Flavor molded body for non-combustion heating type flavor inhaler, manufacturing method thereof, and non-combustion heating type flavor inhaler

Abstract

Provided is a flavor molded body for a non-combustion heating type flavor inhaler, the flavor molded body having less surface stickiness. A method for producing the flavor molded body for a non-combustion heating type flavor inhaler comprises: a step of mixing a tobacco powder raw material having a mean particle diameter of no greater than 300 µm, a material having a melting point of 30-200°C, and an alcohol having 2 to 7 carbon atoms, to form a mixture; a step of compressively molding the mixture to form a compression molded product; a step of heating the compression molded product to at least the melting point of the material; and a step of impregnating the heated compression molded product with an aerosol source.

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a flavor molded body for a non-combustion heating type flavor inhaler, a manufacturing method thereof, and a non-combustion heating type flavor inhaler. [Background technology]

[0002] In a combustion type flavor inhaler (cigarette), a tobacco filler containing tobacco leaves is burned to obtain flavor. As an alternative to the combustion type flavor inhaler, a non-combustion heating type flavor inhaler has been proposed, which obtains flavor by heating a flavor source containing tobacco material instead of burning it. The heating temperature of the non-combustion heating type flavor inhaler is lower than the combustion temperature of the combustion type flavor inhaler, for example, about 400°C or less. Since the heating temperature of the non-combustion heating type flavor inhaler is thus low, in order to increase the amount of smoke, an aerosol source such as glycerin is added to the flavor source in the non-combustion heating type flavor inhaler. The aerosol source is vaporized by heating to generate an aerosol. The aerosol is supplied to the user together with flavor components such as tobacco components, so that the user can obtain a sufficient flavor. For example, Patent Document 1 discloses a flavor source for a non-combustion heating type flavor inhaler. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 63-148975 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] However, when the flavor source for a non-combustion heating type flavor inhaler is in a powder form, the flavor source needs to be filled into a pot or a wrapping paper when used, which makes it difficult to handle. Therefore, the present inventors have compression-molded the flavor source into a flavor molded body, and have investigated increasing the amount of aerosol source contained in the flavor molded body in order to increase the amount of smoke. However, they have found that as the amount of aerosol source in the flavor molded body increases, the aerosol source is exposed on the surface of the flavor molded body, and the stickiness of the flavor molded body surface increases. From the viewpoint of improving the handleability, it is desirable to develop a flavor molded body for a non-combustion heating type flavor inhaler that has a less sticky surface even when the content of the aerosol source is high.

[0005] An object of the present invention is to provide a flavor molded body for a non-combustion heating type flavor inhaler having a less sticky surface, and a non-combustion heating type flavor inhaler equipped with the flavor molded body. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] The present invention includes the following embodiments.

[0007] [1] A process for forming a mixture by mixing a tobacco powder raw material having an average particle size of 300 μm or less, a material having a melting point of 30 to 200 ° C, and an alcohol having 2 to 7 carbon atoms; compression molding the mixture to form a compression molded product; heating the compression molded product to a melting point of the material or higher; impregnating the heated compression molded product with an aerosol source; The method for producing a flavor molded body for a non-combustion heating type flavor inhaler includes the steps of:

[0008] [2] The method according to [1], wherein the material is at least one material selected from the group consisting of sugars, oils and fats, fatty acids, and aliphatic hydrocarbons.

[0009] [3] The method according to [1] or [2], wherein the material is a sugar.

[0010] [4] The method according to [2] or [3], wherein the sugar is at least one sugar selected from the group consisting of glucose, sucrose, fructose, mannose, xylose, galactose, ribose, arabinose, erythrose, erythrulose, trehalose, xylitol, rhamnose, sorbitol, agarose, amylose, starch, and chitosan.

[0011] [5] The method according to any one of [1] to [4], wherein the material is in the form of a powder, granules, or chips.

[0012] [6] The method according to any one of [1] to [5], wherein the aerosol source is at least one selected from the group consisting of glycerin, 1,3-propanediol, propylene glycol, and 1,3-butanediol.

[0013] [7] The method according to any one of [1] to [6], wherein the alcohol having 2 to 7 carbon atoms is ethanol.

[0014] [8] The method according to any one of [1] to [7], wherein the content of the aerosol source contained in the flavor molded body is 15 mass% or more.

[0015] [9] The method according to any one of [1] to [8], wherein the flavor molded body has a tablet shape.

[0016]

[10] A flavor molded body for a non-combustion heating type flavor inhaler, comprising a tobacco powder raw material having an average particle diameter of 300 μm or less, an aerosol source, and a material having a melting point of 30 to 200 ° C., the flavor molded body has a porous structure formed from the tobacco powder raw material and the material, the aerosol source is held within pores of the porous structure; A flavor molded body for a non-combustion heating type flavor inhaler, wherein the content of the aerosol source contained in the flavor molded body is 15 mass% or more.

