(19)
(11) EP 4 144 229 A1

(12) EUROPEAN PATENT APPLICATION
published in accordance with Art. 153(4) EPC

(43) Date of publication:
08.03.2023 Bulletin 2023/10

(21) Application number: 21797909.5

(22) Date of filing: 28.04.2021
(51) International Patent Classification (IPC): 
A24B 3/14(2006.01)
A24F 47/00(2006.01)
A24B 15/167(2020.01)
A24F 40/20(2020.01)
(52) Cooperative Patent Classification (CPC):
A24F 47/00; A24F 40/20; A24B 15/167; A24B 3/14
(86) International application number:
PCT/JP2021/017045
(87) International publication number:
WO 2021/221120 (04.11.2021 Gazette 2021/44)
(84) Designated Contracting States:
AL AT BE BG CH CY CZ DE DK EE ES FI FR GB GR HR HU IE IS IT LI LT LU LV MC MK MT NL NO PL PT RO RS SE SI SK SM TR
Designated Extension States:
BA ME
Designated Validation States:
KH MA MD TN

(30) Priority: 30.04.2020 JP 2020080512

(71) Applicant: Japan Tobacco Inc.
Tokyo 105-6927 (JP)

(72) Inventors:
  • CHIDA, Masahiro
    Tokyo 130-8603 (JP)
  • KAWATA, Masami
    Tokyo 130-8603 (JP)
  • NAKAGAWA, Yasuhiro
    Tokyo 130-8603 (JP)
  • TOKUNAGA, Kojiro
    Tokyo 130-8603 (JP)

(74) Representative: Hoffmann Eitle 
Patent- und Rechtsanwälte PartmbB Arabellastraße 30
81925 München
81925 München (DE)

   


(54) SHEET FOR SMOKING ARTICLE


(57) A sheet for a smoking article contains non-pulp fibers and an aerosol former and has a thickness of 70 µm or less.




Description

TECHNICAL FIELD



[0001] The present invention relates to a sheet for a smoking article.

BACKGROUND ART



[0002] As a non-combustion smoking article, a liquid-type electronic cigarette has been developed for the experience similar to cigarette smoking through evaporation (vaporization) of a liquid containing a nicotine-based flavor. Such a liquid-type electronic cigarette comprises an atomizer for evaporating/atomizing a liquid through heating or the like, a solution tank for holding a liquid to be supplied to the atomizer, and a battery (Patent Literature (PTL) 1 to 3, for example).

[0003] As another mode of non-combustion smoking articles, there has been developed a non-combustion cigarette, in the form similar to a conventional combustion-type cigarette, including a tobacco material and a filter. Such a non-combustion cigarette is used by heating with a separately prepared heating device (PTL 4). Since glycerol or propylene glycol as an aerosol former is consumed during smoking in such a non-combustion cigarette, a large amount of aerosol former is required to generate an aerosol in an amount the same as the above-mentioned liquid-type electronic cigarette. For this reason, incorporating a large amount of aerosol former into a tobacco material, such as a tobacco sheet or tobacco shreds, or applying such an aerosol former to a tobacco material, for example, has been investigated (PTL 5 to 7).

CITATION LIST


PATENT LITERATURE



[0004] 

PTL 1: U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2015/0128974

PTL 2: U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2019/0208821

PTL 3: U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2017/0265517

PTL 4: Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication (Translation of PCT Application) No. 2014-515274

PTL 5: Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication (Translation of PCT Application) No. 2010-520764

PTL 6: Canadian Patent Application Publication No. 3006621

PTL 7: U.S. Patent No. 5322076


SUMMARY OF INVENTION


TECHNICAL PROBLEM



[0005] An excessively thick sheet for a smoking article causes problems, such as lowering in thermal conductivity and difficulty in attaining sufficient smoky feeling due to the small surface area of the sheet. Meanwhile, a thin sheet has a problem of lowering in strength. In view of this, an object of the present invention is to provide a sheet with balanced thickness and strength for a smoking article.

SOLUTION TO PROBLEM



[0006] The present inventors found that the above-mentioned problems are resolved by a sheet for a smoking article, containing fibers of a predetermined fiber diameter and having a predetermined thickness. In other words, the object is attained by the present invention below.

Embodiment 1



[0007] A sheet for a smoking article, containing

non-pulp fibers and

an aerosol former and having

a thickness of 70 µm or less.


Embodiment 2



[0008] The sheet for a smoking article according to Embodiment 1, where the non-pulp fibers are derived from a plant.

Embodiment 3



[0009] The sheet for a smoking article according to Embodiment 1 or 2, where the non-pulp fibers include microfibrillated cellulose.

Embodiment 4



[0010] The sheet for a smoking article according to any of Embodiments 1 to 3, where the non-pulp fibers include dietary fibers.

Embodiment 5



[0011] The sheet for a smoking article according to Embodiment 4, where the dietary fibers include citrus fibers.

Embodiment 6



[0012] The sheet for a smoking article according to any of Embodiments 1 to 5, where the non-pulp fibers have an average fiber diameter of 25 µm or less.

Embodiment 7



[0013] The sheet for a smoking article according to any of Embodiments 1 to 6, containing 20 to 50 weight% of the aerosol former.

Embodiment 8



[0014] The sheet for a smoking article according to any of Embodiments 1 to 7, further containing a binder.

Embodiment 9



[0015] The sheet for a smoking article according to Embodiment 8, where the binder is amphiphilic.

Embodiment 10



[0016] The sheet for a smoking article according to Embodiment 8 or 9, where the binder is a nonionic cellulose derivative.

Embodiment 11



[0017] The sheet for a smoking article according to any of Embodiments 1 to 10, further containing an emulsifier.

Embodiment 12



[0018] The sheet for a smoking article according to Embodiment 11, containing 0.1 to 0.3 parts by weight of an emulsifier relative to 100 parts by weight of the sheet for a smoking article.

Embodiment 13



[0019] The sheet for a smoking article according to any of Embodiments 1 to 12, having been processed by bending, slitting, pleating, or crimping.

Embodiment 14



[0020] A method of producing the sheet for a smoking article according to any of Embodiments 1 to 13, including steps of:

preparing a slurry containing at least the non-pulp fibers, an aerosol former, and a medium;

spreading the slurry on a substrate to prepare a wet sheet; and

drying the wet sheet.


Embodiment 15



[0021] A rod-shaped flavor generating material formed by folding or rolling the sheet for a smoking article according to any of Embodiments 1 to 13.

Embodiment 16



[0022] A multilayer sheet for a smoking article, including a plurality of sheets, where the multilayer sheet includes two or more sheets selected from the group consisting of
  1. A) a first sheet of the sheet for a smoking article according to any of Embodiments 1 to 13,
  2. B) a second sheet of the sheet for a smoking article according to any of Embodiments 1 to 13, and
  3. C) a sheet of a material different from the sheet for a smoking article, where
    the first sheet and the second sheet are different or the same in composition.

Embodiment 17



[0023] A flavor generating segment including

a tubular wrapper and

the sheet for a smoking article according to any of Embodiments 1 to 13, the multilayer sheet for a smoking article according to Embodiment 16, or a material derived therefrom, any of which is packed within the wrapper.


Embodiment 18



[0024] The flavor generating segment according to Embodiment 17, where the rod-shaped flavor generating material, a cut piece of the sheet for a smoking article, or a cut piece of the multilayer sheet for a smoking article is packed within the wrapper.

Embodiment 19



[0025] A smoking article including the sheet for a smoking article according to any of Embodiments 1 to 13, the multilayer sheet for a smoking article according to Embodiment 16, or a material derived therefrom.

Embodiment 20



[0026] A smoking article including a wrapper formed of the sheet for a smoking article according to any of Embodiments 1 to 13 or the multilayer sheet for a smoking article according to Embodiment 16.

Embodiment 21



[0027] A combustion-type or non-combustion smoking article including the flavor generating segment according to Embodiment 17 or 18.

Embodiment 22



[0028] The combustion-type or non-combustion smoking article according to Embodiment 21, where the wrapper is formed of the sheet for a smoking article according to any of Embodiments 1 to 13 or the multilayer sheet for a smoking article according to Embodiment 16.

Embodiment 23



[0029] A tobacco filler containing:

the sheet for a smoking article according to any of Embodiments 1 to 13, the multilayer sheet for a smoking article according to Embodiment 16, or a material derived therefrom; and

a material selected from the group consisting of a tobacco sheet, tobacco shreds, and a combination thereof.


Embodiment 24



[0030] The tobacco filler according to Embodiment 23, where the multilayer sheet for a smoking article indispensably includes a metal foil as C).

Embodiment 25



[0031] The tobacco filler according to Embodiment 24, where C) and A) or B) are stuck together in the multilayer sheet for a smoking article.

Embodiment 26



[0032] A refill containing the tobacco filler according to any of Embodiments 23 to 25.

ADVANTAGEOUS EFFECTS OF INVENTION



[0033] According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a sheet with balanced thickness and strength for a smoking article.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS



[0034] 

Fig. 1A is a schematic view of an exemplary flavor generating segment using a sheet for a smoking article.

Fig. 1B is a schematic view of another exemplary flavor generating segment using a sheet for a smoking article.

Fig. 1C is a schematic view of another exemplary flavor generating segment using a sheet for a smoking article.

Fig. 1D is a schematic view of another exemplary flavor generating segment using a sheet for a smoking article.

Fig. 1E is a schematic view of another exemplary flavor generating segment using a sheet for a smoking article.

Fig. 2 is a schematic view of exemplary flavor generating materials using a sheet for a smoking article.

Fig. 3 is a schematic cross-sectional view of an exemplary heat-not-burn smoking system before heating.

