Tobacco material and method for producing same, cartridge, non-combustion heating-type flavor inhaler, and non-combustion heating-type flavor inhaler system

Abstract

The present invention provides a tobacco material from which a good flavor can be obtained using a simple method. A method for producing a tobacco material according to the present invention comprises: a step for subjecting tobacco leaves to extraction using a solvent containing 0-60 vol% water and 40-100 vol% ethanol and splitting the tobacco leaves into a first tobacco liquid extract and a first tobacco residue; a step for concentrating the first tobacco liquid extract to obtain a tobacco liquid concentrate; and a step for producing a tobacco material containing the tobacco liquid concentrate and a substrate or an aerosol source.

Description

Tobacco material and its manufacturing method, cartridge, non-combustion heating type flavor inhaler, and non-combustion heating type flavor inhalation system

[0001] The present invention relates to a tobacco material and a method for producing the same, a cartridge, a non-combustion heating type flavor inhaler, and a non-combustion heating type flavor inhalation system.

[0002] Known methods for extracting nicotine from tobacco raw materials include, for example, the method described in CORESTA Recommended Methods No. 62. In this method, a 2N or higher aqueous sodium hydroxide solution is added to the tobacco raw material, and then hexane is added, causing nicotine to partition into the hexane, and nicotine is recovered by recovering the hexane.

[0003] Meanwhile, Patent Documents 1 to 3 disclose methods for obtaining a tobacco extract by extracting a tobacco raw material with an extraction solvent, and Patent Document 4 discloses heating a dispersion containing tobacco particles dispersed in an aqueous dispersion medium to 160°C or higher.

[0004] International Publication No. 2017 / 018110 JP 2015-505247 A JP 2011-10656 A International Publication No. 2019 / 049207

[0005] However, the method described in CORESTA Recommended Methods No. 62 uses a strong alkali (sodium hydroxide), which requires large-scale equipment from a safety standpoint. Furthermore, because extraction is performed using a strong base and a hexane solvent, flavor components derived from tobacco other than nicotine (e.g., sugars, organic acids, etc.) are not sufficiently extracted. Furthermore, some of the flavor components may react with sodium hydroxide, resulting in a deterioration in flavor quality.

[0006] An object of the present invention is to provide a tobacco material with a good flavor by a simple method.

[0007] The present invention includes the following embodiments.

[0008] [1] A method for producing a tobacco material, comprising: extracting tobacco leaves with a solvent consisting of 0 to 60% by volume of water and 40 to 100% by volume of ethanol, and separating the extract into a first tobacco extract and a first tobacco residue; concentrating the first tobacco extract to obtain a tobacco concentrate; and producing a tobacco material containing the tobacco concentrate and a substrate or an aerosol source.

[0009] [2] The method according to [1], wherein the substrate is the first tobacco residue.

[0010] [3] The method according to [1], wherein the base material is a cellulose powder.

[0011] [4] The method according to any one of [1] to [3], wherein the aerosol source is at least one selected from the group consisting of glycerin, propylene glycol, 1,3-propanediol, triacetin, and triethyl citrate.

[0012] [5] The method according to any one of [1] to [4], further comprising a step of heating the tobacco leaves to 170 to 200°C before extracting the tobacco leaves with the solvent.

[0013] [6] The method according to [1], further comprising a step of extracting the first tobacco residue with water and separating it into a second tobacco extract and a second tobacco residue, wherein the step of producing the tobacco material is a step of producing a tobacco material containing the tobacco concentrate and the second tobacco residue.

[0014] [7] A tobacco material produced by the method according to any one of [1] to [6].

[0015] [8] A cartridge comprising the tobacco material according to [7].

[0016] [9] A non-combustion heating type flavor inhaler comprising the tobacco material according to [7].

[0017]

[10] A non-combustion heating type flavor inhalation system comprising: the non-combustion heating type flavor inhaler according to [9]; and a heating device for heating the non-combustion heating type flavor inhaler.

[0018] According to the present invention, a tobacco material with a good flavor can be provided by a simple method.

[0019] 1 is a flowchart showing an example of a manufacturing method for a tobacco material according to the present embodiment; FIG. 2 is a flowchart showing another example of a manufacturing method for a tobacco material according to the present embodiment; FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view showing an example of a non-combustion heating type flavor inhaler according to the present embodiment; FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view showing an example of a non-combustion heating type flavor inhaler system according to the present embodiment, showing (a) a state before the non-combustion heating type flavor inhaler is inserted into the heating device, and (b) a state in which the non-combustion heating type flavor inhaler is inserted into the heating device and heated; FIG. 5 is a graph showing the nicotine recovery rates in Examples 1 and 2 and Comparative Examples 1 to 4; FIG. 6 is a graph showing the fructose / glucose recovery rates in Examples 1 and 2 and Comparative Examples 2 and 4; FIG. 7 is a graph showing the ratio of the area value of each organic acid to the average value in Examples 1 and 2 and Comparative Examples 1 and 2; FIG. 8 is a graph showing the nicotine recovery rates in Examples 3 to 6; FIG. 9 is a graph showing the nicotine recovery rates in Examples 7 and 8; FIG. 10 is a graph showing the nicotine amount at each number of puffs in Example 9 and Comparative Example 5 at a heating temperature of 200°C; FIG. 11 is a graph showing the nicotine amount at each number of puffs in Example 9 and Comparative Example 5 at a heating temperature of 250°C.

[0020] [Method for Producing Tobacco Material] The method for producing a tobacco material according to this embodiment comprises the following steps: a step of extracting tobacco leaves using a solvent consisting of 0 to 60% by volume of water and 40 to 100% by volume of ethanol and separating the extract into a first tobacco extract and a first tobacco residue (hereinafter also referred to as the "first extraction step"); a step of concentrating the first tobacco extract to obtain a tobacco concentrate (hereinafter also referred to as the "concentration step"); and a step of producing a tobacco material comprising the tobacco concentrate and a substrate or an aerosol source (hereinafter also referred to as the "tobacco material production step").