[0017]

[11] The flavor molded body described in

[10] , wherein the material is at least one material selected from the group consisting of sugars, oils and fats, fatty acids, and aliphatic hydrocarbons.

[0018]

[12] The flavor molded body described in

[10] or

[11] , wherein the material is a sugar.

[0019]

[13] The flavored molded body according to

[11] or

[12] , wherein the saccharide is at least one saccharide selected from the group consisting of glucose, sucrose, fructose, mannose, xylose, galactose, ribose, arabinose, erythrose, erythrulose, trehalose, xylitol, rhamnose, sorbitol, agarose, amylose, starch, and chitosan.

[0020]

[14] The flavor molded product according to any one of

[10] to

[13] , wherein the aerosol source is at least one selected from the group consisting of glycerin, 1,3-propanediol, propylene glycol, and 1,3-butanediol.

[0021]

[15] The flavor molded product according to any one of

[10] to

[14] , which has a tablet shape.

[0022]

[16] A flavor source container that contains the flavor molded product according to any one of

[10] to

[15] ; a power supply unit including a power supply section; a heating unit that receives power from the power source unit and heats the flavor molded body in the flavor source container; A non-combustion heating type flavor inhaler comprising: Effect of the Invention

[0023] According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a flavor molded body for a non-combustion heating type flavor inhaler having a less sticky surface, and a non-combustion heating type flavor inhaler including the flavor molded body. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0024] [Figure 1]FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram showing an example of a non-combustion heating type flavor inhaler according to the present embodiment. [Diagram 2] 1 is a micrograph of a cross section of the flavor molded body of Example 3. [Diagram 3] 1 is a micrograph of a cross section of the flavor molded body of Example 4. [Figure 4] 1 is a micrograph of a cross section of the flavor molded body of Comparative Example 1. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0025] [Method of manufacturing a flavor molded body for a non-combustion heating type flavor inhaler] The method for producing a flavor molded body (hereinafter also referred to as "flavor molded body") for a non-combustion heating type flavor inhaler according to this embodiment includes the following steps: a step of mixing a tobacco powder raw material having an average particle size of 300 μm or less, a material having a melting point of 30 to 200° C. (hereinafter also referred to as "low melting point material"), and an alcohol having 2 to 7 carbon atoms to form a mixture (hereinafter also referred to as "raw material mixing step"); a step of compression molding the mixture to form a compression molded product (hereinafter also referred to as "compression molding step"); a step of heating the compression molded product to a melting point of the material or higher (hereinafter also referred to as "heating step"); and a step of impregnating the heated compression molded product with an aerosol source (hereinafter also referred to as "aerosol source impregnation step").

[0026] In the method according to the present embodiment, by adding an alcohol having 2 to 7 carbon atoms in the raw material mixing step, a flavor molded body having sufficient strength can be obtained without using a general binder. It is presumed that a resin composition derived from the tobacco powder raw material migrates to the surface of the tobacco powder raw material, and the tobacco powder raw material and the like are bonded to each other via the resin composition, so that a flavor molded body having sufficient strength can be obtained. In addition, it is presumed that a flavor molded body having sufficient strength can be obtained because some hydroxyl groups of the cellulose contained in the tobacco powder raw material are dehydrated by the addition of the alcohol and condensed with the neighboring cellulose. Thus, in the method according to the present embodiment, it is not necessary to use a general binder during molding, and most of the ethanol used is removed by the heating step, so that a flavor molded body having sufficient strength can be obtained without affecting the flavor.

[0027] Furthermore, in the method according to the present embodiment, a low-melting-point material having a melting point of 30 to 200°C is added in the raw material mixing step. The low-melting-point material melts in the heating step, and most of it is absorbed into the tobacco powder raw material. Therefore, the portion of the compression molded product where the low-melting-point material was present becomes hollow, and a porous structure is formed in the compression molded product. Thereafter, in the aerosol source impregnation step, the aerosol source is accommodated in the pores of the compression molded product, so that the obtained flavor molded product can retain a large amount of the aerosol source and can reduce the stickiness of the surface.

[0028] In particular, when sugars are used as the low melting point material, the sugars can impart a favorable aroma when heated in a non-combustion heating type flavor inhaler. Furthermore, caramel compounds and Maillard reaction products are generated by heating the sugars once in the heating process. These caramel compounds and Maillard reaction products have vapor pressure and are easily released when heated again in a non-combustion heating type flavor inhaler. Therefore, compared to heating in a non-combustion heating type flavor inhaler without going through the first heating, less reaction energy is required, and flavor components derived from the sugars are released more quickly, making it possible to improve the flavor at the beginning of use.

