Method for manufacturing electronic cigarette cartridge filler

Abstract

To provide a manufacturing method of a filling material for electronic tobacco cartridge using a non-tobacco plant.SOLUTION: A manufacturing method includes: a wet-mixing of obtaining a slurry of tobacco or non-tobacco plants, aerosol former, water and sodium carboxymethylcellulose salt by adding aerosol former, water and sodium carboxymethylcellulose salt to dried crushed tobacco or non-tobacco plants and mixing to obtain a slurry of tobacco or non-tobacco plant, aerosol former and water mixture; a sheet forming step of forming the slurry obtained in the wet-mixing step into a sheet to obtain a water-containing sheet; a sheet forming step of forming the water-containing sheet obtained in the sheet forming step into a desired shape to obtain a molded sheet; a drying step of drying the molded sheet to obtain a dried sheet having a desired water content; and a step of forming the dried sheet into one of the following shapes: flat plate, piece, strip, rod, fiber, flake, powder, granule, pellet, strand, porous body, block, and paste; wherein water is added once or more in the wet-mixing step.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to an electronic cigarette cartridge that uses a non-tobacco plant. [Background technology]

[0002] In recent years, in order to comply with the trend towards smoking cessation, electronic cigarette products that allow users to enjoy tobacco by heating a cartridge containing tobacco components and inhaling the vaporized tobacco components without using a flame have become popular. As a method for manufacturing the tobacco filler to be filled into such electronic cigarette cartridges, there is a method in which tobacco leaves are powdered, made into an aqueous slurry, and then formed into a sheet, oil or glycerin is added to the sheet, and the sheet is then dried (Patent Document 1). [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Special Publication No. 2010-520764 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] However, due to the diversification of tastes, there is a demand for cartridge products that allow people to enjoy the aroma and taste of plants that do not contain tobacco components without using a flame, just like electronic cigarettes. However, the prior art does not disclose a method for manufacturing a filler for an electronic cigarette cartridge that uses plants other than tobacco.

[0005] Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide a method for producing a filling for an electronic cigarette cartridge using a non-tobacco plant, which allows one to enjoy the aroma and taste of a plant that does not contain tobacco components, and a filling for an electronic cigarette cartridge using a non-tobacco plant. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] In order to achieve the above-mentioned object of the present invention, the invention described in claim 1 provides a method for producing a filling material for electronic cigarette cartridges using a non-tobacco plant, which comprises the steps of adding an aerosol former and water to a dried and ground non-tobacco plant material and mixing them to obtain a mixture of the non-tobacco plant, the aerosol former and the water, preparing a moisture-containing sheet having the mixture of the non-tobacco plant, the aerosol former and the water, and molding the moisture-containing sheet to obtain a molded moisture-containing sheet, which further comprises the steps of drying the molded moisture-containing sheet to obtain a dry sheet with a desired moisture content, and molding the dry sheet into a desired shape. The method is characterized by using a non-tobacco plant.

[0007] The invention described in claim 2 is characterized in that, in the invention described in claim 1, after the step of adding an aerosol former and water to a non-tobacco plant and mixing, it further includes a step of adding water and mixing to obtain a mixture of a non-tobacco plant, an aerosol former and water.

[0008] The invention described in claim 3 is the invention described in claim 1 or 2, characterized in that a lower monoalcohol is added in the step of adding an aerosol former and water to the non-tobacco plant and mixing them.

[0009] The invention described in claim 4 is characterized in that, in the invention described in claim 3, the amount of the lower monoalcohol added is 0.1 parts by mass or more and 10 parts by mass or less per 100 parts by mass of the non-tobacco plant.

[0010] The invention described in claim 5 is characterized in that, in the inventions described in claims 1 to 4, in the molding step of molding the moisture-containing sheet to obtain a molded moisture-containing sheet, water is added midway between multiple pressings using a press roll.

[0011] The invention as set forth in claim 6 is characterized in that in the invention as set forth in claims 1 to 5, the drying step is carried out at a drying temperature of less than 50°C.

[0012] The invention described in claim 7 is characterized in that, in the inventions described in claims 1 to 6, the part of the non-tobacco plant to be used includes at least one of roots, stems, leaves, flowers, fruits, seeds, tree trunks, and tree branches.

[0013] The invention described in claim 8 is characterized in that in the inventions described in claims 1 to 7, a non-tobacco plant extract is added.

[0014] The invention described in claim 9 is characterized in that, in the inventions described in claims 1 to 8, the step of adding the non-tobacco plant extract is any one of a step prior to a step of adding an aerosol former and water to a non-tobacco plant and mixing them to obtain a mixture of a non-tobacco plant, an aerosol former, and water, a step of adding an aerosol former and water to a non-tobacco plant extract and mixing them to obtain a mixture of a non-tobacco plant, an aerosol former, and water, and a step of further adding water and mixing them to obtain a mixture of a non-tobacco plant, an aerosol former, and water.