[0021] In the method for producing a tobacco material according to the present embodiment, a solvent consisting of 0-60% by volume water and 40-100% by volume ethanol is used as the extraction solvent for extracting tobacco components from tobacco leaves. Because this solvent does not contain strong alkalis like conventional solvents, it is safe and can be easily extracted using simple equipment. Furthermore, by using the solvent according to the present embodiment, nicotine, a representative tobacco component, can be extracted in amounts comparable to conventional methods. Furthermore, tobacco components other than nicotine, such as sugars (fructose, glucose, etc.) and organic acids (acetic acid, propionic acid, palmitic acid, stearic acid, linolenic acid, etc.), which effectively affect flavor, are hardly extracted using conventional methods that use a strong base and a hexane solvent, but can be extracted using the solvent according to the present embodiment. Therefore, the first tobacco extract obtained by the method according to the present embodiment is rich in tobacco components that affect flavor, such as nicotine, sugars, and organic acids. A tobacco material containing a tobacco concentrate obtained by concentrating the first tobacco extract can exhibit a favorable flavor when used in a flavor inhaler or the like.

[0022] The tobacco material manufacturing method according to this embodiment may include other steps in addition to the first extraction step, the concentration step, and the tobacco material manufacturing step. These other steps may include, for example, a step of heating the tobacco leaves to 170 to 200°C (hereinafter also referred to as the "heating step"), a step of extracting the first tobacco residue with water and separating it into a second tobacco extract and a second tobacco residue (hereinafter also referred to as the "second extraction step"), etc.

[0023] First Embodiment An example of a tobacco material manufacturing method according to this embodiment is shown in FIG. 1. In the method shown in FIG. 1, tobacco leaves are first heated to 170-200°C in a heating step. Next, in a first extraction step, the heated tobacco leaves are extracted using a solvent consisting of 0-60% by volume of water and 40-100% by volume of ethanol, and separated into a first tobacco extract and a first tobacco residue. The first tobacco extract is concentrated in a concentration step to obtain a tobacco concentrate. Meanwhile, the first tobacco residue is extracted with water in a second extraction step to separate into a second tobacco extract and a second tobacco residue. Next, in a tobacco material manufacturing step, the tobacco concentrate and the second tobacco residue are mixed to obtain a tobacco material containing them. Note that in the method according to this embodiment, the heating step and the second extraction step are optional steps. For example, the heating step may be omitted in Fig. 1, and in the first extraction step, tobacco leaves may be extracted directly without being heat-treated using a solvent consisting of 0 to 60 volume % water and 40 to 100 volume % ethanol. Alternatively, the second extraction step may be omitted in Fig. 1, and in the tobacco material production step, a tobacco concentrate and the first tobacco residue may be mixed to produce a tobacco material containing them.

[0024] (Heating Step) The method according to this embodiment preferably includes a step of heating tobacco leaves to 170 to 200°C. This step is optional and can be carried out before the first extraction step. By heating tobacco leaves to 170 to 200°C before the first extraction step, some of the nicotine in the tobacco leaves is decomposed, but in the first extraction step, a larger amount of nicotine and useful flavor components other than nicotine can be extracted and recovered from the tobacco leaves.

[0025] The variety of tobacco leaf is not particularly limited, but examples include flue-cured, burley, oriental, native, other Nicotiana tabacum varieties, and Nicotiana rustica varieties. One or more of these tobacco leaf varieties may be used. Among these, at least one type of leaf tobacco selected from the group consisting of flue-cured and burley varieties is preferred from the viewpoint of the amounts of nicotine, sugar, organic acid, and fatty acid contained therein. The form of the tobacco leaf is not particularly limited, but from the viewpoint of improving extraction efficiency, finely powdered tobacco leaf is preferred.

[0026] The heating temperature in the heating step is 170 to 200° C. By setting the heating temperature to 170° C. or higher, flavor components can be sufficiently extracted in the first extraction step. Furthermore, by setting the heating temperature to 200° C. or lower, decomposition of flavor components (particularly nicotine) can be suppressed.

[0027] The time for heating the tobacco leaves to 170 to 200°C is not particularly limited, but is preferably 1 to 60 minutes, and more preferably 5 to 30 minutes. By keeping the heating time within this range, flavor components can be sufficiently extracted in the first extraction step, and decomposition of the flavor components (particularly nicotine) can be sufficiently suppressed. The heating time is calculated by taking the time when the tobacco leaves reach 170°C as the heating start time and the time when the tobacco leaves reach a temperature below 170°C after maintaining the heating temperature at 170 to 200°C as the heating end time.

[0028] The method for heating tobacco leaves is not particularly limited, and can be carried out, for example, by using an autoclave, a heating extruder, a tunnel dryer, etc. Furthermore, the tobacco leaves may be heated in an enclosed space or in an open environment.

[0029] (First Extraction Step) The method according to this embodiment includes a step of extracting tobacco leaves using a solvent consisting of 0-60% by volume water and 40-100% by volume ethanol, and separating the extract into a first tobacco extract and a first tobacco residue. The tobacco leaves may be tobacco leaves that have been heat-treated in the heating step, or may be tobacco leaves that have not been heat-treated. The extraction solvent used is a solvent consisting of 0-60% by volume water and 40-100% by volume ethanol. That is, the solvent may be water-free, and may be ethanol alone, or a mixed solvent consisting of more than 0% by volume but not more than 60% by volume water and 40% by volume but less than 100% by volume ethanol. The solvent is preferably 10-50% by volume water and 50-90% by volume ethanol, more preferably 20-50% by volume water and 50-80% by volume ethanol, and even more preferably 20-40% by volume water and 60-80% by volume ethanol.

[0030] The amount of solvent added to tobacco leaves is preferably 200 to 2000 ml, more preferably 400 to 1000 ml, per 100 g of tobacco leaves. The extraction operation can be performed by adding the solvent to the tobacco leaves and shaking them, or by passing the solvent through tobacco leaves packed in a column or the like. The extraction temperature can be room temperature (23°C) or may be 10 to 30°C. When tobacco leaves are heat-treated in the heating step, the first extraction step can be performed after the tobacco leaves have cooled to room temperature (or 10 to 30°C). The extraction time is not particularly limited, but can be, for example, 5 to 120 minutes.

[0031] After the extraction operation, solid-liquid separation is performed to obtain a first tobacco extract as a liquid and a first tobacco residue as a solid (residue). The solid-liquid separation can be performed by, for example, centrifugation.

