High-density multi-layer reconstituted plant sheet

Abstract

The present invention relates to a high-density, multi-layered reconstituted plant sheet suitable for non-combustion heated tobacco, which is a device that heats tobacco without burning it.

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present disclosure is in the field of non-combustion heated tobacco, which is a device for heating tobacco without burning it, and its subject is a high-density multi-layered reconstituted plant sheet obtained by a papermaking process. [Background technology]

[0002] In order to avoid the generation of harmful substances when tobacco is burned, numerous non-combustion heated tobacco products have been developed, which are devices that heat tobacco without burning it. Examples of such non-combustion heated tobacco products are described in Patent Documents 1 and 2. When a tobacco-filled stick is placed into such a heating device (non-combustion heated tobacco product), the tobacco is heated by the heating device at a temperature lower than the combustion temperature without burning, and an aerosol is formed when the user inhales air through the heating device. The aerosol generated during tobacco heating substitutes for tobacco smoke and has advantageous sensory properties when inhaled by the user. This allows the user to inhale nicotine and tobacco aroma, while significantly reducing the user's exposure to harmful substances.

[0003] In order for users to adopt such heating devices (non-combustion heated tobacco), it is important that the experience provided by such heating devices is as close as possible to the experience provided by a conventional cigarette, i.e., that each puff has satisfying sensory characteristics.

[0004] Natural tobacco leaves are not suitable for such heating devices because they do not provide a satisfactory user experience, and in particular because they do not readily produce sufficient amounts of aerosol.

[0005] Reconstituted tobacco is well suited for such heating devices because it can readily produce a sufficient amount of aerosol. However, the organoleptic properties of the aerosol produced from reconstituted tobacco can be further improved by diluting the tobacco aroma in the aerosol.

[0006] One approach to improvement is to increase the mass of reconstituted tobacco in the stick to produce an aerosol with a higher tobacco aroma content, which can provide a more satisfying sensory profile, but this increases the resistance to draw, preventing the user from satisfactorily inhaling the aerosol.

[0007] Therefore, a compromise between the resistance to draw and the sensory properties of the aerosol is sought. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0008] [Patent Document 1] International Publication No. 2016 / 026810 [Patent Document 2] International Publication No. 2016 / 207407 Summary of the Invention [Means for solving the problem]

[0009] The first subject of the present invention is a reconstituted plant sheet, Two fibrous supports, each comprising micronized plant fibers and a plant extract; a plant extract composition interposed between two fibrous supports; an aerosol-forming material; The sheet has a density of 0.60 g / cm 3 The present invention relates to a reconstituted plant sheet having a density of at least 10 ...

[0010] Compared to conventional reconstituted plant sheets, i.e., sheets with low density and consisting of a single fibrous support, the reconstituted plant sheet of the present invention advantageously allows the aerosol produced to have improved organoleptic properties and allows a greater mass of tobacco to be introduced into the heating device without excessively increasing the resistance to draw and reducing user satisfaction. Thus, the reconstituted plant sheet of the present invention provides an advantageous compromise between the resistance to draw of the aerosol and improved organoleptic properties, which was not possible with conventional reconstituted plant sheets.

[0011] A second subject of the present invention is a method for producing a reconstituted plant sheet according to the present invention, comprising: (a) passing the micronized plant fibers through a papermaking machine to produce a substrate web; (b) contacting the plant extract with a substrate web to form a fibrous support; (c) contacting the plant extract composition between two fibrous supports to form a wet reconstituted plant sheet; (d) drying the wet reconstituted plant sheet to produce a reconstituted plant sheet; The method further comprises incorporating an aerosol-generating material into the sheet in step (b) and / or step (c).

[0012] A third subject of the present invention relates to a consumable product for use in non-combustion heated tobacco, comprising a reconstituted plant sheet according to the invention.

[0013] A fourth subject of the invention relates to a reconstituted plant sheet according to the invention, for use in a therapeutic heating device, wherein the plants are chosen from medicinal plants. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0014] The first subject of the present invention is a reconstituted plant sheet, Two fibrous supports, each comprising micronized plant fibers and a plant extract; a plant extract composition interposed between two fibrous supports; an aerosol-forming material; The sheet has a density of 0.60 g / cm 3 The present invention relates to a reconstituted plant sheet having a density of at least 10 ...

[0015] Generally, the reconstituted plant sheet of the present invention has a density of 0.62 to 1.50 g / cm. 3 and preferably has a density of 0.65 to 1.25 g / cm 3 , more preferably 0.70 to 1 g / cm 3 , and more preferably 0.71 to 0.89 g / cm 3 It has a density of

[0016] The density of the reconstituted plant sheet of the present invention can be determined by dividing its basis weight by its thickness.

[0017] The basis weight of the plant sheet can be determined using the following method. First, a template (dimensions: 57.5 × 43.5 cm) is used to measure the basis weight of the plant sheet at a position approximately 15 cm from the edge of the reconstituted plant sheet to be measured. 2 A sample of 1000g is then cut out. The sample is then folded in quarters and placed on a hot plate to dry, removing the water without removing the aerosol-forming material. The dried sample is then weighed to determine the basis weight of the plant sheet.

[0018] The thickness of the plant sheet can be determined using the method described in the standard NF EN ISO 534 (December 2011) suitable for reconstituted plant sheets. Measure the average thickness of the control parchment papers used to measure the thickness of the reconstituted plant sheets (measure a minimum of six times at pinpoint locations on each parchment paper). Place a sample of the reconstituted plant sheet between two sheets of parchment paper. Place the micrometer probe in position and wait 30 seconds (to allow the sample to stabilize for thickness measurement) before starting the measurement. Take at least six measurements at pinpoint locations on the parchment paper. The thickness of the reconstituted plant sheet can be calculated by subtracting twice the average thickness of the parchment paper from the average measured total thickness (reconstituted plant sheet + two sheets of parchment paper).

