Flavor inhalation article and flavor inhalation system

Abstract

A flavor inhalation article (200) having a columnar shape and provided with: a tip plug (210) that is positioned at one end of the flavor inhalation article (200) and comprises a first filter material (211) and an aroma chemical composition carried on the first filter material (211), the aroma chemical composition comprising hydroxypropyl cellulose and a first aroma chemical; a filter plug (250) that is positioned at the other end of the flavor inhalation article (200) and comprises a second filter material (251); and a flavor generation part (220) that is positioned between the tip plug (210) and the filter plug (250) and comprises a flavor source (221).

Description

Flavor inhalation article and flavor inhalation system

[0001] The present invention relates to a flavor inhalation article and a flavor inhalation system.

[0002] In recent years, heated flavor inhalers that provide users with tobacco flavor by heating a tobacco filler without burning it have been used instead of combustion-type flavor inhalers for cigarettes and the like. The heated flavor inhalers include a tobacco filler together with an aerosol source. When the tobacco filler is heated in the heated flavor inhaler, the moisture in the tobacco filler and the aerosol source vaporize, and tobacco flavor components migrate from the tobacco filler into the vapor, generating an aerosol (hereinafter also referred to as tobacco vapor).

[0003] A typical example of a heated flavor inhaler is an electrically heated flavor inhaler that includes a flavor inhalation article including a tobacco filler and a wrapper wrapped around the tobacco filler, and a heating device for electrically heating the flavor inhalation article (see Patent Document 1).

[0004] International Publication No. 2010 / 110226

[0005] An object of the present invention is to provide a technology that can stably release a flavor throughout the inhalation period of a flavor inhalation article.

[0006] According to a first aspect, there is provided a columnar flavor inhalation article comprising: a tip plug located at one end of the flavor inhalation article and including a first filter material and a flavor composition supported on the first filter material, the flavor composition including hydroxypropyl cellulose and a first flavor; a filter plug located at the other end of the flavor inhalation article and including a second filter material; and a flavor generating section located between the tip plug and the filter plug and including a flavor source.

[0007] According to a second aspect, there is provided a flavor inhalation system including: the flavor inhalation article according to the first aspect; and a heating device including a heater that heats the flavor inhalation article.

[0008] According to the present invention, a technology can be provided that can stably release a flavor throughout the inhalation period of a flavor inhalation article.

[0009] FIG. 1 is a schematic side cross-sectional view showing an example of a tobacco stick. FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view showing an example of a tip plug. FIG. 3 is a schematic view showing an example of a first filter material. FIG. 4 is an exploded perspective view showing another example of a tobacco stick. FIG. 5 is an exploded perspective view showing another example of a tobacco stick. FIG. 6A is a schematic front view showing an example of an aerosol generating device. FIG. 6B is a schematic top view of the aerosol generating device shown in FIG. 6A. FIG. 6C is a schematic bottom view of the aerosol generating device shown in FIG. 6A. FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view taken along line III-III of the aerosol generating device shown in FIG. 6B. FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view showing the positional relationship between the heating element of the aerosol generating device and the tobacco stick. FIG. 9 is a graph showing the relationship between the number of puffs and the menthol amount. FIG. 10 is a graph showing the relationship between the number of puffs and the menthol amount.

[0010] The present invention will be described below based on embodiments. The following description is intended to explain the present invention in detail and is not intended to limit the present invention. The embodiments described below are more specific embodiments of any of the above aspects or any of the inventions described in the claims as originally filed. The following features can be incorporated singly or in combination with each other into each of the above aspects or each of the inventions described in the claims as originally filed.

[0011] Furthermore, the embodiments shown below are merely examples of configurations for embodying the technical idea of ​​the present invention, and the technical idea of ​​the present invention does not limit the materials, shapes, structures, etc. of the components to those described below. The technical idea of ​​the present invention can be modified in various ways within the technical scope defined by the claims.

[0012] [1] Flavor Inhalation Article Flavor inhalation articles used in conventional heated flavor inhalers tend to release a reduced amount of flavor as the number of puffs increases. In contrast, the present inventors discovered that by placing a tip plug on the tip side of the flavor inhalation article (i.e., the side opposite the mouthpiece) and supporting a flavor in combination with a specific flavor retention agent on the filter material of the tip plug, a larger amount of flavor can be released in the latter half of the inhalation period, leading to the completion of the present invention.

[0013] That is, the flavor inhalation article according to the embodiment has a columnar shape and includes a tip plug located at one end of the flavor inhalation article and including a first filter material and a fragrance composition supported on the first filter material, the fragrance composition including hydroxypropyl cellulose and a first fragrance; a filter plug located at the other end of the flavor inhalation article and including a second filter material; and a flavor generating section located between the tip plug and the filter plug and including a flavor source.

[0014] In this specification, the flavor inhalation article described above, which contains a tobacco flavor source as a flavor source, is also referred to as a “tobacco stick.” An example of a tobacco stick will be described below with reference to FIG.

[0015] 1 , the tobacco stick 200 includes, in order from the tip side (i.e., the side opposite the mouthpiece), a tip plug 210, a flavor generating section 220, a hollow tube section 230, a hollow filter section 240, and a filter plug 250. These five components are connected by a second wrapper 270.

[0016] 1 , it is preferable that the tip plug 210 is in contact with the flavor generating portion 220, and the filter plug 250 is spaced apart from the flavor generating portion 220. When the tip plug 210 is in contact with the flavor generating portion 220, it is easy to cause the flavor to be released from the flavor generating portion 220 and the flavor to be released from the tip plug 210 successively when the tobacco stick 200 is inhaled. Furthermore, when the filter plug 250 is spaced apart from the flavor generating portion 220, the aerosol generated from the tip plug 210 and the flavor generating portion 220 due to heating of the tobacco stick 200 is easy to cool while being transported to the filter plug 250.

[0017] The tobacco stick 200 has a columnar shape extending in one direction. Preferably, the tobacco stick 200 has a cylindrical shape extending in one direction. The tobacco stick 200 has a length of, for example, 50 to 100 mm. When the tobacco stick 200 has a cylindrical shape, it has a diameter of, for example, 4 to 10 mm. The tip plug 210 has a length of, for example, 5 to 20 mm, the flavor generating section 220 has a length of, for example, 5 to 20 mm, the hollow tube section 230 has a length of, for example, 10 to 30 mm, the hollow filter section 240 has a length of, for example, 5 to 15 mm, and the filter plug 250 has a length of, for example, 5 to 15 mm. The lengths of these individual components can be changed as appropriate depending on manufacturing suitability, required quality, and the like.

[0018] Each component will be described below in order.

[0019] 1 , the tip plug 210 is located at the tip of the tobacco stick 200. The tip plug 210 comprises a first filter medium 211 and a first inner plug wrap 212 that wraps around the first filter medium 211. The tip plug 210 further comprises a flavor composition supported on the first filter medium 211, and the flavor composition includes hydroxypropyl cellulose and a first flavoring.

[0020] The first filter medium 211 may be made of any material that is generally usable as a filter medium for flavor inhalation articles, such as paper, plastic film, cellulose acetate, nonwoven fabric, etc. The first filter medium 211 is preferably paper.

