Paper plug and flavor inhalation article

Abstract

Provided is a paper plug having a filler and an inner plug wrap that wraps the filler, wherein the average of the areas of pores formed in a cross section perpendicular to the long axis is less than 0.15 mm2, and the firmness in a direction perpendicular to the long axis, which is defined by formula (1), is greater than 75%, and formula (2) is satisfied.　(1) Firmness (%) in the direction perpendicular to the long axis = (Dd / Ds) × 100 (2) (The pressure drop per 1 mm in length in the long axis direction) / (the packing density of the filler) < 22 mmH2O×mm2 / mg

Description

Paper plugs and flavor inhalers

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a paper plug and a flavor inhalation article.

[0002] As a filter for a flavor inhalation article, a paper filter in which a filler such as paper (pure pulp) is wrapped with plug wrap is used instead of an acetate filter in which synthetic fibers such as cellulose acetate tow are processed into a rod shape. For example, Patent Document 1 discloses a paper filter for a flavor inhalation article.

[0003] Paper filters are required to have a desirable airflow resistance and sufficient hardness, and also to have inconspicuous voids (small holes) from the viewpoint of appearance. To ensure the desirable appearance and hardness of paper filters, it is conceivable to add crimps or increase the filling amount of the paper sheet, but existing methods may result in airflow resistance exceeding the desired range.

[0004] International Publication No. 2022 / 230408

[0005] The present disclosure provides a paper plug and a flavor inhalation article including the paper plug, which have airflow resistance and sufficient hardness within a predetermined range, and which also have a desirable appearance.

[0006] A first aspect of the present disclosure is a plug wrap having a filler and an inner plug wrap around the filler, and the average area of ​​the holes formed in a cross section perpendicular to the long axis is 0.15 mm ２ The hardness in the direction perpendicular to the major axis (%) is smaller than 22 mmH, and the hardness in the direction perpendicular to the major axis (defined by formula (1)) is greater than 75%, satisfying formula (2). Hardness in the direction perpendicular to the major axis (%) = (Dd / Ds) x 100 (1) Pressure drop per mm of length in the major axis direction / packing density of filler < 22 mmH ２ O x mm ２ / mg (2) (In formula (1), Ds (mm) is the diameter of a cross section of the paper plug in a direction perpendicular to the long axis direction before a load F is applied, Dd (mm) is the diameter of a cross section of the paper plug in a direction perpendicular to the long axis direction when a load F is applied, and the load F is a compressive load of 3 N applied to the paper plug in a direction perpendicular to the long axis, with a pressure jig head diameter of φ12 mm and a compression time of 10 seconds.)

[0007] In the first aspect, the paper plug has a hardness of more than 75% in the direction perpendicular to the major axis, and high-permeability paper is used as the filler. A paper plug filled with high-permeability paper has inconspicuous voids and a desirable airflow resistance. Therefore, according to the first aspect, it is possible to provide a paper plug that has a predetermined range of airflow resistance, sufficient hardness, and a desirable appearance.

[0008] A second aspect of the present disclosure is the first aspect, wherein the filler is a paper plug formed from a single or multiple crimped sheets, and the porosity of the sheets is greater than 15,000 CORESTA units.

[0009] In the second aspect, the filler of the paper plug is a highly breathable paper having an air resistance of 15,000 CORESTA units or more, and therefore, according to the second aspect, a paper plug can be provided that can fully utilize the advantages of the highly breathable paper.

[0010] A third aspect of the present disclosure is a paper plug according to the first and second aspects, wherein the crimp depth of the sheet is 0.4 mm or more.

[0011] In the third aspect, the sheet forming the filler to be filled in the paper plug is crimped to a depth of 0.4 mm or more. A paper plug filled with a filler formed from highly breathable paper to which a crimp depth of 0.4 mm or more is given ensures desirable air resistance and hardness. Therefore, according to the third aspect, a paper plug with desirable air resistance and hardness can be provided.

[0012] A fourth aspect of the present disclosure is the sheet according to any one of the first to third aspects, wherein the basis weight of the sheet is 15 g / m ２ or more and 40 g / m ２ Below is the paper plug.

[0013] In the fourth aspect, the high-permeability paper sheet as the filler of the paper plug has a density of 15 g / m ２ or more and 40 g / m ２ The paper plug has the following basis weight. A paper plug filled with such a filler is guaranteed to have a desirable appearance. Therefore, according to the fourth aspect, a paper plug that is guaranteed to have a desirable appearance can be provided.

[0014] A fifth aspect of the present disclosure is a paper plug according to any one of the first to fourth aspects, wherein the porosity of the sheet before crimping is greater than 7,000 CORESTA units.

[0015] In the fifth aspect, the porosity of the sheet forming the filler to be filled in the paper plug before crimping is greater than 7,000 CORESTA units. A paper plug filled with a filler made by crimping such high-permeability paper has inconspicuous voids and a desirable airflow resistance. Therefore, according to the fifth aspect, a paper plug can be provided that has an airflow resistance within a predetermined range and a desirable appearance.

[0016] A sixth aspect of the present disclosure is a flavor inhalation article including a paper plug according to any one of the first to fifth aspects as a first plug, a second plug containing a flavor source, and tipping paper wrapping the first plug and the second plug.