[0015] The invention described in claim 10 is characterized in that, in the inventions described in claims 1 to 9, after the drying step, it includes a step of forming the dried sheet into any one of a flat plate, a piece, a strip, a rod, a fiber, a flake, a powder, a granule, a pellet, a strand, a porous shape, a block shape, and a paste shape. Effect of the Invention

[0016] According to the method for producing an electronic cigarette cartridge filler using a non-tobacco plant of the present invention, it is possible to produce an electronic cigarette cartridge filler that allows users to easily enjoy the natural aroma and flavor of non-tobacco plants. The filling material for electronic cigarette cartridges of the present invention, which uses non-tobacco plants, allows users to easily enjoy the natural aroma and flavor of non-tobacco plants. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0017] [Figure 1]1 is a flow chart showing steps of a method for manufacturing a filler for an electronic cigarette cartridge in an embodiment to which the present invention is applied. [Diagram 2] FIG. 1 is an external view of an electronic cigarette cartridge. [Diagram 3] FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of an electronic cigarette cartridge. [Figure 4] FIG. 2 is a partial perspective view of an electronic cigarette cartridge. [Diagram 5] FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an example of use of an electronic cigarette cartridge. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0018] Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the attached drawings. The present invention is not limited to the following embodiment. In the description of the drawings, the same elements are given the same reference numerals, and duplicated descriptions are omitted. In addition, the dimensional ratios in the drawings are exaggerated for the convenience of explanation, and may differ from the actual ratios.

[0019] FIG. 1 is a flow chart showing steps of a method for producing a filler for an electronic cigarette cartridge in an embodiment to which the present invention is applied.

[0020] This method includes a drying / grinding process (M1) in which non-tobacco plants that are the source of aroma are dried and pulverized, a weighing process (M2) in which the non-tobacco plants are weighed, a dry mixing process (M3) in which the weighed non-tobacco plants are dry-mixed, and a wet mixing process in which an aerosol former or the like is added and wet-mixed. The process includes a wet mixing step (M4), a wet mixing step (M5) in which water is further added and wet mixed to form a slurry, a sheet making step (M6) in which the obtained slurry is made into a sheet, a sheet forming step (M7) in which the sheeted slurry is formed into a desired shape, a drying step (M8) in which the formed sheet is dried, and a filling forming step (M9) in which the formed sheet is formed into a desired shape.

[0021] Each step will be described in order. For the purpose of explaining the invention, the steps have been divided into the above steps, but the invention also includes a step in which two or more steps are performed simultaneously. Details of the non-tobacco plants used as raw materials will be described later.

[0022] First, in the drying and grinding step (M1), the parts of non-tobacco plants (e.g., leaves, seeds, dried fruits, stems, bark, roots, etc.) that are used as raw materials are processed into the desired ground material to be used as a filling material for electronic cigarette cartridges. At that time, it is also preferable to adjust the moisture content so that it is convenient for absorbing or supporting the aerosol former, water, and other components that are added later.

[0023] The weighing step (M2) is a step of weighing a desired amount of the non-tobacco plant material.

[0024] The dry mixing step (M3) is a step in which the weighed non-tobacco plant matter is dry mixed.

[0025] In the wet mixing step 1 (M4), an aerosol former and other liquid elements are added and mixed.

[0026] In the second wet mixing step (M5), further liquid elements are added to form a slurry.

[0027] In the sheet preparation process (M6), the aqueous slurry is separated into a soluble portion and a fibrous portion, and a sheet is formed from the fibrous portion, for example, by using a papermaking process. The papermaking process uses, for example, a lattice or a screen (a wire mesh such as Fourdrinier wire) (hereinafter, the term lattice will be used, but the same applies when other screens are used). In this papermaking process, the aqueous slurry is evenly dropped from above the lattice, or the lattice is placed in the aqueous slurry and filtered in the same manner as papermaking, and the part remaining on the lattice becomes a sheet of the fibrous portion.

[0028] In the sheet forming step (M7), when forming the product produced in the sheet production step into a desired thickness, a method using a press roller or the like is adopted. The drying step (M8) is a step for adjusting the formed sheet to a desired moisture content, etc.

[0029] The filling molding step (M9) is a step of forming the mixture obtained as described above into a filling shape.

