Flavor inhaler filter, method for producing same, and flavor inhaler

Abstract

The present invention provides a flavor inhaler filter that contains cellulose fibers and has a high phenol filtration ability. This flavor inhaler filter comprises: a filtration material including a base material that contains cellulose fibers, and a coating layer that is provided on the base material; and a wrapper that is wrapped around the filtration material. The coating layer contains: a homopolymer or copolymer having an acetic acid ester group or hydroxypropyl group on a side chain; cyclodextrin; or lecithin.

Description

Flavor inhaler filter, manufacturing method thereof, and flavor inhaler

[0001] The present invention relates to a filter for a flavor inhaler, a method for manufacturing the same, and a flavor inhaler.

[0002] Acetate fiber is generally used as a filter material for flavor inhalers. However, filter materials containing cellulose fiber have attracted attention because they are more biodegradable than acetate fiber and can reduce environmental impact. Cellulose fiber-containing filter materials have lower filtering performance for phenols and other compounds than acetate fiber-containing filter materials, and tend to have a harsh flavor. Therefore, attempts have been made to impart the ability to filter phenols and other compounds to cellulose fiber-containing filter materials to improve flavor.

[0003] For example, Patent Document 1 discloses adding polyalkylene glycol as a filter additive to reduce phenols. Patent Document 2 discloses adding triacetin or the like as an additive to reduce phenols. Meanwhile, Patent Document 3 discloses binding fibers containing plant pulp with a water-soluble binder when producing a nonwoven fabric filter.

[0004] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2001-352963 Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2021-515540 International Publication No. 2022 / 085072

[0005] An object of the present invention is to provide a filter for a flavor inhaler that contains cellulose fibers and has high phenol filtering performance, and a flavor inhaler equipped with the filter.

[0006] The present invention includes the following embodiments.

[0007] [1] A filter for a flavor inhaler, comprising: a filter medium including a substrate containing cellulose fibers and a coating layer provided on the substrate; and a wrapper around which the filter medium is wrapped, wherein the coating layer contains a homopolymer or copolymer having an acetate group or a hydroxypropyl group in a side chain, cyclodextrin, or lecithin.

[0008] [2] The filter according to [1], wherein the homopolymer or copolymer having an acetate ester group in a side chain is at least one selected from the group consisting of polyvinyl acetate, vinyl acetate acrylic copolymer, and ethylene vinyl acetate copolymer.

[0009] [3] The filter according to [1] or [2], wherein the filter further comprises granular material, and the wrapper wraps the filter material and the granular material.

[0010] [4] The filter according to [3], wherein the particulate material is at least one selected from the group consisting of activated carbon, hydrotalcite, and cellulose granules.

[0011] [5] The filter according to any one of [1] to [4], wherein the filter medium further contains a hydrophobic fragrance.

[0012] [6] The filter according to [5], wherein the hydrophobic flavoring is menthol.

[0013] [7] The filter according to any one of [1] to [6], wherein the content of the homopolymer or copolymer having an acetate group or a hydroxypropyl group in a side chain, cyclodextrin, or lecithin is 1 to 20% by mass relative to 100% by mass of the filter medium.

[0014] [8] The filter according to any one of [1] to [7], wherein the airflow resistance is 5 to 130 mmWG / 27 mmtip.

[0015] [9] The filter according to any one of [1] to [8], wherein the concentration of the homopolymer or copolymer, cyclodextrin, or lecithin having an acetate ester group or a hydroxypropyl group on the side chain on the surface of the filter material is higher than the concentration of the homopolymer or copolymer, cyclodextrin, or lecithin having an acetate ester group or a hydroxypropyl group on the side chain inside the filter material.

[0016]

[10] The filter according to any one of [1] to [9], wherein the substrate is a sheet of paper or nonwoven fabric containing cellulose fibers.

[0017]

[11] A flavor inhaler comprising a tobacco rod containing tobacco components and the filter according to any one of [1] to

[10] .

[0018]

[12] The flavor inhaler according to

[11] , which is a combustion-type flavor inhaler.

[0019]

[13] The flavor inhaler according to

[12] , wherein the airflow resistance of the filter is 50 to 130 mmWG / 27 mmtip.

[0020]

[14] The flavor inhaler according to

[11] , which is a non-combustion heating type flavor inhaler.

[0021]

[15] The flavor inhaler according to

[14] , wherein the air resistance of the filter is 5 to 50 mmWG / 27 mmtip.

[0022]

[16] A method for manufacturing a filter for a flavor inhaler, comprising: a step of preparing a substrate containing cellulose fibers; a step of applying a liquid containing a homopolymer or copolymer having an acetate group or a hydroxypropyl group on a side chain, cyclodextrin, or lecithin, and water onto a surface of the substrate, and drying the liquid to obtain a filter medium; and a step of wrapping the filter medium in a wrapper.

[0023]

[17] The method according to

[16] , wherein the step of obtaining the filter medium is a step of spraying the liquid onto the surface of the substrate and drying it.