Fig. 4 is a schematic cross-sectional view of the exemplary heat-not-burn smoking system during heating.

Fig. 5 is a schematic cross-sectional view of an exemplary heat-not-burn flavor inhaler article.

Fig. 6 is a perspective view of another exemplary heat-not-burn flavor inhaler article.

Fig. 7 is an exploded view of the heat-not-burn flavor inhaler article in Fig. 6.

Fig. 8 is a schematic view illustrating the internal structure of the heat-not-burn flavor inhaler article in Fig. 6.


DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS



[0035] Hereinafter, the present invention will be described in detail. In the present invention, the expression of "X to Y" includes the lower and the upper limits of X and Y.

1. Sheet for Smoking Article



[0036] A sheet for a smoking article is a sheet to be used for a smoking article and contains non-pulp fibers and an aerosol former.

(1) Fibers



[0037] Fibers used for the sheet for a smoking article are non-pulp fibers. Non-pulp fibers are fibers excluding pulp fibers. Pulp fibers are aggregates of cellulose fibers extracted from a plant, such as wood, and are commonly used as raw materials for paper. Exemplary pulp fibers include recycled pulp, chemical pulp, and mechanical pulp. In the present invention, non-pulp fibers are preferably derived from a plant. Such plant-derived fibers are biodegradable and hence environmentally friendly.

[0038] Conventional tobacco sheets use wood pulp or other pulp fibers, in other words, plant fiber bundles as a substrate (for example, PTL 7: U.S. Patent No. 5322076). Wood pulp is typically formed as bundles of single fibers of 20 µm in fiber diameter and has a fiber diameter of about 100 to 200 µm and a fiber length of about 1000 to 2000 µm. When a tobacco sheet having practical tensile strength is produced using wood pulp, the sheet becomes thick as 100 to 300 µm to lower thermal conductivity. Meanwhile, since non-pulp fibers are used in the present invention, it is possible to form a thin sheet excellent in mechanical strength and to attain excellent thermal conductivity. In this view, non-pulp fibers have an average fiber diameter of preferably 25 µm or less, more preferably 20 µm or less, and further preferably 15 µm or less. The lower limit of the average fiber diameter is not limited but is 2 nm or more, 10 nm or more, 100 nm or more, 1 µm or more, or 5 µm or more.

[0039] The average fiber diameter of non-pulp fibers can be obtained by acquiring images of the fibers, measuring the width (short axis) for a plurality of fibers, and averaging these values. When the fiber shape is columnar (rectangular cross-section), the width (longer one) of the principal surface, out of the widths of the principal and side surfaces, is regarded as the width of the fiber. The number of fibers to be measured is preferably 100 or more.

[0040] Non-pulp fibers are preferably microfibrillated cellulose. Microfibrillated cellulose is fine fibers obtained through processing, such as defibrillation, of pulp fibers. Microfibrillated cellulose may have been subjected to chemical modification, such as oxidation. Microfibrillated cellulose has an average fiber diameter as mentioned above. The average fiber length of microfibrillated cellulose is not limited, but the upper limit is preferably 2000 µm or less and more preferably 1500 µm or less. The lower limit is preferably 100 µm or more and more preferably 500 µm or more.

[0041] Moreover, non-pulp fibers are preferably dietary fibers. Dietary fibers are food components that are not broken down by human digestive enzymes and are more preferably insoluble dietary fibers, which are insoluble in water, in the present invention. Such dietary fibers may be porous, in other words, spongy. Porous fibers can increase the surface area of the sheet for a smoking article and enhance thermal conductivity of the sheet. In view of easy availability and so forth, the fibers are preferably citrus fibers. Citrus fibers are fibers primarily made of albedo of citrus fruits. Citrus fibers have an average fiber diameter as mentioned above. Further, dietary fibers may be columnar particles or short fibers having a small aspect ratio.

[0042] In an embodiment, microfibrillated cellulose and dietary fibers are used in combination. By using these fibers in combination, the sheet for a smoking article enhances the strength, easy dispersibility in water, and smoky feeling. The upper limit of the weight of microfibrillated cellulose is preferably 1.5 parts by weight or less and more preferably 1.2 parts by weight or less relative to 1 part by weight of dietary fibers. The lower limit is preferably 0.1 parts by weight or more and more preferably 0.3 parts by weight or more.

[0043] All the fibers in the sheet for a smoking article are preferably non-pulp fibers, but the sheet may contain fibers excluding non-pulp fibers. In this case, the amount of non-pulp fibers in all the fibers is preferably 60 to 99 weight% and more preferably 70 to 90 weight%. When the amount of non-pulp fibers is less than the lower limit, it could become difficult to thin the sheet for a smoking article.

[0044] The amount of all the fibers in the sheet for a smoking article is preferably 1 to 60 weight% and more preferably 10 to 40 weight% in view of mechanical strength and so forth.

(2) Binder



[0045] The sheet for a smoking article of the present invention may contain a binder. A binder is an adhesive for binding fibers together. As a binder, those known in the relevant field can be used. When a binder is hydrophilic, the sheet for a smoking article enhances easy dispersibility in water but reduces smoky feeling since it is impossible to increase the amount of aerosol former, which is lipophilic, due to lowering in affinity therewith. In view of the balance and so forth, a binder is preferably amphiphilic. In other words, a binder is preferably soluble in water and an organic solvent, such as ethanol. Exemplary such binders include cellulose derivatives. The cellulose derivatives are preferably nonionic. Preferable exemplary binders include hydroxyalkyl cellulose. Hydroxyalkyl cellulose is represented by general formula (I) below.



[0046] In the formula, R is a hydrogen atom or a group shown as -(A-O)m-H. A is a divalent alkylene group, where the carbon number of the alkylene group is preferably 1 to 5 and more preferably 2 or 3. n is preferably 100 to 2500, and m is 1 or more. A is most preferably 1,2-propylene group. In other words, a binder is most preferably hydroxypropyl cellulose. Hydroxypropyl cellulose has a degree of substitution of 0.1 to 4.5, for example, and preferably 2.0 to 4.5. The degree of substitution of hydroxypropyl cellulose indicates the number of hydroxypropyl groups per glucose. Hydroxypropyl cellulose marketed under the trade name of Celny from Nippon Soda Co., Ltd. may be used, for example.

[0047] Advantages of using hydroxypropyl cellulose as a binder will be described below. Cellulose crystallizes through intermolecular hydrogen bonding between OH groups and hence is hydrophobic. Meanwhile, hydroxypropyl cellulose having hydroxypropyl groups does not readily form intermolecular hydrogen bonds and hence is both hydrophilic and hydrophobic, in other words, amphiphilic.

[0048] In a system containing a polyhydric alcohol, such as glycerol, as an aerosol former, hydroxypropyl cellulose is known to form a composite of a network structure through interactions (hydrogen bonding) between hydroxypropyl groups of hydroxypropyl cellulose and OH groups of glycerol. Moreover, it is considered that hydroxypropyl cellulose, which is amphiphilic, can incorporate a hydrophilic flavor and a hydrophobic flavor into the network structure. Consequently, when the sheet for a smoking article contains a flavor, it is possible to retain the flavor in the composite of a network structure in a stable manner without volatilization during storage of the smoking article and to release the flavor in a stable manner during use of the smoking article (especially, during heating of a flavor inhaler article).

[0049] Further, hydroxypropyl cellulose is soluble in an organic solvent, in particular, in ethanol. For this reason, when a slurry containing ethanol as a medium is used for producing the sheet for a smoking article as described hereinafter, it is possible to reduce the viscosity of the slurry. Accordingly, such a slurry is more advantageous than a slurry containing water as a medium in transport, coating, or other steps in the production. Furthermore, since ethanol is more volatile than water, it is possible, for example, to shorten the production time or reduce energy costs during drying in the production method.

[0050] The amount of binder in the sheet for a smoking article is not particularly limited but is preferably 10 to 60 weight% and more preferably 20 to 40 weight%. When the amount of binder exceeds the upper limit, water dispersibility and smoky feeling tend to deteriorate. Meanwhile, when the amount is less than the lower limit, the surface state of the sheet for a smoking article tends to worsen.

(3) Aerosol Former



[0051] An aerosol former is a material that generates an aerosol through vaporization upon heating and subsequent cooling or generates an aerosol through atomization. A known aerosol former may be used, and examples include polyhydric alcohols, such as glycerol and propylene glycol (PG), triethyl citrate (TEC), and triacetin. The amount of aerosol former in the sheet for a smoking article is preferably 20 to 70 weight%, more preferably 30 to 50 weight%, and further preferably 20 to 50 weight%. When the amount of aerosol former exceeds the upper limit, the production of the sheet for a smoking article could become difficult. Meanwhile, when the amount is less than the lower limit, smoky feeling could deteriorate.

(4) Emulsifier



[0052] The sheet for a smoking article may contain an emulsifier. An emulsifier enhances affinity between an aerosol former, which is lipophilic, and non-pulp fibers, which are hydrophilic. A known emulsifier may be used, and examples include emulsifiers having HLB of 8 to 18. The amount of emulsifier is not particularly limited but is preferably 0.1 to 0.4 parts by weight, more preferably 0.1 to 0.3 parts by weight, and further preferably 0.2 to 0.3 parts by weight relative to 100 parts by weight of the sheet for a smoking article.