[0019] Generally, the reconstituted plant sheet of the present invention has a density of 200 g / m 2 and preferably 275 to 950 g / m 2 , more preferably 300 to 650 g / m 2 , and more preferably 310 to 460 g / m 2 The sheet has a basis weight of .

[0020] Generally, the reconstituted plant sheet of the present invention has a thickness of 250 to 1050 μm, preferably 350 to 800 μm, more preferably 360 to 700 μm, and even more preferably 375 to 515 μm.

[0021] In a particular embodiment, the reconstituted plant sheet of the present invention has a density of 0.71 to 0.89 g / cm 3 Density: 310~460g / m 2 and a thickness of 375 to 515 μm.

[0022] Those skilled in the art will know how to adjust the basis weight and thickness of the reconstituted plant sheet to achieve the desired high density. For example, to achieve the above thickness and / or density values, the reconstituted plant sheet of the present invention can be subjected to a calendering treatment. Thus, in one embodiment of the present invention, the reconstituted plant sheet of the present invention can be calendered.

[0023] As used herein, the term "fibrous substrate" refers to a substrate web made from finely divided plant fibers and a plant extract. The substrate web is typically obtained by a papermaking process.

[0024] Generally, the fibrous support has a density of 60 to 200 g / m 2and preferably 80 to 175 g / m 2 , more preferably 100 to 155 g / m 2 The sheet has a basis weight of .

[0025] The fibrous support has a thickness of 100 to 300 μm, preferably 150 to 275 μm, and more preferably 180 to 265 μm.

[0026] The base web is 25 to 150 g / m 2 Preferably, the minimum basis weight is 55 g / m 2 , 60g / m 2 , 65g / m 2 , 70g / m 2 , 75g / m 2 , 80g / m 2 , or 85 g / m 2 It could be.

[0027] The base web has a thickness of 70 to 300 μm, preferably 140 to 275 μm, and more preferably 170 to 250 μm.

[0028] Advantageously, a substrate web having a basis weight and / or thickness within the above ranges makes it possible to obtain a reconstituted plant sheet having a desired high density.

[0029] The basis weight and thickness of the substrate web and fibrous support are generally measured in the same manner as for measuring the basis weight and thickness of the reconstituted plant sheet described above.

[0030] In one particular embodiment, the reconstituted plant sheet of the present invention may comprise two or more fibrous supports, preferably three, four, or five fibrous supports, more preferably three or four fibrous supports.

[0031] In certain embodiments, the plant extract composition is interposed between two fibrous supports.

[0032] As used herein, the term "micronized plant fiber" refers to plant fiber that has been subjected to a micronization step that allows for fibrillation and / or cutting of the plant fiber. This micronization step is traditionally performed in papermaking processes, such as those that produce reconstituted paper tobacco. However, this micronization step is not performed in processes that produce cast leaf reconstituted tobacco.

[0033] Generally, the fibrous substrate may comprise finely divided fibers of the same plant or of several plants.

[0034] As used herein, the term "plant extract" refers to any water-soluble product of a plant. Advantageously, the plant extract includes nicotine and compounds that impart organoleptic and / or therapeutic properties to the aerosol.

[0035] As used herein, the term "plant extract composition" means a composition containing a plant extract as defined above.

[0036] The plant extract composition forms a layer between two fibrous substrates of the reconstituted plant sheet of the present invention. Advantageously, the plant extract composition makes it possible to maintain the bond of the reconstituted plant sheet of the present invention, for example, by laminating the two fibrous substrates together, without the use of an adhesive exogenous to the plant.

[0037] For example, the concentration of solids of the plant extract in the plant extract composition may be more than 45% by weight, preferably 50 to 70% by weight, more preferably 55 to 65% by weight, and even more preferably 58 to 62% by weight.

[0038] Advantageously, plant extract compositions containing such concentrations of plant extract solids improve the bonding of the reconstituted plant sheets of the present invention.

[0039] In addition to the plant extract, the plant extract composition may also contain an aerosol-forming material, an additive, or a combination thereof.

[0040] The additives can include vegetable dust; a diluent such as CaCO3; a texturing agent such as guar gum, potato starch, agar, or any combination thereof; a powdered flavoring such as cocoa powder, tripotassium citrate, powdered fragrance, or any combination thereof; an encapsulated flavoring; a coloring agent such as beta-carotene, powdered apricot juice, turmeric, or any combination thereof; a gel such as silica gel, polysaccharide gel, alumina gel, or any combination thereof; or any combination thereof, especially vegetable dust.

[0041] The plant dust may contain aromatic compounds that impart a plant scent to the aerosol. The plant dust may be derived from various plant parts. The plant parts may be the plant parts themselves or may be processed plant parts. The plant dust may be obtained by one or more processes, such as shredding, beating, or mixing the plant parts.

[0042] As used herein, the term "aerosol-forming material" means a compound that is capable of generating an aerosol when heated, for example, by contact with heated air.

[0043] The aerosol-generating material is contained in one of the two fibrous substrates, both of the two fibrous substrates, the plant extract composition, or a combination thereof, preferably in both of the two fibrous substrates, the plant extract composition, or a combination thereof, more preferably in both of the two fibrous substrates.

[0044] The total solids content (wt%) of the aerosol-forming material contained in the reconstituted plant sheet of the present invention is referred to as the SAG. Generally, the SAG is in the range of 10 to 30 wt%, preferably 12 to 25 wt%, more preferably 13 to 22 wt%, and even more preferably 15 to 21.5 wt%.

[0045] Aerosols generated from reconstituted plant sheets having a SAG greater than the above ranges may cause unwanted burning of the mouth and / or throat (a phenomenon known as "hot puffs").

[0046] Typically, the aerosol generating material may be a polyol, a non-polyol, or a combination thereof. Typically, the polyol aerosol generating material may be sorbitol, glycerol, propylene glycol, triethylene glycol, erythritol, propanediol, or a combination thereof. Typically, the non-polyol aerosol generating material may be lactic acid, benzyl benzoate, glyceryl diacetate, glyceryl triacetate, triethyl citrate, isopropyl myristate, or a combination thereof.

