Tobacco filler, flavor inhaler and production method for tobacco filler

Abstract

The present invention addresses the problem of providing a tobacco filler with flexibility in content of the ratio (ratio of % by mass of three saccharides / % by mass of three amino acids) of % by mass of three saccharides relative to % by mass of three amino acids in the form of tobacco sheet.　A tobacco filler, comprising a first tobacco sheet, a second tobacco sheet or a combination thereof, wherein the first tobacco sheet and the second tobacco sheet respectively comprise three saccharides selected from the group consisting of glucose, fructose, sucrose and a mixture thereof and three amino acids selected from the group consisting of aspartic acid, glutamic acid, asparagine and a mixture thereof, the first tobacco sheet has a ratio (% by mass of three saccharides / % by mass of three amino acids) of % by mass of the three saccharides relative to % by mass of the three amino acids of 50 or more and the second tobacco sheet has a ratio (% by mass of three saccharides / % by mass of three amino acids) of % by mass of the three saccharides relative to % by mass of the three amino acids of 20 or less.

Description

Tobacco filler, flavor inhalation article, and method for manufacturing tobacco filler

[0001] The present invention relates to a tobacco filler, a flavor inhalation article, and a method for producing a tobacco filler.

[0002] In combustion-type flavor inhalation articles (cigarettes), flavor is obtained by burning a tobacco-containing segment having a tobacco filler containing tobacco leaves. As an alternative to the combustion-type flavor inhalation articles, non-combustion-heating-type flavor inhalation articles have been proposed, which obtain flavor by heating the tobacco-containing segment instead of burning it. The heating temperature of non-combustion-heating-type flavor inhalation articles is lower than the combustion temperature of combustion-type flavor inhalation articles, for example, about 400°C or lower. Because the heating temperature of non-combustion-heating-type flavor inhalation articles is thus low, an aerosol-generating agent such as glycerin is added to the tobacco filler in non-combustion-heating-type flavor inhalation articles in order to increase the amount of smoke. The aerosol-generating agent vaporizes upon heating and generates an aerosol. The aerosol is supplied to the user together with tobacco components, allowing the user to obtain a sufficient amount of flavor.

[0003] In the tobacco-containing segment of a non-combustion heating-type flavor inhalation article, a tobacco filler filled with tobacco sheets instead of tobacco leaves is typically used as the tobacco filler so that the tobacco filler can contain a sufficient amount of aerosol generating agent (e.g., Patent Documents 1 and 2).

[0004] In addition, a sugar (trisaccharide) selected from the group consisting of glucose, fructose, sucrose, and mixtures thereof, or an amino acid (triamino acid) selected from the group consisting of aspartic acid, glutamic acid, asparagine, and mixtures thereof may be added to the tobacco filler.

[0005] Special table 2014-515274 publication Special table 2019-503659 publication

[0006] As described above, tobacco sheets are useful as tobacco fillers in that they can contain a sufficient amount of aerosol-generating agent, but the production of tobacco sheets requires a large amount of work and time, which tends to increase production costs. When characterizing a product by changing the ratio of the mass % of trisaccharides to the mass % of triamino acids contained in the tobacco filler (hereinafter referred to as the "ratio of mass % of trisaccharides / mass % of triamino acids"), it is necessary to produce a separate tobacco sheet each time in accordance with the trisaccharide and triamino acid contents of each product. From the perspective of the above-mentioned work amount and production costs, it tends to become difficult to flexibly change the ratio of mass % of trisaccharides / mass % of triamino acids to characterize a product, as is the case with conventional cigarettes.

[0007] In view of these circumstances, an object of the present invention is to provide a tobacco filler in the form of a tobacco sheet, which allows for flexible changes in the ratio of trisaccharide mass % / triamino acid mass %. Another object of the present invention is to provide a tobacco filler which not only allows for flexible changes in the ratio of trisaccharide mass % / triamino acid mass % but also allows for control of flavor according to the characteristics of the product.

[0008] As a result of intensive research aimed at solving the above-mentioned problems, the inventors discovered that the above-mentioned problems can be solved by using a first tobacco sheet, a second tobacco sheet, or a combination thereof, in which the ratio of the mass percentage of trisaccharides to the mass percentage of triamino acids falls within a specific numerical range, and thus completed the present invention. Specific aspects of the present invention are as follows.

[0009] [1] A tobacco filler comprising a first tobacco sheet, a second tobacco sheet, or a combination thereof, wherein the first tobacco sheet and the second tobacco sheet comprise a trisaccharide selected from the group consisting of glucose, fructose, sucrose, and mixtures thereof, and a triamino acid selected from the group consisting of aspartic acid, glutamic acid, asparagine, and mixtures thereof, wherein the ratio of the mass % of the trisaccharide to the mass % of the triamino acids in the first tobacco sheet (mass % of trisaccharide / mass % of triamino acids) is 50 or more, and the ratio of the mass % of the trisaccharide to the mass % of the triamino acids in the second tobacco sheet (mass % of trisaccharide / mass % of triamino acids) is 20 or less. [2] The tobacco filler according to [1], comprising the first tobacco sheet and the second tobacco sheet. [3] The tobacco filler according to [2], wherein the mass ratio of the first tobacco sheet to the second tobacco sheet is 5:95 to 95:5. [4] The tobacco filling material according to any one of [1] to [3], wherein the ratio of the mass % of the trisaccharide to the mass % of the triamino acids (mass % of trisaccharide / mass % of triamino acids) is 15 to 50, based on the entire tobacco filling material. [5] The tobacco filling material according to any one of [1] to [4], wherein the first tobacco sheet or the second tobacco sheet further contains 1 to 8 mass % of malic acid. [6] The tobacco filling material according to any one of [1] to [5], wherein the first tobacco sheet or the second tobacco sheet further contains an aerosol-generating agent. [7] A flavor inhalation article comprising the tobacco filling material according to any one of [1] to [6]. [8] The flavor inhalation article according to [7], which is a non-combustion heating type flavor inhalation article. [9] A method for producing the tobacco filling material according to any one of [1] to [6], comprising a step of combining the first tobacco sheet and the second tobacco sheet.