[0021] The paper used as a paper filter for a flavor inhalation article can be used as the first filter medium 211. The paper used as the first filter medium 211 has a thickness of, for example, 20 to 1500 μm and a basis weight of, for example, 20 to 50 g / m ２The paper used as first filter medium 211 preferably has a rectangular shape, in which case one side can have a length approximately equal to the length of tip plug 210, and the other side can have a length of 100 to 300 mm. Although the thickness, basis weight, and size of the paper used as first filter medium 211 have been described, these values ​​refer to the values ​​for the paper before it is subjected to a shaping process (such as pleating). When first filter medium 211 is made of a material other than paper and has a sheet shape, such first filter medium 211 can have the same thickness and size as paper.

[0022] The first filter material 211 does not contain tobacco materials such as tobacco shreds or sheet tobacco.

[0023] FIG. 2 shows an example of a tip plug 210. In FIG. 2, the tip plug 210 includes a first filter medium 211 and a first inner plug wrap 212 around which the first filter medium 211 is wrapped. Here, the first filter medium 211 is formed from a sheet shaped like a corrugated plate and folded in the direction of the waves. As described above, this sheet is preferably paper. FIG. 3 schematically shows the sheet before folding, i.e., the sheet shaped like a corrugated plate (hereinafter referred to as a corrugated sheet). The corrugated sheet has ridges 211a and valleys 211b arranged alternately.

[0024] The thickness of the corrugated sheet (i.e., the sheet after shaping) can be measured as follows, even after the corrugated sheet is incorporated into the tip plug 210 as the first filter medium 211: Measuring equipment: KEYENCE VHX-8000, VHX-H5M (accessory equipment for 3D shape measurement) Measurement method: The end face of the tip plug is fixed to a base so that the end face is directly upward, and observed with a microscope Measurement magnification: 80x The thickness of the corrugated sheet is approximately the same as the thickness of the sheet before shaping. Therefore, the thickness of the corrugated sheet is, for example, 20 to 1500 μm.

[0025] The corrugated sheet has a wave (i.e., pleat) pitch of, for example, 0.4 to 1.6 mm, preferably 0.6 to 1.0 mm. The wave pitch refers to the average distance between adjacent pleats when the pleats of the corrugated sheet are stretched out flat.

[0026] Corrugated sheets can be prepared by subjecting a film to a known process for forming bellows-like pleats. Such a process is also known as pleating, crimping, or creping. For example, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 9-294577 discloses a process for forming pleats on a raw sheet of tobacco paper filters by passing it between a pair of pleating rollers.

[0027] In Fig. 3, the wave shape of the corrugated sheet is shown as a triangular wave, but the wave shape is not limited to this and may be a sine wave, a rectangular wave, etc. When the wave shape is a triangular wave or a sine wave, the wave pitch can be the average value of the distance between the peaks of adjacent ridges 211a. When the wave shape is a rectangular wave, the wave pitch can be the average value of the distance between the centers of adjacent ridges 211a.

[0028] When this corrugated sheet is folded in the direction of the waves (i.e., direction D shown in Figure 3) to form a cylindrical shape as a whole, the first filter medium 211 shown in Figure 2 is formed. At this time, the ridges 211a and valleys 211b of the corrugated sheet form multiple air flow passages extending in the length direction of the first filter medium 211.

[0029] In this way, when first filter medium 211 is formed from a sheet shaped like a corrugated plate and folded in the direction of the waves, the surface area of ​​first filter medium 211 contained in tip plug 210 can be increased, thereby increasing the amount of fragrance composition supported by first filter medium 211. As a result, it is possible to increase the amount of fragrance released from tip plug 210. Furthermore, when this corrugated sheet is paper, it has the advantage of having deadhold properties (i.e., the ability to maintain a folded structure when subjected to deformation by folding).

[0030] The first inner plug wrap 212 around which the first filter medium 211 is wrapped can be the same as the plug wrap used in cigarettes.

[0031] The flavor composition supported on the first filter medium 211 contains hydroxypropyl cellulose and a first flavoring. Hydroxypropyl cellulose functions as a flavor retention agent. That is, hydroxypropyl cellulose plays a role in stably retaining the first flavoring without volatilizing it when the tobacco stick 200 is stored, and a role in stably releasing the first flavoring when the tobacco stick 200 is used (i.e., when heated).

[0032] The first flavoring is a substance that provides a scent or flavor. The first flavoring may be a natural flavoring or a synthetic flavoring. The first flavoring may be a single flavoring or a mixture of multiple flavorings. The first flavoring may be any flavoring used in tobacco products in combination with tobacco filler. Examples of the first flavoring include synthetic flavorings such as menthol, jasmonate, maltol, β-ionone, citral, ethyl butyrate, and undecalactone; essential oils such as mint oil, orange oil, styrax, and green tea extract; oleoresins such as vanilla oleoresin; plant extracts such as tobacco extract; or combinations thereof. The first flavoring is preferably menthol. The first flavoring may be included in the flavoring composition in an amount that provides a user with a pleasant scent or flavor.

[0033] Preferably, the fragrance composition further comprises a first aerosol source. The first aerosol source is a liquid that generates vapor when heated to a predetermined temperature. Examples of the first aerosol source include glycerin, propylene glycol, triacetin, 1,3-butanediol, and mixtures thereof. Preferably, the first aerosol source comprises glycerin. The first aerosol source may consist of glycerin.

[0034] The composition of the fragrance composition may be, for example, 2 to 40% by mass of hydroxypropyl cellulose, 8 to 98% by mass of menthol, 0 to 90% by mass of glycerin, and 0 to 60% by mass of propylene glycol.

[0035] For example, the fragrance composition can be supported on the first filter medium 211 by applying a liquid composition containing hydroxypropyl cellulose and a first fragrance to the first filter medium 211 and drying the first filter medium 211 to which the liquid composition has been applied. As described above, the liquid composition may further include a first aerosol source. The liquid composition may also include a solvent such as ethanol. The liquid composition can be applied to the first filter medium 211 by, for example, coating or spraying. Drying can be performed, for example, by leaving the first filter medium 211 to which the liquid composition has been applied at room temperature (e.g., 15 to 25°C).

[0036] Therefore, the fragrance composition is a dry composition, i.e., a solid composition, formed on the first filter medium 211. The drying may be carried out until the liquid composition becomes visually solid, and the liquid, such as the solvent, may be completely removed or may remain partially.

[0037] The first aerosol source (e.g., glycerin) may be supported on the first filter medium 211 by preparing the above-mentioned liquid composition containing the first aerosol source in advance and applying it to the first filter medium 211, or may be supported on the first filter medium 211 by applying it separately from the above-mentioned liquid composition. For example, the first aerosol source may be supported on the first filter medium 211 by drying the above-mentioned liquid composition to form a fragrance composition and then applying it on top of the fragrance composition. Alternatively, the first aerosol source may be supported on the first filter medium 211 by applying it to an area of ​​the first filter medium 211 different from the area to which the above-mentioned liquid composition has been applied.

[0038] [Flavor Generating Section] The flavor generating section 220 is disposed adjacent to and downstream of the tip plug 210. The flavor generating section 220 includes a flavor source 221 and a first wrapper 222 around which the flavor source 221 is wrapped. The first wrapper 222 may be the same as the wrapper used to wrap a tobacco filler material in a cigarette.