[0029] Each step in the method according to the present embodiment will be described below, but the method according to the present embodiment may include other steps in addition to the raw material mixing step, compression molding step, heating step, and aerosol source impregnation step. Examples of the other steps include a step of removing at least a part of the alcohol from the mixture (hereinafter also referred to as an "alcohol removal step"), a coating step, etc. The alcohol removal step may be performed during the compression molding step as long as it is performed after the raw material mixing step, or may be performed separately after the compression molding step and before the heating step.

[0030] (Raw material mixing process) In this step, a mixture is formed by mixing a tobacco powder raw material having an average particle size of 300 μm or less, a material having a melting point of 30 to 200° C. (low melting point material), and an alcohol having 2 to 7 carbon atoms. In this step, materials other than the tobacco powder raw material, the low melting point material, and the alcohol may be further mixed. Examples of the other materials include volatile flavor components, cellulose powder, tea powder, Lamiaceae plant powder, Umbelliferae plant powder, etc. Note that, as described below, the volatile flavor components may be impregnated together with the aerosol source in the aerosol source impregnation step.

[0031] <Tobacco powder raw materials> Examples of tobacco powder raw materials include tobacco leaves, tobacco veins, stems, roots, flowers, etc., which have been chopped into powder form. The type of tobacco leaf is not particularly limited, and may be, for example, flue-cured, burley, native, oriental, or fermented leaves thereof. These tobacco powder raw materials may be used alone or in combination of two or more.

[0032] The tobacco powder raw material has an average particle size of 300 μm or less. By having the average particle size of 300 μm or less, a flavor molded product having sufficient strength can be obtained. The average particle size is preferably 5 to 100 μm, more preferably 10 to 80 μm, and even more preferably 20 to 50 μm. The average particle size is measured using a light scattering method.

[0033] <Low melting point materials> The melting point of the low melting point material is 30 to 200°C, preferably 50 to 180°C, and more preferably 70 to 170°C. When the melting point is 30°C or higher, adhesion of the material during the manufacturing process can be prevented. When the melting point is 200°C or lower, the low melting point material can be melted by low-temperature heating, so that deterioration of other components contained in the compression molded product due to heat can be prevented. In this embodiment, the melting point is measured by a DSC method or the like.

[0034] Examples of low-melting-point materials having a melting point of 30 to 200°C include sugars, oils and fats, fatty acids, and aliphatic hydrocarbons. These materials may be used alone or in combination of two or more. Among these, sugars are preferred as low-melting-point materials, as described above, from the viewpoint of imparting a favorable aroma, particularly in the initial stage of use. The sugars may be monosaccharides or disaccharides.

[0035] Examples of sugars having a melting point of 30 to 200°C include glucose, sucrose, fructose, mannose, xylose, galactose, ribose, arabinose, erythrose, erythrulose, trehalose, xylitol, rhamnose, sorbitol, agarose, amylose, starch, chitosan, etc. These sugars may be used alone or in combination of two or more. Among these, glucose, sucrose, or fructose is preferred as the sugar from the viewpoint of the fluidity of the crystals and the flavor produced.

[0036] Examples of fats and oils having a melting point of 30 to 200° C. include animal fats and oils, hydrogenated vegetable fats and oils, etc. These fats and oils may be used alone or in combination of two or more.

[0037] As the fatty acid having a melting point of 30 to 200° C., a fatty acid having 10 to 30 carbon atoms and a melting point of 30 to 200° C. is preferable. Examples of such fatty acids include decanoic acid, dodecanoic acid, tetradecanoic acid, hexadecanoic acid, octadecanoic acid, eicosanoic acid, docosanoic acid, tetracosanoic acid, hexacosanoic acid, octacosanoic acid, triacontanoic acid, and isomers thereof. These fatty acids may be used alone or in combination of two or more.

[0038] The aliphatic hydrocarbon having a melting point of 30 to 200° C. is preferably an aliphatic hydrocarbon having a melting point of 30 to 200° C. and a carbon number of 18 to 30. Examples of such aliphatic hydrocarbons include octadecane, nonadecane, icosane, henicosane, tetracosane, triacontane, and isomers thereof. These aliphatic hydrocarbons may be used alone or in combination of two or more.

[0039] The shape of the low melting point material is not particularly limited, but is preferably in the form of powder, granules, or chips from the viewpoint of forming a good porous structure in the compression molded product in the heating step. The low melting point material may be in a state of being solidified in a fixed form in a pure crystalline state such as needle crystals.