[0010] The tobacco filler of the present invention allows for flexible changes in the trisaccharide / triamino acid mass % ratio in the form of a tobacco sheet. In some cases, the tobacco filler of the present invention allows for flexible changes in the trisaccharide / triamino acid mass % ratio, and also allows for control of flavor according to the characteristics of the product.

[0011] Fig. 1 is a cross-sectional view showing an example of a non-combustion heating type flavor inhalation article. Fig. 2 is a cross-sectional view showing an example of a non-combustion heating type smoking system.

[0012] The tobacco filler, flavor inhalation article, and method for producing the tobacco filler of the present application will be described below.

[0013] 1. Tobacco Filler The tobacco filler of the present invention comprises a first tobacco sheet, a second tobacco sheet, or a combination thereof, wherein the first tobacco sheet and the second tobacco sheet comprise a trisaccharide selected from the group consisting of glucose, fructose, sucrose, and mixtures thereof, and three amino acids selected from the group consisting of aspartic acid, glutamic acid, asparagine, and mixtures thereof, wherein the ratio of the mass % of the trisaccharide to the mass % of the triamino acids in the first tobacco sheet (mass % of trisaccharide / mass % of triamino acids) is 50 or more, and the ratio of the mass % of the trisaccharide to the mass % of the triamino acids in the second tobacco sheet (mass % of trisaccharide / mass % of triamino acids) is 20 or less.

[0014] (First tobacco sheet) The ratio of the mass % of the trisaccharide to the mass % of the triamino acids contained in the first tobacco sheet (mass % of trisaccharide / mass % of triamino acids), based on the entire first tobacco sheet, is 50 or more, preferably 50 to 120, more preferably 50 to 100, and most preferably 50 to 80, or can be 60 or more, or 70 or more.

[0015] The trisaccharide contained in the first tobacco sheet is selected from the group consisting of glucose, fructose, sucrose, and mixtures thereof, with glucose, fructose, or mixtures thereof being particularly preferred. The term "saccharide" as used herein refers to any saccharide that has been chemically or enzymatically decomposed and has a reducing end.

[0016] The trisaccharide contained in the first tobacco sheet can be a sugar derived from the tobacco leaves or the like that are the raw material for the tobacco sheet, a sugar added from the outside, or a combination thereof. By using a combination of a sugar derived from the raw material for the tobacco sheet and a sugar added from the outside, the amount of the trisaccharide contained in the first tobacco sheet can be made relatively high.

[0017] The content of the trisaccharide contained in the first tobacco sheet, based on the entire first tobacco sheet, is not particularly limited, but is preferably 5 to 30% by mass, more preferably 7 to 25% by mass, and most preferably 9 to 20% by mass. The content of the trisaccharide can be measured based on the procedures and measurement methods described in the section (Measurement of the content of three amino acids and trisaccharides) in [Examples].

[0018] The first tobacco sheet contains three amino acids selected from the group consisting of aspartic acid, glutamic acid, asparagine, and mixtures thereof. The first tobacco sheet may contain other amino acids besides aspartic acid, glutamic acid, and asparagine, such as alanine, proline, serine, threonine, and mixtures thereof.

[0019] The three amino acids (aspartic acid, glutamic acid, asparagine, or a mixture thereof) contained in the first tobacco sheet can be amino acids derived from tobacco leaves, which are the raw material for the tobacco sheet, amino acids added from the outside, or a combination thereof.

[0020] The content of the three amino acids (total of aspartic acid, glutamic acid, and asparagine) contained in the first tobacco sheet, based on the entire first tobacco sheet, is not particularly limited, but is preferably 0.12 to 0.80% by mass, more preferably 0.12 to 0.60% by mass, and most preferably 0.15 to 0.50% by mass. The content of the three amino acids can be measured based on the procedures and measurement methods described in the section (Measurement of the content of the three amino acids and trisaccharides) in [Examples].

[0021] The first tobacco sheet may further contain malic acid. The content of malic acid contained in the first tobacco sheet, based on the entire first tobacco sheet, is not particularly limited, but is preferably 1 to 8 mass%, more preferably 2 to 7 mass%, and most preferably 3 to 6 mass%. By ensuring that the malic acid content is within the above numerical range, it is possible to reduce the unpleasant smoking flavor inhibiting sensation in the oral cavity. In this specification, "smoking flavor inhibiting sensation" refers to irritation to the oral cavity and throat upon inhalation.

[0022] The first tobacco sheet may further include an aerosol-generating agent, which may be, but is not limited to, glycerin, propylene glycol, a polyhydric alcohol such as sorbitol, xylitol, or erythritol, triacetin, 1,3-butanediol, or a mixture of two or more of these.

[0023] The content of the aerosol-generating agent in the first tobacco sheet, based on the entire first tobacco sheet, is not particularly limited, but is preferably 30% by mass or less, more preferably 5 to 25% by mass, and most preferably 10 to 20% by mass. By ensuring that the content of the aerosol-generating agent is within the above range, a sufficient amount of aerosol for smoking without combustion can be ensured.