[0024]

[18] The method according to

[16] or

[17] , wherein the content of the homopolymer or copolymer having an acetate group or a hydroxypropyl group on a side chain, the cyclodextrin, or the lecithin is 1 to 60% by mass relative to 100% by mass of the liquid.

[0025] According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a filter for a flavor inhaler that contains cellulose fibers and has high phenol filtering performance, and a flavor inhaler that includes the filter.

[0026] FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram showing an example of a filter for a flavor inhaler according to the present embodiment. FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram showing an example of a combustion-type flavor inhaler according to the present embodiment. FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram showing an example of a non-combustion-heating-type flavor inhaler according to the present embodiment. FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram showing an example of a non-combustion-heating-type flavor inhalation system according to the present embodiment, (a) showing a state before the non-combustion-heating-type flavor inhaler is inserted into a heating device, and (b) showing a state after the non-combustion-heating-type flavor inhaler is inserted into a heating device and heated. FIG. 5 is a graph showing the amount of phenol per TPM passing through the filter versus the amount of each phenol-trapping component applied in the examples. FIG. 6 is a graph showing the airflow resistance of the filter versus the amount of water applied to each phenol-trapping component in the examples.

[0027] [Flavor inhaler filter] The flavor inhaler filter according to this embodiment includes a filter medium and a wrapper around which the filter medium is wrapped. The filter medium includes a substrate containing cellulose fibers and a coating layer provided on the substrate. The coating layer includes a homopolymer or copolymer having an acetate ester group or a hydroxypropyl group in its side chain, cyclodextrin, or lecithin.

[0028] In the flavor inhaler filter (hereinafter also referred to as "filter") according to this embodiment, the filter material is made of a base material containing cellulose fibers, and a coating layer containing a homopolymer or copolymer having an acetate ester group or a hydroxypropyl group in its side chain, cyclodextrin, or lecithin (hereinafter also referred to as "phenol-trapping component") is provided on the surface of the base material. Therefore, when vaporized phenol passes through the filter, it chemically interacts with the phenol-trapping component present on the surface of the filter material. This allows phenol to be trapped on the surface of the filter material, improving phenol filtration performance despite the use of cellulose fibers.

[0029] (Substrate) The substrate according to this embodiment is not particularly limited as long as it contains cellulose fibers, but it can be a sheet-like substrate. The substrate is preferably a sheet-like paper or nonwoven fabric containing cellulose fibers, from the viewpoint of high biodegradability and reducing environmental impact. The type of paper is not particularly limited, and gathered paper, pleated paper, crimped paper, crepe paper, shredded paper, etc. can be used. Furthermore, the paper or nonwoven fabric may be produced by either a wet method or a dry method, and any method can be selected and used.

[0030] When the substrate is in a sheet form, the thickness of the substrate is not particularly limited, but is usually 20 μm or more, preferably 30 μm or more, and usually 1.4 mm or less, preferably 1.2 mm or less. The width of the sheet-like substrate is not particularly limited, but is usually 50 mm or more, preferably 100 mm or more, more preferably 170 mm or more, and 300 mm or less, preferably 250 mm or less, more preferably 230 mm or less.

[0031] When the substrate is a sheet of paper containing cellulose fibers, the basis weight of the paper is not particularly limited, but is usually 20 g / m ２ More than 25 g / m ２ More than 120 g / m ２ Preferably 80 g / m or less ２ or less, more preferably 45 g / m ２ The basis weight is 25 g / m or less. ２ By setting the basis weight to 80 g / m or more, the tensile strength can be ensured, which is preferable in terms of filter production. ２ By satisfying the condition of 0.1 mm or less, the flexibility of the sheet material can be ensured, and an appropriate pressure drop can be easily achieved.

[0032] The substrate may have a plurality of fold lines (also called crimps or crepes) in the axial direction of the filter, allowing the filter medium to be folded accordion-like along the fold lines. By providing such fold lines, the filter medium can be folded and gathered when placed in the wrapper, thereby increasing the surface area of ​​the filter medium. The spacing between the fold lines is not particularly limited, but may be, for example, 0.5 to 4.0 mm.

[0033] (Coating Layer) The coating layer according to this embodiment is provided on the surface of the substrate and contains a homopolymer or copolymer having an acetate ester group or a hydroxypropyl group in its side chain, cyclodextrin, or lecithin. The coating layer need only cover at least a portion of the substrate surface, and may cover the entire substrate surface. The coating layer may also be composed of a homopolymer or copolymer having an acetate ester group or a hydroxypropyl group in its side chain, cyclodextrin, or lecithin.

[0034] As homopolymers or copolymers having acetate ester groups in the side chains, polyvinyl acetate, vinyl acetate acrylic copolymers, and ethylene vinyl acetate copolymers are preferred from the viewpoint of exhibiting higher phenol filtration performance. As homopolymers or copolymers having hydroxypropyl groups in the side chains, hydroxypropyl cellulose and hydroxypropyl methylcellulose are preferred. As cyclodextrins, α-cyclodextrin, γ-cyclodextrin, and hydroxypropyl cyclodextrin (HP-cyclodextrin) are preferred. These may be used alone or in combination of two or more.