(5) Flavor base material



[0053] The sheet for a smoking article may contain a flavor base material. A flavor base material is a material that imparts smoking flavor and is preferably a tobacco material. Specific examples of such tobacco materials include shreds of dry tobacco leaves, pulverized leaf tobacco, and tobacco extracts (extracts with water, organic solvent, or mixed solution thereof). Pulverized leaf tobacco is particles obtained through pulverization of leaf tobacco. The average particle size of pulverized leaf tobacco may be set to 30 to 120 µm, for example. Pulverization may be performed using a known grinding mill as dry grinding or wet grinding. The resulting pulverized leaf tobacco is also referred to as leaf tobacco particles. In the present invention, an average particle size is obtained by a laser diffraction/scattering method and is concretely measured using a laser diffraction particle size analyzer (LA-950 from Horiba, Ltd., for example). Further, the type of tobacco is not limited, and flue-cured, burley, oriental, and domestic, regardless of Nicotiana tabacum varieties or Nicotiana rustica varieties, may be used. The amount of flavor base material in the sheet for a smoking article is not particularly limited but is preferably 1 to 30 weight% and more preferably 10 to 20 weight%.

(6) Flavor



[0054] The sheet for a smoking article may contain a flavor. A flavor is a substance that provides aroma or taste. Such a flavor may be a natural flavor or a synthetic flavor. One flavor or a mixture of a plurality of flavors may be used. Any flavor commonly used for smoking articles may be used, and specific examples will be described hereinafter. A flavor may be incorporated into the sheet for a smoking article in an amount such that the smoking article can provide preferable aroma or taste. For example, the amount in the sheet for a smoking article is preferably 1 to 30 weight% and more preferably 10 to 20 weight%.

[0055] Any of commonly used flavors, such as essential oil, natural flavors, or synthetic flavors, may be used. Such a flavor may be liquid or solid and may have any properties. Examples of preferred flavors include flavors selected from tobacco extracts and tobacco components, sugar and sugar-based flavors, licorice, cocoa, chocolate, fruit juice and fruit, spices, liquors, herbs, vanilla, flower-based flavors, and so forth; and combinations thereof. Specific examples include flavors selected from isothiocyanates, indole and derivatives thereof, ethers, esters, ketones, fatty acids, aliphatic higher alcohols, aliphatic higher aldehydes, aliphatic higher hydrocarbons, thioethers, thiols, terpene hydrocarbons, phenol ethers, phenols, furfural and derivatives thereof, aromatic alcohols, aromatic aldehydes, lactones and so forth; and combinations thereof.

[0056] It is also possible to use a wide variety of flavor components as described in "Collection of Well-known Prior Arts (Flavors)" (March 14, 2007, Japan Patent Office), "Saishin Koryo No Jiten (Fukyu Ban)" [Latest: Encyclopedia of Flavors (trade edition)] (Arai, Soichi; Kobayashi, Akio; Yajima, Izumi; and Kawasaki, Toshiaki, eds. February 25, 2012, Asakura Publishing Co., Ltd.), and "Tobacco Flavoring for Smoking Products" (June 1972, R.J. Reynolds Tobacco Company), for example.

[0057] Examples include, from a viewpoint of imparting satisfactory smoking flavor, acetanisole, acetophenone, acetylpyrazine, 2-acetylthiazole, alfalfa extract, amyl alcohol, amyl butyrate, trans-anethole, star anise oil, apple juice, Peru balsam oil, beeswax absolute, benzaldehyde, benzoin resinoid, benzyl alcohol, benzyl benzoate, benzyl phenylacetate, benzyl propionate, 2,3-butanedione, 2-butanol, butyl butyrate, butyric acid, caramel, cardamom oil, carob absolute, β-carotene, carrot juice, L-carvone, β-caryophyllene, cassia bark oil, cedarwood oil, celery seed oil, chamomile oil, cinnamaldehyde, cinnamic acid, cinnamyl alcohol, cinnamyl cinnamate, citronella oil, DL-citronellol, clary sage extract, cocoa, coffee, cognac oil, coriander oil, cuminaldehyde, davana oil, δ-decalactone, γ-decalactone, decanoic acid, dill oil, 3,4-dimethyl-1,2-cyclopentanedione, 4,5-dimethyl-3-hydroxy-2,5-dihydrofuran-2-one, 3,7-dimethyl-6-octenoic acid, 2,3-dimethylpyrazine, 2,5-dimethylpyrazine, 2,6-dimethylpyrazine, ethyl 2-methylbutyrate, ethyl acetate, ethyl butyrate, ethyl hexanoate, ethyl isovalerate, ethyl lactate, ethyl laurate, ethyl levulinate, ethyl maltol, ethyl octanoate, ethyl oleate, ethyl palmitate, ethyl phenylacetate, ethyl propionate, ethyl stearate, ethyl valerate, ethyl vanillin, ethyl vanillin glucoside, 2-ethyl-3,(5 or 6)-dimethylpyrazine, 5-ethyl-3-hydroxy-4-methyl-2(5H)-furanone, 2-ethyl-3-methylpyrazine, eucalyptol, fenugreek absolute, genet absolute, gentian root infusion, geraniol, geranyl acetate, grape juice, guaiacol, guava extract, γ-heptalactone, γ-hexalactone, hexanoic acid, cis-3-hexen-1-ol, hexyl acetate, hexyl alcohol, hexyl phenylacetate, honey, 4-hydroxy-3-pentenoic acid γ-lactone, 4-hydroxy-4-(3-hydroxy-1-butenyl)-3,5,5-trimethyl-2-cyclohexen-1-one, 4-(p-hydroxyphenyl)-2-butanone, 4-hydroxyundecanoic acid sodium salt, immortelle absolute, β-ionone, isoamyl acetate, isoamyl butyrate, isoamyl phenylacetate, isobutyl acetate, isobutyl phenylacetate, jasmine absolute, kola nut tincture, labdanum oil, terpeneless lemon oil, licorice extract, linalool, linalyl acetate, lovage root oil, maltol, maple syrup, menthol, menthone, L-menthyl acetate, p-methoxybenzaldehyde, methyl 2-pyrrolyl ketone, methyl anthranilate, methyl phenylacetate, methyl salicylate, 4'-methylacetophenone, methyl cyclopentenolone, 3-methylvaleric acid, mimosa absolute, molasses, myristic acid, nerol, nerolidol, γ-nonalactone, nutmeg oil, δ-octalactone, octanal, octanoic acid, orange flower oil, orange oil, oris root oil, palmitic acid, ω-pentadecalactone, peppermint oil, petitgrain Paraguay oil, phenethyl alcohol, phenethyl phenylacetate, phenylacetic acid, piperonal, plum extract, propenylguaethol, propyl acetate, 3-propylidenephthalide, prune juice, pyruvic acid, raisin extract, rose oil, rum, sage oil, sandalwood oil, spearmint oil, styrax absolute, marigold oil, tea distillate, α-terpineol, terpinyl acetate, 5,6,7,8-tetrahydroquinoxaline, 1,5,5,9-tetramethyl-13-oxatricyclo[8.3.0.0.(4.9)]tridecane, 2,3,5,6-tetramethylpyrazine, thyme oil, tomato extract, 2-tridecanone, triethyl citrate, 4-(2,6,6-trimethylcyclohex-1-enyl)but-2-en-4-one, 2,6,6-trimethylcyclohex-2-ene-1,4-dione, 4-(2,6,6-trimethylcyclohexa-1,3-dienyl)but-2-en-4-one, 2,3,5-trimethylpyrazine, γ-undecalactone, γ-valerolactone, vanilla extract, vanillin, veratraldehyde, violet leaf absolute, citral, mandarin oil, 4-(acetoxymethyl)toluene, 2-methyl-1-butanol, ethyl 10-undecenoate, isoamyl hexanoate, 1-phenylethyl acetate, lauric acid, 8-mercaptomenthone, sinensal, and hexyl butyrate. Among these, menthol is particularly preferable. These flavors may be used alone or in combination.

[0058] Solid flavors are not particularly limited, and examples include, from a viewpoint of imparting satisfactory smoking flavor, flavors selected from cocoa powder, carob powder, coriander powder, licorice powder, orange peel powder, herb powder, flower powder, spice powder, tea powder, and so forth; and combinations thereof.

[0059] Further, the sheet for a smoking article may contain a freshening agent or a flavoring agent. Such a freshening agent is not particularly limited, and examples include, from a viewpoint of imparting satisfactory smoking flavor, menthol, camphor, isopulegol, cineol, Japanese peppermint oil, peppermint oil, eucalyptus oil, 2-l-menthoxyethanol (Coolact® 5), 3-1-menthoxypropane-1,2-diol (Coolact® 10), l-menthyl 3-hydroxybutyrate (Coolact® 20), p-menthane-3,8-diol (Coolact® 38D), N-(2-hydroxy-2-phenylethyl)-2-isopropyl-5,5-dimethylcyclohexane-1-carboxamide (Coolact® 370), N-[4-(cyanomethyl)phenyl]-2-isopropyl-5,5-dimethylcyclohexanecarboxamide (Coolact® 400), N-(3-hydroxy-4-methoxyphenyl)-2-isopropyl-5,5-dimethylcyclohexanecarboxamide, N-ethyl-p-menthane-3-carboxamide (WS-3), ethyl 2-(p-menthane-3-carboxamido)acetate (WS-5), N-(4-methoxyphenyl)-p-menthanecarboxamide (WS-12), 2-isopropyl-N,2,3-trimethylbutyramide (WS-23), 3-1-menthoxy-2-methylpropane-1,2-diol, 2-l-menthoxyethan-1-ol, 3-l-menthoxypropan-1-ol, 4-l-menthoxybutan-1-ol, menthyl lactate (FEMA 3748), menthone glycerin acetal (Frescolat MGA, FEMA 3807, FEMA3808), 2-(2-l-menthyloxyethyl)ethanol, menthyl glyoxylate, menthyl 2-pyrrolidone-5-carboxylate, menthyl succinate (FEMA 3810), N-(2-(pyridin-2-yl)ethyl)-3-p-menthanecarboxamide (FEMA 4549), N-(ethoxycarbonylmethyl)-p-menthane-3-carboxamide, N-(4-cyanomethylphenyl)-p-menthanecarboxamide, and N-(4-aminocarbonylphenyl)-p-menthane. These freshening agents may be used alone or in combination.