[0024] (Second Tobacco Sheet) The ratio of the mass % of the trisaccharide to the mass % of the triamino acids contained in the second tobacco sheet (mass % of trisaccharide / mass % of triamino acids), based on the entire second tobacco sheet, is 20 or less, preferably 1 to 20, more preferably 1 to 15, most preferably 1 to 10, or can be 3 to 20 or 5 to 20.

[0025] The trisaccharide contained in the second tobacco sheet can be the compound described above in the section (first tobacco sheet).

[0026] The trisaccharides (glucose, fructose, sucrose, or a mixture thereof) contained in the second tobacco sheet can be sugars derived from the tobacco leaves or the like that are the raw material for the tobacco sheet, sugars added from the outside, or a combination thereof. By using sugars derived from the raw material for the tobacco sheet, the amount of the trisaccharides contained in the second tobacco sheet can be lower than that of the first tobacco sheet.

[0027] The content of the trisaccharide in the second tobacco sheet, based on the entire second tobacco sheet, is not particularly limited, but is preferably 0 to 15% by mass, more preferably 1 to 10% by mass, and most preferably 1 to 7% by mass. The content of the trisaccharide can be measured based on the procedures and measurement methods described in the section (Measurement of the content of three amino acids and trisaccharides) in [Examples].

[0028] The three amino acids contained in the second tobacco sheet can be the compounds described above in the section (First Tobacco Sheet). The second tobacco sheet can contain amino acids other than aspartic acid, glutamic acid, and asparagine, and such other amino acids can include alanine, proline, serine, threonine, and mixtures thereof.

[0029] The three amino acids (aspartic acid, glutamic acid, asparagine, or a mixture thereof) contained in the second tobacco sheet can be amino acids derived from tobacco leaves, which are the raw material for the tobacco sheet, amino acids added from the outside, or a combination thereof.

[0030] The content of the three amino acids (the total of aspartic acid, glutamic acid, and asparagine) contained in the second tobacco sheet, based on the entire second tobacco sheet, is not particularly limited, but is preferably 0.1 to 2.0% by mass, more preferably 0.2 to 1.8% by mass, and most preferably 0.3 to 1.5% by mass. The content of the three amino acids can be measured based on the procedures and measurement methods described in the section (Measurement of the content of the three amino acids and trisaccharides) in [Examples].

[0031] The second tobacco sheet may further contain malic acid. The content of malic acid contained in the second tobacco sheet, based on the entire second tobacco sheet, is not particularly limited, but is preferably 1 to 8 mass%, more preferably 2 to 7 mass%, and most preferably 3 to 6 mass%. By ensuring that the malic acid content is within the above numerical range, it is possible to reduce the unpleasant aroma and taste disturbance in the oral cavity.

[0032] The second tobacco sheet may further contain an aerosol-generating agent. The aerosol-generating agent is not particularly limited, but the compounds described in the above section (First tobacco sheet) can be used. The content of the aerosol-generating agent contained in the second tobacco sheet, based on the entire second tobacco sheet, is not particularly limited, but is preferably 30% by mass or less, more preferably 5 to 25% by mass, and most preferably 10 to 20% by mass. By ensuring that the content of the aerosol-generating agent is within the above numerical range, a sufficient amount of aerosol can be secured for smoking without combustion.

[0033] In addition to the above-mentioned components, the first tobacco sheet or the second tobacco sheet may further contain an antioxidant, inulin, etc., or a combination of two or more of these. The use of an antioxidant or inulin can suppress TSNA and unpleasant aroma and taste.

[0034] The first tobacco sheet or the second tobacco sheet can be obtained by forming a composition containing aged tobacco leaves, etc., into a sheet shape. The aged tobacco leaves used for the tobacco sheet are not particularly limited, but examples thereof include those that have been deboned and separated into lamina and midrib. In addition, in this specification, the term "sheet" refers to a shape having a pair of approximately parallel main surfaces and side surfaces.

[0035] The tobacco leaves used as the raw material for the first tobacco sheet are not particularly limited, but may be flue-cured, air-cured, sun-cured, or flue-cured tobacco, or a combination of two or more of these. Of these, flue-cured and sun-cured tobacco are preferred. By using flue-cured and sun-cured tobacco, sufficient sugars derived from tobacco are contained, resulting in a mellow sweetness. The tobacco leaves used as the raw material for the second tobacco sheet are not particularly limited, but may be flue-cured, air-cured, sun-cured, or flue-cured tobacco, or a combination of two or more of these. Of these, flue-cured and air-cured tobacco are preferred. By using flue-cured and air-cured tobacco, sufficient amino acids derived from tobacco are contained, resulting in a fragrant flavor.

[0036] The method for forming the first tobacco sheet or the second tobacco sheet is not particularly limited, but can be, for example, a method in which tobacco powder, nicotine, a flavor development aid, a binder, and optionally an aerosol-generating agent and a flavoring are mixed, water is added to the mixture, the mixture is kneaded, and the resulting kneaded product is molded by a known method such as a paper-making method, a casting method, a rolling method, etc. Details of various tobacco sheets molded by such methods are disclosed in "Encyclopedia of Tobacco," Tobacco Research Center, March 31, 2009.

[0037] <Tobacco leaf, aged tobacco leaf, and processed tobacco leaf> In this specification, "tobacco leaf" is a general term for harvested tobacco leaves before they undergo aging. One form of aging includes curing. In contrast, aged tobacco leaves that have not yet been processed into various forms used in tobacco products (such as tobacco shreds, tobacco sheets, and tobacco granules) are referred to as "aged tobacco leaves." Furthermore, aged tobacco leaves that have been processed into various forms used in tobacco products are referred to as "processed tobacco leaves."