[0040] The amount of the low melting point material added is preferably 1 to 60 parts by mass, more preferably 3 to 50 parts by mass, and even more preferably 5 to 40 parts by mass, per 100 parts by mass of the tobacco powder raw material. By adding an amount of 1 part by mass or more, a porous structure can be sufficiently formed in the compression molded product in the heating step. In addition, by adding an amount of 60 parts by mass or less, the strength of the flavor molded product can be sufficiently ensured.

[0041] <Alcohol> The number of carbon atoms of the alcohol used in this step is 2 to 7, preferably 2 to 5, and more preferably 2 to 3. As the alcohol, from the viewpoint of obtaining a flavor molded product having higher intensity, ethanol, 2-propanol, and benzyl alcohol are preferable, and ethanol is more preferable. These alcohols may be used alone or in combination of two or more kinds.

[0042] The amount of alcohol added is preferably 1 to 20 parts by mass, more preferably 3 to 17 parts by mass, and even more preferably 5 to 15 parts by mass, per 100 parts by mass of the tobacco powder raw material. By adding an amount of 1 part by mass or more, the strength of the flavor molded body can be sufficiently ensured. Furthermore, by adding an amount of 20 parts by mass or less, compression molding can be easily performed in the compression molding step.

[0043] <Volatile fragrance ingredients> Examples of volatile fragrance components include, but are not limited to, phenethyl acetate, ethylhexanate, isoamyl acetate, benzyl acetate, ethyl octanate, ethyl oleate, phenethyl alcohol, acetanisole, benzaldehyde, benzyl alcohol, menthol, carvone, cinnamic acid, cinnamaldehyde, cinnamyl alcohol, vanillin, ethyl vanillin, citronellol, 2,5-dimethylpyrazine, limonene, furaneol, cyclotene, decanoic acid, ethyl isovalerate, valeric acid, palmitic acid, ethyl salicylate, geraniol, guaiacol, β-ionone, linalool, linalyl acetate, nerolidol, piperonal, sotolone, α-terpineol, megastigmatrienone, damascenone, neophthaldiene, etc. These volatile fragrance components may be used alone or in combination of two or more.

[0044] When a volatile flavor component is added, the amount of the volatile flavor component added is not particularly limited, but can be, for example, 1 to 20 parts by mass per 100 parts by mass of the tobacco powder raw material.

[0045] The method for mixing the tobacco powder raw material, the low melting point material, the alcohol, etc. to form a mixture is not particularly limited, but they can be mixed using a general mixer such as a V-type mixer.

[0046] (Compression molding process) In this step, the mixture obtained in the raw material mixing step is compressed to form a compression molded product. The compression molding machine used for compression molding is not particularly limited, but examples thereof include rotary tablet machines. The conditions of compression molding are not particularly limited, but it is preferable to mold at a compression pressure of 2 kN or more. The shape of the compression molded product is not particularly limited, but it can be, for example, a tablet shape. As described above, an alcohol removal step may be performed simultaneously in this step. For example, at least a part of the alcohol may be removed by natural drying during compression molding.

[0047] (Alcohol removal process) This step is an optional step, and removes at least a part of the alcohol from the mixture. As described above, the alcohol removal step may be performed on the mixture during the compression molding step, or may be performed separately on the compression molded product obtained after the compression molding step. The alcohol removal can be performed simultaneously with the melting of the low melting point material in the heating step described below, but by performing the alcohol removal step in advance before the heating step, the alcohol removal can be promoted, and the porous structure can be more easily formed in the compression molded product in the heating step.

[0048] In this step, it is preferable to remove at least a part of the alcohol at 10 to 40°C. By removing at least a part of the alcohol at 10°C or higher, the alcohol can be sufficiently removed. In addition, by removing at least a part of the alcohol at 40°C or lower, the influence on the flavor caused by heating can be suppressed. The temperature when removing at least a part of the alcohol is more preferably 20 to 40°C, and further preferably 30 to 40°C. When removing at least a part of the alcohol at 10 to 40°C, for example, by drying at 10 to 40°C for 30 to 180 minutes, at least a part of the alcohol can be removed. The removal of at least a part of the alcohol can be carried out, for example, by an electric oven, hot air drying, a tunnel dryer, natural drying, or the like. In addition, it is preferable to remove the alcohol in an open state, not in an enclosed space.

[0049] (Heating process) In this process, the compression molded product obtained in the compression molding process is heated to a temperature above the melting point of the low melting point material. Since the compression molded product is heated to a temperature above the melting point of the low melting point material, the low melting point material contained in the compression molded product melts, and most of it is absorbed into the tobacco powder raw material. Therefore, the part where the low melting point material was present in the compression molded product becomes hollow, and a porous structure is formed in the compression molded product. In addition, the alcohol contained in the compression molded product is removed by heating.