[0060] The flavoring agent is not particularly limited, and examples include, from a viewpoint of imparting satisfactory smoking flavor, sweeteners (sugars, such as glucose, fructose, high-fructose corn syrup, and caramel), acidulants (organic acids and so forth), and other taste enhancers (materials that impart umami, bitterness, or saltiness, for example). Optionally, fats/lipids (waxes, fatty acids, such as short-chain, medium-chain, long-chain fatty acids) may be added further.

[0061] When a flavor, a freshening agent, and a flavoring agent are contained in tobacco shreds, the total content is not particularly limited but is typically 10,000 ppm or more, preferably 20,000 ppm or more, and more preferably 25,000 ppm or more; and typically 70,000 ppm or less, preferably 50,000 ppm, more preferably 40,000 ppm or less, and further preferably 33,000 ppm or less in an embodiment from a viewpoint of imparting satisfactory smoking flavor. In another embodiment, the total amount is preferably 2 weight% or more and more preferably 5 weight% or more; and preferably 20 weight% or less and more preferably 10 weight% or less.

(7) Characteristics and Forms of Sheet for Smoking Article


1) Thickness



[0062] The sheet for a smoking article has a thickness of 70 µm or less. Consequently, the sheet has excellent thermal conductivity. In this view, the upper limit of the thickness is preferably 50 µm or less, and the lower limit is preferably 20 µm or more.

2) Sheet Strength



[0063] The sheet for a smoking article preferably has a tensile stress of 15 N/mm2. Consequently, the sheet has satisfactory workability. In this view, the upper limit of the tensile stress is more preferably 50 N/mm2 or less and further preferably 30 N/mm2 or less, and the lower limit is preferably 5 N/mm2 or more and more preferably 10 N/mm2 or more.

3) Easy Dispersibility in Water



[0064] The sheet for a smoking article is excellent in easy dispersibility and hence is highly environmentally friendly. The sheet for a smoking article preferably has water dispersibility of 3 to 9 minutes measured in accordance with an official method (JIS P 4501). The upper limit of dispersibility by this method is preferably 30 minutes or less.

4) Forms



[0065] The size of the sheet for a smoking article is adjusted appropriately depending on the uses, desirable number of puffs, and so forth. For example, the length may be set to about 20 to 50 mm and the width to about 20 to 50 mm. An exemplary relationship between the sheet size and the number of puffs is as follows.

30 mm × 30 mm: 8 puffs

30 mm × 50 mm: 16 puffs

40 mm × 50 mm: 18 puffs

50 mm × 50 mm: 24 puffs



[0066] Further, the sheet for a smoking article may be processed by bending, slitting, or pleating.

(8) Flavor Generating Segment, Rod-shaped Flavor Generating Material



[0067] A flavor generating segment to be used for a smoking article can be produced from the sheet for a smoking article. In an embodiment, the flavor generating segment includes a tubular wrapper and a sheet for a smoking article spirally rolled and packed within the wrapper (see Fig. 1A). In the figure, 20A is a flavor generating segment, 1 is a sheet for a smoking article, and 22 is a wrapper, which is typically paper but may be a sheet for a smoking article 1 or a multilayer sheet for a smoking article described hereinafter. The flavor generating segment preferably has a rod shape, and the length may be set to about 15 to 80 mm and the diameter to about 5 to 10 mm. Further, the flavor generating segment 20A in Fig. 1A may be cut into a flavor generating segment 20A having an aspect ratio (length/diameter) of about 0.5 to 1.2 (see Fig. 1B). The sheet for a smoking article 1 that has been formed by rolling spirally or the like is also referred to as a flavor generating material 21.

[0068] In another embodiment, the flavor generating segment 20A includes a tubular wrapper 22 and a sheet for a smoking article 1 folded and packed within the wrapper. The ridges formed through folding extend almost parallel to the longitudinal direction of the segment (see Fig. 1C). The flavor generating segment 20A preferably has a rod shape, and the length may be set to about 15 to 80 mm and the diameter to about 5 to 10 mm. In this embodiment, the sheet for a smoking article 1 has preferably been processed in advance by surface creasing, such as pleating or crimping.

[0069] In another embodiment, the flavor generating segment 20A includes a tubular wrapper 22 and a cut piece 1c of the sheet for a smoking article, which is a material derived from the sheet for a smoking article, packed within the wrapper (see Fig. 1D). The flavor generating segment 20A preferably has a rod shape, and the length may be set to about 15 to 80 mm and the diameter to about 5 to 10 mm. The size of a cut piece is not limited, but the length of the longest side may be set to about 2 to 4 mm, for example.

[0070] In another embodiment, a sheet for a smoking article 1 may be compressed (crumpled into a ball) from two or more axial directions parallel to the principal surface into a lump of a material derived from the sheet for a smoking article, and the lump may also be placed in a container or the like and used as a flavor generating segment 20A (see Fig. 1E). The size of the lump is adjusted appropriately depending on smoking articles for which the lump is used.

[0071] The sheet for a smoking article may also be folded or rolled into a rod-shaped flavor generating material. Fig. 2 illustrates exemplary rod-shaped flavor generating materials 21. Fig. 2 (A) is a rectangular flavor generating material, and Fig. 2 (B) is a cylindrical flavor generating material. In an embodiment, these materials can form a flavor generating segment without using a wrapper or through packing without further processing within a wrapper. In this case, the rod-shaped flavor generating material 21 has a dimension the same as the flavor generating segment. In another embodiment, the cylindrical flavor generating material may be cut as needed by a user into a material of a desirable size. This embodiment is preferred as a smoking article for holding in the mouth to absorb flavor components therefrom.

(9) Multilayer Sheet for Smoking Article



[0072] The sheet for a smoking article of the present invention may form a multilayer sheet for a smoking article. The multilayer sheet for a smoking article includes two or more sheets selected from the group consisting of A) a first sheet of the sheet for a smoking article of the present invention, B) a second sheet of the sheet for a smoking article of the present invention, and C) a sheet of a material different from the sheet for a smoking article. In the multilayer sheet for a smoking article in an embodiment, at least one layer is the first sheet of the sheet for a smoking article of the present invention and at least one layer is the second sheet of the sheet for a smoking article of the present invention. The first sheet and the second sheet are different or the same in the composition. The second sheet different from the first sheet in the composition indicates a sheet partially or entirely different in the above-mentioned essential components or the amounts thereof or a sheet containing other components that are not contained in the first sheet. Accordingly, examples of the present embodiment include a multilayer sheet for a smoking article that includes a plurality of first sheets and a multilayer sheet for a smoking article that includes one or more first sheets and one or more second sheets.

[0073] In another embodiment, the multilayer sheet for a smoking article includes the sheet for a smoking article of the present invention and a sheet of another material. Examples of the sheet of another material includes metal foils. Such a metal foil may be a thin sheet of a composite metal material or a single metal material or may be a metal foil composite comprising a laminate of a metal material and another material (paper or polymer film, for example). Examples of the thin sheet of a composite metal material or a single metal material include an aluminum foil sheet, a copper foil sheet, an iron foil sheet, and an aluminum alloy foil sheet. Examples of the metal foil composite include a laminate of aluminum foil and paper, in other words, aluminum metallized paper. Examples of the aluminum metallized paper include an aluminum foil bonded using an adhesive to paper and an aluminum foil vapor-deposited on paper.

[0074] When a metal foil is used as a sheet of another material, it is possible to promote the release of flavor components contained in the sheet for a smoking article since metal is high in thermal conductivity and thus readily warms during the use of the smoking article (especially, during heating of the smoking article).

[0075] The sheet of another material may be an organic film or an inorganic film. Examples of the former include a polyethylene terephthalate (PET) film. In addition, the sheet of another material may be paper and so forth. The sheet of another material may not or may be stuck together with the sheet for a smoking article of the present invention.

(10) Tobacco Filler



[0076] A tobacco filler is a tobacco material that acts as a tobacco flavor source in a smoking article. In an embodiment, the tobacco filler contains: the sheet for a smoking article of the present invention, the multilayer sheet for a smoking article of the present invention, or a material derived therefrom; and a material selected from a group consisting of a tobacco sheet, tobacco shreds, and a combination thereof. Further, the tobacco filler may contain tobacco granules. Tobacco shreds refer to cut leaf tobacco (dried tobacco leaves) that has been prepared for incorporating into a tobacco product. A tobacco sheet refers to a tobacco material, such as tobacco shreds or tobacco waste generated as leaf waste or shredding waste in a raw material factory or a production factory, formed into a sheet or cut products thereof and hence is different from the sheet for a smoking article of the present invention. Tobacco granules refer to tobacco materials, such as tobacco shreds or tobacco waste generated as leaf waste or shredding waste in a raw material factory or a production factory, formed into granules.

[0077] In another embodiment, the tobacco filler contains: a multilayer sheet for a smoking article, indispensably including a metal foil as C) or a material derived therefrom; and a material selected from the group consisting of a tobacco sheet, tobacco shreds, and a combination thereof. In this case, the metal foil and the sheet for a smoking article A) or B) of the present invention may not or may be stuck together. The tobacco filler may contain the above-mentioned flavor and so forth.

[0078] The tobacco filler may be packed within a wrapper or a container to form a flavor generating segment. Moreover, the tobacco filler may also be used as a refill for a smoking article. A refill refers to a refillable tobacco filler. The refill may contain the above-mentioned flavor and so forth in addition to the tobacco filler.