[0038] An example of the form of processed tobacco leaves used in tobacco products is a "tobacco sheet," which is obtained by forming a composition containing aged tobacco leaves ground to a specified particle size (hereinafter also referred to as "tobacco powder") into a sheet shape.

[0039] (Tobacco Filler) The tobacco filler can include a first tobacco sheet and a second tobacco sheet, or can consist of a first tobacco sheet and a second tobacco sheet. The first tobacco sheet can consist of a single first tobacco sheet or a combination of multiple first tobacco sheets. The second tobacco sheet can consist of a single second tobacco sheet or a combination of multiple second tobacco sheets. In the tobacco filler of this embodiment, first tobacco sheets and second tobacco sheets with different ratios of the mass percentage of trisaccharides to the mass percentage of triamino acids are used, and the mass ratio of the first tobacco sheet to the second tobacco sheet can be changed as appropriate. In the tobacco filler of this embodiment, the mass ratio of the first tobacco sheet to the second tobacco sheet can be easily changed during the manufacturing process, allowing for more flexible changes in the ratio of the mass percentage of trisaccharides to the mass percentage of triamino acids in the tobacco filler. By including a first tobacco sheet and a second tobacco sheet in the tobacco filler, the tobacco filler can enhance flavor while suppressing the perceived aroma and taste inhibition compared to a tobacco filler that uses only one type of tobacco sheet and has a similar ratio of trisaccharide mass% to triamino acid mass% in the entire tobacco filler. It is known that the reaction between sugars and amino acids caused by heating induces a sugar-amino acid reaction, which significantly produces aroma components such as pyrazines and improves flavor quality. Therefore, trisaccharides and triamino acids are important components for controlling flavor.

[0040] The mass ratio of the first tobacco sheet to the second tobacco sheet in the tobacco filler is not particularly limited, but is preferably 5:95 to 95:5, more preferably 10:90 to 90:10, even more preferably 20:80 to 80:20, and most preferably 40:60 to 60:40. When the mass ratio of the first tobacco sheet to the second tobacco sheet is within the above numerical range, a good sweetness and fragrant smoking taste can be obtained.

[0041] The ratio of the mass % of the trisaccharide to the mass % of the three amino acids (mass % of trisaccharide / mass % of triamino acids) based on the entire tobacco filler is not particularly limited, but is preferably 15 to 50, more preferably 15 to 45, and most preferably 20 to 40. When the ratio of the mass % of the trisaccharide to the mass % of the three amino acids based on the entire tobacco filler is within the above numerical range, a good sweetness and fragrant smoking taste can be obtained.

[0042] The content of the trisaccharide (the sum of glucose, fructose, and sucrose) contained in the tobacco filler, based on the entire tobacco filler, is not particularly limited, but is preferably 5 to 25% by mass, more preferably 6 to 20% by mass, and most preferably 7 to 15% by mass. The content of the trisaccharide contained in the tobacco filler can be calculated from the content of the trisaccharide contained in the first tobacco sheet, the content of the trisaccharide contained in the second tobacco sheet, and the mass ratio of the first tobacco sheet to the second tobacco sheet in the tobacco filler. If the content of the trisaccharide is less than 5% by mass, the physiological aroma and taste in the oral cavity may be too strongly inhibited, resulting in an unpleasant aerosol. If the content of the trisaccharide is more than 25% by mass, the aerosol may be acidic, resulting in an unpleasant aerosol.

[0043] The content of the three amino acids (total of aspartic acid, glutamic acid, and asparagine) contained in the tobacco filler based on the entire tobacco filler is not particularly limited, but is preferably 0.1 to 1.5 mass%, more preferably 0.1 to 1.0 mass%, and most preferably 0.1 to 0.8 mass%. The content of the three amino acids contained in the tobacco filler can be calculated from the content of the three amino acids contained in the first tobacco sheet, the content of the three amino acids contained in the second tobacco sheet, and the mass ratio of the first tobacco sheet to the second tobacco sheet in the tobacco filler.

[0044] The tobacco filler may further contain malic acid. The content of malic acid contained in the tobacco filler, based on the entire tobacco filler, is not particularly limited, but is preferably 1 to 8 mass%, more preferably 2 to 7 mass%, and most preferably 3 to 6 mass%. By ensuring that the malic acid content is within the above numerical range, it is possible to reduce the unpleasant odor and taste disturbance in the oral cavity.

[0045] The tobacco filler may further contain an aerosol-generating agent. The aerosol-generating agent is not particularly limited, but the compounds described above in the section (First Tobacco Sheet) can be used. Although not particularly limited, the aerosol-generating agent content is preferably 30% by mass or less, more preferably 5 to 25% by mass, and most preferably 10 to 20% by mass. The content of the aerosol-generating agent contained in the tobacco filler can be calculated from the content of the aerosol-generating agent contained in the first tobacco sheet, the content of the aerosol-generating agent contained in the second tobacco sheet, and the mass ratio of the first tobacco sheet to the second tobacco sheet in the tobacco filler. By ensuring that the content of the aerosol-generating agent is within the above-mentioned numerical range, a sufficient amount of aerosol can be secured for smoking without combustion.