[0017] In the sixth aspect, a flavor inhalation article is configured to include a paper plug filled with a filler made of highly breathable paper and having a hardness of more than 75% in a direction perpendicular to its major axis, a second plug containing a flavor source, and tipping paper wrapping around the first plug and the second plug. Thus, according to the sixth aspect, a flavor inhalation article can be manufactured that includes a paper plug having a predetermined range of air resistance and sufficient hardness, as well as a desirable appearance.

[0018] A seventh aspect of the present disclosure is the flavor inhalation article of the sixth aspect, wherein the paper plug is disposed upstream of the second plug.

[0019] In the seventh aspect, a paper plug is disposed as a first plug upstream of a second plug containing a flavor source inside the flavor inhalation article through which air flows from upstream to downstream when a user inhales. Thus, according to the seventh aspect, the paper plug can prevent vapor or aerosol generated in the flavor source from leaking upstream of the flavor inhalation article.

[0020] FIG. 1 is an overall perspective view of a filter rod according to the present embodiment. FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of the filter rod taken along the arrows A-A in FIG. 1. FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram showing a crimped paper sheet. FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram of the ventilation structure of a filter rod using a paper sheet made from ordinary paper. FIG. 5 is a diagram showing the appearance of a filter rod using a paper sheet made from ordinary paper. FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram of the ventilation structure of a filter rod using a paper sheet made from high-permeability paper. FIG. 7 is a diagram showing the appearance of a filter rod using a paper sheet made from high-permeability paper. FIG. 8 is a graph showing the relationship between the packing density of a filter rod and the airflow resistance in the airflow direction for filter rods made using high-permeability paper or ordinary paper as the base web of the paper sheet. FIG. 9 is a graph showing the distribution of voids in each area across the entire cross section perpendicular to the longitudinal direction for a filter rod filled with a paper sheet made from crimped ordinary paper. 1 is a graph showing the distribution of cavities in each area across the entire cross section perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of a filter rod filled with a paper sheet made from crimped high-permeability paper; and FIG. 2 is a graph showing the results of investigating the relationship between the average area of ​​cavities and crimp depth. FIG. 6 is a diagram showing data obtained by excluding samples with undesirable appearances included in the lower ellipse from FIG. 6. FIG. 9 is a diagram showing the slope (vertical axis value / horizontal axis value) of each sample in FIG. 9 on the vertical axis and the hardness (%) of each sample on the horizontal axis. FIG. 10 is a graph showing the porosity of each of Examples and Comparative Examples 1 to 3 after 0.5 mm of crimping treatment. FIG. 11 is a schematic side cross-sectional view showing an example of a flavor inhalation article using a paper filter. FIG. 12 is a schematic side cross-sectional view showing another example of a flavor inhalation article using a paper plug obtained by cutting a filter rod in the longitudinal direction. FIG. 13 is a schematic diagram showing a method for measuring the hardness of a filter rod.

[0021] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present disclosure will be described with reference to the drawings. In the drawings described below, identical or corresponding components are designated by the same reference numerals, and redundant description will be omitted.

[0022] Fig. 1 is an overall perspective view of a filter rod 10 according to this embodiment. Fig. 2 is a cross-sectional view of the filter rod 10 taken along the line AA in Fig. 1.

[0023] The filter rod 10 is a material for a paper filter that constitutes a part of the flavor inhalation article. The filter rod 10 can be cut to a predetermined length in the longitudinal direction to obtain a paper filter (a paper plug 20 described later).

[0024] As shown in FIG. 1 , the filter rod 10 is cylindrical and includes a paper sheet 12 and a first plug wrap 14 around which the paper sheet 12 is wrapped. The paper sheet 12 is a sheet formed by cutting a predetermined raw web containing cellulose to a predetermined length and crimping it as appropriate. The paper sheet 12 is folded and contained inside the first plug wrap 14, which is rolled up into a cylindrical shape. Note that the paper sheet 12 may be rolled up and contained inside the first plug wrap 14 instead of being folded. The paper sheet 12 is an example of a filler material of the present disclosure. The first plug wrap 14 is an example of an inner plug wrap of the present disclosure.

[0025] The first plug wrap 14 may be made primarily of pulp. Pulp may be made from wood pulp, such as softwood pulp or hardwood pulp, or may be made by blending non-wood pulp, such as flax pulp, hemp pulp, sisal pulp, or esparto, which are commonly used in tobacco wrapping paper. These pulps may be used alone or in any combination of two or more types. They may also contain fillers, such as calcium carbonate.

[0026] The first plug wrap 14 may be formed in any suitable form, including one or more rows of adhesive-containing seams. The adhesive may include a hot-melt adhesive, which may further include polyvinyl alcohol. The adhesive may also include a vinyl acetate adhesive. The material of the first plug wrap 14 is not particularly limited, and known materials may be used, and may also include a filler such as calcium carbonate. The first plug wrap 14 may be coated or uncoated, but is preferably coated with a desired material to provide strength, structural rigidity, and other functions. The first plug wrap 14 may also be porous paper having a plurality of pores and providing breathability.