[0032] (Concentration Step) The method according to this embodiment includes a step of concentrating the first tobacco extract obtained in the first extraction step to obtain a tobacco concentrate. The concentration of the first tobacco extract can be achieved, for example, by removing the extraction solvent using a vacuum concentrator (evaporator). In this embodiment, the extraction solvent is ethanol or a mixed solvent of ethanol and water. Therefore, the energy required for concentration is low, making concentration easy (for reference, the energy required to evaporate 1 L of water: 2250 kJ, the energy required to evaporate 1 L of ethanol: 661.2 kJ, and the energy required to evaporate 1 L of a 30% by volume water / 70% by volume ethanol mixed solution: 1137 kJ). The degree of concentration of the first tobacco extract is not particularly limited, and can be continued, for example, until the volume of the resulting tobacco concentrate is 10% by volume or less of the first tobacco extract.

[0033] (Second Extraction Step) Preferably, the method according to this embodiment further comprises a step of extracting the first tobacco residue obtained in the first extraction step with water and separating the extract into a second tobacco extract and a second tobacco residue. In this case, the tobacco material production step produces a tobacco material containing the tobacco concentrate and the second tobacco residue. The second extraction step is an optional step and can be carried out after the first extraction step and before the tobacco material production step.

[0034] By carrying out the second extraction step, components contained in the first tobacco residue that do not contribute to flavor can be removed, thereby reducing the weight of the tobacco residue. By reducing the weight of the tobacco residue, the weight of the resulting tobacco material can also be reduced. Therefore, when the tobacco material is used in a non-combustion heating flavor inhaler that generates flavor by heating, for example, the energy required for heating can be reduced. Furthermore, by carrying out the second extraction step, flavor components such as nicotine are more likely to be released when the tobacco material is heated.

[0035] The extraction solvent in the second extraction step is water. The amount of water added to the first tobacco residue is preferably 400 to 2000 ml, more preferably 600 to 1000 ml, per 100 g of first tobacco residue. The extraction operation can be performed by adding water to the first tobacco residue and shaking. The extraction temperature can be room temperature (23°C), or may be 10 to 30°C. The extraction time is not particularly limited, but can be, for example, 5 to 120 minutes.

[0036] After the extraction operation, solid-liquid separation is performed to obtain a second tobacco extract as a liquid and a second tobacco residue as a solid (residue). Solid-liquid separation can be performed, for example, by centrifugation. Note that most of the tobacco components useful for expressing a good flavor are contained in the first tobacco extract, and are hardly contained in the second tobacco extract. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 1 , in this embodiment, a tobacco concentrate obtained by concentrating the first tobacco extract is used to produce a tobacco material, and the second tobacco extract is not used.

[0037] (Tobacco Material Manufacturing Process) The method according to this embodiment produces a tobacco material containing the tobacco concentrate obtained in the concentration process and, as a base material, the first tobacco residue obtained in the first extraction process or the second tobacco residue obtained in the second extraction process. The tobacco material can be produced, for example, by mixing the tobacco concentrate, the base material, and, if necessary, other components, and molding the resulting mixture. Examples of the other components include water, an aerosol source, a molding agent, a strengthening agent, flavorings other than tobacco components, colorants, humectants, preservatives, and diluents such as inorganic substances. The dry weight of the tobacco concentrate contained in 100% by weight of the tobacco material can be 20 to 60% by weight. The dry weight of the base material (first or second tobacco residue) contained in 100% by weight of the tobacco material can be 40 to 70% by weight.

[0038] Examples of aerosol sources include glycerin (G), propylene glycol (PG), 1,3-propanediol, triacetin, and triethyl citrate. These may be used alone or in combination of two or more. When an aerosol source is added, the amount of the aerosol source contained in 100% by volume of the tobacco material may be, for example, 6 to 20% by volume.

[0039] Examples of the molding agent include polysaccharides, proteins, synthetic polymers, etc. These may be used alone or in combination of two or more. Examples of the polysaccharide include cellulose derivatives and naturally occurring polysaccharides.

[0040] Examples of cellulose derivatives include cellulose ethers such as methyl cellulose, ethyl cellulose, hydroxyethyl cellulose, hydroxymethylethyl cellulose, hydroxypropyl cellulose, hydroxypropylmethyl cellulose, benzyl cellulose, trityl cellulose, cyanoethyl cellulose, carboxymethyl cellulose, carboxyethyl cellulose, and aminoethyl cellulose; organic acid esters such as cellulose acetate, cellulose formate, cellulose propionate, cellulose butyrate, cellulose benzoate, cellulose phthalate, and tosyl cellulose; and inorganic acid esters such as cellulose nitrate, cellulose sulfate, cellulose phosphate, and cellulose xanthate.

[0041] Examples of naturally occurring polysaccharides include plant-derived polysaccharides such as guar gum, tara gum, roasted bean gum, tamarind seed gum, pectin, gum arabic, tragacanth gum, karaya gum, ghatti gum, arabinogalactan, amaryllis seed gum, cassia gum, psyllium seed gum, and desert artemisia seed gum; algae-derived polysaccharides such as carrageenan, agar, alginic acid, propylene glycol alginate, furcellaran, and bunion extract; microbial polysaccharides such as xanthan gum, gellan gum, curdlan, pullulan, Agrobacterium succinoglycan, welan gum, macrophomopsis gum, and rhamsan gum; crustacean-derived polysaccharides such as chitin, chitosan, and glucosamine; and starches such as starch, sodium starch glycolate, pregelatinized starch, and dextrin.

[0042] Examples of proteins include grain proteins such as wheat gluten and rye gluten. Examples of synthetic polymers include polyphosphoric acid, sodium polyacrylate, polyvinylpyrrolidone, etc. When a molding agent is added, the amount of molding agent contained in 100% by volume of the tobacco material can be, for example, 3 to 14% by volume.

[0043] Examples of reinforcing agents include fibrous substances such as pulp, insoluble fiber, and fibrous synthetic cellulose, and liquid substances with a surface coating function that form a film when dried, such as pectin suspensions. These may be used alone or in combination of two or more. When a reinforcing agent is added, the amount of reinforcing agent contained in 100% by volume of the tobacco material may be, for example, 4 to 12% by volume.