[0046] A tobacco filler refers to a filler in which processed tobacco leaves are filled in a predetermined manner. The "filler" is the object into which processed tobacco leaves are filled, and is part of a tobacco product. Examples of fillers include, but are not limited to, cylindrical cigarette paper and a container with an air inlet and outlet. Examples of ways in which processed tobacco leaves are filled into a filler include, but are not limited to, a way in which the processed tobacco leaves are wrapped in cigarette paper with the processed tobacco leaves on the inside (hereinafter also referred to as a "tobacco rod"), and a way in which the processed tobacco leaves are filled into a flow path of a container with an air inlet and outlet (hereinafter also referred to as a "tobacco cartridge").

[0047] In the present application, the tobacco filler may be a tobacco filler composed of a tobacco sheet (a first tobacco sheet and / or a second tobacco sheet) filled into a filler.

[0048] 2. Method for Producing Tobacco Filler The method for producing a tobacco filler of the present invention described above in the section "1. Tobacco Filler" includes a step of combining the first tobacco sheet and the second tobacco sheet.

[0049] The tobacco filler, the first tobacco sheet, and the second tobacco sheet may each have the same configuration as described in the above section "1. Tobacco filler."

[0050] The method for producing a tobacco filler may further include the step of preparing the first tobacco sheet and the second tobacco sheet.

[0051] 3. Flavor Inhalation Article The flavor inhalation article of the present invention includes the tobacco filler described above in the section "1. Tobacco Filler."

[0052] Flavor inhalation articles (smoking articles) include flavor inhalation articles that allow users to enjoy flavors by inhaling, and smokeless tobacco (smokeless smoking articles) that allow users to enjoy flavors by holding the product directly in their nasal or oral cavities. Flavor inhalation articles can be broadly divided into combustible smoking articles, typified by conventional cigarettes, and non-combustible smoking articles.

[0053] Examples of combustion-type flavor inhalation articles include cigarettes, pipes, kiseru, cigars, and cigarillos.

[0054] A non-combustion heating type flavor inhalation article (heated smoking article) may be heated by a heating device separate from the article, or by a heating device integrated with the article. In the former type of flavor inhalation article (separate type), the non-combustion heating type flavor inhalation article and the heating device are collectively referred to as a "non-combustion heating type smoking system." An example of a non-combustion heating type smoking system will be described below with reference to Figures 1 and 2.

[0055] Fig. 1 is a cross-sectional view of a non-combustion heating type flavor inhalation article 20. As shown in Fig. 1, the non-combustion heating type flavor inhalation article 20 (hereinafter simply referred to as "flavor inhalation article 20") has a cylindrical shape. The circumferential length of the flavor inhalation article 20 is preferably 16 mm to 27 mm, more preferably 20 mm to 26 mm, and even more preferably 21 mm to 25 mm. The total length (horizontal length) of the flavor inhalation article 20 is not particularly limited, but is preferably 40 mm to 90 mm, more preferably 50 mm to 75 mm, and even more preferably 50 mm to 60 mm.

[0056] The flavor inhalation article 20 is composed of a smoking segment 20A, a filter portion 20C that forms the mouthpiece, and a connecting portion 20B that connects these together.

[0057] The smoking segment 20A is cylindrical, and its total length (axial length) is, for example, preferably 5 to 100 mm, more preferably 10 to 50 mm, and even more preferably 10 to 25 mm. The cross-sectional shape of the smoking segment 20A is not particularly limited, but may be, for example, circular, elliptical, polygonal, etc.

[0058] The smoking segment 20A has a smoking composition sheet (tobacco sheet) or a material derived therefrom (tobacco filler) 21, and a wrapper 22 wrapped around the smoking composition sheet 21. The smoking composition sheet or material derived therefrom 21 may contain a flavoring agent.

[0059] The filter section 20C has a cylindrical shape. The filter section 20C includes a rod-shaped first segment 25 filled with cellulose acetate fibers and a rod-shaped second segment 26 also filled with cellulose acetate fibers. The first segment 25 is located on the smoking segment 20A side. The first segment 25 may have a hollow portion. The second segment 26 is located on the mouthpiece side. The second segment 26 is solid. The first segment 25 is composed of a first packing layer (cellulose acetate fibers) 25a and an inner plug wrapper 25b wrapped around the first packing layer 25a. The second segment 26 is composed of a second packing layer (cellulose acetate fibers) 26a and an inner plug wrapper 26b wrapped around the second packing layer 26a. The first segment 25 and the second segment 26 are connected by an outer plug wrapper 27. The outer plug wrapper 27 is adhered to the first segment 25 and the second segment 26 with a vinyl acetate emulsion adhesive or the like.

[0060] The length of the filter portion 20C can be, for example, 10 to 30 mm, the length of the connecting portion 20B can be, for example, 10 to 30 mm, the length of the first segment 25 can be, for example, 5 to 15 mm, and the length of the second segment 26 can be, for example, 5 to 15 mm. These lengths of the individual segments are merely examples and can be changed as appropriate depending on the manufacturability, required quality, the length of the smoking segment 20A, etc.

[0061] For example, the first segment 25 (center hole segment) is composed of a first packed layer 25a having one or more hollow portions and an inner plug wrapper 25b that covers the first packed layer 25a. The first segment 25 functions to increase the strength of the second segment 26. The first packed layer 25a of the first segment 25 is densely packed with, for example, cellulose acetate fibers. This cellulose acetate fiber is hardened by adding a plasticizer containing triacetin in an amount of, for example, 6 to 20% by mass relative to the mass of the cellulose acetate. The hollow portion of the first segment 25 has an inner diameter of, for example, 1.0 to 5.0 mm.

