpleasant feeling for consumers.

[0005] However, in the process of producing such cigarette paper, it is difficult to completely remove the above components and obtain only pure cellulose during the bleaching process of wood pulp. In addition, cellulose exists in a state in which crystalline and amorphous structures are mixed, and since its degree of crystallinity is very low, there is a problem that it has low tensile strength compared to other polymer films.

[0006] For this reason, research is needed to reduce the paper odor generated by cigarette paper and to alleviate the discomfort felt by smokers. Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0007] In order to overcome the problems and / or limitations of the existing technologies as described above, the present invention aims to provide a tobacco wrapper utilizing a nanocellulose film and a tobacco article including the same.

[0008] However, the problems to be solved by the present invention are not limited to those mentioned above, and other problems not mentioned will be clearly understood by a person having ordinary skill in the art from the following description. [Means for solving the problem]

[0009] According to one embodiment of the present invention, there is provided a cigarette wrapper comprising a nanocellulose film.

[0010] According to one embodiment, there is provided a smoking article comprising a tobacco medium portion, a filter portion, and a wrapper,

[0011] A smoking article is provided, wherein the wrapper is a wrapper comprising a nanocellulose film.

[0012] According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method for producing a tobacco wrapper comprising a nanocellulose film, the method comprising the steps of: 1) bleaching wood pulp; 2) A step of colliding the cellulose-containing fluid of the bleached wood pulp at high pressure to form nanoparticles; and 3) applying and drying the nanoparticulated fluid to obtain a nanocellulose film; The present invention provides a method for producing a tobacco wrapper, comprising the steps of:

[0013] According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method for producing a tobacco wrapper comprising a nanocellulose film, the method comprising the steps of: a) bleaching wood pulp; b) physically dispersing the cellulose-containing fluid of the bleached wood pulp; c) treating with sulfuric acid or 2,2,6,6-tetramethyl-1-piperidinyloxy (TEMPO) to obtain a nanoparticle dispersion; and d) applying and drying the nanoparticle dispersion to obtain a nanocellulose film; The present invention provides a method for producing a tobacco wrapper, comprising the steps of: Effect of the Invention

[0014] A cigarette wrapper utilizing a nanocellulose film according to one embodiment of the present invention can not only reduce the paper odor characteristic of paper in traditional cigarettes, but also, in electronic cigarettes, the high heat resistance of the film can prevent soot when heated, thereby reducing unpleasant odors.

[0015] In addition, it can be obtained from the same raw materials as paper (wood, plants, etc.) and is made from the same cellulose components as paper, so it is biodegradable, maintaining its eco-friendliness while also having the added benefit of possessing new properties such as strong tensile strength and high heat resistance due to the nano-particle formation of cellulose.

[0016] It should be understood that the effects of the present invention are not limited to the effects described above, but include all effects that can be inferred from the configuration of the invention described in the detailed description of the present invention or the claims. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0017] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 shows a wrapper containing a nanocellulose film according to an embodiment of the present invention being used in a traditional cigarette to replace existing cigarette paper. [Diagram 2]FIG. 1 shows the use of a wrapper containing a nanocellulose film according to one embodiment of the present invention as the final outer shell of an aerosol product (tobacco stick) of an existing electronic cigarette. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0018] Hereinafter, the embodiments will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. However, since various modifications can be made to the embodiments, the scope of the patent application is not limited or restricted by these embodiments. It should be understood that all modifications, equivalents, or alternatives to the embodiments are included in the scope of the patent.

[0019] The terms used in the examples are merely used for the purpose of explanation and should not be construed as limiting. A singular expression includes a plural expression unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. In this specification, the terms "include" or "have" are intended to specify the presence of features, numbers, steps, operations, components, parts, or combinations thereof described herein, and are not intended to preclude the presence or additional possibility of one or more other features, numbers, steps, operations, components, parts, or combinations thereof.