[0027] As an example, in the following description, the length to which the raw web is cut (i.e., the length of the filter rod 10 in the longitudinal direction) is 120 mm, and the circumference of the filter rod 10 is 21.4 mm. Therefore, assuming that pi is 3.14, the radius of the filter rod 10 is 21.4 mm / (3.14 x 2) = 3.40764 (omitted) ≈ 3.41 mm. Furthermore, the cross-sectional area of ​​the filter rod 10 in a cross section perpendicular to the longitudinal direction (the surface shown in Figure 2) is 21.4 mm x 3.41 mm / 2 = 36.487 mm ２ Furthermore, the volume of the filter rod 10 is 120 mm x 36.487 mm ２ = 4,378.44 mm ３ ≒ 4,378 mm ３ is.

[0028] Now, the crimp depth will be explained. Figure 3 is a schematic diagram showing a paper sheet 12 that has been subjected to a crimping process.

[0029] As shown in Figure 3, crimping a flat paper sheet 12 forms peaks 12a and valleys 12b. The difference h between the maximum height of the peaks 12a and the maximum depth of the valleys 12b of the paper sheet 12 is called the crimp depth of the paper sheet 12. For example, the crimp depth is determined by the meshing depth (amount of meshing) of a pair of rollers used to crimp the flat paper sheet 12 (or its original web).

[0030] Furthermore, the inventors of the present disclosure performed various measurements on high-permeability paper and regular paper with a lower porosity, and discovered the following differences between regular paper and high-permeability paper. Figure 4A is a schematic diagram of the breathable structure of a filter rod 10 using a paper sheet 12 made from regular paper. Figure 4B is a diagram showing the appearance of a filter rod 10 using a paper sheet 12 made from regular paper. Figure 5A is a schematic diagram of the breathable structure of a filter rod 10 using a paper sheet 12 made from high-permeability paper. Figure 5B is a diagram showing the appearance of a filter rod 10 using a paper sheet 12 made from high-permeability paper.

[0031] The bending of the paper sheet 12 in Figures 4A and 5A schematically illustrates the crimping applied to the paper sheet 12. As shown schematically in Figure 4A, in a filter rod 10 using a paper sheet 12 made from ordinary paper, air is thought to pass longitudinally through the passage structure formed within the paper sheet 12 filled into the filter rod 10. Figures 4A and 5A are schematic because the crimped peaks and valleys are formed along the width direction of the paper sheet 12, as shown in Figure 3. The large arrows in Figure 4A schematically illustrate air flow paths passing through the passage structure formed within the filled paper sheet 12. On the other hand, in a filter rod 10 using a paper sheet 12 made from ordinary paper, the porosity is low, so air flow perpendicular to the air flow path is thought to be small. The small arrows in Figure 4A schematically illustrate air flow perpendicular to the passage structure.

[0032] On the other hand, as shown schematically in FIG. 5A , in a filter rod 10 using a paper sheet 12 made from high-permeability paper, it is believed that air flow in a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the paper sheet 12 packed into the filter rod 10 is primarily responsible for air passage in the longitudinal direction of the filter rod 10. This is because air can easily flow in this direction in a paper sheet 12 made from high-permeability paper with a high porosity. The large arrows in FIG. 5A schematically indicate air flow in a direction perpendicular to the paper sheet 12. On the other hand, in a filter rod 10 using a paper sheet 12 made from high-permeability paper, it is believed that large channel structures such as those shown in FIG. 4A are not formed. The small arrows in FIG. 5A schematically indicate air flow paths along the channel structure.

[0033] Furthermore, the inventors of the present disclosure conducted further measurements on high-permeability paper and normal paper to investigate the conditions for a filter rod 10 that ensures hardness while providing desirable air resistance and appearance.

[0034] FIG. 6 is a graph showing the relationship between the packing density of the filter rod 10 and the airflow resistance in the airflow direction (per 120 mm length) for filter rods 10 made using high-permeability paper or regular paper as the base web for the paper sheet 12. FIG. 7A is a graph showing the distribution of voids by area in the entire cross section perpendicular to the longitudinal direction for a filter rod 10 filled with a paper sheet 12 made from crimped regular paper. FIG. 7B is a graph showing the distribution of voids by area in the entire cross section perpendicular to the longitudinal direction for a filter rod 10 filled with a paper sheet 12 made from crimped high-permeability paper. FIG. 8 is a graph showing the results of investigating the relationship between the average area of ​​voids and crimp depth. FIG. 9 shows data obtained by excluding samples with undesirable appearances included in the lower ellipse from FIG. 6. FIG. 10 is a diagram showing the slope (value on the vertical axis / value on the horizontal axis) for each sample in FIG. 9 on the vertical axis and the hardness (%) of each sample on the horizontal axis.

[0035] In Figure 6, normal paper samples are indicated by circles (Normal PF) and high-permeability paper samples are indicated by squares (HPP PF). As shown in Figure 6, when normal paper was used as the paper sheet 12 of the filter rod 10, increasing the filling level resulted in some groups experiencing a significant increase in airflow resistance, while others did not. The upper ellipse in Figure 6 encloses the group experiencing a significant increase in airflow resistance. A typical appearance of the filter rod 10 in this case is attached to the ellipse. As shown in Figure 6, the voids (small holes) are not noticeable. On the other hand, the lower ellipse in Figure 6 encloses the group experiencing no significant increase in airflow resistance even with increasing filling level. A typical appearance of the filter rod 10 in this case is attached to the ellipse. As shown in Figure 6, the voids are noticeable, resulting in an undesirable appearance. In other words, the difference in airflow resistance when normal paper was used as the paper sheet 12 of the filter rod 10 corresponds to the difference in appearance.