[0030] The manufacturing process when using black tea etc. will be described in detail below, however, it goes without saying that these are not limited to black tea etc. and can be applied to the tobacco plants and non-tobacco plants described in this specification. EXAMPLES

[0031] Black tea leaves were dried at 70°C and crushed. After drying and crushing, the moisture content was 2% by mass. Similarly, liquorice (legume), lotus leaves, and ginseng were dried and crushed. The moisture content was also set to 2% by mass. The drying temperature is preferably 60° C. or higher and 80° C. or lower. Within this range, it is easy to achieve the desired moisture content while avoiding the loss of the necessary flavor components. Furthermore, it is easier to reach the desired moisture content, and at 75°C or less, the loss of the necessary flavor components can be further prevented. The moisture content after drying and pulverization is preferably 5% by mass or less, which makes it easier to turn the material into a slurry in the subsequent process. It is more preferable that the moisture content is 3% by mass or less. In addition, the moisture content is preferably 0.1% by mass or more, which allows the material to maintain a good compatibility with water, etc.

[0032] As described above, each of the ingredients was dried, crushed, and passed through an 80-mesh sieve before use. Dried and ground black tea leaves 100 parts by weight 20 parts by weight of dried and ground liquorice Dried and crushed lotus leaves 10 parts by weight Dried and ground Korean ginseng 5 parts by weight were added to a mixer and dry mixed for 5 minutes.

[0033] The dry mixture is added with Polypropylene glycol 30 parts by weight Glycerin 20 parts by weight Carboxymethylcellulose sodium salt 5 parts by weight Menthol 3 parts by weight Ethanol 3 parts by weight 20 parts by mass of water were added to the mixer and wet-mixed for 5 minutes.

[0034] Further, 180 parts by mass of water was added, and wet mixing was continued for 10 minutes.

[0035] Here, the addition of a lower monoalcohol such as ethanol can improve the mixing of the polypropylene glycol, glycerin, and the above-mentioned dried and ground product, which is one of the preferred embodiments. That is, when preparing a slurry using dried and ground tobacco plants or non-tobacco plants, it is preferable to add a lower monoalcohol, preferably ethanol, to prepare a slurry.

[0036] The amount of the lower monoalcohol added is preferably 0.1 parts by mass or more and 10 parts by mass or less relative to 100 parts by mass of the dried pulverized product. When the amount is 0.1 parts by mass or more, there is an effect of improving the mixing, and when the amount is 10 parts by mass or less, the remaining lower monoalcohol can be suppressed. More preferably, the amount is 0.5 parts by mass or more and 5 parts by mass or less, so that the effect of improving the mixing and the suppression of the remaining lower monoalcohol can be preferably achieved at the same time.

[0037] The reason for adding water first to form the mixture is that the mixture is dispersed in advance, and then additional water is added to dilute and mix to obtain a slurry with good dispersibility. It is also preferable to add water in multiple batches. When adding water in multiple batches, it is preferable to combine a small amount of water added earlier and a large amount of water added later. In this way, the degree of improvement in dispersibility when water is added earlier is high, and a uniform slurry is obtained by adding a large amount of water later.

[0038] In the process of forming a sheet from the slurry obtained as described above, a specified amount of the slurry was poured into a frame equipped with an appropriate rack to produce a water-containing sheet. In this embodiment, the water content of the water-containing sheet is approximately 95% when the water content of the slurry is 100%.

[0039] The above-mentioned water-containing sheet is then passed through a press roll having a predetermined clearance three times to be molded, and then water is added to the water-containing sheet having passed through the press roll three times in an amount equivalent to 7 parts by mass per 100 parts by mass of the water-containing sheet, and the sheet is passed through the press roll five times. Preferably, the amount of water is 2 parts by mass or more and 15 parts by mass or less per 100 parts by mass of the water-containing sheet. In this way, when the water-containing sheet is molded multiple times, the water content of the water-containing sheet can be easily adjusted to a certain range by adding water in the middle, and the conditions for the subsequent drying step can be adjusted, and the quality of the final product can be adjusted. In this step, the water content of the molded water-containing sheet becomes less than 50% by mass, and if necessary, an aerosol former may be added in this step.

[0040] Furthermore, the formed moisture-containing sheet obtained as described above was dried for 300 minutes in an environment of 35°C to prepare a formed sheet for electronic cigarette filling with a moisture content of 20% by mass. The drying temperature is preferably less than 50°C in order to maintain the flavor. More preferably, it is less than 45°C, and even more preferably, it is less than 40°C. The thickness of the sheet is appropriately adjusted, but in this example, the thickness was 0.5 mm.