[0047] In one embodiment, the aerosol generating material is glycerol, propylene glycol, or a combination thereof, preferably glycerol.

[0048] Aerosol is generated upon heating of the reconstituted plant sheet of the present invention. Advantageously, the plant extract containing aromatic compounds imparts a plant-derived aroma to the aerosol. By simply replacing the reconstituted plant sheet, the user can easily change the scent of the aerosol generated by heating the reconstituted plant sheet.

[0049] The organoleptic and therapeutic properties of the aerosol generated by heating the reconstituted plant sheet depend on the total solids content of the plant extract contained in the reconstituted plant sheet of the present invention.

[0050] The total solids content (wt. %) of the plant extract depends on the plant used and more particularly on the content of aromatic compounds or compounds with therapeutic properties in the plant used.

[0051] The total content (wt%) of solids in the plant extract contained in the reconstituted plant sheet of the present invention is referred to as SP. Generally, the SP is in the range of 30 to 60 wt%, preferably 35 to 55 wt%, and more preferably 37 to 50 wt%.

[0052] Advantageously, such a high content makes it possible to produce an aerosol with very satisfactory organoleptic properties.

[0053] SP can be determined using the following method. First, the reconstituted plant sheet to be measured is crushed to a particle size of 1 mm or less. Next, the reconstituted plant sheet is mixed with boiling water for 45 minutes to extract all of the plant extract. The difference between the dry weight of the reconstituted plant sheet sample to be measured and the dry weight of the fibrous residue after the plant extract is extracted is the SP.

[0054] In one embodiment, the sum of the total solid content of the plant extract and the total solid content of the aerosol-generating material, i.e., SP+SAG, may be in the range of 40 to 80% by weight, preferably 45 to 75% by weight, more preferably 50 to 72% by weight, and even more preferably 55 to 70% by weight.

[0055] In one embodiment, the ratio of the total solid content of the plant extract to the total solid content of the aerosol-generating material, i.e., SP / SAG, may be in the range of 1.0 to 3.5, preferably 1.25 to 3.25, more preferably 1.50 to 3.10, and even more preferably 1.75 to 2.70.

[0056] Advantageously, when the reconstituted plant sheet of the present invention has an SP / SAG ratio in the above range, the organoleptic properties of the aerosol produced are more satisfactory.

[0057] In one particular embodiment, the reconstituted plant sheet of the present invention has 16-21.5% by weight SAG, 37-50% by weight SP, and 55-70% by weight SP+SAG.

[0058] In a particular embodiment, the reconstituted plant sheet of the present invention has a density of 0.71 to 0.89 g / cm 3 Density: 310~460g / m 2 % by weight, a thickness of 375 to 515 μm, a SAG of 16 to 21.5 wt %, a SP of 37 to 50 wt %, and a SP+SAG of 55 to 70 wt %.

[0059] In a further specific embodiment, the reconstituted plant sheet of the present invention has a density of 0.83 to 0.89 g / cm 3 Density: 310~460g / m 2 16-20 wt % SAG, 43-50 wt % SP, and 60-70 wt % SP+SAG.

[0060] The plant fiber, the plant extract of the fibrous support, and the plant extract of the plant extract composition can be obtained independently from one another from a plant selected from spore-bearing plants, seed plants, or a combination thereof. In particular, the plant can be a plant selected from tobacco plants, food plants, aromatic plants, fragrant plants, medicinal plants, plants of the Cannabis family, or any combination thereof.

[0061] In one particular embodiment, the plant is a tobacco plant.

[0062] If the plant is a medicinal plant, the reconstituted plant sheet can be used for treatment, as the aerosol produced by heating the reconstituted plant sheet also has therapeutic properties.

[0063] Advantageously, plant extracts obtained from a combination of plants can provide a wide range of organoleptic and / or therapeutic properties, and can also allow the unpleasant organoleptic properties of a particular plant in the combination, such as a medicinal plant, to be counteracted by the pleasant organoleptic properties of another plant in the combination, such as a tobacco plant, an aromatic plant, or an aromatic plant.

[0064] In one embodiment, the plant fiber may be obtained from a first plant, and the plant extract of the fibrous support and the plant extract of the plant extract composition may be obtained from a second plant.

[0065] In another embodiment, the plant fibers and plant extract of the fibrous support may be obtained from a first plant, and the plant extract of the plant extract composition may be obtained from a second plant.

[0066] In another embodiment, the plant fiber and the plant extract of the plant extract composition may be obtained from a first plant, and the plant extract of the fibrous substrate may be obtained from a second plant.

[0067] In another embodiment, the plant fiber may be obtained from a first plant, the plant extract of the fibrous support may be obtained from a second plant, and the plant extract of the plant extract composition may be obtained from a third plant.

[0068] Advantageously, the use of a combination of multiple plants in the production of a reconstituted plant sheet allows for the adjustment of the mechanical properties of the reconstituted plant sheet and / or the functional, chemical, or therapeutic properties of the aerosol. Indeed, plant fibers may not have the mechanical properties that allow for the formation of a fibrous support, and plant extracts may impart the desired functional, chemical, and / or therapeutic properties to the aerosol. Conversely, plant fibers may have the mechanical properties that allow for the formation of a fibrous support, and plant extracts may not impart the desired functional and / or therapeutic properties to the aerosol.

[0069] When the plant is a tobacco plant, the tobacco fiber and tobacco extract can be obtained from any tobacco plant or tobacco-type plant, such as Virginia tobacco, Burley tobacco, air-cured tobacco, dark air-cured tobacco, Oriental tobacco, sun-cured tobacco, flue-cured tobacco, or any combination thereof.

[0070] Common edible plants are garlic, coffee, ginger, licorice, rooibos, stevia (Stevia levadiana), tea, the cocoa tree, chamomile, yerba mate, star anise, fennel, and citronella.