[0020] Unless otherwise defined, all terms used herein, including technical or scientific terms, have the same meaning as commonly understood by a person of ordinary skill in the art to which the embodiments belong. Terms as defined in commonly used dictionaries should be interpreted as having a meaning consistent with the contextual meaning of the relevant art, and should not be interpreted as idealized or overly formal unless expressly defined in this application.

[0021] In the description with reference to the accompanying drawings, the same reference numerals are used for the same components regardless of the reference numerals, and the duplicated description thereof will be omitted. In describing the embodiments, if it is determined that a detailed description of related known technology may unnecessarily obscure the gist of the embodiments, the detailed description thereof will be omitted.

[0022] In addition, in describing components of the embodiments, terms such as 1, 2, A, B, (a), (b), etc. are used to distinguish the components from other components, and the terms do not limit the nature, order, or sequence of the components.

[0023] Components included in any one embodiment and components having a common function will be described using the same names in other embodiments. Unless otherwise specified, the description of one embodiment may be applied to other embodiments, and detailed description will be omitted to the extent that they overlap.

[0024] Throughout the specification, "smoking article" can mean an article capable of generating an aerosol, such as tobacco (cigarette), cigar, etc. Smoking articles can include aerosol-generating substances or aerosol-forming substrates. Smoking articles can also include solid substances based on tobacco raw materials, such as tabular tobacco, shredded tobacco, reconstituted tobacco, etc. Smoking substances can include volatile compounds.

[0025] In addition, throughout the specification, "upstream" or "upstream direction" means a direction away from the mouth of a user who inhales the smoking article, and "downstream" or "downstream direction" means a direction approaching the mouth of a user who inhales the smoking article. For example, in the smoking article shown in Figure 1, the shredded grass part 003 is located upstream or in the upstream direction of the filter part 002.

[0026] Furthermore, the "aerosol generating system" in the present invention may refer to a device that generates an aerosol using an aerosol generating substrate to generate an aerosol that can be directly inhaled into the lungs of a user through the mouth of the user. The aerosol generating system is a non-combustion tobacco article that is indirectly heated by electrical energy rather than by direct combustion, and non-combustion tobacco articles include heated and non-heated tobacco articles. In the case of a heated tobacco article, the aerosol may be generated by drawing in surrounding air that has been heated by electrical energy, and the aerosol is inhaled by the user and then released, thereby allowing smoking to be performed. In addition, various types of aerosol generating devices may be further included, and the scope of the present disclosure is not limited to the above examples.

[0027] According to one embodiment of the present invention, there is provided a cigarette wrapper comprising a nanocellulose film.

[0028] The nanocellulose film contained in the cigarette wrapper according to one embodiment of the present invention has a high cellulose content, no amorphous parts, and an almost pure cellulose crystalline structure, so despite being a cellulose material like paper, it has different physical properties, and due to the strong hydrogen bonds between the crystalline structures, it exhibits strong tensile strength and high heat resistance.

[0029] In addition, because nanocellulose is made up of more than 90% pure crystalline particles, when a film made from it is used to replace existing cigarette paper, the source of the paper odor is eliminated, reducing the unpleasant odor caused by the paper odor.

[0030] Furthermore, when used in e-cigarettes, the strong bonds between the nanoparticles and the crystalline structure give it greater heat resistance than existing paper, which has the advantage of preventing the carbonization of the material and reducing the smell of smoking.

[0031] Meanwhile, the nanocellulose film constituting the cigarette wrapper according to one embodiment of the present invention may have a thickness of 5 to 150 μm, preferably 10 to 100 μm, and more preferably 10 to 50 μm. When the nanocellulose film has the above-mentioned numerical range, the shape of the smoking article can be effectively maintained, and in particular, leakage of the tobacco medium part (shaved grass part) can be prevented. When the tobacco wrapper wraps the entire smoking article as shown in FIG. 2, leakage of liquid components such as moisturizers to the outside can be reduced.