[0036] Data for the samples shown in Figure 6 are shown in Tables 1 and 2 below.

[0037] In the data shown in Tables 1 and 2, the airflow resistance per mm (mmH ２ The value of the airflow resistance (mmH ２ In the production of the filter rod 10, it is difficult to make a sample of exactly 120 mm, and the actual measured length is, for example, 120.3 mm. Therefore, the airflow resistance is divided by this actual measured value to obtain the airflow resistance per mm (mmH ２ 0 / mm).

[0038] The inventors of the present disclosure also investigated the relationship between the average area of ​​cavities in filter rods 10 filled with ordinary paper as the paper sheet 12 of the filter rods 10 and the crimp depth imparted to the (raw) paper sheet 12. Specifically, the four types of paper shown in Table 3 below were investigated.

[0039] Figure 7A shows the distribution of voids of each area across a cross section perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of a filter rod 10 filled with paper sheets 12 made from plain paper 1 crimped to depths of 0 mm, 0.1 mm, 0.2 mm, 0.33 mm, and 0.4 mm, and plain paper 2 crimped to a depth of 0.49 mm. This cross section is specifically the longitudinal end face of the filter rod 10. The horizontal axis of Figure 7A represents the void area (mm ２ ) and the vertical axis is the number of cavities.

[0040] For reference, Fig. 7A also shows the value of the filter rod 10 in which an acetate filter (12YAF) is inserted instead of the paper sheet 12. As shown in Fig. 7A, the cross section of the filter rod 10 in which the acetate filter is inserted has a thickness of 0.1 mm. ２ Only smaller areas of cavities are present.

[0041] On the other hand, the cross section of the filter rod 10 filled with the paper sheet 12 of the plain paper 1 to which no crimping was applied (i.e., the crimp depth was 0 mm) had a thickness of 0.1 mm. ２ From the results shown in Figure 7A, it can be said that the deeper the crimp, the smaller the cavities tend to be. In Figure 7A, for "SDP35 180 0.33" and "SDP35 140 0.49", the area was 0.133 to 0.2 mm ２ Although it appears that this trend is reversed around 0.33 mm (the sample with a crimp depth of 0.33 mm has more voids than the sample with a crimp depth of 0.49 mm), this is due to the different filling amounts of the two papers (the width of the raw roll is different between 180 mm and 140 mm) and does not negate the above trend.

[0042] Figure 7B shows the distribution of voids in each area on the longitudinal end surface of a filter rod 10 filled with paper sheets 12 made from highly breathable paper 1 and highly breathable paper 2 that have been crimped to a depth of 0.5 mm, 0.7 mm, and 0.9 mm, respectively. The horizontal axis of Figure 7B represents the area of ​​voids (mm ２7B , even in the filter rod filled with the highly breathable paper sheet 12, the number of voids tends to decrease as the crimping depth of the paper sheet 12 (raw web) increases.

[0043] Figure 8 shows the average area of ​​the cavities (mm ２ ) and the crimp depth (mm). From an aesthetic point of view, the average area (mm ２ ) is 0.15 mm ２ As shown in Figure 8, for both high-permeability paper and regular paper, the greater the crimp depth, the smaller the average area of ​​the voids. In particular, for high-permeability paper, the graph shown in Figure 8 indicates that the average area of ​​the voids formed on the end surface of the filter rod 10 for high-permeability paper is 0.15 mm or less. ２ The critical value of the crimp depth to ensure that the crimp depth is 0.4 mm or less is considered to be around 0.4 mm. In other words, when high-permeability paper having a crimp depth of 0.4 mm or more is filled, the average area of ​​the cavities formed on the end surface of the filter rod 10 is 0.15 mm. ２ Furthermore, since a deep crimp generally suppresses variations in airflow resistance, it is more preferable to impart a crimp depth of 0.5 mm or more.

[0044] Data for the samples shown in Figure 8 are shown in Tables 4 and 5 below.

[0045] FIG. 9 shows the results after excluding samples with undesirable appearances included in the lower ellipse from FIG. 6 (average area of ​​cavities is 0.15 mm ２ 9 shows data on the slope (value on the vertical axis / value on the horizontal axis) [mmH ２ O x mm ２9. Note that the two straight lines in the graph of FIG. 9 are for reference purposes only, showing their respective representative slopes, and are not rigorous data that have been subjected to statistical processing such as the average values.

[0046] FIG. 10 shows the slope (value on the vertical axis / value on the horizontal axis) [mmH ２ O x mm ２ / mg] is plotted on the vertical axis, and the hardness (%) of each sample in a direction perpendicular to the long axis is plotted on the horizontal axis. The hardness (%) in the direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the filter rod 10 is calculated by the following formula: Hardness (%) in the direction perpendicular to the long axis = (Dd / Ds) × 100, where Ds (mm) is the diameter of the cross section of the filter rod 10 in a direction perpendicular to the long axis direction before the load F is applied, Dd (mm) is the diameter of the cross section of the filter rod 10 in a direction perpendicular to the long axis direction when the load F is applied, and the load F is the load applied to the filter rod 10 in a direction perpendicular to its long axis under the conditions of a compressive load of 3 N / mm and a compression time of 10 seconds. The following paper was used as the first plug wrap 14: S52-7000 paper manufactured by Nippon Paper Papylia Co., Ltd. (basis weight: 52 gsm, air permeability: 7000 CORESTA units, thickness: 110 μm). Hereinafter, in the measurement of hardness in this disclosure, this paper will be used as the first plug wrap 14.