[0044] The mixture obtained by mixing the tobacco concentrate, the base material, and, if necessary, other components can be formed into, for example, a sheet. For example, the mixture can be rolled between pressure rollers, dried in a dryer, and then cut into a predetermined size to form a sheet. The size of the sheet-shaped tobacco material is not particularly limited, but can be, for example, 10 to 400 cm wide and 10 to 5,000 cm long.

[0045] Second Embodiment An example of a tobacco material manufacturing method according to this embodiment is shown in FIG. 2. In the method shown in FIG. 2, tobacco leaves are first heated to 170-200°C in a heating step. Next, in a first extraction step, the heated tobacco leaves are extracted using a solvent consisting of 0-60% by volume of water and 40-100% by volume of ethanol, and separated into a first tobacco extract and a first tobacco residue. Next, in a concentration step, the first tobacco extract is concentrated to obtain a tobacco concentrate. Next, in a tobacco material manufacturing step, the tobacco concentrate is mixed with cellulose powder as a base or an aerosol source to obtain a tobacco material containing these. Note that in the method according to this embodiment, the heating step is an optional step. For example, the heating step in FIG. 2 may be omitted, and in the first extraction step, tobacco leaves may be extracted directly, without being heat-treated, using a solvent consisting of 0-60% by volume of water and 40-100% by volume of ethanol.

[0046] In this embodiment, the heating step, first extraction step, and concentration step can be performed in the same manner as in the first embodiment. Unlike the first embodiment, the tobacco material production step involves mixing the tobacco concentrate with a cellulose powder base or an aerosol source. The average particle diameter (D50) of the cellulose powder is not particularly limited, but can be, for example, 10 to 200 μm. The average particle diameter is a value measured using a particle size distribution analyzer (LA-920, manufactured by HORIBA). When producing a tobacco material by mixing a tobacco concentrate with a cellulose powder, the tobacco material production method is the same as in the first embodiment, except that cellulose powder is used as the base material. A mixture of the first or second tobacco residue and cellulose powder may also be used as the base material. On the other hand, when producing a tobacco material by mixing a tobacco concentrate with an aerosol source, a liquid tobacco material is obtained. The tobacco material is filled into a cartridge and can be used as an E-liquid with a good flavor. The aerosol source can be the same as that in the first embodiment. The amount of aerosol source added to the tobacco concentrate is preferably 200 to 950 parts by volume, more preferably 400 to 900 parts by volume, per 100 parts by volume of the tobacco concentrate.

[0047] [Tobacco Material] The tobacco material according to this embodiment is produced by the tobacco material manufacturing method according to this embodiment. Because the tobacco material is produced by the tobacco material manufacturing method according to this embodiment, it can provide a good flavor when used, for example, in a heated flavor inhaler. Furthermore, because only useful tobacco components are extracted by the first extraction step and concentrated to produce the tobacco material, unnecessary components in the tobacco leaves used as raw materials are removed, reducing the weight of the tobacco material per tobacco component. Therefore, when the tobacco material according to this embodiment is used in, for example, a non-combustion heated flavor inhaler that generates flavor by heating, the energy required for heating can be reduced. Furthermore, when the tobacco material according to this embodiment is heated, flavor components such as nicotine are easily released from the tobacco material, allowing the user to receive a sufficient amount of flavor components.

[0048] [Cartridge] The cartridge according to this embodiment contains the tobacco material according to this embodiment. The tobacco material can be a liquid tobacco material containing the tobacco concentrate and the aerosol source. This tobacco material is also called E-liquid, and when the cartridge according to this embodiment containing this tobacco material is used in an E-cigarette product, it can provide a good flavor.

[0049] [Non-combustion heating type flavor inhaler] The non-combustion heating type flavor inhaler according to this embodiment includes the tobacco material according to this embodiment. Because the non-combustion heating type flavor inhaler includes the tobacco material according to this embodiment, it can provide a sufficient amount of good flavor to the user. Furthermore, it can reduce the energy required to heat the tobacco material.

[0050] An example of a non-combustion heating type flavor inhaler according to the present embodiment is shown in Figure 3. The non-combustion heating type flavor inhaler 1 shown in Figure 3 comprises a tobacco-containing segment 2 filled with the tobacco material according to the present embodiment, a cylindrical cooling segment 3 having perforations 8 on its circumference, a center hole segment 4, and a filter segment 5. The non-combustion heating type flavor inhaler according to the present embodiment may have other segments in addition to the tobacco-containing segment, cooling segment, center hole segment, and filter segment.

[0051] The axial length of the non-combustion heating type flavor inhaler according to this embodiment is not particularly limited, but is preferably 40 mm or more and 90 mm or less, more preferably 50 mm or more and 75 mm or less, and even more preferably 50 mm or more and 60 mm or less. The circumferential length of the non-combustion heating type flavor inhaler is preferably 16 mm or more and 25 mm or less, more preferably 20 mm or more and 24 mm or less, and even more preferably 21 mm or more and 23 mm or less. For example, the tobacco-containing segment may be 20 mm long, the cooling segment may be 20 mm long, the center hole segment may be 8 mm long, and the filter segment may be 7 mm long. The length of the filter segment may be selected within a range of 4 mm or more and 10 mm or less. The airflow resistance of the filter segment in this case is 15 mmH per segment. ２ O / seg or more, 60mmH ２ The length of each segment can be appropriately changed depending on manufacturing suitability, required quality, etc. Furthermore, even if a filter segment alone is disposed downstream of the cooling segment without using a center hole segment, the non-combustion heating type flavor inhaler can still function.

[0052] (Tobacco-Containing Segment) In the tobacco-containing segment 2, the tobacco material according to this embodiment is filled into cigarette paper (hereinafter also referred to as a wrapper). The method for filling the tobacco material into the wrapper is not particularly limited, and for example, the tobacco material may be wrapped in the wrapper, or the tobacco material may be filled into a tubular wrapper. When the tobacco material has a longitudinal direction, such as a rectangular shape, the tobacco material may be filled so that the longitudinal direction is in an unspecified direction within the wrapper, or may be filled so that the tobacco material is aligned in the axial direction of the tobacco-containing segment 2 or perpendicular to the axial direction.