[0039] The flavor source 221 is, for example, tobacco filler, which contains tobacco leaves and releases tobacco flavor when heated. Tobacco leaves refer to dried tobacco leaves ready to be incorporated into a tobacco product.

[0040] Preferably, the tobacco filler is a plurality of molded bodies each containing tobacco leaves. The plurality of molded bodies are, for example, shredded sheet tobacco. Sheet tobacco refers to a molded body formed into a sheet from tobacco materials such as tobacco scraps and shredded tobacco generated at raw material factories and manufacturing factories. The plurality of molded bodies are preferably shredded sheet tobacco obtained by cutting sheet tobacco into strips. That is, the plurality of molded bodies preferably each have a shape that extends in the longitudinal direction of the flavor generating section 220. In this case, each of the molded bodies has a width of, for example, 0.5 to 1.5 mm and a length of, for example, 1 to 20 mm.

[0041] Alternatively, the tobacco filler may be a single sheet of tobacco. For example, a single sheet of tobacco may be folded accordion-like and packed into the first trumpet 222, or may be wound spirally and packed into the first trumpet 222. When a single sheet of tobacco is used as the tobacco filler, it is preferable that the length of the sheet tobacco when packed into the first trumpet 222 is equal to the length of the flavor generating section 220.

[0042] The flavor source 221 may include a polysaccharide-based flavor-containing sheet in addition to the tobacco filler. The flavor-containing sheet is a sheet in which a flavor is encapsulated in a polysaccharide gel and is known in the art. The flavor-containing sheet contains the flavor while being coated with polysaccharide, and therefore can exhibit high storage stability of the flavor. The flavor-containing sheet may be cut to a size equivalent to the tobacco filler and mixed with the tobacco filler, or may be placed inside or outside the first wrapper 222 to encase the tobacco filler.

[0043] The flavor generating unit 220 may further include a second flavoring in addition to the flavor source. The flavor generating unit 220 may further include a second flavoring of the same type as the first flavoring described above in addition to the flavor source. The first flavoring is the flavor contained in the tip plug 210, as described above. For example, if the tip plug 210 contains menthol as the first flavoring, the flavor generating unit 220 may contain menthol in addition to the flavor source.

[0044] When the flavor generating section 220 contains a second flavoring of the same type as the first flavoring contained in the tip plug 210, it is preferable that the "amount of the first flavoring per unit length of the tip plug 210" is greater than the "amount of the second flavoring per unit length of the flavor generating section 220." In such a configuration, a sufficient amount of the first flavoring contained in the tip plug 210 can be released even in the latter half of the inhalation period of the tobacco stick 200. This allows the flavoring to be released stably without a decrease in the amount of flavoring released even when the number of puffs increases.

[0045] Alternatively, the flavor generating section 220 may not contain a second flavoring of the same type as the first flavoring. In this case, too, the first flavoring contained in the tip plug 210 can be released in a sufficient amount even in the latter half of the inhalation period of the tobacco stick 200. This allows the flavoring to be released stably without decreasing the amount of flavoring released even when the number of puffs increases.

[0046] To summarize the above, the flavor generating section 220 optionally contains a second flavoring of the same type as the first flavoring (i.e., the flavor generating section 220 may or may not contain a second flavoring of the same type as the first flavoring), and it is preferable that the "amount of the first flavoring per unit length of the tip plug 210" is greater than the "amount of the second flavoring per unit length of the flavor generating section 220."

[0047] For example, when the first flavoring and the second flavoring are menthol, the "amount of the first flavoring per unit length of the tip plug 210" is, for example, more than 0 mg / mm and not more than 5 mg / mm, preferably 1.0 to 4.5 mg / mm, and more preferably 1.5 to 4.0 mg / mm, and the "amount of the second flavoring per unit length of the flavor generating section 220" is, for example, 0 to 1.0 mg / mm, and preferably 0 to 0.9 mg / mm.

[0048] The second fragrance, like the first fragrance, may be supported on the flavor source of the flavor generating unit 220 in the form of a fragrance composition containing hydroxypropyl cellulose and the second fragrance, or may be incorporated into the flavor generating unit 220 in the form of a fragrance alone (i.e., not combined with a fragrance retaining agent such as hydroxypropyl cellulose).

[0049] Alternatively, the second flavor may be contained in the flavor-generating section 220 as a mixture of the above-mentioned flavor composition and the flavor alone. A second flavor in the form of a flavor alone is more likely to be released in the early stage of the inhalation period of the tobacco stick 200 than a second flavor in the form of a flavor composition. Therefore, when the second flavor is contained in the flavor-generating section 220 as the above-mentioned mixture, much of the second flavor in the form of a flavor alone is released in the early stage of the inhalation period of the tobacco stick 200, followed by much of the second flavor in the form of a flavor composition, and then much of the first flavor contained in the tip plug 210 is released in the latter half of the inhalation period. As a result, the flavor can be released stably throughout the entire inhalation period.

[0050] The flavor generating section 220 may further include a second aerosol source in addition to the tobacco filler material. The second aerosol source may be the same type as the first aerosol source described above, or may be a different type. As described above, the first aerosol source is the aerosol source included in the tip plug 210. Like the first aerosol source, the second aerosol source is a liquid that generates vapor when heated to a predetermined temperature. Examples of the second aerosol source include glycerin, propylene glycol, triacetin, 1,3-butanediol, and mixtures thereof. Preferably, the second aerosol source includes glycerin. The second aerosol source may be composed of glycerin.

[0051] [Hollow Tube Section] The hollow tube section 230 is disposed adjacent to and downstream of the flavor generating section 220. According to one example, the hollow tube section 230 is a cardboard tube formed by rolling cardboard into a cylindrical shape, and the inside is hollow. According to another example, the hollow tube section 230 may be a filter (center hole filter) in which a center hole is formed through the center of the cross section of a cylindrical cellulose acetate fiber bundle.

[0052] The hollow tube portion 230 can cool the aerosol generated from the tip plug 210 and the flavor generating portion 220 by heating the tobacco stick 200. The hollow tube portion 230 may be omitted.

[0053] Furthermore, although not shown, an opening (air inlet hole) may be provided in the hollow tube portion 230 to take in air from the outside in order to appropriately adjust the airflow resistance of the tobacco stick 200. The air inlet hole can be provided, for example, at a position within 10 mm from the downstream end of the hollow tube portion 230. The proportion of air flowing in through the air inlet hole is, for example, 30 to 80%, and preferably 40 to 70%.

[0054] [Hollow Filter Section] The hollow filter section 240 is disposed adjacent to the hollow tube section 230 on the downstream side. The hollow filter section 240 includes a third filter medium 241 and a third inner plug wrap 242 around which the third filter medium 241 is wound. The third inner plug wrap 242 may be the same as the plug wrap used in cigarettes. The third inner plug wrap 242 may be omitted.

[0055] The third filter medium 241 is made up of densely packed fibers and has one or more channels (hollow portions). Each of the one or more channels extends in the length direction (hereinafter referred to as the longitudinal direction) of the tobacco stick 200. Therefore, when the tobacco stick 200 is inhaled, air and aerosol flow only through the channels, and hardly any of them flows through the gaps between the fibers.