[0035] The method for forming the coating layer is not particularly limited. For example, as described below, the coating layer can be formed by spraying a liquid containing a homopolymer or copolymer having an acetate group or a hydroxypropyl group on the side chain, cyclodextrin, or lecithin, and water as a solvent (if necessary, the solvent may further contain glycerin or propylene glycol), onto the surface of the substrate, and then drying the liquid.

[0036] It should be noted that phenol trapping component can also be contained in the substrate.However, it is preferable that the concentration of phenol trapping component on the surface of filter material is higher than the concentration of phenol trapping component inside the filter material, because this will further improve phenol trapping performance.The concentration of phenol trapping component on the surface of filter material is higher than the concentration of phenol trapping component inside the filter material, for example, can be confirmed by the following method.Using microscopic laser Raman spectroscopy, the cross section of the target filter material is imaged.Thereby, the concentration of phenol trapping component on the surface and inside of filter material can be measured.

[0037] Furthermore, Patent Document 3 discloses that when forming a nonwoven fabric, fibers containing plant pulp are bound with a water-soluble binder such as polyvinyl acetate. However, in Patent Document 3, since polyvinyl acetate or the like is used as a binder to bind the fibers that make up the nonwoven fabric, the polyvinyl acetate or the like is present only inside the nonwoven fabric, and no coating layer of polyvinyl acetate or the like is formed on the surface of the nonwoven fabric.

[0038] (Filter material) The filter material according to this embodiment includes the substrate and the coating layer. The content of the phenol-trapping component contained in the filter material is preferably 1 to 20% by mass, more preferably 2 to 11% by mass, and even more preferably 2 to 7% by mass, of a homopolymer or copolymer having an acetate group or a hydroxypropyl group in a side chain, cyclodextrin, or lecithin relative to 100% by mass of the filter material. When the content is 1% by mass or more, the phenol-trapping performance is further improved. Furthermore, when the content is 20% by mass or less, adhesion of the phenol-trapping component to the machine during filter winding is suppressed, which is preferable in terms of manufacturing suitability.

[0039] In addition to the substrate and the coating layer, the filter material may further contain a hydrophobic flavoring. In this embodiment, the filter material has a coating layer containing a homopolymer or copolymer having an acetate ester group or a hydroxypropyl group in its side chain, cyclodextrin, or lecithin, thereby providing a high hydrophobic flavoring support. In this embodiment, examples of hydrophobic flavorings include menthol, cocoa powders (powder, extracts, etc.), esters (isoamyl acetate, linalyl acetate, isoamyl propionate, linalyl butyrate, etc.), natural essential oils (plant essential oils such as vanilla extract, spearmint, peppermint, cassia, jasmine, etc.; animal essential oils such as musk, ambergris, civet, castoreum, etc.), and simple flavorings (anethole, limonene, linalool, eugenol, vanillin, etc.), with menthol being preferred. These hydrophobic flavorings may be used alone or in combination. When the filter medium contains a hydrophobic fragrance, the content of the hydrophobic fragrance contained in the filter medium is preferably 10 to 50% by mass relative to 100% by mass of the filter medium.

[0040] (Filter Configuration, etc.) The filter according to this embodiment is configured by wrapping the filter material in a wrapper. An example of a filter according to this embodiment is shown in FIG. 1. The filter 1 shown in FIG. 1 includes a filter material 2 including the substrate and the coating layer, and a cylindrical wrapper 3 that encases the filter material 2. Examples of materials for the wrapper 3 include paper. The filter material 2 has multiple fold lines in the axial direction of the filter 1, i.e., the horizontal direction in FIG. 1, and is gathered and folded accordion-like along the fold lines and packed into the wrapper 3. The grooves formed by the gathers extend in the axial direction of the filter 1. Packing the filter material 2 in this manner within the filter 1 increases the surface area of ​​the filter material 2 while maintaining the permeability of aerosols and flavor components in the axial direction of the filter 1. This allows the filter material 2 to efficiently and selectively capture phenol.

[0041] The filter according to this embodiment may further contain particulate matter. In this case, the wrapper may further contain particulate matter in addition to the filter material. Within the cylindrical wrapper, the particulate matter may be located, for example, on the surface of the filter material or in the gaps between the filter material. In this embodiment, the filter material has a coating layer containing a homopolymer or copolymer having an acetate ester group or a hydroxypropyl group in its side chain, cyclodextrin, or lecithin, resulting in high adhesion on the filter material surface. This provides a high particulate support capacity when particulate matter is placed within the filter, preventing the particulate matter from spilling out. Examples of particulate matter include activated carbon, hydrotalcite, cellulose granules, and the like. These may be used alone or in combination. Activated carbon has the effect of smoothing flavors. Hydrotalcite can selectively adsorb specific vapor phase components. Cellulose granules can increase the permeation rate of particle phase components and semivolatile components. The average particle size of the particulate matter is not particularly limited, but may be, for example, 200 to 1500 μm. When the filter contains granular material, the content of the granular material is preferably 1 part by mass or more and 50 parts by mass or less, and more preferably 1 part by mass or more and 20 parts by mass or less, per 100 parts by mass of the filter medium.