[0062] The first packed layer 25a of the first segment 25 may be configured, for example, with a relatively high fiber packing density, or may have a fiber packing density equivalent to that of the second packed layer 26a of the second segment 26, which will be described later. Therefore, during inhalation, air or aerosol flows only through the hollow portion, and almost no air or aerosol flows through the first packed layer 25a. For example, if it is desired to reduce the loss of aerosol components due to filtration in the second segment 26, the length of the second segment 26 can be shortened and the first segment 25 lengthened accordingly.

[0063] Replacing the shortened second segment 26 with the first segment 25 is effective in increasing the amount of aerosol component delivered. Because the first packed layer 25a of the first segment 25 is a fiber packed layer, the feel from the outside during use does not cause discomfort to the user.

[0064] The second segment 26 is composed of a second packed layer 26 a and an inner plug wrapper 26 b that covers the second packed layer 26 a. The second segment 26 (filter segment) is packed with cellulose acetate fibers at a typical density and has the ability to filter typical aerosol components.

[0065] The first segment 25 and the second segment 26 may have different filtering capabilities for filtering the aerosol (mainstream smoke) emitted from the smoking segment 20A. At least one of the first segment 25 and the second segment 26 may contain a flavoring. The filter portion 20C may have any structure, including multiple segments as described above, or may be composed of a single segment. The filter portion 20C may also be composed of a single segment. In this case, the filter portion 20C may be composed of either the first segment or the second segment.

[0066] The connecting portion 20B is cylindrical. The connecting portion 20B has a cardboard tube 23 formed into a cylindrical shape using, for example, cardboard. The connecting portion 20B may be filled with a cooling material for cooling the aerosol. Examples of the cooling material include a sheet of polymer such as polylactic acid, which can be folded and filled. Furthermore, a support portion may be provided between the smoking segment 20A and the connecting portion 20B to prevent the position of the smoking segment 20A from shifting. The support portion may be made of a known material, such as a center hole filter like the first segment 25.

[0067] The wrapper 28 is wrapped around the outside of the smoking segment 20A, connecting portion 20B, and filter portion 20C in a cylindrical shape, connecting them together. One surface (inner surface) of the wrapper 28 is coated entirely or almost entirely with a vinyl acetate emulsion adhesive, except for the area around the ventilation holes 24. The ventilation holes 24 are formed by laser processing from the outside after the smoking segment 20A, connecting portion 20B, and filter portion 20C have been integrated by the wrapper 28.

[0068] The air vent portion 24 has two or more through holes penetrating the connecting portion 20B in the thickness direction. The two or more through holes are formed so as to be radially arranged when viewed from an extension of the central axis of the flavor inhalation article 20. In this embodiment, the air vent portion 24 is provided in the connecting portion 20B, but may also be provided in the filter portion 20C. Furthermore, in this embodiment, the two or more through holes of the air vent portion 24 are arranged in a row at a fixed interval on one circular ring, but may also be arranged in two rows at a fixed interval on two circular rings, or one or two rows of the air vent portions 24 may be arranged discontinuously or irregularly. When a user holds the mouthpiece to their mouth and inhales, outside air is taken into the mainstream smoke through the air vent portion 24. However, the air vent portion 24 does not have to be provided.

[0069] An example of a non-combustion heating type smoking system is shown in Fig. 2. In the figure, the non-combustion heating type smoking system includes a non-combustion heating type flavor inhalation article 20 and a heating device (heating apparatus) 10 that heats the smoking segment 20A from the outside.

[0070] The heating device 10 comprises a body 11, a heater 12, a metal tube 13, a battery unit 14, and a control unit 15. The body 11 has a cylindrical recess 16, and the heater 12 and metal tube 13 are disposed in a position corresponding to the smoking segment 20A to be inserted therein. The heater 13 may be an electrical resistance heater, and is heated by power supplied from the battery unit 14 in response to instructions from the temperature-controlling control unit 15. The heat generated by the heater 12 is transferred to the smoking segment 20A through the metal tube 13, which has high thermal conductivity. While the figure shows a configuration in which the heating device 10 heats the smoking segment 20A from the outside, it may also heat from the inside. The heating temperature of the heating device 10 is not particularly limited, but is preferably 400°C or less, more preferably 150 to 400°C, and even more preferably 200 to 350°C. The heating temperature refers to the temperature of the heater of the heating device 10. The heating method used by the heating device 10 is not particularly limited, and in addition to the heating by the heater described above, induction heating, microwave heating, etc. can also be used.

[0071] The present invention will be experimentally explained by the following examples, but the following explanation is not intended to limit the scope of the present invention to the following examples.

[0072] (Preparation of First Tobacco Sheet) 100 g of flue-cured tobacco leaves (sugars: 18.7% by mass, amino acid components: 0.37% by mass) was used as the tobacco raw material. 8 g of wood pulp, 8 g of carboxymethyl cellulose, 20 g of glycerin, 12.5 g of an 80% fructose solution, and 400 g of water were added to and mixed with 100 g of the tobacco raw material to form a slurry. A tobacco sheet was produced using the resulting slurry based on a known casting method.

[0073] (Preparation of second tobacco sheet) 60 g of flue-cured tobacco leaves (sugars: 12.8% by mass, amino acid components: 0.62% by mass) and 40 g of air-cured tobacco leaves (sugars: 0.1% by mass, amino acid components: 0.78% by mass) were mixed to obtain a tobacco raw material. 100 g of the obtained tobacco raw material was mixed with 8 g of wood pulp, 8 g of carboxymethyl cellulose, 20 g of glycerin, and 400 g of water to form a slurry. The obtained slurry was used to produce a tobacco sheet based on a known casting method.