[0053] (Cooling Segment) As shown in Fig. 3, the cooling segment 3 may be configured as a cylindrical member 7. The cylindrical member 7 may be, for example, a cardboard tube formed into a cylindrical shape.

[0054] The tubular member 7 and the mouthpiece lining paper 12 (described later) are provided with perforations 8 that penetrate both. The presence of the perforations 8 allows outside air to be introduced into the cooling segment 3 during inhalation. As a result, the vaporized aerosol components generated by heating the tobacco-containing segment 2 come into contact with the outside air, their temperature drops, and they liquefy, forming an aerosol. The diameter (distance across) of the perforations 8 is not particularly limited, but may be, for example, 0.5 mm or more and 1.5 mm or less. The number of perforations 8 is not particularly limited, and may be one, two, or more. For example, a plurality of perforations 8 may be provided around the circumference of the cooling segment 3.

[0055] The amount of outside air introduced through the perforations 8 is preferably 85% by volume or less, more preferably 80% by volume or less, of the total volume of gas inhaled by the user. By setting the ratio of the amount of outside air to 85% by volume or less, it is possible to sufficiently suppress the reduction in flavor due to dilution by the outside air. This is also referred to as the ventilation ratio. From the viewpoint of cooling performance, the lower limit of the ventilation ratio range is preferably 55% by volume or more, more preferably 60% by volume or more.

[0056] The cooling segment may also be a segment comprising a sheet of suitable construction material that has been wrinkled, pleated, gathered, or folded. The cross-sectional profile of such an element may exhibit randomly oriented channels. The cooling segment may also comprise a bundle of longitudinally extending tubes. Such a cooling segment may be formed, for example, by wrapping a pleated, gathered, or folded sheet material with a wrapping paper.

[0057] The axial length of the cooling segment can be, for example, 7 mm to 28 mm, for example, 18 mm, and the axial cross section of the cooling segment can be substantially circular, with a diameter of, for example, 5 mm to 10 mm, for example, about 7 mm.

[0058] (Center Hole Segment) The center hole segment is composed of a filling layer having one or more hollow portions and an inner plug wrapper (inner wrapping paper) covering the filling layer. For example, as shown in FIG. 3, the center hole segment 4 is composed of a filling layer 9 having a hollow portion and a second inner plug wrapper 10 covering the filling layer 9. The center hole segment 4 functions to increase the strength of the mouthpiece segment 6. The filling layer 9 can be, for example, a rod having an inner diameter of 1.0 mm or more and 5.0 mm or less, which is densely packed with cellulose acetate fibers and hardened by adding a plasticizer containing triacetin to the cellulose acetate at a ratio of 6% by volume to 20% by volume. Because the filling layer 9 has a high fiber packing density, during inhalation, air and aerosol flow only through the hollow portions and hardly any flow within the filling layer 9. Because the filling layer 9 inside the center hole segment 4 is a fiber-packed layer, the feel from the outside during use is less likely to cause discomfort to the user. It is also possible for the center hole segment 4 not to have the second inner plug wrapper 10 and for its shape to be maintained by thermoforming.

[0059] (Filter Segment) The configuration of the filter segment 5 is not particularly limited, and may be composed of one or more packed layers. The outside of the packed layer may be wrapped with one or more sheets of wrapping paper. The airflow resistance per filter segment 5 can be appropriately changed depending on the amount, material, etc. of the packing filled in the filter segment 5. For example, when the packing is cellulose acetate fiber, the airflow resistance can be increased by increasing the amount of cellulose acetate fiber filled in the filter segment 5. When the packing is cellulose acetate fiber, the packing density of the cellulose acetate fiber is 0.13 to 0.18 g / cm. ３ The airflow resistance is a value measured using an airflow resistance measuring device (product name: SODIMAX, manufactured by SODIM).

[0060] The circumferential length of the filter segment 5 is not particularly limited, but is preferably 16 to 25 mm, more preferably 20 to 24 mm, and even more preferably 21 to 23 mm. The axial length of the filter segment 5 can be selected from 4 to 10 mm, and the airflow resistance thereof is preferably 15 to 60 mmH. ２ The filter segment 5 has an axial length of preferably 5 to 9 mm, more preferably 6 to 8 mm. The cross-sectional shape of the filter segment 5 is not particularly limited, but may be, for example, circular, elliptical, polygonal, or the like. Furthermore, a flavor-containing breakable capsule, flavor beads, or flavor may be directly added to the filter segment 5.

[0061] As shown in Figure 3, the center hole segment 4 and the filter segment 5 can be connected by an outer plug wrapper (outer wrapping paper) 11. The outer plug wrapper 11 can be, for example, a cylindrical piece of paper. The tobacco-containing segment 2, the cooling segment 3, and the connected center hole segment 4 and filter segment 5 can be connected by a mouthpiece lining paper 12. These connections can be made, for example, by applying glue such as vinyl acetate glue to the inner surface of the mouthpiece lining paper 12, and then inserting and winding the three segments. Note that these segments may also be connected in multiple places using multiple lining papers.

[0062] [Non-combustion heating type flavor inhalation system] The non-combustion heating type flavor inhalation system according to this embodiment includes the non-combustion heating type flavor inhaler according to this embodiment 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.

[0063] An example of a non-combustion heating type flavor inhalation system according to this embodiment is shown in Fig. 4. The non-combustion heating type flavor inhalation system shown in Fig. 4 includes a non-combustion heating type flavor inhaler 1 according to this embodiment and a heating device 13 that heats the tobacco-containing segment of the non-combustion heating type flavor inhaler 1 from the outside.

[0064] Figure 4(a) shows the state before the non-combustion heating type flavor inhaler 1 is inserted into the heating device 13, and Figure 4(b) shows the state after the non-combustion heating type flavor inhaler 1 is inserted into the heating device 13 and heated. The heating device 13 shown in Figure 4 comprises a body 14, a heater 15, a metal tube 16, a battery unit 17, and a control unit 18. The body 14 has a cylindrical recess 19, and the heater 15 and metal tube 16 are disposed on the inner side of the recess 19 at a position corresponding to the tobacco-containing segment of the non-combustion heating type flavor inhaler 1 to be inserted into the recess 19. The heater 15 may be an electric resistance heater, and is heated by being supplied with power from the battery unit 17 in response to instructions from the control unit 18, which controls the temperature. The heat generated by the heater 15 is transmitted to the tobacco-containing segment of the non-combustion heating type flavor inhaler 1 through the metal tube 16, which has high thermal conductivity.