[0042] The airflow resistance of the filter according to this embodiment is preferably 5 to 130 mmWG / 27 mmtip when the axial length of the filter is 27 mm. For example, when the filter is a filter for a combustion-type flavor inhaler, the airflow resistance is preferably 50 to 130 mmWG / 27 mmtip. On the other hand, when the filter is a filter for a non-combustion-type heating flavor inhaler, the airflow resistance is preferably 5 to 50 mmWG / 27 mmtip. As described below, the airflow resistance can be adjusted by adjusting the amount of water applied when applying a liquid containing a vinyl acetate homopolymer or copolymer or hydroxypropyl cellulose and water to the surface of the substrate and drying it to form a coating layer. It can also be adjusted by the packing density of the filter material filled in the filter. The airflow resistance can be measured using an airflow resistance meter (product name: SODIMAX, manufactured by SODIM).

[0043] The shape of the filter according to this embodiment is not particularly limited, but can be, for example, columnar. When the filter is columnar, the circumferential length of the filter can be appropriately changed according to the size of the product to be used, but is usually 14.0 mm or more, preferably 15.0 mm or more, more preferably 16.0 mm or more, and usually 27.0 mm or less, preferably 26.0 mm or less, more preferably 25.0 mm or less. The axial length of the filter can be appropriately changed according to the size of the product, but may be 5 mm or more, 10 mm or more, 15 mm or more, 17.5 mm or more, or 20.0 mm or more, or may be 40 mm or less, 35 mm or less, 32.5 mm or less, or 30.0 mm or less. The cross-sectional shape of the filter is not particularly limited, but can be, for example, circular, elliptical, polygonal, etc.

[0044] [Method for manufacturing a flavor inhaler filter] The method for manufacturing a flavor inhaler filter according to this embodiment includes the following steps: preparing a substrate containing cellulose fibers; applying a liquid containing a homopolymer or copolymer having acetate groups or hydroxypropyl groups in its side chains, cyclodextrin, or lecithin, and water onto the surface of the substrate and drying the liquid to obtain a filter medium; and wrapping the filter medium in a wrapper. According to this method, the filter according to this embodiment can be manufactured efficiently and simply.

[0045] The method according to this embodiment can be carried out, for example, by the following method. While unwinding a raw sheet, which is a substrate containing cellulose fibers, from a raw paper roll, the raw sheet is wrinkled vertically, gathered, and wrapped with a wrapper using a filter winder to form a rod, which is then cut to a predetermined size. Between the step of unwinding the raw sheet from the raw paper roll and the step of wrapping it with the wrapper, a liquid containing a homopolymer or copolymer having an acetate group or a hydroxypropyl group in a side chain, cyclodextrin, or lecithin, and water is applied to the surface of the raw sheet and dried. For example, after unwinding the raw sheet from the raw paper roll and before feeding it to the filter winder, the liquid can be applied to the raw sheet and dried. Alternatively, the liquid can be applied to the raw sheet on the filter winder before wrapping it with a wrapper and then dried.

[0046] During the process of applying a liquid to the surface of a substrate and drying it, the interfiber distance of the substrate shortens, causing shrinkage (i.e., a decrease in the apparent density of the substrate). This is presumably due to the influence of the water contained in the liquid as a solvent. Therefore, when comparing substrates of the same amount, applying a liquid (water) and drying reduces the volume compared to when no liquid is applied, resulting in a decrease in airflow resistance when the filter is formed. Therefore, by adjusting the amount of water applied when applying the liquid, the airflow resistance of the resulting filter can be adjusted to the desired value. Note that the phenol-trapping component contained in the liquid is not thought to contribute to the volume reduction of the substrate.

[0047] The liquid may contain, in addition to water, other solvents such as glycerin and propylene glycol. When a homopolymer or copolymer having an acetate ester group in the side chain is used as the phenol-trapping component, an emulsion is formed when this component is mixed with water as the solvent. On the other hand, when a homopolymer or copolymer having a hydroxypropyl group in the side chain, cyclodextrin, or lecithin is used as the phenol-trapping component, glycerin or propylene glycol can be used in addition to water as the solvent.

[0048] The process of obtaining the filter medium is preferably a process of spraying the liquid onto the surface of a substrate and drying it, from the viewpoint of being able to uniformly apply the liquid onto the surface of the substrate.The content ratio of the homopolymer or copolymer having an acetate group or a hydroxypropyl group in a side chain, cyclodextrin, or lecithin relative to 100% by mass of the liquid is preferably 1 to 60% by mass, more preferably 2 to 40% by mass, and even more preferably 4 to 25% by mass.By having the ratio of 1 to 60% by mass, it is possible to uniformly apply the phenol-trapping component onto the substrate.The drying of the liquid can be performed by heating, natural drying, etc.