[0071] Common aromatic plants are basil, turmeric, cloves, laurel, oregano, mint, rosemary, sage, and thyme.

[0072] Common aromatic plants are lavender, rose and eucalyptus.

[0073] Generally, medicinal plants are those listed in List A of traditionally used medicinal plants (French pharmacopeia January 2016, published by the Agence Nationale de Sécurite du Medicament (ANSM) [French National Agency for Drug and Health Product Safety]) or plants known to contain compounds with therapeutic properties. Common medicinal plants are ginkgo, ginseng, sour cherry, peppermint, willow, and red vine.

[0074] Generally, eucalyptus is a medicinal plant known to contain compounds with therapeutic properties.

[0075] Generally, the plant fibers and plant extracts of the reconstituted plant sheet of the present invention can be derived from various plant parts, which may be whole plant parts or various processed plant parts. Generally, the plant parts may be whole plants or debris produced by shredding, beating, or mixing plant parts.

[0076] Generally, plant parts can be selected from those that are richest in aromatic compounds that impart sensory properties to aerosols.Generally, such plant parts can be, for example, flower buds, branch bark, trunk bark, leaves, flowers, fruits or their pedicels, seeds, petals, flower heads, underground parts (for example, bulbs, roots, root bark, rhizomes), or any combination thereof, from any plant.Also, plant parts can be obtained by mechanical, chemical, or mechanochemical treatment of one or more plant parts, such as the protective shell of cocoa beans (cocoa shell) obtained in the cocoa bean shelling process.

[0077] Generally, the tobacco plant part may be the part that is richest in aroma compounds that impart sensory properties to the aerosol. Generally, the tobacco plant part may be parenchyma (lamina), optionally including the stem of the tobacco plant. Generally, the tobacco plant part may be the leaf of the tobacco plant, or debris made by shredding, beating, or mixing the leaf and veins of the tobacco plant.

[0078] Among food plants, for example, garlic bulbs, coffee cherries, star anise fruits, ginger rhizomes, liquorice roots, rooibos leaves, stevia (Stevia revadiana) or tea may be selected as plant parts.

[0079] Among aromatic plants, for example, clove buds (cloves), basil, laurel or sage leaves and flowers, mint, oregano, rosemary or thyme leaves and flower heads, or turmeric rhizomes may be selected as plant parts.

[0080] Generally, among aromatic plants, lavender flowers and flower heads or rose flower buds and petals may be selected as plant parts.

[0081] For example, among the medicinal plants listed in the French Pharmacopoeia, ginkgo leaves, the underground parts of ginseng, the stalks of sour cherries (sour cherry stems), the leaves and flower heads of peppermint, the stem bark and leaves of willow, or the leaves of red vine may be selected as plant parts.

[0082] In a particular embodiment, the reconstituted plant sheet of the present invention has a density of 0.71 to 0.90 g / cm 3 Density: 360~460g / m 2 the thickness of 480 to 520 μm, 19 to 21.5 wt % SAG, 37 to 50 wt % SP, and 58 to 70 wt % SP+SAG, and the plant is a tobacco plant.

[0083] In one particular embodiment, the reconstituted plant sheet of the present invention comprises: a first fibrous substrate comprising micronized tobacco fiber and a tobacco extract; a second fibrous substrate comprising finely divided cocoa fibers and a cocoa extract; a tobacco extract composition interposed between a first fibrous substrate and a second fibrous substrate, 0.80~0.85g / cm 3 Density: 310~320g / m 2 16-17 wt % SAG, 40-45 wt % SP, and 55-65 wt % SP+SAG.

[0084] Generally, the total solid content of the pulverized plant fibers contained in the reconstituted plant sheet of the present invention may be 15 to 50% by weight, preferably 25 to 45% by weight, and more preferably 30 to 42% by weight.

[0085] Generally, the fibrous substrate of the reconstituted plant sheet of the present invention may also comprise cellulosic plant fibers.

[0086] Cellulosic plant fibers are fibers obtained, for example, from wood pulp, hemp, or annual plants (e.g., flax) by chemical, mechanical, or thermomechanical treatment. Combinations of these cellulosic plant fibers may also be used.

[0087] Advantageously, these cellulosic plant fibers can improve the mechanical strength properties of the reconstituted plant sheet.

[0088] Generally, the cellulosic plant fiber can account for 0.5 to 20% by weight, preferably 3 to 17.5% by weight, and more preferably 5 to 15% by weight of the solid content of the reconstituted plant sheet.

[0089] According to a second subject matter, the present invention provides a method for producing the reconstituted plant sheet of the present invention described above, (a) passing the micronized plant fibers through a papermaking machine to produce a substrate web; (b) contacting the plant extract with a substrate web to form a fibrous support; (c) contacting the plant extract composition between two fibrous supports to form a wet reconstituted plant sheet; (d) drying the wet reconstituted plant sheet to produce a reconstituted plant sheet; The method further comprises incorporating an aerosol-generating material into the sheet in step (b) above and / or step (c) above.

[0090] The micronized fibers, substrate web, plant extract, fibrous support, plant extract composition, and aerosol-forming material are as described above with respect to the reconstituted plant sheet of the present invention.

[0091] In the present invention, the base web of the fibrous support is made using a papermaking process. Thus, in a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the reconstituted plant sheet according to the present invention is a reconstituted plant sheet produced using a papermaking process.

[0092] In one embodiment, the plant fibers of the fibrous support and plant extract are (e) mixing one or more plant parts with a solvent to extract a plant extract from the plant fiber; (f) separating the plant extract from the plant fiber.

[0093] Therefore, the plant extract and the plant fiber are generally obtained using a separation process. In step (e) above, one or more plant parts are mixed with a solvent, for example in a digester, to extract the plant extract from the plant fiber. In step (f) above, the plant extract is separated from the plant fiber, for example by passing it through a screw press, to obtain the plant fiber on the one hand and the plant extract on the other hand.