[0056] In the tobacco stick 200, when it is desired to reduce the loss of aerosol components due to filtration by the filter plug 250 described below, the length of the filter plug 250 may be shortened and replaced with a hollow filter portion 240. Replacing a portion of the filter plug 250 with the hollow filter portion 240 is effective for increasing the amount of aerosol delivered. Alternatively, the hollow filter portion 240 may be omitted.

[0057] [Filter Plug] The filter plug 250 is located at the end of the tobacco stick 200 on the mouth side. The filter plug 250 comprises a second filter medium 251 and a second inner plug wrap 252 around which the second filter medium 251 is wound. The second inner plug wrap 252 can be the same as the plug wrap used in cigarettes. The airflow resistance of the filter plug 250 is, for example, 0 to 50 mmH ２ 0, preferably 10 to 30 mmH ２ It is O.

[0058] The second filter material 251 may be any filter material that is generally usable as a filter material on the mouthpiece side of a flavor inhalation article, such as cellulose acetate.

[0059] The hollow filter portion 240 and the filter plug 250 are connected by an outer plug wrap 260. The outer plug wrap 260 can be the same as the outer plug wrap used to connect the filter segments of a multi-segment filter in a cigarette.

[0060] 1, the above-mentioned components (i.e., the tip plug 210, the flavor generating section 220, the hollow tube section 230, and the connection between the hollow filter section 240 and the filter plug 250) are connected by a second wrapper 270. In Fig. 1, the second wrapper 270 is wound so as to cover the entire components other than the tip plug 210 and a portion of the tip plug 210, leaving the tip plug 210 exposed at the upstream end. Alternatively, the second wrapper 270 may be wound so as to cover the entire components including the tip plug 210, leaving the tip plug 210 not exposed at the upstream end.

[0061] The same tipping paper as that used in cigarettes can be used as the second wrapper 270. A lip release agent may be applied to the outer surface of the second wrapper 270 near the end on the filter plug 250 side, to make it easier for the user to release their lips from the second wrapper 270. The portion to which the lip release agent is applied functions as the mouthpiece of the tobacco stick 200.

[0062] (Method of connecting components) Figure 1 shows an example in which five components (i.e., tip plug 210, flavor generating section 220, hollow tube section 230, hollow filter section 240, and filter plug 250) are connected using outer plug wrap 260 and second wrapper 270, but the method of connecting the five components is not limited to this example.

[0063] Another example of how components are connected will be described with reference to Figures 4 and 5. Figures 4 and 5 are exploded perspective views showing another example of a tobacco stick. In Figures 4 and 5, elements that have the same or similar functions as the components of the tobacco stick shown in Figure 1 are given the same reference numerals, and duplicated descriptions will be omitted. In Figures 4 and 5, gaps are provided between components and adjacent components to make the connection easier to see, but in an actual tobacco stick, components are adjacent to each other with no gaps.

[0064] In the tobacco stick 200 shown in FIG. 4 , the five components are connected using an outer plug wrap 280, an outer plug wrap 260, and a second wrapper 270. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 4 , the outer plug wrap 280 connects the tip plug 210 and the flavor generating section 220 by wrapping them together so as to cover them entirely. This connected body is referred to as a first connected body 285. Furthermore, the outer plug wrap 260 connects the hollow filter section 240 and the filter plug 250 by wrapping them together so as to cover them entirely. This connected body is referred to as a second connected body 265. Furthermore, the second wrapper 270 connects the first connected body 285 to the hollow tube section 230 and the second connected body 265. Here, the second wrapper 270 covers the entire hollow tube section 230 and the second connected body 265, as well as a portion of the first connected body 285, and exposes the first connected body 285 at its upstream end. The five components may be connected in a configuration as shown in Fig. 4. In Fig. 4, the outer plug wrap 280 covers the downstream end of the flavor-generating section 220, but the flavor-generating section 220 may not be covered to the downstream end, leaving the downstream end exposed.

[0065] In the tobacco stick 200 shown in Fig. 5 , the five components are connected using an outer plug wrap 280, an outer plug wrap 260, and a second wrapper 270. Specifically, as shown in Fig. 5 , the outer plug wrap 280 connects the tip plug 210, the flavor generating section 220, and the hollow tube section 230. Here, the outer plug wrap 280 is wrapped around the tip plug 210 and the flavor generating section 220 so as to cover the entirety thereof, as well as a portion of the hollow tube section 230. This connected body is referred to as a first connected body 285. Furthermore, the outer plug wrap 260 connects the hollow filter section 240 and the filter plug 250 by wrapping around them so as to cover the entirety thereof. This connected body is referred to as a second connected body 265. Furthermore, the second wrapper 270 connects the first connected body 285 and the second connected body 265. Here, the second wrapper 270 covers the entire second connecting body 265 and a portion of the first connecting body 285, leaving the first connecting body 285 exposed at the upstream end. Five components may be connected in the configuration shown in Fig. 5. Note that in Fig. 5, the outer plug wrap 280 does not cover the downstream end of the hollow tubular portion 230, leaving the hollow tubular portion 230 exposed at the downstream end, but it may cover the hollow tubular portion 230 all the way to the downstream end.

[0066] (Effects) As described above, the flavor inhalation article of the present invention includes a tip plug upstream of a flavor generating section containing a flavor source, and this tip plug includes a first filter material and a flavor composition supported on the first filter material, the flavor composition including hydroxypropyl cellulose and a first flavor. In conventional flavor inhalation articles that do not include a tip plug, the amount of flavor released from the flavor source decreases as the number of puffs increases, whereas the flavor inhalation article of the present invention can release the flavor derived from the tip plug in the latter half of the inhalation period. As a result, the flavor inhalation article of the present invention can stably release the flavor throughout the inhalation period.

[0067] Furthermore, since the flavor inhalation article of the present invention carries a flavor composition on the first filter material of the tip plug, the amount of flavor source used can be reduced compared to conventional flavor inhalation articles that do not have a tip plug.

[0068] [2] Flavor inhalation system The tobacco stick 200 described above can be combined with a heating device to form a flavor inhalation system. That is, according to another aspect, there is provided a flavor inhalation system comprising: the flavor inhalation article described above; and a heating device including a heater that heats the flavor inhalation article.

[0069] An example of a flavor inhalation system will be described below with reference to Figures 6A, 6B, 6C, and 7. In this example, the flavor inhalation system is composed of an aerosol generating device 100 and a tobacco stick 200. The aerosol generating device 100 is an example of a heating device.

[0070] Fig. 6A is a schematic front view of an example of an aerosol generating device. Fig. 6B is a schematic top view of the aerosol generating device shown in Fig. 6A. Fig. 6C is a schematic bottom view of the aerosol generating device shown in Fig. 6A. Fig. 7 is a cross-sectional view taken along line III-III of the aerosol generating device shown in Fig. 6B.