[0041] In the filling molding step (M9), the dried sheet is molded into a shape that allows easy filling of the cartridge and easy inhalation of the generated aerosol when the electronic cigarette is used. For example, it is preferable to mold the sheet into a flat plate shape such as a square, rectangle, or rhombus, a piece shape with a long side about 2 to 20 times the short side, a strip shape, a rod shape, a fiber shape (including a straight shape, a wavy shape, etc.), or an irregular flake shape. The size may be approximately constant or random. However, in either case, it is preferable that the maximum length part is about 1 to 20 mm. This is because if the maximum length part is too large, it may be too large when filling the cartridge and may be difficult to handle.

[0042] Although the non-tobacco plant material is cut in the molding process, the non-tobacco plant material and the aerosol former are sufficiently mixed in the wet mixing process 1 (M4) and the wet mixing process 2 (M5), so that at least a portion of the fiber surface of each cut piece is covered with the aerosol former.

[0043] The shape of the filler may be, for example, powder, granules, pellets, strands, porous, etc. Porosity can be achieved, for example, by piercing the dried sheet with multiple needles (or by other methods).

[0044] It may also be solidified into a block, or made into a paste by adding a small amount of water or oil.

[0045] The molded filler is then filled into a cartridge to provide a cartridge using a non-tobacco plant for use in the main body of the electronic cigarette. EXAMPLES

[0046] As in [Example 1], the following composition was used: Dried and ground black tea leaves 100 parts by weight 20 parts by weight of dried and ground liquorice Dried and crushed lotus leaves 10 parts by weight Korean ginseng extract granules 1 part by weight were added to a mixer and dry mixed for 5 minutes. The following procedure was the same as in Example 1 to prepare a cartridge filler for an electronic cigarette. EXAMPLES

[0047] As in [Example 1], the following composition was used: Dried and ground black tea leaves 100 parts by weight 20 parts by weight of dried and ground liquorice Dried and crushed lotus leaves 10 parts by weight were added to a mixer and dry mixed for 5 minutes.

[0048] The dry mixture is added with Polypropylene glycol 30 parts by weight Glycerin 20 parts by weight Carboxymethylcellulose sodium salt 5 parts by weight Menthol 3 parts by weight Ethanol 3 parts by weight Korean ginseng extract concentrate 1 part by weight 20 parts by mass of water were added to the mixer and wet-mixed for 5 minutes. The following procedure was the same as in Example 1 to prepare a cartridge filler for an electronic cigarette.

[0049] Next, non-tobacco plants as raw materials will be described. Non-tobacco plants that can be used in this embodiment are not particularly limited as long as they are plants other than tobacco. Various parts of the plant can be used, for example, roots (including bulbs, tuberous roots (tubers), bulbs, etc.), stems, tubers, bark (including stem bark, bark, etc.), leaves, flowers (including petals, pistils, stamens, etc.), tree trunks and branches, etc.

[0050] Bulbs include onion, red spider lily, tulip, hyacinth, garlic, shallot, lily, corms include crocus, gladiolus, freesia, iris, taro, konjac, tubers include konjac, cyclamen, anemone, begonia, Chinese burdock, potato, apios, rhizomes include canna, lotus (lotus root), ginger, tuberous roots include dahlia, sweet potato, cassava, Jerusalem artichoke, rhizomes include Dioscorea genus (yams such as Chinese yam, wild yam, and Chinese yam), and others include turnip, burdock, carrot, radish, and kudzu. Stems include asparagus, bamboo shoots, udo, radish, and yacon.

[0051] The above-mentioned tubers or the plants listed below contain carbohydrates, and are preferably used as at least a part of the material of the filling 111. For example, starch includes corn starch, potato starch, sweet potato starch, tapioca starch, etc., and there are examples of using them as thickeners, stabilizers, etc. These starches can be crosslinked to improve acid resistance, heat resistance, shear resistance, etc., esterified or etherified to improve storage stability and promote gelatinization, etc., and oxidized to improve transparency, film properties, storage stability, etc.

[0052] From plant seeds, tamarind seed gum, guar gum, and locust bean gum can be obtained, from sap, gum arabic and karaya gum can be obtained, from fruits, pectin can be obtained, and from other plants, konjac mannan, which is mainly composed of cellulose and agarose, and soybean polysaccharides can be obtained.Furthermore, they can be used after being modified, such as cationic guar gum.

[0053] Carrageenan, classified into three types, kappa carrageenan, iota carrageenan, and lambda carrageenan, agar, and alginic acid can be obtained from seaweed, and they are also used as salts such as carrageenan metal salts and sodium alginate.