[0032] The nanocellulose film may also contain one or more of the nanocelluloses selected from cellulose nanofibers and cellulose nanocrystals, and when the cellulose nanofibers or cellulose nanocrystals are each used alone in the nanocellulose film, the crystallinity of each may be 80% or more.

[0033] If the crystallinity is below the above range, it means that the existing wood pulp, etc. does not progress well to nanocellulose and the formation of cellulose nanoparticles is not carried out well. In such cases, it can be said that the inherent properties of nanocellulose, such as high tensile strength, strong bonds between nanoparticles, or alignment, are unlikely to be exhibited.

[0034] Additionally, the tobacco wrapper containing the nanocellulose film may contain additional additives, which may include at least one of a filler and a combustion improver.

[0035] The filler not only enhances whiteness and opacity, adjusts porosity, improves texture and printability, but also reduces paper odor. An example of the filler having such functions is calcium carbonate (CaCO3).

[0036] The combustion improver has a function of promoting or suppressing combustion, and examples thereof include sodium citrate and potassium citrate.

[0037] By simultaneously containing such a filler and a combustion improver, it is possible to ensure the smoking sensation, burning properties, extinguishing properties, and manufacturing workability of the cigarette.

[0038] According to another embodiment of the present invention, there is provided a smoking article comprising a tobacco medium portion, a filter portion, and a wrapper,

[0039] A smoking article is provided, wherein the wrapper is a wrapper comprising a nanocellulose film.

[0040] The tobacco medium part generally contains a tobacco material containing nicotine, such as tobacco leaves, and may further contain excipients, such as binders, other additives, and flavoring agents. For example, the tobacco medium contained in the tobacco medium part of the present invention may be manufactured in the form of granules containing a tobacco material and excipients.

[0041] In the present invention, the tobacco material is an aerosol-generating material, and may be tobacco flakes, tobacco stems, tobacco dust generated during tobacco processing, and / or tobacco leaf flake strips. The tobacco leaf may be at least one selected from, but is not limited to, flue-cured, burley, orient, cigar, and toasted.

[0042] On the other hand, the filter part may contain capsules that hold a fragrance therein, and may further contain a moisturizing agent or the like.

[0043] In addition, the wrapper of the smoking article according to one embodiment of the present invention may include a tobacco medium wrapper, a filter wrapper, a tipping wrapper, etc., and in terms of effectively reducing the papery odor and steamy odor generated during smoking of traditional cigarettes and electronic cigarettes, the wrapper including the nanocellulose film is preferably a tobacco medium wrapper or a wrapper that wraps the entire smoking article.

[0044] As described above, the smoking article according to an embodiment of the present invention may be used as a stick for a traditional cigarette or an electronic cigarette, and may therefore be a combustible or non-combustible heated cigarette.

[0045] A method for producing a tobacco wrapper according to one embodiment of the present invention will now be described.

[0046] The nanocellulose-containing tobacco wrapper of the present invention can be produced by a physical method comprising the following steps 1) to 3) or a chemical method comprising the following steps a) to d): 1) bleaching wood pulp; 2) A step of colliding the cellulose-containing fluid of the bleached wood pulp at high pressure to form nanoparticles; and 3) applying and drying the nanoparticulated fluid to obtain a nanocellulose film;

[0047] a) bleaching wood pulp; b) physically dispersing the cellulose-containing fluid of the bleached wood pulp; c) treating with sulfuric acid or 2,2,6,6-tetramethyl-1-piperidinyloxy (TEMPO) to obtain a nanoparticle dispersion; and d) applying and drying the nanoparticle dispersion to obtain a nanocellulose film;

[0048] In general, in the case of wood pulp, which is mainly composed of bulk cellulose mass, the bleaching process reduces some of the components mixed with hemicellulose, such as lignin, mannose, and xylose, which are decolorized, but cannot be completely removed. However, in the case of nanocellulose, as described in steps 1) to 3) or steps a) to d) above, most of the other mixed components, such as amorphous cellulose, lignin, hemicellulose, and other components other than pure cellulose crystals, are removed during the process of nanoparticle formation as well as bleaching. In this way, the main component is cellulose, which is the same as cigarette paper, but a film made of nanocellulose from which other mixed components have been removed has tensile strength and biodegradability.