[0071] For ease of explanation, the drawings may include an X-Y-Z Cartesian coordinate system. In this coordinate system, the Z axis faces vertically upward, the X-Y plane is positioned so as to cut the aerosol generation device 100 horizontally, and the Y axis is positioned so as to extend from the front to the back of the aerosol generation device 100. The Z axis can also be referred to as the insertion direction of the tobacco stick housed in the cylindrical body 150 of the atomization unit 130 (described later), or the axial direction of the cylindrical body 150. The X axis is a direction perpendicular to the Y axis and the Z axis, and the X axis and the Y axis can also be referred to as the radial direction perpendicular to the axial direction of the cylindrical body 150, or the radial direction of the cylindrical body 150.

[0072] The aerosol generating device 100 is configured to generate aerosol containing a flavor by heating the tobacco stick 200.

[0073] As shown in FIGS. 6A to 6C , the aerosol generating device 100 includes an outer housing 101 (corresponding to an example of a housing), a slide cover 102, and a switch unit 103. The outer housing 101 constitutes the outermost housing of the aerosol generating device 100 and is sized to fit in a user's hand. When using the flavor inhalation system, a user can hold the aerosol generating device 100 in their hand and inhale the aerosol. The outer housing 101 may be formed by assembling multiple components. The outer housing 101 may be made of resin, for example, and in particular, may be formed of polycarbonate (PC), ABS (Acrylonitrile-Butadiene-Styrene) resin, PEEK (Polyetheretherketone), a polymer alloy containing multiple types of polymers, or a metal such as aluminum.

[0074] The outer housing 101 has an opening (not shown) for receiving a tobacco stick, and the sliding cover 102 is slidably attached to the outer housing 101 to close this opening. Specifically, the sliding cover 102 is configured to be movable along the outer surface of the outer housing 101 between a closed position (position shown in FIGS. 6A and 6B ) in which the opening of the outer housing 101 is closed, and an open position (position shown in FIG. 7 ) in which the opening is open. For example, a user can manually operate the sliding cover 102 to move the sliding cover 102 between the closed position and the open position. This allows or restricts access of tobacco sticks to the inside of the aerosol generation device 100.

[0075] The switch unit 103 is used to switch the operation of the aerosol generating device 100 on and off. For example, a user can insert a tobacco stick into the aerosol generating device 100 and operate the switch unit 103 to supply power from a power source (see reference numeral 121 in FIG. 7 ) to a heating element (see reference numeral 140 in FIG. 7 ), thereby heating the tobacco stick without burning it. The switch unit 103 may be a switch provided outside the outer housing 101, or may be a switch located inside the outer housing 101. When the switch is located inside the outer housing 101, the switch is indirectly pressed by pressing the switch unit 103 on the surface of the outer housing 101. In this example, an example in which the switch of the switch unit 103 is located inside the outer housing 101 will be described.

[0076] The aerosol generating device 100 may further include a terminal (not shown). The terminal may be an interface for connecting the aerosol generating device 100 to, for example, an external power source. If the power source of the aerosol generating device 100 is a rechargeable battery, connecting the external power source to the terminal allows the external power source to pass current through the power source and charge the power source. In addition, connecting a data transmission cable to the terminal may allow data related to the operation of the aerosol generating device 100 to be transmitted to an external device.

[0077] The tobacco stick used in the aerosol generating device 100 refers to the tobacco stick 200 described above in the section “[1] Flavor inhalation article.”

[0078] Next, the internal structure of the aerosol generating device 100 will be described. FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view of the aerosol generating device 100 taken along line III-III in FIG. 6B. As shown in FIG. 7, an inner housing 110 (corresponding to an example of a housing) is provided inside the outer housing 101 of the aerosol generating device 100. The inner housing 110 is made of, for example, a resin, particularly polycarbonate (PC), ABS (Acrylonitrile-Butadiene-Styrene) resin, PEEK (Polyetheretherketone), a polymer alloy containing multiple types of polymers, or a metal such as aluminum. From the viewpoints of heat resistance and strength, the inner housing 110 is preferably made of PEEK. A power supply unit 120 and an atomization unit 130 are provided in the internal space of the inner housing 110.

[0079] The power supply unit 120 has a power supply 121. The power supply 121 may be, for example, a rechargeable battery or a non-rechargeable battery. The power supply 121 is electrically connected to the atomizing unit 130. This allows the power supply 121 to supply power to the atomizing unit 130 so as to appropriately heat the tobacco stick 200.

[0080] As shown in FIG. 7 , the atomization unit 130 has a metallic cylindrical body 150 extending in the insertion direction (Z-axis direction) of the tobacco stick 200, a heating element 140 covering a portion of the cylindrical body 150, a heat insulating unit 132, and a substantially cylindrical insertion guide member 134 that abuts against the opening of the cylindrical body 150.

[0081] The cylindrical body 150 is configured to surround the periphery of the tobacco stick 200. The heating element 140 is generally cylindrical overall, and is arranged to cover the cylindrical body 150. The heating element 140 contacts the outer peripheral surface of the cylindrical body 150, and heats the tobacco stick 200 inserted into the cylindrical body 150. For example, the heating element 140 may be a serpentine conductor path, and may be provided on a flexible insulating layer 141 (see FIG. 8 ). The heating element 140, the insulating layer 141, and the cylindrical body 150 are components of a heater 160.

[0082] 7 , a bottom member 136 is provided at the bottom of the cylindrical body 150. The bottom member 136 abuts against the tobacco stick 200 inserted into the cylindrical body 150 in the insertion direction of the tobacco stick 200, and can function as a stopper that positions the tobacco stick 200. Here, the cylindrical body 150 and the bottom member 136 form a storage section that stores at least a portion of the tobacco stick 200.

[0083] The bottom member 136 may be formed, for example, from a resin material. The bottom member 136 has an uneven surface that contacts the tobacco stick 200, and may define a first air flow path that can supply air to the air intake of the tobacco stick 200 (i.e., that communicates with the tobacco stick 200 stored in the storage section). The bottom member 136 is made of, for example, a resin, and may be formed, in particular, from polycarbonate (PC), ABS (Acrylonitrile-Butadiene-Styrene) resin, PEEK (Polyether Ether Ketone), a polymer alloy containing multiple types of polymers, or a metal such as aluminum. Note that the bottom member 136 is preferably formed from a material with low thermal conductivity in order to suppress heat transfer to the heat insulating section 132, etc.

[0084] The heat insulating part 132 has a generally cylindrical shape overall and is disposed so as to cover the cylindrical body 150. The heat insulating part 132 may include, for example, an aerogel sheet. In Fig. 7, the heat insulating part 132 is held by a first holding part 137 and a second holding part 138, which will be described later. Alternatively, as shown in Fig. 8, a cover body 133 may be disposed so as to cover the cylindrical body 150, and the heat insulating part 132 may be disposed so as to cover the cover body 133.

[0085] The insertion guide member 134 is provided between the sliding cover 102 in the closed position and the cylindrical body 150. The insertion guide member 134 is made of, for example, resin, and in particular, may be formed from polycarbonate (PC), ABS (Acrylonitrile-Butadiene-Styrene) resin, PEEK (Polyetheretherketone), or a polymer alloy containing multiple types of polymers. The insertion guide member 134 may also be formed from metal, glass, ceramic, or the like. From the viewpoint of heat resistance, the insertion guide member 134 is preferably made of PEEK. When the sliding cover 102 is in the open position, the insertion guide member 134 communicates with the outside of the aerosol generating device 100, and guides the insertion of the tobacco stick 200 into the cylindrical body 150 by inserting the tobacco stick 200 into the insertion guide member 134. The provision of the insertion guide member 134 allows the tobacco stick 200 to be easily inserted into the cylindrical body 150.