[0054] To give some specific examples, plants used as herbs and spices include gardenia fruit, kaffir lime leaves, myoga, mugwort, wasabi, ajowan seed, anise, alfalfa, echinacea, shallot, estragon, everlasting flower, elder, allspice, orris root, oregano, orange peel, orange flower, orange leaf, cayenne chili pepper, German chamomile, Roman chamomile, cardamom, curry leaf, and garnish. Garlic, catnip, caraway, caraway seeds, osmanthus, cumin, cumin seeds, cloves, green cardamom, green pepper, cornflower, saffron, cedar, cinnamon, jasmine, juniper berries, jolokia, ginger, star anise, spearmint, sumac, sage, savory, celery, celery seeds, turmeric, thyme, tamarind, tarragon, chervil, chives, dill, dill seeds , tomato (dried tomato), tonka bean, dried coriander, nutmeg, hibiscus, habanero, jalapeno, bird's eye, basil, vanilla, coriander, parsley, paprika, hyssop, pimento d'espelette, pink pepper, fenugreek seed, fennel, brown mustard, black cardamom, black cumin, black pepper, vetiver, pennyroyal, peppermint, horseradish, white pepper, white mustard, poppy seed, porcini, ma You can use joram, mustard seed, maniette, marigold, malva flower, mace, yarrow flower, eucalyptus, lavender, licorice, linden, red clover, red pepper, lemongrass, lemon verbena, lemon balm, lemon peel, rose, rose buds (purple), rose hips, rose petals, rosemary, rose red, laurel, long pepper, sesame (raw sesame, roasted sesame), golden chili pepper, Sichuan pepper, Mitaka, Japanese pepper, chili pepper, and yuzu.Also usable are spice mixes (e.g. five-spice powder, garam masala, ras el hanout, barigoule, chicken curry masala, tandoori masala, quatre épices, herbes de Provence) and mixtures of various plants used as potpourri.

[0055] Also usable are edible fruits (flesh) and seeds such as peaches, blueberries, lemons, oranges, apples, bananas, pineapples, mangoes, grapes, kumquats, melons, plums, almonds, cacao, coffee beans, peanuts, sunflowers, olives, walnuts, and other nuts.

[0056] Teas can also be used. Not only do different plants produce different kinds of tea, but even the same plant can produce different kinds of tea depending on the processing method. Specific examples of teas include Japanese tea, black tea, angelica tea, sweet tea, gynostemma tea, aloe tea, ginkgo leaf tea, oolong tea, turmeric tea, salicylic acid tea, Eleuthero tea, plantain tea, kakiodoshi tea, persimmon leaf tea, chamomile tea, Kawara Kesmei tea, quince tea, chrysanthemum tea, gymnema tea, guava tea, wolfberry tea, mulberry leaf tea, black bean tea, gennoshoko tea, brown rice tea, burdock tea, comfrey tea, kelp tea, cherry blossom tea, Examples of teas that can be used include saffron tea, shiitake mushroom tea, perilla tea, jasmine tea, ginger tea, horsetail tea, Japanese laurel tea, swertia tea, buckwheat tea, taranoki tea, dandelion tea, sweet tea, Houttuynia cordata tea, Eucommia tea, sword bean tea, elderberry tea, ratwort tea, Job's tears tea, Habu tea, loquat leaf tea, Pu'er tea, safflower tea, pine needle tea, mate tea, barley tea, megusurinoki tea, mugwort tea, eucalyptus tea, monk fruit tea, rooibos tea, and bitter melon tea. For these teas, tea leaves after drinking may be used. Using tea leaves allows expensive tea to be reused and put to good use.

[0057] Above, kelp was given as a specific example of a plant that can be used, but other plants that can of course be used include Ulva, Green Laver, Akamoku, Asakusa Nori, Eisenia, Iwanori (rock seaweed), Egonori, Gracilaria, Gagome Kombu, Ecklonia, Ganiashi, Kubirezuta, Kurome, Laminaria, Susabinori, Dulse, Chishimaku Nori, Tsuruarame, Agarwood, Tororo Kombu, Laminaria spp., Nori (seaweed), Habanori, Hijiki, Hitoegusa, Hirome, Funori, Bowaonori, Laminaria japonica, Mekabu, Mozuku, and Wakame.

[0058] Brown rice is given above as a specific example of a plant that can be used, but other varieties of rice such as Indica (Indian type, continental type, long grain), Glaberrima (African rice), Sativa (Asian rice), Javanica (Java type, tropical island type, large grain), Japonica (Japanese type, temperate island type, short grain), and NERICA (interspecific hybrid between Asian rice and African rice) can also be used, and can be used as flour or bran.

[0059] Furthermore, although wheat has been given as a specific example of a plant that can be used, other examples of wheat that can be used include foxtail millet, oats (a cultivated variety of oats, also known as oats), barley, oats, millet, cordon millet, wheat, finger millet, teff, pearl millet, naked barley (a variety of barley), pearl barley (a fruit, not a seed), barnyard millet, fonio, wild rice, glutinous barley (a glutinous variety of barley), sorghum (sorghum, sorghum, sorghum), corn, and rye can of course also be used.