[0094] Generally, the solvent may be a non-polar solvent, an aprotic polar solvent, a protic polar solvent, or a mixture thereof, preferably methanol, dichloromethane, ethanol, acetone, butanol, water, or a mixture thereof, more preferably ethanol, acetone, water, or a mixture thereof.

[0095] In one particular embodiment, the solvent is an aqueous solvent, preferably water.

[0096] A person skilled in the art will know how to adapt the temperature of the solvent in step (e) above to the plant, plant part and plant part to be treated. Generally, the solvent temperature when treating roots and bark is set higher than the solvent temperature when treating leaves and petals.

[0097] Generally, the temperature of the solvent in the above step (e) may be 10 to 100°C, preferably 30 to 90°C, more preferably 50 to 80°C.

[0098] In an embodiment in which the solvent is water and the plant is tobacco, the temperature of the water solvent is set, for example, at 30 to 80° C. Generally, the temperature of the water solvent is set at 50 to 80° C. when treating tobacco plant parenchyma, and at 30 to 70° C. when treating tobacco plant stems.

[0099] After plant fibers are refined in a refiner, they are passed through a papermaking machine to produce a base web.

[0100] The plant fibers to be micronized can be derived from a variety of plants.

[0101] The fibers of each plant in various plants can be obtained separately according to the above-mentioned separation process.The fibers of each plant can then be mixed, and the mixture can be passed through a papermaking machine to produce a substrate web.Fibers derived from various plants can also be obtained by mixing one or more parts of various plants, and then subjecting the mixture to the above-mentioned separation process.Then, the temperature of the water is set to a temperature suitable for the plant to be treated, in particular, the maximum temperature required to extract the extract of that plant.This alternative embodiment is very advantageous because it allows fibers from various plants to be obtained without performing multiple separation processes in parallel.

[0102] Generally, the plant extract can be an extract of a variety of plants.

[0103] The extracts of various plants can be obtained by mixing the extracts of various plants obtained separately according to the above-mentioned separation process. Alternatively, the extracts of various plants can be obtained by mixing one or more parts of various plants and then subjecting the mixture to the above-mentioned separation process. The temperature of the water is then set to a temperature suitable for the plant being treated, in particular the highest temperature necessary to extract the water-soluble extract of that plant. This alternative embodiment is highly advantageous because it allows the extracts of various plants to be obtained without performing multiple separation processes in parallel. In both of these two cases, the extracts of various plants are contacted with the substrate web in the above-mentioned step (b).

[0104] Generally, the various plant extracts obtained according to the above separation processes may be separately contacted with the substrate web in step (b) above.

[0105] Generally, the plant extract may be concentrated prior to contacting the substrate web in step (b) above. Concentration of the plant extract may be accomplished using equipment such as a vacuum evaporator.

[0106] When an aerosol-forming substance is incorporated into the substrate web in step (b) above, the plant extract and the aerosol-forming substance may be contacted with the substrate web sequentially, or a mixture of the plant extract and the aerosol-forming substance may be contacted with the substrate web.

[0107] Generally, the above step (b) of contacting the substrate web with the plant extract can be carried out by impregnation or spraying, particularly by impregnation. Generally, impregnation can be carried out by a size press.

[0108] The above step (c) of contacting the substrate web with the plant extract composition can be carried out by spraying or coating, particularly by coating. Generally, coating can be carried out using a doctor blade, a screw rod, a coating bar, or any other device that allows coating on a fibrous support, particularly a screw rod.

[0109] The extract composition used in step (c) above can be obtained from the plant extract obtained according to the above-mentioned separation process. Generally, the plant extract can be concentrated before being incorporated into the extract composition. The concentration of the plant extract can be carried out using an apparatus such as a vacuum evaporator.

[0110] When an aerosol-forming material is incorporated into the substrate web in step (b), the aerosol-forming material and the extract composition may be mixed and contacted with the substrate web. The aerosol-forming material may be contacted with the substrate web before or after the extract composition is contacted with the fibrous substrate.

[0111] When the extract composition contains an additive, in step (c) above, a mixture of the additive and the extract composition may be contacted with the fibrous substrate, or a mixture of the additive and the aerosol-forming material may be contacted with the fibrous substrate.

[0112] In one embodiment, the plant extract composition can be contacted first with a first fibrous substrate and then with a second fibrous substrate in step (c) above, thereby forming a reconstituted plant sheet by interposing a layer of the plant extract composition between the two fibrous substrates.

[0113] In this embodiment, step (c) above can include an intermediate drying step between contacting the plant extract composition with the first fibrous support and contacting the plant extract composition with the second fibrous support. This intermediate drying step can be carried out using infrared lamps, American battery drying drums, hot air drying in a tunnel dryer, a vertical dryer, a fluidized bed dryer, or an air dryer, especially a tunnel dryer. Those skilled in the art will know how to adjust the operating conditions to carry out this intermediate drying step.

[0114] In another embodiment, in step (c) above, a first portion of the plant extract composition can be contacted with a first fibrous support, then a second portion of the plant extract composition can be contacted with a second fibrous support, and then the first and second portions of the plant extract composition can be contacted with each other, thereby interposing layers of the first and second portions of the plant extract composition between the two fibrous supports to form a reconstituted plant sheet.

[0115] In this alternative embodiment, step (c) above can include an intermediate drying step between contacting the second portion of the plant extract composition with the second fibrous support and contacting the first and second portions of the plant extract composition with each other. This intermediate drying step can be carried out using infrared lamps, American battery drying drums, hot air drying in a tunnel dryer, a vertical dryer, a fluidized bed dryer, or an air dryer, especially a tunnel dryer. Those skilled in the art will know how to adjust the operating conditions to carry out this intermediate drying step.