[0049] [Flavor Inhaler] The flavor inhaler according to this embodiment includes a tobacco rod containing tobacco components and a filter according to this embodiment. Because the flavor inhaler according to this embodiment includes the filter according to this embodiment, phenol is sufficiently filtered during use, reducing the amount of phenol. Examples of the flavor inhaler include combustion-type flavor inhalers (cigarettes, cigarettes) that obtain flavor by burning a tobacco rod, and non-combustion-heating flavor inhalers that obtain flavor by heating a tobacco rod instead of burning it.

[0050] (Combustion-Type Flavor Inhaler) An example of a combustion-type flavor inhaler according to this embodiment is shown in FIG. 2. As shown in FIG. 2, the combustion-type flavor inhaler 11 includes a tobacco rod 12 and a filter 13 according to this embodiment, which is disposed adjacent to the tobacco rod 12. The airflow resistance of the filter 13 is preferably 50 to 130 mmWG / 27 mmTip. The tobacco rod 12 includes a tobacco filler 14 filled with tobacco leaves or the like, and a wrapper 15 wrapped around the tobacco filler 14. The tobacco rod 12 and the filter 13 are connected by a tipping paper member 16 wrapped around the tobacco rod 12 and the filter 13. The tipping paper member 16 may have a ventilation hole in part of its outer periphery. The number of ventilation holes may be one or more, for example, 10 to 40. When the number of ventilation holes is multiple, the ventilation holes may be arranged, for example, in a circular line around the outer periphery of the tipping paper member 16. The multiple ventilation holes may be arranged at approximately regular intervals. By providing the vent hole, air is drawn into the filter 13 through the vent hole during inhalation. By diluting the mainstream smoke with outside air through the vent hole, it is possible to design a product with a desired tar value. A typical example of such a combustion-type flavor inhaler is a cigarette.

[0051] The user can enjoy the flavor of tobacco by lighting the tip of the tobacco rod 12 and inhaling by holding the mouth end of the filter 13 between their mouths. In particular, because the combustion-type flavor inhaler 11 is equipped with the filter 13 according to this embodiment, the amount of phenol in the flavor supplied is reduced, making the harshness of the flavor milder.

[0052] (Non-Combustion Heating Flavor Inhaler) An example of a non-combustion heating flavor inhaler according to this embodiment is shown in FIG. 3. The non-combustion heating flavor inhaler 20 shown in FIG. 3 includes a tobacco rod 21 and a mouthpiece segment 22. The mouthpiece segment 22 includes a cooling segment 23, a first filter 24 which is a filter according to this embodiment, and a second filter 25. The first filter 24 preferably has an airflow resistance of 5 to 50 mmWG / 27 mmtip. During inhalation, the tobacco rod 21 is heated, and the components contained in the tobacco filler vaporize, and these migrate to the mouthpiece segment 22 upon inhalation. Inhalation is then performed from the end of the filter 25.

[0053] The tobacco rod 21 includes a tobacco filler containing tobacco and an aerosol-generating substrate, and a tubular wrapper surrounding the tobacco filler. Examples of aerosol-generating substrates include glycerin and propylene glycol. The tobacco filler may further contain volatile flavoring components, water, and the like. There are no particular limitations on the size or preparation method of the tobacco used as the filler. For example, shredded dried tobacco leaves may be used. Alternatively, dried tobacco leaves may be crushed and homogenized, processed into a sheet, and then shredded. Furthermore, the above-mentioned sheet may be gathered without being shredded and used as the filler. Whether dried tobacco leaves are used as shredded leaves or as a crushed and homogenized sheet, various types of tobacco can be used in the tobacco filler. Flue-cured tobacco, Burley tobacco, Oriental tobacco, native tobacco, and other Nicotiana tabacum and Nicotiana rustica varieties can be appropriately blended to achieve the desired flavor. Details of the tobacco varieties are disclosed in "Encyclopedia of Tobacco, Tobacco Research Center, March 31, 2009."

[0054] The cooling segment 23 can be composed of a tubular member 26. The tubular member 26 can be, for example, a paper tube made by processing cardboard into a cylindrical shape. The tubular member 26 and the mouthpiece lining paper 31 (described later) are provided with perforations 27 that penetrate both. The presence of the perforations 27 allows outside air to be introduced into the cooling segment 23 during inhalation. As a result, the vaporized components of the aerosol generated by heating the tobacco rod 21 come into contact with the outside air, their temperature drops, and they liquefy, forming an aerosol. The diameter (distance across) of the perforations 27 is not particularly limited, but can be, for example, 0.5 to 1.5 mm. The number of perforations 27 is not particularly limited, and may be one or two or more. For example, a plurality of perforations 27 may be provided around the circumference of the cooling segment 23.

[0055] The first filter 24 is a filter according to this embodiment that contains a phenol-trapping component, and the second filter 25 is a filter similar to the filter according to this embodiment except that it does not contain a phenol-trapping component. The first filter 24 may be a filter similar to the filter according to this embodiment except that it does not contain a phenol-trapping component, and the second filter 25 may be a filter according to this embodiment that contains a phenol-trapping component. Alternatively, both the first filter 24 and the second filter 25 may be filters according to this embodiment that contain a phenol-trapping component. Note that only one filter according to this embodiment may be provided, without providing a filter that does not contain a phenol-trapping component.