[0060] Furthermore, although black beans have been given as a specific example of a plant that can be used, other examples of cereals (legume family) that can be used include adzuki beans, carob, kidney beans, peas, cluster beans, grass peas (Lathyrus sativus), black gram, cowpeas, winged beans, zeocarpa beans, broad beans, soybeans, bamboo beans, jack beans, tamarind, tepary beans, sword beans, Mucuna pruriens, bambara groundnuts, chickpeas, hyacinth beans, scarlet beans, horse gram (Macrotyloma uniflorum), moth beans, lima beans, groundnuts, mung beans, lupines, lentils, and lentils (Hento).

[0061] Furthermore, although buckwheat has been given as a specific example of a plant that can be used, other examples of plants that can be used include amaranth (Amaranthus arbutus), quinoa, and tartary buckwheat.

[0062] Furthermore, although shiitake mushrooms have been given as a specific example of a plant that can be used, examples of mushrooms that can be used include matsutake, shiitake mushroom, hattake mushroom, shimeji mushroom, shiro mushroom, mushroom, and agaric mushroom.

[0063] Also usable are trunks and branches of aromatic trees such as sugarcane (or molasses pomace), sugar beets (beets), cypress, pine, cedar, Japanese cypress, camellia, and sandalwood, as well as the bark, leaves, and roots of these trees. Ferns and mosses can also be used as non-tobacco plants. Other usable plants include by-products and pomace (sake lees, grape pomace (made of grape skins, seeds, stalks, etc.)) produced when fermenting alcoholic beverages such as sake and wine. Furthermore, the various plants mentioned above may be mixed and used. Of course, plants other than those listed here can also be used.

[0064] Furthermore, those known as herbal medicines are also preferably used. For example, the following are listed below: indigo grass, madder root, red-eyed oak, asenyaku, benzoin, ireisen, inchinko, fennel, turmeric, ubai, uyaku, urajirogashi, va-ursi, eijitsu, cordyceps rotundifolia, enmeiso, astragalus, scutellaria, osei, oubaku, ohren, cherry bark, hypericum, onji, and sophora japonica. (Kaika), kaolin, summer withered grass, kashi, polyhedron, gaju, cuckoo, pueraria root, chamomile, cucurbit root, cucurbit kernel, dried ginger, licorice, winter jasmine Uka, mugwort leaf, bellflower, kigushi, kikoku, kijitsu, chrysanthemum, tangerine peel, kyokatsu, apricot kernel, kumquat, kinkan, kinjinka, money grass, goji nut Koshi, Goji leaf, Bitter ginseng, Walnut, Bitter alder bark, Kuromoji, Barley, Thorns, Cinnamon bark, Cassia seed, Cow's sprout, Xanthomonas ginseng, Glue candy, Safflower, Synthetic quince bark, Fragrance, Scented drum, Scented spice, Red ginseng, Corn nut, Japonica rice, Magnolia officinalis, Strawberry, Five-leaved alder bark, Ox-knead radish, Euonymus chinensis, Tiger jasmine root ), burdock fruit, Schisandra berry, Bupleurum chinense, Asarum chinense, saffron, Chinese hawthorn, Chinese gardenia, Chinese yam, wild bean root, sour jujube seed, Japanese pepper, Chinese sage, Chinese yam, Rehmannia glutinosa, Astragalus officinalis, Chinese burdock root, Shiso berry, Shiso leaves, Persimmon pod, Ground skin, Peony root, Snakeslipper fruit,Shajin, Shazenshi, Shazensou, Shukusha, Jyaku, Ginger, Palm Fruit, Palm Leaf, Shouma, Wheat, Iris Root, Magnolia, Jotishi, Qinpi, Shinkiku, Qin Gyo, Juishi, Shokumoku, Green Bark, Acorus Root, Pomegranate Skin, Dendrobium Citrate, Cinnamon, Zenko, Zenko, Bone (Senkotsu), Whorled Flower (Senpukuka), Bone Wood (Sekkotsuboku), Grass (Soka), Wrinkled Horn (Soukashi), Mulberry Parasite (Soukisei), Blue Ear (Soujishi), Blue Atractylodes (Sojutsu), Side Oak Leaf (Sokuhakuyou), Intermittent (Zokudan), Mulberry Bark (Sohakuhi), Soboku, Soboku Leaf You), Rhubarb, Rhubarb, Jujube, Peel Bark, Salvia officinalis, Red Sage, Bamboo Root, Bamboo Joint Ginseng, Bamboo Leaf, Anemone Rhizome, Elm Tree, Clove, and Fish Claw Toukou, Chenpi, Tiannansho, Tianma, Tianmenwu, Tougashi, Angelica, Chinese sesame, Toujin, Lamproot, Peach kernel, Orange peel, Rabbit seed, Chestnut, Eucommia, Angelica dahurica, Angelica oleracea, Solanum gracilis, Cinnamon root, Nikujuyou, Nikuzu, Nindo, Carrot, Fritillaria muscaria, Malt, Holly kernel, White bean, Ophiopogon, Broken paper Shi, peppermint, banana fruit, pinecone, scallion, isopod, isopod root, lily root, white pepper, white snake tongue, one hundred root, white atractylodes, areca nut, scallion, reed root, windbreaker, dandelion root, peony bark, ephedra, hemp seed, pine resin, wood stalk, quince, wood spice, ...Myrrh (Motsuyaku), Japanese bark chestnut (Mokzoku), Chinese radish (Yakanthus), Chinese radish (Yakuchi), Night-crossing wisteria (Yakoutou), Monk fruit (Sangha), Orchid grass (Ranso), Longan (Ryugannikku), Gentian (Ryutan), Good ginger (Ryokyou), Ganoderma lucidum (Reishi), Forsythia fruit (Forsythia), Lotus seed (Rensenso), Lotus nut (Rennikku), Reed root (Lotus root).