[0050] The heating temperature in the heating step is not particularly limited as long as it is equal to or higher than the melting point of the low melting point material, but is preferably at least 10° C. higher than the melting point, and more preferably at least 20° C. higher than the melting point. From the viewpoint of suppressing the influence of heating on flavor, the heating temperature is preferably 200° C. or lower. The heating time in the heating step depends on the heating temperature, but can be, for example, 2 to 20 minutes.

[0051] The heating method in the heating step is not particularly limited, but is preferably a method in which heat is applied from the outside of the compression molded product. By applying heat from the outside of the compression molded product, the surface of the compression molded product is exposed to a higher temperature than the inside, and some hydroxyl groups of the cellulose contained in the tobacco powder raw material located on the surface of the compression molded product undergo a dehydration reaction. As a result, the surface of the compression molded product becomes more hydrophobic than the inside, so that a hydrophilic aerosol source such as glycerin has a higher affinity with the inside of the compression molded product than with the surface of the compression molded product. Therefore, the aerosol source does not remain on the surface of the compression molded product, but easily enters the inside of the compression molded product, so that the stickiness of the surface of the obtained flavor molded product can be further reduced. The method of applying heat from the outside of the compression molded product is not particularly limited, but examples thereof include heating methods using a hot air oven, a far-infrared oven, a superheated steam oven, etc.

[0052] The heating step preferably removes 90% by mass or more of the alcohol contained in the compression molded product, more preferably removes 95% by mass or more, even more preferably removes 99% by mass or more, and particularly preferably removes all of the alcohol.

[0053] (Aerosol source impregnation process) In this process, the compression molded product heated in the heating process is impregnated with an aerosol source. By impregnating the compression molded product with the aerosol source, the aerosol source penetrates into the pores of the porous structure formed in the compression molded product and is held in the pores. This allows a flavored molded product with a less sticky surface to be obtained.

[0054] The aerosol source may be a liquid aerosol source, and preferably includes glycerin, 1,3-propanediol, propylene glycol, and 1,3-butanediol. These aerosol sources may be used alone or in combination of two or more.

[0055] The temperature when the compression molded product is impregnated with the aerosol source is not particularly limited, but from the viewpoint of accommodating the aerosol source in the pores more easily, it is preferably 30 to 60° C. In addition, the time for impregnating the compression molded product with the aerosol source is not particularly limited, but it can be, for example, 1 to 72 hours.

[0056] When the compression molded product is impregnated with the aerosol source, the above-mentioned volatile flavor component may be added to the aerosol source, and the volatile flavor component may be impregnated together with the aerosol source in this step. In this case, the volatile flavor component is preferably held in the pores of the porous structure in addition to the aerosol source.

[0057] The content of the aerosol source contained in the obtained flavor molded body is preferably 15% by mass or more, more preferably 17 to 40% by mass, and even more preferably 19 to 30% by mass. By having the content of 15% by mass or more, a sufficient amount of smoke can be obtained when the flavor molded body is used in a non-combustion heating type flavor inhaler. In addition, in the flavor molded body according to this embodiment, even if the content of the aerosol source is relatively large, such as 15% by mass or more, the stickiness of the flavor molded body surface is sufficiently suppressed.

[0058] The shape of the flavor molded body according to the present embodiment is not particularly limited, and may be, for example, a tablet shape, a plate shape, a cylinder shape, a rod shape, a sphere shape, a hollow shape, a porous shape, etc. From the viewpoint of ease of use and maintaining strength, a tablet shape is preferable. When the flavor molded body is in a tablet shape, its size may be, for example, a diameter of 5 to 15 mm and a height of 5 to 10 mm.

[0059] [Flavor molded body for non-combustion heating type flavor inhaler] The flavor molded body for a non-combustion heating type flavor inhaler according to this embodiment includes a tobacco powder raw material having an average particle size of 300 μm or less, an aerosol source, and a material having a melting point of 30 to 200° C. Here, the flavor molded body has a porous structure formed of the tobacco powder raw material and the material. That is, the wall portion of the porous structure is formed of the tobacco powder raw material and a low melting point material. In addition, the aerosol source is held within the pores of the porous structure. In addition, the content of the aerosol source contained in the flavor molded body is 15% by mass or more.