2. Production Method



[0079] The sheet for a smoking article can be produced by any method but is preferably produced by a method including the steps of:

preparing a slurry containing at least non-pulp fibers, an aerosol former, and a medium;

spreading the slurry on a substrate to prepare a wet sheet; and

drying the wet sheet.


(1) Slurry Preparation Step



[0080] In this step, non-pulp fibers, an aerosol former, and a medium are mixed. As necessary, a binder, a flavor base material, an emulsifier, or a flavor may be added thereto. The amounts of the respective components are adjusted as in the foregoing. The medium preferably contains, for example, water or a water-soluble organic solvent, such as ethanol, as a main component and is more preferably water or ethanol. The mixing method is not limited, and a known device, such as a mixer, may be used therefor. The solids concentration of a slurry obtained through mixing is not limited. The upper limit is preferably 15 weight% or less, more preferably 12 weight% or less, and further preferably 10 weight% or less, and the lower limit is preferably 3 weight% or more and more preferably 4 weight% or more.

(2) Wet Sheet Preparation Step



[0081] In this step, the resulting slurry is spread on a substrate to prepare a wet sheet. The substrate is not limited, and examples include: inorganic material substrates, such as a glass plate; metal substrates, such as an aluminum plate; organic material substrates, such as a PET film; and fiber material substrates, such as a nonwoven fabric.

(3) Drying Step



[0082] In this step, the prepared wet sheet is dried. Drying can be performed by a known method. For example, the wet sheet may be air-dried at room temperature or may be dried by heating. The heating temperature is also not limited and may be set to 60°C to 150°C, for example. The resulting dry sheet is separated from the substrate to yield a sheet for a smoking article.

3. Smoking Articles



[0083] Smoking articles encompass flavor inhaler articles in which a user tastes a flavor through inhalation and smokeless tobacco (smokeless smoking articles) in which a user places the product directly in the nasal or oral cavity to taste a flavor. Flavor inhaler articles are broadly divided into combustion-type smoking articles represented by conventional cigarettes and non-combustion smoking articles.

[0084] Such a flavor inhaler article is any inhaler article that includes a flavor source and in which a user tastes a flavor derived from the flavor source through inhalation. A flavor source contained in the flavor inhaler article is preferably derived from tobacco. Specific examples of the flavor inhaler article include a combustion-type smoking article that provides a flavor to a user through burning of a flavor source and a heat-not-burn flavor inhaler article that provides a flavor to a user through heating but not burning of a flavor source.

[0085] Smokeless tobacco is a product that includes a flavor source and in which a user tastes a flavor derived from the flavor source by directly placing the product in the nasal or oral cavity. A flavor source contained in smokeless tobacco is preferably derived from tobacco. Chewing tobacco and snuff are known as smokeless tobacco.

[0086] The above-mentioned sheet for a smoking article, multilayer sheet for a smoking article, flavor generating material, and so forth can be incorporated into a smoking article. According to an embodiment, it is possible to provide a smoking article including the above-mentioned sheet for a smoking article, multilayer sheet for a smoking article, or a material derived therefrom. For example, a tobacco filler may be incorporated as a material derived from the sheet for a smoking article or the like. Further, since the above-mentioned sheet or multilayer sheet is also preferred as a wrapper, it is possible in this embodiment to provide a smoking article including a wrapper formed of the sheet or multilayer sheet. As mentioned above, the smoking article is preferably a combustion-type flavor inhaler article or a heat-not-burn flavor inhaler article.

[0087] Examples of the combustion-type flavor inhaler article include cigarettes, pipes, kiseru or Japanese smoking pipes, cigars, and cigarillos.

[0088] A heat-not-burn flavor inhaler article may be heated by a heating device separate from the article or may be heated by a heating device integrated with the article. In the former flavor inhaler article (separate-type), a heat-not-burn flavor inhaler article and a heating device are also collectively referred to as a "heat-not-burn smoking system."

[0089] Hereinafter, an exemplary heat-not-burn smoking system will be described with reference to Figs. 3 to 5. Further, an exemplary heat-not-burn flavor inhaler article as the latter flavor inhaler article (integrated-type) will be described with reference to Figs. 6 to 8.

[0090] Figs. 3 and 4 are schematic cross-sectional views of an exemplary heat-not-burn smoking system. Fig. 3 illustrates the state before inserting a heat-not-burn flavor inhaler article 20 into a heating device 10, and Fig. 4 illustrates the state of heating the heat-not-burn flavor inhaler article 20 inserted into the heating device 10. Fig. 5 is a cross-sectional view of the heat-not-burn flavor inhaler article 20.

[0091] As illustrated in Figs. 3 and 4, the heat-not-burn smoking system includes a heat-not-burn flavor inhaler article 20 and a heating device 10 for heating a flavor generating segment 20A of the heat-not-burn flavor inhaler article 20 from the outside. The heat-not-burn smoking system is not limited to the structure in Figs. 3 and 4 provided that a heat-not-burn flavor inhaler article 20 and a heating device 10 for heating the heat-not-burn flavor inhaler article 20 are included.

[0092] The heating device 10 illustrated in Figs. 3 and 4 includes a body 11, a heater 12, a metal tube 13, a battery unit 14, and a control unit 15. The body 11 has a tubular recess 16, and the heater 12 and the metal tube 13 are arranged on the inner side surface of the recess 16 at a position corresponding to the flavor generating segment 20A of the heat-not-burn flavor inhaler article 20 inserted into the recess 16. The body 11 further has a ventilation hole 17 that connects the recess 16 to the outside of the body 11 and thus can supply air to the heat-not-burn flavor inhaler article 20 inserted into the recess 16.

[0093] The heater 12 may be an electric resistance heater, and heating with the heater 12 is performed by feeding power from the battery unit 14 in accordance with instructions from the control unit 15, which controls temperature.

[0094] Heat generated by the heater 12 is transferred to the flavor generating segment 20A of the heat-not-burn flavor inhaler article 20 through the metal tube 13 having high thermal conductivity.

[0095] In the schematic view of Fig. 4, a gap exists between the outer perimeter of the heat-not-burn flavor inhaler article 20 and the inner perimeter of the metal tube 13. However, such a gap between the outer perimeter of the heat-not-burn flavor inhaler article 20 and the inner perimeter of the metal tube 13 is actually and desirably absent for the purpose of efficient heat transfer.

[0096] Although the heating device 10 heats the flavor generating segment 20A of the heat-not-burn flavor inhaler article 20 from the outside, the heating device may be a heating device for heating from the inside.

[0097] The heating temperature by the heating device 10 is not particularly limited but is preferably 400°C or lower, more preferably 150°C to 400°C, and further preferably 200°C to 350°C. Herein, the heating temperature means the temperature of the heater 12 in the heating device 10.

[0098] As illustrated in Fig. 5, the heat-not-burn flavor inhaler article 20 (hereinafter, simply referred to as "flavor inhaler article 20") has a cylindrical shape. The flavor inhaler article 20 has a circumferential length of preferably 16 mm to 27 mm, more preferably 20 mm to 26 mm, and further preferably 21 mm to 25 mm. The total length (length in the horizontal direction) of the flavor inhaler article 20 is not particularly limited but is preferably 40 mm to 90 mm, more preferably 50 mm to 75 mm, and further preferably 50 mm to 60 mm.

[0099] The flavor inhaler article 20 comprises a flavor generating segment 20A, a filter section 20C that forms a mouthpiece, and a connection section 20B that connects the flavor generating segment 20A and the filter section 20C.

[0100] The flavor generating segment 20A is cylindrical. The entire length (length in the axial direction) of the flavor generating segment 20A is, for example, preferably 20 to 70 mm, more preferably 20 to 50 mm, and further preferably 20 to 30 mm. The cross-sectional shape of the flavor generating segment 20A is not particularly limited but may be circular, elliptic, or polygonal, for example.

[0101] The flavor generating segment 20A includes a flavor generating material 21 and a wrapper 22 wrapped therearound. The wrapper 22 may be the sheet for a smoking article 1 of the present invention or the multilayer sheet for a smoking article of the present invention.

[0102] The filter section 20C is cylindrical. The filter section 20C includes a rod-shaped first segment 25 filled with cellulose acetate fibers and a rod-shaped second segment 26 similarly filled with cellulose acetate fibers. The first segment 25 is positioned on the side of the flavor generating segment 20A. The first segment 25 may have a hollow portion. The second segment 26 is positioned on the mouth side. The second segment 26 is solid. The first segment 25 comprises a first filling layer (cellulose acetate fibers) 25a and an inner plug wrapper 25b wrapped around the first filling layer 25a. The second segment 26 comprises a second filling layer (cellulose acetate fibers) 26a and an inner plug wrapper 26b wrapped around the second filling layer 26a. The first segment 25 and the second segment 26 are joined by an outer plug wrapper 27. The outer plug wrapper 27 is bonded to the first segment 25 and the second segment 26 using a vinyl acetate emulsion adhesive, for example.

[0103] The length of the filter section 20C may be set to 10 to 30 mm, for example, the length of the connection section 20B to 10 to 30 mm, for example, the length of the first segment 25 to 5 to 15 mm, for example, and the length of the second segment 26 to 5 to 15 mm, for example. The lengths of these individual segments are examples and may be changed appropriately depending on production feasibility, required quality, the length of the flavor generating segment 20A, and so forth.

[0104] For example, the first segment 25 (center hole segment) comprises a first filling layer 25a having one or more hollow portions and an inner plug wrapper 25b that covers the first filling layer 25a. The first segment 25 acts to enhance the strength of the second segment 26. The first filling layer 25a of the first segment 25 is, for example, cellulose acetate fibers packed at high density. The cellulose acetate fibers are, for example, added with 6 to 20 mass%, based on the mass of cellulose acetate, of a plasticizer including triacetin and hardened. The hollow portion of the first segment 25 has an inner diameter of ⌀1.0 to ø5.0 mm, for example.