[0065] Furthermore, extracts of the above-mentioned non-tobacco plants, so-called extracts, can also be used. The extracts may be in the form of liquid, starch syrup, powder, granules, solution, etc.

[0066] In addition, when the above extract is blended, it may be added at any step in the above manufacturing process. In particular, the dry mixing step (M3) and the wet mixing step in which an aerosol former or the like is added and wet-mixed are It is preferable to add the extract in step 1 (M4) and then in wet mixing step 2 (M5) where water is added and wet mixed to form a slurry, because this improves dispersion in the electronic cigarette cartridge filling. More preferably, if the extract is in the form of powder or granules, it is added in the dry mixing step (M3), and if it is in the form of liquid, starch syrup, solution, etc., it is added in the wet mixing step 1 (M4) where an aerosol former or the like is added and wet mixed, which ensures even better dispersibility.

[0067] Next, examples of use of the produced electronic cigarette cartridge filler will be described.

[0068] Figure 2 is an external view of the electronic cigarette cartridge, Figure 3 is a cross-sectional view of the electronic cigarette cartridge (cross-section AA in Figure 2), Figure 4 is a partial perspective view of the electronic cigarette cartridge, and Figure 5 is a diagram showing an example of how the electronic cigarette cartridge is used.

[0069] As shown in FIG. 2, the electronic cigarette cartridge 100 has, for example, a rod-like or cylindrical appearance.

[0070] 3(a), an aerosol-forming substrate 110, a support member 120, and a mouthpiece 140 are arranged in this order in the X direction inside the electronic cigarette cartridge 100. These are then packaged in a packaging member 150.

[0071] The aerosol-forming substrate 110 is a filler for an electronic cigarette cartridge manufactured by the manufacturing method according to the present embodiment. The aerosol-forming substrate 110 generates an aerosol containing aromatic components of the plant that is the source of the filler when heated.

[0072] As shown in FIG. 4, when the filler manufactured as the aerosol-forming substrate 110 has a shape such as a strip or a rod, the filler 111 is packed so that the longitudinal direction of the shape of the filler 111 is aligned with the cartridge longitudinal direction (X direction) during filling. This improves the air flow and makes it easier to inhale. Note that FIG. 4 is a view seen from the end of the electronic cigarette cartridge on the side where the aerosol-forming substrate 110 is located, and is partially perspective so that the filler 111 inside the cartridge can be seen. Of course, other than this, if the filler is, for example, flat and has a substantially uniform shape, it can be packed by rolling, making it easy to handle.

[0073] The amount of filler in the form of pieces, flakes, or strands can be easily adjusted by finely adjusting the amount packed into the cartridge, and the amount of air flow when inhaled can be easily adjusted by changing the amount packed.

[0074] The porous filler is porous when packed into the cartridge, which improves the flow of air when inhaled.

[0075] Like rod-shaped fillers, fibrous fillers are packed so that the length of the fibers runs along the length of the cartridge, improving the flow of sucked-in air.

[0076] Powder, granule or pellet fillers can be easily loaded by dropping them into the cartridge opening.

[0077] Block-shaped fillings have good thermal conductivity and are easy to extract aromatic components. The size of the blocks can also be made large to make them easier to store. In that case, the blocks can be reshaped into smaller blocks, rods, granules, etc. when filling.

[0078] The paste-like filling material can be squeezed out and filled into the cartridge, so that, for example, the paste can be applied to the packaging member 150 in an unfolded state, and the packaging member 150 can be rolled up to form a cartridge.