[0060] In the flavor molded body according to the present embodiment, the flavor molded body has a porous structure formed of tobacco powder raw material and a low melting point material, and the aerosol source is held in the pores of the porous structure. Therefore, even if the content of the aerosol source is relatively large, 15% by mass or more, the aerosol source is stably held in the pores and does not come out to the surface of the flavor molded body, so that the stickiness of the flavor molded body surface is suppressed. In addition, since the content of the aerosol source is 15% by mass or more, when the flavor molded body according to the present embodiment is used in a non-combustion heating type flavor inhaler, a sufficient amount of smoke can be obtained. The flavor molded body according to the present embodiment can be suitably manufactured by the manufacturing method of the flavor molded body according to the present embodiment described above. Therefore, the tobacco powder raw material, the low melting point material, and the aerosol source contained in the flavor molded body according to the present embodiment can be the same as the manufacturing method of the flavor molded body according to the present embodiment described above.

[0061] [Non-combustion heating type flavor inhaler] The non-combustion heating type flavor inhaler according to the present embodiment includes a flavor source container that contains the flavor molded body according to the present embodiment, a power supply unit that includes a power supply unit, and a heating unit that receives power from the power supply unit to heat the flavor molded body in the flavor source container. The non-combustion heating type flavor inhaler according to the present embodiment includes the flavor molded body according to the present embodiment, so that a sufficient amount of smoke can be obtained during use. In addition, the flavor molded body has a low stickiness on the surface, so that it is easy to handle. An example of the non-combustion heating type flavor inhaler according to the present embodiment is shown below, but the non-combustion heating type flavor inhaler according to the present embodiment is not limited thereto.

[0062] An example of the non-combustion heating type flavor inhaler according to the present embodiment is shown in FIG. 1. The non-combustion heating type flavor inhaler 1 shown in FIG. 1 includes a flavor source container 3 in which the flavor molded body 2 according to the present embodiment can be placed, a power source unit 4, a heating unit 5 that receives power from the power source unit 4 to heat the flavor molded body 2, a control unit 6 that controls the temperature of the heating unit 5, and a mouthpiece 7. In the flavor source container 3, the flavor molded body 2 is fixed by a raw material position adjustment jig 8. Since the flavor molded body 2 according to the present embodiment is less sticky and has a solid shape and is easy to handle, there is no need to fill it in a pot or wrapping paper, and it can be fixed and placed in the flavor source container 3 as it is, for example. The heating unit 5 is heated by supplying power from the power source unit 4 to the heating unit 5 according to an instruction from the control unit 6. The heat from the heating unit 5 is transmitted to the flavor molded body 2 through a metal plate 9, and the flavor molded body 2 is heated. Heating the flavor molded body 2 generates an aerosol containing flavor components, and the aerosol and flavor components are supplied to the user by the user inhaling through the mouthpiece 7. The heating temperature is preferably 150 to 400° C., and more preferably 200 to 350° C. The heating temperature refers to the temperature of the heater. EXAMPLES

[0063] Specific examples of this embodiment will be described below, but the present invention is not limited to these.

[0064] [Example 1] To 100 parts by mass of tobacco powder raw material (leaf tobacco, Brazilian flue-cured tobacco) with an average particle size of 30 μm, 20 parts by mass of glucose (manufactured by Fujifilm Wako Chemical Co., Ltd., melting point 146°C, particle size approximately 0.2 mm) and 10 parts by mass of ethanol were added, mixed lightly with a spatula, and then shaken for 30 minutes. The resulting mixture was molded into a tablet shape at a compression pressure of 3 kN using a compression molding machine (product name: TDP 0, manufactured by LFA Machines Oxford Ltd). The obtained compression molded product was dried at 40°C for 3 hours to remove the ethanol contained in the compression molded product. Thereafter, the compression molded product was heated in an oven at 190°C for 20 minutes, and the mass after heating (hereinafter referred to as "mass A") was measured. The compression molded product after heating was immersed in glycerin and left overnight in an environment of 60°C. Thereafter, the glycerin was removed using a cell strainer, and the mass of the obtained flavor molded product (hereinafter referred to as "mass B") was measured. The amount of glycerin contained in the flavor molded body was calculated from the difference between mass B and mass A. As a result, the amount of glycerin contained in the flavor molded body was 23.1% by mass. In addition, the surface of the obtained flavor molded body was less sticky. The results are shown in Table 1.

[0065] [Example 2] A flavor molded product was prepared in the same manner as in Example 1, except that sucrose (manufactured by Fujifilm Wako Chemical Co., Ltd., melting point 186° C., particle size approximately 2 mm) was used instead of glucose as the low melting point material. The results are shown in Table 1.

[0066] [Example 3] Except for changing the amount of glucose added to 10 parts by mass per 100 parts by mass of the tobacco powder raw material, a flavor molded body was prepared in the same manner as in Example 1. The results are shown in Table 1. Also, a micrograph of a cross section of the flavor molded body is shown in Figure 2.