[0056] The first filter 24 and the second filter 25 are connected by an outer plug wrapper 28. The outer plug wrapper 28 can be, for example, a cylindrical piece of paper. The tobacco rod 21, the cooling segment 23, and the connected first filter 24 and second filter 25 are connected by a mouthpiece lining paper 29. These can be connected by, for example, applying glue such as vinyl acetate glue to the inner surface of the mouthpiece lining paper 29, inserting the three segments, and then winding them. Because the non-combustion heating flavor inhaler 20 is equipped with the first filter 24 according to this embodiment, the amount of phenol in the flavor supplied is reduced, and the harshness of the flavor is mitigated.

[0057] [Non-combustion heating type flavor inhalation system] The non-combustion heating type flavor inhalation system according to this embodiment may include the non-combustion heating type flavor inhaler according to this embodiment described above and a heating device that heats the non-combustion heating type flavor inhaler. The non-combustion heating type flavor inhalation system according to this embodiment may have other configurations in addition to the non-combustion heating type flavor inhaler according to this embodiment and the heating device.

[0058] An example of a non-combustion heating type flavor inhalation system according to this embodiment is shown in Figure 4. The non-combustion heating type flavor inhalation system shown in Figure 4 includes a non-combustion heating type flavor inhaler 40 according to this embodiment and a heating device 41 that heats the tobacco rod of the non-combustion heating type flavor inhaler 40 from the outside. Figure 4(a) shows the non-combustion heating type flavor inhaler 40 in a state before it is inserted into the heating device 41, and Figure 4(b) shows the non-combustion heating type flavor inhaler 40 in a state where it is inserted into the heating device 41 and heated. The heating device 41 shown in Figure 4 includes a body 42, a heater 43, a metal tube 44, a battery unit 45, and a control unit 46. The body 42 has a cylindrical recess 47, and the heater 43 and the metal tube 44 are arranged on the inner side surface of the recess 47 at positions corresponding to the tobacco rod of the non-combustion heating type flavor inhaler 40 that is inserted into the recess 47. The heater 43 can be a heater that uses electrical resistance, and is heated by being supplied with power from a battery unit 45 in response to an instruction from a control unit 46 that controls temperature. The heat generated by the heater 43 is transferred to the tobacco rod of the non-combustion heating type flavor inhaler 40 through a metal tube 44 that has high thermal conductivity.

[0059] 4(b) is a schematic illustration, and thus there is a gap between the outer periphery of the non-combustion heating type flavor inhaler 40 and the inner periphery of the metal tube 44. However, in practice, for the purpose of efficient heat transfer, it is preferable that there be no gap between the outer periphery of the non-combustion heating type flavor inhaler 40 and the inner periphery of the metal tube 44. Furthermore, although the heating device 41 heats the tobacco rod of the non-combustion heating type flavor inhaler 40 from the outside, it may also heat from the inside. If heating from the inside, it is preferable to use a rigid plate-shaped, blade-shaped, or columnar heater without using the metal tube 44. Examples of such heaters include ceramic heaters in which molybdenum, tungsten, or the like is applied to a ceramic substrate.

[0060] The heating temperature by the heating device is not particularly limited, but is preferably 400° C. or less, more preferably 150° C. or more and 400° C. or less, and even more preferably 200° C. or more and 350° C. or less. The heating temperature refers to the temperature of the heater of the heating device.

[0061] The present embodiment will be described in more detail below with reference to examples, but the present embodiment is not limited to these examples.

[0062] Example 1 An emulsion was prepared by mixing 20% ​​by weight of vinyl acetate acrylic copolymer and 80% by weight of water. ２ The emulsion was sprayed onto both surfaces of a filter medium (amount of vinyl acetate acrylic copolymer applied: 26 mg) and dried at room temperature for 30 minutes to 1 hour. This resulted in a filter medium with a vinyl acetate acrylic copolymer coating layer formed on the substrate surface. The content of vinyl acetate acrylic copolymer relative to 100% by mass of the filter medium was 10.9% by mass. The filter medium was folded to form multiple air channels, each extending from one end to the other, and wrapped in a paper wrapper to form a filter. The filter was joined to a tobacco rod of a commercially available cigarette (product name: Winston Filter, manufactured by Japan Tobacco Inc.) to produce a cigarette. The tip of the tobacco rod of the cigarette was burned and used to measure the amount of phenol in the tobacco smoke passing through the filter. The results are shown in Table 2.

[0063] The amount of phenol passing through the filter was specifically measured using the following method. Cigarette samples were automatically smoked using an automatic smoking machine (Cerulean SM410) under the following conditions: puff volume 17.5 mL / sec, puff time 2 sec / puff, puff frequency 1 puff / min, and cigarette butt length 35 mm. Total particulate matter (TPM) in the cigarette smoke was collected using a Cambridge filter (Borgwaldt 44 mmφ). The amount of TPM was measured by measuring the mass difference between the Cambridge filter before and after smoking. The Cambridge filter was then immersed in 10 mL of the phenol extraction solvent shown in Table 1 placed in a screw cap vial and shaken to obtain an analytical sample. 1 μL of the resulting analytical sample was collected using a microsyringe and analyzed by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MSD: Gas Chromatography-Mass Selective Detector). An Agilent G7890A manufactured by Agilent Technologies Inc. was used as the GC, and an Agilent 5795C manufactured by Agilent Technologies Inc. was used as the MSD.