[0065] 4(b) is a schematic illustration, and therefore there is a gap between the outer periphery of the non-combustion heating type flavor inhaler 1 and the inner periphery of the metal tube 16, but in reality, for the purpose of efficient heat transfer, it is preferable that there is no gap between the outer periphery of the non-combustion heating type flavor inhaler 1 and the inner periphery of the metal tube 16. Note that although the heating device 13 heats the tobacco-containing segment of the non-combustion heating type flavor inhaler 1 from the outside, it may also heat from the inside.

[0066] 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.

[0067] The present embodiment will be described in more detail below with reference to examples, but the present embodiment is not limited to these examples.

[0068] Example 1: 20 ml of a mixed solvent consisting of 30% by volume water and 70% by volume ethanol was added to 2 g of a flue-cured and burley tobacco leaf blend, and shaking extraction was performed at room temperature (23°C) for 20 minutes. The mixture was then centrifuged to separate a first tobacco extract and a first tobacco residue. The nicotine concentration in the first tobacco extract was measured using GC-FID, the fructose and glucose concentrations were measured using LC-RID, and the content ratios of acetic acid, propionic acid, palmitic acid, stearic acid, and linolenic acid were measured using a GC-MSD system. Separately, nicotine was extracted from 2 g of the tobacco leaf using the method described in CORESTA Recommended Methods No. 62, and the nicotine amount was measured using a GC-FID system. The fructose and glucose amounts in the tobacco leaf were also measured using LC-RID.

[0069] The amount of nicotine in the first tobacco extract was calculated as a nicotine recovery rate, assuming that the amount of nicotine measured according to the method described in CORESTA Recommended Methods No. 62 was 100%. The results are shown in Figure 5. The amounts of fructose and glucose in the first tobacco extract were also calculated as recovery rates, assuming that the amounts of fructose and glucose in the tobacco leaves measured using LC-RID were 100%. The results are shown in Figure 6. The amounts of acetic acid, propionic acid, palmitic acid, stearic acid, and linolenic acid in the first tobacco extract were also calculated as a percentage of the average area value of each component in the GC-FID system analysis. The results are shown in Figure 7.

[0070] Example 2 The same procedure as in Example 1 was carried out, except that a mixed solvent consisting of 50% by volume of water and 50% by volume of ethanol was used as the extraction solvent. The results are shown in Figures 5 to 7.

[0071] Comparative Example 1 The same procedure as in Example 1 was carried out except that hexane was used as the extraction solvent. The results are shown in Figures 5 to 7.

[0072] Comparative Example 2 The same procedure as in Example 1 was carried out, except that a mixed solvent consisting of 70% by volume of water and 30% by volume of ethanol was used as the extraction solvent. The results are shown in Figures 5 to 7.

[0073] Comparative Example 3 The same procedure as in Example 1 was carried out, except that a mixed solvent consisting of 90% by volume of water and 10% by volume of ethanol was used as the extraction solvent. The results are shown in Figures 5 to 7.

[0074] Comparative Example 4 The same procedure as in Example 1 was carried out except that water was used as the extraction solvent. The results are shown in Figures 5 to 7.

[0075] As shown in Figure 5, Examples 1 and 2, which used the extraction solvent according to the present embodiment, showed a higher nicotine recovery rate than Comparative Examples 1 to 4, which did not use the extraction solvent according to the present embodiment. Also, as shown in Figure 6, Examples 1 and 2, which used the extraction solvent according to the present embodiment, showed a sugar recovery rate equivalent to Comparative Examples 2 and 4, which did not use the extraction solvent according to the present embodiment. Also, as shown in Figure 7, Examples 1 and 2, which used the extraction solvent according to the present embodiment, showed a higher organic acid recovery rate than Comparative Examples 1 and 2, which did not use the extraction solvent according to the present embodiment, and the balance of each organic acid was also good.

[0076] Example 3: 30 g of tobacco leaves, a blend of flue-cured and burley varieties, was sealed in a sealed container, heated to 140°C, and maintained at 140°C for 20 minutes. The container was then ice-cooled until the internal temperature reached room temperature, and the tobacco leaves were removed from the sealed container. 20 ml of ethanol was added to 2 g of the tobacco leaves as an extraction solvent, and shaking extraction was performed at room temperature (23°C) for 30 minutes. The mixture was then centrifuged to separate into a first tobacco extract and a first tobacco residue. The nicotine content in the first tobacco extract was measured using a GC-FID system. Separately, nicotine was extracted from 2 g of raw tobacco leaves before heat treatment, based on the method described in CORESTA Recommended Methods No. 62, and the nicotine content was measured using a GC-FID system.

[0077] The amount of nicotine in the first tobacco extract was calculated as a nicotine recovery rate, assuming that the amount of nicotine measured based on the method described in CORESTA Recommended Methods No. 62 was 100%. The results are shown in Figure 8.

[0078] [Example 4] The same procedure as in Example 3 was carried out, except that the heating temperature when heating the tobacco leaves was changed to 170° C. The results are shown in FIG.

[0079] [Example 5] The same procedure as in Example 3 was carried out, except that the heating temperature when heating the tobacco leaves was changed to 200° C. The results are shown in FIG.

[0080] [Example 6] The same procedure as in Example 3 was carried out, except that the tobacco leaves were not heat-treated and the first extraction step was carried out as is. The results are shown in Figure 8.

[0081] As shown in Figure 8, it was confirmed that by heating tobacco leaves at 170 to 200°C before carrying out the first extraction step, the nicotine in the tobacco leaves is partially decomposed, but the recovery rate of tobacco components (nicotine) in the first extraction step is improved.