[0067] [Example 4] Except for changing the amount of glucose added to 30 parts by mass per 100 parts by mass of the tobacco powder raw material, a flavor molded product was prepared in the same manner as in Example 1. The results are shown in Table 1. In addition, a micrograph of a cross section of the flavor molded product is shown in Figure 3.

[0068] [Comparative Example 1] Except for not adding glucose, a flavor molded product was prepared in the same manner as in Example 1. The results are shown in Table 1. Also, a micrograph of a cross section of the flavor molded product is shown in FIG.

[0069] [Table 1]

[0070] As shown in Table 1, the flavor molded bodies of Examples 1 to 4, which are flavor molded bodies according to this embodiment, had little stickiness on the surface. On the other hand, the flavor molded body of Comparative Example 1, which was prepared without adding a low melting point material, had a large stickiness on the surface and was difficult to handle. In addition, as shown in Figures 2 to 4, it was confirmed that the flavor molded bodies of Examples 3 and 4, which are flavor molded bodies according to this embodiment, have a porous structure derived from the low melting point material (glucose), whereas the flavor molded body of Comparative Example 1 does not have a porous structure. It is presumed that the flavor molded bodies of Examples 1 to 4 had little stickiness on the surface even when the glycerin content was relatively high at 15% by mass, because glycerin was held in the pores of the porous structure.

[0071] [Example 5] (Preparation of flavor molded body) To 100 parts by mass of tobacco powder raw material (leaf tobacco, Brazilian flue-cured tobacco) with an average particle size of 30 μm, 10 parts by mass of glucose (manufactured by Fujifilm Wako Chemical Co., Ltd., melting point 146°C, particle size approximately 0.2 mm) and 10 parts by mass of ethanol were added, mixed lightly with a spatula, and then shaken for 30 minutes. The resulting mixture was molded into a tablet shape at a compression pressure of 3 kN using a compression molding machine (product name: TDP 0, manufactured by LFA Machines Oxford Ltd). The obtained compression molded product was dried at 40°C for 3 hours to remove the ethanol contained in the compression molded product. Thereafter, the compression molded product was heated in an oven at 160°C for 3 minutes, and the mass after heating (hereinafter referred to as "mass A") was measured. The compression molded product after heating was immersed in glycerin and left overnight in an environment of 60°C. Thereafter, the glycerin was removed using a cell strainer, and the mass of the obtained flavor molded product (hereinafter referred to as "mass B") was measured. The amount of glycerin contained in the flavor molded product was calculated from the difference between mass B and mass A, and the amount of glycerin contained in the flavor molded product was 23% by mass. In addition, the surface of the obtained flavor molded product was not sticky.

[0072] (Sensory evaluation of a non-combustion heating type flavor inhaler at the beginning of use) 150 mg of the prepared flavor molded body was loaded into the raw material chamber of PAX (trade name, manufactured by PAX Labs), an externally heated flavor inhaler, and the flavor molded body was heated from the outside by heat transfer when the PAX was turned on. The aerosol generated by heating was inhaled by four expert evaluation panel members, who made sensory evaluations of 1-3 puffs, 4-6 puffs, 7-10 puffs, and all puffs by freely providing comments. The results are shown in Table 2. The four expert evaluation panel members had been thoroughly trained in the sensory evaluation of non-combustion heating flavor inhalers, and it was confirmed that the evaluation thresholds were equal and standardized among the expert evaluation panels.

[0073] [Comparative Example 2] (Preparation of flavor molded body) 10 parts by mass of glycerin and 10 parts by mass of ethanol were added to 100 parts by mass of tobacco powder raw material (leaf tobacco, Brazilian flue-cured tobacco) having an average particle size of 30 μm, and the mixture was lightly mixed with a spatula and then shaken for 30 minutes. The resulting mixture was molded into a tablet shape at a compression pressure of 3 kN using a compression molding machine (product name: TDP 0, manufactured by LFA Machines Oxford Ltd). The obtained compression molded product was dried at 40° C. for 3 hours, and the ethanol contained in the compression molded product was removed to prepare a flavor molded product. The amount of glycerin contained in the flavor molded product was 9.1% by mass. The surface of the obtained flavor molded product was very sticky and had poor handleability.

[0074] (Sensory evaluation of a non-combustion heating type flavor inhaler at the beginning of use) The prepared flavor molded product was used in a non-combustion heating type flavor inhaler and subjected to a sensory evaluation in the same manner as in Example 5. The results are shown in Table 2.