[0086] The aerosol generating device 100 further has a first holding part 137 and a second holding part 138 that hold both ends of the cylindrical body 150 and the heat insulating part 132. The first holding part 137 is arranged to hold the ends of the cylindrical body 150 and the heat insulating part 132 on the negative Z-axis direction side. The second holding part 138 is arranged to hold the ends of the cylindrical body 150 and the heat insulating part 132 on the slide cover 102 side (positive Z-axis direction side).

[0087] [3] Positional Relationship Between Heating Element of Aerosol-Generating Device and Tobacco Stick A preferred positional relationship between the heating element 140 of the aerosol-generating device 100 and the tobacco stick 200 will be described with reference to FIG. 8 .

[0088] Fig. 8 shows a state in which the tobacco stick 200 is inserted into the cylindrical body 150 of the aerosol generation device 100. In Fig. 8, in order to clearly distinguish between the tobacco stick 200 and the cylindrical body 150, a gap is shown between the outer peripheral surface of the tobacco stick 200 and the cylindrical body 150; however, in order to efficiently heat the tobacco stick 200 with the heat of the cylindrical body 150, it is preferable that the outer peripheral surface of the tobacco stick 200 be inserted into the cylindrical body 150 in a state in which it is in contact with the cylindrical body 150.

[0089] When the tobacco stick 200 is inserted into the cylindrical body 150, the outer peripheral surface of the tobacco stick 200 may or may not be in contact with the cylindrical body 150. Furthermore, when the tobacco stick 200 is inserted into the cylindrical body 150, a portion of the outer peripheral surface of the tobacco stick 200 may be in contact with the cylindrical body 150. For example, when a tobacco stick 200 having a regular cylindrical shape is inserted into an elliptical cylindrical body 150, a portion of the outer peripheral surface of the tobacco stick 200 can be in contact with the cylindrical body 150.

[0090] As shown in Fig. 8, a cylindrical body 150, a heating element 140 surrounding the cylindrical body 150, and a flexible insulating layer 141 supporting the heating element 140 constitute a heater 160. Furthermore, a cover body 133 is arranged to cover the cylindrical body 150, and a heat insulating section 132 is arranged to cover the cover body 133. Also, as shown in Fig. 8, the aerosol generation device 100 includes a bottom member 136 with which the tip plug 210 abuts when the tobacco stick 200 is inserted into the cylindrical body 150.

[0091] In Figure 8, the length of the heating element 140 is represented by L1, the length of the portion of the heating element 140 facing the flavor generating section 220 is represented by L2, the length of the portion of the heating element 140 facing the tip plug 210 is represented by L3, and the length of the portion of the heating element 140 facing the hollow tube section 230 is represented by L4. L1 is, for example, 5 to 20 mm. L2 is, for example, 4 to 20 mm, preferably 5 to 15 mm, and more preferably 5 to 10 mm. L3 is, for example, 0 to 5 mm, preferably 0 to 3 mm, and more preferably 0 to 1 mm. L4 is, for example, 0 to 5 mm, and preferably 0 to 3 mm. It is preferable that L2 is greater than L3.

[0092] In this way, when the tobacco stick 200 is inserted into the cylindrical body 150 and the tip plug 210 is in contact with the bottom member 136, it is preferable that most of the heating element 140 is located in a position facing the flavor generating section 220, rather than the tip plug 210. More specifically, when the tobacco stick 200 is inserted into the cylindrical body 150 and the tip plug 210 is in contact with the bottom member 136, it is preferable that the "area of ​​the region of the heating element 140 facing the flavor generating section 220" is larger than the "area of ​​the region of the heating element 140 facing the tip plug 210."

[0093] 8, "the region of the heating element 140 facing the flavor generating section 220" refers to the region of the heating element 140 facing the flavor generating section 220 with the cylindrical body 150 sandwiched therebetween. As such, in this specification, "the region of the heating element 140 facing the flavor generating section 220" is not limited to the region of the heating element 140 directly facing the flavor generating section 220, but may also be the region of the heating element 140 facing the flavor generating section 220 with another component sandwiched therebetween.

[0094] Similarly, in this specification, "the area of ​​the heating element 140 facing the tip plug 210" is not limited to the area where the heating element 140 directly faces the tip plug 210, but may also be the area where the heating element 140 faces the tip plug 210 with another component sandwiched between them.

[0095] For example, if the length of the heating element 140 is 14 mm, the length of the flavor generating section 220 is 12 mm, and the length of the tip plug 210 is 8 mm, the area of ​​the region of the heating element 140 facing the flavor generating section 220 is, for example, 89.2 to 446 mm. ２ , preferably 111.5 to 334.5 mm ２ The area of ​​the region of the heating element 140 facing the tip plug 210 is, for example, 0 to 111.5 mm ２ , preferably 0 to 66.9 mm ２ is.

[0096] When such a configuration is adopted, the heat of the heating element 140 is first transmitted to the flavor generating section 220, and then transmitted to the tip plug 210. Therefore, flavor components are more likely to be released from the flavor source and the second flavoring contained in the flavor generating section 220 in the first half of the inhalation period of the tobacco stick 200, and the first flavoring contained in the tip plug 210 is more likely to be released in the second half of the inhalation period of the tobacco stick 200. As a result, flavor components can be released throughout the entire inhalation period.

[0097] In addition to the above-described configuration, it is further preferable that when the tobacco stick 200 is inserted into the cylindrical body 150 and the tip plug 210 is in contact with the bottom member 136, the "area of ​​the region of the circumferential surface of the tip plug 210 that does not face the heating element 140" is larger than the "area of ​​the region of the circumferential surface of the flavor generating section 220 that does not face the heating element 140." More specifically, when the tobacco stick 200 is inserted into the cylindrical body 150 and the tip plug 210 is in contact with the bottom member 136, the "area S of the circumferential surface of the tip plug 210" is larger than the "area S of the circumferential surface of the flavor generating section 220 that does not face the heating element 140." ＦＰ The ratio S1 / S of the area S1 of the first region of the peripheral surface of the front plug 210 that does not face the heating element 140 to the area S1 of the first region of the peripheral surface of the front plug 210 that does not face the heating element 140 is ＦＰ " is the area S of the circumferential surface of the flavor generating section 220 ＦＧ The ratio S2 / S of the area S2 of the second region of the circumferential surface of the flavor generating section 220 that does not face the heating element 140 to the total area S2 ＦＧ It is even more preferable that it is larger than ".

[0098] For example, when the length of the heating element 140 is 14 mm, the length of the flavor generating section 220 is 12 mm, and the length of the tip plug 210 is 8 mm, the area S of the circumferential surface of the tip plug 210 is ＦＰ The ratio S1 / S of the area S1 of the first region of the peripheral surface of the front plug 210 that does not face the heating element 140 to the area S1 of the first region of the peripheral surface of the front plug 210 that does not face the heating element 140 is ＦＰ " is, for example, 0.375 to 1, preferably 0.625 to 1, more preferably 0.875 to 1, and "the area S of the circumferential surface of the flavor generating section 220 ＦＧ The ratio S2 / S of the area S2 of the second region of the circumferential surface of the flavor generating section 220 that does not face the heating element 140 to the total area S2 ＦＧ" is, for example, 0 to 0.667, preferably 0 to 0.583, and more preferably 0.167 to 0.583.