[0082] Example 7: 30 g of tobacco leaves, a blend of flue-cured and burley varieties, was sealed in a sealed container and heated to 180°C and maintained at 180°C for 20 minutes. The container was then ice-cooled until the internal temperature reached room temperature, and the tobacco leaves were removed from the sealed container. 20 ml of a mixed solvent consisting of 30% by volume of water and 700% by volume of ethanol was added to 2 g of the tobacco leaves as an extraction solvent, and shaking extraction was performed at room temperature (23°C) for 30 minutes. The mixture was then centrifuged to separate into a first tobacco extract and a first tobacco residue. The nicotine content in the first tobacco extract was measured using a GC-FID system. Separately, nicotine was extracted from 2 g of raw tobacco leaves before heat treatment, based on the method described in CORESTA Recommended Methods No. 62, and the nicotine content was measured using a GC-FID system.

[0083] The amount of nicotine in the first tobacco extract was calculated as a nicotine recovery rate, assuming that the amount of nicotine measured based on the method described in CORESTA Recommended Methods No. 62 was 100%. The results are shown in Figure 9.

[0084] Example 8 The same procedure as in Example 7 was carried out, except that a mixed solvent consisting of 50% by volume of water and 50% by volume of ethanol was used as the extraction solvent. The results are shown in Figure 9.

[0085] As shown in Figure 9, even when using the mixed solvent of water and ethanol according to this embodiment, it was confirmed that by heating the tobacco leaves at 170 to 200°C before carrying out the first extraction step, although the nicotine in the tobacco leaves is partially decomposed, a high recovery rate of tobacco components (nicotine) can be achieved in the first extraction step.

[0086] Example 9: 400 ml of a mixed solvent consisting of 30% by volume water and 70% by volume ethanol was added to 40 g of a flue-cured and burley tobacco leaf blend as an extraction solvent, and the mixture was subjected to shaking extraction at room temperature (23°C) for 20 minutes. The mixture was then centrifuged to separate into a first tobacco extract and a first tobacco residue. The first tobacco extract was passed through a vacuum concentrator (evaporator) to obtain a tobacco concentrate. Meanwhile, 400 g of water was added to 70 g (dry weight) of the first tobacco residue as an extraction solvent, and the mixture was subjected to shaking extraction at room temperature (23°C) for 30 minutes. The mixture was then centrifuged to separate into a second tobacco extract and a second tobacco residue. After mixing the tobacco concentrate and the second tobacco residue, VG (vegetable glycerin) and guar gum were added to the resulting mixture in amounts such that the dry concentrations after molding were 10% by volume VG and 9% by volume guar gum, and water was further added and kneaded. The resulting kneaded product was rolled out and molded into a sheet, which was then cut into rectangular shapes 1 mm wide and 10 mm long to obtain a tobacco material. The resulting tobacco material had a nicotine concentration (dry concentration) of 19.4 mg / g and a VG concentration (dry concentration) of 94.1 mg / g. The dry weights of the first tobacco extract, the second tobacco extract, and the second tobacco residue relative to 100 wt% of the dry weight of the raw tobacco leaves were 36.1 wt%, 19.8 wt%, and 44.1 wt%, respectively.

[0087] 260 mg of the tobacco material was packed into the tobacco-containing segment 2 of the non-combustion heating flavor inhaler 1 shown in Figure 3, and the tobacco-containing segment 2 was heated using the heating device 13 shown in Figure 4. The heating temperature was 200°C or 250°C (constant temperature). The heated non-combustion heating flavor inhaler was inhaled using a smoking machine, and components in the smoke were collected with a Cambridge filter for each puff. The collected material was extracted with a solvent, and the nicotine content was measured by gas chromatography (GC). The results are shown in Figures 10 and 11.

[0088] Comparative Example 5: VG (vegetable glycerin) and guar gum were added to a blend of flue-cured and burley tobacco leaves in amounts such that the dry concentrations after molding were 10% VG by volume and 9% guar gum by volume, and water was then added and kneaded. The resulting kneaded material was rolled out and molded into a sheet, which was then cut into rectangular shapes 1 mm wide and 10 mm long to obtain a tobacco material. The nicotine concentration (dry concentration) of the resulting tobacco material was 15.5 mg / g, and the VG concentration (dry concentration) was 101.5 mg / g. The tobacco material was filled into a non-combustion heating flavor inhaler and used in the same manner as in Example 9, and the nicotine content in the smoke was evaluated. The results are shown in Figures 10 and 11.

[0089] As shown in Figures 10 and 11, in Example 9, which used the tobacco material according to this embodiment, the amount of nicotine released was greater at both the heating temperatures of 200°C and 250°C than in Comparative Example 5, which used tobacco leaves as they were as the tobacco material.

[0090] Example 10: 400 ml of a mixed solvent consisting of 30% by volume water and 70% by volume ethanol was added to 40 g of a flue-cured and burley tobacco leaf blend, and the mixture was subjected to shaking extraction at room temperature (23°C) for 20 minutes. The mixture was then centrifuged to separate a first tobacco extract and a first tobacco residue. The first tobacco extract was then passed through a vacuum evaporator to obtain a tobacco concentrate. 14.2 g (dry weight) of the tobacco concentrate was mixed with 10 g of VG, 21.3 g of cellulose powder, and 4.5 g of guar gum. The resulting mixture was spread and molded into a sheet, which was then cut into rectangular shapes measuring 1 mm wide and 10 mm long to obtain a tobacco material. The nicotine concentration of the tobacco material was adjusted to be similar to that of the raw tobacco leaves.

[0091] The tobacco material was filled into the tobacco-containing segment 2 of the non-combustion heating flavor inhaler 1 shown in Figure 3. The tobacco-containing segment 2 was heated using a heating device 13 shown in Figure 4, and 11 panelists used the non-combustion heating flavor inhaler 1 to perform a sensory evaluation of the flavor. Note that the 11 panelists had undergone sufficient sensory evaluation training using multiple types of samples, and it was confirmed that the evaluation thresholds were equal and consistent among the panelists. As a result, all 11 panelists responded that the tobacco material had a characteristic aroma. Therefore, it was confirmed that the tobacco material according to this embodiment can adequately reproduce a tobacco-like flavor.

[0092] Example 11: 20 ml of a mixed solvent consisting of 30% by volume water and 70% by volume ethanol was added to 2 g of a flue-cured and burley tobacco leaf blend as an extraction solvent, and the mixture was subjected to shaking extraction at room temperature (23°C) for 20 minutes. The mixture was then centrifuged to separate a first tobacco extract and a first tobacco residue. The first tobacco extract was then passed through a vacuum evaporator to obtain a tobacco concentrate. A PG / VG mixed solution (equal weight ratio) was added to the tobacco concentrate in an amount nine times by weight to prepare a liquid tobacco material.