[0075] [Comparative Example 3] (Preparation of flavor molded body) To 100 parts by mass of tobacco powder raw material (leaf tobacco, Brazilian flue-cured tobacco) with an average particle size of 30 μm, 10 parts by mass of glucose (manufactured by Fujifilm Wako Chemical Co., Ltd., melting point 146°C, particle size approximately 0.2 mm), 10 parts by mass of glycerin, and 10 parts by mass of ethanol were added, mixed lightly with a spatula, and then shaken for 30 minutes. The resulting mixture was molded into a tablet shape at a compression pressure of 3 kN using a compression molding machine (product name: TDP 0, manufactured by LFA Machines Oxford Ltd). The obtained compression molded product was dried at 40°C for 3 hours, and the ethanol contained in the compression molded product was removed to prepare a flavor molded product. The amount of glycerin contained in the flavor molded product was 8.3% by mass. The surface of the obtained flavor molded product was very sticky and had poor handleability.

[0076] (Sensory evaluation of a non-combustion heating type flavor inhaler at the beginning of use) The prepared flavor molded product was used in a non-combustion heating type flavor inhaler and subjected to a sensory evaluation in the same manner as in Example 5. The results are shown in Table 2.

[0077] [Table 2]

[0078] As shown in Table 2, the flavor molded body of Example 5, which is the flavor molded body of this embodiment, released glucose-derived flavor components more quickly and had a better flavor at the beginning of use than the flavor molded bodies of Comparative Examples 2 and 3. [Explanation of symbols]

[0079] 1. Non-combustion heating type flavor inhaler 2 Flavor molded body 3. Flavor Source Container 4 Power supply section 5 Heating section 6. Control Unit 7 Mouthpiece 8. Raw material position adjustment jig 9 metal plate

Claims

1. A step of mixing a tobacco powder raw material having an average particle size of 300 μm or less, a material having a melting point of 30 to 200° C., and an alcohol having 2 to 7 carbon atoms to form a mixture; compression molding the mixture to form a compression molded product; heating the compression molded product to a melting point of the material or higher; impregnating the heated compression molded product with an aerosol source; The method for producing a flavor molded body for a non-combustion heating type flavor inhaler includes the steps of:

2. The method of claim 1 , wherein the material is at least one material selected from the group consisting of sugars, fats and oils, fatty acids, and aliphatic hydrocarbons.

3. The method of claim 1 or 2, wherein the material is a sugar.

4. 4. The method according to claim 2 or 3, wherein the sugar is at least one sugar selected from the group consisting of glucose, sucrose, fructose, mannose, xylose, galactose, ribose, arabinose, erythrose, erythrulose, trehalose, xylitol, rhamnose, sorbitol, agarose, amylose, starch, and chitosan.

5. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the material is in the form of a powder, granules or chips.

6. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the aerosol source is at least one selected from the group consisting of glycerin, 1,3-propanediol, propylene glycol, and 1,3-butanediol.

7. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the alcohol having 2 to 7 carbon atoms is ethanol.

8. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the content of the aerosol source contained in the flavor molded body is 15% by mass or more.

9. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein the flavor molded body has a tablet shape.

10. A flavor molded body for a non-combustion heating type flavor inhaler, comprising: a tobacco powder raw material having an average particle size of 300 μm or less; an aerosol source; and a material having a melting point of 30 to 200° C., the flavor molded body has a porous structure formed from the tobacco powder raw material and the material, the aerosol source is held within pores of the porous structure; A flavor molded body for a non-combustion heating type flavor inhaler, wherein the content of the aerosol source contained in the flavor molded body is 15 mass% or more.

11. The flavor molded body according to claim 10, wherein the material is at least one material selected from the group consisting of sugars, oils and fats, fatty acids, and aliphatic hydrocarbons.

12. The flavor molded body according to claim 10 or 11, wherein the material is a sugar.

13. The flavor molded body according to claim 11 or 12, wherein the sugar is at least one sugar selected from the group consisting of glucose, sucrose, fructose, mannose, xylose, galactose, ribose, arabinose, erythrose, erythrulose, trehalose, xylitol, rhamnose, sorbitol, agarose, amylose, starch, and chitosan.

14. The flavor molded body according to any one of claims 10 to 13, wherein the aerosol source is at least one selected from the group consisting of glycerin, 1,3-propanediol, propylene glycol, and 1,3-butanediol.

15. The flavor molded body according to any one of claims 10 to 14, which has a tablet shape.

16. A flavor source container containing the flavor molded product according to any one of claims 10 to 15; a power supply unit including a power supply section; a heating unit that receives power from the power source unit and heats the flavor molded body in the flavor source container; A non-combustion heating type flavor inhaler comprising:

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