[0116] The SP and SAG of the reconstituted plant sheet produced by the method of the present invention can be controlled by adjusting the amount of plant extract and the amount of aerosol-generating material used in steps (b) and (c) above. Those skilled in the art will know how to adjust the amount of plant extract and the amount of aerosol-generating material used in steps (b) and (c) above to achieve the target SP and SAG.

[0117] The above step (d) can be carried out using infrared lamps, American battery drying drums, hot air drying in a tunnel dryer, a vertical dryer, a fluidized bed dryer, or an air dryer, among others, a tunnel dryer. Those skilled in the art will know how to adjust the operating conditions to carry out the above step (d).

[0118] In one embodiment, the fibrous support obtained in step (b) above may be subjected to an intermediate drying step, which may be carried out between step (b) above and step (c) above. This intermediate drying step may be carried out using infrared lamps, American battery drying drums, hot air drying in a tunnel dryer, a vertical dryer, a fluidized bed dryer, or an air dryer, especially a tunnel dryer. Those skilled in the art will know how to adjust the operating conditions to carry out this intermediate drying step.

[0119] The reconstituted plant sheet produced by the method for producing a reconstituted plant sheet of the present invention may be subjected to a calendering step.

[0120] Therefore, one embodiment of the present invention is a method for producing a calendered reconstituted plant sheet, which comprises calendering the reconstituted plant sheet produced in step (d) above.

[0121] As used herein, the term "calendering step" means passing the reconstituted plant sheet between two counter-rotating cylinders with an adjustable gap between them.

[0122] The calendering step has the advantage that the thickness of the reconstituted plant sheet can be reduced without changing the basis weight of the reconstituted plant sheet, and therefore the density of the constituent plant sheets can be increased by the calendering step, if desired.

[0123] Additionally, the calendering step has the advantage of improving the bonding between the two fibrous supports of the reconstituted plant sheet.

[0124] The cylinder is capable of applying a pressure to the reconstituted plant sheet in the range of 1 to 250 bar, preferably in the range of 14 to 140 bar, more preferably in the range of 25 to 40 bar.

[0125] Advantageously, by carrying out a calendering step in which a pressure in the above range is applied to the reconstituted plant sheet using a cylinder, deterioration of the reconstituted plant sheet can be reduced or prevented.

[0126] The cylinder may be heated to a temperature of up to 50°C, preferably to a temperature in the range of 30 to 50°C, more preferably 40 to 45°C.

[0127] Advantageously, by carrying out the calendering step with a cylinder heated to a temperature in the above range, deterioration of the reconstituted plant sheet can be reduced or prevented.

[0128] The reconstituted plant sheets of the present invention may then be cut into leaves or sheets similar to tobacco strips, or may be rolled up, or multiple sheets may be combined to form a sheet mixture.

[0129] The reconstituted plant sheet of the present invention can be used in non-combustion heated tobacco products, which are devices that heat tobacco without burning it.

[0130] Thus, according to a third subject, the present invention relates to a consumable for non-combustion heated tobacco, comprising a reconstituted plant sheet of the invention as defined above.

[0131] As used herein, the term "consumable" refers to a reconstituted plant sheet according to the present invention itself, or a container containing a reconstituted plant sheet according to the present invention. The consumables of the present invention are adapted to be incorporated into non-combustion heated tobacco products, and one skilled in the art would know how to adapt the consumables of the present invention to non-combustion heated tobacco products.

[0132] The reconstituted plant sheet of the present invention can be configured as a consumable product in a shape suitable for use with non-combustible heat-not-burn tobacco. For example, the reconstituted plant sheet of the present invention can be configured in the form of particles, a corrugated sheet, or shredded tobacco, particularly shredded tobacco having a width of 0.5 to 1 mm.

[0133] The container may comprise an outer envelope defining an interior space for receiving a reconstituted plant sheet according to the present invention, which may be contained in the interior space of the container in the form of particles, corrugated sheets, or shredded tobacco, among others.

[0134] In general, the outer envelope may be cylindrical, in particular cylindrical with a circular base.

[0135] The outer envelope may be made, for example, from cigarette paper, cigarette rolling paper, paper, vegetable fiber paper, metal such as aluminum, especially cigarette paper.

[0136] Consumable products include reconstituted plant sheets according to the invention in the form of fine particles, reconstituted plant sheets according to the invention in the form of corrugated sheets, reconstituted plant sheets according to the invention in the form of shredded tobacco, pouches made from reconstituted plant sheets according to the invention, sticks made from reconstituted plant sheets according to the invention or capsules made from reconstituted plant sheets according to the invention, in particular reconstituted plant sheets according to the invention in the form of shredded tobacco or sticks made from reconstituted plant sheets according to the invention.

[0137] The reconstituted plant sheet according to the present invention may be in the form of particles contained in, for example, a pouch or capsule.The reconstituted plant sheet according to the present invention may in particular be in the form of stick-shaped shredded tobacco.

[0138] In one embodiment, the reconstituted plant sheet contained in the consumable product can be obtained by the method of the present invention described above.

[0139] In general, the ratio of the mass of the reconstituted plant sheet of the present invention to the internal volume of the consumable may be, for example, 300 mg / ml:500 mg / ml, preferably 355 mg / ml:450 mg / ml, more preferably 375 mg / ml:425 mg / ml.

[0140] Advantageously, when the ratio of the mass of the reconstituted plant sheet of the present invention to the internal volume of the consumable product is within the above range, an aerosol with satisfactory organoleptic properties is produced. When the ratio of the mass of the reconstituted plant sheet of the present invention to the internal volume of the consumable product is less than the above range, an aerosol with very pronounced organoleptic properties is not produced. When the ratio of the mass of the reconstituted plant sheet of the present invention to the internal volume of the consumable product is greater than the above range, the resistance to draw is too high, making it impossible to smoke satisfactorily.

[0141] According to a fourth subject, the present invention relates to the use of a reconstituted plant sheet according to the invention as defined above, or a consumable according to the invention as defined above, in a heating device, in particular in a non-combustion heated tobacco product.