[0093] The tobacco material was filled into an E-liquid cartridge (trade name: Logic Compact). Four panelists performed a sensory evaluation of the flavor using a Logic Compact (trade name) equipped with the cartridge. The four panelists had been thoroughly trained in sensory evaluation using multiple types of samples, and it was confirmed that the evaluation thresholds were equal and standardized among the panelists. As a result, all panelists responded that the product was less irritating than E-cigarette products using pharmaceutical nicotine, and that it provided a natural draw. They also responded that it was characterized by a sweet aroma, a burnt-sweet odor, and a green note. Therefore, it was confirmed that the tobacco material according to this embodiment has a good flavor even when used in E-cigarettes, and can exhibit effects different from those of existing products.

[0094] Comparative Example 6: A flue-cured and burley blend of tobacco leaves was subjected to extraction according to the conventional method described in CORESTA Recommended Methods No. 62. The hexane phase was recovered and the dry weight of the tobacco components contained in the hexane phase was measured. Specifically, the hexane phase was weighed into a weighing bottle and heated at 105°C. The dry weight was determined as the weight at which no weight change was observed. The dry weight of the hexane phase was 2.27% of the dry weight of the raw tobacco leaves, confirming that almost no tobacco components other than nicotine were extracted. Subsequently, 1 g (dry weight) of the hexane phase was mixed with 12.4 g of VG, 43.1 g of cellulose powder, and 5.6 g of guar gum. The resulting mixture was rolled and molded into a sheet, which was then cut into rectangular shapes 1 mm wide and 10 mm long to obtain a tobacco material.

[0095] The tobacco material was loaded into the tobacco-containing segment 2 of the non-combustion heating flavor inhaler 1 shown in Figure 3. The tobacco-containing segment 2 was heated using the heating device 13 shown in Figure 4, and four panelists performed a sensory evaluation of the flavor using the non-combustion heating flavor inhaler 1. The four panelists had been thoroughly trained in sensory evaluation using multiple types of samples, and it was confirmed that their evaluation thresholds were equal and consistent across the panelists. As a result, all four panelists responded that the sensation was similar to that of pure nicotine, accompanied by a stimulating sensation, and that they did not recognize any distinctive tobacco aroma. Therefore, it was confirmed that tobacco materials prepared by conventional extraction procedures cannot provide a pleasant tobacco-like flavor.

[0096] The present embodiment preferably includes the following aspects.

[0097] [1] A method for producing a tobacco material, comprising: extracting tobacco leaves with a solvent consisting of 0 to 60% by volume of water and 40 to 100% by volume of ethanol, and separating the extract into a first tobacco extract and a first tobacco residue; concentrating the first tobacco extract to obtain a tobacco concentrate; and producing a tobacco material containing the tobacco concentrate and a substrate or an aerosol source.

[0098] [2] The method according to [1], wherein the substrate is the first tobacco residue.

[0099] [3] The method according to [1], wherein the base material is a cellulose powder.

[0100] [4] The method according to any one of [1] to [3], wherein the aerosol source is at least one selected from the group consisting of glycerin, propylene glycol, 1,3-propanediol, triacetin, and triethyl citrate.

[0101] [5] The method according to any one of [1] to [4], further comprising a step of heating the tobacco leaves to 170 to 200°C before extracting the tobacco leaves with the solvent.

[0102] [6] The method according to [1], further comprising a step of extracting the first tobacco residue with water and separating it into a second tobacco extract and a second tobacco residue, wherein the step of producing the tobacco material is a step of producing a tobacco material containing the tobacco concentrate and the second tobacco residue.

[0103] [7] A tobacco material produced by the method according to any one of [1] to [6].

[0104] [8] A cartridge comprising the tobacco material according to [7].

[0105] [9] A non-combustion heating type flavor inhaler comprising the tobacco material according to [7].

[0106]

[10] A non-combustion heating type flavor inhalation system comprising: the non-combustion heating type flavor inhaler according to [9]; and a heating device for heating the non-combustion heating type flavor inhaler.

[0107] REFERENCE SIGNS LIST 1 Non-combustion heating type flavor inhaler 2 Tobacco-containing segment 3 Cooling segment 4 Center hole segment 5 Filter segment 6 Mouthpiece segment 7 Cylindrical member 8 Perforation 9 Filler layer 10 Second inner plug wrapper 11 Outer plug wrapper 12 Mouthpiece lining paper 13 Heating device 14 Body 15 Heater 16 Metal tube 17 Battery unit 18 Control unit 19 Recess

Claims

1. A step of extracting tobacco leaves using a solvent composed of 0 to 60% by volume of water and 40 to 100% by volume of ethanol, and separating them into a first tobacco extract and a first tobacco residue; a step of concentrating the first tobacco extract to obtain a concentrated tobacco solution; and a step of manufacturing a tobacco material including the concentrated tobacco solution and a base material or an aerosol source. A method for manufacturing a tobacco material.

2. The method according to claim 1, wherein the base material is the first tobacco residue.

3. The method according to claim 1, wherein the base material is cellulose powder.

4. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the aerosol source is at least one selected from the group consisting of glycerin, propylene glycol, 1,3 - propanediol, triacetin, and triethyl citrate.

5. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 4, further including a step of heating the tobacco leaves to 170 to 200 °C before extracting the tobacco leaves with the solvent.

6. The method according to claim 1, further including a step of extracting the first tobacco residue with water and separating it into a second tobacco extract and a second tobacco residue, and the step of manufacturing the tobacco material is a step of manufacturing a tobacco material including the concentrated tobacco solution and the second tobacco residue.

7. A tobacco material manufactured by the method according to any one of claims 1 to 6.

8. A cartridge including the tobacco material according to claim 7.

9. A non - combustion heating type flavor inhaler including the tobacco material according to claim 7.

10. A non - combustion heating type flavor inhalation system including the non - combustion heating type flavor inhaler according to claim 9 and a heating device for heating the non - combustion heating type flavor inhaler.

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