[0047] In order to smoothly carry out the process of manufacturing flavor inhalation articles in existing manufacturing systems, the paper filter (and the filter rod 10 as its material) is required to have a certain degree of hardness. Specifically, it is desirable that the hardness of the filter rod 10 in the direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction be 75% or more.

[0048] Therefore, in Figure 10, consider the region where the hardness is 75% or more. This is the region on the right side defined by the vertical dotted line. This region includes filter rod 10 samples filled with paper sheets 12 made of plain paper and filter rod 10 samples filled with paper sheets 12 made of highly breathable paper. As shown in Figure 10, the value of the vertical axis is 22 [mmH ２ O x mm ２ / mg], it can be seen that the upper sample filled with normal paper and the lower sample filled with highly breathable paper can be separated.

[0049] The above findings can be summarized as follows: (1) the hardness of the filter rod 10 in the direction perpendicular to the longitudinal axis is 75% or more, and (2) the average area of ​​the cavities formed in the cross section of the filter rod 10 perpendicular to the air flow direction is 0.15 mm ２ (3) the pressure drop per 1 mm of the longitudinal length of the filter rod 10 / filler packing density is 22 [mmH ２ O x mm ２ A filter rod 10 filled with a highly breathable paper sheet 12 can be characterized as having a desirable appearance, favorable air resistance, and sufficient hardness, by the condition that the air permeability is less than [mg / mg]. The range that satisfies the above three conditions corresponds to the lower right region of the four regions defined by the vertical and horizontal dotted lines in Figure 10.

[0050] The inventors of the present disclosure conducted thorough measurements on filter rods 10 filled with paper sheets 12 made from the raw rolls of two examples and four comparative examples shown in Table 6. Figure 11 is a graph showing the porosity of each example and comparative examples 1 to 3 when subjected to a 0.5 mm crimping treatment.

[0051] In addition, when crimping is performed, the porosity of the raw roll (and the paper sheet 12 made from it) generally increases. Table 7 shows the results of measuring the porosity of four sheets stacked together when 0.5 mm crimping was performed for each of the Examples and Comparative Examples.

[0052] 11, after 0.5 mm of crimping, the porosities of Examples 1 and 2 were approximately 23,000 and approximately 22,000 CORESTA units, respectively, all of which exceeded 15,000 CORESTA units. On the other hand, after 0.5 mm of crimping, the porosities of Comparative Examples 1 to 3 were approximately 13,000, approximately 9,000, and approximately 7,000 CORESTA units, respectively, all of which were below 15,000 CORESTA units.

[0053] In the two examples, the width of the original paper sheet 12 is 240 mm and the basis weight is 21.5 g / m ２ 23g / m or more ２ However, it has been found that a filter rod 10 having suitable airflow resistance and hardness can be manufactured even if the range is expanded as follows: The basis weight of the raw web of the paper sheet 12 is 15 g / m ２ 40g / m or more ２ The following is the result.

[0054] [Configuration of Flavor Inhalation Article] A flavor inhalation article can be configured using a paper plug obtained by cutting the filter rod 10 to a predetermined length along the longitudinal direction as a filter. Fig. 12 is a schematic side cross-sectional view showing an example of a flavor inhalation article 110 using a paper filter. Fig. 13 is a schematic side cross-sectional view of another example of a flavor inhalation article 200 using a paper plug 20 obtained by cutting the filter rod 10 along the longitudinal direction.

[0055] 12, the flavor inhalation article 110 includes a smokable article 111, a tubular member 114, a hollow filter portion 116, and a filter portion 115. The filter portion 115 is formed of a paper plug 20 obtained by cutting the filter rod 10 in the longitudinal direction.

[0056] The smokable article 111 is wrapped in cigarette paper 112. The tubular member 114, hollow filter portion 116, and filter portion 115, together with a portion of the smokable article 111 wrapped in cigarette paper 112, are wrapped in tipping paper 113 that is different from the cigarette paper 112. The tipping paper 113 also wraps a portion of the cigarette paper 112 that wraps the smokable article 111. This connects the tubular member 114, hollow filter portion 116, and filter portion 115 to the smokable article 111. The smokable article 111 wrapped in cigarette paper 112 is an example of a second plug of the present disclosure.

[0057] A lip release agent 117 is applied to the outer surface of the tipping paper 113 near the end on the filter part 115 side, so that the user's lips can easily separate from the tipping paper 113. The portion of the flavor inhalation article 110 to which the lip release agent 117 is applied functions as the mouthpiece of the flavor inhalation article 110.

[0058] The cylindrical member 114 may be provided with openings concentrically in the circumferential direction of the cylindrical member 114. These openings are intended to promote the inflow of air from the outside when the user inhales, and the air flowing in through the openings can lower the temperature of the components and air flowing in from the flavor inhalation article 110.