[0049] Meanwhile, by proceeding with the above step 2) or steps b) and c), the size of cellulose can be physically or chemically crushed to a small size such as nanoparticles, and the nanocellulose in the above step 3) or step d) can be applied in the same manner as the general polymer film manufacturing method.

[0050] The polymer film may be prepared by using at least one method selected from the group consisting of drop casting, roll coating, knife coating, and bar coating. The above-mentioned methods are merely representative, and the method is not limited thereto as long as it is a method in which a material dispersion is thinly applied to a wide area, and then a nanoparticle bond is formed through a drying process to maintain the shape.

[0051] Meanwhile, the nanocellulose dispersion can be produced in a water-soluble form, and therefore has the advantage of being both safe and eco-friendly during operation, unlike petroleum-based polymers that use other organic solvents. The nanocellulose film produced in this way can be easily applied to the manufacturing process of cigarettes and e-cigarettes smoking articles when rolls are produced cut to the width and length used in the manufacture of existing cigarette paper.

[0052] As described above, although the embodiments have been described with limited drawings, those having ordinary skill in the art may 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 combined in a different manner than described, or may be replaced or substituted by other components or equivalents, and still achieve suitable results.

[0053] Therefore, other embodiments, examples, and equivalents to the claims are also within the scope of the claims set forth below. [Explanation of symbols]

[0054] 001: Nanocellulose film 002, 004, 005: Filter section 003: Tobacco medium part (cut grass part)

Claims

1. A tobacco wrapper comprising a nanocellulose film, The nanocellulose film comprises nanocellulose having a crystallinity of 80% or more; A tobacco wrapper, wherein the nanocellulose film has a thickness of from 5 to 150 μm.

2. 2. The tobacco wrapper of claim 1, wherein the nanocellulose film comprises one or more of the following nanocellulose: cellulose nanofibers and cellulose nanocrystals.

3. 10. The tobacco wrapper of claim 1, wherein the tobacco wrapper comprises at least one of a filler and a combustion improver.

4. 4. The tobacco wrapper of claim 3, wherein the filler is calcium carbonate and the combustion improver is sodium citrate or potassium citrate.

5. A smoking article comprising a tobacco medium portion, a filter portion and the tobacco wrapper of claim 1.

6. 6. The smoking article of claim 5, wherein the tobacco wrapper is a tobacco medium wrapper or a wrapper that encases the entire smoking article.

7. The smoking article according to claim 5 or 6, wherein the filter portion includes a capsule carrying a moisturizing agent or a fragrance.

8. The smoking article according to claim 5 or 6, wherein the smoking article is a combustion cigarette or a non-combustion heating cigarette.

9. A method for producing a tobacco wrapper as claimed in claim 1, comprising the steps of: 1) bleaching wood pulp; 2) A step of colliding the bleached wood pulp cellulose-containing fluid at high pressure to form nanoparticles; 3) applying and drying the nanoparticulated fluid to obtain a nanocellulose film; Including, The method for producing a tobacco wrapper, wherein step 3) uses one or more methods selected from the group consisting of drop casting, roll coating, knife coating, and bar coating.

10. A method for producing a tobacco wrapper as claimed in claim 1, comprising the steps of: a) bleaching wood pulp; b) physically dispersing the cellulose-containing fluid of the bleached wood pulp; c) treating with sulfuric acid or 2,2,6,6-tetramethyl-1-piperidinyloxy (TEMPO) to obtain a nanoparticle dispersion; d) applying and drying the nanoparticle dispersion to obtain a nanocellulose film; Including, The method of producing a tobacco wrapper, wherein step d) uses one or more methods selected from the group consisting of drop casting, roll coating, knife coating, and bar coating.

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