[0142] In general, the reconstituted plant sheets according to the present invention may be used alone or in combination with natural plant leaves or conventional reconstituted plant sheets, particularly natural tobacco leaves or conventional reconstituted tobacco sheets.

[0143] As used herein, the term "non-combustion heated tobacco (a device that heats tobacco without burning it)" refers to any device that can generate an aerosol that is inhaled by a user. The aerosol is an alternative to smoke, allowing the user to inhale the aroma of the plant while significantly reducing the user's exposure to harmful components.

[0144] Generally, the heating device includes, in the direction of airflow, an air inlet, a heating section, a container for containing and holding in place the reconstituted plant sheet of the present invention containing the aerosol-generating substance, and an air outlet for introducing the aerosol into the user's oral cavity. Generally, the air inlet, heating section, container, and air outlet are at least fluidly connected to each other.

[0145] Generally, when using the heating device, a user draws air into the heating device through the air inlet, the drawn-in air passes through the heating section and is heated. The heated air comes into contact with the reconstituted plant sheet of the present invention containing the aerosol-forming substance held in the container section to generate an aerosol, which is then inhaled by the user through the air outlet. If the plant is a medicinal plant, the generated aerosol has therapeutic properties.

[0146] Furthermore, the heating device does not burn the reconstituted plant sheet, thus allowing the user to take advantage of the organoleptic properties of the plant, and optionally the tobacco, while significantly reducing the user's exposure to harmful components.

[0147] Example

[0148] Example 1.1: Calendered reconstituted tobacco sheet according to the present invention

[0149] The Virginia tobacco shred and stem mixture is placed in water at 65°C with stirring for 45 minutes. The tobacco extract is separated from the fiber portion by mechanical pressing. The tobacco extract is concentrated under vacuum to a solids concentration of 60% by weight. The tobacco fiber is then micronized and passed through a laboratory paper machine to produce a paper of approximately 86 g / m². 2 Two substrate webs having a basis weight of 100g are prepared. Glycerol as an aerosol-generating agent is added to the concentrated tobacco extract. The concentrated tobacco extract to which glycerol has been added is impregnated in a size press to contact each of the two substrate webs, thereby producing two fibrous supports. The produced fibrous supports are then dried on a drying plate in the laboratory.

[0150] A tobacco extract composition is prepared from the concentrated extract and glycerin. The prepared tobacco extract composition is applied to a first fibrous support, and then a second fibrous support is placed on the tobacco extract composition applied to the first fibrous support. This results in the tobacco extract composition being interposed between the two fibrous supports, forming a layer of the tobacco extract composition. The prepared reconstituted tobacco sheet is then dried on a drying plate in a laboratory.

[0151] The reconstituted tobacco sheet is subjected to a calendering step using a cylinder and applying a pressure of 34.5 bar to produce a calendered reconstituted tobacco sheet, which is then dried on a laboratory drying plate.

[0152] The tobacco extract and glycerol contents of the calendered reconstituted tobacco sheet are adjusted to 37.1 wt% SP, 21.2 wt% SAG, and 58.3 wt% SAG+SP.

[0153] Calendered reconstituted tobacco sheet has a viscosity of 0.71 g / cm 3 Density: 368g / m 2 and a thickness of 515 μm.

[0154] Example 1.2: Calendered reconstituted plant sheet according to the present invention comprising a fibrous substrate containing micronized tobacco fiber, a fibrous substrate containing micronized cocoa fiber, and a tobacco extract composition.

[0155] The fibrous substrate containing micronized tobacco fiber and the tobacco extract composition are prepared according to the methods described above.

[0156] Cocoa shells are ground in a knife mill to particles of approximately 1 mm. The ground cocoa shells are then mixed with water at a cocoa shell:water ratio of 1 / 10 at 70°C for 20 minutes. The water and cocoa shell mixture is then centrifuged to separate the cocoa tree extract from the cocoa fiber. The cocoa tree extract is then recovered first, followed by the cocoa shell fiber. After the cocoa fiber is refined, it is passed through a laboratory paper machine to produce a paper of approximately 60 g / m. 2 A cocoa base web having a basis weight of 19.5 wt. % is prepared. The cocoa tree extract is concentrated under vacuum to a solids concentration of 19.5 wt. %. Glycerol is added to the concentrated cocoa tree extract as an aerosol-forming agent. The concentrated cocoa extract with added glycerol is impregnated in a size press and brought into contact with the cocoa base web, thereby producing a fibrous support comprised of finely divided cocoa fibers.

[0157] A portion of the tobacco extract composition is applied to a fibrous substrate containing finely divided tobacco fibers, and then the remaining portion of the tobacco extract composition is applied to a fibrous substrate containing finely divided cocoa fibers. The two fibrous substrates are stacked together so that the portions coated with the tobacco extract composition contact each other to form a layer between the fibrous substrates. The reconstituted tobacco sheet thus produced is subjected to the above-mentioned calendering step.

[0158] The tobacco extract, cocoa tree extract, and glycerin contents of the reconstituted plant sheet are adjusted to 43.6 wt% SP, 40.9 wt% tobacco, 2.7 wt% cocoa, 16.3 wt% SAG, and a total of 59.9 wt% SAG + SP.

[0159] The reconstituted plant sheet produced had a density of 0.83 g / cm 3 Density: 312g / m 2 and a thickness of 376 μm.

[0160] Comparative Example 1: Reconstituted tobacco sheet not according to the present invention

[0161] Reconstituted tobacco sheets not according to the present invention comprise a single fibrous substrate manufactured using manufacturing methods similar to those described above.

[0162] The tobacco extract and glycerol contents of the reconstituted tobacco sheet not according to the present invention are adjusted so that SP is 29.4% by weight, SAG is 19% by weight, and the total of SAG+SP is 48.4% by weight.

[0163] Reconstituted tobacco sheets not according to the present invention have a % yield of 0.58 g / cm 3 Density: 151g / m 2 and a thickness of 261 μm.