[0064]

[0065] The amount of phenol passing through the filter is the amount of phenol equivalent to TPM (total particulate matter) that passes through the filter, and is expressed as a relative value when the amount of phenol passing through the filter in Comparative Example 1 (an example in which a coating layer is not formed) described below is set to 1.

[0066] Examples 2 to 13, Comparative Examples 1 and 2 Filters were prepared and evaluated in the same manner as in Example 1, except that the components shown in Table 2 were used as the phenol-trapping component, and the concentration of the phenol-trapping component in the solution and the amount of the phenol-trapping component applied were changed as shown in Table 2. The results are shown in Table 2. In Example 7, a commercially available non-combustion-heating flavor inhaler (product names: Mevius Rich, Ploom X, and Ploom S, manufactured by Japan Tobacco Inc.) and a heating device (product name: Ploom X, manufactured by Japan Tobacco Inc.) were used instead of commercially available cigarettes. A filter containing cellulose acetate fibers and a center hole segment were removed from the non-combustion-heating flavor inhaler. A filter prepared in the same manner as in Example 1 was replaced with a paper filter not containing a phenol-trapping component in the position of the center hole segment, to obtain a non-combustion-heating flavor inhaler having the configuration shown in FIG. 3. In Comparative Example 1, a coating layer was not formed, and evaluation was performed as is.

[0067]

[0068] As shown in Table 2, in Examples 1 to 13, which used filter media with a coating layer containing a homopolymer or copolymer having an acetate group or a hydroxypropyl group in the side chain, cyclodextrin, or lecithin, the amount of phenol passing through the filter was reduced compared to Comparative Example 1, which used filter media with no coating layer. On the other hand, in Comparative Example 2, which used filter media with a coating layer containing polyvinyl alcohol, the amount of phenol passing through the filter was slightly increased compared to Comparative Example 1.

[0069] Examples 14 to 34 Filters were prepared and evaluated in the same manner as in Example 1, except that the components shown in Table 3 were used as the phenol-trapping components, and the concentrations of the phenol-trapping components in the solution, the amounts of the phenol-trapping components applied, and the amounts of water applied were changed as shown in Table 3. Furthermore, the airflow resistance of the filters of Examples 3 to 8 and Examples 14 to 34 was measured. The results are shown in Table 3. Graphs showing the amount of phenol passing through the filter per TPM relative to the amount of each phenol-trapping component applied, and the airflow resistance of the filter relative to the amount of water applied for each phenol-trapping component are shown in Figures 5 and 6, respectively. Note that the airflow resistance of the filter of Example 7 was measured by converting the axial length to 27 mm.

[0070]

[0071] As shown in Table 3, in Examples 3 to 8 and 14 to 34, which used filter media with a coating layer containing a homopolymer or copolymer having an acetate group or a hydroxypropyl group in its side chain, cyclodextrin, or lecithin, the amount of phenol passing through the filter was reduced compared to Comparative Example 1, even when the content of the phenol-trapping component in the filter media was changed by changing the amount of the phenol-trapping component added. Furthermore, in Examples 3 to 6, 8, and 14 to 34, the airflow resistance of the filter was reduced by increasing the amount of water added. This demonstrates that the airflow resistance of the resulting filter can be adjusted to a desired value by adjusting the amount of water added when applying the liquid.

[0072] This embodiment includes the following aspects. [1] A filter for a flavor inhaler, comprising: a filter medium including a substrate containing cellulose fibers and a coating layer provided on the substrate; and a wrapper around which the filter medium is wrapped, wherein the coating layer contains a homopolymer or copolymer having an acetate ester group or a hydroxypropyl group in a side chain, cyclodextrin, or lecithin. [2] The filter described in [1], wherein the homopolymer or copolymer having an acetate ester group in a side chain is at least one selected from the group consisting of polyvinyl acetate, vinyl acetate acrylic copolymer, and ethylene vinyl acetate copolymer. [3] The filter described in [1] or [2], wherein the filter further contains granular material, and the wrapper wraps the filter medium and the granular material. [4] The filter described in [3], wherein the granular material is at least one selected from the group consisting of activated carbon, hydrotalcite, and cellulose granules. [5] The filter described in any one of [1] to [4], wherein the filter medium further contains a hydrophobic flavoring. [6] The filter according to [5], wherein the hydrophobic flavoring is menthol. [7] The filter according to any one of [1] to [6], wherein the content of the homopolymer or copolymer having an acetate ester group or a hydroxypropyl group in a side chain, cyclodextrin, or lecithin is 1 to 20% by mass relative to 100% by mass of the filter medium. [8] The filter according to any one of [1] to [7], wherein the airflow resistance is 5 to 130 mmWG / 27 mmtip. [9] The filter according to any one of [1] to [8], wherein the concentration of the homopolymer or copolymer having an acetate ester group or a hydroxypropyl group in a side chain, cyclodextrin, or lecithin on the surface of the filter medium is higher than the concentration of the homopolymer or copolymer having an acetate ester group or a hydroxypropyl group in a side chain, cyclodextrin, or lecithin inside the filter medium.