[0074] (Preparation of third tobacco sheet) 100 g of flue-cured tobacco leaves (sugars: 12.8% by mass, amino acid components: 0.42% by mass) was used as the tobacco raw material. 8 g of wood pulp, 8 g of carboxymethyl cellulose, 20 g of glycerin, and 400 g of water were added to and mixed with 100 g of the tobacco raw material to form a slurry. A tobacco sheet was produced using the resulting slurry based on a known casting method.

[0075] (Measurement of the Contents of Three Amino Acids and Trisaccharides) For each of the first to third tobacco sheets obtained as described above, the masses (g) of the three amino acids (aspartic acid, glutamic acid, and asparagine) and trisaccharides (glucose, fructose, and sucrose) were measured according to the following procedure and measurement method, and the contents (% by mass) of the three amino acids and trisaccharides in each tobacco sheet were calculated. Based on the contents (% by mass) of the three amino acids and trisaccharides calculated in this manner, the ratio of the mass% of the trisaccharides (the sum of glucose, fructose, and sucrose) to the mass% of the three amino acids (the sum of aspartic acid, glutamic acid, and asparagine) in each tobacco sheet (% by mass of trisaccharides / % by mass of three amino acids) was calculated. These results are shown in Table 1.

[0076] <Measurement Procedure and Conditions for the Content of Three Amino Acids> 2.0 g of each tobacco sheet (Nos. 1 to 3 tobacco sheets) was collected and placed in a rotary dryer. The sheet was dried at 80°C ± 1°C for 3 hours. The moisture content W (wt%) of each tobacco sheet was calculated from the weight loss. Using an absolute mill (ABS-W, manufactured by Osaka Chemical Co., Ltd.), 1.0 g of powder was prepared from 2.0 g of each tobacco sheet. 20 mL of extraction solvent (80% methanol (methanol:ultrapure water (manufactured by MiliQ) = 8:2)) was added to 1 g of the resulting powder, and the amino acids were extracted by ultrasonic treatment for 30 minutes to obtain an extract. The resulting extract was filtered through a 0.2 μm filter, and the filtered extract was analyzed directly by high-performance liquid chromatography as described below to quantify the concentration (mg / L) of the amino acid (aspartic acid, glutamic acid, or asparagine) in the extract. From these values, the mass percentage of each amino acid in each tobacco sheet was calculated on a dry weight basis using the following formula (1).

[0077] Analytical equipment: High-performance liquid chromatography diode array (DAD) detector (Agilent 1290) Column: Agilent ZORBAX Eclipse AAA Mobile phase A: 40 mM phosphate buffer Mobile phase B: 45% acetonitrile / 45% methanol aqueous solution Gradient: Yes

[0078]

[0079] <Procedure and Conditions for Measuring Trisaccharide Content> 2.0 g of each tobacco sheet (Nos. 1 to 3 tobacco sheets) was collected and placed in a rotary dryer. The dried sheets were placed at 80°C ± 1°C for 3 hours. The moisture content (W) (wt%) of each tobacco sheet was calculated from the weight loss. Using an absolute mill (ABS-W, manufactured by Osaka Chemical Co., Ltd.), 1.0 g of tobacco filler powder was prepared from 2.0 g of each tobacco sheet. 40 mL of extraction solvent (acetonitrile:ultrapure water (manufactured by MiliQ) = 1:1) was added to 1.0 g of the resulting powder, and the mixture was shaken at 100 rpm for 30 minutes to extract the sugars, yielding an extract. The resulting extract was filtered through a 0.45 μm filter, and the filtered extract was analyzed directly by high-performance liquid chromatography as described below to measure the concentration (mg / mL) of sugars (glucose, fructose, or sucrose) in the extract. From these values, the mass percentage of each sugar in each tobacco sheet was calculated on a dry weight basis using the following formula (2), and these were then summed to calculate the mass percentage of all three sugars (glucose, fructose, and sucrose).

[0080] Analytical equipment: High-performance liquid chromatography RI detector (JASCO) Column: HPLC NH2 column (Capcell PakNH2 UG80, Shiseido Co., Ltd.) Mobile phase: 75% acetonitrile (NeCN:distilled water=75:25)

[0081]

[0082]

[0083] (Examples 1 to 5, Comparative Examples 1 to 3) The first and second tobacco sheets were mixed in the mixing ratios shown in Table 2 so as to obtain the trisaccharide and three amino acid contents shown in Table 2, and the mixture was filled into cigarette paper (wrapper) to obtain each of the tobacco fillers (280 mg) of Examples 1 to 5. Furthermore, each of the first to third tobacco sheets was filled into cigarette paper (wrapper) to obtain each of the tobacco fillers (280 mg) of Comparative Examples 1 to 3. In each of the tobacco fillers of Examples 1 to 5 and Comparative Examples 1 to 3, the ratio of the mass % of trisaccharides (the sum of glucose, fructose, sucrose, etc.) to the mass % of the three amino acids (the sum of aspartic acid, glutamic acid, and asparagine) (mass % of trisaccharides / mass % of three amino acids) can be calculated as shown in Table 2.

[0084]

[0085] Conventionally, as in Comparative Examples 1 to 3 above, tobacco fillers have been produced using a single tobacco sheet having a predetermined trisaccharide content. Therefore, when changing the trisaccharide content of the tobacco filler to characterize the product, it was necessary to produce a separate tobacco sheet each time to match the trisaccharide content of each product. Therefore, from the perspectives of workload and production costs, it was difficult to flexibly change the trisaccharide content to characterize the product. On the other hand, it was found that by using multiple tobacco sheets with different trisaccharide contents, as in Examples 1 to 5 above, it was possible to flexibly change the trisaccharide content of the tobacco filler to characterize the product.