[0059] The smokable article 111 may include a flavor source such as tobacco and an aerosol source. The cigarette paper 112 wrapping the smokable article 111 may be a breathable sheet material. The tubular member 114 may be a paper tube or a hollow filter. In the example shown in FIG. 2 , the flavor inhalation article 110 includes the smokable article 111, the tubular member 114, a hollow filter portion 116, and a filter portion 115, but the configuration of the flavor inhalation article 110 is not limited to this. For example, the hollow filter portion 116 may be omitted, and the tubular member 114 and the filter portion 115 may be disposed adjacent to each other.

[0060] In order to adjust the flavor of the flavor inhalation article, the raw roll of the paper sheet 12 may be treated when manufacturing the filter rod 10. For example, at least one of a phenol-reducing material and a flavoring agent may be added to the raw roll of the paper sheet 12.

[0061] The term "phenols" refers to a class of compounds in which one or more hydroxyl groups are bonded to an aromatic hydrocarbon group. Examples include phenol, o-cresol, m-cresol, p-cresol, and catechol. Therefore, a "phenol-reducing material" in the present disclosure is an additive that can reduce at least one phenol, such as phenol, o-cresol, m-cresol, p-cresol, and / or catechol, when the paper plug 20 is used as the filter portion 115 of the flavor inhalation article 110, as can be measured, for example, using a standard smoking test.

[0062] 12, the paper plug 20 is used to form the filter portion 115 of the flavor inhalation article 110, but the use of the paper plug 20 in the flavor inhalation article is not limited to a paper filter. For example, as shown in FIG. 13, it is also possible to manufacture a flavor inhalation article 200 in which the paper plug 20 forms the upstream tip of the flavor inhalation article (opposite the downstream end that is inhaled by the user).

[0063] As shown in Fig. 13, the flavor inhalation article 200 includes a first segment 210, a flavor generating segment 220, a cooling segment 230, and a second segment 240. The flavor inhalation article 200 includes a first end 201 that is inserted into a flavor inhaler and a second end 102 opposite the first end 201. In the example shown in Fig. 12, the flavor inhalation article 200 extends in the longitudinal direction along the central axis AX, and is formed with a first end 201 and a second end 202 at both ends along the longitudinal direction. Hereinafter, the first end 201 side and the second end 202 side will be referred to as the upstream side and the downstream side, respectively. Furthermore, hereinafter, unless otherwise specified, the terms "radial direction" and "circumferential direction" refer to the radial direction and the circumferential direction of a rotating coordinate system whose axis is the central axis AX.

[0064] The first segment 210 is a segment located on the first end 101 side of the flavor generating segment 220. The first segment 210 preferably extends from the first end 201 to the end of the flavor generating segment 220 on the first end 201 side. The first segment 210 has a plug portion 211 and a tubular second tipping paper 250 that covers the plug portion 211. The plug portion 211 is composed of a paper plug 20 obtained by cutting the filter rod 10 in the longitudinal direction. The second tipping paper 250 covers not only the plug portion 211 but also the flavor source 221 wrapped in cigarette paper 248 (described below), and connects the first segment 210 and the flavor generating segment 220. The plug portion 211 is an example of a first plug of the present disclosure.

[0065] The flavor generating segment 220 includes a flavor source 221 and a tubular cigarette paper 248 that covers the flavor source 221. The flavor source 221 is not particularly limited as long as it generates a flavor when heated, but is preferably a tobacco material. Examples of tobacco materials include materials obtained by processing dried tobacco leaves, such as shredded tobacco, and tobacco extracts (extracts made from water, organic solvents, or a mixture thereof). The flavor source 221 may be composed of one or more tobacco sheets. The tobacco sheet may be formed, for example, by processing dried tobacco leaves into a homogenized sheet (hereinafter referred to as a homogenized sheet) using a known method such as papermaking, slurrying, or rolling. The flavor source 221 may also be a shredded tobacco sheet. The flavor source 221 may contain at least one of a flavoring, a cooling agent, and a flavoring agent, instead of or in addition to the tobacco material. The flavor generating segment 220 (the flavor source 221 wrapped in the cigarette paper 248) is an example of a second plug of the present disclosure.

[0066] The cooling segment 230 has a hollow tube 231 and a tubular tipping paper 260 that covers the hollow tube 231. The hollow tube 231 may be, for example, a paper tube. The hollow tube 231 cools the vapor or aerosol generated in the flavor source 221. By arranging the hollow tube 231 downstream of the flavor source 221 in this manner, the vapor or aerosol generated in the flavor source 221 can be cooled. As shown in FIG. 12 , the tipping paper 260 covers not only the hollow tube 231 but also the second tipping paper 250, a portion of the flavor source 221 wrapped around the cigarette paper 248, and an outer plug wrap 350 (described later), thereby connecting the flavor generating segment 220, the cooling segment 230, and the second segment 240.

[0067] A plurality of circular through-holes 232 that penetrate the walls of hollow tube 231 and tipping paper 260 in the radial direction are formed in hollow tube 231 and concentrically aligned around hollow tube 231. Through-holes 232 are holes that promote the inflow of air from the outside when the user inhales, and this inflow of air can further cool the vapor or aerosol generated in flavor source 221.

[0068] The second segment 240 is a segment disposed on the second end 102 side of the cooling segment 230. The second segment 240 has a first filter 241 and a second filter 242 aligned in the longitudinal direction, and an outer plug wrap 350 covering the first filter 242 and the second filter 242. The second segment 240 is not particularly limited as long as it functions as a filter, such as adjusting the flow of air during flavor inhalation or adjusting the amount of flavor or other impurities. The second segment 240 can also function as a rear plug to prevent components located on the first end 201 side of the second segment 240 from falling out.