[0079] The support member 120 supports the aerosol-forming substrate 110. The support member 120 is disposed adjacent to the aerosol-forming substrate 110 and has an airflow hole or a notch at the center or side, so that the aerosol generated from the aerosol-forming substrate 110 can flow toward the mouthpiece.

[0080] The mouthpiece 140 is disposed adjacent to the cooling member 130 at the other end of the electronic cigarette cartridge 100. The mouthpiece 140 may include, for example, a cellulose acetate filter as a filter for removing fine particles. The aroma components that pass through the filter of the mouthpiece 140 are inhaled by the user.

[0081] In addition, the inside of the electronic cigarette cartridge 100 may be configured such that the aerosol-forming substrate 110, the support member 120, the cooling member 130, and the mouthpiece 140 are arranged in this order in the X direction, as shown in Fig. 3(b). In other words, the cooling member 130 is added to the configuration of Fig. 3(a). The cooling member 130 cools the aerosol that has passed through the support member 120.

[0082] Comparing the presence and absence of the cooling member 130, the configuration of Fig. 3(a) without the cooling member 130 has better ventilation and makes it easier to inhale the generated aromatic components. On the other hand, in the configuration of Fig. 3(b) with the cooling member 130, the generated aerosol can be cooled, but the cooling member 130 bends as a result of air resistance, making it more difficult to inhale than in the case of Fig. 3(a).

[0083] The electronic cigarette cartridge 100 is attached to the electronic cigarette body 200 as shown in Fig. 5. In Fig. 5, the electronic cigarette cartridge 100 having the configuration in Fig. 3(a) is used as an example for explanation, but the same applies to the electronic cigarette cartridge 100 having the configuration in Fig. 3(b).

[0084] The electronic cigarette body 200 is provided with an insertion section 210 for inserting the electronic cigarette cartridge 100. A heating element 211 is provided at the bottom of the insertion section 210. The heating element 211 is needle-shaped, and is inserted into the aerosol-forming substrate 110 by inserting the electronic cigarette cartridge 100 into the insertion section 210. The heating element 211 generates heat directly or indirectly by power supplied from a battery provided in the body (not shown). The aerosol-forming substrate 110 is heated by the heat of the heating element 211, generating an aerosol containing aromatic components. The aromatic components reach the user when the user inhales from the mouthpiece side.

[0085] Although one heating element 211 is shown in the figure, there may be multiple heating elements, and the heating element 211 may not be needle-shaped as described above, but may be in a form in which the entire bottom surface or side surface of the insertion portion 210 generates heat.

[0086] The present embodiment described above provides the following advantages. The filling material for electronic cigarette cartridges can be easily produced using non-tobacco plants. In particular, since the non-tobacco plant is mixed with water to prepare an aqueous slurry, unlike aroma liquids that are used as liquid fragrances derived from natural sources, no component extraction is required, and the filling material for electronic cigarette cartridges can be easily produced.

[0087] In addition, the filling material made from non-tobacco plants is filled into the electronic cigarette cartridge, making it easy to enjoy the aroma and flavor of various non-tobacco plants by simply replacing the cartridge attached to the electronic cigarette body.

[0088] Although the embodiments to which the present invention is applied have been described above, the present invention is not limited to these embodiments. The present invention is not limited to the above. Various modifications are possible based on the configurations described in the claims, and such modifications are also within the scope of the present invention. [Explanation of symbols]

[0089] 100 E-Cigarette Cartridges 110 Aerosol-forming substrate 111 Filling 120 Support member 130 Cooling material 140 Mouthpiece 150 Packaging materials 200 Electronic cigarette body 210 Insertion part 211 Heating Element

Claims

[Claim 1] a wet mixing step of adding an aerosol former, water and sodium carboxymethyl cellulose to a dried and ground tobacco or non-tobacco plant material and mixing the mixture to obtain a slurry of the tobacco or non-tobacco plant material, aerosol former and water; a sheet preparation step of forming the slurry obtained in the wet mixing step into a sheet to obtain a water-containing sheet; a sheet forming step of forming the water-containing sheet obtained in the sheet preparation step into a desired shape to obtain a formed sheet; A drying step of drying the molded sheet to obtain a dried sheet having a desired moisture content; and forming the dry sheet into any one of a flat plate, a piece, a strip, a rod, a fiber, a flake, a powder, a granule, a pellet, a strand, a porous shape, a block shape, and a paste shape; In the wet mixing step, water is added at least once, The sheet forming step includes passing the water-containing sheet through a press roll multiple times while adding water to the water-containing sheet during the sheet forming step, A method for producing a filler for an electronic cigarette cartridge.

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