[0105] The first filling layer 25a of the first segment 25 may be formed, for example, at a relatively high filling density of fibers or at a filling density of fibers comparable to the second filling layer 26a of the second segment 26 described hereinafter. Consequently, air and an aerosol flow only through the hollow portion and hardly flow within the first filling layer 25a during inhalation. For example, when it is desirable to suppress reduction in aerosol components through filtration in the second segment 26, it is also possible to shorten the second segment 26 and extend the first segment 25 by the corresponding length.

[0106] Replacing the shortened second segment 26 by the first segment 25 is effective for increasing the amount of aerosol components to be delivered. Since the first filling layer 25a of the first segment 25 is a fiber filling layer, the touch from the outside during use does not cause any discomfort to a user.

[0107] The second segment 26 comprises a second filling layer 26a and an inner plug wrapper 26b that covers the second filling layer 26a. The second segment 26 (filter segment) is filled with cellulose acetate fibers at common density and thus exhibits typical filtration performance of aerosol components.

[0108] The first segment 25 and the second segment 26 may be different in filtration performance of an aerosol (mainstream smoke) released from the flavor generating segment 20A. Further, at least either of the first segment 25 and the second segment 26 may contain a flavor. The structure of the filter section 20C is optional and may be a structure having a plurality of segments as mentioned above or a structure of a single segment.

[0109] The connection section 20B is hollow cylindrical. The connection section 20B includes a cylindrically formed paper tube 23 of cardboard, for example.

[0110] A lining paper 28 is cylindrically wrapped around the flavor generating segment 20A, the connection section 20B, and the filter section 20C to join these components integrally. On either side (inner side) of the lining paper 28A, almost whole surface or whole surface excluding near a ventilation hole portion 24 is coated with a vinyl acetate emulsion adhesive. The ventilation hole portion 24 is formed by laser processing from the outside after the flavor generating segment 20A, the connection section 20B, and the filter section 20C are integrated by the lining paper 28.

[0111] The ventilation hole portion 24 includes two or more penetrating holes in the thickness direction of the connection section 20B. Two or more penetrating holes are formed in radial arrangement when viewed from the extension of the central axis of the flavor inhaler article 20. The ventilation hole portion 24 is provided on the connection section 20B in this embodiment but may be provided on the filter section 20C. Moreover, two or more penetrating holes of the ventilation hole portion 24 are provided aligning in one row or on one ring at certain intervals in this embodiment but may be provided aligning in two rows or on two rings at certain intervals. Further, the ventilation hole portion 24 in one or two rows may be provided aligning discontinuously or irregularly. When a user inhales with the mouthpiece in the mouth, external air is taken into mainstream smoke through the ventilation hole portion 24.

[0112] Hereinafter, another exemplary heat-not-burn flavor inhaler article will be described with reference to Figs. 6 to 8.

[0113] Fig. 6 is a perspective view illustrating an exemplary appearance of a heat-not-burn flavor inhaler article. Fig. 7 is an exploded view of the exemplary heat-not-burn flavor inhaler article. A heat-not-burn flavor inhaler article 30 (hereinafter, simply referred to as "flavor inhaler article 30") is an electronic cigarette or nebulizer, for example, and generates an aerosol upon inhalation by a user to provide the resulting aerosol to the user. One continuous inhalation by a user is referred to as a "puff." The flavor inhaler article 30 adds components, such as a flavor, to the generated aerosol and releases the aerosol inside the oral cavity of a user.

[0114] As illustrated in Figs. 6 and 7, the flavor inhaler article 30 includes a body 30A, an aerosol source holding section 30B, and an additive component holding section 30C. The body 30A feeds power and also controls the operation of the entire device. The aerosol source holding section 30B holds an aerosol source for generating an aerosol through atomization. The additive component holding section 30C holds a flavor generating material 38 that includes the sheet for a smoking article of the present invention, the multilayer sheet for a smoking article of the present invention, or a material derived therefrom. A user can put the mouthpiece, which is the end portion on the additive component holding section 30C side, in the mouth and inhale an aerosol added with a flavor and so forth. Here, since the sheet for a smoking article of the present invention contains an aerosol former, an aerosol source other than the sheet is not essential in the flavor inhaler article.

[0115] The flavor inhaler article 30 is assembled by a user or the like from the body 30A, the aerosol source holding section 30B, and the additive component holding section 30C. The body 30A, the aerosol source holding section 30B, and the additive component holding section 30C respectively have, for example, a cylindrical or truncated cone shape of a predetermined diameter and can be joined in the order of the body 30A, the aerosol source holding section 30B, and the additive component holding section 30C. The body 30A and the aerosol source holding section 30B are joined, for example, by engaging an external thread portion and an internal thread portion provided at the respective ends. Moreover, the aerosol source holding section 30B and the additive component holding section 30C are joined, for example, by inserting the additive component holding section 30C having a tapered side surface into a tubular portion provided at one end of the aerosol source holding section 30B. Further, the aerosol source holding section 30B and the additive component holding section 30C may be disposable replacement parts.

[0116] Fig. 8 is a schematic view illustrating an exemplary inside of the flavor inhaler article 30. The body 30A includes a power source 31, a controller 32, and a inhalation sensor 33. The controller 32 is electrically connected to the power source 31 and the inhalation sensor 33. The power source 31 is a rechargeable battery, for example, and feeds power to an electrical circuit of the flavor inhaler article 30. The controller 32 is a processor, such as a microcontroller (MCU: microcontroller unit), and controls the operation of the electrical circuit of the flavor inhaler article 30. The inhalation sensor 33 is a barometric pressure sensor or a flow sensor, for example. When a user inhales from the mouthpiece of the flavor inhaler article 30, the inhalation sensor 33 outputs values in response to negative pressure generated inside the flavor inhaler article 30 or the flow rate of a gas. In other words, the controller 32 can detect inhalation on the basis of the output values of the inhalation sensor 33.

[0117] The aerosol source holding section 30B of the flavor inhaler article 30 includes a reservoir 34, a feeder 35, a load 36, and a level sensor 37. The reservoir 34 is a container for storing a liquid aerosol source to be atomized upon heating. Such an aerosol source is a polyol material, such as glycerol or propylene glycol. The aerosol source may also be a mixed solution containing liquid nicotine, water, a flavor, and so forth. In the reservoir 34, such an aerosol source is stored in advance. The aerosol source may also be a solid that does not require the reservoir 34.

[0118] The feeder 35 includes, for example, a wick formed by twisting fiber materials, such as glass fibers. The feeder 35 is connected to the reservoir 34. Moreover, the feeder 35 is connected to the load 36 or is placed at least partially near the load 36. An aerosol source permeates a wick through capillary action to move to a portion where the aerosol source can be atomized through heating by the load 36. In other words, the feeder 35 draws an aerosol source from the reservoir 34 and moves to or near the load 36. In place of glass fibers, porous ceramic may also be used for a wick.

[0119] The load 36 is a coil heater, for example, and generates heat by allowing current to flow therethrough. For example, the load 36 has a positive temperature coefficient (PTC) and exhibits resistance almost in direct proportion to rising temperature. The load 36 does not necessarily have a positive temperature coefficient but may exhibit any correlation between resistance and rising temperature. For example, the load 36 may have a negative temperature coefficient (NTC). The load 36 may be wound around a wick, or conversely, a wick may cover the load 36. Power feeding to the load 36 is controlled by the controller 32. When an aerosol source is supplied from the reservoir 34 to the load 36 by the feeder 35, the aerosol source evaporates by the heat of the load 36 to generate an aerosol. The controller 32 feeds power to the load 36 to generate an aerosol when inhalation behavior of a user is detected on the basis of the output values of the inhalation sensor 33. Further, when the level of an aerosol source in the reservoir 34 is sufficient, a sufficient amount of the aerosol source is supplied to the load 36 as well and the heat generated in the load 36 is transferred to the aerosol source. This means that the heat generated in the load 36 is used for temperature rising and vaporization of the aerosol source, and hence, the temperature of the load 36 hardly exceeds a predetermined temperature set in advance. Meanwhile, when an aerosol source in the reservoir 34 is depleted, the amount of the aerosol source supplied to the load 36 for a certain duration decreases. Consequently, the heat generated in the load 36 is not transferred to the aerosol source, in other words, is not used for temperature rising or vaporization of the aerosol source. For this reason, the load 36 is overheated to increase the resistance of the load 36 accordingly.

[0120] The level sensor 37 outputs sensing data for estimating the level of an aerosol source in the reservoir 34 on the basis of the temperature of the load 36. For example, the level sensor 37 includes a resistor (shunt resistor) for measuring electric current, which is connected in series with the load 36, and a measuring device for measuring the voltage of the resistor, which is connected in parallel to the resistor. The resistor has a predetermined constant resistance with little changes depending on temperature. Consequently, the current value of the resistor is obtained on the basis of the known resistance and measured voltage.

[0121] The additive component holding section 30C of the flavor inhaler article 30 holds a flavor generating material 38 inside, and the flavor generating material 38 may contain a common tobacco filler in addition to the sheet for a smoking article of the present invention, the multilayer sheet for a smoking article of the present invention, or a material derived therefrom. A common tobacco filler may comprise tobacco shreds or sheet tobacco cut into a predetermined width (cut sheet tobacco). The additive component holding section 30C has ventilation holes on the mouth side and in the portion joined with the aerosol source holding section 30B. When a user inhales from the mouthpiece, an aerosol generated in the aerosol source holding section 30B is drawn due to negative pressure generated inside the additive component holding section 30C, simultaneously added with components, such as nicotine and a flavor, inside the additive component holding section 30C, and then released inside the oral cavity of the user.