[0069] 13, the position of the first filter 241 may be interchanged with the position of the second filter 242. In the flavor inhalation article 200, the second filter 242 may be omitted, or the second segment 240 may include three or more filters.

[0070] The first filter 141 includes a filler material 310 and a cylindrical first inner plug wrap 320 that encases the filler material 310. The filler material 310 is not particularly limited as long as it is a filtering material, and may be a fibrous material, a porous material, or the like. The filler material 310 may be, for example, cellulose acetate fiber, paper, or a nonwoven fabric. The filler material 310 may be composed of a paper plug 20 obtained by cutting the filter rod 10 longitudinally.

[0071] The second filter 242 is composed of a hollow packed layer 330 and a second inner plug wrap 340 that covers the packed layer 330. The packed layer 330 may be, for example, a rod made of cellulose acetate fibers packed at high density and hardened with a plasticizer containing triacetin. The second inner plug wrap 340 may be omitted.

[0072] The method for measuring "hardness (%)" in this disclosure will now be described. The measurement device may be a "SODIUM-H hardness module" (Korber) or an alternative device. As shown in FIG. 14, a 120 mm long filter rod 10 is inserted vertically from above into a predetermined position in the measurement device 30, and pressure is applied from the side using a cylindrical jig 32. In this test, the pressure was set to 300 g. The jig 32 used had a diameter of 12 mm. The pressure was applied by placing the jig 32 at a position at least 6 mm vertically above the lower vertical end of the filter rod 10.

[0073] The measurement conditions for the measurement device are described below. Device: SODIUM-H hardness module Procedure: Pressure is applied from the side of the test piece, and the value calculated from the diameter before and after pressure is read as the hardness. <Calculation formula> Hardness in the direction perpendicular to the long axis (%) = (Dd / Ds) x 100 Ds (mm) is the diameter of the cross section of the filter rod 10 in the direction perpendicular to the long axis direction before pressure is applied, and Dd (mm) is the diameter of the cross section of the filter rod 10 in the direction perpendicular to the long axis direction when pressure is applied. <Measurement device conditions> Pressure: 300 g, pressure time: 10 seconds, pressure jig head diameter: φ12 mm, number of test pieces during measurement: 1

[0074] (Operation of the Present Embodiment) In the present embodiment, the filter rod 10 has a hardness in the direction perpendicular to the long axis of greater than 75%, and a paper sheet 12 made of highly breathable paper is used as the filler for the paper plug 20 (obtained by cutting the filter rod 10 to a predetermined length in the longitudinal direction). The paper plug 20 filled with the highly breathable paper sheet 12 has inconspicuous voids and a desirable airflow resistance. Therefore, according to the present embodiment, it is possible to provide a paper plug 20 that has a desirable appearance, sufficient hardness, and airflow resistance within a predetermined range.

[0075] In this embodiment, a highly breathable paper having an airflow resistance of 15,000 CORESTA units is used as the raw paper sheet 12 filled in the paper plug 20. Therefore, this embodiment can provide a paper plug 20 that can fully utilize the advantages of the highly breathable paper filler material.

[0076] In this embodiment, the paper sheet 12 filled in the paper plug 20 is crimped to a depth of 0.4 mm or more. A paper plug 20 filled with a paper sheet 12 having high air permeability and a crimp depth of 0.4 mm or more ensures desirable air resistance and hardness. Therefore, this embodiment can provide a paper plug 20 that ensures desirable air resistance and hardness.

[0077] In this embodiment, the paper sheet 12 made of highly breathable paper filled in the paper plug 20 has a thickness of 15 g / m ２ or more and 40 g / m ２ The paper plug 20 filled with such a paper sheet 12 has the following basis weight. A desirable appearance is ensured in the paper plug 20. Therefore, according to this embodiment, it is possible to provide a paper plug 20 that ensures a desirable appearance.

[0078] In this embodiment, the porosity of the paper sheet 12 filled in the paper plug 20 before crimping is greater than 7,000 CORESTA units. A paper plug 20 filled with a paper sheet 12 having such high air permeability has inconspicuous voids and a desirable air resistance. Therefore, this embodiment can provide a paper plug 20 having an air resistance within a predetermined range and a desirable appearance.

[0079] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the flavor inhalation article 110 is configured to include a paper plug 20 filled with a paper sheet 12 made of highly breathable paper and having a hardness of greater than 75% in a direction perpendicular to its major axis, a smokable article 111 wrapped in cigarette paper 112 containing a flavor source, and tipping paper 113 wrapping the paper plug 20 and the smokable article 111 wrapped in the cigarette paper 112. Thus, according to this embodiment, a flavor inhalation article 110 including a paper plug can be manufactured that has airflow resistance within a predetermined range, sufficient hardness, and a desirable appearance.

[0080] Furthermore, in this embodiment, inside the flavor inhalation article 200, where air flows from upstream to downstream when a user inhales, a plug portion 211 formed by the paper plug 20 is disposed upstream of the flavor generating segment 220 (the flavor source 221 wrapped in cigarette paper 248). Thus, according to this embodiment, the plug portion 211 formed by the paper plug 20 can prevent the vapor or aerosol generated in the flavor generating segment 220 from leaking to the upstream side of the flavor inhalation article 200.