[10] The filter according to any one of [1] to [9], wherein the substrate is a sheet of paper or nonwoven fabric containing cellulose fibers.

[11] A flavor inhaler comprising a tobacco rod containing tobacco components and the filter according to any one of [1] to

[10] .

[12] The flavor inhaler according to

[11] , which is a combustion-type flavor inhaler.

[13] The flavor inhaler according to

[12] , wherein the filter has an airflow resistance of 50 to 130 mmWG / 27 mmtip.

[14] The flavor inhaler according to

[11] , which is a non-combustion heating type flavor inhaler.

[15] The flavor inhaler according to

[14] , wherein the filter has an airflow resistance of 5 to 50 mmWG / 27 mmtip.

[16] A method for producing a filter for a flavor inhaler, comprising: preparing a substrate containing cellulose fibers; applying a liquid containing a homopolymer or copolymer having an acetate group or a hydroxypropyl group in its side chain, cyclodextrin, or lecithin, and water onto the surface of the substrate, and drying the liquid to obtain a filter medium; and wrapping the filter medium in a wrapper.

[17] The method according to

[16] , wherein the step of obtaining the filter medium is a step of spraying the liquid onto the surface of the substrate and drying the liquid.

[18] The method according to

[16] or

[17] , wherein the content of the homopolymer or copolymer having an acetate group or a hydroxypropyl group on a side chain, the cyclodextrin, or the lecithin is 1 to 60% by mass relative to 100% by mass of the liquid.

[0073] 1. Filter 2. Filtering material 3. Wrapper

Claims

1. A filter medium including a substrate including cellulose fibers and a coating layer provided on the substrate; a wrapper around which the filter medium is wrapped; A filter for a flavor inhaler comprising: A filter, wherein the coating layer comprises a homopolymer or copolymer having an acetate group or a hydroxypropyl group on the side chain, cyclodextrin, or lecithin.

2. 2. The filter according to claim 1, wherein the homopolymer or copolymer having an acetate ester group in a side chain is at least one selected from the group consisting of polyvinyl acetate, vinyl acetate acrylic copolymer, and ethylene vinyl acetate copolymer.

3. 10. The filter of claim 1, wherein the filter further comprises particulate matter, and the wrapper surrounds the filter medium and the particulate matter.

4. 4. The filter according to claim 3, wherein the particulate material is at least one selected from the group consisting of activated carbon, hydrotalcite, and cellulose granules.

5. 10. The filter of claim 1, wherein the filter media further comprises a hydrophobic flavoring.

6. 6. The filter of claim 5, wherein the hydrophobic flavoring is menthol.

7. The filter according to claim 1, wherein the content of the homopolymer or copolymer having an acetate group or a hydroxypropyl group in a side chain, cyclodextrin, or lecithin is 1 to 20% by mass relative to 100% by mass of the filter medium.

8. 2. The filter according to claim 1, wherein the airflow resistance is 5 to 130 mmWG / 27 mmtip.

9. 2. The filter according to claim 1, wherein the concentration of the homopolymer or copolymer having an acetate group or a hydroxypropyl group on a side chain, cyclodextrin, or lecithin on the surface of the filter medium is higher than the concentration of the homopolymer or copolymer having an acetate group or a hydroxypropyl group on a side chain, cyclodextrin, or lecithin inside the filter medium.

10. 2. The filter according to claim 1, wherein the substrate is a sheet of paper or nonwoven fabric containing cellulose fibers.

11. A flavor inhaler comprising: a tobacco rod containing tobacco components; and the filter according to any one of claims 1 to 10.

12. The flavor inhaler according to claim 11, which is a combustion-type flavor inhaler.

13. The flavor inhaler according to claim 12, wherein the filter has an airflow resistance of 50 to 130 mmWG / 27 mmtip.

14. The flavor inhaler according to claim 11, which is a non-combustion heating type flavor inhaler.

15. The flavor inhaler according to claim 14, wherein the airflow resistance of the filter is 5 to 50 mmWG / 27 mmtip.

16. providing a substrate comprising cellulose fibers; A step of applying a liquid containing a homopolymer or copolymer having an acetate group or a hydroxypropyl group on a side chain, cyclodextrin, or lecithin, and water onto the surface of the substrate and drying the liquid to obtain a filter medium; wrapping the filter medium in a wrapper; A method for producing a filter for a flavor inhaler, comprising:

17. 17. The method of claim 16, wherein the step of obtaining the filter medium is a step of spraying the liquid onto the surface of the substrate and drying.

18. The method according to claim 16 or 17, wherein the content of the homopolymer or copolymer having an acetate group or a hydroxypropyl group at a side chain, cyclodextrin, or lecithin is 1 to 60% by mass relative to 100% by mass of the liquid.