EXAMPLES



[0122] The following materials were used.

1) Wood Pulp



[0123] Pulp made from a conifer was used. The average fiber diameter was 33.1 µm. A method of measuring an average fiber diameter will be described hereinafter.

2) Non-pulp Fibers 1 (Dietary Fibers)



[0124] Citrus fibers (Herbacel AQ Plus CF-D/100 from DSP Gokyo Food & Chemical Co., Ltd.), which are dietary fibers primarily made of albedo of citrus fruits, were used. The average fiber diameter was 14.2 µm. These fibers are spongy insoluble fibers.

3) Non-pulp Fibers 2 (Micro fibrillated Cellulose)



[0125] Microfibrillated cellulose (Celish (solids content of 35 weight%) from Daicel FineChem Ltd.) was used. The average fiber diameter was 13.3 µm.

[Example 1]



[0126] Non-pulp fibers, hydroxypropyl cellulose (Celny H from Nippon Soda Co., Ltd.) as a binder, glycerol as an aerosol former, glycerol fatty acid ester (Poem DP-95RF from Riken Vitamin Co., Ltd.) as an emulsifier, and water were mixed to prepare 300 g of slurries 3 to 6. The composition was as shown in Table 1.

[0127] As a coating substrate, a metal plate of 600 mm × 300 mm that is reusable after cleaning was prepared. Each prepared slurry was applied to the metal plate using an applicator with adjustable clearance. The resulting wet sheet-formed metal plate was dried for 3 hours using a hot air generator (temperature: 100°C, wind speed: 1 m/s) to volatilize moisture and so forth in the wet sheet. The sheet after drying was released from the metal plate to yield a sheet for a smoking article. The sheet was evaluated by the methods described hereinafter.

[Comparative Example 1]



[0128] Comparative slurries C1 and C2 were prepared in the same manner as Example 1 except for using wood pulp in place of non-pulp fibers, and each sheet was produced in the same manner as Example 1 and evaluated. The composition was as shown in Table 1.

[0129] The results are shown in Table 1. All the slurries were not significantly different in drying properties and were able to form a sheet in the presence of glycerol and to ensure desirable smoky feeling. Each slurry prepared in Example 1 was able to form a sheet of a predetermined thickness, and the resulting sheet was easily dispersed or disintegrated after use by immersing in water. Meanwhile, a sheet produced from a comparative slurry using wood pulp was inferior in water dispersibility after use. Further, it was difficult to form a sheet of 50 µm or less in thickness. In all the sheets, the release surface was slightly sticky due to free glycerol.

[Example 2 and Comparative Example 2] Increase in Binder



[0130] Each sheet was produced and evaluated in the same manner as Example 1 or Comparative Example 1 except for increasing the amount of binder. The results are shown in Table 1. In Example 2, affinity between fibers and water as a solvent was enhanced to increase the flowability of a slutty, thereby improving coating properties and surface state. These improving effects by the increase in binder were more noticeable in Example 2 than in Comparative Example 2. It is presumed that each slurry of Example 2 using fibers having a small fiber diameter tends to increase the viscosity to allow the fibers and the solvent to flow at the same speed, thereby improving coating properties. Moreover, improvements in stickiness and strength were also observed in Example 2 compared with Example 1. The water dispersibility, although slightly slow compared with Example 1 since it took time to swell hydroxypropyl cellulose, was within the acceptable range for easy disintegration. In comparison between non-pulp fibers 1 and non-pulp fibers 2, the latter resulted in slightly better drying properties and higher strength.

[Example 3 and Comparative Example 3] Further Increase in Binder



[0131] Each sheet was produced and evaluated in the same manner as Example 2 or Comparative Example 2 except for further increasing the amount of binder. In Example 3, flowability of a slurry increased further compared with Example 2 to improve coating properties. Moreover, improvements in stickiness and strength were also observed. The water dispersibility, although slightly slow compared with Example 1 since it took time to swell hydroxypropyl cellulose, was within the acceptable range for easy disintegration. In comparison between non-pulp fibers 1 and non-pulp fibers 2, the latter resulted in slightly better drying properties and higher strength.

[Example 4 and Comparative Example 4] Increase in Aerosol Former



[0132] Each sheet was produced and evaluated in the same manner as Example 3 or Comparative Example 3 except for increasing the amount of glycerol as an aerosol former. In Example 4, smoky feeling was improved compared with Example 3. By taking account of coating properties, slurries 22 and 24 are the best with satisfactory drying properties as well.

[Example 5] Combined Use of Fibers



[0133] Each sheet was produced and evaluated in the same manner as Example 4 except for combining non-pulp fibers 1 and non-pulp fibers 2 in the amounts shown in Table 1. By mixing a plurality of fibers different in form, the affinity between the fibers and the solvent was further enhanced. Consequently, improvements in coating properties and sheet strength were observed. Among the slurries, slurry 27 was the best.

[Example 6] Addition of Emulsifier



[0134] Slurries 30 to 32 were prepared by adding an emulsifier in the amount shown in Table 2 to slurry 27 of Example 5, and each sheet was produced and evaluated in the same manner as Example 5. Stickiness due to bleeding of glycerol on the sheet surface was improved, and slurry 31 exhibited the best results.

[Example 7] Increase in Glycerol



[0135] Slurries 33 to 35 were prepared by increasing the amount of glycerol as shown in Table 2, and each sheet was produced and evaluated in the same manner as Example 6. Although slurry 34 had no problem, slurry 35 (50 weight% glycerol in the sheet) resulted in deterioration in drying properties and high stickiness. Accordingly, it was suggested that the upper limit of the amount of glycerol in the sheet is preferably 45 weight% or less.

[Example8] Addition of Flavor



[0136] A flavor was added to slurry 31 of Example 6 to prepare a flavor-containing slurry, and each sheet was produced and evaluated in the same manner as Example 6. When the amount of flavor added was 2 to 20 weigh% and more preferably 5 to 10 weight%, satisfactory flavor was exhibited without affecting, for example, formability of a sheet.

[Example 9] Addition of Tobacco Powder



[0137] Tobacco powder was added to slurry 31 of Example 6 to prepare a flavor-containing slurry, and each sheet was produced and evaluated in the same manner as Example 6. When the amount of tobacco powder added was 2 to 20 weight% and more preferably 5 to 10 weight%, satisfactory flavor was exhibited without affecting, for example, formability of a sheet.

[Table 1-1]



[0138] 
Table 1
    Comp. Ex. 1 Ex. 1 Comp. Ex. 2 Ex. 2
Composition (parts by weight) Slurry C1 C2 3 4 5 6 C7 C8 9 10 11 12
Wood pulp 3 5         3 5        
Citrus fiber     10 30         10 30    
Microfibrillated cellulose         10 30         10 30
(solids content)         3.5 11         3.5 11
HPC* 10 20
Glycerol 20 20
Emulsifier                        
Water 967 965 960 940 960 940 957 955 950 930 950 930
Characteristics Coating properties d d d d d d d d c c c c
Drying properties c c c c b b c c c c b b
Sheet thickness c c a a a a c c a a a a
Surface state d d d d d d d d c c c c
Sheet strength - - - - - - d c c b b b
Tensile strength (N/mm2)                        
Smoky feeling c c c c c c c c c c c c
Water dispersibility after use d d a a a a d d b b b b
* hydroxypropyl cellulose

[Table 1-2]



[0139] 
Table 1
    Comp. Ex. 3 Ex. 3 Comp. Ex. 4 Ex. 4 Ex. 5
Composition (parts by weight) Slurry C13 C14 15 16 17 18 C19 C20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29
Wood pulp 3 5         3 5                  
Citrus fiber     10 30         10 30     10 10 10 30 30
Microfibrillated cellulose         10 30         10 30 5 10 30 5 10
(solids content)         3.5 11         3.5 11 1.8 3.5 11 1.8 3.5
HPC 30 30 30
Glycerol 20 30 30
Emulsifier                                  
Water 947 945 940 920 940 920 937 935 930 910 930 910 925 920 900 905 900
Characteristics Coating properties d d b b b b d d b a b a b b a b a
Drying properties c c b b b b c c a a a a c b a a a
Sheet thickness c c a a a a c c a a a a a a a a a
Surface state d d b b b b d d b a b a c b a a a
Sheet strength d c c b b b d c b a b a c b a a a
Tensile strength (N/mm2)             4.8                    
Smoky feeling c c c c c c c c a a a a a a a a a
Water dispersibility after use d d b b b b d d b b b b b b b b b

[Table 2]



[0140] 
Table 2
    Ex. 6 Ex. 7 Ex. 8 Ex. 9
Composition (parts by weight) Slurry 30 31 32 33 34 35 41 42 43 44 37 38 39 40
Wood pulp - - - - - - - - - - -
Spongy insoluble fiber 10 10 10 10 10
Microfibrillated insoluble fiber 30 25 20 30 29 25 20 10
(solids content) 10.5 8.75 7 10.5 10.15 8.75 7 3.5
HPC 30 20 20 20 30 30
Glycerol 30 35 45 50 30 30
Emulsifier 0.1 0.2 0.3 0.2 0.2 0.2 0.2 0.2
Flavor - - - - - - 2 5 10 20 - - - -
Tobacco powder - - - - - - - - - - 2 5 10 20
Water 899.9 899.8 899.7 904.8 899.8 899.8 897.8 894.8 889.8 879.8 898.8 899.8 899.8 899.8
Characteristics Coating properties b a b a b b a a a a a a a a
Drying properties a a a a b c a a a a a a a b
Film thickness a a a a a a a a a a a a a a
Surface state b a c a b c a a a a a a a b
Film strength a a a a b b a a a a a a a a
Tensile strength (N/mm2)   17.9       15.3                
Smoky feeling a a a a a a a a a a a a a a
Water dispersibility after use b b b a a a a a a a a a a a
Water dispersibility after use   5'48"                        

[Evaluation Methods]


< Average Fiber Diameter >



[0141] 
  1. 1. The respective fibers were added with ethanol and disentangled using tweezers.
  2. 2. The fibers were dried at room temperature to volatilize and remove ethanol.
  3. 3. The fiber diameter was measured for 100 fibers using a microscope (3D laser scanning microscope VK-X1000 from Keyence Corporation).
  4. 4. The short axis length of a measured object was regarded as the fiber diameter. When a fiber has a flat shape, the width of the flat surface (principal surface) was regarded as the fiber diameter.
  5. 5. An average of the measured fiber diameters was regarded as an average fiber diameter.