[0099] Similarly, when such a configuration is adopted, the heat of the heating element 140 is first transmitted to the flavor generating section 220, and then transmitted to the tip plug 210. Therefore, flavor components are more likely to be released from the flavor source and the second flavoring contained in the flavor generating section 220 in the first half of the inhalation period of the tobacco stick 200, and the first flavoring contained in the tip plug 210 is more likely to be released in the second half of the inhalation period of the tobacco stick 200. As a result, flavor components can be released throughout the entire inhalation period.

[0100] [1] Preparation of Tobacco Sticks (Example 1A) Tobacco sticks of Example 1A were prepared by incorporating a flavor-supported paper filter into commercially available tobacco sticks for Ploom X (Japan Tobacco Inc.).

[0101] Commercially available tobacco sticks for Ploom X have a structure in which the tip plug has been removed from the tobacco stick structure shown in Figure 1. That is, commercially available tobacco sticks for Ploom X are equipped with, in order from the tip side (i.e., the side opposite the mouthpiece), a flavor generating section (length 20 mm), a hollow tube section (length 20 mm), a hollow filter section (length 12 mm), and a filter plug (length 8 mm). This tobacco stick contains shredded sheet tobacco as a flavor source in the flavor generating section, but does not contain menthol in the flavor generating section.

[0102] Paper (thickness: 88 μm, basis weight: 35 g / m ２ A paper filter was prepared by shaping a sheet of paper (air permeability: 3000 Coresta units) into a corrugated shape (see Figure 3). The paper used was rectangular, with a length of 180 mm in the direction of wave alignment (i.e., direction D shown in Figure 3) and a length of 8 mm in the direction perpendicular to the direction of wave alignment. A flavor composition having the following composition was supported on the surface of the paper filter so that the amount of menthol supported was 18 mg. A flavor-supported paper filter was thus prepared.

[0103] 2% by mass hydroxypropyl cellulose 98% by mass menthol A portion of the tobacco filler (8 mm from the tip) was removed from the flavor generating portion of a commercially available tobacco stick for Ploom X, and a flavor-supported paper filter (8 mm long) was inserted into the portion while being folded in the wave direction (see Figure 2). This produced a tobacco stick with the structure shown in Figure 1. This tobacco stick is referred to as the "tobacco stick of Example 1A." The tobacco stick of Example 1A had a tip plug length of 8 mm, a flavor generating portion length of 12 mm, a hollow tube portion length of 20 mm, a hollow filter portion length of 12 mm, and a filter plug length of 8 mm. The tobacco stick of Example 1A contained 18 mg of menthol in the tip plug and 18 mg of glycerin in the flavor generating portion.

[0104] (Comparative Example 1A) A 70% by mass menthol dilution (ethanol dilution) was injected into the filter plug of a commercially available tobacco stick for Ploom X using a syringe so that the amount of menthol injected was 18 mg. The tobacco stick produced in this manner is referred to as the "tobacco stick of Comparative Example 1A." The tobacco stick of Comparative Example 1A did not have a tip plug, contained 18 mg of glycerin in the flavor generating portion, and contained 18 mg of menthol in the filter plug.

[0105] (Comparative Example 2A) A 70% by mass menthol dilution (ethanol dilution) was injected into the flavor generating portion of a commercially available tobacco stick for Ploom X using a syringe so that the amount of menthol injected was 18 mg. The tobacco stick produced in this manner is referred to as the "tobacco stick of Comparative Example 2A." The tobacco stick of Comparative Example 2A did not have a tip plug and contained 18 mg of menthol and 18 mg of glycerin in the flavor generating portion.

[0106] (Comparative Example 3A) A 70% by mass menthol diluted solution (ethanol diluted solution) was injected into the flavor generating portion of a commercially available tobacco stick for Ploom X using a syringe so that the amount of menthol injected was 14 mg. Furthermore, a 70% by mass menthol diluted solution (ethanol diluted solution) was injected into the filter plug of a commercially available tobacco stick for Ploom X using a syringe so that the amount of menthol injected was 4 mg. The tobacco stick produced in this manner is referred to as the "tobacco stick of Comparative Example 3A." The tobacco stick of Comparative Example 3A does not have a tip plug, contains 14 mg of menthol and 18 mg of glycerin in the flavor generating portion, and contains 4 mg of menthol in the filter plug.

[0107] (Example 1B) A tobacco stick was produced using the same procedure as that for producing the tobacco stick of Example 1A, except that the flavor composition described above was supported on the surface of a paper filter so that the amount of menthol supported was 12 mg. The tobacco stick produced in this manner is referred to as the "tobacco stick of Example 1B." The tobacco stick of Example 1B contains 12 mg of menthol in the tip plug and 18 mg of glycerin in the flavor-generating portion.

[0108] (Comparative Example 1B) A 70% by mass menthol dilution (ethanol dilution) was injected into the flavor generating portion of a commercially available tobacco stick for Ploom X using a syringe so that the amount of menthol injected was 12 mg. The tobacco stick produced in this manner is referred to as the "tobacco stick of Comparative Example 1B." The tobacco stick of Comparative Example 1B did not have a tip plug and contained 12 mg of menthol and 18 mg of glycerin in the flavor generating portion.

[0109] [2] Evaluation by smoking test The produced tobacco sticks were heated using the aerosol generating device 100 shown in Figures 6A to 6C and 7, and a smoking test was conducted. As shown in Figure 8, the tobacco sticks were heated in a state where they were inserted into the cylindrical body 150 so that the tip plug 210 abutted against the bottom member 136. In Examples 1A and 1B, the positional relationship between the heating element 140 and the tobacco stick when the tobacco stick was heated was as follows (see Figure 8).

[0110] Length of heating element 140 (L1): 14 mm Length of portion of heating element 140 facing flavor generating section 220 (L2): 12 mm Length of portion of heating element 140 facing tip plug 210 (L3): 0.5 mm Length of portion of heating element 140 facing hollow tube section 230 (L4): 1.5 mm Area of ​​region of heating element 140 facing flavor generating section 220: 267.6 mm ２ Area of ​​the region of the heating element 140 facing the tip plug 210: 11.15 mm ２ Area S of the circumferential surface of the tip plug 210 ＦＰ The ratio S1 / S of the area S1 of the first region of the peripheral surface of the front plug 210 that does not face the heating element 140 to the area S1 of the first region of the peripheral surface of the front plug 210 that does not face the heating element 140 is ＦＰ : 0.9375 Area S of the peripheral surface of the flavor generating unit 220 ＦＧ The ratio S2 / S of the area S2 of the second region of the circumferential surface of the flavor generating section 220 that does not face the heating element 140 to the total area S2 ＦＧ A Cambridge filter (CM-133, manufactured by Borgwaldt KC Inc.) was connected to the mouth end of the tobacco stick. This tobacco stick was subjected to a smoking test using a smoking machine. Specifically, using an automatic smoking machine (LM5E-SP, manufactured by Borgwaldt KC Inc.), the sample was automatically smoked under the conditions of a puff volume of 27.5 ml / sec, a puff time of 2 sec / puff, and a puff frequency of 2 puffs / min, and particulate matter in the tobacco smoke for each puff was collected by the Cambridge filter.