[0081] Although the embodiments of the present disclosure have been described above, the present disclosure is not limited to the above embodiments and various modifications are possible within the scope of the claims and the technical ideas described in the specification and drawings. Note that any shapes or materials not directly described in the specification and drawings are within the scope of the technical ideas of the present disclosure as long as they achieve the effects of the present disclosure.

[0082] (Supplementary Note 1) A first aspect of the present disclosure is a plug wrap having a filler and an inner plug wrap around which the filler is wrapped, wherein the average area of ​​the pores formed in a cross section perpendicular to the major axis is 0.15 mm ２ The hardness in the direction perpendicular to the major axis (%) is smaller than 22 mmH, and the hardness in the direction perpendicular to the major axis (defined by formula (1)) is greater than 75%, satisfying formula (2). Hardness in the direction perpendicular to the major axis (%) = (Dd / Ds) x 100 (1) Pressure drop per mm of length in the major axis direction / packing density of filler < 22 mmH ２O x mm ２ / mg (2) (In formula (1), Ds (mm) is the diameter of a cross section of the paper plug in a direction perpendicular to the long axis direction before a load F is applied, Dd (mm) is the diameter of a cross section of the paper plug in a direction perpendicular to the long axis direction when a load F is applied, and the load F is a compressive load of 3 N applied to the paper plug in a direction perpendicular to the long axis, with a pressure jig head diameter of φ12 mm and a compression time of 10 seconds.)

[0083] (Supplementary Note 2) A second aspect of the present disclosure is a paper plug according to the first aspect, wherein the filler is formed from a single or multiple crimped sheets, and the porosity of the sheets is greater than 15,000 CORESTA units.

[0084] (Supplementary Note 3) A third aspect of the present disclosure is the paper plug according to the first and second aspects, wherein the crimp depth of the sheet is 0.4 mm or more.

[0085] (Supplementary Note 4) A fourth aspect of the present disclosure is the sheet according to any one of the first to third aspects, wherein the basis weight of the sheet is 15 g / m ２ or more and 40 g / m ２ Below is the paper plug.

[0086] (Supplementary Note 5) A fifth aspect of the present disclosure is a paper plug according to any one of the first to fourth aspects, wherein the porosity of the sheet before crimping is greater than 7,000 CORESTA units.

[0087] (Appendix 6) A sixth aspect of the present disclosure is a flavor inhalation article, comprising: a paper plug according to any one of the first to fifth aspects as a first plug; a second plug containing a flavor source; and tipping paper wrapping the first plug and the second plug.

[0088] (Supplementary Note 7) A seventh aspect of the present disclosure is the flavor inhalation article of the sixth aspect, wherein the paper plug is disposed upstream of the second plug.

[0089] DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10...Filter rod 12...Paper sheet 12a...Crown portion 12b...Trough portion 14...First plug wrap 20...Paper plug 30...Measuring device 32...Jig 110...Flavor suction article 111...Smokable article 112...Cigarette paper 113...Tipping paper 114...Cylindrical member 115...Filter portion 116...Hollow filter portion 117...Lip release agent 200...Flavor suction article 201...First end 202...Second end 210...First segment 211...Plug portion 220...Flavor generating segment 221...Flavor source 230...Cooling segment 231...Hollow tube 232...Through hole 240...Second segment 241...First filter 242...Second filter 248...Cigarette paper 250...Second tipping paper 260...tipping paper 310...filler 320...first inner plug wrap 330...filler layer 340...second inner plug wrap 350...outer plug wrap

Claims

1. A plug wrap having a filler and an inner plug wrap around the filler, the average area of ​​the holes formed in a cross section perpendicular to the long axis is 0.15 mm ２ A paper plug in which the hardness in the direction perpendicular to the major axis defined by formula (1) is greater than 75% and formula (2) is satisfied. Hardness in the direction perpendicular to the major axis (%) = (Dd / Ds) x 100 (1) Pressure drop per mm of length in the major axis direction / packing density of the filler < 22 mmH ２ O x mm ２ / mg (2) (In formula (1), Ds (mm) is the diameter of a cross section of the paper plug in a direction perpendicular to the long axis direction before a load F is applied, Dd (mm) is the diameter of a cross section of the paper plug in a direction perpendicular to the long axis direction when a load F is applied, and the load F is a load applied to the paper plug in a direction perpendicular to the long axis under the conditions of a compressive load of 3N, a pressure tool head diameter of φ12 mm, and a compression time of 10 seconds.) 2. The paper plug of claim 1, wherein the filler is formed from a single or multiple sheets that are crimped, and the porosity of the sheets is greater than 15,000 CORESTA units.

3. The paper plug according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the crimp depth of the sheet is 0.4 mm or more.

4. The basis weight of the sheet is 15 g / m ２ More than 40 g / m ２ The paper plug according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein:

5. A paper plug according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the porosity of the sheet before crimping is greater than 7,000 CORESTA units.

6. A flavor inhalation article comprising: a paper plug according to any one of claims 1 to 5 as a first plug; a second plug containing a flavor source; and tipping paper wrapping the first plug and the second plug.

7. The flavor inhalation article according to claim 6, wherein the paper plug is disposed upstream of the second plug.