< Coating Properties >



[0142] The coating properties (the presence or absence of coating unevenness) when applying a slurry using an applicator were evaluated by four grades below.

d: uniform coating impossible with coating defects in places

c: no coating defects but uniform coating difficult due to thickness unevenness

b: uniform coating possible

a: extremely uniform coating possible


< Drying Properties >



[0143] The drying properties (the presence or absence of drying unevenness) when drying a coating film were evaluated by four grades below.

d: uniform drying impossible with undried portions in places

c: no undried portions but uniform drying difficult due to drying unevenness

b: uniform drying possible

a: extremely uniform drying possible


< Sheet Thickness >



[0144] The thickness of the resulting sheet was measured using a coating thickness gauge (portable coating thickness tester from As One Corporation) and evaluated by three grades below.

c: 150 µm or more

b: 50 µm or more and less than 150 µm

a: less than 50 µm


< Surface State (Stickiness) >



[0145] The resulting sheet was cut into 50 mm × 50 mm, and five cut pieces were stacked and stored in a constant temperature and humidity chamber (temperature: 22°C, relative humidity: 60%) for 24 hours to evaluate the peeling properties by four grades below.

d: smooth peeling impossible due to sticking of several cut pieces

c: smooth peeling difficult due to partial sticking of cut pieces

b: smooth peeling possible despite partial sticking of cut pieces

a: extremely smooth peeling possible without sticking of cut pieces


< Sheet Strength >



[0146] The resulting sheet was subjected to a tear test by hands, and the strength was evaluated by four grades below.

d: fragile and extremely easily torn

c: easily torn

b: difficult to easily tear

a: difficult to tear



[0147] Moreover, the resulting sheet was cut into 15 mm × 180 mm, and the tensile strength was assessed as tensile stress by measuring using a tensile strength tester (Strograph E-S from Toyo Seiki Seisaku-sho, Ltd.) under conditions of load range: 25 and speed range: 50.

< Smoky Feeling >



[0148] The resulting sheet was cut into 50 mm × 50 mm and used as a flavor generating segment of an external heating-type RRP, which is a heat-not-burn smoking article. For the article, smoky feeling and the volume of smoke discharged were evaluated by fully trained seven panelists. Before the test, each panelist used a heat-not-burn flavor inhaler article 20 illustrated in Fig. 5 and filled with the cut sheet and made adjustments to recognize the sensation as b (standard). The results are shown as the mode.

d: extremely low smoky feeling and volume of smoke discharged

c: low smoky feeling and volume of smoke discharged

b: high smoky feeling and volume of smoke discharged

a: extremely high smoky feeling and volume of smoke discharged


< Easy Dispersibility in Water >



[0149] The sheet for a smoking article was recovered from the heat-not-burn smoking article that had been subjected to the test for smoky feeling, placed in a beaker with 50 mL of water inside, and stirred at 120 rpm for 30 minutes using a 20 mm stirring bar. The dispersibility in water on this occasion was evaluated by four grades below, and the results are shown as the mode.

d: not dispersed

c: not easily dispersed

b: dispersed

a: easily dispersed



[0150] Moreover, the resulting sheet was subjected to a water dispersibility test by an official method (JIS P 4501), and the water dispersibility was assessed as the time for dispersing.

REFERENCE SIGNS LIST



[0151] 
1
Sheet for smoking article
1c
Cut piece of sheet for smoking article
10
Heating device
11
Body
12
Heater
13
Metal tube
14
Battery unit
15
Control unit
16
Recess
17
Ventilation hole
20
Heat-not-burn flavor inhaler article
20A
Flavor generating segment
20B
Connection section
20C
Filter section
21
Rod-shaped flavor generating material
22
Wrapper
23
Paper tube
24
Ventilation hole portion
25
First segment
25a
First filling layer
25b
Inner plug wrapper
26
Second segment
26a
Second filling layer
26b
Inner plug wrapper
27
Outer plug wrapper
28
Lining paper
30
Heat-not-burn flavor inhaler article
30A
Body
30B
Aerosol source holding section
30C
Additive component holding section
31
Power source
32
Controller
33
Inhalation sensor
34
Reservoir
35
Feeder
36
Load
37
Level sensor
38
Flavor generating material



Claims

1. A sheet for a smoking article, comprising

non-pulp fibers and

an aerosol former and having

a thickness of 70 µm or less.


 
2. The sheet for a smoking article according to Claim 1, wherein the non-pulp fibers are derived from a plant.
 
3. The sheet for a smoking article according to Claim 1 or 2, wherein the non-pulp fibers include micro fibrillated cellulose.
 
4. The sheet for a smoking article according to any of Claims 1 to 3, wherein the non-pulp fibers include dietary fibers.
 
5. The sheet for a smoking article according to Claim 4, wherein the dietary fibers include citrus fibers.
 
6. The sheet for a smoking article according to any of Claims 1 to 5, wherein the non-pulp fibers have an average fiber diameter of 25 µm or less.
 
7. The sheet for a smoking article according to any of Claims 1 to 6, comprising 20 to 50 weight% of the aerosol former.
 
8. The sheet for a smoking article according to any of Claims 1 to 7, further comprising a binder.
 
9. The sheet for a smoking article according to Claim 8, wherein the binder is amphiphilic.
 
10. The sheet for a smoking article according to Claim 8 or 9, wherein the binder is a nonionic cellulose derivative.
 
11. The sheet for a smoking article according to any of Claims 1 to 10, further comprising an emulsifier.
 
12. The sheet for a smoking article according to Claim 11, comprising 0.1 to 0.3 parts by weight of an emulsifier relative to 100 parts by weight of the sheet for a smoking article.
 
13. The sheet for a smoking article according to any of Claims 1 to 12, having been processed by bending, slitting, pleating, or crimping.
 
14. A method of producing the sheet for a smoking article according to any of Claims 1 to 13, comprising steps of:

preparing a slurry containing at least the non-pulp fibers, an aerosol former, and a medium;

spreading the slurry on a substrate to prepare a wet sheet; and

drying the wet sheet.


 
15. A rod-shaped flavor generating material formed by folding or rolling the sheet for a smoking article according to any of Claims 1 to 13.
 
16. A multilayer sheet for a smoking article, comprising a plurality of sheets, wherein the multilayer sheet comprises two or more sheets selected from the group consisting of

A) a first sheet of the sheet for a smoking article according to any of Claims 1 to 13,

B) a second sheet of the sheet for a smoking article according to any of Claims 1 to 13, and

C) a sheet of a material different from the sheet for a smoking article, wherein
the first sheet and the second sheet are different or the same in composition.


 
17. A flavor generating segment comprising

a tubular wrapper and

the sheet for a smoking article according to any of Claims 1 to 13, the multilayer sheet for a smoking article according to Claim 16, or a material derived therefrom, any of which is packed within the wrapper.


 
18. The flavor generating segment according to Claim 17, wherein the rod-shaped flavor generating material, a cut piece of the sheet for a smoking article, or a cut piece of the multilayer sheet for a smoking article is packed within the wrapper.
 
19. A smoking article comprising the sheet for a smoking article according to any of Claims 1 to 13, the multilayer sheet for a smoking article according to Claim 16, or a material derived therefrom.
 
20. A smoking article comprising a wrapper formed of the sheet for a smoking article according to any of Claims 1 to 13 or the multilayer sheet for a smoking article according to Claim 16.
 
21. A combustion-type or non-combustion smoking article comprising the flavor generating segment according to Claim 17 or 18.
 
22. The combustion-type or non-combustion smoking article according to Claim 21, wherein the wrapper is formed of the sheet for a smoking article according to any of Claims 1 to 13 or the multilayer sheet for a smoking article according to Claim 16.
 
23. A tobacco filler comprising:

the sheet for a smoking article according to any of Claims 1 to 13, the multilayer sheet for a smoking article according to Claim 16, or a material derived therefrom; and

a material selected from the group consisting of a tobacco sheet, tobacco shreds, and a combination thereof.


 
24. The tobacco filler according to Claim 23, wherein the multilayer sheet for a smoking article indispensably comprises a metal foil as C).
 
25. The tobacco filler according to Claim 24, wherein C) and A) or B) are stuck together in the multilayer sheet for a smoking article.
 
26. A refill comprising the tobacco filler according to any of Claims 23 to 25.
 




Drawing




























Search report










Cited references

REFERENCES CITED IN THE DESCRIPTION



This list of references cited by the applicant is for the reader's convenience only. It does not form part of the European patent document. Even though great care has been taken in compiling the references, errors or omissions cannot be excluded and the EPO disclaims all liability in this regard.

Patent documents cited in the description




Non-patent literature cited in the description