[0111] After the smoking test, the Cambridge filter was shaken in 10 mL of methanol (special grade, manufactured by Wako Pure Chemical Industries, Ltd.) for 10 minutes to obtain an analytical sample. 1 μL of the obtained analytical sample was collected in a microsyringe, and the menthol content was analyzed using a gas chromatograph mass spectrometer (manufactured by Agilent, GC-FID / TCD, GC: 7890B).

[0112] [3] Results The relationship between the number of puffs and the amount of menthol is shown in Figures 9 and 10. The results of Example 1A and Comparative Examples 1A to 3A (when the amount of menthol added was 18 mg) are shown in Figure 9. The results of Example 1B and Comparative Example 1B (when the amount of menthol added was 12 mg) are shown in Figure 10.

[0113] The tobacco stick of Example 1A was able to release flavor without a decrease in the amount of flavor released even in the latter half of the inhalation period, whereas the tobacco sticks of Comparative Examples 1A to 3A released a larger amount of flavor in the first half of the inhalation period, and the amount of flavor released decreased as the number of puffs increased.

[0114] The tobacco stick of Example 1B was able to release flavor without a decrease in the amount of flavor released even in the latter half of the inhalation period, whereas the tobacco stick of Comparative Example 1B released a larger amount of flavor in the first half of the inhalation period, and the amount of flavor released decreased as the number of puffs increased.

[0115] The above results indicate that when a tip plug is disposed at the tip side of a tobacco stick and a flavoring is supported on the filter material of the tip plug together with hydroxypropyl cellulose, the flavoring can be stably released in the latter half of the inhalation period without reducing the amount of flavoring released. Meanwhile, like conventional tobacco sticks, the tobacco stick has a flavor-generating section downstream of the tip plug, and the flavor-generating section contains shredded sheet tobacco as a flavor source. It is believed that the flavoring derived from the flavor-generating section is mainly released in the first half of the inhalation period, as in conventional tobacco sticks. Therefore, it is believed that the tobacco sticks of Examples 1A and 1B can release the flavoring derived from the flavor-generating section in the first half of the inhalation period and the flavoring derived from the tip plug in the second half of the inhalation period, resulting in a stable release of flavor throughout the entire inhalation period.

[0116] The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and various modifications can be made in the implementation stage without departing from the spirit of the invention. Furthermore, the embodiments may be implemented in appropriate combinations, in which case the combined effects can be obtained. Furthermore, the above-described embodiments include various inventions, and various inventions can be extracted by combining selected elements from the disclosed elements. For example, if the problem can be solved and the desired effect can be obtained even if some elements are deleted from all elements shown in the embodiments, the configuration from which these elements are deleted can be extracted as an invention.

[0117] DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 100...Aerosol generating device, 101...Outer housing, 102...Slide cover, 103...Switch section, 110...Inner housing, 120...Power supply section, 121...Power supply, 130...Atomization section, 132...Insulating section, 133...Cover body, 134...Insertion guide member, 136...Bottom member, 137...First holding section, 138...Second holding section, 140...Heat generating element, 141...Insulating layer, 150...Cylindrical body, 160...Heater 200... tobacco stick, 210... tip plug, 211... first filter material, 211a... ridge portion, 211b... valley portion, 212... first inner plug wrap, 220... flavor generating portion, 221... flavor source, 222... first trumpet, 230... hollow tube portion, 240... hollow filter portion, 241... third filter material, 242... third inner plug wrap, 250... filter plug, 251... second filter material, 252... second inner plug wrap, 260... outer plug wrap, 265... second connecting body, 270... second trumpet, 280... outer plug wrap, 285... first connecting body

Claims

1. A flavor inhalation article having a columnar shape, a tip plug located at one end of the flavor inhalation article, the tip plug including a first filter material and a flavor composition supported on the first filter material, the flavor composition including hydroxypropyl cellulose and a first flavor; a filter plug located at the other end of the flavor inhalation article and including a second filter medium; a flavor generating section located between the tip plug and the filter plug and containing a flavor source; A flavor inhalation article comprising:

2. The flavor inhalation article according to claim 1, wherein the tip plug is in contact with the flavor generating portion, and the filter plug is spaced apart from the flavor generating portion.

3. The flavor inhalation article according to claim 1, wherein the first filter medium includes a sheet shaped like a corrugated plate and folded in the direction of the corrugations.

4. The flavor inhalation article according to claim 3, wherein the sheet is made of paper.

5. The flavor inhalation article according to claim 1 , wherein the flavor composition further comprises a first aerosol source.

6. The flavor inhalation article according to claim 5, wherein the first aerosol source comprises glycerin.

7. The flavor inhalation article according to claim 1 , wherein the first flavor is menthol.

8. The flavor inhalation article according to claim 1, wherein the flavor source is a tobacco filler.

9. 9. The flavor inhalation article according to claim 8, wherein the tobacco filler is a plurality of molded bodies each containing tobacco leaves.

10. The flavor inhalation article according to claim 9, wherein each of the plurality of molded bodies has a shape extending in the longitudinal direction of the flavor generating portion.

11. The flavor inhalation article according to claim 1 , wherein the flavor generating section further contains a second flavoring of the same kind as the first flavoring.

12. The flavor inhalation article according to claim 1 , wherein the flavor generating section further includes a second aerosol source.

13. The flavor inhalation article according to claim 12, wherein the second aerosol source comprises glycerin.

14. The flavor generating unit optionally contains a second flavoring of the same kind as the first flavoring, The amount of the first flavoring per unit length of the tip plug is greater than the amount of the second flavoring per unit length of the flavor-generating portion. The flavor inhalation article according to claim 1 .

15. The flavor inhalation article according to any one of claims 1 to 14, a heating device including a heater for heating the flavor inhalation article; A flavor suction system equipped with

16. The heater includes a cylindrical body into which the flavor inhalation article is inserted and a heating element surrounding the cylindrical body, the heating device further includes a bottom member against which the tip plug abuts when the flavor inhalation article is inserted into the cylindrical body, When the flavor inhalation article is inserted into the cylindrical body and the tip plug is in contact with the bottom member, the area of ​​the region of the heating element facing the flavor generating unit is larger than the area of ​​the region of the heating element facing the tip plug. The flavor inhalation system according to claim 15.

17. When the flavor inhalation article is inserted into the cylindrical body and the tip plug is in contact with the bottom member, the area S of the circumferential surface of the tip plug is ＦＰ the ratio S1 / S of the area S1 of the first region of the peripheral surface of the tip plug that does not face the heating element to the area S1 of the first region of the peripheral surface of the tip plug that does not face the heating element ＦＰ is the area S of the circumferential surface of the flavor generating section ＦＧ the ratio S2 / S of the area S2 of the second region of the circumferential surface of the flavor generating section that does not face the heating element to ... ＦＧ The flavor inhalation system according to claim 16, wherein the flavor inhalation system is larger than the flavor inhalation system according to claim 16.