[0164] The density of the reconstituted tobacco sheet not according to the invention is less than 0.6, which is lower than the density of the reconstituted tobacco sheet of Example 1.1 and the density of the reconstituted plant sheet of Example 1.2.

[0165] Example 2: Comparison of pressure drop and sensory properties between aerosols generated with the sheet of Example 1.1 and that of Comparative Example 1

[0166] In this Example 2, various sticks are tested. Sticks made from the sheet of Example 1.1 are referred to as sticks of Example 1.1. Sticks made from the sheet of Comparative Example 1 are referred to as sticks of Comparative Example 1. Reconstituted tobacco sheets according to the invention and reconstituted tobacco sheets not according to the invention are cut into tobacco pieces and then introduced in predetermined weights into Neo Navy Blue stick sheaths for glo™, so as to achieve the desired ratio.

[0167] Pressure drop is a parameter that can characterize the resistance to suction of a stick. Specifically, the greater the pressure drop across the stick, the greater the resistance to suction of the stick. Pressure drop is determined as follows: using a PDV SODIM device from SMI Corporation. This device measures resistance to suction by measuring the pressure drop when an air stream is passed through a stick containing a reconstituted plant sheet at a constant flow rate of 17.5 ml / s. Resistance to suction is expressed in millimeters of water column (mmWC).

[0168] The sensory properties of the aerosols produced by the various sticks tested were evaluated by independent experts according to the following protocol: Tobacco sheets according to the invention and tobacco sheets not according to the invention were alternately evaluated by independent experts using a glo™ type heating system, and the taste of the aerosols was rated on a 10-point scale.

[0169] The results are shown in Table 1 below.

[0170] [Table 1]

[0171] The results in Table 1 show that for a ratio of 400 mg / ml, the pressure drop was as follows: The pressure drop of the stick of Example 1.1 was 76. This value is within the acceptable range. The pressure drop of the stick of Comparative Example 1 was 86. This value was too high for satisfactory smoking.

[0172] The ratio was reduced to 297 mg / ml so that the pressure drop of the stick of Comparative Example 1 was similar to that of the stick of Example 1.1. The results in Table 1 show the aerosol generated at similar pressure drops (76 and 77). The aerosol produced with the stick of Example 1.1 had very satisfactory organoleptic properties (grade 8 / 10), in particular a pronounced Virginia tobacco taste, a favorable amplitude, a mellow and balanced taste, which was superior to the aerosol produced with a tobacco sheet not according to the invention. The sensory properties of the aerosol produced by the stick of Comparative Example 1 were unsatisfactory (grade 2 / 10), in particular the tobacco taste was not very noticeable.

[0173] This Example 2 therefore demonstrates that the reconstituted plant sheet according to the invention makes it possible to obtain a good compromise between resistance to aerosol attraction and organoleptic properties.

Claims

1. A reconstituted plant sheet, Two fibrous supports, each comprising micronized plant fibers and a plant extract; a plant extract composition interposed between the two fibrous supports; an aerosol-forming material; The sheet has a density of 0.60 g / cm ３ a reconstituted plant sheet having a density of 275 to 950 g / m 2 or more and a basis weight of 275 to 950 g / m 2 , and the sum of the total solid content of the plant extract and the total solid content of the aerosol-forming material in the sheet is 50 to 72 wt %.

2. 2. The reconstituted plant sheet according to claim 1, The sheet has a density of 0.62 to 1.50 g / cm ３ A reconstituted plant sheet having a density of

3. 3. The reconstituted plant sheet according to claim 1 or 2, A reconstituted plant sheet, wherein said plant fiber and / or said plant extract is obtained from a tobacco plant.

4. The reconstituted plant sheet according to any one of claims 1 to 3, The reconstituted plant sheet has a total solid content of the aerosol-forming material of 10 to 30% by weight.

5. The reconstituted plant sheet according to any one of claims 1 to 4, A reconstituted plant sheet, wherein the total content of solids in the plant extract is 30 to 60% by weight.

6. The reconstituted plant sheet according to any one of claims 1 to 5, A reconstituted plant sheet, wherein the sheet has a thickness of 250 to 1050 μm.

7. The reconstituted plant sheet according to any one of claims 1 to 6, The reconstituted plant sheet, wherein the aerosol-forming material is selected from the group consisting of sorbitol, glycerol, propylene glycol, triethylene glycol, erythritol, propanediol, lactic acid, benzyl benzoate, glyceryl diacetate, glyceryl triacetate, triethyl citrate, isopropyl myristate, and any combination thereof.

8. The reconstituted plant sheet according to any one of claims 1 to 7, A reconstituted plant sheet, wherein the sheet has been calendered.

9. A method for producing a reconstituted plant sheet according to any one of claims 1 to 8, (a) passing the micronized plant fibers through a papermaking machine to produce a substrate web; (b) contacting a plant extract with the substrate web to form a fibrous support; (c) contacting a plant extract composition between the two fibrous supports to form a wet reconstituted plant sheet; (d) drying the wet reconstituted plant sheet to produce a reconstituted plant sheet; The method further comprises incorporating an aerosol-generating material into the sheet in step (b) and / or step (c).

10. A method for producing a reconstituted plant sheet according to claim 9, The method further comprising the step of calendering the reconstituted plant sheet produced in step (d).

11. A consumable product for use in non-combustion heated tobacco, comprising the reconstituted plant sheet according to any one of claims 1 to 8.

12. 9. Non-therapeutic use of a reconstituted plant sheet according to any one of claims 1 to 8 in a heating device.

13. Use of the reconstituted plant sheet according to any one of claims 1 to 8 in a therapeutic heating device, A reconstituted plant sheet, wherein the plant fibers and / or the plant extracts are selected from medicinal plants.

14. 12. The consumable product of claim 11, The consumable product is a pouch containing the reconstituted plant sheet, a stick containing the reconstituted plant sheet, or a capsule containing the reconstituted plant sheet.

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