[0086] (Evaluation of Flavor and Flavor Taste Inhibition) The tobacco fillers of Examples 1 to 5 and Comparative Examples 1 to 3 obtained as described above were used as smoking segments (tobacco segments) to prepare non-combustion heating-type flavor inhalation articles as shown in FIG. 1 . Each of the non-combustion heating-type flavor inhalation articles thus obtained was placed in a non-combustion externally heated smoking system as shown in FIG. 2 . Ten well-trained panelists evaluated the flavor and flavor taste inhibition of each flavor inhalation article. Each panelist evaluated the flavor and flavor taste inhibition of each flavor inhalation article on a 10-point scale from 1 (weak, weak) to 10 (strong, strong), and calculated the average score of the 10 panelists. When the average value had a value of one decimal place, the score was calculated by rounding to the nearest decimal place. The flavor indicates the total amount of the heated flavor resulting from the above-mentioned sugar-amino acid reaction, and the flavor taste inhibition indicates the total amount of inhibition of the overall flavor. The flavor (X) and flavor / taste inhibition (Y) were evaluated, and an overall rating (XY) was calculated. A rating of 1 or more was considered acceptable.

[0087]

[0088] The results in Table 3 show that the tobacco fillers of Examples 1 to 5 were better rated than those of Comparative Examples 1 to 3 in terms of flavor and flavor-taste inhibition. The tobacco fillers of Examples 1 to 5 received higher ratings than those of Comparative Examples 1 to 3 in terms of overall evaluation, demonstrating that they were able to enhance flavor while suppressing flavor-taste inhibition. In particular, although the tobacco sheet of Example 3 and the tobacco sheet of Comparative Example 3 were similar in terms of the triamino acid content, trisaccharide content, and trisaccharide / triamino acid mass % ratio, the tobacco sheet of Example 3 was found to have a significantly higher overall evaluation than the tobacco sheet of Comparative Example 3. Furthermore, a comparison of the results of Examples 1 to 5 revealed that the tobacco sheet of Example 3, in which the mass ratio of the first tobacco sheet to the second tobacco sheet was 50:50, was particularly excellent in overall evaluation. Meanwhile, the tobacco filler of Comparative Example 1 had a weak flavor and a strong flavor-taste inhibition, while the tobacco filler of Comparative Example 2 had a strong flavor but a strong flavor-taste inhibition. It is presumed that the trisaccharides and triamino acids were appropriately controlled and the flavor quality was improved by mixing two types of tobacco sheets with different ratios of trisaccharides and triamino acids in the tobacco fillers of Examples 1 to 5. From the above, it was found that by mixing tobacco sheets with different trisaccharide and triamino acid contents, it is possible to adjust the flavor and the perceived flavor inhibition, thereby enabling the product to be characterized.

[0089] As described above, the tobacco filler of the present invention allows for flexible changes in the trisaccharide / triamino acid mass percentage ratio in the form of a tobacco sheet. In addition, in some cases, the tobacco filler of the present invention allows for flexible changes in the trisaccharide / triamino acid mass percentage ratio, and also allows for control of flavor according to the characteristics of the product.

[0090] REFERENCE SIGNS LIST 10 Heating device 11 Body 12 Heater 13 Metal tube 14 Battery unit 15 Control unit 16 Recess 17 Ventilation hole 20 Non-combustion heating flavor inhalation article 20A Smoking segment 20B Connecting portion 20C Filter portion 21 Smoking composition sheet or material derived therefrom 22 Wrapper 23 Paper tube 24 Ventilation hole portion 25 First segment 25a First filling layer 25b Inner plug wrapper 26 Second segment 26a Second filling layer 26b Inner plug wrapper 27 Outer plug wrapper 28 Wrapper

Claims

1. A tobacco filler comprising: a first tobacco sheet, a second tobacco sheet, or a combination thereof; The first tobacco sheet and the second tobacco sheet are a trisaccharide selected from the group consisting of glucose, fructose, sucrose, and mixtures thereof; Three amino acids selected from the group consisting of aspartic acid, glutamic acid, asparagine, and mixtures thereof Including, the ratio of the mass % of the trisaccharide to the mass % of the triamino acids in the first tobacco sheet (mass % of trisaccharide / mass % of triamino acids) is 50 or more; the ratio of the mass % of the trisaccharide to the mass % of the triamino acids in the second tobacco sheet (mass % of trisaccharide / mass % of triamino acids) is 20 or less; The tobacco filler.

2. The tobacco filler according to claim 1 , comprising the first tobacco sheet and the second tobacco sheet.

3. 3. The tobacco filler according to claim 2, wherein a mass ratio of the first tobacco sheet to the second tobacco sheet is 5:95 to 95:

5.

4. A tobacco filling material as described in claim 1 or 2, wherein the ratio of the mass % of the trisaccharide to the mass % of the triamino acids (mass % of trisaccharide / mass % of triamino acids) is 15 to 50, based on the entire tobacco filling material.

5. The tobacco filler according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the first tobacco sheet or the second tobacco sheet further contains 1 to 8% by mass of malic acid.

6. The tobacco filler according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the first tobacco sheet or the second tobacco sheet further comprises an aerosol-generating agent.

7. A flavor inhalation article comprising the tobacco filler according to claim 1 or 2.

8. The flavor inhalation article according to claim 7, which is a non-combustion heating type flavor inhalation article.

9. A method for producing the tobacco filler according to claim 1 or 2, A method for producing the tobacco filler, comprising a step of combining the first tobacco sheet and the second tobacco sheet.